Sunday, which means in the world of P., summary and suggestions.
SUMMARY
First, my week was nondescript. My blog discussed texture and some of my sports observations, but on the personal front, I worked a lot and rehearsed a lot.
It was surprisingly comforting to get into some sort of routine, and I finally got the opportunity to sub in Georgetown County. Thank you, Waccamaw High for making my Friday “easy” and the commute “short.”
As the Fall is my favorite season and Halloween is turning into one of my favorite events, I have been watching many horror movies. This week, I watched a total of seven. Look for my recommendations later in the post.
With my nose to the grindstone and my eyes glued to scary, I, unfortunately, had little time to keep pace with the headlines. You know I feel that, “knowledge is power,” but I also feel, sometimes, that “ignorance is bliss.”
Last night, bored to tears watching the 80’s misfire, Hell Night, I finally checked the news. I wish I hadn’t.
MAINE TRAGEDY
This news is becoming all too familiar. After the shooting in Parkland, I took time during my planning period to describe my disgust and disdain. I also offered solace and solutions. That was 2018. Nothing has changed.
I will not dishonor the dead and immortalize the shooter with the details of the story, but I will, once again, offer solace and solutions.
The shooting at two separate locations involved an unstable, disgruntled man who “legally,” purchased an automatic weapon. I emphasize the word “legally,” because the media must emphasize it to quell unrest and quiet the gun lobby.
The fact that the shooters family knew he was unstable, and that he had spent time in a mental facility seemed to be ignored in the purchase of this weapon. No weapon, no mass shooting.
18 people died and 13 more were injured making it the worst shooting in Maine history and the most deadly mass shooting in 2023.
My brother lives in Maine. My brother teaches in Maine. Naively, I have never feared for my brother’s life. Now, I have to.
Typically, the shooter took his own life before authorities could locate him (although he was on the property of his job) and enact justice or elicit answers.
Once again, we have failed to protect innocent people even after several glaring warning signs. I have struggled with depression and anxiety, and due to my candor during therapy, I was denied insurance. Seems to me that denying the purchase of a gun should be more stringent than the purchase of 10-year term.
The other major headline that scrolled across my phone last night was the untimely passing of actor Matthew Perry.
Like many people my age, I spent numerous Thursdays watching Friends on television. I enjoyed the clever writing and the efficient use of guest stars, but like most, I turned in to see the perfect chemistry between the six co-stars.
LOSS OF A FRIEND
The show became a phenomenon, and the lives of these actors were changed forever. I never bought a Rembrandts album or wore the Aniston do, but like any fan, I had my favorite episodes and favorite lines. Feel free to reminisce.
More recently, I rediscovered Friends in syndication, and Eileen had every season on DVD. Even knowing the storyline and a-ha moments, the show was still entertaining and watchable. I also was a fan of how, off set, the Friends were actually friends.
Like many, I clamored for a revival and a reunion. The reunion came to fruition, but it was more marketing than art. The other main takeaway from the reunion was the toll fame and addiction had taken on Matthew Perry.
The line between art and real life is often blurred. Matthew Perry played Chandler Bing; he was not Chandler Bing. From all accounts, he was a troubled soul who wrote about his struggles in last year’s memoir.
I bought the memoir as a holiday gift, but neither the owner or I have read it. I will now make the effort and take the time to do so. I will also wait for the official results of his death, before spreading rumor or casting aspersion.
As a clown myself, I know how hard it is to be funny when you are hurting. I was shocked by the timing and circumstances of Matthew Perry’s death, and the world has lost another brilliant comedian far too soon. R.I.P.
SUGGESTIONS
P’s Pic Pass
Talk to Me and Frozen
As stated earlier, I have been binging on horror films. ‘Tis the season. I have rewatched classics like Christine, The Thing, and of course, Halloween. I recommend them all but in reverse order than they are listed. If you don’t get to Christine, okay.
I have also made it a priority to research and watch some of the “best” horror films on Amazon. I watched Trick or Treat (okay) and just yesterday viewed Talk to Me and Frozen (not the “Do You Want to Build a Snowman, one).
Talk to Me has received accolade after accolade as a unique, atmospheric and compelling spin on the possession trope. It has a tremendous score on Rotten Tomatoes and has made several top lists. I don’t get it. It is sluggish, the characters are unlikable, and the plot never quite comes together.
The gore is gratuitous and makes little sense, and the ending although scored well, provides no real closure. It is also a product of Australia, so dealing with the accents also posed some focus issues. Decent acting from the lead, but Talk Yourself Out of It. C+
FROZEN BRAIN
Our other selection was a bare bones budget flick from 2010, Frozen.
The premise is simple. Two lifelong friends and one of the friend’s girlfriends decide to go skiing in Vermont. They finagle their way onto the lifts without passes and further finagle a final run as the mountain is closing.
Fast forward, a series of mishaps and miscommunications leave them stranded fifty feet over the slope in a dangling chairlift.
The performances are okay, and there is a hypothetical quality to the various dilemmas the characters face, but this is lazy filmmaking and even lazier storytelling. Nothing that occurs or that is decided makes much sense, and there is too much exposition for the paltry payoff.
Eileen found it compelling, but I did not. I wanted a double black diamond and got a meandering green circle. Board at your own risk. C
P’s. Choice Cut
Shotgun by George Ezra
I know, behind the eight ball again. This song came out over four years ago, but I just discovered it on Sirius XM Coffeehouse. You may be more familiar with his song “Budapest,” but his voice works much better on this one. Summer feel and bounce with a catchy lyric.
The Play’s The Thing
You Can’t Take it With You
Shameless self-promotion here. The Swamp Fox Players production of “You Can’t Take it With You” opens at the Strand Theater on Front Street in Georgetown this Thursday with nighttime performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday (11/2, 11/3 and 11/4) and a Sunday matinee 11/5.
The schedule repeats the cycle the following weekend. Night shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (11/9, 11/10, and 11/11) and the final Sunday matinee 11/12. Evening performances begin at 8 PM and matinees at 2:30 PM.
The show is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet and espouses the philosophy of seeking happiness over material wealth and prestige. There is comedy, singing, dancing and fireworks.
Come see me at the Strand. I will be the one in the puffy shirt with the beard. – Boris
https://www.swampfoxplayers.com/
Love and laughter,
P.