Co-Existance: God and Evolution

DISCLAIMER:
Okay, here's the deal. My theory basically only works when combined with itself. You won't be able to attempt to apply it to your own theories - because it requires basically all of its own parts to function. It's also based on a NON-LIBERAL interpretation of some Biblical passages. You may, or may not agree - but I ask that you don't try to assimilate your own theories to disprove mine. PLEASE feel free to explain and discuss you rown theories - I would LOVE to hear them! But, I just ask that you understand ALL THIS IS - IS A THEORY, and I'm not trying to sell anyone on it - or disprove anyone else's theories or thoughts. Finally - Peddie, this is for you!

The important aspect to my theory is the following:
God knows no time. Time is irrelevant to God. A minute is like an hour, and so forth.

It is believed that Moses wrote the Book of Gensis. Where the creation of the world/universe/Earth, etc... is recorded. So, during one of Moses' and God's "Hang Times" - God talked to Moses and told him what to write in Gensis. And God probably explained this to him:

"Moses, between you and me, I did not create the world in six days, but to make things easier for humans to understand, we are just going to call each period of time - one day."

Thus, the SIX DAYS were created, when in actuality, these "six days" spanned 4.5 Billion Years. (give a take a couple of million, we'll get into that soon...)

So, YES - Scientists are right with their "age" of the Earth. I'm afraid too many narrow-minded religious people aren't willing to take into account that each "day" that was written about, might not have been an actually 24-hour period, but instead a simplified way for God to talk to us. Otherwise, the Bible would read like this:

"On the first Billion Years, God created Light and Darkness. On the second billion years, God created Water. Etc..." (Obviously a PARAphrased version...) A "day" just probably seemed easier in vernacular.

So, here it goes:
"Day One" - A Billion Years.

"Day Two" - Another Billion. Up to Two Billion Years Old. A billion years sounds like just enough time for Vaalbara to seperate (starting 3.2 Billion Years ago) and form the modern continets, over another billion years - because God told it to.

"Day Three" add a Billion Years. Now, we're up to Three Billion.

"Day Four" add another Billion. Up to Four Billion.

"Day Five" - God creates "Creatures" NOT "animals", "Creatures".

So, after Four Billion Years of the Planet Earth existing (which felt like four days to God), he finally put some life on the planet. Now, if the world is 4.57 Billion Years Old, we are now looking at 570,000,000, Years ago.

Scientist believe Dinosaurs arrived on the planet 230,000,000 Years ago. Obviously, there is a minor flaw in someone's math. Perhaps the Scientists are a few hundred million years late with the arrival of the dinosaurs, or a few hundred million years over the life of the Earth, or perhaps God stayed up late one "day" and it was a little longer than One Billion Years. I can only imagine who long it took himt o perfect the stars... So many solar systems... Maybe he took a little extra time to create another planet of lifeforms? And that caused one of his "days" to run a little longer...???

"Day Six" should have started in 3995B.C. (I'll cover that in a second). Meaning, "Day Five" was actually 569,996,005 Years Long (give or take).

569,996,005 Years is PLENTY of time for dinosaurs to rule the earth, while other smaller creatures lived on Earth also.

Now, if Scientists are right about the "catastrophic event" which ended the dinosaurs existence 65,000,000 years ago - then that would give 64,996,005 Years between the End of Dinosaurs are God creating "man". PLENTY of time for the atmosphere to settle down, become breathable again. Plenty of time for the smaller creatures on Earth to continue to reporoduce, and adapt to their various living conditions.

And here is where I may lose some people's faith: 64,996,005 Years is enough time for God to evolve SOME Monkeys into semi-homo-sapien form.

Let's look at it this way: Out of EVERY creature on the planet only two of them share the same number of chromosomes (46, 23 from each parent) Humans and Monkeys. It's a little bit of a coincidence, don't you think? Environmental Adaptation, over millions upon millions of years could have led to a group of primates eventually adapting and evolving into a very human-like being. Perhaps, the "Iceman" was one of these pre-homo-sapiens, who was potentially part primate, and not fully developed as a thinking human being???

So, where do Evolution and Creationism cross paths? I honestly believe the answer is a simple one:

Genesis 4:16.

"And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."


And what happened in the Land of Nod? Cain is said to have created the cityof Enoch, and fathered seven children. Who lived in the Land of Nod? And how was Cain able to father children?


Living in the Land of Nod, were the semi-homo-sapiens, who "evolved" or "adapted" from primates. Cain had children. These children were hybrids. And over the next few thousand years, they helped mankind shape its self as an extremely diverse group of people - with thousands upon thousands of variations that make each person unique. Heck, if all of these people lived in the Middle-East, it's very probable that these "hybrids" are actually responsible for the way "White People" look???


So, my long and short answer: Evolution Happened - BECAUSE God WANTED it to, SO THAT when Cain killed his brother, he would have a community for Cain to end up at. God planned evolution to take place, so that it would "catch up" with his human creations, at the exact moment that he wanted it to happen.


The Earth is as old as the scientists say.
Evolution happened, similar to how scientists believed.
God ALLOWED all of this to take place - because it ALL was part of his PLAN.


Oh, and my final arguement towards the "mating" between Cain and a semi-homo-sapien is the following:

Cheers!!!

This is a picture of me with the original Bull and Finch logo - the name of the bar BEFORE the TV series.

Jason and I just spent a couple of hours there and it was a really good time!

Long blogs coming tomorrow...

Ice Skating!

I'm in the middle of skating at Wollman Rink inside of Central Park! I LOVE the ice! There is a wicked cool skater chick doing wicked cool skating tricks in the middle, she rocks! This is awesome!!!

Serendipity 3

We've finished dinner at Serendipity 3 - now Jason and Letha are sharing a frozen hot chocolate (don't ask me?).

Next, off to Central Park for ice skating!

Manhattan Island

A shot looking back in on New York City, taken from the observation deck of The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island - its a breaktaking view.

Islands

On the ferry, heading towards the Statue of Liberty, and then on to Ellis Island.

The Show

The Nederlander.
Rent.
I saw it.
It was amazing.
More later.

The Reason for the Trip

So, this picture shows the entire reason for the trip. The tree at Rockefeller. It is too surreal to be here seeing all the holiday stuff. The trip is already worth it - and we've got soo much more to do over the next two days. Next, dinner at the Hard Rock!

Watched "The Fountain"

So, I knew it was the last night for "The Fountain" at my buddies Phil and Justin's theatre. So, with the night off - I knew I needed to check it out before I didn't have a chance.



First off, the SPOILER-FREE parts...
It's different.
It's not what I expected from Darren Aronofsky.
There was no "hip-hop editing" involved in this film.
It REALLY shows how he has matured as a filmmaker, and can tell an amazing story.
This IS his BEST film - to date.

What I know I liked: The UBER-non-linear editing. Not only were there three timelines being edited together - they were being edited together out of order. Giving you questions before answers - and giving you ideas before you found out the truth. Granted, I was able to figure out about 90% of the film - and the 10% I didn't figure out, I don't know if I was supposed to.


The film is really an AMAZING love story. The story of a man who spends 1,000 years trying to fullfil his love to a woman. His passion. His determination. His obsessiveness. Hugh Jackman is AWESOME. PERFECT. WONDERFUL. If there was EVER a question about his acting (which there WAS NOT after "The Prestige") this film proves he's an amazingly capable actor on so many levels.

Jason refuses to think about how Dougray Scott would have been as Wolverine - and now I refuse to think about how Brad Pitt would have been in this film. Because Hugh is BEYOND perfect. Rachel Weisz does a pretty good job, but her character is pretty limited, and I could potentially see other talented females playing this same part. Not to downplay how good she was, but it wasn't overly amazing, but her roles is nowhere near as big as Hugh's.

