Cook and Moore are two of the stars of “Beyond the Fringe”, a comedy revue that shaped and influenced generations to come. They became one of my YouTube searches, typing in one of their names and watching clips of performances or listening to recordings of their comedy. Then “Bedazzled” came up in the search results. I think I was actually looking up Racquel Welch and it brought up “Dudley Moore with Racquel Welch”. I’d seen their version of Hound of the Baskervilles and didn’t realized I had seen them for years in The Wrong Box. They were in Bedazzled?
I think many people my age are more familiar with the “Bedazzled” with Brendan Frasier and Elizabeth Hurley. I vaguely (meaning not at all) remember when it came out people were saying it was a remake.

Written by Peter Cook and based on a story developed by Cook and Moore, it’s inspired by the character Faust who makes a deal with the devil for unlimited knowledge and power. In “Bedazzled”, Moore’s shy, inept character makes a deal with the charming devil,Cook, to get the woman he loves. He gets 7 wishes which he uses as 7 attempts to woe her as different versions of himself.

I love Peter Cook and Dudley Moore so I really enjoyed it. Each wish allows them to become different characters and play off each other. Moore thinks he’s going to succeed each time and Cook finds a way to warp the wish. He finds one loophole he can infiltrate and ruin Moore’s chances. The devil is in the details afterall. One wish Peter paints a wonderful picture: Dudley and his interest are madly in love with each other. They’re married and live a quiet life in the country. Dudley agrees that sounds fantastic and asks for him to give him that scenario. The slight detail he missed was they’re not married to each other. She’s married to Peter, a saint of a best friend to Dudley. When Moore asks Cook how come he is always there, Cook says as the devil there’s a little bit of him in everyone.

There’s a great interview with Harold Ramis in the extras. He says it’s fun because you like both characters. Yes Peter is the devil but you understand where he’s coming from. He knows his “routine mischief” is pathetic. We can relate to Dudley’s character. Many of us feel if we could just be something else everything will fall in line. The moral is that’s not the case. Being yourself is your best bet.

Ramis compared Cook and Moore to Lennon and McCartney. He said Dudley was Paul, the sweet “cuddly” one while Cook was John, something sharp, angular and dark about him. That’s a good way of describing them. Their influence is similar to the Beatles and have influenced the likes of Monty Python, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie…

I don’t know if “Bedazzled” is a good intro to Cook and Moore but it was a good time.

Well, it was a nice thought. I’m not going to say it was a bad movie. “200 Motels” follows the band on tour through motels, arguments within the group, and in pursuit of companionship. So we all start on the same page and know where we are coming from, Frank Zappa is at the helm. Frank Zappa, his sense of humor and way of putting things are at the core of this movie. Ringo plays the character of Frank Zappa, which is fun. Kind of reminded me of an adult version of the character, Mr. Conductor, he played on “Shining Time Station”.  I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had watched it with people, hearing other people burst out laughing at irreverent, “What?” moments, would have added to the experience.

There are funny parts. There’s a little cartoon part showing one of the band members deciding whether or not he should go out on his own. The singer Donovan encourages him through the TV.
I saw it a couple of days ago and the scene I remember most is how Zappa compares the guys going out after a show to a thoroughbred race. Snorting and all jazzed up they are led to their pens and there’s the bell! They charge the bar door and fight to get in as the announcer calls who is in the lead, who is on the outside and who is neck and neck. Maybe I found that funny because that’s how it looks to me and I’m glad he agrees.

We did an exercise where she had us write down five names. I went with my gut reaction, the first name that came to mind. Here’s my list:

1)Person you consider to have achieved what you want: Tina Fey
2)Any person from history you would want to have dinner with: Stephen Fry
3)Favorite movie/book: “Hard Day’s Night”, White Teeth
4) Favorite article of clothing/accessory: Express black pants back in high school, my houndstooth clutch.
5) Person who has encouraged you: Mom

Then we were to put a word by each name, why we chose them. What did I think made them the most successful? What about this person encouraged me? Again I went with my gut.

