13 JUN 08: NOT UP MY ALLEY
Columbus was the scene of a "world movie premiere" Thursday night. Let's see, what could the hot title be - Fountains and the City?
The Carmike 15 at Columbus Park Crossing hosted the premiere of a film called "The 13th Alley." Considering the Carmike Cinemas headquarters is on 13th Street, the location of this event on the other side of town is one more slap at Uptown Columbus....
I heard someone say Thursday that The 13th Alley had a "star-studded cast." Then I looked at the promotional invitation cards to the premiere, and I hardly recognized any of the names. It's about as star-studded as Porter Wagoner's old outfits.
The only acting name which seemed to ring a bell was Robert Carradine. He must be related to David Carradine, from the old "Kung Fu" TV series. But then again, I thought one of Bruce Lee's distant cousins was presenting the morning weather on TV....
The other top-line star in The 13th Alley is Shayne Dahl Lamas, who gained fame in May when she was selected by a British man on "The Bachelor." There are rumors in Hollywood that the couple will wed in Las Vegas shortly. But I suspect the smart photographers at Callaway Gardens should ignore the flowers for a few days, and hang around the chapel.
Shayne Dahl Lamas said she was impressed by how green Columbus is. I'm not sure if she meant the trees throughout the city -- or the fact that fans who didn't know better showed up for the premiere of such an unknown movie.
Shayne Dahl Lamas signed autographs outside the Carmike 15 - and even signed a guy's chest. Now there's one celebrity autograph I hope never shows up for sale on eBay....
So what is The 13th Alley about? An online summary says it's a horror movie set at a bowling center. It's a wonder there wasn't a special appearance at the premiere by Columbus's most famous bowling movie fan - as the folks at WLTZ call Jeremy Moss.
The 13th Alley opens nationwide today - but the authoritative movie web site IMDB didn't even show an opening date for it anytime this summer. Perhaps the web site expected this film to follow the example of "2001 Maniacs." That horror film was shot at Westville - then went directly to video, as if all the
movie chains were scared to death of it.
Carmike Cinemas clearly wanted this movie - and that's about the only way to explain why Thursday's world premiere was in Columbus. The Myspace section for The 13th Alley lists all the theatres showing it, and nearly half of them have "Carmike" in their names. Our local cinema company is committed to providing R-rated nightmares for small cities across the country.
No theatres in New York or Los Angeles are listed as showing The 13th Alley this weekend. So that may explain why the premiere wound up in Carmike's home city. Well, that and the fact that the Cannes Film Festival didn't give it any major awards....
Your blog could have gone to Thursday night's premiere. We could have stood on the red carpet, provided the paparazzi pictures that TMZ desperately desires -- and made enough money selling them to finally replace our 14-year-old car.
But I honestly didn't realize who Shayne Dahl Lamas was, until it was too late to drive to Columbus Park Crossing. Yes, it's my financial loss. But then again, how many fashion magazines really would care about what Sandra Okamoto of the Ledger-Enquirer wears on the red carpet?
(BLOGGER'S NOTE: So where we Thursday night, instead of this premiere? Come here Sunday, and we'll tell you.)
E-MAIL UPDATE: I'm overdue to get new glasses, and this correction of a Wednesday item is proof....
Richard,
Hope you are doing well. I couldn't tell if you were joking or not but its Reba Rae not Ruby Rae.
On another note, I have attached for your information the letter from the State Ethics Commission to Senator Harbison's attorney letting him know his case has been sent to the Attorney General for prosecution.
Regards,
Josh
My apologies to Muscogee County Republican Chair Josh McKoon, for not being able to read a name that's right in front of me on the screen. If Ms. Rae (there, that's safe) doesn't win the Superior Court Clerk's seat, I might hire her to proofread this blog.
As for that letter - it sparked an interesting story on the TV news Thursday night. State Senator Ed Harbison is refusing to pay a fine, for filing incorrect campaign records. But should we really expect the Georgia Attorney General to prosecute Harbison for this? Thurbert Baker didn't even bother to take up the Kenneth Walker case, which was a bit more serious.
The attorney for Ed Harbison calls the whole matter a "clerical error." Stephen Hyles wondered if the point of this pressure is really transparency in government - or whether it's to say "gotcha" for making a paperwork mistake. Countless other local attorneys jotted down that comment, in case Hyles unseats Judge Haywood Turner in the upcoming election.
Stephen Hyles says the matter over incorrect campaign reports is going to an administrative law judge. So Georgia's Attorney General may not have to be as "tough as nails" against Ed Harbison. As irritating as nails across an old-fashioned chalkboard could suffice.
Now for other news items, from a Thursday when a passing shower was very welcome....
+ Embattled Columbus Fire Chief Jeff Meyer assured WRBL he's made several changes since his reprimand a month ago. For one thing, Meyer says all firefighters are required to read from the policy handbook every shift. This makes sure they stay professional - and might allow them to fill in this summer at a library story hour.
(Jeff Meyer added fire department supervisors have been told not to get too "chummy" with the staff. I think that means they're appointing someone to bring the main dish on chili night, instead of having a potluck dinner.)
+ A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the expanded Mildred Terry Branch Library - well, sort of. Several people dug into pails filled with confetti. I guess this is what happens when the environmental impact study isn't finished yet.
(A schematic drawing for the inside of the new Mildred Terry Library is on display in a computer room. I didn't check to see if the library director will have her own private bathroom, as the next Muscogee County school superintendent may well have. But then, the library director can check out a home improvement book and build one herself.)
+ The Columbus Lions prepared for Sunday's home football finale against Huntington, West Virginia. But the Civic Center was occupied, so the team practiced on the lawn between the Civic Center and Fourth Street. It's actually a clever way to promote the team and sell tickets - but I hope the Catfish don't copy it, and launch fly balls into the middle of the street.
+ Instant Message to Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce: It truly is the year of the Jayhawk. Kansas won the Orange Bowl in January, then the college basketball title in April. Now you - a former Kansas star, on the brink of a National Basketball Association title. My question to you is this: Where DID the Jayhawk baseball team go wrong this spring?
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