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.

"London"

Nope, sadly this posting has nothing to do with the city that I hope to one day call home. Aside from the fact that it shares the name with one of the main characters in the flick I FINALLY got around to watching this morning.

Yes, I'm continuing to avoid editing - but I HOPE I'll get back into it soon. It's tough. But, I want to get through it, I just needed a little break.

So, I finally got around to watching a flick I picked up a couple of months ago - it's just been sitting on my pile of "To Watch Soon" DVDs. (Where I still have Troy's copy of "All the Real Girls" and Justin's copy of "The Cooler").

The flick is "okay". It's not great, but its FAR from sucking. It's VERY dialogue heavy - which is NOT a negative, and I'm not trying to be a hypocrit, since my films have been described the same way. Perhaps it was just the pacing that seemed a little slow to be. However, the storytelling and editing REALLY made this flick. It's told non-linear, as the story picks up the night that London is having a going away party. Two months earlier, her and Syd broke up, after a two year long relationship. Syd finds out about the party, and still being heartbroken and in depression - somehow decides it's a good idea to crash the party. He convinces his Coke supplier to join him (Jason Statham - with hair!!!), and they spend the majority of the night in the bathroom - talking various philosophies, as other party-goers come and go. Through flashbacks, we get to see the evolution and demise of London and Syd's relationship - and get to watch the paranoia that plagues many relatnioships - as any and every subject is covered.

Emotional Blackmail is the main subject of my upcoming flick - and "London" is going to be required viewing for the leads, because it REALLY deals with the subject in an indirect way - as you see the things London and Syd put each other through. And the scene where Jason Statham finally opens up and tells Syd about his personal life - it's pretty interesting. Chris Evans is REALLY unnoticable. He's really in character - and doesn't act goofy or zany like he has in previous films. It's nice to see an actor I never considered "serious" to play such a great role. Jessica Biel is what she always has been, and always will be - a beautiful body to look at. Sadly, in this film - any beautiful girl could have played London.

You can check out the trailer HERE.

24 Frames on Skin

I live my life 24 frames at a time.
And that's what my newest Tattoo represents.
24 Frames is the exact number in one second of film.
I've been thinking about this tattoo for a long time, and finally took the first step. It's not a finished piece, and it might take a long time to finish. We're going to be inserting images into each frame of film. It's going to end up being a filmstrip of my life, filling the frame with images that reflect who I am, and where I've been, and how I got here. And every so often, a new frame will get filled in. Ryan, the artist, made lots of comments and suggestions, and I look forward to the next time I go back to see him, although I told him it would probably be a while...

Edit, edit, edit...

Boy, I forgot how much fun editing can be.
But, I had also forgotten how painstakingly boring and repetative it can be.

Editing "Crazy About You" is what I've been working on for the past two days - when I wasn't at work - and it's what I'm going to be working on late into the night, and tomorrow before work.

I didn't even want to do this, but now I'm finding myself rushing through it, trying to make it as good as I can, knowing I'm on a short time frame.

Jason's going to be back in town in August, and if we don't set up the premiere then, it's going to be 2007 before he'll be able to come back for the premiere. So, I've got a SHORT amount of time to get this thing edited, get it to Chris to get music, get it to Zach to fix the color balancing and the audio, and then get this whole puppy put back together to get a premiere organized.

Luckily, I'm just doing a rough cut to give to Chris and Zach, and then we'll tweak everything once that rough cut is done, and we'll add the additional pieces as it goes on. We'll tighten stuff and shorten things here and there to make it better, but right now I'm just trying to put this thing together to tell the story. We've got a good amount of coverage, but I'm constantly wishing we had "this shot" or "that shot" - seeing how this is the first film that I'm editing that I didn't direct, it's tough that certain things are missing, that I would have gotten as a director. I'm learning to appreacite editors more, and I'll ALWAYS appreciate those who edit my projects in the future. However, I'll also attempt to give them LOTS of coverage (WHERE is the shot of the roses hitting the ground?!?!?!?!?!?) I'm getting through it. It's an experience. Luckily, the performances so far are REALLY good. And I'm once again impressed with Jason. He REALLY delivered in this flick, and his tone and facial responses are amazing. I'll have to keep him in mind for a future project.

And the coolest thing, for me personally, is that I've REALLY hit my next film. I bought a Black Mead Notebook (I stole the idea from Eddie Vedder) and I've been writing and writing and writing my little heart out into this thing. The pages are just flowing, and I'm really coming up with some good characters and a fairly dramatic situation. As always, I've been pulling a lot of ideas and concepts out of my own head, and putting them into a fictional world. Allowing me to take lots of things I've learned and observed over the years and give them a fictional set of people to portray them. I think it's going to be a really good flick. And it's somewhat indie. I believe it still has a mainstream story, but I think I'm going to handle the flick in an indie way. We'll see how it goes. But, it is taking on a life of its own, and the characters and emotions are becoming very vivid in the notes. I plan to start writing it once I hit the east coast later this summer.