Yes, I've been MIA for more than a month. But I have good reasons.
1. One, Corinne Fetter became Corinne Kritikos and attention had to be paid.
2. I moved from Morningside Heights/Harlem to beautiful Park Slope, Brooklyn after a hellish apartment search and the latest movers in the history of the world.
3. Two other Uglies are in the throws of wedding planning and attention must be paid.
But, I'm working on a new blogging vigor. I want to return this blog to its true purpose so I have some drafts in the works. Until then, thanks for checking in and stay tuned.
OK, OK! My fans are clamouring for an update (although I think you just want a new post for new opportunities to make fun of me). I was planning on doing one tonight, but then I got carried away with bridesmaid duties. So I'm in process of writing the update to beat all updates.
You'll need a few days to prepare for what's about to happen.
Info: Dave and I were returning from an excellent Chinatown feast when he hit me repeatedly on the arm as we were crossing the street. Thinking it was just his normal behavior, I was slow to catch on that he was calling the sighting to my attention. There he was, Christopher Moltisanti from The Sopranos! A show I have recently completed watching and absolutely LOVED.
Notes: He had long hair (for Christopher) and we saw him meet a young lass on the corner, gave her a kiss on the cheek and disappear into the night.
An amazing thing happened yesterday. I was completely spontaneous and it all worked out perfectly. Having read that the lead players of Spinal Tap were going to be performing sans costumes and electric instruments, I thought I might like to go but funds for such things are low on my list as of late. However, when the show presented itself again, day of show, for some reason I flew into action. I went to Craigslist, found cheap seats, e-mailed and secured tickets in one hour's time. It couldn't have been easier. So to my joy, that is how I found myself sitting in the incredibly beautiful Beacon Theater for a night of comedy/rock. The trio did songs, all acoustic, from This is Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind and some choice cuts from Waiting for Guffman.
Highlights: •An earlier promise of famous faces was doubly paid off when the trio was clearly gearing up to play the classic, "Gimme Some Money"—choice lyrics: "Don't get me wrong. Try getting me right. Your face is OK. But your purse is too tight." Instead of launching into the song themselves, they brought out a guest vocalist in the person of ELVIS COSTELLO. Elvis sang the entire song with gusto as the trio backed him up. The entire theater was shocked and elated.
•As a breather between songs, the trio read verbatim the original censorship notes made when NBC decided to air the film in its entirety for the first time. Sample notes: "The lyrics 'my baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo, I'd like to sink her with my pink torpedo' are unacceptable." "The entire song 'Sex Farm' is unacceptable."
•I feared Stonehenge wouldn't be as wonderful without the mini-Stonehenge and dancing midgets. However, I was proven wrong when on the screen behind the trio, an even smaller mini-Stonehenge was lowered down on a string while two disembodied hands (which I later found out belonged to Jamie Lee Curtis) made two Troll dolls dance around. It was the Spinal Tap equivalent of the dancing manatee. Brilliant!
•I wasn't expecting any songs from Waiting for Guffman since the other two gentlemen weren't involved in that movie, however, I was pleasantly surprised when Christopher Guest and a guest female vocalist sang a touching rendition of "A Penny for Your Thoughts," complete with toe touch at the end.
•I also wasn't expecting to hear my favorite song from A Mighty Wind, "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow, since it's Eugene Levy's shining moment in the film. However, apparently Michael McKean and his wife wrote the song and so fittingly performed it, complete with kiss at the end.
•The performance of "Big Bottom" was done with just bass and snapping fingers, which is probably how I'd prefer to hear the song from now on.
•They took some time between songs to share two of their favorite fan-made music videos to Spinal Tap songs. Here is my favorite:
•The evening ended on a high note with "Old Joe's Place," reminding me how much I enjoy A Might Wind and must rewatch it as soon as possible.
•Overall, I was really impressed with how talented the men were as musicians. Christopher Guest can play guitar as well as anyone I've seen. And although they are all in they're 60s, they played for two hours including two encores. That's more than I've seen much younger musicians do.