The story is plain and simple. Find the Foutain of Youth, hidden by God and protected by the Mayan Empire. Use this knowledge to bring Spain into power, over the church. Fast-forward 500 years to the "present" when our Main Man and his Lady are living in the present, however she has a brain tumor which is slowly killing her. Tom does extensive tests on Primates and is close to discovering a way to save her, although the cure helps with health - it does not reduce brain tumors in primates. Izzi is writing a book - which very much resembles their life 500 years ago, and before she can finish it, she asks Tom to write the final chapter.

Fast forward to another 500 Years in the future, when Tom is traveling through space - fulfilling a destiny and a promise he made to Izzi - based on a conversation they had regarding the spirituality of the Mayans and how they viewed death.

Simple, right? At times it's a little confsuing, but eventually gives you the clues you need to come up with your own answers to the questions that are posed.

The film is an AMAZING new look at Sci-Fi filmmaking. I VERY MUCH compare it to "Donnie Darko". And now, I'll move on to MY theories about the film...

SPOILERS below the picture!!!


So, here's my honest theory.
I don't believe there are actually three timelines going on.
I believe that these characters are in "The Present" and that's IT. PERIOD.
Izzi is obsessed with the Mayan Empire and their philosphies on life and death. Mostly on death now, as she knows her "end" is coming soon. She becomes obsessed with the idea of death being the birth of life. The concept the Mayans used to explain the birth of the world, how one man gave up his life and the world grew from him.

Izzi is a VERY good author, and has written the majority of her book. However, she does not know how to finish it. She lies this burden on Tom. She writes a very good and very vivid book - and when Tom reads it, he places himself and Izzi into the story.

Post Izzi's death - Tom attempts to write the Final Chapter, which is when he hallucinates the visions of the future. His obsession with his wife leads to his visions of the future and fulfilling the promise to her - that he would save her. Knowing that she is dead, the only way to fulfill the promise to save her, is to bond her body with a tree, and carry that tree into a nebula - allowing her to be "reborn".

This IS NOT REAL. It takes place in Tom's head. This is why the Future and the Past are connected in the final sequence of the film - because it's Izzi's story in Tom's head merged with his hallucinations for the future - at which point his brain causes them to collide. This is why "Present Day Tom" is not involved in the sequence - because it happening inside of his head, as he attempts to fulfill his promise of saving Izzi.

While the names "Isabel" and "Izzi" are VERY similar, and are meant to imply that they are the same person - I DO NOT believe that they are.

Also, in support of my theory: Tom and Izzi NEVER discuss their past together. They make NO MENTION of spending 500 years together. Present Day Tom doesn't EVER do ANYTHING that even hints at the fact that he's well over 500 Years Old. I DO NOT believe the past ever "happened". I can only believe that Tom visualizes it all in his head, from the story Izzi has written.

The only time there is any mention of time passing is when Future Tom is looking at the tattoos on his arms and claims "It was you that kept me company through all these years..." And since we know he didn't "start" tattooing himself until after Izzi's death - then again, he can only be reffering to the Present to the Future - disregarding the Past Tom.

I have to stand by my theory.
"The Present" is the ONLY reality.
"The Past" is in Tom's head, based on Izzi's book.
"The Future" is a hallucination inside Tom's head, as he attempts to deal with the lose of the love of his life, and his brain's attempt at fulfilling his promise to "save" Izzi. Because, in the end - his final attempt to save her life, came from an idea SHE gave him, in the "present".

The film is about LOVE and OBSESSION.
Izzi is obsessed with the Mayan Empire and their philosophies on death, and rebirth.
Tom is obsessed with saving Izzi's life.
And they have a love that transcends time and space. Figuratively and Metaphorically.

That's my theory.

Charles Schulz Philosophy

So, the other day, when I made my somewhat "disappointed with life" posting - I got an email from my mother, who reminded me of Charles Schulz's Philosophy, and I'm a little late in copying it on here, but I thought it was something worth sharing (Thanks Mom!)



The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." -Charles Schulz


Side note:
I bought my first box of Reese's Christmas Trees this afternoon. It might be earlier than usual, but I'm addicted to the Peanut Butter - after all those Pumpkins I was eating...

National TV Rachel

Rachel Illingworth, the lead from "Reunion" has landed an EVEN BIGGER role than her previous appearance on the History Channel's Dillinger Episode. Last night, Rachel was a featured extra on the show "Cold Case". She got a good minute or two of screen time - during PRIME TIME on a NATIONAL show! It's great to see people I've worked with making their way up the Hollywood Studio System Ladder.

Here's a shot of Rachel from "Reunion" in 2003:

And just three short years later, she's on "Cold Case" on National TV:


CONGRATS to Rachel! Keep up the GREAT WORK!

Lucky Change of Events

I was supposed to work tonight.
I drove all the way to work, and I was there about five minutes, when one of the other managers walked in the door. I knew this manager was schedule off - because he usually works Friday nights, and I usually have them off.

As it turns out, he requested this Friday night off a long time ago, and since then his plans have changed. Since he works a pretty set schedule - he didn't even think about the fact that he wasn't scheduled. I was more than willing to work - I had nothing planned for tonight. But, when he turned to me and said, "You wanna take off?" - I DID NOT turn him down.

I changed clothes. Ran some errands. Then made my way to the Wheeler Arts Center, so that I could watch "The Last Five Years". I was planning on catching it tomorrow night, after work, but with my newfound free evening (and the fact that I couldn't find anyone to go with me Saturday night anyways...) I decided to catch the show - since I would be doing so alone, no matter what.

Now, this frees me up tomorrow night, so that I can go and watch the Pacers preseason game. And I'll be sure to do this - since the news said that Jackson is going to likely be playing, and with the Detroit reports saying they are going to try to lock up Jackson - I'd like to see him play as much as I can!!! So, everything worked out for the best.

Ever since I bought the CD for "The Last Five Years" and read all of the notes inside, I've always had my own vision of how the production played out. While I was already emotionally attached to the lyrics and the music - I am SO GLAD that I've finally witnessed the production live.

It's one thing to know the songs, but it's SO AMAZING when you're watching the actors portray the characters. The blocking was done very well, and the characters really played well off of each other. Since its basically a lot of soliloquies - the non-singing actor did a great deal of non-verbal communication. It was great to see them interacting, and reacting to each other. And their duet was done so well. The emotions they achieved were amazing. Both actors did SPECTACULAR jobs! I was really impressed, and depending on my schedule next weekend (I know Saturday night is OUT), I might try to catch it again, if I'm free next Friday night.

One thing I wish they would have done was use a couple of extras. Just a pair. In one scene, Jamie is supposed to be talking to a buddy of his, and telling that he's falling in love with this girl (Cathy). Instead, he just sings to himself - which actually turned out to be a funny scene, as Jamie was climbing all over the furniture of the apartment. The second is a scene where Jamie has an affair. In this production, they just used the couch, and it looked like Jamie was singing to the pillow - and someone who didn't know they show, might actually think he was talking to Cathy - since he never gives this woman a name, instead using "pet names" for her in the song.

I understand the production was, more than likely, done on an insanely tight budget - which is why none of these changes or alterations caused me to not enjoy the show. I just, sadly, feel like certain parts of the story minorly suffered - because some audience members might not instantly be able to figure out what was going on.

I've done a lot of reading on the production, so it was interesting to see how this one was done. They changed a good number of things, but the story was still in tact, and that's the most important thing. Anyone who was seeing this for the first time (aside from being a little confused by the storytelling) would never know anything was changed.

The funniest change was that they added ten years to the characters age - to compensate for mildly older actors. They go from being "24" to "34" in one song, and "28" to "38" in another. It took a second, when it happened, just because I knew it was the wrong word in the song. Again, to anyone else, they wouldn't have any idea - it doesn't effect anything.

The one scene I was really looking forward to was "The Next Ten Minutes" - which is their duet in the middle of the production - and is supposed to include their wedding. While this might have been implied throughout the scene - it starts and finish in their apartment.

