Michael's Musings

March 10, 2014

Okay, I missed Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress on my Oscar predictions.  

:-(

I have no issue with 12 YEARS A SLAVE winning those two categories.  It's a fine film.  I just thought that since GRAVITY is a more entertaining experience, it would take the top prize.  Indeed, there were several Academy voters I spoke to who really didn't want to watch 12 YEARS A SLAVE because of the subject matter.

B MOVIE, my stage play about the scandalous Franchot Tone/Barbara Payton/Tom Neal affair is now available in paperback and on Kindle.

Here's the link to the trailer for B MOVIE, and if that doesn't work, just copy the address below into your browser and you'll be taken right there.

BTW: I'm very proud of this play.  I hope you'll take a look at it and, if you're involved in a theatre group, perhaps you will suggest it for production.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j00ppiNqww

Here's the link to where you can purchase the script on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/B-Movie-Play-Two-Acts/dp/1495428486/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393852612&sr=1-1&keywords=b+movie+druxman

ACX, the company that distributes my work on audio is, sadly, changing their royalty structure.  Any productions not contracted for by Wednesday (12) will receive a lower royalty.  I, like many other authors, have been scrambling to sign deals with actors before the deadline.  I have 2 offers out; waiting to see if they are accepted.

Finally, there's a new review of MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom up on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  It's an excellent film, so take a look.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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March 3, 2014

Although this blog is dated March 3rd, I am, actually, writing it on Saturday, March 1st, so that I can list my Oscar predictions.  When you read this on Monday (3), you'll know how psychic I was..or was not.

I freely admit that I have not seen most of the movies that are up for awards,  I make these predictions based on my own gut instinct and over fifty years of experience in the film industry.

Best Picture: GRAVITY
Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett
Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence
Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Enjoy the Oscars, and I will be back next week.

Michael

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February 24, 2014

Yesterday, I turned 73 years old.

I hate being 73 years old, but it is certainly better than the alternative.

This past Saturday, I held a reading at my house of my new stage play, B MOVIE.  Three wonderful Austin actors read the play aloud, and I was extremely pleased with the result.  The play works!

I have now ordered a proof copy of the play book and, once I check that for any typos or whatever, the script will become available in both paperback and on Kindle.  You will be able to read it and, preferably, stage it in your local theater...for a royalty, of course.

Although B MOVIE is part of my THE HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS collection, it is considerably different than the other one and two character plays, which are, essentially, oral biographies of the subjects.

B MOVIE has three characters and deals with what was probably the most sordid scandal to hit Hollywood during the first half of the 1950s.  It's subject is the Franchot Tone/Barbara Payton/Tom Neal affair.

If all goes well, copies of the play should become available before the middle of March.  I will keep you informed.

There's a new review on the Best Bets on DVD website, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  The movie is an intriguing thriller, entitled PIG.  Take a look.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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