Schultze Gets The Blues

A wonderful film made in German with subtitles about a retired salt mine worker who finds ways to past time. You can't help but love the character.

Michelle has her equestrian assesment on Saturday. I'm excited for her.

Moving

Moved some of Michelle's stuff from my parents' place to our place. It makes her feel more at home. She's liking Ottawa.

Nothing else to really report on.

"The one who works"

Toronto

Had a wonderful weekend with Michelle in Toronto. Here are the deets.

Friday we left at around 4ish and ate supper in Gananoque. It's a cute little town on the water in between Ottawa and Kingston. We arrived late Friday evening and crashed at our Hotel. Saturday was pretty eventful. We went to Michelle's old neighborhood and had breakfast at a bakery and then took a trip over to Allan Gardens! It looks the same except the landscaping seems to have changed a bit. I couldn't help but think what happened to the busker that was there in the film. Very neat. We also shot up Homewood where Doug and Paul stayed for a bit. We then went to the Toronto Islands which is pretty nice. Michelle was explaining to me how the city screwed up the waterfront. It's a nice view from the islands though. We then went to another of her old neighbourhoods (HighPark) and ate at a former regular spot of hers called "Green Mango" and it was awesome. We then had dinner at her friend Marguerite's place and that was very cool. It was nice to meet her finally. We then met her friend Joe later that night for a drink on Bloor. He's really cool as well. Sunday morning we had brunch with her friend Lori whom I had met in B.C. as well. We were in Newmarket at Cora's. We then drove home. It was a really nice trip.

"Oh Yes Sir, I sure did like that one!"

la lucha

Hurt my shoulder a little bit in wrestling last night. It's ok though.

We leave for Toronto this afternoon.

"That piece of fluff"

Sukothai

We had a nice dinner at Sukothai last night. Charming little Thai place in B.C. (Bell's Corners).

We then visited the equestrian place off the highway which Is run by the City. Michelle used to be a showjumper and wouldn't mind getting back into it. It was a pretty neat place. Lots of horses and plenty of space. She picked up some info package.

We then watched Born Into Brothels. It was ok but not nearly as good as I thought it was going to be. I'm still glad I watched it.

"Look at that dreadful car."

Leiterman

Here's a wonderful post by writer Greg Woods on Richard Leiterman who passed away this year.

"I just learned the night before that Richard Leiterman passed away last month. Mr. Leiterman is an institution in Canadian cinema. This very busy cinematographer is perhaps best known for his work on the classic GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD. However, he had done several films for its director Don Shebib and also several features for Allan King. among others.An important early credit in his career was as DOP for Frederick Wiseman's cinema verite masterpiece HIGH SCHOOL (1968). Wiseman was/is one of the Godfathers of the Direct Cinema movement, which brought a fresh new approach to documentary filmmaking (filming on the moment, no voiceover narration) that still stands miles above the diluted version of the format seen in all of that horrible Reality TV. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Leiterman was hired by Allan King for his Direct Cinema classic, A MARRIED COUPLE (1969), a searing documentary in which an all-too-candid camera shows us the crumbling marriage of Billy and Antoinette Edwards. When King went on to fictional narrative films, he often employed Leiterman as well (specifically, WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND and SILENCE OF THE NORTH).Although Leiterman could certainly paint a majestic canvas wih his camera (I'm thinking of the scope of SILENCE OF THE NORTH), perhaps what I customarily think more of when his name is referenced is that documentary style he often employed even in his narrative work. This is especially true of the archetypal Canadian film GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD, but also his work on future films with Don Shebib (RIP-OFF, BETWEEN FRIENDS, CHANGE OF HEART-1992), and even WEDDING IN WHITE (by William Fruet, who turned to directing after writing ROAD), give those pieces a gritty kind of "you are there" authenticity.Looking over his four decades of credits, one can see the journey of Canadian cinema paralleling his career. He started out in the times of what I refer to as "The Great Promise" (circa 1968-1973, when Canada started producing features, and the results are mainly fresh and un-self-conscious), and then was also very busy during the Canada Tax Shelter period (circa 1977-1983), and still kept at doing works for directors during what I refer to as "The Second Canadian New Wave", and then a lot of television. Fittingly, this archetypal DOP worked on POPCORN AND MAPLE SYRUP, the documentary on Canadian cinema. In addition to those by Allan King and Don Shebib, Leiterman has also illuminated the works made by some of Canadian's most important filmmakers: Claude Jutra (SURFACING), Sandy Wilson (MY AMERICAN COUSIN). Harvey Hart (UTILITIES), Ralph Thomas (TICKET TO HEAVEN), Anne Wheeler (CHANGE OF HEART-1984) and Peter Rowe (RIGHT HOOK: A TALL TAIL). In the early 1990's when he made Don Shebib's film CHANGE OF HEART. it was somewhat disarming to see an old-fashioned movie (harkening back to the low-key charm of the 1970s), on Canadian screens at a time when jumpcuts and blue transfers were the orders of the day. It was a nice memory of "The Great Promise"- those pivotal days when cinema exploded in Canada, and the rewards reaped long careers."

