Smallfoot Exists, Suckers!

I finally had a chance to see "Smallfoot" while it was still in theaters.  I saw some trailers that I hadn't seen before, and I liked hearing the reactions from the kids in the audience.

• Fun music.  I especially liked "Perfection".  So upbeat and happy!
• The scroll of Invisible Wisdom.  Ha!  "It's not wisdom, and it's definitely not invisible."
• It took me almost all the way through the movie by the time I noticed that the yeti do not have noses.
• I did, though, notice that they all had blue lips, like I would have if I lived in the cold like that.
• Love the imprint of Migo's face in the snow when the snowball rolled down the mountain.
• That rap!  Not very good lyrics, but it was Ice, Ice Baby.  Loved seeing the backup singers in the credits, too.  I think I would like backup singers the next time I karaoke.
• Yetis and bears understand each other, but yetis and humans need to communicate via sign language.  There's your nature lesson for the day.
• "Let it Lie".  Oh, now I get the title.  "Now you know, now you know, now you know..."
• Holy wowness!

That was fun.

DLR LotD 10/20/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, October 20, 2018

"Those are some pretty scary-looking nipples there." -- Glenn, at Steakhouse 55 Hallowe'en Tea

She Is Rich in Beauty

I went to the Walt Disney Concert Hall last week to watch Gustavo Dudamel conduct the L.A. Philharmonic for Sergei Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet".  This was my first concert to watch in the WDCH, and my ticket was only $20.00, so I was very excited!

I arrived early so that I could take the free tour of the hall, which is open to all ticketholders of the evening's show.  The guide showed us examples of Frank Gehry's different architectural decisions, such as his wanting to expose the structure as much as he could. 

All of the walls are curved, not straight.

 If you are able to walk up the five flights of stairs, you can also walk around outside the top of the hall.

 Lillian Disney loved gardens, and there is a garden that has been established as a State park, so anyone can enjoy it, not just concert goers.  The garden includes 6 types of trees, which all bloom at different times of the year so that whenever you visit, you'll see a tree with flowers in bloom. (One of the tour participants said that the lady who brought all of the trees to the hall saw trees in the gardens of people's homes, and asked if she could purchase them for the concert hall.)    There is a beautiful sculpture made of Delft porcelain called the "Lilly Rose".  Lillian and Walt collected items made of Delft porcelain. 

Closer look at the porcelain

Much of the architecture has elements of water / fish.

One of the only paintings in the hall,
with the blue as the Pacific Ocean

Fish shape above the third level walkway

After the tour, I ate a sandwich from one of the bars, and enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc as I listened to a talk about Prokofiev and the music being played tonight.

My seat was behind the orchestra, where the LA Master Chorale would normally sit during a performance.  I was really happy to get my seat because I'd be able to watch the maestro's facial expressions as he conducted the orchestra. 

   I was also in a great position to see the "french fry" pipes of the organ up close. 

 We were also behind the percussion section, so I could see some of the instruments that are normally blocked from view by the rest of the orchestra when you watch from the traditional vantage point.

Triangles of different sizes!

I was also in a great position to see the "french fry" pipes of the organ up close.  

I was in Orchestra Geek Heaven!  Even more so when the musicians took the stage, the concertmaster guided them to tune with each other, and Dudamel turned around to face them.  

I am familiar with some of the main themes of "Romeo and Juliet", although I had listened to it in its entirety.  I had also never seen the ballet (I've only seen "The Nutcracker").  The setting for this ballet was very interesting because the dancers didn't have a traditional-sized set, due to the orchestra taking up most of the stage.  The dancers also did not dance throughout the evening; instead, they danced through the major portions of the story, like the ball when R&J meet, the balcony scene, Romeo's fight with Mercutio, and the death scene.  (Oops!  SPOILERS!)  Rather than the traditional tutus and tights, the dancers wore more contemporary clothing, like flannel-looking outfits and modern street clothing, along with sneakers.  I figured it must be difficult to point one's toes in sneakers.  

At one point, the side doors opened, and a smaller ensemble played music from the wings of the stage.  Actually, I think it happened at two points, but I only noticed the music the second time.  I saw the doors open, and thought the dancers would enter the stage, but they didn't, so I guess that was the first time the small ensemble performed.  

