I know I've written about this flick before, but I SWEAR this is a NEW trailer for it.
Or, I've just got one HORRIBLE memory, because I don't remember half of what's in this preview, compared to the one that was previously on Zach Braff's Blog. (Which also now carries this version)
The uncertain future.
Fear of monotony.
Acceptance of loved ones.
The desire to be free.
Also themes for my next script...
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Pearl Jam Seats
Just for those who care, I wanted to show you how close Dave got us to the concert.We're the XXs in section 130, Row E, Seats 5 and 6. Nice and close.
Also, later I will be commenting on how cool Cincinnati is, down by the water. Having three arenas lined up next to each other, all overlooking the river - is pretty COOL. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures, so I'll have to Google Search some. More on that later, there's pizza to be eaten.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
"Jam"-ing in Cincy
I'm not a huge Pearl Jam fan.
I have nothing against them, I enjoy their music when I hear it, but I've never been die-hard, I don't know all the lyrics to all their songs. So, when I went to their concert, I didn't know what to expect. What I got was an amazing experience.
Most appearant was the kindness of people. I don't remember seeing or interacting with one rude person. When people needed to get by you, they said "excuse me" and were polite. When they were dancing, and bummed into you - they apologized for it. During some songs, they grabbed your hand and held it up with theirs. It was really a "bonding" experience. Before the show, so of the people around us ("Us" being my buddy The Dave, who had an extra ticket and was kind enough to invite me to go with him to the show) began talking to Dave about how many shows he'd been to, and which ones, etc... It appears that their followers REALLY follow them. Since you can go online and download EVERY concert they have, and see their sets lists for the last SIXTEEN YEARS WORTH of shows, the fans really can "follow" this band. It's cool.
The show itself went well. LOTS of standing, making me feet feel like Jell-O right now, but I'm surviving. They played for about 2 and a half hours, and did some really intense songs. Dave explained to me after the show that appearently the fans were complaining about the middle of the show, when they slowed down the pace, so they only did a couple of soft songs (which was kind of disappointing, because it meant we didn't get to hear "Last Kiss"). But, the BEST part of the night was the fact that I got to hear Pearl Jam play "Baba O'Reilly" by The Who. This song ranks in my Top Five Songs of All-Time. So, it was a GREAT way to end the concert, and end my first ever live Pearl Jam show.
While I'm not turning into a die-hard fan, I do enjoy the music. And Eddie Vedder is starting to grow on me. The most impressive part was when he pulled out a copy of Rolling Stone Magazine, which has him on the cover. Yes - HIM, NOT the BAND. And he began wiping his own butt with the magazine. He then went on to explain that they told the magazine MULTIPLE TIMES not to put just him on the cover, but to put THE WHOLE BAND. He went on to explain his deep upset feelings towards the magazine for pulling this on them. He then destroyed the magazine and tossed it into the crowd.
Probaby one of the most important events of the night was coming into contact with the ONE Booth. I'm seen the logo on fellow filmmaker Chad Richard's Blog, and I've surfed their website, but I'd never ordered anything from them. Well, I saw it as a sign when I saw the booth. So, I'm now taking this campaign upon myself. I bought some extra bracelets for anyone who wants one, and I've added the link to the right. Defeating Poverty and AIDS are two things that I believe in, and I'd like to do my part to help, and so can you. Just go to their website and sign the petition. They don't ask you fo any money. Just your support and your voice to spread the word to others.
I have nothing against them, I enjoy their music when I hear it, but I've never been die-hard, I don't know all the lyrics to all their songs. So, when I went to their concert, I didn't know what to expect. What I got was an amazing experience.
