Could You Describe The Ruckus?

Writin' Like A Mofo

2011-02-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

Been a while since I've actually written much - anything - in this blog. Does anyone read these still? I dunno. But a quick update for the 2 or 3 people that might come across this, even if by accident.

I'm writing again. A lot. Maybe I was blocked, I don't know. I wanted to write, but I couldn't. Well, that's over. Here's what I'm working on:

The Accidents - This is the only screenplay I'm working on at the moment, and I think it's the ONE. I know, I know, I've said it before, but it really feels like it this time. Usually, I'll have a great start and get through Act 1 when the Act 2 blahs set in and my mind will wander elsewhere. Not this time, I'm approaching page 70 and going strong. Hopefully I'll finish it this week.

Westville - I started it as a screenplay (before the Act 2 blahs set in...see what I mean!) but it feels better now that I've started turning it into a novel. I did it with Surviving Edwards Avenue, another screenplay that I adapted into a novel last year.

Surviving Edwards Avenue - As far as I'm concerned, it's done, and in pretty good shape. I like it a lot. Been sending query letters out to agents to see if they bite. Now, just hoping for a bite.

Memoir - I've had a bunch of starts & stops with this one. Every time I think it's ready I start writing, and then I realize it's not ready.

Zombie, NJ - My horror-comedy novel. I wrote the screenplay in 2009, thought it was a cool, fun romp, so I decided to adapt it into a novel also. I've got the first few chapters done and like it so far. It's not high on the priority list of things to write/work on, but I return to it from time to time.

Hopefully, at least one of these will be finished soon.

The Kids Are All Right

2010-12-01T17:08:00.000-08:00

I read a recent article in Philadelphia Magazine (Dec.) that brought up some interesting points regarding the kids of today. Basically blamed Facebook, Twitter, Ipods, etc, for creating a generation of idiots. While I agree that there are kids (and adults) who are addicted to their Facebook, Droids or Iphones or whatever else might be cool by the time I finish this sentence, I also disagree with a lot that the writer said.

Mainly, kids ain't stupid.

First of all, don't blame them. We've armed them with these devices, and we all use them as much if not more than they do. While driving to work the other day I saw a Dad pushing his baby in a stroller, texting. Later, as I stood outside of my sons' school to pick him up, I noticed the five other parents/guardians/whoevers around me all staring at their phones, either texting, waiting for a text, or waiting for something amazing to happen. And yes, I did have my own phone in hand, which I immediately put away, felt a bit silly. Maybe a better subject for the article would've been PEOPLE are Getting Stupider.

So it's not all the kids. It's like that old anti-drug commercial where the kid is being grilled by his dad after dad finds his pot stash, and the kid shoots back "I learned it from watching you!"
The writer also worries that her child doesn't know the days of the week. My immediate reaction is that her kid is indeed, dumb. I couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic of not, but hell, there's songs about the damn days of the week that pretty much tell you the damn days of the week, it goes like this - Sunday, Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday Friday, Saturday...." so if her towhead doesn't know them yet, blame the damn school or the teachers. Or maybe the kid should take his head out of his own ass.

The main point that I do agree with the article is cyber bullying. It is easier to cut somebody down, especially if they're not face-to-face. But bullies will always be around, no matter if they're hiding under the bleachers or behind the keyboard. How do we stop it? I don't know that we can and that's scary as hell for the kids today. And as much anti-bullying speeches the teachers give, humans are humans, and there will always be a pile of assholes ready to bully the weak. That goes for adults, too, though, not just teens. For all us nice folks out in the world, there are way too many assbags.

The writer goes on to bring up a mom that was on Facebook, playing Farmville, and her child woke up crying, so the mom shook the kid to death. Blame Faceville all you want, that kid was a goner with or without it. This mom was akin to a ticking time bomb. Mom coulda been scrapbooking or doing laundry or driving or anything else and went off on the poor kid. Condoms or some other birth control should be mandatory until some parents pass some type of test or physical (of the mind - maybe a mental physical!). "Oh, you're actually crazy? Sorry dude, you still gotta bag it." Point is, don't blame some website - instead blame the person who should've put the kid up for adoption.