An actual cameraman appeared on stage, and when he backed up into the wings, the dancers followed, and video was shown above me (behind the orchestra) and above the sound booth for us to see the dancers continue to dance in the backstage area.  It was amazing to see how they used the different areas of the WDCH for the dancing.  I was most impressed with the balcony scene, as Juliet led Romeo from behind my section into the garden where we had toured earlier. 

Where part of the pas de deux took place

The pas de deux was made even more gorgeous because of the beautiful natural scenery of the garden and the amazing architecture.  It was like the hall itself was a character in the ballet.  I loved it!  The death scene was appropriately performed by the dancers in the area below the stage as Romeo danced with a presumed-dead Juliet.  It was kind of odd but sad as she was lifted up like a rag doll.  Romeo brought her back to the stage and killed himself, then when Juliet woke up, she danced a beautiful solo and we got to see her facial expressions during bits of it, which was a nice touch.  

I recognized some of the musicians from seeing them perform at the Hollywood Bowl, like the trumpet soloist and the violin soloist from the John Williams concert.  I delighted in seeing the bow used in different ways, not just with the horsehair side, but also with the wood, as well as pizzicato.  I wished that I was the one playing all of those beautiful runs, difficult as they probably were.  I smiled when the percussionists got to play the triangle and the snare drum and the tympani...OK, every time they played.  

I was very aware that due to my seat almost straight across from the conductor, people in the audience could see me and it made me try to stay alert, even in the sleepy parts.  I was glad when the family seated next to me left at intermission because I don't know if they were aware of the people seeing us nor did they seem particularly educated about how long it takes to perform a ballet.  I wished that the women in front of me hadn't left because I needed to cover my legs lest I flash the audience if I uncrossed my ankles. This would have been OK had it not been hot due to the lights beamed on the orchestra. Whew, I was warm!

I had a wonderful time and look forward to the next time I get to experience a concert in the hall.  Maybe from a traditional view...but I'd be happy to see it from that same seat, too.   

Bravo!

“I have more care to stay than will to go.” -- Romeo, Romeo and Juliet

Never Stop Doing Right

Cindy had an extra ticket for a special screening of "The Hate U Give", and I was a willing recipient!  Yay for free popcorn and drinks, too.

• OK, I never knew that Tupac's Thug Life was an acronym for "The Hate U Give Little Infants F*cks Everybody.  Now I do, and you do, too!
• Amandla Stenberg does a fantastic job in this movie, covering all of the emotions of her character.
• "Sounds like Hailey saw 'Straight Outta Compton' again last night."
• K.J. Apa reminds me of a young version of Ty Burrell.  Oh, that's where I've seen him!  He's Archie on "Riverdale".  I've only seen one episode.
• "Hoedom is universal."
• "We've been together our whole lives, so we've still got time."
• "Don't let anybody make you be quiet."
• "If you don't see my blackness, then you don't see me."
• "Did Sekani know?"
• Russell Hornsby was also great as Starr's dad.  Actually, they all did a great job!
• "I would tell him to put his hands up."  Chilling.  The world is just wrong.
• I've been craving fried chicken ever since I saw the scene in the restaurant.
• I'm going to need to see Anthony Mackie as Falcon before I like him again, because he was not a nice person in this film.

Great, great movie with a powerful message. I'm adding the book to my reading list. Thank you, Cindy!

One Giant Leap

After getting some much-needed work done (yes, on a Sunday - ugh!), I rewarded myself by watching "First Man" in IMAX.

• Great sound effects.  I felt like I was in the spacecraft / aircraft, it was incredibly realistic.
• Very nice shot of the reflection of the horizon on Armstrong's helmet in the first scene.
• I knew that some men died in NASA's efforts to finally get to the moon, but I hadn't thought of how it must effect the other astronauts whenever it happened.  They were very brave to carry on toward the goal.
• Claire Foy did a great job of being the strong wife, afraid for her husband and for her kids.
• "Your dad's going to the moon."  "Ok.  Can I go play outside?"
• "Somebody got a Swiss Army knife?"
• Even Ryan Gosling's fingers are sexy.  There.  I said it.  Also, he's a great actor, and I cried along with him after the funeral.
• I especially liked the part of the score when they were piloting the Eagle: it was very intense, unlike the rest of the score, which was subdued.
• Love that they showed part of JFK's speech.  This video was shown in my leadership training earlier this year, exemplifying a leader with vision.  "We choose to go to the moon."  Quite inspirational.
• "We make all the mistakes down here so that we don't make them up there!"
• "Roger, Tranquility, we copy you on the ground. You've got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot."

