Harry is off to CHICAGO to Tape SISKEL AND EBERT

Hey folks, Harry here in CHICAGO... Actually at the SISKEL & EBERT offices and studio at the moment. Just wanted to let you folks know the I have now mastered the art of Teleprompter-fu! Ahhhh, my skills are almost complete. I've yet to meet Roger, just all the folks that make Roger look great. I've sat in the balcony.... The feeling was.... unbelievable. Literally, it shook me... I couldn't believe I was there. Folks.... I will not disappoint you. Trust me. I'm gonna be great. I will it so! ------ I'll talk to y'all tomorrow night! I won't be able to check email while I'm in Chicago, so if you want to hook up, you'll have to call the hotel number below! Father Geek will be updating, I have to sleep now... Big day in a few hours! Hey folks, Harry Here. As a lot of you know, I'm going to be guest criticing on SISKEL AND EBERT this Weekend (April 24 and 25). And I just wanted to let you know where I'm at right now in the process. I have written my two reviews for the show (THE MIGHTY PEKING MAN and LOST & FOUND) and am preparing to discuss ELECTION, PUSHING TIN and SLC PUNK with Roger. I've seen THE MIGHTY PEKING MAN, LOST & FOUND and PUSHING TIN... but tomorrow when I land in Chicago I will be seeing the other two (ELECTION and SLC PUNK) Originally "eXistenZ" was to be reviewed on this show, but Ruby Rich and Roger covered that one this past weekend. I'm going to try to write up my review of the film today for you, before I leave in the morning for Chicago. "Harry, did you talk about your day within your reviews?" Well, that question is a bit rigged, but YES, I did. In all, when writing the 'principle review' on SISKEL AND EBERT, you are bound into a very tight format of around 300 words. And you have to set up the film, what it is about, etc. So in all, the big part of the criticism angle must fit into around 160 words. And as you all know my style, I like to get distracted, talk about what the film reminded me of, reflections in my own life and experience, draw paralells in film history, etc. I managed to squeeze a bit of that into both reviews. "Harry, Kick Roger's Ass!" Thanks for the enthusiasm, but... ya know first we'll have to disagree on something, which isn't a guarantee. I don't know what Roger thinks of any of these films we're reviewing, but I do know what I think of them. And for me... I'm entrenched in those opinions. Of the three films I've seen so far I have passionate feelings on two of them and the other didn't really make me care all that much. Personally, I don't think the purpose of the show is to necessarily 'KICK EACH OTHER'S ASSES' but rather to passionately talk about film. Something I've been doing my entire life and I don't see this as being any different than me arguing with Quint about the validity of the FREDDY VS JASON script, or sharing in the joyful hypnotic moments of Fairbanks' THIEF OF BAGDAD with my father. I have no idea what is going to happen up there in Chicago, but you know... For me, I feel a bit like the Italian Stallion getting to go up there and box with Apollo Creed. It's not so much about the knock out, but going the distance. So... If I begin screaming "ADRIAAAAAAAN" as the balcony is being closed.... Know that I did what I came for. I hope all of you tune in and enjoy the show this weekend (check local listings). I'll be posting a "how it went in Chicago" thing this Thursday when I get back, and... Well... Hopefully Roger won't have beaten me to a bloody pulp. But ya know what? I hear I outweigh him and have a considerable advantage in Reach.... This is gonna be fun! One last thing. I'll be staying at the Four Seasons Hotel, while in Chicago, so if any of you Chicago or surrounding vicinity folk want to see about getting together tonight (Tuesday April 20th) (the show has me doing things till right about 8pm tonight), I do have to get up a bit early Wednesday morning, but hey... I'd be more than happy to grab a few brews and a piece of deep dish pie or some of that great Chicago Sausage I've heard about... well... I'm game. The Hotel phone number is (312) 280-8800. Catch ya in Chi-Town!