Today though, some of the technology is simply necessary. Personally, I like the fact that I can call my kid or he can get in touch with me if he needs to or there's some shit going down. I see some of these kids, scanning through their phones or IPads (like Tom Cruise in Minority Report), dumbfounded at the speed and dexterity they can do this. And these kids are stupid? Hell, they're light years ahead.

I think it comes down to adults pointing the finger and saying that kids are dumber than they were. It happened to them, and it happened to their parents, and so on. And the kids that are texting right now at a million characters a second will go on to say the next generation is dumb and don't know the days of the week. But Facebook and Blackberrys are an easy target.

Back in the 80s, we had our own distractions. Not as many, but we still got distracted plenty. Atari, then Nintendo, etc, we're the same. Sure there's more stuff nowadays, but it's not all that different. And the kids that are going to be idiots in 2011 would have been idiots in 1981 or 1951. Can't get around being stupid, the technology (or lack of) that you're wielding doesn't change that.

Notes From A (Non) High Concept Guy

2010-04-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

I'm not High Concept, and that's okay.

A few years ago, along with an agent I had at the time, I was supposed to write a high concept comedy. The agent was a pretty slick dude, more slick than I probably deserved, he even had an umlaut in his name, which I've always wanted, but he knew his shit and was ready to lob me into the Hollywood scene like a grenade. I had plenty of ideas/barely started screenplays to pick from, and he had his umlaut. We settled on The Stand-In, a high concept comedy.

It had a great hook, a damn good concept, most of which actually came from my brother-in-law from many years ago. Although the finished screenplay had some genuinely funny moments and a couple of great sequences, I couldn't make it work, and there were two reasons for that, methinks.

1. At the time, personally I wasn't doing well, lotta shit going on, going through and especially going down, so writing a romantic comedy probably wasn't the best plan, you know, at all, especially a high concept one.

2. I'm not a 3 joke per page kinda guy.

My then-agent realized this, at least reason #2 - I hadn't really informed him about #1 - so he dropped like I was hot. I was peeved at the time, but I moved on pretty quickly from him (shuffled back to my other agent, still with him today). And I was free of the high concept chain around my neck, so in the end, I felt a lot better.

Because at the end of the day, you have to love what you're writing. If not, you're wasting your time, as well as the time of some reader at a production company/studio who may eventually get his/her hands on your phoned-in script and toss it after 10 uninspired pages, if they even get to page 10.

So, I'm not a straight-up comedy guy. I think I've written some funny scripts, but it's tough to stick to the typical comedy format, for me at least. I usually end up with some type of comedy/drama hybrid that a Wes Anderson more than excels at. And maybe that's why I've only had Options in my screenwriting career but have never sold a screenplay, because I'm just not the high concept type.

I don't think that's a bad thing though, I just need to get one of these gems into the right hands, which is always our goal as screenwriters (obviously) anyway. But I hate even calling them comedy/dramas, to me they're just about real shit going on. Life ain't always The Hangover or Forgetting Sarah Marshall, hell, it hardly ever is. And I have yet to come across a hot tub time machine, but if I did, I'ma cannonball right up in that.

To me, life is Cricket Hill, a pretty edgy script I wrote in 2003 about a family at Christmas, dealing with a multitude of issues. Then there's Union, written in 2008, about a father finding out some pretty surprising things about his kids. Surviving Edwards Avenue (2004) is a story about divorce and how one family deals with it.

Those are some of my favorite scripts, a trilogy of family dysfunction at its best, and some of my most accomplished work. And throughout each of them is a bit of comedy, a bit of drama, and a bit of shit hitting the fan. Because, to me, that's real - heart-breaking, inspiring, life-changing. At one moment life is amazing and you're untouchable, and at the next moment the other shoe drops, and you knew it was gonna drop, but you just wished it had waited a little while more before it hit the floor. That's what I write.

And when I'm inspired, and on my game, comedy/drama hybrid label be damned, I think they're the best damn stories I can tell.

It's funny, too, the different type of scripts I write now as opposed to 5, 10 years ago. At first, I had more than a few screenplays about typical college-age dudes or guys in their late 20s searching for themselves, blah, blah, blah. Now, I cringe at those stories, but at the time, I was just writing what I knew. And now I know more (I hope anyway). Now I write about fathers and mothers and love and marriage and disappointment and things coming to an end, or things just beginning. Kisses that become routine, or kisses that amaze. Children and love and despair. Loose teeth and mortgages. Finding passion. White picket fences. Falling out of love. Soccer games. Careers. Making sure your family is okay, and if they're not, making damn sure they will be.