Another scene they changed involved changing a car ride to a train station. Okay, that's not a big deal.

Now, here is something I'm glad they altered: "The Next Ten Minutes" is supposed to be the first time they ever share the stage - and that's NOT how they did it tonight, and I liked it very much - the way they did it. While I can understand the "power" and "meaning" behind making this scene their first together - I liked seeing their interaction in other, previous, scenes.

ALTHOUGH, I think this answers one of my own questions: I was a little disappointed in costume design. The actors wore one outfit for the First Act, and a completely different one for the second. I wish they would have either stayed with the same costume - or changed them more often between scenes - which would be MUCH easier to do, if they had 4 to 5 minutes to change while the other actor was singing. The was it was done tonight, they exited for a brief second - while the other began their song, and then they quickly were back on stage, interacting. Again, the lack of costume changing didn't bother me, I just wish they would have stayed with the same costumes for the second half.

Speaking of the "first" and "second" halfs - I was surprised to see there was an intermission. Listening to the 14 songs on the CD, it only runs about 1 hour and 10 minutes, or so. And I've read that in other productions its done as a One Act. There were a few lines of spoken dialogue, which is missing from the CD, but not enough to make it that much longer. The show began at 8:00pm, it had a 15 minute intermission, and I was still in my car and on the road by 9:40pm. I suppose some of the other people needed to use the bathroom...?

There was only about 25 of us in the crowd. A group of 10 elderly women in the front row. A group of 10 elderly men and women in the back row. A young couple who sat DIRECTLY in front of me. A young lady and her grandmother (I assumed) who sat on the stage left wing. And then myself alone in the middle row. It's a fairly small theatre, with a small amount of seats, but it was nice and made you feel very close to the action. I felt very involved - as opposed to large venue, where I FEEL like all I'm doing is WATCHING.

It was amazing. It got the "theatre bug" going in me. I'm looking forward to seeing as many productions as I can over the next few weeks. Especially once we get into Christmas Season. it's my FAVORITE time of the year, and I'm going to support as many Christmas Productions as I can. Perhaps next year, I can get involved in some. Or, I can dust off that script I have for the "Christmas Flick" about a group of random families who get caught in a hospital ER room on Christmas Eve - when a blizzard hits, and knocks out all the power. It proves to be a very small town, as all of the people who are trapped realize that they interact with each other on a daily basis, but are too busy to notice each other. Eventually, they band together - and for the sake of the children - put on a Christmas Play. Romance, Forgiveness, and new Friendships all emerge from their snowed-in night. Last year, about this time, I had a great group of people lined up to try and shoot it. But, it didn't end up happening. And I didn't give it enough attention this year - to have it prepared to film. Maybe next year... right?

"Feast"

First off, I COULD NOT HANDLE IT ANYMORE!!!
I was tired of lying around the house - I ALWAYS have to have something to do. I CAN NOT just sit around and do nothing. My attention span is SHORT to begin with, and after almost a week of lying around, I can only watch so much Poker, and so much ESPN. I HAD TO get out of the house. And with the foot healing up, I felt like I could drive to work.

I wanted to sit down with my new boss and talk to her about "the future". Sadly, we don't agree on some things. Granted, I'm often hard-headed, but after being in this business going on 8 years - I think I know some of what I'm talking about, and I feel that I've earned some of the things I'm asking for. Sadly, she doesn't see things the same way. So, we're trying to work on a compromise. I think things will eventually work out, I've just got to stick with it/her for a while. She just sees things differently, and... I don't know. It will all work out. I can already tell that things are going to be MUCH BETTER at work - to start with, I was completely prepared to pick up some shifts this weekend. But, NO. I was told to take this weekend off. Finish getting healed. And come back to work on Monday. Right on!

Now, I did get "suckered" into doing some work tonight - but I'm not going to complain. I sat around and built up a bunch of movies - because I'm trying to pull my weight (I just wish I would have remembered to bring my iPod!) and I was waiting around for my friends to arrive to watch "Feast"...

What can I say about "Feast"???

What can I say?

IT ROCKS! IF you go with a group of friends. IF you're all in the mood to have a good time. IF you enjoy CRAZY OVER-THE-TOP ZANY WACKED-OUT RIDICULOUS GORE. We laughed from the first minute to the last shot. This script was GREAT! It was such an amazing ride. Things popping out of everywhere. Violent gory deaths. It was SO MUCH FUN TO LAUGH AT. BUT - I (personally) needed to watch it with my friends, because if I didn't have someone to turn to, and laugh with, I don't think it would be as funny. This is something I REALLY want to watch with ALL of my friends at our Halloween Party. (And THANKFULLY it's being released on DVD on Oct. 17th!)

It's BONKERS.

I'm laughing right now, remembering the RIDICULOUS one-liners. The gags work. The suspension of disbelief is VERY HIGH! It was just fun. It's NOT an Oscar Worthy flick, by any means, but I really enjoyed it. Too funny. Too funny.

If you live in Indy. And you like HORROR flicks. And you like FUNNY HORROR FLICKS. And you like RIDICULOUS OVER-THE-TOP ZANY CRAZY FUNNY HORROR FLICKS - then you should hit Republic Theatres on FRIDAY or SATURDAY NIGHT ONLY!!! Grab some friends, and get ready to enjoy a good time. If you're not from Indy - then check out THIS LIST to see where its playing near you.

We got into a discussion about "The Last Kiss" tonight, and I've made up my mind that while ALL YOU AWESOME PEOPLE are going to see "Feast", I'm going to try to catch "The Last Kiss" again this weekend. I know a couple of people who have said they want to see it, so hopefully I can convince someone to tag along with me. I really wish I was working more recently... There's some cheap Colts tickets available for Sunday's game - but I really can't afford them right now. BUMMER. I guess I'll have to watch it on T.V. AGAIN this weekend.

It's late. I need sleep. PEACE WORLD!

"Crossroads" Premiere

So, since I came back to Indy earlier than I planned - I was able to attend an event that I originally was really upset that I was going to miss. The premiere of Steve "Papaw" Pyatte's film "Crossroads".

Thankfully, my friend Annette was kind enough to be my driver, and accompany my gimpy self to the screening. Although, I think I would have traded the pain of driving myself, for all the "cripple" comments she made throughout the night... I'm just thankful she wanted to go, and kept me company.

She was also kind enough to play "photo girl" for us, and got recruited to snap a bunch of pictures on various cameras. Here's a pair from the evening:

Steve "Papaw" Pyatte and Myself.

Myself, "Papaw" and fellow filmmaker Chris Allen.

It was a REALLY great time. I got to me Michael Garcia - who wrote the original screenplay. He came into town from Texas. We've talked numerous times via email, so it was nice to put a face to the name. I got to see regulars like Jim Dogherty, Don Becker, and Joe Martin. And I hung out most of the night with Chris Allen. I also got the chance to meet and talk to Daniel Risk - who basically took over what I started, and helped Papaw get this thing finished.

Onto the film: The film makes its point. And I have high respect for ANYONE who can complete a project. The film has a VERY straight forward message, and it hits it. It sometimes overkills it, however - at the screening, the played all of the "Bonus Features" from the DVD right after the film, and we had a HUGE into by Steve, so I might have just been overloaded with "the message" - perhaps in smaller doses, it wouln't feel the same.

The problem with me (one of MANY) is this: When I watch any film, for the first time, I critique it - for its technical aspects. That's just how my brain works. There's many films that when I see them in the theatre, I claim and swear that they are horrible - and once I watch it on DVD, I realize its not that bad. It's RARE that a film like "The Last Kiss" comes along, and I'm SO involved in the story (because of an amazing script) that I do not look at the technical aspects of the film.

