Last night, Carlita and I saw Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “Vertigo”, with the Minnesota Orchestra playing Bernard Herrmann’s brilliant score. She and I had very different experiences.
Being a writer, Carla was absorbed in the dialogue and the story. The acting was authentic by 1950s standard. The characters were intriguing and sometimes creepy. Including the usually happy, kind, naive Jimmy Stewart! Carla saw plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, and she was also put off by Hitchcock's habitual misogyny. All the same, while Carla found the story to be flawed, it was nonetheless emotionally hard-hitting.
Being a musician, I was absorbed by Herrmann's music. Aaron Copland once said that the best film music makes its impact without calling attention to itself. That's mostly true for the music for "Vertigo". There are many quiet and lyrical passages. But there are moments where the music breaks through and rattles the listener to the core. Hearing a live orchestra accompanying the film escalated that experience. The dynamics, the overtones created by the instruments, the real-time immediacy of the music making was emotionally hard-hitting, just as the story and dialogue were.
No spoilers, but Hitchcock does leave us hanging at the end. No final resolution, no denouement, just "yikes". That's what Hitchcock does, I guess.
It's a Canadian film (in French) and is about a woman who is for some reason obsessed with a serial killer who murdered 3 young teens.
It is not graphic and gets the points across by audio and the reactions of the actors. I'm still thinking about it and the main character almost a week after I saw it.
That's what art should do. I consider that film a work of art. It was very, very good.
By contrast, Lawrence O'Donnell tried and tried and tried and tried and tried AND TRIED to help people understand US residents pay tariffs - regardless of the lies Donald tells
My understanding is that on weekends, the latest post is the OT except for the movie post, which stays on topic until Ziggy announces in the previous post that the movie is over and OT comments can now go there.
You want an unusual horror movie? I can recommend "Viy" (USSR, 1967). The worst student at the seminary is basically ordered to keep the vigil over the body of a young woman....one whom he's had a supernatural encounter with just a few days ago....
I read a terrifying short story by Algernon Blackwood the last 2 nights called "The Kit-Bag." It was so fucking scary I had to stop and was ascairt when I had to get up and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night last night. :(
I know slasher movies get the job done for most people. But I kind'a like low budget horror from England for Halloween.
And why not watch one where Hammer icons Cushing and Lee get warped into a non-Hammer horror anthology frame and share space with none other than fucking Doctor Who stalwart Jon Pertwee? Yeah....that ain't no lie. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_That_Dripped_Blood
Robert Bloch got the writing credit for this turkey and Christopher Lee worked against type for this one.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, but if you're going out to party like it's nineteen-ninety-ween tonight, do NOT drive unless you really have to. Even if you're drinking moderately or not at all. Other drivers are a hazard, cops are a hazard, pedestrians are a hazard. Catch an Uber or a bus or just walk.
It's also Caturday!
https://bsky.app/profile/democratcats.bsky.social/post/3mz6gbf6bg22q
Well, since the top post has once again been left on paying customers only (I do pay, just not via Substack), I guess I'll put this here:
TIL that the Muppets made 25 appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show, between 1966 and 1971.
An example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSaHas6kyvg
Welp. :/
They did a really good exhibit at the Jewish Contemporary Art Museum here in SF, of Henson and all his work.
The pre-muppets stuff was really cool to see.
Rolf the dog was a full blown sidekick on a talkshow!
Last night, Carlita and I saw Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “Vertigo”, with the Minnesota Orchestra playing Bernard Herrmann’s brilliant score. She and I had very different experiences.
Being a writer, Carla was absorbed in the dialogue and the story. The acting was authentic by 1950s standard. The characters were intriguing and sometimes creepy. Including the usually happy, kind, naive Jimmy Stewart! Carla saw plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, and she was also put off by Hitchcock's habitual misogyny. All the same, while Carla found the story to be flawed, it was nonetheless emotionally hard-hitting.
Being a musician, I was absorbed by Herrmann's music. Aaron Copland once said that the best film music makes its impact without calling attention to itself. That's mostly true for the music for "Vertigo". There are many quiet and lyrical passages. But there are moments where the music breaks through and rattles the listener to the core. Hearing a live orchestra accompanying the film escalated that experience. The dynamics, the overtones created by the instruments, the real-time immediacy of the music making was emotionally hard-hitting, just as the story and dialogue were.
No spoilers, but Hitchcock does leave us hanging at the end. No final resolution, no denouement, just "yikes". That's what Hitchcock does, I guess.
Well, it's been two weeks since we doubled our herd 'o cats.
Four cats is a lot of cats. They are everywhere. They can teleport. They eat.
There's always at least one standing in front of you...just..stopped.
They were hanging around outside all year, I fell in love and we brought them in.
(a cop(!) came to the back door several weeks ago asking "Those your cats?" uhh maybe?)
All vaxxed and chipped now, and (mostly) all the other stuff to give them a good long life.
So two girls, Meimei now has a sister, a tortie, Miss Trixie,
and two boys, our Squeeek now has Big Mike, a calico, to look up to.
There were tensions at first, but everyone seems to be getting acclimated.
Because we never think things through, Trixie, maybe 10 months old herself,
is going to have kittens in like maybe a month. I didn't have the heart at the vet to, you know.