That's what I think about now, and I hope it translates into a decent script or two. I actually had just started a new script this very week. It's about a man at a crossroads. As always, I've had dozens upon dozens of ideas already started, but I can't go back to them now, this one felt right, it feels like it's ready, and when it's ready, it can almost write itself. It's called Square One.

Surviving Edwards Avenue - Fight Scene - Screenplay Vs. Novel

2010-04-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

First of all, excuse the wonky formatting. I'm sure there's a better way to post a screenplay & novel pages on here, but if there is, I certainly don't know it. So what I've posted here is the same scene that unfolds in both the screenplay version (written originally in '04) and the novel version (2010). Just a neat exercise. Enjoy!

SCREENPLAY Version 2004 (Pg. 87-89)

EXT. MOBILE HOME
Roger bangs on Brandi’s door. JIMMY, a local tough guy in his 30s, answers. Roger gets in a fighting stance.

ROGER
C’mon, let’s dance.

Jimmy hops down and nails him in the stomach. Roger falls to his knees.

ROGER(grunting)
I’m gonna kick your ass.

JIMMY
Whenever you’re ready, bitch!

Brandi comes to the door.

BRANDI
Oh, no. Roger go home.

Roger stands.

ROGER
I love you, Brandi.

Jimmy charges him and knocks him against the mobile home. It rocks slightly.

BRANDI
Guys! Watch it! You’ll knock the house over!

They fall to the ground and wrestle. Roger throws dirt in Jimmy’s face.

ROGER
Ha, fucknose!!!

Jimmy punches him in the mouth and Roger falls off.

BRANDI
I don’t love you, Roger!

Roger barely stands.

ROGER
Sure you do!

Jimmy puts him in a choke-hold. Roger gasps for air.

BRANDI
I don’t. What we had was kinda fun. But what me and Jimmy have is funner.

JIMMY(still choking Roger)
“More fun” baby.

BRANDI
Don’t correct me, Jimmy. You know I hate that!

Roger gets loose and swings at Jimmy. Misses. Jimmy easily pops Roger again on the cheek.

JIMMY
This is fun.

ROGER(holds cheek)
I’ll take care of you, Brandi. Just tell me what you want me to do!

Jimmy gets another punch ready.

BRANDI
Leave me alone and never come around here again. I will never love you, okay?

Jimmy lowers his fist.

JIMMY
Damn. That was more painful than I coulda done.

ROGER
What about the baby?

BRANDI
First of all, it ain’t yours. Second, I ain’t pregnant.

ROGER
You’re not?

BRANDI
No. Daddy said it was probably just gas.

JIMMY
She ain’t lyin.’ I never seen a chick with so much gas. Even when she sleepin!’(imitates fart)Brrrrmppptt!! There goes another one!

BRANDI
I took a test. It was negative.

ROGER
Gas.

JIMMY
Stanky ones, too. Damn! Somethin’ crawled up there and died, boy!

BRANDI
Now leave.

Roger takes in his surroundings and nods.

ROGER
Okay.(to Jimmy)Truce?

JIMMY
Yeah, man. Truce.

Roger nods. He walks by Jimmy and takes another swing. He misses. Jimmy nails him in the stomach and drills him with an upper-cut.

NOVEL Version (2010)

As Roger runs through the rows of mobile homes, he has no idea what he’ll say or do but figures making a plan at this point is useless and decides to make it up as he goes. One thought crosses his mind - what if she’s not home? But that thought soon passes when Roger remembers she hasn’t worked a day in her life and wasn’t likely to start now.

Roger bangs on Brandi’s door, out-of-breath. He tries to compose himself as the footsteps approach and smiles as the door opens. But Jimmy is standing there instead of Brandi, and of all the scenarios that Roger went through on his breath-reducing run through the trailer park, this wasn’t one of them.

Jimmy Durban is thirty-two years old and has been working at Al’s Stop & Gas on the edge of town for six years now. He’s got a neck full of tattoos, a shaved head and two lip piercings. He’s a pretty good looking guy under the paraphernalia and swagger, and he sings lead vocals in a local band called The Devastation that actually had a song on the radio last year. So he already had a head start over Roger, who didn’t have any piercings, tattoos, swagger or a song on the radio.

