(Courtesy: rixbury.com)
I've seen a lot of strange things going on in the semi-dark of movie theaters over the years.
There's been no shortage of smuggled-in food, of course. Nothing dilutes a gripping drama more than whiff's of store-bought chicken livers and gravy when Meryl Streep is bringing tears to our eyes. And who among us hasn't had to lift up their feet to dodge a soft drink bottle careening down slope to eventually crash at the front of the theater?
I could go on and on, but there's breaking big screen news that must be shared.
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that movie houses in China are testing a system that allows movie-goers not only to text during the movie but -- are you ready? -- the text messages actually show up on the movie screen right along with the feature.
"The inspiration behind the idea appears to be that it mimics that of watching a movie on mobile media, which is how most Chinese people watch films, with people sending messages about what they like or dislike about the movie.
"In a censored environment like China, precautions are taken to remove sensitive or forbidden words," the Hollywood Reporter article states.
The ultimate selfie? Maybe. I just know it's one more reason you'll probably never see me taking in a movie in China.
Farewell to the great Robin Williams
(Courtesy: chicagoreader.com)
"No words."
That's all Billy Crystal, Robin Williams' good friend and fellow acclaimed comic performer, could Tweet Monday, Aug. 11 as word of Williams death, an "apparent suicide" according to news reports, spread with the same raging fire that propelled a comic genius -- yes, a genius -- to world stardom and, apparently, unbearable depths of depression.
I have words, a few at least, to say or, more correctly, to expel from my deeply saddened state. Perhaps they might, if only a little, ease some of the kick-in-the-gut sting felt by Williams' survivors, which includes family and friends, of course, but also anyone, including this scribe, who smiles when he or she hears the bellowed phrase "Good m-o-r-n-i-n-g Vietnam!" or conjures up the image of Mrs. Doubtfire (Williams in drag) setting her breasts on fire in the kitchen.
I knew Robin Williams about as well as any road warrior film critic who, over three decades or so, sat down with the almost always manic comic tsunami for short spurts at a time to discuss his latest movie.
Often, the interviews would be what's known in the industry as "round-table" interviews. Five, six or seven film critics or entertainment reporters sit around a round table in a hotel suite usually in Los Angeles or New York. The "talent" enters the room and takes the empty chair at the table and chats up the movie for 30 to 40 minutes; responding to mostly softball questions.
On one occasion, which looking back might have been one of Williams' tough days in his continuing battle against substance abuse and/or depression, the master rapid-fire comedian was, let's just say, melancholy.
In a situation where press members around a table often have to verbally joust to get their question in, moments of silence were creeping in between questions to Williams. I found myself sitting right next to Williams that day. He was fighting the good fight to keep the banter coming, which obviously most of my fellow journalists expected. But Robin Williams just wasn't feeling it that day.
"Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys," Williams said as college professor John Keating in his Oscar-nominated performance in Dead Poets Society in 1989.
So I did. I asked Williams where his rapid-fire comic one-liners come from and how they ignite.
"I don't really know," he said quietly. "It's almost like my head opens up and my brain is an antenna. Signals from outer-space fill my brain. I just let them out."
And let them out, he did. Brilliantly, in fact, for a lot of years.
Laughing on the outside/crying on the inside. That classic description of a clown is too trite and too simple to explain the high highs, the low lows and the inner turmoil that Williams must have been channeling, along with his ongoing battle with horned demons of alcohol and substance abuse.
Some words: You left us, Robin, for reasons we may never know but you, obviously, knew all too well. Many of us, including your peers like Billy Crystal and Steve Martin, are stunned and speechless. All I can say is that you left a very deep imprint on this place you have recently departed.
R.I.P.: Rockin' Robin. Perhaps the marquee at the Hollywood Laugh Factory summed it up best for all of us Monday night.
(Courtesy: foxnews.com)
