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August 28, 2006
Early Mornings
They're uncivilized. But that's working for a living for you.
Saturday a.m. I had to get up early because people who promote family movies somehow have convinced themselves that getting critics to set their alarms and drive across town on the weekend will somehow result in better reviews. Don't ask me how the conclusion is reached. This particular family film was a new LASSIE movie.
I know what you're thinking, because everyone responds the same way, so let's all react in unison:
There's a new LASSIE move?
Yes, and it stars Peter O'Toole.
Isn't Peter O'Toole dead?
No. Remember when they tried to give him a lifetime achievement award around the time of TROY and he refused to take it because he wasn't done with achieving stuff yet? That's still the deal.
Saturday I actually did some film work. Believe it or not, I'm getting paid to direct a short movie. It's less than I make for a review, but it's been fun to do it, except at one location that was so imbued with essence of cat that it was toxic to me, and the subsequent Benadryl pill nearly made me pass out but didn't stop the sneezing altogether. Somehow, over time, I've become less sensitive to Benadryl's medical effects but more sensitive to its sedative side-effects.
Anyway, I can't go into detail about the movie yet, but as paid work goes, it's good. More people should pay me to make movies.
Another early morning tomorrow, to see that street basketball movie CROSSOVER. Why it's showing in the a.m., I do not know.
Posted by LYT at August 28, 2006 6:07 PM [Message Board]
Comments
That is weird. Maybe they think you'll be tired and miss flaws.
Posted by: David N. Scott at August 28, 2006 7:53 PM
Where do they typically screen films for critics such as yourself? They don't rent vacant theatres, do they? Also, didn't O'Toole ultimately accept his faux-Oscar back in 2003? He's one of the few people that you can look at him and say, "he's only 73?"
Posted by: Steve Smith at August 29, 2006 8:43 AM
The answer to this should probably go in my faqs.
If it's your average, John Travolta/Warner Bros. type movie, for instance, they do rent out a theater, and fill some of the seats with ordinary people off the street who will wait in line for an hour just to see a free movie.
If it's a super-duper big summer blockbuster, they might screen it on the studio lot instead, in their super-premium in-house theater.
If it's LASSIE, distributed by Roadside Attractions, they rent out the Wilshire screening room (or someplace like it), which is smaller than a regular theater but also more comfortable. Plus the Wilshire screening room has jars of candy.
Posted by: LYT at August 29, 2006 8:47 AM
I am really interested in seeing Peter O'Toole's portrayal of Lassie. A very daring choice. Does he wear a dog suit, or is the canine suggested? I hope it's the latter.
Posted by: justin stone brakhage at August 29, 2006 9:41 AM