OUT HERE

Missed smallVille premiere because I caught Fame, then we went for a walk + talk.

FAME — great numbers, phenomenal singing performances by Naturi Naughton, a great dance number focusing on Kherington Payne, solid performances by all the cast, all teachers excellent — Charles S. Dutton offered an education in theatre, Bebe Neuwirth convincing, Megan Mullally rocked the karoake scene and the absolutely ONLY time I have ever thought there should have been more Kelsey Grammer (I wanted to see his reaction to Naughton’s character’s story arc) — nice directing moments — yes, we zing through 4 years of moments with multiple characters, but there was a very nice choice of moments. I do wonder if the marketing campaign was different in more ethnically diverse areas than here.

In a restless mood, so FINALLY watched iFight Shelby Marx — and yes, I enjoyed it. Dan Schneider can still knock out a funny iCarly + Victoria Justice did a nice guest turn. So much better than iDate A Bad Boy. Good Gibby moments + Neville w/ a contraband porcupine works. Might catch tomorrow’s Date Night one two iCarly-True Jackson knockout punch.

Anything else to review — oh, caught a second episode of Nick’s new show, The Troop and didn’t think about The Power Rangers at all. Cheerleading scenes brought back Buffy but not really in a comparing way, just in an I haven’t watched a Buffy episode in too long way — BuffyFest for Halloween, baby. Liked this episode of The Troop better, the guys seem to be developing a rapport and the idea is neat. Might give it a tie breaker.

SUPER OR smallVILLE

Friday the 25th (tomorrow for me) is the smallVille season premiere. Early review from the folks at Kryptonsite. Will probably watch the premiere and see for myself how the tone goes — two episodes I’m interested in: premiere + The Wonder Twins appearance. Casting seems to have given smallVille a season chock full o’ talented guest stars + villainous sorts — let’s see what they do with it.

TV OASIS

No, I didn’t stop watching TV; I just stopped reviewing it unless it was new + fun (see Warehouse 13 comments in previous posts).

Wizards of Waverly Place deserves their Emmy + the movie rocked.

Have been off iCarly because it’s been too mean + shouty, but watched iHate Techfoots + iCook tonight and enjoyed them. So it’s time to jump back on the iCarly train.

Also saw a True Jackson I hadn’t seen yet — Lulu’s on loan to accounting + True’s science teacher is temping for her…entertaining. True Jackson is always solid ensemble comedy.

Caught Nick’s new show, The Troop, tonight + had a sudden Power Rangers craving (and I don’t even like any of the Power Rangers); The Troop seems to be taking the boring middle mediocre ground between funny and frightening so no sparking of interest.

Jonas is improving — Macy is getting more stuff to do and the Stella – Joe combo is really working.

Warehouse 13 marathon + season finale Tuesday, September 22nd. Big Bang Theory season premiere tomorrow — the boys are back from the North Pole and everyone’s very excited.

Eureka’s been all right — great to see Taggart back, if only briefly. Jaime Paglia’s apparently the only person who can write a good Jo but aside from that season finale tepid.

Watched Adventureland (movie not TV show)…didn’t really enjoy watching people sit around and smoke and not say or do much. Not the movie or the soundtrack I expected. Disappointing + couldn’t really tell if anyone could act.

New shows…haven’t caught Glee and probably won’t. Community looks like fun. The NCIS spinoff looks cool — yes, a little bit of a pun; I’ve always liked LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell. Thinking about putting Boston Legal and Psych on the Netflix queue.

I’ve added another show to the list of ones I watch with the little brother (#2) — It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The pre title bits are hard, crazy, brilliant comic gems.

Looking forward to Fame and waiting for some of the summer movies we missed to come to the $2 theatre.

A TOUCH OF VIRTUE, A BITE OF POLITICS, THEN A WAREHOUSE OF FUN

Some fun sites + serious thoughts I’ve run across in my internet ramblings recently.

Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues in a wordle. I like to limit my political controversy + ranting exposure to election periods, but it looks like we’re in for a full four years. So perhaps it’s time to pay attention to some of what the Founding Fathers have left us. I suggest a strong dose of tranquility for everyone. And throw in some tolerance, darn it, even though it’s not listed.

Jimmy Carter is a courageous man and a former president setting a great example for everyone. His suggestion that racism may be part of the irrational healthcare debate is a point to consider. I am very tired of people thinking politics and government is a place to pick sides and behave like ill mannered sports fans.

Fun stuff, as promised: Warehouse 13 — watch, darn it. Here’s a spoiler free review of the last two episodes from the folks at io9. SyFy’s having an all day marathon next Tuesday, September 22nd, starting w/ the pilot at 9 a.m. At least watch Duped at 5 p.m. Incredible directing, solid writing, excellent performances, real suspense and just a touch of disco fun. Claudia is becoming one of my favorite TV characters ever so I’m really hoping she isn’t the quisling. Warehouse 13 has already been picked up for a second season + it would be GREAT if they don’t fall into the Eureka trap and have a complete tonal change for the second go round. I can take some more suspense, but PLEASE leave in the quirk and the fun. And if Claudia actually is developing a minor Myka crush, bonus points.

