Never Get Off the Boat is what Chef says in Apocalypse Now after almost being eaten by a tiger. It’s also a pretty cool music blog.
Because, in the movie, after what went down with Chef, Willard says to himself
Yeah, never get off the boat, unless you’re willing to go all the way.
For some reason, I want to be a DJ. DJ software is so cool looking and I idolize Amon Tobin and Squarepusher – but it’s not happening. How many parties am I even going to, let alone providing entertainment?
My back ache is mostly gone, thank jeebus. There’s nothing on the calendar tomorrow, so it’s a good catch-up day. I have had Court appointments in Camden the past three weekdays, so it’ll be nice not to run over there again. Arb today was mediocre, but it’s non-binding. I don’t think there’s going to be an offer of settlement in that case.
Time for some more uploads!
Tonight would be a great night to wax poetic about the Watchmen, or my hand case tomorrow morning, or getting a few long overdue items posted over at blogerantz. I’m especially excited that Vito has gotten a new post up there. I gotta call that guy.
But right now, for no reason whatsoever, my back is killing me, so I’m just going to bed.
Scary stuff. Everybody on the block is all outta wack.
My brilliant sister stated early on that the Movie would split by those who knew and liked the graphic novel and those who were coming to the convoluted story for the first time. It seems she was right. A look at Metacritic’s analysis reveals that the reviews are all over the map. This may be fanboy city – luck for me.
Alan Moore’s Watchmen is the story of costumed crime-fighters with no super powers and the insanity such a life would lead to. Into this mix of misfits and damaged goods, insert one additional hero, only this one with such super power that he is basically a god. The mix is a mess of real-life personal issues (will there be a war? who’s sleeping with who? how did our parents make us the disturbed human beings we are today? How can people act like that?) and the presence of a true super-being, who increasingly loses interest in the human baggage and emotion.
No comic had ever been like that before. Moore broke new ground. The elements of a horror comic met the conventional narrative of the superhero story, and then it all got turned on its head and came out as a murder mystery. Is it nuts? Yes. Does it make a lot of sense? Sort of… These characters are violent and flawed and yet they are still comic book heroes. That tension is what the Watchmen is all about.
The Watchmen comic book, that is. Now there’s this whole thing about a movie, and it’s a big friggin’ deal. I don’t really know what the New Yorker’s Anthony Lane is all about that, but he attacked this movie with such savage hatred, decrying the fetishistic violence and perversity that were certainly part of the book (don’t know about the film yet). All I could think when I read his review is that, this guy is warning the readers of the New Yorker, to not believe the hype with this movie – it is low art. Thank goodness we have Anthony Lane to see these dreadful train wrecks and then to help protect us from ourselves.
Yet, in general, people do not describe the Watchmen comic book as low art. It has rightfully been given a place of honor among all written fiction. Also, this was not a flash in the pan for Moore. He created much greatness both before and after Watchmen. And Anthony Lane doesn’t really tell you about the comic because this is a movie review.
But here is a film that tries to do so much. This is blasphemy and it lacks the blessing or even acknowledgement of the comic book’s author. Should the review address the hype? Does the review owe the filmmaker anything for the effort? Does the review even need to acknowledge the task, thus making reference to the comic book and its successes?
No, the review only needs to say “this is not human suffering” and “this is not what real violence means,” “that’s not pity,” and “it’s not funny.” It’s so annoying to have to review movies that don’t feature Kate Winslet.
There’s not really enough snow to justify it, but Court was closed, which is rare, and I wanted an extra day for the weekend (which is NOT rare). After last week, I’m happy to ask for a little extra breathing space.
A new week begins and we can start by getting the new U2 record – “No Line On The Horizon” on Tuesday. Right away, it feels more vital and risky than the last two records, but nothing seems to have been compromised. All the elements of what they do well (and have done well for the past three decades) is present, but the sounds draw from all of their career, including Pop and Achtung Baby.
Somehow they push themselves to do something that is not easy, but they just don’t look like they’re trying that hard. John Pareles of the New York Times offered the nice observation that they strive for
an intimacy that strives to encompass the universe.
Standout songs are ‘Magnificint’, ‘Unknown Caller’, ‘Stand-up Comedy’ and ‘Breathe’.