Sadly, as with most indie flick, the dialogue just didn't get me hooked - so I started technically watching the flick. It probably did NOT help that I've read the script numerous times - and knew the story. For some reason, this just sadly happens with too many indie scripts - MINE INCLUDED - we are too focused on the words, and disregard the fact that this is a visual medium. It's something that I've attempted to work on, and it's tough. It's a tough thing to move past the words, and move into the fact that the visuals are more important to keeping people interested. It's a visual medium - with dialogue to accompany the visuals.

So, here's my semi-technical comments: The editing at the beginning and ending were very good. Lots of quick cuts, cut to music, it flowed, it didn't sit on one shot too long, it felt like a good edit. The middle was a little SLOW. They focused too much on the dialogue - and didn't allow their actors to move. They stood still - they didn't move. It kept cutting between the same two shots, except to give me a Close Up of the same angle. Visually, I was bored with what I was seeing. I understand that they were more concerned with getting their message, but I'm going to argue that more people than not, are going to be visually bored. And the problem is that when you visually bore the audience, they shut off their ears to hearing the dialogue, because their eyes have given up. It's very simple to create movement between people. Have them walk around. Have one of them go off and do something, and force the other one to follow. Something. Anything. Film is a visual medium, and if you're going to chose it to tell your story, then you need to make sure you're satisfying the audiences visual needs. If the story is the only important thing - then it should be a book.

The one thing that I CAN NOT say ANYTHING negative about was the music/score. It was GREAT. It was PERFECT. Watching the credits - it looked like it was all pre-recorded stuff, and they MADE IT WORK for the film. I thought the music was well cut to the scenes, and they worked as if it was perfectly written for the flick. It really set the mood and the tone for what was going at various points. It also worked REALLY well at various moments when "shock value" was being used. The music really added another depth to the flick.

The film is essentially a high-end PSA. It's anti-drinking and driving, and it does an EXCELLENT job of conveying its message. It shows you the remorse in the characters. You do feel their pain. It was ambitious. It was a big project. And for a first-time director like Steve, it was a HUGE step. I'll guarantee it was a massive step over what "Consternate" was. And if this is where Steve's learning curve is beginning - then he's got a HUGE potential to tell amazing stories and with the right work, homework, and research into the art of filmmaking - he's got a chance to go on to bigger and better things.

In today's society, ANYONE and EVERYONE believes that they can make films. Look at YouTube or MySpace or Google Video, they are overcrowded with lots and lots of bad products. And its because all of these people hear stories about filmmakers - one in a billion chances - and they think that they can do it too. They don't take the time to read the books, watching the bonus features on DVDs (Ten Minute Films School Segments 1, 2, 3 and 15-Minute Film School), read magazines (1, 2, 3, 4), do homework - and TRULY learn the mental reasoning behind filmmaking. Filmmaking is a mental work - because through millions of perfectly arranged pictures - you have to tell a story. Mise-en-Scene is a basic principle that I felt was lacking in "Crossroads" - it felt like the just had people stand "where they should be" - then worked their shots around the actors, instead of arranging their actors to make a more dynamic shot. I REALLY hope that Steve takes the time to look into a few books that go into the technical aspects of setting up four framing and shots, and then also looks into some of the books which deal in the psychology of framing a shot. How the audience interprets various set-ups. I think he's got MAJOR potential, and like I said, he's already WAY SURPASSED my first film. It's also wonderful to see someone who is so kind, so caring, and so giving with himself - that you can't but hope he makes it far. He's got a wonderful attitude, and deserves lots of respect and acknowledgement for his work on the project.

I also have to THANK Steve, he said A LOT of nice things about me in his introduction to the film, and again in closing. It was very nice for someone to acknowledge those who he's worked with. It was an amazing time, and I'm so glad to have been able to attend. And I'm glad to add "Crossroads" to my DVD collection.

Following the showing, Chris Allen asked if we wanted to catch a bite to eat, so we all hit the Steak-N-Shake, where we talked and TALKED film forever. We talked a lot about the curent state of the film community in Indy. We talked about his upcoming project. We talked about past projects. When Chris and I sit down, we TALK and TALK film. The last time we did lunch - it turned into a 4-hour meeting. He's an AWESOME guy, and someone that I really respect.

It was a good night for Indy Indie Film - and I hope more people get to see the film, as lots of hard work and time were put into it. I'm also looking forward to the IndianaActors.com Film Festival in March. I am looking forward to seeing a lot more indie films, and getting to spend more time with fellow filmmakers - talking film and enjoying each other's company.

Tonight was awesome - because it REALLY reminds me how much I love doing this. And hopefully it will help me carry on in developing the scripts I'm working on. Now, I'm looking forward to spending a day, or two, in Chicago to see some more cool flicks, and much like in Boston, get a feeling for how filmmakers from others parts of the country/world are doing.

Annette and I somehow got onto the topic of the film "Love Actually" on the drive home - so I HAD TO put it in and watch it. So, I'm going to do that - get my foot up - and try to get healed.

FOR HEIDI: Who asked me how involved I was in the project, HERE is a link where I go into details about how the project was born, and what I had to do with it. ENJOY!

Two More Flicks

I rolled into work with Jason today. When we first got here this morning, he threaded up "The Black Dahlia" for me to watch. I'm a really big James Ellroy fan, and a huge "L.A. Confidential" fan, so I was really looking forward to this movie - add in a cast that I really like, and you've got my expectations up. Sadly, it wasn't as wonderful as "L.A. Confidential", but it holds its own. It deviates from the facts that I know about the Elizabeth Short murder, but after all - it is a work of fiction. It's worth watching.

Following that flick, I killed a couple of hours at the Galleria Mall, before heading back to Kendall Square to watch "Edmond". David Mamet is so hit or miss with me. When he adapts his own plays into movies, I don't tend to like them. But stuff like "Spartan" or "State and Main" - I really enjoy. I don't know. I guess I do like "Glengarry Glenross"... I just didn't really care for "Edmond", it was too much exposition, and I didn't feel any kind of connection to William H. Macy's character.

Yesterday was a creatively productive day. I stayed "home" all day and worked on the plotline for the new flick. I'm trying to map out all the events and place them in chronological order, and find some fillers for certain places. I've also began using the working title: "Wake Up in the Breakdown". I have a feeling that once I get the timeline done, I'm going to be making some more serious changes... We'll see, when the time comes.

I'm also toying with the notion of taking Jason and I's original concept for "Consternate" and re-doing it as a comedy. I think there's a lot of thing we could incorporate into the idea, and not make it a cheesey "spoof" movie, but instead an original comedy, with outlandish murders, based on the original storyline we had for the film. There's a couple of people in Indy that I would like their creative input - to see if we can make a script... It's an idea I'm going to toy with for a while. Lots of over-the-top blood and gore sounds like a lot of fun to play with!

It looks like I'm going to be heading back to Indy in about a week. I've done a lot out here - had an amazing time, seen some amazing things, and been able to do some soul-searching. But, it's time to get back to my life - and time to work on my future. Hopefully, with ay luck, I'll be working on two scripts by the end of the year, and going into production on one of them early next year. I hope...

Walden Pond

Some people have emotional experiences when they visit such landmarks as the Vientam War Memorial or the World War II Memorial. Today, I had one at Walden Pond.

This blog is being written as I sit in the Replica Thoreau House. It's an exact recreation using Thoreau's vivid descriptions from Walden. I started at the Replica House. Before walking down to the beach and the trails. I then started the 1.7 mile journey around Walden Pond, which took close to 45 minutes - including several stops at various lookout points to snap some pictures, and an extended stay at the site of the original Thoreau House, where the foundation for the original fireplace still stands.

I also left my mark on the Original Thoreau house. There is a pile of rocks, which members of the Thoreau Historical Society place rocks upon. I added my own rock, with my name and today's date on it. I walked extensively around the area of the original house, touching trees that Thoreau most likely touched back in his day. I had to take it all in. It was amazing.