Most appearant was the kindness of people. I don't remember seeing or interacting with one rude person. When people needed to get by you, they said "excuse me" and were polite. When they were dancing, and bummed into you - they apologized for it. During some songs, they grabbed your hand and held it up with theirs. It was really a "bonding" experience. Before the show, so of the people around us ("Us" being my buddy The Dave, who had an extra ticket and was kind enough to invite me to go with him to the show) began talking to Dave about how many shows he'd been to, and which ones, etc... It appears that their followers REALLY follow them. Since you can go online and download EVERY concert they have, and see their sets lists for the last SIXTEEN YEARS WORTH of shows, the fans really can "follow" this band. It's cool.
The show itself went well. LOTS of standing, making me feet feel like Jell-O right now, but I'm surviving. They played for about 2 and a half hours, and did some really intense songs. Dave explained to me after the show that appearently the fans were complaining about the middle of the show, when they slowed down the pace, so they only did a couple of soft songs (which was kind of disappointing, because it meant we didn't get to hear "Last Kiss"). But, the BEST part of the night was the fact that I got to hear Pearl Jam play "Baba O'Reilly" by The Who. This song ranks in my Top Five Songs of All-Time. So, it was a GREAT way to end the concert, and end my first ever live Pearl Jam show.
While I'm not turning into a die-hard fan, I do enjoy the music. And Eddie Vedder is starting to grow on me. The most impressive part was when he pulled out a copy of Rolling Stone Magazine, which has him on the cover. Yes - HIM, NOT the BAND. And he began wiping his own butt with the magazine. He then went on to explain that they told the magazine MULTIPLE TIMES not to put just him on the cover, but to put THE WHOLE BAND. He went on to explain his deep upset feelings towards the magazine for pulling this on them. He then destroyed the magazine and tossed it into the crowd.
Probaby one of the most important events of the night was coming into contact with the ONE Booth. I'm seen the logo on fellow filmmaker Chad Richard's Blog, and I've surfed their website, but I'd never ordered anything from them. Well, I saw it as a sign when I saw the booth. So, I'm now taking this campaign upon myself. I bought some extra bracelets for anyone who wants one, and I've added the link to the right. Defeating Poverty and AIDS are two things that I believe in, and I'd like to do my part to help, and so can you. Just go to their website and sign the petition. They don't ask you fo any money. Just your support and your voice to spread the word to others.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
"Click" Review
"Click" falls into the same pit as "The Break Up", but not as quick and not as bad.
It's a really funny movie, with your typical Adam Sandler running jokes. It has its moments of seriousness, but balances it well. Until the end, where it pulls the same move as "The Break Up" and has to go 100% serious and depressing in order to make its point.
Also, I feel cheated. "Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" had THE BEST PAYOFF of the year, and this flick really has the worst.
I give it a 6 out of 10. It's a fun watch, but I'd suggest catching a matinee, and using the extra couple bunchs to buy some sugar to keep you awake. The laughing isn't common enough to keep you awake through the entire thing...
It's nice to introduce your friends to "fun" and "cool" things.
Jason introduced me to "Firefly" and the "Serenity" world.
And now I've been able to introduce some other friends to the "Entourage" world. As we waited for "Click" to arrive at my theatre we made it through a good number of episodes and it's nice to see people enjoy a show that you really love.
Although, Justin had the best quote of the night:
"One of us needs to hurry up and get rich".
Amen, brother. Because I want that lifestyle!
It's a really funny movie, with your typical Adam Sandler running jokes. It has its moments of seriousness, but balances it well. Until the end, where it pulls the same move as "The Break Up" and has to go 100% serious and depressing in order to make its point.
Also, I feel cheated. "Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" had THE BEST PAYOFF of the year, and this flick really has the worst.
I give it a 6 out of 10. It's a fun watch, but I'd suggest catching a matinee, and using the extra couple bunchs to buy some sugar to keep you awake. The laughing isn't common enough to keep you awake through the entire thing...
It's nice to introduce your friends to "fun" and "cool" things.
Jason introduced me to "Firefly" and the "Serenity" world.