Lowlight: The definition of douche that was sitting a row ahead of us. Not only were they clearly wasted and talking over the music so loud that the girl next to us loudly (and rightly) called them douches, when the trio was introducing the song "Corn Wine," the douche felt it appropriate to yell out "Cornhole!" Not amused. Thankfully, they stumbled out (or were kicked out) shortly after this incident.
Sorry for all the trailer stuff. I've been crazy at work, traveling, sick, hurt back and now eczema. Perhaps too much information. But some of the only pleasure I get these days is from trailers like this. Enjoy.
Info: I was at the Pourhouse, one of two official KU alumni bars, to watch the slaughtering of Mizzou when my good friend Chris Raine pointed out Mr. Smiling Joe Biden watching the game in the other room. As a known KU alum, it was not surprising to see him there, but exciting nonetheless. Raine said that Will Forte from SNL was with him, but I did not spy him.
Notes: He was sporting a fine beard and was wearing (proudly) a navy Kansas sweatshirt.
Just so I'll be able to gloat, in case I do well, here are my Oscar picks for tonight. Let's see how I do. If I get 100%, you all have to buy me something pretty.
Best Picture The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Frost/Nixon Milk The Reader Slumdog Millionaire Notes: The only one I haven't seen is The Reader, and it shouldn't have been nominated in this category anyway. Should have been The Dark Knight or WALL-E. Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor Richard Jenkins-The Visitor Frank Langella-Frost/Nixon Sean Penn-Milk Brad Pitt-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Mickey Rourke-The Wrestler Notes: Ok, I haven't seen The Wrestler. However, Mickey Rourke scares me and I can't see how much of a stretch his part is...In any other year, I'd say Frank Langella should be taking the golden guy, but unfortunately that damn Sean Penn showed up to steal his glory. Also, I recently watched The Visitor and it is GREAT! Will Win: Mickey or Sean? My heart says Sean but my head says Mickey.
Best Actress Anne Hathaway-Rachel Getting Married Angelina Jolie-Changeling Melissa Leo-Frozen River Meryl Strep-Doubt Kate Winslet-The Reader Notes: I'm outraged Kate was nominated for The Reader and not Revolutionary Road which is generally considered the better of her two parts. However, I heart her, so she's welcome any time. I also heart Anne Hathaway and LOVED Rachel Getting Married so I'd be happy if she won. Only other note, Changleing is a terrible movie. Angelina Jolie's entire performance is her crying and repeating the line (That is not my son!). She doesn't belong here. Will Win: Kate Winslet
Best Supporting Actor Josh Brolin-Milk Robert Downey Jr.-Tropic Thunder Phillip Seymour Hoffman-Doubt Heath Ledger-The Dark Knight Michael Shannon-Revolutionary Road Notes: Even if he hadn't died, Heath Ledger's performance is insurmountable by the rest of these guys. They know it and you will too as soon as you see his Oscar clip next to any of theirs. Will Win: Heath Ledger
Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams-Doubt Penelope Cruz-Vicky Christina Barcelona Viola Davis-Doubt Taraji Henson- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Marisa Tomei-The Wrestler Notes: This is a tough one to call. The two Doubt ladies will probably split voters, although of the two, I prefer Viola Davis' performance. I liked Henson in Button but I think Cruz directed by Woody will be too hard for the Academy to resist. Will Win: Penelope Cruz
Best Director Danny Boyle-Slumdog Millionaire Steven Daldry-The Reader David Fincher-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Ron Howard-Frost/Nixon Gus Van Sant-Milk Notes: I'd be happy if either Gus Van Sant or Danny Boyle won. I've been fans of both for years, ditto David FIncher, although I think he'll do better films than Button. Howard already has his Oscar, so it should have been Christopher Nolan. Will Win: Danny Boyle-Slumdog Millionaire
Yes, I've been MIA for more than a month. But I have good reasons.