I walked 1.7 miles around the pond, and ended up back at the main beach, where I sat down and relaxed for a while. I took in the beauty of the water, the sun shining down on me, and the cool breeze blowing between the trees.

This is something I've dreamed of doing for the past 11 years, since I was a freshman in high school and was in the play "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail". It was Paris M. Goodrum who introduced me to Thoreau, and now after all these years - I've finally fulfilled the dream of coming to the place where he lived and worked on his amaIng book. Today, I feel like I've accomplished something.

"The mass of men, lead lives of quiet desperation."
-From "Walden".

OH CANADA!

I'm back.
In Indiana.
Yippy!
First off, I was WRONG about where we were going. Pointe Pelee (which I learned that I've been pronouncing WRONG for years...) is not a park where you can camp at. So, they directed us to Rondeau Provincial Park - and it turned out to be AWESOME!!! Here's a new map, explaining where we ended up.
Second, I'm going to start this off with some pictures, before I get into my thoughts and experiences in Canada.

I'm told this means "Following too closely, kills". those Canadians have a sense of humor!

Zach and Jason at our campsite. It was VERY nice and SPACIOUS.

As if it was a twist of fate, our campsite was on Manning Road. Rondeau was the main road in the camp.

There was a nice long pier in the park. This was on the Canada side, in the bay - looking back north, towards Canada.

It appears that Canadians have a much more advanced Bird House Building Philosophy. Or, this might be a hotel?

I SWEAR, we had NOTHING to do with the table ending up in the middle of the water...

I found this hatch. I REALLY wanted to find some dynomite and blow it open. I can only imagine what's down it...

Other signs read:
"Fatigue Kills, Take a Break." and
"Drinking and Driving Kills. Don't Drink and Drive."

Okay. Now onto my thoughts on Canada.
I LOVE THE COUNTRY and I LOVE THE PEOPLE.
EVERYONE is nice.
Example, from Canadian Customs - as we were crossing the bridge into Canada:

Canadian Customs Officer: Where ya goin' boys?
Us: Camping at Rondeau Park, sir.
Canadian Customs Officer: Do ya got any booze in theer? (YES, mispelled on purose)
Us: No sir. We didn't think we could bring it across the border.
Canadian Customs Officer: Ooohhh.... Well, ya shoulda been buyin' it at the Duty Free. Its cheep an' no taxes on it.
Us: Really? And we can bring it across the border?
Canadian Customs Officer: O' Course! I don't know whereya gonna be gettin' it now.
Us: I'm sure we'll find somewhere.
Canadian Customs Officer: Well, if you go... (HE GIVES US SOME DETAILED DIRECTIONS, I DON'T REMEMBER THEM...)
Us: Well, thank you, sir.
Canadian Customs Officer: If you boys be comin' back, I suggest the Duty Free, it's tha best place to buy stuff. Enjoy yer stay!

Let me just say that the Unites States Custom guy WAS NOT friendly AT ALL. He was rather, rude and mean. He looked ex-military, and like he didn't trust a word we said. He was short, simple, and didn't talk much, other than to ask us question about what was in the car and why we were in Canada.

This brings me to my First Point: Canadians ARE SUPER-FRIENDLY. EVERYONE is nice. EVERY road we drove down, people on the side of the road waved at us - EVERYONE. This is no exaggeration.

Here's a short quick list of the notes I made about Canada:

1. They use thinner and longer straws.
2. They put gravy on their french fries - and look at you very funny when you ask for "no gravy".
3. Potato Skins are actually THE SKIN OF POTATOS - not the same are America.
4. I was told I sounded like I was from Australia.
5. Nobody likes the government - probably because the tax rate is 14%!!!
6. People are very friendly and talkative - they walk right up to you and start talking about stuff. I almost punched the first guy who did it. I was scared!
7. No one locks their bikes - ANYWHERE. Outside of the supermarket, the drug store, the park - no locks on bikes, EVER.
8. The don't have Mt. Dew - instead its called Dew Fuel. I forgot to take a picture.
9. "Detour" means - the lanes up ahead and merging into one road. NOT - you have to take an alternate route.

Luckily, almost all of the Canadians we talked to were VERY willing to teach us about their culture and their country - without treating us like we were morons.

One really odd fact is that there is no SET exchange rate. At the Gas Stations there was NO EXCHANGE RATE. At the Beer Store it was 1.06 to 1. At the restaurants it was 1.09 to 1. At the Park it was 1.11 to 1. Eventually we asked someone after things weren't making sense. Basically, there is no set rate - each business can set their own rate. However, this is the bank rate: They BUY U.S. Dollars at a rate of 1.09 to 1, and the SELL U.S. Dollars at the rate of 1.13 to 1. It's an odd country... But, I can't complain about the service and the kindness. At the final gas station we stopped at - we were trying to spend the rest of our Canadian Dollars, and we forgot about the 14% Sales Tax, and ended up being 30 cents short - the guy at the counter was like, "Forget aboot it. It's cool. I'll take care of it." REALLY!?!?! Yep. The guy said we were fine, and let us go. It was cool, good kharma for you - Canadian Gas Station Man.

Also, we learned that in school the Canadians have to learn the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. It was crazy to hear that. This one girl we talked to told us that she could probably answer more questions about United States history than we could about Canadian history. We didn't even test her, or argue with her, we told her she was right.

The ENTIRE time were we in Canada, we NEVER ONCE saw a police car or police man, and we only saw the Park Ranger once. Also, sadly, I never got to see the two guys on horseback... Someone told us that we'd only see law enforcement "...if something was really wrong..." Interesting...

There WAS NOT a McDonalds the entire time we were there. Although, we were told there was one in Toronto. Also, NO STARBUCKS. However, we were told there was one in London, but only in a bookstore called Chapters. Appearently, that's their version of Borders.

If only people in American could be nice as Canadian. I look forward to going back sometime. It was a REALLY GREAT TRIP.

Oh, and we camped too. And we were eaten alive by mosquitos. We forgot citronella candles. That was a MISTAKE!

"Accepted" Get an A+

"Accepted" was funny. It was really funny. I had a good time watching the flick. It's right up there with "Grandma's Boy" for the funniest COMEDY of the year. ("Snakes on a Plane" wins Funniest FILM of the Year, hands down). It's very much along the lines of "Animal House" and "P.C.U." - in that its rather unbelievable, yet enjoyable at the same time. It's a good time.

My mother brought this T.V. series to my attention - "The Class" - it's from the people who created "Friends" and "Mad About You", so I have a good feeling that I'm going to enjoy the show. The preview doesn't show much, but the description has be interested in the show. Also, the piolt is directed by one of my favorite directors, James Burrows. Mr. Burrows created one of my all-time favorite shows, "Cheers" and has directed TONS of other T.V. shows that I watch. Chances are, if you watch a lot of T.V. Comedies - you've seen his named attached as the director, alot of times on the Pilot episode.

A VERY shocking revelation happened yesterday. I realized that I only have TWO more days at work! Then I'm done - and unemployeed. But, I'll be a "true starving artist". And I've got a lot of plans for the upcoming time - which MOST IMPORTANTLY revolves around writing a new script. SCARY times ahead!

Finally, I HAVE TO CUT this blog short. Last night, following "Accepted", Troy and I were goofing off a little, and got into a sparing match - in which I JAMMED my hand pretty bad. It's swollen up today, and I'm icing it, but its kind of painful, and typing hasn't been helping. I hope it heals quickly! Sorry to make this so short, I'm sure you're disappointed...

Crappy Movie Day

Today, I had the distaste of viewing two completely HORRIBLE films.

First up, Sibley and I went to see "The Night Listener" - and it SUCKED.
There was SO MUCH CRAP in that movie that didn't need to be there, and didn't make sense, and didn't progress the story AT ALL. But, then the problem is that if you remove all of that: You've got a ten minute movie, that doesn't make ANY SENSE! There was really no way and nothing to do to save this movie - UNLESS the remade the movie with the twist that I predicted at the beginning. I leaned over to Dave and I told him what I thought was going to happen. I was wrong, but had I been right - it would have been a GOOD movie. Sometimes I REALLY wonder how crap like this gets funding and produced. Friends of Friends with money... I guess that's how, because this script was AWFUL!