And now I've been able to introduce some other friends to the "Entourage" world. As we waited for "Click" to arrive at my theatre we made it through a good number of episodes and it's nice to see people enjoy a show that you really love.
Although, Justin had the best quote of the night:
"One of us needs to hurry up and get rich".
Amen, brother. Because I want that lifestyle!
Friday, June 16, 2006
A Pair of Reviews
First review: NOT SO GOOD.
"Nacho Libre" = CRAP.
I know, I know: "Shane doesn't like anything". Luckily, I've yet to meet ANYONE who actually liked this movie. I'll admit, I laughed here and there. Jack Black is funny, and he has his moments in this film, but overall - it's just a waste of time. I crappy story, BAD scenes, and sadly Jared Hess reused A TON of his shots and setups from "Napolean Dynomite". It's really just the Spanish version of that film. He's got his sidekick. He mumbles around through life, never happy. Blah, blah, I AM BORED! Then, half the film is in Spanish - with NO SUBTITLES!!! COME ON! The film gets a "D", 4 out 10.
Second review: "The Lake House".
Okay, this is a tough review. The film isn't BAD, but it's not really that good. And it's not that it's horribly written, it just makes some typical mistakes. First, I'll preface this by saying "Back to the Future" is one of my all-time favorite time-travel films, and I KNOW the whole series has mistakes. But, this film REALLY makes a HUGE mistake, that ruined the entire film for me. It's a MASSIVE plot error, and I just can't get past it.
Okay, the film is PREDICTABLE. No doubt about it, ten minutes into the film, you know what happened and what's going to happen. An hour in, your KNOW for a fact that you're right. So, it doesn't come as a surprise in the end. That's working against it, only because they actually act like you're dumb enough to NOT see it coming. Okay, whatever.
The only real complaint I have about the film is the pacing. It is REALLY SLOW. It probably could have been 10 minutes shorter, and not lost my interest as much. On top of that, I went in with low expectations, and they were meet.
And here's the problem. As far as "Changing the Past" this film is NOWHERE NEAR as good as "Frequency" and "The Butterfly Effect". When one of characters causes an event to change in the past, The Ripple Effect SHOULD TAKE PLACE, and cause events in the future to be altered. However, it does not. The end of the film makes you (as the audience) believe that even when an event is changed, only THAT MOMENT at the end of the film is changed. In reality, it should have pulled a "Butterfly Effect"-type-REWIND to the REAL MOMENT that would have been changed - and pick up the story from there.
Then again, it all boils down to if you believe in the "Time is Relative" or the "Time is Constant" philosophy. I'm a relative person, so as far as movies go: This one should have been different.
It's a good, yet predictible, date movie. Chicks who don't think (or care) about the story will enjoy it. It's an alright story, that just seems to drag. I would be interested in seeing the original, to see how much the story was "Americanized". I give it a "C", 6 out of 10.
I'm making my way through the Second Season of "Entourage" and I LOVE IT!!! Such a great show! I almost with James Cameron REALLY was making an "Aquaman" movie, that would be too cool. And I also have realized why I identify with Eric so much - his ex-girlfriend is named Kristen and she's NOT such a nice girl. We've got a lot in common...
"Nacho Libre" = CRAP.
I know, I know: "Shane doesn't like anything". Luckily, I've yet to meet ANYONE who actually liked this movie. I'll admit, I laughed here and there. Jack Black is funny, and he has his moments in this film, but overall - it's just a waste of time. I crappy story, BAD scenes, and sadly Jared Hess reused A TON of his shots and setups from "Napolean Dynomite". It's really just the Spanish version of that film. He's got his sidekick. He mumbles around through life, never happy. Blah, blah, I AM BORED! Then, half the film is in Spanish - with NO SUBTITLES!!! COME ON! The film gets a "D", 4 out 10.
Second review: "The Lake House".
