Damn you, ebay! You really can find just about anything you want there. I found a copy of the LaserDisc release “The Art of Tom & Jerry: Volume One.” It contains five discs (totaling 77 cartoons) of classic Hanna-Barbera Tom & Jerry mischief. Yes! I paid way too much for it, but you only live once. And who in their right mind doesn’t love some cat and mouse violence?

Hollywood is always taking great foreign films and doing sub-par (or truly awful) remakes of them. Case in point is “Point of No Return” (and also the television series “La Femme Nikita“), the pointless remake of Luc Besson’s 1990 film “Nikita.” Another great example is the dumbing down of George Sluizer’s super creepy “Spoorloos” with the ultra-bad “The Vanishing” in 1993. A couple of years ago Chris Nolan did a pretty good job at American-izing “Insomnia” … but I just gotta tell you how fantastic the original Norwegian/Swedish film is. Erik Skjoldbjærg’s “Insomnia” (from 1997) features an excellent performance by Stellan Skarsgård as disgraced Swedish detective Jonas Engström. No “Hollywood” conventions are needed to propel the story. It’s character driven all the way. The cinematography and design of the movie is very cold and harsh. If you can hunt out a copy of original Norwegian/Swedish version of “Insomnia” to view you really should. Check out the trailer here. [5.67 MB]

HOME STATUS REPORT
* * *
Room One: Destruction – Complete
Room One: Rewiring – Complete
Room One: Insulation – Complete
Room One: Drywall – In Process
Room One: Paint – Pending
Room One: Molding – Pending
* * *
Room Two: Destruction Pending …

The first rehearsal for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is this evening. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since I was drunk or on drugs enough to agree to direct this show. Since I have a semi-spankin’ new digital camera, I am gonna try and document everything … from first rehearsals to opening night. There will probably be some video clips thrown in for good measure as well. You’re probably so excited that you could wet yourself. I know I am.

All I can say is that Dr. Phibes and Company had better get out and vote tomorrow.

Can you tell I have no life? I watched eight (yes, you heard that right) movies this weekend.

1. “The Black Scorpion” 1957
Another big bug classic from the 50’s that’s not quite as good as “Them!” Did they make any bad big bug movies? I don’t think so.

2. “The Town that Dreaded Sundown” 1976
Interesting docu-drama about killings in Texarkana in 1946. Some fun moments with a pretty creepy killer. I now know some new uses for a trombone. Eeep!

3. “The Sentinel” 1977
Pretty fun film. It always sucks when you rent an apartment in a building that’s the gateway to hell. There some nice creepy stuff in this one.

4. “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” 1978
Another remake that actually works pretty well. They could release this film in the current climate in this country and the themes would still work very well.

5. “Mad Max” 1979
I hadn’t seen this movie for a while. A good road revenge tale with a young (and super hot) Mel Gibson. I really need to check out the new dvd release that doesn’t contain the really bad American over-dubbing that is present on all previous video releases.

6. “Unbreakable” 2000
Very interesting take on the origins of a super hero. I dug it.

7. “Signs” 2003
I wanted to revisit this one since I had only seen it at the movies two years ago. Hold up pretty well (in my opinion). Some great creepy thrills even if the moral message at the end is a little heavy-handed.

8. “The Village” 2004
Sure to be one of those films that generates intense debate. I really dug it. Great acting, production design and pacing.

If you (like myself) are a big fan of “The Blair Witch Project,” Haxan Films has a new site up detailing the production of the movie … from the beginning stages to final release. Check it out at woodsmovie.com.

Oh, hey … it’s raining again. What a shocker! [Said with much sarcasm.]

Three days and I’ve talked nothing but “Deliverance.” How sad is that?

In other news: I get to have fun calling 30 people tonight to offer them spots in the show. Hopefully they will all accept and not get all uppity with me for not giving them lead parts. Damn actors and their fragile egos! Er, wait ….

And since the man demands it …

And since the man demands it …

Dreams will be made. Hearts will be broken. The show has been cast … so, hopefully everyone will accept when I start making the calls this evening. Another opening. Another show.