Then, I was convinced to go watch "The Descent" with some other friends. I've been very adament that I didn't want to see the film, but then three of foru good friends have been telling me that they REALLY liked the film. Employees and managers at work, other friends I do movies with, etc... I had not heard one bad review of the flick. WHAT WAS EVERYONE ELSE WATCHING!?!?!?!?! That was one of the worst movies I've seen this year! HOLY CRAP it was stupid! STUPID! STUPID, I SAY! I can't believe people actually enjoyed and found it scary. I laughed through most of it, and thought the rest was just dumb. It takes WAY to long to start killing these girls, and by the time they do start to get killed - I'm ROOTING for the bad guys, because these chicks have annoyed me to death!

Why do films like this get made? It BLOWS my mind!

"Brick"

I picked up "Brick" on DVD today. I haven't seen the flick - but the preview is AMAZING. I kept waiting and waiting for Landmark to get the film, and it kept getting pushed back and back. Everything I've read was positive, and I think it's my kind of film. Sadly, it looks like it's going to be Saturday before I get the chance to actually watch it.

Also on DVD today is one of the BEST shows currently on Television. "Prison Break" - The Complete First Season came out today. I'm SO EXCITED about it, even though I've got the whole first season on my iPod, I can now watch it on a nice big T.V. Next to "Lost", this is my current favorite show on T.V. I can't wait for Season Two to start, even though the first episode is the week that I'm camping with Zach, Troy and Romberg. I sure hope SOMEONE (FATHER!) records it for me!

Right now, I can highly recommend "Prison Break". By the end of the weekend, I should have a review of "Brick" up.

I'm really looking forward to Saturday. Or even Friday night. Once this "screening" of "Crazy About You" is over, and I no longer have to sit in front of a computer for hours, getting more and more upset about the fact that this all got dumped on me - then perhaps I can calm down and remember that I enjoy life. And maybe I'll stop being so moody around my friends. I can hope...

The Day We Stood Still

It's REALLY hard for me to comment about this film. Here's the downside: I NEVER got into this, as a film. It was very much a docu-drama to me, which I can see being the intent. Perhaps its the fact that I lived through it, that I see it differently than films like "We Were Soldiers". In no way can I say it's a bad film, but I can't talk about it like I could with anything else.

If nothing else, this "film" is an experience. It has its up and downs, and it really takes you on an emotional roller coaster with its characters. While I can't say I enjoyed all of the movie - it has some moments that I just don't feel need to be there - I can't say anything negative about it. I can say that they handled many situations very well. The handled the planes and the buildings in an impressive manner - one that I can't see offending anyone in any way. They handled the mass confusion of the day very well. People talking about what they heard happened - when as a viewer, we know their comments to be false (or misled).

Since "Family Man", Nic Cage has only done one good film - "National Treasure" - so it was good to see him in something that I liked him in. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that he couldn't move for most of the film, and his face was covered in ash - but... Who knows? I liked him in the role, I think he did it well. I also really enjoyed Maria Bello in the flick.

I honestly think more than anything - the flick served more of a "Where Was I" type memory in my mind while I was watching it.

I can remember the day clearly.
I didn't have a job.
I woke up around 8am, and went to the bathroom - with the full intention of going back to sleep. When I got out of the bathroom the T.V. was on in the living room. Both of my parents should have been at work, so I went to see what was going on. It turns out Lawrence Township was doing their ISTEP testing in the fall, and my brother was home, because he didn't have to go to school until noon-ish-sometime. I said "hey" to him, then went back to bed. The radio was on while I was trying to fall back asleep, and that's when I heard the first report. I honestly thought it was some kind of hoax - but quickly learned it wasn't. I leaped out of bed, tossed on a shirt and went back to the living room, to find my brother already down from the loft, and watching the replay of the first plane hitting. I stood with Scott in the living for the next hour, watching the events unfold.

The second plane hit.
The hit on the Pentagon.
The plane in Pennslyvania.
The President on T.V.

I remember around 11am, my cell phone went off. It was Jason. He'd been watching too, but he was calling to tell me that AMC was closing all of their theatres for the day. At this time, I spent a lot of time at Castleton Arts, working on scripts, watching movies, and hanging out with my friends who worked there. They didn't want me to drive all the way out there, when they were going to be closed.

I don't remember what time my Father came home from work, but I know it was early. I remember sitting in the living room with him and my brother watching T.V. coverage.

Sometime around 5pm, Zach called. He didn't have anyone to hang out with, and wondered what I was up to. We eventually decided to try O'Rourke's. I called Sloan's phone, to find out if they were even going to be open, "I've got nowhere else to go, and nothing else to do..." was his reply. Zach and I made it up to the bar, and spent most of the night watching the T.V.s and talking to Sloan. I don't think he made his waitresses come in that night, but I know a couple stopped in from time to time. I don't think there was more than seven people in the place all night - Sloan, Zach, and myself being the three that never left. We talked about it, we made some food and ate it, we watched T.V., we shot some pool, and we just kind of did nothing. I think that's kind of how to sum up the day: The country was so in shock - we didn't know what to do, or how to react. We all were just kind of there. I remember being in the middle of a game of pool, at 8pm - when the President came on the news. We quit the game, and sat and listened.

If nothing else, "World Trade Center" made me remember that day, and how I felt.

Here's a collection of the Magazines I still own from that horrible time in history:


I suppose this blog would be more fitting on September 11th of this year - when we commemorate 5 Year Anniversary of that day, but since I saw the film tonight, it was on my mind. Anyways, on that day - Scott will be living with Letha in NYC, and I'm hoping that Jason and I can drive up there - so that I can be in the city on that day. Jason gets to see Letha, I get to see my brother, and the four of us get to be a part of a historical day. An infamous historical day.

I'm honestly getting worried that "Crazy About You" isn't going to be done by Friday. Part of me is ready to say "SCREW IT" no one else ever put in this much time on this project, and now they're all making me finish up a film I swore I would never edit. But, at the same time - I know if I don't do it, none of the others will. So, sadly - in order to save my reputation and artistic name, I have to finish a project that I have long since stopped caring about. I want to move on. I want to work on the films I want to work on. I'm tired of cleaning up this mess, when I've got three other producers who don't give a crap about it. Lucky for them, I like the actors in the flick, and want to keep my good relationship with them. Or I would have long since stopped working on this thing, and waited to see if anyone else ever took the time to finish it.

Okay, it's late. I'm upset and frustrated. And I didn't exactly watch an "uplifting" film tonight - so I should go to bed, and KNOW that in five hours I'll be up editing AGAIN!

Shane's 50 Films to See Before You Die

So, here's SHANE'S LIST of the 50 Films You Should See Before You Die:

(in alphabetical order)

12 Monkeys
2001: A Space Odyssey
Abre los Ojos
Alien
American Beauty
Benny & Joon
Braveheart
Casablanca
Chasing Amy
Chinatown
Citizen Kane
Crash
Do the Right Thing
Donnie Darko
Field of Dreams
Fight Club
Garden State
Go
Godfather, The
Gone With the Wind
In the Company of Men
It's a Wonderful Life
Leaving Las Vegas
Life as a House
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Love Actually
Magnolia
Maltese Falcon, The
Matrix, The
Memento
Mulholland Dr.
Passion of the Christ, The
Pi
Poolhall Junkies
Primal Fear
Primer
Princess Mononoke
Psycho
Pulp Fiction
Rebel Without a Cause
Resevoir Dogs
Se7en
Serenity
Shawshank Redemption, The
Silence of the Lambs
Sound of Music, The
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Swingers
The Wizard of Oz
Untitled - The Director's Cut of Almost Famous

Here's the list for anyone to take to the video store...