Okay, this is a tough review. The film isn't BAD, but it's not really that good. And it's not that it's horribly written, it just makes some typical mistakes. First, I'll preface this by saying "Back to the Future" is one of my all-time favorite time-travel films, and I KNOW the whole series has mistakes. But, this film REALLY makes a HUGE mistake, that ruined the entire film for me. It's a MASSIVE plot error, and I just can't get past it.
Okay, the film is PREDICTABLE. No doubt about it, ten minutes into the film, you know what happened and what's going to happen. An hour in, your KNOW for a fact that you're right. So, it doesn't come as a surprise in the end. That's working against it, only because they actually act like you're dumb enough to NOT see it coming. Okay, whatever.
The only real complaint I have about the film is the pacing. It is REALLY SLOW. It probably could have been 10 minutes shorter, and not lost my interest as much. On top of that, I went in with low expectations, and they were meet.
And here's the problem. As far as "Changing the Past" this film is NOWHERE NEAR as good as "Frequency" and "The Butterfly Effect". When one of characters causes an event to change in the past, The Ripple Effect SHOULD TAKE PLACE, and cause events in the future to be altered. However, it does not. The end of the film makes you (as the audience) believe that even when an event is changed, only THAT MOMENT at the end of the film is changed. In reality, it should have pulled a "Butterfly Effect"-type-REWIND to the REAL MOMENT that would have been changed - and pick up the story from there.
Then again, it all boils down to if you believe in the "Time is Relative" or the "Time is Constant" philosophy. I'm a relative person, so as far as movies go: This one should have been different.
It's a good, yet predictible, date movie. Chicks who don't think (or care) about the story will enjoy it. It's an alright story, that just seems to drag. I would be interested in seeing the original, to see how much the story was "Americanized". I give it a "C", 6 out of 10.
I'm making my way through the Second Season of "Entourage" and I LOVE IT!!! Such a great show! I almost with James Cameron REALLY was making an "Aquaman" movie, that would be too cool. And I also have realized why I identify with Eric so much - his ex-girlfriend is named Kristen and she's NOT such a nice girl. We've got a lot in common...
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
AWESOME Lunch!
Quite often, when I sit down to eat with someone, we start talking and talking and talking. That's exactly what happened this afternoon when I met up with Chris Allen at O'Charley's.
Chris and I have been "virtual" friends for a long time. We met on the IndianapolisFilm.NET message board, and we started talking on there. When he premiered his film "A Certain Justice", he was kind enough to send me four tickets to the premiere, which I REALLY enjoyed. Since then, I've been a big fan of Chris' work, and he was even kind enough to send me a copy of "A Certain Justice" on DVD when he released it. (Today, I FINALLY paid him back with a free copy of "Reuion"! Only a couple of years late!). So, we've run into each other at various film premieres and events, and we'd talk briefly and always say that we'd "do lunch" sometime soon.
Well, that meeting finally happened today, and it was as if we were old friends. We spent three hours at O'Charley's (our waitress got an AMAZING tip!) and we just talked film, shared stories, learned about each other and our projects, and discussed our methods and passions. It was great!
It's really cool for me to talk to other people who are on my level. The people who want to make films and are running into the same types of problems I have. Actors. Locations. Money. People to help. Often, I talk to people in L.A. who don't have these problems and it gets me down. It makes me feel like I'm the only one with problems, so it's nice to see others in the same boat. I offered to help in any way that I could his projects, and he made the same offer to me. Thus, giving both of us an extra pair of eyes, ears, and hands if the going gets too tough.
I'm really wanting to collaborate more with people. Get something rolling. I'm tired of the number of "hats" I have to wear on film productions. I still want to produce, but I'd like to get some new writers, some people who want to direct, some other people to help me produce, and I REALLY want to get some people to help with DP-work and Audio. Those are the two places I need to make LEAPS and BOUNDS of improvements. I want help, and it's nice to network with people who might be able to fill those roles.