I wish that I could hear from my parents what they thought of the moon landing.  I asked them about it, and they said we had just immigrated and didn't own a TV or a radio.  I wish I could've told y'all that I was listening / watching along as a baby, but no.  I'll just have to make do with movies like this one, as well as the real footage.  What an amazing feat.

Check-In Time

This morning, I decided to see "Bad Times at the El Royale" after work tonight.  

• I knew this movie would be violent, but I still jumped at the sound of the first gunshot.  
• "What is this, some kind of pervert hotel?"
• I thought at first that Jon Hamm was going to be like Don fake Draper, then I realized that he was a good guy, and then I got sad.
• "Why have a bell?"
• For those of you that get confused, this Jeff is Bridges.  Not the other one.  He does a fine job, as usual, but I did want to hear him sing along when Darlene sang.
• Yes, I am willing to watch Chris Hemsworth walk around shirtless.  I will make that sacrifice.
• How?  How did this intense movie make me cry near the end?  
• I love hearing good singers sing a cappella.  Cynthia Ervio was great!
• I also enjoyed Lewis Pullman's Miles.  I couldn't figure out his deal at first, then it made sense to me and I liked him more. 
• Rose was creepy.  She didn't even cry about her sister, and she was wearing boots with what looked like a nightgown.
• Ah, there's the portion of the score we heard at the LOST concert, when they did an encore.  Nice.
• Loved hearing the different reactions from the audience throughout the film, because they mirrored my *gasp*, giggles, and "WHAT?!?!"

I enjoyed this movie, despite the creepy girl.  Great acting, great music, and lots of surprises.

Celestial Birth

The much-anticipated new "A Star Is Born" opened this weekend!  I wasn't able to see it until today, but was able to snag a seat to watch it in Dolby.

• I already knew Lady Gaga could sing, but WOW! She can act, too.  Splendidly.
• How is this possible?  Bradley Cooper was already an amazing actor.  Now he's directing, writing, producing this movie, singing, AND writing songs?!?!  He just couldn't stick with handsome?  AND he's Rocket?  WHAT?
• I love that Gaga was able to get her Little Monsters community into the film.
• "I think you might be a songwriter.  Don't worry, I won't tell anybody.  But I'm not very good at keeping secrets."
• "I'm wearing my Jackson titties!"
• Tears.  So. Many. Tears.  Some happy as dreams were achieved, some sad.
• Sam Elliot, I wanted to hear you sing, too.
• "The one I idolized was you."  Dammit, I'm crying again.
• "Music is essentially 12 notes between any octave.  12 notes in the octave repeats.  It's the same story told over and over.  All that the artist can offer the world is how they see those 12 notes."
• One of the first things I did when I got home was purchase the soundtrack on Amazon.  I really liked all of the songs.

Sigh.  I think it's better if I just keep listening to the soundtrack, and not watch the movie over and over because I might get dehydrated from all of the tears.  Loved it, though.

DLR LotD 10/07/18

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Saturday, October 7, 2018

"He tells his friends, 'My head will be in Genie's crotch tonight.'" -- Sherry, to Cindy, during Paint the Night

Tick Tock

After a short trip to the LA County Arboretum, I went to the theater to see "The House With A Clock In Its Walls" in IMAX.

But first up:  Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in 3D!

• That's kind of scary in big format!
• The costumes and makeup still look great.
• I so, so, so wanted to get up and dance.  I love that dance!  MJ was the BEST!
• I think all of us were surprised by that last shot. 
• Happy 35th Anniversary, Thriller! 

OK, now the house movie.