50 Films to See Before You Die

THIS WEBSITE, came up with a list of "50 Films to See Before You Die".
Here's the list. The ones I've seen are in BOLD.

1. Apocalypse Now
2. The Apartment
3. City of God
4. Chinatown
5. Sexy Beast
6. 2001: A Space Odyssey
7. North by Northwest
8. A Bout de Souffle
9. Donnie Darko
10. Manhattan
11. Alien
12. Lost in Translation
13. The Shawshank Redemption
14. Lagaan: Once Upon A Time in India
15. Pulp Fiction
16. Touch of Evil
17. Walkabout
18. Black Narcissus
19. Boyz N the Hood
20. The Player
21. Come and See
22. Heavenly Creatures
23. A Night at the Opera
24. Erin Brockovich
25. Trainspotting
26. The Breakfast Club
27. Hero - I'm assuming they mean the Jet Li flick???
28. Fanny and Alexander
29. Pink Flamingos
30. All About Eve
31. Scarface
32. Terminator 2
33. Three Colours: Blue
34. The Royal Tenen-baums (unfortunetly... piece of crap...)
35. The Ladykillers
36. Fight Club
37. The Searchers
38. Mulholland Drive
39. The Ipcress File
40. The King of Comedy
41. Manhunter (So much better than "Red Dragon")
42. Dawn of the Dead
43. Princess Mononoke
44. Raising Arizona
45. Cabaret
46. This Sporting Life
47. Brazil
48. Aguirre: The Wrath of God
49. Secrets and Lies
50. Badlands.

Let's Talk About Movies

First topic: "Little Manhattan". I've been wanting to see this flick for a LONG TIME - ever since I saw the trailer a few months ago, but it didn't ever come to Indy. It came out on DVD about a month ago, but I never got around to buying it - and no one I knew had seen it to tell me if it was any good, or not. So today, I just finally picked it up. I was wandering around Best Buy and it just kind of jumped at me - so I picked it up.

And, while I was checking out, my tattoo got another compliment. It seems that I unintentially have created something that everyone feels the need to tell me they think is "cool". Which, is fine by me, but sometimes I don't need/want the extra attention it brings in a large area. Luckily, the girl at the checkout counter was cooler than most, and said "I really dig your tattoo...", I said "Thanks", and it was left at that. UNLIKE most people, who ask the MORONIC question, "Is that real? No it's not... Let me see that... blah..." When they first see it. OF COURSE ITS REAL!!! No, actually, I just like drawing fake stuff on my arm with a Sharpie - and then having to tell people how much of a fool I am... Honestly, WHY must people ask "Is that real?" when they are staring at it!!! Oh, I just thought of my reply to the next time I hear, "Is that real?" My reply: "No, it's not. I'm actually controlling your brain right now, and making you see all kinds of things that aren't really there..." I wonder if I can freak anyone out with that response? Oh, and for those of you who haven't seen it in person, here's a good picture for you:

Read more about it HERE.

Anyways, back to "Little Manhattan" - I don't regret buying the flick, I actually laughed A LOT throughout the thing. If you've seen "Love Actually" and you know Sam's story, then imagine that, but expanded into a much longer story. It's the story of a 10-year-old boy, and the first time he feel in love. There's a whole lot of humor, and it makes some good observations about love, in the progress of the film. The main character's parents are in the middle of a divorce, so he's stuck in the middle of watching his parents falling out of love, while he's falling head of heels for a girl in his class - and attempting to break down the social walls that are put up at that age. It's just a really cute and fun flick. You can check out the TRAILER for yourself.

I just mentioned "Love Actually" and it is AMAZING how many people actually haven't seen the flick. I've been lending this one out left and right to people. Anything I can do to spread one of my favorite films of all time.

Next up, this morning I had a breakfast meeting with Zach and Jason Romberg, to discuss his bachelor party trip. After the meeting, while standing in Perkins' parking lot, Zach and I got to discuss some things with the rough edit of "Crazy About You" - he gave me a couple of ideas to try, some things he thought might help, and hopefully later tonight or tomorrow I'll have the time to try them. One of them is a complete reworking of the opening credits, but I like the idea - so I'll probably be spending another a 6 hours working on that, and hope that Spurgin can get me the new music SOON! While we were talking, Zach made another one of his comments about me still editing on Adobe Premiere 6.0, basically telling me that I am the editing equivalent of a Caveman. After we left Perkins, I headed to Barnes & Noble, to pick up MovieMaker Magazine, and I wish I would have bought it before today, because I would have had a rebuttle for Zach. Here's a quote from Robert Rodriguez:

"Creative people are notoriously the slowest to adopt new technology. That's just how it's always been. Creative people on one side, technical people on the other. Creative people aren't technical, and technical people aren't creative, and they always need each other. New technology comes up, creative people run from it and it takes them so long to adopt it. But, when they do, they never go back."

So, there's hope. One day, I might learn how to edit on single track editing, on some higher-advanced software. But, here's the thing: I don't WANT to edit. I don't mind it. I know how to do it, I'll claim to be great at it, but I can do it. But, I don't WANT to. I want to write stories and transform them visually, and I want someone who WANTS to edit, to help me out - by editing for me and working with me. I need to find one really super talented editor, who wants to work closely with me, and help me create my stories - and not try to take them over for themself. I can admit when I need help, and on the next project - I'm going to need to find an editing-genius to help me. And, while I'm on the topic, let me tell you about a discussion/debate that my friends and I got into the other night, after "Clerks II". We were all talking about the current influx of Digital Cinema, and how production companies, distribution companies, and filmmakers are quickly jumping into Digital Cinema, and discussing who much money everyone thinks its going to save, blah... blah... blah... Anyways, I bought up my arguement against Digital Cinema and filming HD, and let me try to explain it to you:

Part of the symbolism behind my tattoo is the fact that I want to make FILMS. I've shot numerous things in the digital format, and that's great and fine, but my goal has always been to work with real film, and create a "film". HD and Digital Cinema are as close to perfect as we can get. I've seen a good number of films in Digital Theatres, and I've noticed the HUGE improvement in quality. But, here's where I'm a little different from most (but not really, most people just aren't aware that they do this): I'm an escapist. I got to the movies to ESCAPE my life, and to be entertained for a period of time with images that I know are not real. When you get into digital cinema, it's almost TOO PERFECT, and that breaks down the walls of escapism. It makes you feel as if you're really there, and really a part of the film, which doesn't allow you to disconnect yourself from the film, and "escape" into it. Film is entertainment, it doesn't have to be in High-Def. they've been entertaining people for a century now, and people have never complained before. Yes, it is an evolutionary step, which one day I'll have to take - if I wish to be a part of this industry, but for now - I can continue to stay on my path of working with film, and creating my own piece of art to perhaps help someone escape their own problems, when they watch. The other problem arises, when someone can't understand that the characters they see on screen are FICTIONAL, and they expect people in real life to act in ways that are ONLY PRESENT in film - not in reality. Again, escapism - but a person needs to understand that is ends, when the movie ends.

Speaking of a talented editor, if I could pick someone right now, I'd probably beg Brett's girl friend Hannah to edit my next flick for me. This chick is UBER-talented, and you can check out a music video that she directed AND edited: RIGHT HERE. Also, Brett was the DP for this music video - and YEP! I'm going to be asking him to DP for me on the flick. I just hope it all works out, since we've tried working on a couple of projects together, and the timing just never worked out for both of us. Hopefully, we can make it happen next year. If you want to check out his DP Reel, GO HERE.

