Greetings all,
We're in the home stretch for the end of summer so make the most of it! Why is summer always the shortest season? I'll have next month to wax poetic over the seasons, for now, let's enjoy it and talk about the good times.
I'm still enjoying my new job. It's still kind of a jet lag to work all day and still have time to do something besides run home and catch a few hours of sleep before heading out to the next job. The fact that I have benefits like health insurance and a 401k just amuses me. When did I become this guy? Will they realize that I'm an impostor and ask me to leave? Like summer, just enjoy it while it lasts.
The big news of the day-Kansans experienced their first earthquake! Thanks to the fraking in Oklahoma, we got the aftershock of a man made earthquake. It was my second and it felt pretty much like the first. The only difference is that when I was in California the experience was "Huh, so that's an earthquake?" This time the experience was more like "Wholly shit, how did a large dog get into my apartment and under my bed?" Living in the midwest, you're first thought is not earthquake.
Ever since George Kennedy passed away in February, I've been dreading the day that we'll need somebody with experience to save us from natural disasters. Irwin Allen, Charlton Heston, Lorne Green, Paul Newman and Steve McQueen are all gone. Robert Wagner taught a generation to be suave and debonair while solving mysteries but his attempts at rescue went up in flames, literally.
Sure, Roland Emmerich has blown up the world a couple of times but the all-star cast just finds a way to rebuild from the ashes. What if the only people left to save us in the face of a natural disaster are Dwayne Johnson and O.J. Simpson? I think I may have just stumbled across Roger Corman's next movie, or mine. I'll need a lot of Kickstarter money for that cast, not to mention the special effects. Dragons and horses are nothing compared to a natural disaster.
At least I've been putting my off time to good use and reading. It's always good to expand your mind.
13 Hours: The Inside Account Of What Really Happened In Benghazi by Mitchell Zuckoff with the Annex Security Team. I found this little gem on audiobook. It's read by the author and is the tale of what happened on September 12th, 2012 at the U.S. Lybian consulate. This is a great read (or listen) and is one of the few books that I've read that captures the chaos of the moment and even afterwards, doesn't have an explanation of all of the facts. If you're interested in history, check this one out.
I'd like to take a second here to address any readers that may be under 25 (Ha! Like I have readers of any age, but I digress). I'm not encouraging or discouraging your future plans but if you want to go where the money and excitement is, think about the armed forces. The Navy has The SEALS, the Army has the Green Berets, the Air Force has The Para-Jumpers and the Marines have Recon. You'll have to do your own research on The PJ's and Recon but I know that The SEALS and Green Berets will put money in your pocket. You get your base pay (admittedly, it's not much but it improves with rank), jump pay, demolition pay, dive pay, language pay, hazardous duty pay, overseas pay and there's probably a couple of other pay checks I'm forgetting about. Here's where you're planning for your future, while you're in and getting all of this training and money, one of the fringe benefits is a top secret clearance. Six years or more go by, maybe you stay in for the full twenty to collect the pension, now you take that training, experience and top secret clearance and go to work for one of the civilian contracting services. With the downsizing of the military, these guys are more in demand than ever. Now you're really rolling in money. It won't be easy and it won't always be fun but if you like travel and can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's something to think about.
Carsick by John Water-This is another one I picked up on audio, partly because I needed something to listen to in the car and mostly because it's read by the author. I saw him in a live show not so long ago (even wound up on the cover of a local newspaper while waiting in line for an autograph, but that's another story for another time) and he was talking about the book since he had come through Kansas while writing it. The book is about his adventures hitchhiking I-70 West from Baltimore to San Francisco. It's broken up into three parts as he talks about the best possible rides, the worst and finally, what really happened. If you're a fan, you'll love it. I found it a little inspirational for the next time I visit my folks in California. I'd never get a book deal out of it (Potential Pitch Meeting-Me: I have this manuscript about my adventures while hitchhiking to California. Publisher: Yeah right, I read it fifty years ago when Kerouac wrote it, come back when you have a good idea.) but it might make for an interesting story in a news letter. I guess I have some time to figure it out.
The Return Of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs-I'm still working my way through this series. The ape-man has left the jungle in pursuit of civilization but manages to find himself back in Africa as an Envoy. If you enjoyed the first book, give this one a chance.