1) Persistent
2) Smart, funny
3) Fun, what I was looking for at the time
4) Made me feel sophisticated, classy
5)accepting, loving

“Those words are you,” she said. I burst out laughing. Yeah right. Just because I’m still doing something doesn’t mean I’m persistent. I’m not fun or “what I’m looking for at the time”. Then I thought about it. Maybe I am.
We can aspire to be these traits, she said. I agree with that. I might be these traits, but I can continue to grow into these traits.

All the exercises helped, but the last one especially made me laugh.

There’s another VDay that helped me get through the last few Valentine’s Days. Like it sounds, it was a call to action. It is a foundation and series of events created by Eve Ensler, the most popular event being “The Vagina Monologues”. All four years of college I was involved in VDay, helping bring awareness to local and international violence and injustice. I performed, produced and directed.

My involvement made me realize how fortunate I am on many levels. I have a family who loves and accepts me. I don’t have to worry about locks being changed on me or being disowned for my beliefs. Some girls couldn’t tell their families what they were doing because their families would. It made me realize there are good people out there. It made me aware there are some very evil people out there. I met some vagina zealots and some man haters. I didn’t agree with them but I understood and respected where they were coming from. You learn quickly what you believe in, what you feel comfortable with, and where you stand so you can feel good about yourself.

Some people don’t like “The Vagina Monologues” including some feminists. Why reduce a woman to one part, one part that is often sexualized and thought to be derogatory? For that reason. Slang for it is often used to denote someone as less than human, stupid, etc. Lots of words are used to be hurtful. I’m on the fence about reclaiming words. I don’t know how I feel 100% of the time about a select group being allowed to use a word as a term of endearment, to create camaraderie, and only they can use it because they are part of that group. I think it creates confusion–how come you can use it and I can’t? Sometimes I’m persuaded it takes the power away from the word or changes the power. While nothing is perfect, I still think it can create a slippery slope no one can climb however hard they try and however far up they think they have gotten so far.

I liked “The Vagina Monologues” because they were needed for some people. It was therapeutic for some survivors of rape to get onstage and tell the story of another woman. It was empowering for a post op woman to read a scene with other women about what it means to someone to undergo that operation. It was liberating for some audience members. They didn’t know some of the things in the monologues went on. they didn’t know some of these things still happen. They didn’t know there was a way they could get involved to raise awareness or help in the name of their mother, sister, friend or even themself.

My four years of VDay were some of the most challenging events and discussions I’ve ever had. I went on  ”Take Back the Night” walks and had guys yell at us how they loved rape. I got called names and had assumptions made about me that were unprecedented. They were also some of the best times. I ended up doing “Vagina Monologues in the Park” because the venue double booked the time slot and kicked us out. We had a sold out audience so we performed in the parking lot and alley. Some of the monologues take on a whole new meaning when you’re shivering, the words echo off apartment buildings, and people come to their windows to watch.
I learned things about myself, others and created great friendships.
It also made February 14th more than candy and your Facebook status.

On February 3rd, I told my mom that it was the anniversary (more out of trivia/general knowledge; she was around when it happened) . She told me I hated that song , which I thought was funny because I’ve always remembered loving it. My grandparents used to have a cassette tape with a live recording of it on it. I would sneak away and listen to it at least once when I visited. If I was spending the night, I would play it before going to bed. I loved the sound of the crowd and how the song was slightly different from the version I heard on the radio. I remember feeling terribly mature listening to the song with all its symbols and metaphors.

Years later, after college, a friend of my mom’s “translated” the song. He went through and explained what each reference was. I was fascinated. I knew a couple of them but I didn’t know all of them. It was the history of the 60′s, capturing the ups and downs, the turbulence and uncertainty, in a song. He explained why he thought certain symbols  were used for certain things and people.