Roger isn’t sure what to do, so he gets in a fighting stance. He wants to say something bad ass, something tough, but when he starts to say “C’mon, let’s dance“ he doesn’t get all of it out because Jimmy has already punched him hard in the stomach and he falls to his knees. Not only does the punch hurt just about all of his internal organs, but it gives him the instant sensation that he has to take shit. Luckily no bowel movement occurs and the feeling passes, and he stands on his now-shaky feet. “I’m gonna kick your ass, Jimmy,” he is able to get out, and is surprised that he is able to get it out without vomiting.

Jimmy just laughs and readies another punch. “Whenever you’re ready, bitch!”

Brandi comes to the door, popping some gum, to see what the hell is going on. “Oh, no. Roger, go home.” Pop pop. She’s not really all that pissed, having a couple of dudes fighting over her gives her quite a thrill.

Roger smiles and stumbles toward her. “I love you, Brandi.”

Jimmy charges him and knocks him against the mobile home. It rocks slightly.

Brandi screams. Pop pop. “Guys! Watch it! You’ll knock the house over!”

They fall to the ground and wrestle. Roger grabs a handful of grass and dirt and throws dirt in Jimmy’s face. “Ha, fuckface!”

Jimmy punches him in the nose and Roger falls, seeing nothing but stars for a moment.

“I don’t love you, Roger!” Brandi belts out, and it slices through Roger almost as brutally as Jimmy‘s punch.

Roger rolls on the ground and finds his footing, and barely stands. “Sure you do!” he mumbles as blood from his broken nose fills his mouth.

Jimmy grabs him and puts him in a choke-hold. Roger can do nothing but stand there and have his heart broken yet again.

She sighs. “I don’t. What we had was kinda fun. But what me and Jimmy have is funner.”

Jimmy doesn‘t stop choking Roger but offers “’More fun, baby.”

“Don’t correct me, Jimmy! You know I hate that!”

Roger gets loose and swings at Jimmy. Misses by a lot. The pain in Roger’s stomach has spread to his chest, and the pain from his nose has enveloped his face. Jimmy easily pops Roger again on the cheek.

“This is fun!” hoots Jimmy.

Roger stops and lets himself bleed. “I’ll take care of you, Brandi. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

Jimmy gets another punch ready.

“Leave me alone and never come around here again. I will never love you, okay?”

Jimmy lowers his fist. “Damn. That was more painful than I coulda done.”

Roger takes a step toward her. “What about the baby?”

“First of all, it ain’t yours. Second, I ain’t pregnant.”

“You’re not?”

“No. Daddy said it was probably just gas.” Pop pop.

Jimmy laughs and slaps Roger on the back. “She ain’t lyin!’ I never seen a chick with so much gas. Even when she sleepin!’ Jimmy crudely imitates a fart. “Brrrrmppptt!! There goes another one!”

“I took a blood test. It was negative.” Brandi sits on the top step.

Roger sighs. “Gas.”

“Stanky ones, too“ Jimmy continues. “Damn! Somethin’ crawled up there and died, boy!”

“Now leave, Roger, please” she says.

Roger takes in his surroundings - the maze of trailers, Jimmy, Brandi, his throbbing face, the blood on his shirt and hands - and nods. “Okay.” He turns to Jimmy. “Truce?”

“Yeah, dude. Truce.”

Roger nods but decides to end things on a sucker punch. Why the hell not. Not much else to lose. As he walks by Jimmy he takes another swing but misses yet again. Jimmy nails him in the stomach again and drills him with an upper-cut.

Twenty minutes later, Roger is walking home, a beaten man in every possible sense. His ribs are killing him, and his face feels fat with pain. He’s about a block from his house when he stops walking and carefully sits on the side of the road, although he doesn’t quite make it to the curb. A car slows as it passes but keeps going. When the tears come, he’s not surprised, he’d just taken a lot of punches, but the pain he’s feeling is from within himself and has nothing to do with his bloody nose, bruised ribs or black eyes. He lost Brandi, simple as that, and for some reason he was having a hard time dealing with this one. He’d lost girls before, to broken stars and for other reasons not quite as celestial, but losing Brandi was ripping him apart. He cries hard, shaking, gagging and quivering, until he thinks it’s over, but it isn’t. His body isn’t done with him yet, and when the tears don’t stop he realizes it‘s just the beginning.