It appears that I might, once again, be able to spend a couple of monthes away from Indianapolis. My goal is to Detox myself from all the drama that has aroused in my life, and spend September and October in another city. And while I'm gone, I want to do LOTS and LOTS of writing. Most importantly, is the "Christmas Flick". It's an easy and simple concept, and it's something that I really believe will appeal to many families during the holidays, and just be a "Feel Good Film". My dream would be that every Decemeber, some family all sits down and makes a BIG DEAL about watching Shane's Christmas Movie!!!
Second, I'm going to be expanding "No One Dies" into the feature length script that it once was going to be. The first time I wrote it, the flick came out VERY MUCH like "Se7en", so I quit. I just felt like I was being completely un-original, and I didn't want to make a copycat film. So, I took my opening 5 minute scene, and expanded it into the short film we previously shot. Now, with a new storyline, I'll be able to condense the first five minutes back to what it originally was, and make the short film NOT DRAG OUT and make it a part of the whole film. Also, bringing back Papaw's character later on in the film, as he serves a greater purpose now. New ideas are flowing, and it's going to turn out pretty well.
Sadly, as long as I'm in this city, and have to deal with certain people and things, I'll never be able to truly dedicate myself to film, the way I want to. So, after August, I'm going to go "find myself" and in process I'm hoping to complete TWO scripts that I'm really passionate about.
Spending the afternoon with Chris, and hearing his "War Stories" of the past 12 years that he's been trying to make films, was really inspirational to me, and reminded me that things do not come easy. Chris was IN HOLLYWOOD having meetings with Disney, who wanted to option his story, when it all came to an end, and he was lost in the shuffle of corporate Hollywood. But, he's still trying, and his passion and desire is a good example for people like me.
Chris and I have been "virtual" friends for a long time. We met on the IndianapolisFilm.NET message board, and we started talking on there. When he premiered his film "A Certain Justice", he was kind enough to send me four tickets to the premiere, which I REALLY enjoyed. Since then, I've been a big fan of Chris' work, and he was even kind enough to send me a copy of "A Certain Justice" on DVD when he released it. (Today, I FINALLY paid him back with a free copy of "Reuion"! Only a couple of years late!). So, we've run into each other at various film premieres and events, and we'd talk briefly and always say that we'd "do lunch" sometime soon.
Well, that meeting finally happened today, and it was as if we were old friends. We spent three hours at O'Charley's (our waitress got an AMAZING tip!) and we just talked film, shared stories, learned about each other and our projects, and discussed our methods and passions. It was great!
It's really cool for me to talk to other people who are on my level. The people who want to make films and are running into the same types of problems I have. Actors. Locations. Money. People to help. Often, I talk to people in L.A. who don't have these problems and it gets me down. It makes me feel like I'm the only one with problems, so it's nice to see others in the same boat. I offered to help in any way that I could his projects, and he made the same offer to me. Thus, giving both of us an extra pair of eyes, ears, and hands if the going gets too tough.
I'm really wanting to collaborate more with people. Get something rolling. I'm tired of the number of "hats" I have to wear on film productions. I still want to produce, but I'd like to get some new writers, some people who want to direct, some other people to help me produce, and I REALLY want to get some people to help with DP-work and Audio. Those are the two places I need to make LEAPS and BOUNDS of improvements. I want help, and it's nice to network with people who might be able to fill those roles.
It appears that I might, once again, be able to spend a couple of monthes away from Indianapolis. My goal is to Detox myself from all the drama that has aroused in my life, and spend September and October in another city. And while I'm gone, I want to do LOTS and LOTS of writing. Most importantly, is the "Christmas Flick". It's an easy and simple concept, and it's something that I really believe will appeal to many families during the holidays, and just be a "Feel Good Film". My dream would be that every Decemeber, some family all sits down and makes a BIG DEAL about watching Shane's Christmas Movie!!!