It's All Gone Pete Tong

I wouldn't mind renting this tonight. I think it's out on DVD by now. I also want to see Born Into Brothels. BIB is a well acclaimed documentary on children of prostitutes in India. It should be out by now as well.

Talked to my good friend Manon yesterday and we'll get together with her husband next month sometime.

Went for a drive with Michelle in Queenswood Heights and Fallingbrook (Holla to Mouch) last night. Some areas seem to interest me more than others. I like the sense of a strong French community in the East. It's where I grew up and had a nice life. I would love to go back. Lots of French schools in Cumberland which is a plus.

"Her brother's hernia operation and God knows what."

Jennifer

Unfortunately, the dead body of missing 20 year old Jennifer Teague was discovered in a wooded area off Moodie Drive two days ago. What a frightening experience she must have went through. Hopefully, they will have better luck finding the person(s) involved than the bad luck in the Ardeth Woods case. It upsets me that these killers are sometimes not found. What made it creepy for the Ardeth Woods case for me is that it took place where I used to go for bike rides all the time.

It's a cruel world.

Winter Solstice

Pretty good. Basically, Anthony LaPaglia plays a father of two motherless sons and tries to keep the family together in a small town. A pretty realistic film which I always prefer. Set in Maine but probably filmed in Jersey.

Went for a nice walk at a little park which Michelle loves near O'Connor street. Beautiful homes.

Worked off the Spaghetti we ate. God, it was delicious.

Friday we leave for T.O.

Look forward to seeing a film called "Deluxe Combo Platter" which I've been hearing a lot about. Canadian and playing in Squamish tonight!

Easgles smoked the niners which is good. I won't recover from the loss to the Falcons until we go at least 7-1.


"Jesus....Jesus Pete, we're 1500 miles from home."

Wedding

Had a nice time at my cousin's wedding last night. The reception was held at a farm which has diferent venues for events. Great vibes throughout the night and that delicious glass of God knows what.........I'm sure it was whipped cream but with what I don't know but it was great.

Michelle had a lovely time as well and met more members of my family.

We just came back from Denny's and now it's laundry time. I'm going to rent a film after this. I wouldn't mind seeing ''Winter Solstice." It was cool to reminisce about Motley Crue with my cousin. My sister and her beau just came back from the U.K. and had a great time.

Of course I can't go to a wedding without thinking about the famous wedding scene in GDTR. The scene was played flawlessly by everyone involved including an intoxicated Paul Bradley (for real).

"Isn't she a sweetheart?"

Cayle Chernin

I had the pleasure of exchanging an e-mail with Cayle Chernin the other day. Cayle played a small but very exciting role in GDTR. She's doing well but hasn't seen the great Documentary on GDTR on Bravo yet!

I'd like to try to view the film "Tracks" which she did in 76 I believe with Dennis Hopper. She made another film at the same time as GDTR in Montreal but the title escapes me right now. I'll have to try and view a copy of that as well. The more obscur films can be harder to find due to the switch from VHS to DVD.

"Hey Pete, you can't take no day off."

Nate's

Had a wonderful evening last night. Michelle and I went to Nate's for dinner (Smoked meat legend in Ottawa) and then proceeded to watch Machuca at the Bytowne Cinema. It was a good film. It had its slow moments but was entertaining and had a nice score to it. Another Chilean related film I would recommend is "Missing" with Jack Lemmon.

Michelle's car has arrived and she's happy about that. I was able to listen to her Garden State Soundtrack CD this morning and it was nice. It has some songs that have sentimental meaning for me.

There's a French Canadian film called "C.R.A.Z.Y." that I would like to see.

Everybody have a great weekend.

"She's French. Both of them."

Machuca

We'll be viewing Machuca this evening at the Bytowne Theatre. It's about the Chilean coup in 73 viewed through the director's eyes as a child.

Those of you in Ottawa, should check out "Glebe Video". A phenomenal selection of domestic and foreign films.

" Can she cook?"

Welcome

Hello and welcome!

I've been reading blogs for a while and decided to start my own. The title is an hommage to my favourite film of all time "Goin' Down The Road" which was released in 1970.

My first post is dedicated to the memories of the late Paul Bradley and the late Richard Leiterman. Both men were brilliant in their own way with the production of the film.

I'm hoping that Search engine inquiries will direct other GDTR fans to this blog.

On a personal note,

the love of my life moved in with me three weeks ago and things are going great. She's my partner and my soul mate.

We're attending my cousin's wedding on Saturday and it should be great! We'll be in Toronto from the 23rd to the 25 visiting some of Michelle's close friends. Look forward to that as well.

Take care,

Eric

"Jesus Cripes, Peter, who the hell do you think you are?"