Here’s a fun commuter trains of thought graphic my friend Denise linked to on Facebook.

And a lovely piece of music for a slightly overcast day that bestows mellow happiness and memories of Fred Astaire.

And because, it’s fun + wacky…introducing a potential new celebrity: The Spork, who may or not get his/her/its own shirt this weekend.

Oh, and I have a bunch of FT links in my head + scattered across my desk that need to be cleared out, but for right now, props to Sarah Hemming for an excellent review of Judgement Day and an interesting interview with Rupert Goold.

Hope to catch up some more on the weekend (+ watch Adventureland, which is sitting in its red NetFlix envelope on top of the TV). The Informant looks funny — Matt Damon earned a spot on my favorite funny movie cameo list with Eurotrip , but I’m saving up for SPX next weekend.

SWEARING OFF

This was just going to be about me swearing off entering film festivals, considering film festivals, reading about film festivals, worrying about film festivals, et al on the advice of Gayle who remembers me complaining about nearly frying my computer every time I think I ought to enter one. So Blink Kitty Love is going to continue its merry musical way without the imprimatur of the Nick Animation Fest — which does look fun + is free to enter so points for them (entries closed for this year; try next if that’s your flavor). But there I am looking for approval or safety or a production deal again, and I’m not sure that’s what I’m actually trying to conquer — not that I’d turn down a production deal ; ) And I really do nearly fry my computer every time.

But (second half swearing off reference, cue segue)…

Entertainment Weekly listed its top 20 animated films ever and not only do they have Chicken Run in (instead of Fantasia for instance), one of the main criteria seems to be will it make you, the viewer, cry. The goal is not even like that of old school tragedies — will you learn a lesson while someone’s eyes are being plucked out offstage and tears are being rent unwilling from yours or as you just stare at the stage in horrified understanding, just maudlin basic level Dumbo separated from his Mom issues. The easy stuff. That and September 11th references + articles, made me remember when and why I swore off tragedies for the summer Shakespeare Theatre Under The Trees experience.

September 11, 2001 I had a touring show rehearsal (acting) in the morning, Gayle had a day off, Beau was a little past teenager + living with us…I walked into the theatre some time after nine (I am not prompt in the morning; rehearsal started at 8:30 a.m. Diane plans around me). There was an atmosphere I hadn’t felt since the watching the Challenger disintegration at Northwestern’s student center or the couple of times I listened to the World Series on the radio (one of those times was in college, in an effort to study while it was happening — total fail; the other was grade school when I had a manic Phillies fan as a teacher). All of the parents were huddled around the table, a news type voice was saying something about Logan airport and I remembered my sister lived in Boston. And so I jumped to the conclusion that something had happened there. Then the full + awful story unwound while the rapt silence continued. I found a phone to call the still sleeping Gayle, so glad that both she + Beau were safe and that I knew where they were. I was still worried about the Boston branch of the family. My father watched the Towers fall from the roof of the plant he worked at in Rahway, NJ, came home that night and hung up an American flag from the eaves.

So that summer, the plan was to do Julius Caesar. I had even applied for a Nike grant — I thought football uniforms and a sports theme might add an interesting flavor. But one afternoon, I just decided not to watch people die on stage. If I did it well (and I planned to), it would be riveting + horrifying. That wasn’t what the universe needed. I asked myself, because it suddenly seemed possible, if the world were going to end, what play would I regret not doing. I had always loved Beatrice + Benedict; the wonderful wordplay that was their relationship. So the summer of 2002 turned into the summer of Much Ado About Nothing. And I continue to shake my head at gifted comedians who would rather play Ophelia than Beatrice or Rosalind or Olivia(although one of them recently told me she’d rather play Gertrude than Ophelia; it’s a much better part.)

September 11, 2001…so much happened then + since. My thoughts are with the victims’ friends + families and the soldiers who fight for our country. I often think they all deserve better politicians.

LINK LOVE

Peter Aspden on Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing + how maybe not making a choice (as an artist) can impact + amplify your effect.

Paul Levitz is back on the Legion — YES. Levitz is stepping down as president + publisher and DC is revamping under the Warner Brothers aegis to take on the mega muscle that will be Disney/Marvel.

Great article on Winston Churchill + the fighting spirit.

Saw Ellen MacArthur on Top Gear; superfast sailor; fastest lap in their old Stars in Ordinary Cars derby. Here’s her blog; want to track down her book.

What the heck, @nicolaz + her partner @kelleyeskridge have started an editing business, @sterlingediting. (Yes, I love Twitter; it’s where I, @lonelypond, win friends + influence people; you have been previously warned; and if you influence or amuse me or annoy me in that grit making a pearl happen fashion, hey, you may very well get a mention right here.) I wish them well in their new endeavour. It is the best of feelings to collaborate on something you love with someone you love (oh, no, verging on sentiment — gak* — definition 4 my favorite. Must sleep more — refer previous entry)

Back to FT and other links (but what about the Legion you say? That’s not British. That’s a glitch not a tangent or even a segue. Caught me, but true love supersedes all.)

