State of the Site 2

I think I will never again tell people that an issue of FSM is mailing because within 2-3 days I get E-mails, phone calls and faxes along the lines of, "I didn't get my issue! Please send another one." Folks, please be patient and please understand that I am sending all issues periodicals class (like all magazines are shipped) for U.S. readers and air mail for the overseas readers. There was a problem with the mailing of Vol. 2 No. 3 in that my mailing fulfillment house sat on the copies for three weeks when the person who knew how to do the paperwork was on vacation. Um, that will not happen again.

That said, please allow another week or two for Vol. 2 No. 4 to arrive. Please understand I cannot go mailing "replacement copies" to everybody on earth. Also realize that if you want priority-mail service, it would cost around three times the current subscription rate.

Da Site

I got a couple of nasty responses to the article last week about John Williams's recent scores, "Perhaps John Williams Isn't God After All: One Man's Opinion." These were like, "Stop writing such garbage." Thanks folks, I love you guys.

This daily column is a real beast to feed and that's why something like the above was clearly labeled an opinion. But anyway, we'll try to keep the standards high... gotta keep up with the dozens of other DAILY UPDATED film music sites (?!).

Lukas Talks

Yes, that was me who commented on Money Talks in the Friday installment of Harry Knowles's news column (http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/coolnews.html—check it out!). I certainly meant no breach of confidence with the friendly folks at New Line who allowed me to sit in on the recording and dubbing sessions— just wanted to state my enthusiasm for the film and its kick-ass Lalo Schifrin score. (There's no way you can comment on anything for Harry's site unless he gives you a cool-spy pseudonym!)

To restate those comments, Money Talks is an action-comedy directed by rap video auteur Brett Ratner, starring Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen. It's an irreverent lower-class-street-guy crashes rich-white-people film—a tradition which to me goes back to the great Depression-era Three Stooges shorts. The score by Lalo Schifrin revisits his awesome, funky '70s style which he has not done in a very long time. I think it could be a hit if it is properly marketed in the August movie doldrums. It is released August 22nd.

Brett Ratner's next picture is Rush Hour for New Line, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Brett has also stated his desire to continue working with Lalo, which means we might shortly see a Lalo Schifrin score for Jackie Chan movie. Now that would be a project of extraordinary magnitude.

Ten Titles for the Next Batman Movie

Batman—Again

Batman Endlessly

Batman/Robin

The Barely Cool Movie Series Formerly Known as Batman

Batman with a Vengeance

Licence to Print... Money

Batman Resurrection

Batman Enough Already

Batman Forever (uh, wait...)

I Whupped Batman's Ass

Titanic Delay

I got a few queries as to whether the Titanic soundtrack CD will still be out in June/July. The answer is no; as I anticipated, Sony Classical has moved their release to the end of the year, when the movie is out.

We resume our normal programming tomorrow.

Love,

Lukas