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@ Various, some related, most not.
Contents:
Episode I: @ Star Wars banter
Episode II: Over the Rhine tribute CD
Episode III: Monk live CD
Episode IV: @ Action Figures
Episode V: @ Rhinelander Ball
Episode VI: @ New Music
"STAR RELIGION" or "STUPIDITY OF CHILDREN, v I"
Don't get me wrong. I watched "Episode IV" 40+ times in the theater. (OK,
so I was 7 and there was a theater lurking in the family).
People, ya know, there's a reason it didn't win the Oscar for Best Picture
yet it won the People's Choice Award for "Favorite Motion Picture" in '78.
It's a populist motion picture. "Empire" wasn't even nominated for Best
Picture, but still won the People's Choice. Ditto "Jedi". Don't be
surprised if next year's Academy Awards/People's Choice is a repeat.
When Mike refers to lack of character development, perhaps he's searching
for something beyond "you touch the hot coals, you recoil in pain" kind of
acting. I understand the wanderlust many of us have for these films, but
well acted they're not. Ford and other cast members have complained that
Lucas/Kershner/Marquand directing and Lucas' writing was geared more to
effects and mechanical things than humans.
Prototypical blockbuster? Absolutely. After SW Ep IV, movies got louder,
dumber, with more scenes and edits. Once they saw the cash cow that was
Star Wars, more and more cash started to get poured into new films. Next
thing ya know, action figures and cereals and toothpaste and calendars and
(polish sausage and clay pots and office furniture and) ViewMaster discs and
RCA CED SelectaVision discs and chips and bikes and colas were being co
marketed and pushed to the masses. Mr. Lucas makes all the liscensing
royalties off of this. Never prior had this occurred at this scale. Not
many films turn a 5000% profit either.
As far as entertainment, it's enjoyable, but it didn't change my life like
"Hudson Hawk" or "Adventures in Babysitting" did. Ya know, even Kevin
Rubio's "Troops" was a little life affecting, and that's a pseudo-spinoff of
Star Wars. (Derivative? Episode 4.1a?)
"PHOENIX RISING" or "TAKE COVER, JAY'S SINGING MURDER"
A while ago, I'd outlaid an idea to make an OtR cover CD, profits donated to
charity blah blah blah. I'm attempting here to raise that (again) from the
dead. So far I think I have at least Jessyka, the Neds-Fox's, Ysobelle,
Jaysef Harnish, binkster, Elissa Beth Baum, Greg
(janweatherman at hotmail_com), AmyRomania and me.
If anyone else reading this want to join us, e-mail me privately at
b_lachey at hotmail_com with what you could contribute. Ideally, here's how
it'll go down:
Recordings to occur by 30 Aug, mastering etc. to occur by 15 Sept, CD
pressing to occur by 8 October. It sounds like a TON of time, but time
sneaks up on you. If you need help arranging things or studio stuff, let me
know that as well. For example, if you can play the triangle and want to
contribute but have never thought about anything like this, we can work with
you...
I still need to get with Linford/Karin/Ric to ask them what they think about
this. Not that it will deter me much either way, but approval's always a
nice endorsement. I'd like to donate profits to charity as well, so if we
can get the current OtR band to agree on one (just who IS the current OtR
band anyway?) then that'll simplify that.
"I CAN SMELL THIS GUITAR" or "MULTIMEDIA MONK"
The live Monk think will be delayed a little longer. Ric said something
about adding a multimedia bit to it, including a Merseybeet tour and having
some guitar pictures etc. It should definitely be worth the wait.
"ACTION FIGURE MANIA" or "WHY IS THAT KYLE DOLL DOING THAT TO THE MR. EMERY
DOLL, MOMMY?"
I'm all for it, Jay. If only we could tie it to their major label signing
(if and when...). Toys could be given away in happy meals at McD's. They'd
be bigger than the Spice Girls.
Consider making the actual "band" figures have pull-chains to hear them say
various phrases.
For example, Linford could mutter something about "my sister Grace" and
someone's "old crackly hands". Perhaps it could recite a well known short
work, like the Gettysburg Address, but add lots of colorful three-syllable
adjectives to spice it up for the alternative set.
The Brian Doll could go on and on about Iron Maiden and his record
collection, and break into falsetto with every fourth pull of the string.
Jack's gravelly voice would weaken the constitution of an old man and put
fear back into the hearts of today's reckless carefree youth. Karin's doll
of course should answer all of life's big questions, but she will enunciate
it so poorly that the secrets will continue to elude.
Just a thought.
"LET'S HAVE A BALL" or "A GATHERING OF SORTS"
This idea from the Pittsburgh camp is simultaneously baffling and
intriguing. Is a ball a ball if only 30 people show up?
Yz suggested it to concur with the release of the OtR tribute thing, so
perhaps the ball will never happen at all (hahah).
Maybe the next Rhinelander gathering we can add this to the agenda. Or all
show up in formalwear.
"BEST NEW MUSIC. FIRST" or "TEXAS LOVES YOU ANYWAY"
Today heralds the release of Texas' "The Hush" CD, which I predict will be
amazing. She doesn't sound much like a Welsh woman... Are there any other
Texas fans out here? Is this mic still on?
Also today sees Utah Phillips & Ani DiFranco's CD "Fellow Workers" (w/Dave
Pirner guesting on trumpet) and Ron Sexsmith's "Whereabouts", his third CD.
Ric covers Ron's "She Talks with Angels" a lot. And the Cardigan's
"Emmerdale" (previously unreleased in the US) is out today. I quite like
their most recent CD as well. So well done, it's scary. Down to the ultra
glossy, thick paper.
Bruce
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