I’ve always thought it was a beautiful song, almost haunting and epic in its own way. The song and the event are about unjust things and loss of innocence. It was unfair (as it is with any tragic accident where people or passengers are not in control of what’s happening) they died the way they did. They were accomplished, they added to people’s lives, they had their own lives ahead of them and…that was it. I think that’s true with any death, but celebrity or public perishing make us aware of it.

Mom told me my dad used to play it when I was little. I would scream and tell him to stop. So he did. He stopped playing guitar and hasn’t really picked it up since. I guess it really was the day the music died.

I also learned February 3rd is a holiday in Japan, setsubun, the first day of spring, where they cast the demons out and seal luck in. I thought it was an interesting coincidence.

That’s the other thing about Dickens–he had so much other work besides A Christmas Carol and not many people know about it (or they could be like me and know about it but haven’t read it).
I’ve come close. One of my favorite writers says she never took a creative writing class. All she did was read and she read mostly Dickens. She has been “accused” of wrapping up her novels in a Dickens way, building to a great ending then wrapping up in a couple of paragraphs. I think “accused” is a harsh word. I would enjoy being compared to Dickens. her endings have always fit, made sense, and satisfied. I think they’re just sad they don’t get to read her work for a few more pages.

We’ve seen Dickens elsewhere in pop culture. There is a great “The Avengers” episode (the British ” The Avengers”, John Steed and Emma Peel (and Cathy Gale and Tara King)…before people hyperventilate and wonder how they could have missed that story) where Steed’s mind is being invaded by a group of mind readers. One of the mind readers is obessessed with Dickens. They’re having a Dickens Christmas and have to come dressed as a character from his work. The rooms are named after stories and characters. It lends itself to tongue-in-cheek jokes.

Tonight’s “NCIS” episode had a Dickens flair to it and I couldn’t help wondering if it was intentional or not because of when it aired. Gibbs is shot and he is visited by 3 ghosts of sorts to show him how he has effected people.

Even if a majority of people know him for one story, it’s a versatile story that has reached and resonated with millions of people around the world and across generations. Not so bad to be known for one story. Hasn’t hurt George Lucas.

We all met in the lobby then were led to the guest Tea House. In meditation and hypnosis, they tell you to imagine you are walking down a staircase, with every step you are going deeper and deeper into a state of peace. As we walked down the path and over the bridge, there was a transition. We were leaving chaos and uncertainty and as we crossed under the main gate to the Tea House, we were in a world of beauty and wonder.

Dr. Gunji said she was originally concerned about having the ceremony, but she felt today was perfect. We could have been in one of our notorious, brilliant snowstorms and we would have waded through several feet of snow to get there. For a while there, it was looking like we wouldn’t have any snow at all. We ended up having just the right amount, a memory of snow on the ground so we knew it was winter, but we were still able to get a private look at the gardens (they’re normally closed during the winter).

I like how she said the plants were in a “dormant” state. They weren’t dead. They’re just resting. These curled up leaves are only sleeping. They’ll awaken for Spring. It tied in with the concept of making the ordinary extraordinary. She explained how there are elements of martial arts tied into the tea ceremony. We make tea everyday. How do we make that special? We wash our face everyday. How do we make that special? Everything is precise because you put your heart into it. There is consideration in every move.

She didn’t word it such, but she said you live for the moment because if you go back you won’t be the same person. She used the example of coming through the gardens. Walking down the paths, some of us were concerned we were missing things and made note to go back after the ceremony to see them. We won’t be the same people after the ceremony. Not that the tea ceremony is a life changing experience, but you are more contemplative afterwards; you’re in a different state of mind. See the gardens as you are now. So after the ceremony we enjoyed the sleeping gardens, marvelling at the ultimate natural beauty, how nothing was left to accident, everything was intentional, but it was so effortless it was exquisite.

