OK, I'm finally back to blogging after an eight-day break. I recognize that this wasn't really in the spirit of a daily blog.
After doing blogs after each of the first 16 episodes of "The Jay Leno Show" (see previous blogs), I took it easy for a while, including some days in Cadillac, Mich. Here are a few thoughts:
1) Cadillac -- and all of Northern Michigan, I'd assume -- is spectacularly beautiful now. Catch the colors while you can.
2) On the other hand ... in the middle of a gorgeous day Saturday, it suddenly snowed. Not a lot, but enough for someone to make two snowballs. Kasia, age 5, and Lon, 2, were delighted; my emotions were more muted. A couple hours later, it was beautiful again. Life is just messing with me.
3) My mini-reviews of movies: Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" is masterfully done; it skillfully mixes humor, human warmth and moments of deft commentary. "Whip It" is above average; director Drew Barrymore was only adequate on the roller-derby scenes, but she got great quality to the personal story, wonderfully played by Ellen Page. "The Informant" is a delight, a mostly true story superbly played by Matt Damon.
4) Lon's mini-review: "I love 'Monsters vs. Aliens.'"
5) Over the years, the legend will grow and Lon will think he absorbed every moment of that movie (which I also liked a lot). In truth, he spent about half the time in the lobby, where he particularly and frequently admired the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" poster.
6) Leno's show has its moments. The Monday one was quite good because it was almost non-stop comedy. Counting a lively appearance by Dana Carvey, it had 38 straight minutes of comedy. That finally ended with a so-so "10 at 10" session with Justin Timberlake, but recovered well; as in every Monday, it closed wonderfully with "Headlines."
7) Soon. I'll have to re-check "The Monique Show." Its debut (see previous blog) was as bad as anything I've seen in a long time. Then again, why listen to someone who, like Lon, pretty much loves "Monsters vs. Aliens."