• "Are you wearing a robe?"  "It's a kimono!"
• I like that Lewis' last link to his parents is the Magic 8 Ball.  It's magic!
• The stained glass of the ship reminds me of the one in the Salon.
• "Bad Kitty!  Use the litter box!"
• Loved the magic of all of the stars in the garden.
• Snakespeare is like me: safe, as long as I'm fed.
• "So creepy...even in death."
• I love all of the purple that Florence has everywhere.  
• I also enjoyed all of the insulting names Florence and Jonathan called each other.
• Why would you a keep a key right next to the lock that you don't want anyone to open?!
• I wanted to see more of Rose Rita.  I would have liked to see her reaction to the house.
• I love this bit of trivia on imdb because of the time theme.  I had been wondering about the significance of the title on the marquee:  The bus stops across the street from a theater with the movie, "Space Man from Pluto" on the marquee. The head of Universal Studios wanted "Space Man from Pluto" to be the title of another Amblin Entertainment film produced by Steven Spielberg - but the director on that 1985 film kept the script's original title, "Back to the Future."
• Cute drawings during the credits, especially the last one with the characters waving.  Even the baby, sitting in the demon's lap.  OK, yeah, that was creepy.
• "No topiary griffins were harmed in the making of this film."
• And now I want to eat cookies all day.

Here's my poster after playing the game on the official site:

Are You Diaboliquing Me?

My friends and I saw "A Simple Favor" last week.  

• I think it's a shame that we saw Anna Kendrick and Andrew Rannells in a film together and they didn't sing a duet.
• I did, though, enjoy the chemistry between Kendrick and Lively.
• Cindy said "Searching" was like a combination of this movie and "Crazy Rich Asians".  I agree.  Twisty!
• I'd want to wear Blake Lively's clothes, too.  I loved all of her work outfits.  
• Why didn't she think to cut herself out of the dress before she went downstairs?  I mean, it was funnier the way they did it, but still.
• I liked the difference of outfit types between Stephanie and Emily and their changes in style toward the end.
• I want to try that martini, and I don't even like gin.
• I really liked the soundtrack, filled with a bunch of songs in French, and it was quite fitting.
• Oh, and some on point rapping by Anna Kendrick.
• "Are you Diaboliquing me?"  I now need to watch "Diabolique".
• Ah, grief sex.  Nothing good ever comes out of that.  Just ask the folks at "General Hospital".
• "I think loneliness probably kills more people than cancer."
• "America's hybrids: silent, but deadly."

I had a lot of fun watching this movie!  Funny, twisty, and pretty.  :)

And Then The Giacchino Plays

We Have to Go Back: The LOST Concert 2018

John Anson Ford Theatre

Saturday, September 15, 2018

I had a tough work week, so I still needed to go into work on a Saturday because I missed a Friday deadline.  I then drove to the valley to meet up with Bro and the family.  Bro, V, and I went to Poquito Mas to pick up an early dinner, and ate at Bro's house before we made our way to Studio City.  We parked in a designated lot and took a shuttle to the Ford.  I picked up our tickets at will call, and we got in the long merchandise line, not even knowing what was for sale, but hoping that they were selling a shirt that we saw one of the staff wearing.

Yay!  All 3 of us got the shirt, which had the Dharma symbol on the left pocket area, with a music note in the middle.  We also got CDs of whatever season was available, which were autographed by Michael Giacchino.  They also had autographed pages of the score available for $100.00, but I didn't opt for one.  I was frustrated by the slowness of the snack shop folks, but I was happily able to get a bottle of hard apple cider upstairs near our seats.

All Dressed Up for some experiments

The stage was set against a background with palm trees, and it was a little balmy--a perfect atmosphere for the evening.  When we were in line to get merchandise earlier, we could hear the smoke monster sounds coming from speakers placed in the entrance area.  Up on the stage, there was a memorial with candles, and they used the church hymnal numbers, to keep in theme with the lottery numbers, too.  I love the way everything was set to get us in the mood!  

Stage

Memorial

A pre-show discussion took place, which started with Carlton Cuse, Damon Lindeloff, and Michael Giacchino. Then other people arrived one-by-one onto the stage, interrupting almost every audience member that had gone up to ask a question.  But they were OK with that.  Cast members that joined them:  Josh Holloway (Sawyer), Emilie de Ravin (Claire), Rebecca Mader (Charlotte), Andrea Gabriel (Nadia), and Daniel Dae Kim (Jin).  