The Beasts Of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs-Chapter Three in the saga of the lord of the jungle. This time he has fallen victim to a plot of vengeance and must do what he can to reunite himself with his wife and child.
The Son Of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs-Following in his old mans footsteps, young Jack Clayton finds himself in Africa and up to his neck in trouble. You can definitely tell that Burroughs was a serial writer. If you've made it through the third book, give this one a look. It's a little reminiscent of the first book but in a good way.
Stranger In A Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein- I've been trying for a while to make it through this classic, which, for one reason or another I'd start only to set down after a few chapters. If this has happened to you, go ahead and pick it back up and finish the damn thing, you'll thank me later.
Order 86 by Alex Paxton- Yes, I'm still working on the novelization of the movie. I have developed a whole new respect for Sylvester Stallone's work ethic. Fresh off of Rocky, he finally gets a green light for an earlier script that he wrote, Paradise Alley. He directed and starred in the movie as well as sang the opening title song AND did the novelization. As Paradise Alley is being released, he's filming Rocky II that again, he wrote, directed, starred and did the novelization all while recovering from a torn pectoral muscle that he suffered in pre-production (this is how he got the inspiration to make Rocky fight right handed). Kind of puts life into perspective, doesn't it?
Of course, I've also managed to sneak in a few movies. One of the downfalls of summer is that most of the good movies wait until fall to come out. Here are a few I've seen recently.
Anthropoid-This is based on the true story of the assassination of SS General Reinhard Heidrich, Hitler's third in command. It came out in limited release and probably won't get recognized for anything but it's an interesting story and worth your time.
The Finest Hours-I had intended to see this when it hit theaters earlier this year but missed the chance. It's an above average Taco Bell movie. If you've seen the preview then you pretty much know what you're getting into. The parts that keep you watching are what you don't see in the preview so I won't spoil that if you happen to see this.
Foreign Correspondent- A Hitchcock classic about an American newspaper man who stumbles across a plot by enemy agents to further the war effort for Germany. It's really good and I highly recommend it, especially if you can find the Criterion edition of the DVD which has a second disc of bonus features which are pretty interesting.
Hunt For The Wilderpeople- It's almost a comedy of errors that find a young boy and a man at first stranded then on the run in the New Zealand outback. Directed by Taika Waititi, it's not as comedic as Things We Do In The Shadows but it's still really good and worth your time. I'll be curious to see what he does with Thor: Ragnarok.
Jason Bourne- I saw this one out of morbid curiosity since it's a spy film. It's very okay. I didn't hate it, I just don't feel that it brought anything new to the table. The first three films built a story and moved it forward with each chapter. These last two have just been flat. I think it's safe to say that this is another franchise that I'm done with.
Lost In Translation- I haven't seen this movie since the theaters and I'm happy to report that it's still damn good! Check it out the first chance you get.
The Pink Panther- The 1963 Blake Edwards classic that started it all. If it's been a while since you've revisited this movie, do yourself a favor and track it down. It even has Robert Wagner. The special edition DVD has some cool behind the scenes stuff as well as a commentary by Edwards.
Planet Of The Apes- There's a 4k digital edition that currently making it's way around the country. When it comes to your town, check it out. There's a reason it's a classic. Seeing it on the big screen is one of those rare treats that you just can't duplicate at home. There's also an interesting sound mix. The Goldsmith score is great to hear played through a theatrical sound system but it's the subtle things that happen when there's no score. There are actually some quiet moments that just don't seem to find their way into contemporary films. It's even more interesting to see how far backwards the MPAA has come. There are three naked men, Chuck says "damn" about three different times and you see people getting shot on screen and the movie is rated G. Hey hey MPAA, how many films have you censored today?
Suicide Squad- I've heard a lot of people knock this film and I have to say that it's not that bad. It's not exceptionally good, either. Margot Robbie is definitely the saving grace of the movie. I want her for my next movie, no matter if it's the comedy or the natural disaster film. Wait for home video, maybe they'll do a directors cut like Batman vs. Superman.
Order 86-Richard is still hard at work editing his fingers to the bone. I've seen part of it and it's looking good. This is what Oliver Stone was talking about when somebody asked him about the film making process and he replied, "inch by mother fucking inch." We're still waiting to blow up the car.
Well, that pretty well sums up my month. Hopefully you haven't been too bored with it, maybe it even brought the slightest trace of a smile. My job is done here. See you next month.
