USPS Evermore

As I anxiously await the arrival of our next feature presentation - USPS tracker says it's now in New Jersey, and from what I hear about both the state and our film, this is all apropos - I thought I'd check in with you all and tell you what I've been thinking about. Because I know you won't get a decent night's sleep until you hear it.

So, I'm basically working 60 hours a week now. I no longer have "days off," I now look forward to "hours off." My feet hurt. My back hurts. My 11-year old is learning the fine art of microwave cooking, because 3 days a week, Mom's not home to make dinner. This is not an optimal situation.

There are many, many, MANY times when I look into my metaphoric crystal ball and think that this is just how my life is going to be. And let me tell you what, that gets me down. But when I'm standing behind that cash register, removing ink tags from blue jeans, I remind myself that each minute I do it puts me a minute closer to getting to start my life over again. This is not forever. This is temporary.

So, without further delay - here's the:

List of Things That Tina Has Been Thinking About While Waiting for the Arrival of Our Next Movie

1. Jesus does not rubber-stamp everything the local church does.

2. There is such a thing as verbal abuse.

3. There is such a thing as emotional abuse.

4. I can't stop the snakes from biting me, but I absolutely can stop their venom from poisoning me.

5. Some people are just flat-out jerks, and it's not your fault.

6. If you want to find out who your real friends are, stand up for yourself and see who stands with you.

7. It's really hard to find an apartment/house that's affordable and allows pets.

Thus endeth my deep thoughts.

So, what have you been thinking about?

Q and A - Part II

Greetings, little chickens - and welcome to Part II of Tina's Q and A!!!! I am your host - Tina.

You, my friends, frequently pepper me with questions about this blog and life in general. It's been a while since we did a Q and A session, and I have been compiling Q's about The Project...and the time as come to answer them. The first ones may seem familiar, but I get asked them so frequently, I thought we'd give them a second shot.

Go forth and seek knowledge!!!!!

Q: Why Robert Downey?

A: Well, why not? That aside, I started this blog right after the release of Sherlock Holmes, and he was in the news and in front of my face at the time. Plus, well, he rocks. And he's got issues.

Q: Are you obsessed with RDJR?

A: No, I am not "obsessed". I am a scientist. If you want to see "obsessed," go to www.downeyunlimited.com and gander at what the truly scary fans talk about on the message board. Holy cow. As I have said before - if I were a celebrity, I would not even leave my family room without Rowdy Roddy Piper and an AK-47 to protect me.

Little known factoid - HE is actually obsessed with ME. He calls, he writes, he sends flowers - it's a little embarrassing. But this is the price I pay to provide you, Dearest Reader, with science and enlightenment.

Q: How many more movies do you have?

A: Well that is a loaded question, because I don't think that I will be able to find at least 5 of them (some out of print/never released on dvd, and several are actually 'shorts' as opposed to full-length films). I would say, including Iron Man 2 (which I didn't review when I saw it in the theater) and Due Date (to be released in November), I've got around 12 left, plus a season of Ally McBeal.

Q: I read your blog all the time and you seem so unhappy.

A: Thank you, and that's not phrased in the form of a question. Next?

Q: If you hadn't picked RDJR, what would you have picked for a blog topic?

A: I think I would have gone with "all the Best Picture Oscar Winners". I think that would be interesting.

Q: Are you interested in filmmaking? Is that why you watch so many movies/documentaries?

A: Until I was 25, it never occurred to me that I'd be anything other than a screenplay writer when I grew up. Then I grew up. Now, I figure I've got one really, really good screenplay in me somewhere...which probably will be produced the day AFTER I die. And I just love movies. Always have.

Q: I can't believe you are into RDJR. He's a (fill in the blank as you see fit with a well-publicized episode from Our Hero's past).

A: Again, that's not phrased in the form of a question. And get over yourself. Methinks you sound a wee bit jealous. Besides, what do you know about anything anyway-you spend your evenings reading some blog by a girl from Podunk. Next?