Let’s recap:
MONDAY – started trial, selected jury, gave opening arguments. Worked late getting direct examination of plaintiff ready for prime time. Prepped exhibits and supplemental Points for Charge. Prepared revised jury verdict sheet without counsel name and address in caption. Prepared arguments to accompany recent submissions
TUESDAY – conduct entire trial before Judge Allen. I think it goes OK for my client. Didn’t leave City Hall all day. Charge conference, closing arguments, Judge’s charge. Jury goes out and the waiting begins. By 6pm they haven’t reached a verdict and the Judge sends them home. Tuesday was really no problem. It can be fun to be on trial.
WEDNESDAY – the week ebbs and flows. I am at office waiting for call to come over and get verdict. Also busy preparing to select jury and begin next trial on Thurs. Client will not be present to receive verdict, although he did ask me to give him a letter that he would be out of work today. Jury comes back with a zero verdict, but they made a mistake with the Verdict Sheet. We have an appealable issue. I hit the roof. Emily is doing legal research and feeding me sights at lightening speed. Judge wants to fix it so we can just be done. Defense says a zero is a zero and law supports it. I disagree. I’m telling everyone that I’m asking for a new trial. I so don’t want a new trial. The case doesn’t have sufficient value. Back at office I give client bad news. He is his typical stoic self. Will wait to hear what I want to do. Up late preparing Points for Charge, Verdict Sheet and Proposed Voir Dire for next trial. Email to Loredonna, who prints and copies first thing Thursday so I can go right to Court.
THURSDAY – Off to Court to pick jury for the next trial. $125k in coverage and highest offer is $42k. Doesn’t look like we’ll settle. Jury panel will not be available till late afternoon. Whole schedule is thrown off. Wanted to prep family of decedent at my office, but now have to prep in Court in order to not waste time. Judge wants to settle. I want to settle, but not for $42. I’m not sure family wants to settle for anything ever. Judge takes defense counsel by ear and has private shat. Next thing I know, the offer is $82,5. I go out and make my recommendation. Family can’t decide. Don’t think they want to take it. I’m not happy. Call Joe for reinforcements, but he doesn’t have the leverage. Judge takes a shot, but she’s gotta go real easy. Family goes to lunch. I get back to work on prep. Family comes back and says no. I say why? They’re hemming and hawing and I somehow get inside the dynamic with the widow and two grown children. Once I’m there, it’s over. They take the $82,5. I run out. No for them to change minds. The Judge Rizzo is upstairs in foreclosure court. NBC nightly news with Brian Williams is interviewing her and the place is a zoo. We get her back downstairs and get the settlement on the record. Everyone leaves happy. I’m very happy.
FRIDAY – Tyer arbitration at 10:30AM. Get there 10 to prep client, if he’s there. He missed the last one. He is there and we get to work. Highest offer is $15k. Client does a nice job. Lots of collateral health issues, longtime HIV+ status. Get that done and back to office. Missed lunch. Get another case ready to settle for a nice number, maybe a little higher value than it should. Great. Need to OK with client, but she’s sometimes hard to get a hold of. Missed her last appointment without any explanation. Not cool. She calls and we’re good to go. Then I get cal from Judge in Chester County who wants to kill me. Lots of animosity and personal attacks. Very enraging, but I can’t say anything. Especially frustrating because its on a case I don’t want and have said so before. End work day very angry and riled up, but it’s been a good week.
FRIDAY NIGHT – first night off in a while. Indian dinner with friends at yummy Tiffin Store. Than back home with Em listening to new U2 record. Very good!
SATURDAY – find out win in the Tyer arb is $16, $1k over offer.
It is not going to be a perfect recreation of the book, but I now have enough information to allow myself to get excited. I’ve looked at pictures, clips and trailers. I’ve read spoilers. I purchased the book companion to the movie. I’ve noted comments in interviews. I’ve reviewed comments by the filmmaker regarding what will be missing from the theatrical release and what will be in the DVD director’s cut. Did they change the end? Yes, but I think it’s going to be OK. So when I wrap up these next two trials, I’ll be rewarded with an adaptation of the holy grail of graphic novels. Should be fun!