A Movie and More Mike Campbell

NIGHT CALL

Trailer: http://bit.ly/42F0i5q

I found out about this via the "New York Times" Watching newsletter. I highly recommend you sign up for it. Not everything mentioned is great, but you can triangulate, do research, before you dive in.

Once again, I find streaming algorithms and media hype unreliable.

To give you an example, advance word was that "Black Rabbit" was a tour-de-force. It is not. Jude Law is almost unrecognizable, he disappears into the role, it's a phenomenal job of acting. Jason Bateman is always good, and likable, but the story is predictable and ultimately reviews were not good, but knowing that it was launching on Thursday, instead of pulling up a new series on Wednesday, we watched this movie.

It's on Hulu. And I highly recommend it.

I thought it was American... If something appears appealing, I stop reading the review, but it turns out it's set in Belgium. Having said that, if the film was American you'd know about it. It's gritty and fast-paced like an American production, but with the intensity and three-dimensional characters and emotions you get in a foreign film.

And yes, at times there is violence, and those who can't handle it might be tempted to turn the movie off, but don't...this is not a blood and guts/gory film, although it does have those elements. It's kind of like "Run Lola Run," but not really. As in the protagonist is on a timed adventure.

But you won't know that for a while.

So yes, this is a crime film. It's more than surface, but not incredibly deep. But it's fiery and it flows and it keeps you involved. You won't know what is going on at first, but then it'll all come clear, and then maybe it won't.

I must admit the ending did not have the impact of the rest of the film, but if you're looking for a ride, something that will take you away from regular life, check this out.

THE MIKE CAMPBELL BOOK-2

The first half is about making it, the second half is what transpires after making it. And two sequences stood out in the latter half...

Bob Dylan... He's seen as an obfuscating brooding icon in the world, but if you know him...

The guy knows hundreds of songs, can play them on a whim, and is not concerned about feedback and in all is unpredictable. Maybe the most insightful words on the Bobster ever.

And, Jeff Lynne.

Who was second banana in the Move, but then drove the ELO bus himself, and that band was kind of faceless, but then he was in the Traveling Wilburys and had production credits...

He's fleshed out here. Well, his techniques are.

Tom and the Heartbreakers are used to working with the likes of Jimmy Iovine. Belabored productions based on getting it exactly right. Whereas Lynne works fast. If it's right, there's no need to redo it.

He leaves Petty's vocals dry, which is one of the reasons "Full Moon Fever" stands out. The songs are written quickly. The emphasis was on the process, as opposed to constantly worrying about whether the work would be commercially successful.

And it was.

If you're at all knowledgeable about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Heartbreaker" is a must-read.


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