Second, I'm going to be expanding "No One Dies" into the feature length script that it once was going to be. The first time I wrote it, the flick came out VERY MUCH like "Se7en", so I quit. I just felt like I was being completely un-original, and I didn't want to make a copycat film. So, I took my opening 5 minute scene, and expanded it into the short film we previously shot. Now, with a new storyline, I'll be able to condense the first five minutes back to what it originally was, and make the short film NOT DRAG OUT and make it a part of the whole film. Also, bringing back Papaw's character later on in the film, as he serves a greater purpose now. New ideas are flowing, and it's going to turn out pretty well.
Sadly, as long as I'm in this city, and have to deal with certain people and things, I'll never be able to truly dedicate myself to film, the way I want to. So, after August, I'm going to go "find myself" and in process I'm hoping to complete TWO scripts that I'm really passionate about.
Spending the afternoon with Chris, and hearing his "War Stories" of the past 12 years that he's been trying to make films, was really inspirational to me, and reminded me that things do not come easy. Chris was IN HOLLYWOOD having meetings with Disney, who wanted to option his story, when it all came to an end, and he was lost in the shuffle of corporate Hollywood. But, he's still trying, and his passion and desire is a good example for people like me.
Friday, June 02, 2006
"The Break-Up"
If you're like me, many time when you go to the movies, you place yourself and your friends in various characters in the film. Or, when you're sitting around a party you start assigning people at the party based on personalities.
Then, sometimes comes a movie where you don't have to pretend. Because you've recently gone through every single last thing depicted in the film. And you can sit there and remember those exact same words and those exact same fights. That's "The Break-Up" for me, in a nutshell.
The movie is mediocre. Still not a good addition to this summer line up. While it is REALLY FUNNY at time, the film drags on. It overplays stereotypes. And the drama is just bad. It's honestly like two short stories put together to make a long film. Some things work well, others just fall flat. And it's going to upset lots of moviegoers, and it's not going to be a repeat viewing film for most people.
I had dinner with Zach and Jenny tonight, my present to Zach for his birthday. We talked about the re-filming of "No One Dies" and we discussed the plans for "Crazy About You" and his editing schedule on it. It was a good time and fun to spend some time with Zach.
And it's really interesting how ONE DAY can be filled with so many ups and downs. I was dealing with the ups and down of "No One Dies", when I get a really nice email from a friend, to being told things about former friends that bring me down and upset me, to... I don't even know where I am right now. I'm stuck in the middle. I'm attempting to move on and live this HAPPY GO LUCKY lifestyle, while I'm just not all here up in my head. Life just doesn't make sense sometimes. But, it all happens for a reason. It's going to make me stronger.
59 Days and counting...
Then, sometimes comes a movie where you don't have to pretend. Because you've recently gone through every single last thing depicted in the film. And you can sit there and remember those exact same words and those exact same fights. That's "The Break-Up" for me, in a nutshell.
The movie is mediocre. Still not a good addition to this summer line up. While it is REALLY FUNNY at time, the film drags on. It overplays stereotypes. And the drama is just bad. It's honestly like two short stories put together to make a long film. Some things work well, others just fall flat. And it's going to upset lots of moviegoers, and it's not going to be a repeat viewing film for most people.
I had dinner with Zach and Jenny tonight, my present to Zach for his birthday. We talked about the re-filming of "No One Dies" and we discussed the plans for "Crazy About You" and his editing schedule on it. It was a good time and fun to spend some time with Zach.
And it's really interesting how ONE DAY can be filled with so many ups and downs. I was dealing with the ups and down of "No One Dies", when I get a really nice email from a friend, to being told things about former friends that bring me down and upset me, to... I don't even know where I am right now. I'm stuck in the middle. I'm attempting to move on and live this HAPPY GO LUCKY lifestyle, while I'm just not all here up in my head. Life just doesn't make sense sometimes. But, it all happens for a reason. It's going to make me stronger.
59 Days and counting...
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