Q: What's the next blog? I think you should do one on (fill in the blank).

A: I anticipate announcing my next blog topic around Christmas, unless I finish The Project sooner than anticipated. Fret not - it will be another year-long project, which actually will require a lot of legwork beforehand. I will not leave you out in the expanse of the World Wide Web alone, my friends. I'm here for you.


DISCLAIMER: The 'Girl from Podunk' is very grateful that you spend your evenings reading her blog, and sincerely hopes that you will continue to do so. Also, if you are a 'Downey Unlimited' member who has happened upon this site - I don't mean that YOU are mental, I'm talking about those OTHER people.

Review #57 - Restoration (1995)

From the back of the box: "Meg Ryan and Robert Downey, Jr. head a superb cast of stars in this stylish and provocative story of love, power and seduction! Robert Merivel (Downey) is a young man who seems to have everything...until a passionate affair leads to scandal, suddenly leaving him heartbroken and penniless. But it's only after losing it all that Merivel discovers who he really is and - with the love of a beautiful woman (Ryan) - becomes the man he could never dreamed he could be! Also featuring Sam Neill and Hugh Grant, this critically acclaimed and entertaining motion picture won two 1995 Academy Awards for Best Achievement in Art Direction and Costume Design!"

Exclamation points? Dude, really?? Those were not my doing, I assure you. That's really how it's written on the box.

I tried soooo hard to like this film. Really, I did. When it came in the mail today, I showed it off to my coworkers like it was a little cocker spaniel puppy. "Look what I get to watch! Doesn't it look GOOD?!" And I love period pieces. So I was excited to use the VCR tonight for the first time in at least a year.

At first glance, it reminded me of a made-for-TV BBC film with extra nudity. The credits, music, everything smacks of "TV movie." Maybe a nice 3-night miniseries on Masterpiece Theater. I was actually cool with that; far be it from me to be a cinematic snob.

I would say it "lost steam" after the first 20 minutes, but that would be to insinuate that any such steam existed in the first place. It was 118 minutes long, which ya could have fooled me, because it felt like a 2 1/2 hour movie. Seriously. It completely lacked any focus as it droned on...and on...and on. It actually reminded me of Chaplin in that way.

I know - I did it again. Trashed Chaplin. Please forgive.

Anyhow, I am now the proud owner of a VHS tape of Restoration. If you so desire, you may borrow it. Keep it for as long as you want. If your VCR eats the tape, no worries. I'm okay with that.

On the tape jacket, it says that Siskel and Ebert gave this "two thumbs up." They fail to mention that they are referring to Jack Siskel and Tom Ebert, the costuming guys.

I give it a 6 for being dull...long...booooorrring.

Review #56 - Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country (1993)

This documentary is part of the "bonus features" from the film "Short Cuts". We reviewed "Short Cuts", a film based upon a series of short stories by Raymond Carver, a while back. We loved it, but it was waaaaaaay too long at over 3 hours.



Anyhow, my first thought about this flick was, "hey, I've read Raymond Carver...he wrote 'Catbird Seat'." And then I realized that was James Thurber. So now I can't honestly recall if I've read any Raymond Carver. Chime in, dearest reader, if you have. Did you know that Raymond Carver was a local boy? That's right, born and raised in Yakima. So now I'm obligated, as a fellow eastern Washingtonian, to read his work.



The documentary was really interesting, but don't bother watching it until you've seen Short Cuts, or it will ruin a few pivotal plot points for you. Watching filmmaking in progress is fascinating...if you've never watched one of these types of documentaries, pick out your favorite dvd and scan the Special Features section. There's probably something on it about "The Making of" whatever. If you don't think it's so fascinating....sorry.



The absolute best part was when RDJR came on for his interview and used the word "tertiary" in a sentence. I was impressed.



Anyhow, I give it a 9 because it held my attention for 90 minutes, which is no small feat, and that's also what I probably would have given Short Cuts, if it wasn't so flippin' long.