Michael's Musings
No Oscar Predictions!
by Michael B. Druxman on 02/28/16February 29, 2016
I'm actually writing this on Sunday morning (28) before the Oscar broadcast. This year, I'm going to skip my Oscar predictions, because the truth is that I've seen very few of the movies that are up for awards. Indeed, the last film I saw in a theater was ZERO DARK THIRTY...and that was about 3 years ago.
Most films these days I view on DVD, which means that I don't see them until several months after they are released. The past few weeks, I've watched SPOTLIGHT, THE DANISH GIRL, BRIDGE OF SPIES, TRUMBO and MAD MAX, as well as BLACK MASS (not nominated), but most of the frontrunners I've not yet seen.
In the meantime, I'm still waiting to get word from MGM for permission to use the two old movie posters on the covers of my next two published stage plays. And, while I've been waiting, I completed the first act of the 2nd play. It took me about a week.
I think the reason that these two plays are coming together so quickly is because I knew several of the people involved and their voices are in my head. That makes them much more easier to write.
I've decided that, if I don't hear from MGM by the time I finish the first draft of this 2nd play, I'm going to abandon the idea of using their posters and move to "Plan B". I already have alternate covers in mind.
On Wednesday, unless something goes wrong, I am going to film the featurette for the British Blu-ray release of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES starring Basil Rathbone. I'll let you know how that goes.
You have a creative week.
Michael
On to The Next One...
by Michael B. Druxman on 02/21/16February 22, 2016
I am going to be 75 years old on Tuesday (23).
Funny, I don't feel like I'm 75. Where did all the years go?
I finished and copyrighted my new play this past week. I'm holding off publishing it yet, since I'm waiting to hear from MGM to see if they will allow me to use a poster from one of their old movies on the cover. This play, as well as the next one I'm planning to write, revolve around the making of an old film, so I'm hoping that MGM will allow me to use a poster for the second play's cover also. Fingers crossed.
I am now researching and preparing to start work on the second play.
I've also be approached by a home video company in the UK about filming a commentary on one of their upcoming releases. Nothing is set yet, so I'll tell you more about that if/when it actually happens.
I've posted a review of THE SPOILS OF BABYLON, an extremely funny spoof, on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page, so take a look.
You have a creative day.
Michael
Finished the First Draft
by Michael B. Druxman on 02/13/16February 15, 2016
Last week, I finished the first draft in the newest play in THE HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS series. Those last several pages wrote very quickly. Now, I'm letting the manuscript sit for a couple of weeks, so that when I return to it, I will view it through fresh eyes.
In the meantime, I'm researching the second play in a new trio of plays I'm planning to write, each one a multiple character piece dealing with a particular genre of movie.
The one I've been working on deals with people who made gangster films. The next will feature actors of the horror genre and the third will be Westerns. It was gone for several months following my foot surgery, but now I have my writing mojo back.
There are a couple of new reviews on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page. They are COP with James Woods and THE BLACK SLEEP with Basil Rathbone. I have two other films to watch and review, THE DANISH GIRL and THE ROSARY MURDERS, and those reviews should be on the site within the next few days.
Finally, it looks like there is going to be a production of my play, LOMBARD, in upstate New York in August. Contracts are not signed yet, but the theater is already advertising the play on its website, so it should be a go.
You have a creative week.
Michael