Lindeloff, Giacchino, Cuse

Score with Dharma Symbol

Josh Joins

Full Panel

One gal asked the creators to promise there would be no remake; later, a guy asked if they could do a remake of the show.  I wondered if the first person was going to have fisticuffs with the other guy, because they were both quite passionate about the show, as are many fans.  

Andrea, Emilie, Rebecca

Rebecca, Michael, Josh

Josh, Daniel, Carlton

Between songs, if Giacchino himself wasn't talking, Cuseloff (one of the combined names for the duo) or the cast members spoke.  Carlton Cuse talked about the time they were on the sound stage to witness the recording of the music when some of the characters were leaving on the raft they built.  The musicians were reading the music for the first time (as most studio musicians do as part of their job description), Cuseloff was hearing it for the first time, and by the time the music ended, everyone in the room was in tears.  The musicians showed their approval by tapping their instruments.  This is the only series that has Giacchino's name in the scripts, mostly with the phrase "And the Giacchino Plays".  I love that they give this musical genius his due.

I thought it was interesting to hear the actors read the scripts, as they would both sides of the dialogue by themselves, but I loved more the descriptions of what they should be feeling at the time.  The descriptions had a bunch of f-bombs in them, stuff that certainly not be allowed to be spoken in network television, but they got their point across!  

Rebecca and Andrea also read letters that the writers thought the background characters might write when they put them in the bottles on the raft.  This was something they thought up when they had the first LOST concert in Hawaii.  OK, so THAT would have been the perfect place to watch this concert!  Wow.

This guy played for every episode of LOST

See the hymnal numbers on the left side?  108!

Some of the music was played without any film being shown, but there were montages during most of the music.  Unfortunately, the individual pieces were not listed in the program, and I don't remember any of the titles to list here.  It doesn't matter: the music is so beautiful that I cried during the first piece, and during a few other ones, like I did when I watched the series.  But at the end of the show, Giacchino asked if we had cried enough.  I'm pretty sure most of said "no".  He then played (and they showed) the last scene of the finale.  TEARS!!!!!  

For the encore, the orchestra also played another song from LOST, entitled "Tangled Web".  There was no film while they played because Giacchino wasn't sure that they'd have time to include it.  But they did!  Then they treated us to a piece of music they had just recently completed recording: a little taste of "A Bad Time at the Hotel Royale".  It was great!  I was looking forward to seeing the movie anyway, but the music elevated my anticipation for it.

After the show, it was a little too late in the evening for me to want to stay to meet the famous folks, and I was ready to leave.  Jeff G found us and said hi before he left.  Hi, Jeff!  The line to catch the shuttle back to our car didn't take very long, and we were back at Bro's house in no time, which was good, because I still needed to drive home.  

Thank you, Bro and V, for joining me!  Thank you to the creators, cast, the musicians (a few of whom were there to play music for every episode of LOST), and especially to Michael Giacchino for a wonderful show!  It makes me want to see the whole series all over again.

No, Thank YOU!

Chomp On This

Last weekend, I made sure to see "The Meg" before it left theaters. (I love the tagline on the official site:  "Pleased to Eat You".)  I mean, how can I possibly watch a movie about a giant shark if I wasn't going to see it in BIG?  I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to see it in IMAX, though.  But, you know, drum corps priorities.

• I've decided that the Meg is Filipino, because the first scene takes place in the Philippine Trench.  
• How is it possible for Jason Statham to have that many muscles?  Like, muscles on TOP of his muscles?  How do those muscles even fit in those little vehicles?  Can you tell that I was distracted a bit by his physique?
• Loved all of the homages to "JAWS".  At least, I'm going to call them homages, because "rip-off" sounds so negative, and I think the references were on purpose.
• I love the tagline on the official site:  "Pleased to Eat You".
• I kinda wanted the guy in the big inflatable ball to get eaten, because he was rudely running over the other people in the water.
• "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."
• "Eight year olds hear everything."  
• I was worried that she was hiding in the rescue vehicle that Jason Statham was using.  I guess she was smarter than that.
• I saw that the boat's name was "Charlotte", like in "National Treasure", and wondered if there was a connection.  Yes, Sherry, the director, Jon Turteltaub, also directed NT.  Thank you, IMDB!
• Haha.  "Fin."

That was fun.  I look forward to the inevitable viewing during Shark Week next year.  