Adaptation

2010-03-27T20:40:00.001-07:00

I first wrote Surviving Edwards Avenue in 2004, as a companion to another script which almost won at Austin '03, called Cricket Hill. I liked Surviving Edwards Avenue, sent it out, it was a bit more edgy that Cricket Hill, but I had no luck with it. So away it went - until this January, when I decided to write a book. A novel. I had so many damn scripts written (55) that I said to myself, "Self, just adapt one of your screenplays."

And now, Surviving Edwards Avenue is almost complete, I'm at 40,000+ words now, working on the last chapters. It's funny, writing a book. For years I've been streamlining thoughts and stories, showing the actions instead of saying. And now, obviously, it's the oppposite.

And I love it.

I can really get inside the characters' heads, and tell the reader EXACTLY what they're thinking.

As I was writing the novel version, something was changing with the story. When I first wrote the screenplay 6 years ago, it was much more comedic, but as I write the novel version, it's less so. I find myself scaling back the humor, going in more for the drama of the situation (the plot is 3 kids dealing with their parents divorce). What seemed irreverant before now has taken a turn, but it feels right. And certain things that happened in the screenplay seem ridiculous now so I've had to do a bit of plot modification. Actually, if I ever did want to send out the screenplay again, I'd have to do some major tweaking & re-writing - and I only really discovered this when I started the book.

The plan is to finish it this week, let it digest a bit, then go through it and fix what needs fixin.' Not the usual way I'd suggest handling a re-write - writing a book first - but it's working this time, and I can't wait to finish it.

Creating Moments

2010-01-04T16:09:00.000-08:00

In my most recent script, Zombie, NJ, I tried to make a certain sequence really stand out. I tried to make it a moment to remember. I could have written it pretty easily, a quick scene that gets the characters from Point A to Point B.

But I wanted it to be memorable. Like one of those sequences that you'll remember as your favorite part, sequence or whatever. It's a scene in a crawlspace, the main characters (three 15 year olds) are hiding under the house as zombies rip apart the house above, searching for fresh meat. I tried as best I could to draw out the tension (the horror above them, their current dark & wet surroundings). On the page, I made it last about 2 pages, when it could have been easily half that. It's my favorite scene in the screenplay.

In the last year, we had some fine moments in theaters:

(500) Days Of Summer - You Make My Dreams sequence.

Up In The Air - The scene where they're firing the older employee via teleconference, and he's actually in the adjoining office.

The Hurt Locker - Many moments here, but one that sticks with me is the sniper scene - Bigelow really draws out the drama here. I think the scene was like 15 minutes long, ever wrending second was amazing.

Up - The opening montage.

There are certainly others, but you get my point. When I started writing I didn't pay as much attention to these things, was simply worried about dialogue, structure, story (things we obviously need to worry about!) but after the script reader/agent/assistant/Spielberg puts the script down, you want to give them another reason to pick up the phone.

Screenwriting 2009 - Fail

2010-01-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

Why? Because I only finished 1 script. Zombie, NJ. Don't get me wrong, I like the script, but there are SO many other ideas/scripts already started that I want to get into my Final Draft folder. I did finish a decent re-write of another (Goombah, formerly called Family Values).

And the contests/festivals/lost causes that I entered went nowhere - do they ever?

I had about 5-6 script requests that I sent out. Nada. I'm still waiting to hear about one of those, but it's been 3 months, so I'd call that a wash.

I'm looking at new places to list scripts. I've had stuff on Inktip & Movies-bytes for years. Where else is there to list? I've come across a few sites here and there but I dunno.

I did try to start a new script for 2010. Yes, I still have the 20+ other ideas in my head & hard drive, but I thought a new year should bring a new script. Maybe it'll be the one.

'09

2010-01-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

Best TV of 2009 - Breaking Bad; Modern Family; Glee; 30 Rock; The Office; Mad Men; Lost, Dexter; The United States Of Tara; The Middle; Big Love; True Blood; Men Of A Certain Age; Fringe, It's Always Sunny In Philly

Best Songs of 2009 - Youth Group - Friedrichstrasse; East Hundred - Plus Minus; Passion Pit - Moth's Wings; Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition; Jason Lytle - Yours Truly, the Commander; Kings Of Leon - Notion; The Dears - Money Babies; Julian Plenti - Unwind; One Day International - Not Over You; Matt & Kim - Daylight (for me, Daylight is my song of the year).