Mrs. Tapioca is looking forward to being a kitty midwife gramma, yay! A first for her.
Thing is, Trixie is a Manx, but one with a long tail. Genetical. They call them 'longies'.
It's funny weird, and endearing. After a couple inches, her tail just falls because
there's no muscle there. It does the dangle. So sweet and funny and joyful.
From what I've read, the litter is likely to be a mix of long, stumpy, and no tails.
I'll let you know when the blessed event occurs.
Four cats is already a lot of cats
You in the market for a cat?
As a "Mother of Kittens" - yes, 4 is alot! Tomorrow will be 9 weeks since they were born
Good wishes and I am also in the business of "Free Cat to a good home"
My mom doesn't get too many trick-or-treaters in her suburban neighborhood in California anymore.
You know why?
Because the kids all go to THE MALL.
How depressing is THAT?
smgdh
I also watched something called "Gallery of Horror" the other night, with John Carradine hosting 4 horror shorts, Night Gallery-style.
I fell asleep at one point, but the first two shorts were good. I have to finish it tonight.
I highly recommend "Les Chambres Rouges."
It's a Canadian film (in French) and is about a woman who is for some reason obsessed with a serial killer who murdered 3 young teens.
It is not graphic and gets the points across by audio and the reactions of the actors. I'm still thinking about it and the main character almost a week after I saw it.
That's what art should do. I consider that film a work of art. It was very, very good.
Here is a short film horror movie (just look at the zombie face in the still)
A Confederate -- a not-too-bright one at that -- calling tariffs "really good"
https://youtu.be/LaFzVCFbycs?is=Wa-swOltBRe0YKqx
By contrast, Lawrence O'Donnell tried and tried and tried and tried and tried AND TRIED to help people understand US residents pay tariffs - regardless of the lies Donald tells
https://youtu.be/6NjZMlUDgro?is=aw64dRbAr4ftD4dY
So this stays the days OT?
/S
My understanding is that on weekends, the latest post is the OT except for the movie post, which stays on topic until Ziggy announces in the previous post that the movie is over and OT comments can now go there.
The /s is to indicate I'm joking about the next post being accidentally set to paid sub comments only.
I guess so. I am a PayPal subscriber so I am persona non grata in the latest post’s non-comments.
It always happens on Gary's posts for some reason.
What do you mean? So am I, and I don't have any problems like that.
I am not a paid Substack subscriber and the latest post says “only paid subscribers can comment”
I think that's a recurring glitch where an admin has forgetten to use a particular setting or something.
I get it from time to time.
I also use PayPal to donate.
Email Rebecca and ask her to change you to subscriber status. That's what worked for me.
Even aside from that, the "paid subscribers only" thing is some kind of default setting that the admins have to correct.
You want an unusual horror movie? I can recommend "Viy" (USSR, 1967). The worst student at the seminary is basically ordered to keep the vigil over the body of a young woman....one whom he's had a supernatural encounter with just a few days ago....
I haven't see the film, but "Viy" is a short story by Gogol, and as a short story is terrifying.
I'll have to read it.
I read a terrifying short story by Algernon Blackwood the last 2 nights called "The Kit-Bag." It was so fucking scary I had to stop and was ascairt when I had to get up and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night last night. :(
I know slasher movies get the job done for most people. But I kind'a like low budget horror from England for Halloween.
And why not watch one where Hammer icons Cushing and Lee get warped into a non-Hammer horror anthology frame and share space with none other than fucking Doctor Who stalwart Jon Pertwee? Yeah....that ain't no lie. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_That_Dripped_Blood
Robert Bloch got the writing credit for this turkey and Christopher Lee worked against type for this one.
I prefer Hammer horror films to any others. There's something comfy about them, decent storytelling, and they don't depend on effects.
The segment with Pertwee is a real hoot!
I love Hammer movies, even the late "Dracula" ones that critics usually pan are fun.
My favorite is "The Vampire Lovers" with Ingrid Pitt.
what about, 'Nothing But The Night'? Has Cushing and Lee. And Donna Dors
https://youtu.be/63HFcG6JZac?is=gZqEoeOKlqmTDS39
OOOH! I'll add that to the watchlist, thanks!
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, but if you're going out to party like it's nineteen-ninety-ween tonight, do NOT drive unless you really have to. Even if you're drinking moderately or not at all. Other drivers are a hazard, cops are a hazard, pedestrians are a hazard. Catch an Uber or a bus or just walk.
Also watch while you're driving. One Halloween, I almost hit a gaggle of trick-or-treaters who ran in front of my car (on a four-lane highway).
Supposedly based on the music written on someone's butt in 'The Garden of Earthly Delights'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kiD5hM-Hwk
I gotta say, there just aren't nearly enough hurdy-gurdy/bagpipe bands around these days.
Gary's new post is again set to: "Paid Subscribers Only".
Stephen Miller’s costume for the WH Halloween Party was “Nazi asshole.”
https://substack.com/@lakotaman/note/c-374751593?r=udbmd&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Those sunglasses just make him look like a child molester.
The costume he never takes off...
I was going to say -- he's that every year, isn't he
🎃 Black Cat Bodega Caturday https://bsky.app/profile/bodegacats.bsky.social/post/3myfvuc4dbc2c