#FindMargot

My Sunday movie during Labor Day weekend was "Searching", which I had been mildly interested in seeing when I read about it, but I saw the trailer and really looked forward to seeing the film.

• First 5 minutes into the movie, and I was already crying.  It was like watching the first 5 minutes of "Up" again. But then the tension started, and...yikes.
• Loved all of the twists and turns of the plot.
• I became suspicious of almost everyone in the movie.  Everyone.  I am also now suspicious of everyone in my life.
• "She was my best friend."  WHAT?!?!?
• John Cho did a superb job.  I felt really sorry for him when people on social media were commenting that he killed her.  
• "Bieber concert.  Confirmed."
• Ummm...people in Northern California do not use "the" when naming freeways.  So Cal writer/actor fail.  Or maybe Vick was from So Cal?
• In this Information Age, it seems like we know less about people than we did before all of this technology.  Or maybe we just never knew anyone at all.

This entire movie is made of spoilers, so this entry needs to be short.  Go see the movie!  I loved it.  If it's still showing in theaters and I have time, I'm going to watch it again and look for the Easter Egg clues.

DLR LotD 09/01/18

Disneyland Resort

Line of the Day

Saturday, September 1, 2018

"I miss you already!" -- Heimlich, at Heimlich's Chew-Chew Train

The Maestro, Indeed

John Williams: Maestro of the Movies

40th Anniversary Celebration!

Friday, August 31, 2018

Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood, CA

A couple of months ago, Rudy said that he was going to get tickets to this show and asked if I'd like to join in on the fun.  I said yes, but wasn't sure if we actually had tickets because I didn't hear from him after that.  Luckily for me, he did get the tickets, and told me earlier that week.  I put on the Superman shirt I got at this year's WonderCon, and got on the shuttle in Arcadia.  Why Superman?  Well, I couldn't decide on which of the twenty or so Star Wars shirts to wear, and then I realized I had a Superman shirt and decided to wear that instead, because "Superman: The Movie" is my favorite film score EVER, and guess who composed it?  JW himself. (Ooh, I just did a Google search, and that film is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and there will be limited screenings of it.  I hope I can go!).

Marquee Shot

Rudy and Brian were waiting for me when I got off of the bus, and I wanted to go to the Bowl store first so I could buy a shirt.  I also bought light sabers for the 3 of us because I couldn't bring my light saber umbrella.  Brian was in a wheelchair, so I learned the elevator route.  Our seats were supposed to be in the top tier, but the wheelchair wouldn't go up there.  We were asked if we'd like to be re-seated, and they found us seats which were closer and didn't require Brian to get out of his chair to use his crutches.  Well, that's nice!  We were seated next to a lady whom was very friendly and I now know that I can transport wine in a lighter container than a big old bottle.

David Newman conducted the first half of the show.  I love how he's unapologetically rumply.

The LA Phil played the Star-Spangled Banner.  Flags were still at half staff to honor the passing of US Senator John McCain.

Olympic Fanfare and Theme by John Williams
The US Army Herald Trumpets took the stage and I got all excited.  What a perfect song for them to perform!  Clips of various Olympic moments played on the screen, mostly highlights of recent years, of Olympians from different nations.

Torch Lighting

With Fireworks

The Magnificent Seven

"The Cave Sequence"  from Raiders of the Lost Ark by John Williams (with film)
I love this!

"A New Beginning" from Minority Report by John Williams
I recognized this music, but didn't realize it was from this movie until I read the program just now.

"Flight to Neverland" from Hook by John Williams
Clips from all kinds of flight were shown.  Was I the only one that cheered when they finally showed Robin Williams flying as Peter Pan?  Because that's THIS MUSIC, people!  Some people turned on their light sabers during the very brief Star Wars clips.

Celebrating the Bernstein Centennial - To Lenny by John Williams
Lots of different cues from Bernstein's work.  Nice.

Overture from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein
Rudy asked me if JW wrote the score for WSS.  I later found out that he was the studio pianist for the film.  I love WSS, so I was really happy to see the clips from the film.

Suite from On the Waterfront by Leonard Bernstein
Ah, OK, now that I've read the program, this makes sense.  I wasn't sure what this piece was, although I was familiar with the music.  