The tea ceremony is relevant today. You can just make a cup of tea to go and go. Heat the water, toss in leaves, go. Everything was thought about in the ceremony. She could have walked silently she said, but she intentionally slid her feet across the bamboo mats to create a shhh shhh sound. She could have poured the water silently into the bowl, but she wanted us to hear it and relax. It was taking time for ourselves, enjoying the moment. We anticipated the tea, but it was on a back burner as we enjoyed watching her delicate movements. It was very similar to meditation, but better.

During the ceremony, I realized I was wanting to share this with someone. Then I realized I was: I was there with my mom and several good people I am fortunate enough to call friends. I was sitting in a circle with them and with several others who hand journeyed out in our manic weather to experience the tea ceremony. It was a really wonderful day.

I think Bill Murray has done some of his best work with rodents: “Groundhog Day”, improvising in “Caddyshack”…”Stripes”….:)

“Groundhog Day” has been used as an example in many classes. At the Screenwriting Expo, we watched the Ned scenes to see the different ways to play a scene, different ways to get across a message. We talked about Bill’s character Phil and how he changes–what things have to happen and how is that shown in the movie? Oh darn have to watch the movie to remember…

It works on many levels. It’s funny. You can watch some scenes removed from the movie, like we did in class, and people laughed. It also makes you think. Some people I know go on about what a philosophical movie it is and talk about existentialism and nihilism. I like that it is more than just funny. It’s about change and Bill has to initiate change in order to move on. We all feel that way at some point in time–on one path leading nowhere. We have to initiate the change in order to escape a day dedicated to holding a groundhog up to see if he sees his shadow.

Brings up one question: has the groundhog ever bitten anyone? He’s hibernating, and a hand just reaches in and grabs him…

It’s an ensemble cast: Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd,and  River Phoenix among others. This was the only other thing I had seen River Phoenix in besides the beginning of Indiana Jones. As in good ensemble pieces each person is different but all their strengths are needed in order to over come the problem.

I also enjoyed watching the structure of the movie. I know it’s supposed to be a bad sign when you’re paying attention to how it’s put together instead of the story. I’d fade in and out. I’d remember the scenes as they were happening, amazed I could remember that much, then realize what beat we were in.
There’s a huge midpoint with a huge reversal. They’re celebrating after stealing the black box and realize something’s amiss. The company who made the box is an anagram for “too many secrets”. They’ve stolen the box for the wrong people to give to the wrong people.
The second half of the second act could sag a bit, like two ends of a bridge being too far apart, but you’re fascinated by all the little steps they have to take you don’t mind. Many have to do with the member of the team who is blind, Whistler. When Redford is kidnapped, stashed in a trunk and taken to the enemy, he doesn’t know where he went. Whistler asks him what he heard. By piecing together what he heard, they discover he went over the bridge and by the shore.

You also see a huge pay off in the end. At the midpoint the team divulges what they’ll do with their share of the money: buy a Winnebago, tour Europe, get peace on Earth. When they reclaim the black box the NSA finds them. The team now knows the box is useless on breaking Russian codes. The box would be used to spy on Americans and other U.S. Federal agencies. They blackmail the NSA. In order for them to stay quiet, they want all the stuff they mentioned in the midpoint. One of the sweetest was River Phoenix. He said he wanted a relationship with a woman. At the midpoint, it’s thought to be a joke. At the end it’s touching. He asks for the one female agent’s number. Her boss says no way, but she says, “You can have anything in the world and you want my number?” He meekly replies, “Yes.” He gets it. And Whistler asks for world peace and good will towards men. The NSA has to promise to make an effort.

It’s a fun movie and for a writer it’s nice to see things laid out. Structure always makes sense when other people lay things out and you see how one thing leads to another. It’s when you work with your own work you wonder what goes wrong.

I also liked in each episode there were fun and games until there was a situation. I can’t call it a “serious” note, but each episode had a serious point where they had to be policemen. In one they talk someone off a ledge, in another diffuse a hostage situation and prevent riots. I thought that was a nice development. They could be silly with really quick lines and entendres, but then they had to call upon their strengths to resolve the problem.

And it’s Rowan Atkinson as a cop. How can you go wrong?