Now, let's move a little closer to home, and hit some Mid-West film news. Yesterday, when I cruised over to Heidiology - to get my daily (or semi-daily) dose of Heidi news/thoughts, I caught a HUGE write up about another local Mid-West actress, Angie Craft.
It appears that a local magazine did a HUGE write up on Angie. Angie and I have talked a few times via emails and MySpace, and it was nice to read the whole thing, and get a better perspective of who she is, and what she does for her passion. It's always nice to read articles about local people, and how they are achieving their dreams. I really hope that some day in the future I'll be able to put her in a flick of my own - she really seems A-List worthy! The best place to read the article is Angie's Blog on MySpace.

Finally, I'll leave you with a collection of trailer for flicks that I can't wait to see. Some of these I've mentioned before, and I mention them again because: THEY ARE COOL. WATCH THEM!

"The Fountain"

"The Prestige"

"Employee of the Month"

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"

"Transformers"

"Spider-Man 3"

"The Last Kiss"

"Children of Men"

Finally, one last thing that REALLY MAKES ME MAD!!!
The Pacers really just seem like they want to destroy themselves this season. The newest news, we're getting rid of Anthony Johnson (9.2 PPG, 4.3 APG) and getting Darrell Armstrong (2.1 PPG, 1.4 APG) - now, I'm NOT a math major, but I'm pretty darn good at it, and these numbers look like a HORRIBLE TRADE!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?!!?!?! The guy is like 25% of Anthony Johnson. GIVE THEM JAMAAL!!! I want to get rid of that guy, who only plays 1/3 of the season, and it was Anthony Johnson who stepped up and took over - HE DESERVES TO STAY! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PACERS?!?!?!? I sure hope they figure out a way to get Al Harrington back, or... Or else... I'm going to be one disappointed fan this year.

Finally, I was reffered to as an "Esquire" yesterday. Here's the quote:

"And for the record, I have no idea if that show "Lost" is REALLY gay. I just said that to annoy my brother and Shane M. White, Esquire."

Now, if you're not aware - I have been given the HONOR of being compared to one of this cutlture's GREATEST "heros" - Bill S. Preston, Esq. of "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure". Thank you, Michael, for putting me in that category! Check out the COOL BLOG that has lots of cool pictures from his bike rides, HERE.

Well, I hope you've enjoyed!

Curse of the Shyamalan

I don't have the greatest history with Mr. Shyamalan, and let me explain.

I was BLOWN AWAY by "The Sixth Sense" - and the guy has yet to come close to living up to that flick, in my mind.

When "Unbreakable" was released, I was jumping at the chance to go to the screening of the flick - and I left UTTERLY disappointed. However, when the DVD came out - I still picked up the flick (I'm a SUCKER for bonus materials...) And after I saw the film for a second time, I really enjoyed it.

Then came, "Signs". I went in thinking it was an "alien" film, and I was (once again) disappointed. However, after talking to some people and reading some reviews, I went and saw the movie a second time - this time I watched it as a religious film surrounded by aliens - and I LOVED the film and the message.

Next was "The Village". Sadly, this is the flick I still don't like. I didn't like it the first time. And I thought, "Well, I just need to see it a second time". Wrong. I hated it the second time too, and I still don't own the DVD. Even though its got some amazing actors in it - I can't bring myself to own it.

So, tonight we got together to watch Shyamalan's new flick, "Lady in the Water". It's different. It's NOT typical Shyamalan. He's taken a different road with this flick. And I'm not impressed. I go to Kevin Smith movies to listen to people complain about stuff and talk crazy, I got to Tony Scott films to get dizzy with moving cameras, and I go to Shyamalan films to get THE TWIST ENDING. And since I've read interviews with Shyamalan where he claims this doesn't have a trick ending - I don't consider it a spoiler when I CONFIRM that. And the lack of a twist ending, is disappointing. I was hoping for something cool. Instead I got a slow story that doesn't make a lot of sense, and really doesn't do a very good job of exploring itself, since one character has all the answers, but only offers them in spoonfuls. The movie could have been a 15 minute short film, if they would have just got all the information from this person at once. Instead, it drags out, forces you to watch WAY TOO MUCH EXPOSITION!

It's not Shyamalan's fault. It's not his fault that he made an AMAZING film, and that I continue to compare everything after it - to it. It's not his fault. But, I do blame him for not writing a more interesting story for me to dislike the first time. I can't decide if I'm going to see this one again, I don't think I missed anything that I need. If I read something that changes my mind, I'd be willing to watch it again, because some of the acting is amazing (I LOVE Jeffrey Wright). So, only time will tell. But, I can guarantee this: I'll be seeing "Clerks II" a second time, before I sit through that again, so if you're looking for a movie to watch this weekend: There's my recommendation.

Oh, and here's another trailer for A MOVIE I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE!!!!

"Clerks II" Review!!!

It came in.
I built it.
I watched it.
And I LOVED IT.

Sometimes, there's just THOSE MOVIES that hit you at a certain point in your life - and they feel like they are there for a reason. The dialogue sounds like its speaking to you, and characters are put into situations that you too feel that you're in.

First, let me tell you that this WILL BE SPOILER-FREE.

I'm NOT trying to ruin the flick for anyone, just praise Kevin Smith for delivering a movie that is really enjoyable, has some good twists, and shows real emotion. Ultimately, this film answers the eternal question: Am I REALLY happy with where my life is going?

It's amazing to watch a film that stays SO TRUE to the original characters, while still being COMPLETELY original. It's not a complete rehash of what worked the first time, they don't play hockey on the roof again (I hope that' not considered a spoiler...), they don't go to another funeral (is that one?), and they don't have another guy die in the bathroom (So, I'm confused - is the DENYING of events, considered a spoiler??? Someone explain that to me...). It's all fresh. We get caught up on the last ten years, and we move on. We see their advancement, or lack thereof, and we see that the heart of the story is still the same: Two best friends, trying to make life day to day.

And let me say this about little Rosario Dawson: AWESOME.
Kevin Smith has an amazing talent for writing the MOST PERFECTLY ATTRACTIVE female characters ever! She's just too cool, laid back, chill, and just enjoys life. She's got a great smile and just the right amount of "bad girl" that leaves you begging for more. And to top it all off, she rolls in a CLASSIC Mustang - could she be more perfect? However, I'm lucky enough to realize that she's a FICTIONAL CHARACTER - and that NO CHICK is ever that cool. A lesson some people need to learn, so that they don't constantly compare you to one of those "Chick Flick Guys" and think that you should be all "perfect all the time". One downfall to society - people believing that fictional characters are how you should act in real life. Enough on that subject, I'm off topic.

Film makes some good observations about romance, relationships, and how people get through each day. It makes the same "mistake" as "The Break Up" and "Click" - which is it gets REALLY SERIOUS at one point - not that there is ANYTHING wrong with this... - however, where this flick goes right: During the serious part, it still interjects humor AND it doesn't last longer than it has to.

It's really weird to be at the crossroads of my life, and then to watch the scenes in the film - characters questioning the hows ans whys of their life. I've been out of high school for going on 10 years now - and what have I REALLY accomplished? Am I always going to manager a movie theatre, pop popcorn, show movies early to my friends, continue to search for the "perfect script" to write and find funding for, review movies on my blog, and just glide through life? Do I really have dilusions of grandieur? Is my life really nothing in the big picture of the world? I'm not thirty yet, but I'm sure getting to the same point as the characters in the film - I'm really at the point where I need to figure out who and what I am - and prepare myself to be that, and nothing more, for the rest of my life.

But, that doesn't really sound like me. I'm always going to try tobe bigger, better, have the best toys, rebel, and enjoy life to its fullest. Wherever that leads me, wherever that takes me. Life is a ride - and I'm going to live it. And wherever that ride takes me, I'll be sure to bring along "Clerks II" on DVD - to ensure myself that I'll be laughing the whole time.

I highly reccomend the flick. You'll be in the aisle laughing - while at the same time wondering "Is it OKAY to laugh at this???". GREAT JOB MR. SMITH!!!

Perfect bookend?
You'd better believe it.