<Intermission>

The Maestro himself took the stage, and said that he had been trying to convince his guest to come to this show for 40 years, and he finally succeeded.  He called Steven Spielberg to the stage.  

John Williams

Spielberg and Williams have been working together for 44 years!  Spielberg sat in a chair on the stage after introducing the next piece.

"With Malice Toward None'  from Lincoln by John Williams
Thomas Hooten, trumpet soloist

Rudy said that he has never seen "Lincoln", but wants to after hearing the music.  Yeah, that was a great film.  Beautiful job by Hooten. What are the odds that a trumpet players name would have the word "hoot" in it?  Hmmm...had it been "Tooten", I would have lost it.

Techniques of Film Scoring
Spielberg talked about his movies being nothing without Williams' scores.  To illustrate, we watched "The Circus Train Chase" scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade without the score.  (This was the start of the film, with River Phoenix playing the young Indiana Jones.)  So quiet!  Just "oofs" and sound effects of a train engine and fighting.  Spielberg made little comments while we watched, like "That's when Indiana got his whip" and "That's where Harrison has a real scar".  We then watched it again, this time with the orchestra playing the score, and it was just genius.  

OK, so you know what's cool?  When this was recorded in the sound studio, Brian was there (he was a PA for Spielberg back then).  We told him to wave at Steven.

"The Duel" from The Adventures of Tintin by John Williams
A montage of swordplay was shown, and I was happy every time they showed clips from "Princess Bride".  Yes, they showed lightsabers in this montage, too.  I was disappointed, though, that I didn't see anything from "The Goonies", although I guess there wasn't any sword fighting, just Sloth acting like a pirate on the ship.  Never mind.

Theme from Schindler's List By John Williams
Bing Wang, Violin Soloist

Gorgeous.  I'm pretty sure I saw tears on Spielberg's face from way up at my seat.

Spielberg: "I can direct bicycles to fly, but John's music truly makes them airborne."

Finale from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial by John Williams
We watched that whole thing, which starts with Elliott going to the van where E.T. is in the box, all the way to the end.  Because I hadn't cried enough during the evening, I guess.  If this music does nothing to your soul, you are dead inside.

Encore

"The Rebellion is Reborn" from "Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi" by John Williams
Theme from "Star Wars" by John Williams
"Imperial March" by John Williams  

They brought the herald trumpeters back, because you can't play that march without a bunch of trumpets.

Light saber time!  Lots and lots of light sabers. 

Light sabers behind us

Light sabers in front of us (including ours)

I pointed out one of the french horn players to Rudy because he looked like Barry of Rockapella.  Barry is from LA and played the french horn, you know.  It's possible that was him.  Not probable, but possible.

I said my goodbyes to Rudy, Brian, because I needed to hurry up and get on the shuttle.  Ooh, coach bus, nice and comfy.

That was a great evening. Thank you, Rudy, for getting the tickets!

Thank you, Steven Spielberg, for spending your time with all of us at the Bowl.

Thank you, John Williams, for the beautiful gift of music you've written and shared with the world.  You are truly the Maestro.

Puppet Noir

I went to Universal Studios Hollywood during the day so I could go on Jurassic Park: The Ride one more time before it changes into whatever Jurassic World otherness.  I got soaked, but dried off in time to have dinner with my friends, then see "The Happytime Murders".

• This is not your kids' muppet movie. Oh my goodness, it is NOT.
• That opening scene, for instance, with the cow, and the milking.  Yikes!
• If you have a puppet liver, you, too, can get hopped up on purple sugar crystals by using red vines as your snorting straw.  
• Cousins should not breed with each other.  The kids screaming at themselves in the mirror gave me the giggle fits.  I'm giggling now as I type this.
• Why do the dogs hate the puppets so much?!?  Oh, no, wait, it's because they think they're chew toys, right?
• Don't call a puppet "sock".  It is derogatory and pisses them off.  Also, please don't call me a "meat sack".
• Melissa McCarthy is hilarious as always.
• Phil's brother trying to look more human, with the nose.  How is it that I didn't notice that?
• Loved the credits: they show how the puppeteers worked the scenes.

I had fun watching this, and I laughed a lot.  I would see it again once it is shown on TV, but not with any kids in the room.  So, so, so NOT.