I actually find myself in sympathetic agreement with the usually too fluffy, but in a pleasant way, for me Susie Boyt as she struggles with going on holiday and running into a “novelist’s self help manual”.

Profile of Gustav Metzger, artist determined to push the world to survive.

Need to read this book judged by it’s cover.

And a review of Twitterville the book. (I prefer Twitterverse myself, but I’ve yet to write that book.)

And that should tide you over while I get some sun, listen to Radio Blink Kitty Love, lunch, work on that other book, and have a Thursday. Enjoy yours.

INSOMNIAC’S LAMENT: A HAIKU

Lonely in the night
But not for people. No, Sleep
Dreams but not of me

WEEKEND PLANS (MINE)

Well, none really. I have a stack of movies — we started the Netflix account + some borrowed — that I’d like to make a dent in. The list? Soapdish (Netflix) — ever watch a soap opera, ever laugh at Sally Field and/or Kevin Kline (yes, A Fish Called Wanda is a must see) — then Soapdish is a can’t miss. What else? Blythe — one of my theatre peeps — loaned me Tristam Shandy(movie/book skipping back + forth with the excellent Steve Coogan) + Bubba Ho Tep (Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis kick some mummy ass) at the end of #tamingshakespeare so I’d like to watch them so I can then arrange a meeting to get my first three Scott Pilgrim graphic novels BACK (yes, I am suffering from a lack of a nearly complete Scott Pilgrim graphic novel stack by my bedside.) Oh, and long ago my former editor + anime/animation connection Mel loaned me Steamboy and although I am reluctant to pop it in, I do want to give it a try. Most of the anime movies I’ve seen are too warcentric for me.

Speaking of movies, my buddies at The Web Files (@The WebFiles) continue to do excellent work and thanks to them I have met my new friends at Movies You May Have Missed (@MYMHM) — we’ve been having snappy conversations the past couple of weeks about remakes + Netflix + streaming movies. Both shows did fun, crossover episodes with each other this week and left me with a craving for MORE movies — The Web Files ep + MYMHM ep. It’s pretty amazing what’s out there on the intrawebs. Check it out…

And, self plug, follow @blinkkittylove’s feed on Twitter, check out the episodes on their blip.tv station, or have some musical fun with lyrics at the Blink Kitty Love site.

Have a great weekend. This is my new favorite song.

I am planning* on curling up with the how to manual for ToonBoom’s Studio 5 program so I can figure out how to have some more Blink Kitty Love fun. Crush you later ; )

*Unless I decide to get distracted by Jane Austen or Harry Potter or my three weeks behind stack of FT’s. Or one of the cats decides the 500 page manual is her (or his) new favorite nap spot. Come back Tuesday to see what won.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

I was writing behind the scene posts, linking to fun FT articles, getting rejected by the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, writing a kick ass Merchant of Venice blurb (yes, I, Michelle Denise Norton, have decided to take on yet another infamous Shakespearean speech. Stayed tuned for round by round updates), buying a shirt, listening to Radio FlashCatFlash, Radio blinkkittylove, searching the web, remembering the 80’s, Twittering, and doing and thinking about a galaxy of other things. Here’s the highlights:

Merchant of Venice blurb for the season brochure (then I stop thinking about it for several months):

Merchant of Venice follows Portia, another of Shakespeare’s inimitable heroines, as she makes her way through an obstacle course of money and marriage. One of Shakespeare’s most misunderstood comedies? Or the cruelest? See for yourself.

An excerpt from my Blink Kitty Love Animator’s Journal:

So many people cite Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, the team at Disney as early animation influences; not me. With Blink Kitty Love, you put Rocky and Bullwinkle, Scooby Doo and Josie and the Pussycats in a blender, press mince and here we are, having a blast + burning a hole in our Wacom tablet.

Read the rest at the Blink Kitty Love blog.

El Tigre won 4 Daytime Emmys…congratulations + to celebrate, here’s a fan made mashup trailer of High School Musical 3 + El Tigre.

FT’s Vanessa Friedman on the fashion industry making itself accessible to the film industry.

Peter Aspden on The Beatles, their digitally remastered back catalogue + a lack of originality in contemporary musical endeavors.

The Steven Spielberg + Peter Jackson Tintin movie coming to a theatre near you Christmas 2011.

And I think that’s enough for tonight *yawn*..wait, you must watch Warehouse 13. It’s smart, funny, well acted, sharply written, surprising and suspenseful…yes, many science fiction stories have the same seeds, but W-13 lets them grow in interesting + intricate ways. Last week’s Alice in Wonderland take was amazing — you can probably catch it next Tuesday at 7.

And yes, it would be nice if Claudia turned out to be gay…

And on that note, a shout out to the Outer Alliance (@nicolaz is a member + my source for this) and the GLBT Bookshelf (@yuricon the source for this one); people are banding together to get lgbt speculative fiction + writing out there. Click through if you’re interested in finding out how/why.

Good night; sleep well.