Michael's Musings

January 27, 2014

Unfortunately, there's not really a lot to report this week. 

I'm in the home stretch of my new play and, if all goes well, I should have the first draft finished within the next few days.  I finally figured out how to end the play, so now it's just a matter of getting there.

Once that draft is done, I'm going to put that whole project aside and begin work on the update of my Dinah Shore biography.  I figure that that will take me the better part of am month to complete.  Once that is submitted, I will go back to the play with fresh eyes and see what I have.

Also this week, I will probably get the proof copy and finish with THE AMUSEMENT, my erotic thriller screenplay, which will be uploaded soon for sale.  More on that when it actually happens.

Finally, I've just uploaded a review of CONCUSSION to the Best Bets on DVD website, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  So, please check it out.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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January 20, 2014

My cough, for the most part, is gone.  However, this past week I threw my back out, which required 2 trips to the chiropractor.  All seems to be well now. Fingers crossed.

I spent much of last week working on my new play, and the 2nd act is moving along quite well.  Since the play has a historical basis, I know how the story must end, however I've yet to decide how it will end dramatically. 

Once I finish the first draft, I will put it aside fro awhile, then go to work on my Dinah Shore book.  When that's done, I can then go back to the play with a fresh viewpoint.

I've posted a review of THIEF (1981) with James Caan and Tuesday Weld on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  It's a powerful crime drama, so take a look.

There is also a review of DRUMS IN THE DEEP SOUTH (1951), a pretty good Civil War drama with James Craig, Guy Madison and Barbara Payton.  More about Barbara in a later blog.

Finally,  here's a quote that I posted recently on my FaceBook page:

"When you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It's only painful and difficult for others. The same applies when you are stupid." -- Ricky Gervais

You have a creative week.

Michael

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January 13, 2014

I have had a cough now for 4-5 weeks.  At first, I thought it was the remnants of a cold I had in early December, but after two series of antibiotics and a course of steroids, it is persisting.  I guess the next step is to see an ENT doctor...which I don't have here (yet) in Austin.

I've finished the first draft of the first act of my new 3-person play, and am now a couple of pages into Act II.  It's going well, I think.  When it's finished and I'm happy with it, I'll get together with some actors and listen to them read it aloud.

I'm also in the process of preparing THE AMUSEMENT, another of my screenplays for publication.  If you enjoy erotic thrillers, you will like this one.

With Blockbuster now gone, Sandy and I have rejoined Netflix, and thus far we have watched 4 of their movies, all of which we enjoyed: PARKLAND, THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES, STAND-UP GUYS and THE ICEMAN.  We should have a couple more here on Monday, THE HEAT and 42.  Actually, Netflix is a much better deal than renting from Blockbuster.  However, what I'm going to miss from Blockbuster is being able to pick up cheap copies of movies I want to own off of their used disc table.

The people at the Colonial Radio Theatre are going to do the re-takes on the audio version of HAIL ON THE CHIEF this week.  Then, it should only be a few weeks before it's edited, music and sound effects added, and made available for download.

Finally, there are two new reviews on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  They are COPPER, Season 2, as promised last week, and the Criterion edition of IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD.  So, take a look.

You have a creative week,

Michael

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