LUCY LIU'S DIRECTING HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK
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THE GLORIOUS CORNER
Story By: G. H. HARDING
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| Lucy Liu |
A Liu Of A Good Time --- It’s always interesting when the stars of the various TV-series finally get to direct an episode of their show; some excel, some fail miserably, some couldn't care less. Lucy Liu, of the terrific show Elementary (on CBS) said on Letterman last week that she asked to direct an episode on their first season last year and was promptly turned down. Even though she had already directed some smaller vehicles, she knew that there were so many things happening with the developing show, that the powers that be wanted only sure-fire directors on board.
However, with last week’s episode of the show, the ominously titled “Paint It Black,” which Liu did direct and in my opinion. she knocked it out of the park. She always said on the show that when those powers-that-be first saw the results, she was immediately offered another episode to direct next year.
As you may or may not show, the show features the exploits of a modern say Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson. As preposterous a premise as that may sound, the show (Starring Liu and the immensely intense Jonny Lee Miller) has emerged as one of the network’s strongest entries and the writing is just spot-on excellent. Aidan Quinn, always a favorite of mine, stars as well as is pretty terrific as well. In fact, it’s one of the best things he’s ever been in.
Liu’s show, the second in a three-episode arc, found her character being held hostage and Holmes and his brother, portrayed by Rhys Ifans, attempting to find her. While the nuances of this episode are almost too numerous to mention, suffice to say that in the climactic scene, with both Liu and the brother about to be assassinated, the brother asks for a few final words, which he is granted. He pauses most dramatically and then says paint it black … and, all hell breaks loose.
The show was filled with numerous brilliant shots; and, several terrific crane shots. It was the mark of a excellent actor … behind the camera. It was so solid, so strong, that Liu should well consider directing as a major next step. She’s great, but the direction of this show was stellar. Bravo!
A MEAL TO DIE FOR --- Talking TV, this week’s episode of NBC’s Hannibal was very, very strong. With the show facing imminent cancellation (even though creator Bryan Fuller was quoted last week as saying he felt good about a third-season renewal); the show brought Hugh Dancy’s character (Will Graham) one step closing to Hannibal’s dark-side. As we've noted previously; the work from Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) is just exceptional plus, the tone set by Fuller is as ominous and dark as ever. There was also a three-minute scene where both characters were in bed with their significant others and at one point they found themselves in bed together sharing just one woman. It was startling yet so brilliantly done. I hope this show does get another season …. It’s just that good.
SALAD SURGERY --- Sony Music and Legacy Recordings will release deluxe editions of Emerson, Lake and Palmer's 1973 album Brain Salad Surgery in several different formats.
Originally announced on the 40th Anniversary of its original release, the Super Deluxe Edition of Brain Salad Surgery is the result of months of work delving into the archive with the full co-operation of Greg Lake, Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer. Packaged in a stunning hardcover 12” slipcase with inner gatefold and the original HR Giger artwork digitally restored and enhanced.
Fully remastered throughout, as well as the original album, the package also contains an alternate album featuring five rare alternate versions, a disc of new stereo mixes and a DVDA including High Resolution Original Mix Remastered, High Resolution Stereo Mix, MLP loss less surround mix, DTS 5.1 Surround Mix and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Mix.
The super deluxe edition also features a DVD of the 1973 feature length Manticore Special Documentary with highlights from the 1973 World Tour and a photo gallery of imagery from the Brain Salad Surgery era. The package is completed with 180-gm Vinyl, replica original release die-cut poster and a 20-page 12” booklet with photographs and new liner-notes.
Greg Lake said, “My memories about making this album and indeed about this whole period in the bands history are something that I will always cherish and be extremely proud of. I still perform songs from this album in my show to this day and know how much some of these songs mean to the audience who grew up with them.”
Carl Palmer said, “I think if you were to identify one album as being the masterwork of ELP it would have to be Brain Salad Surgery. For me it was our Sergeant Pepper moment. We were doing weird things to push the boundaries of experimentation and recording forward. We used every recording technique under the sun from recording percussion in the toilet to using custom designed electronic percussion. It’s my favorite album by far.”
Keith Emerson commented, “We were on a real creative roll when we wrote and recorded Brain Salad Surgery. That album saw us push boundaries further than we'd ever done before and I listen to that music now and I wonder how we did it!”
Closing Notes --- CBS’ Under The Dome (based on a Stephen King book) became something of a cult-hit last summer on TV. Now, its back and King himself wrote the first episode of this second season. I'm not a fan of the rather-chaotic King, but several of his TV-adaptions have been great. I'm looking forward to his Dome-debut next month …
I haven't watched the entire SNL with Andrew Garfield yet (from this weekend), but I did watch the two songs performed by Coldplay. Both tracks were decidedly downbeat. “Magic” and “A Sky Full of Stars”; and, and we preferred the latter. One pundit said that the performances will be loved by the group’s acolytes, but would do anything to change the minds of the naysayers. Well said. Their album is due this month …
We lost the terrific actor Bob Hoskins last week. We loved him in the movie Mona Lisa … where he played a gangster and was just superb. I remember when there was talk of him, musician Phil Collins and Danny DeVito in a live-action movie of the three bears. The three of them would have been superb. Strong, strong actor for sure. RIP Bob! ...
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As a New Yorker, a recent announcement in the subways, about how many fires in the subways were caused by garbage on the tracks is somewhat perplexing … especially when the MTA announced sometime last year they wouldn't have garbage cans anymore. If you don't have garbage cans, they will throw on tracks… of course, something is going to happen. What does the MTA expect to happen to the accumulated garbage?
With late-trains, poor service, and just a dire-atmosphere down under, it’s any wonder it works at all. Go figure!
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