Best Albums - Passion Pit - Manners; Matt & Kim - Grand; Youth Group - The Night Is Ours, East Hundred - Passenger

Best Movies of '09 - The Hurt Locker - Up In The Air - (500) Days Of Summer - Fantastic Mr. Fox - Up - I Love You, Man - Where The Wild Things Are - District 9 - Star Trek - The Hangover - Away We Go.

You?

WTF - Why the Face?

2009-11-24T21:19:00.000-08:00

Ok, back.

So, what's up? Well......

I finished a script. Not a huge deal but it's my first completed script in a year after dozens of stops & starts. Anyways, it's called Zombie, NJ, and it's about, well, that. I like it, it's fun, goofy, topical, and has some pretty cool sequences. My first real popcorn script you could say.

I started to tweet. Sorry for the lack of tweets, I'll try to be a better tweeter. http://twitter.com/PatRodio

Here is another Twitter page I follow - http://twitter.com/KipKoopa

I'm on Facebook still, and have uploaded gallons of pix from the past movie productions I shot a few years ago. It's fun to look back, but I do miss shooting stuff.

Movies I've seen of late - Where The Wild Things Are - A Beauty. Wow.

Planet 51 - Cute, has some stuff for the adults, but a decent kid flick.

Want to see: Men Who Stare At Goats, Up In The Air, Lovely Bones, Greenburg (Noah Baumbach's next film) and Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Good TV - Modern Family. Glee. Bored To Death. Sunny/Philly.

Listening to: The Dears. Julian Plenti. Jason Lytle. MGMT. Passion Pit.

2009 Summer Movies

2009-08-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

Haven't seen Food Inc, 500 Days Of Summer, The Cove or District 9 yet, so they could make a best-of list, but for now......

The Best........

The Hurt Locker - Stunning, tense. With top of the line performances from Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie; awesome, taut direction from Kathryn Bigelow; and a bad-ass script.

Up - Beautiful. Bittersweet. Devastating. Inspiring.

The Hangover - Simply put, funny as Hells.

Star Trek - Fun, exciting - what the new Star Wars trilogy should have been. Wish George Lucas had JJ Abrahms direct the new trilogy.

The Not-So-Best......

Ice Age 3 - Pretty harmless, but pointless stuff.

GI Joe - Actually had some fun sequences, and there's a great movie to be had here, somewhere. But Tatum as Duke? Duke's not a mumbler.

Funny People - I liked the look inside of comedians lives (though we've already seen it before), and it had some funny moments, but overall, it was hard to get into. Sandler was almost impossible to like/root for, and he did a great job actually with the role, but still, he was just too much of a prick.

Night At The Museum 2 - Eh, it was okay. Again, kinda pointless story-wise, but had some good moments here and there.

Could You Describe The Ruckus?

2009-08-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

When I heard of John Hughes' passing yesterday, it really hit me. And when you sit back and think about how his writing has shaped us, our movies, everything, it sorta blows your mind.

What I always liked about his work was he was writing for us. And he knew us. He felt like he was one of us.

Just think about the movies he's written (and some he directed)...Mr. Mom, National Lampoon's Vacation, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Planes Trains & Automobiles, She's Having A Baby, Weird Science, Pretty In Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Some Kind Of Wonderful, The Great Outdoors, Uncle Buck, Home Alone, National Lampoon's European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, Curly Sue, Career Opportunities, etc.

"That's why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they'd call them something else." Sixteen Candles

For obvious reasons (and the name of this blog/current post) one of my faves is The Breakfast Club. It's an almost perfect film for me. The characters are priceless, and the writing is spot on. Terrific pacing, too.

It starts out as fun, a bit of a romp, but then quickly becomes something else - something meaningful.

Something about life.

It's how teens think, act. What they do. The shit they have to deal with. Popularity. Violence. Geekdom. Pressure. Love. Hate.

And you can see how he loved these characters. Because he gave them hearts. He gave all of his characters heart. I mean, who hasn't thought about life, what they're going to be, how are they going to get out of the funk they're in, etc.

Even Ferris Bueller, with all it's fun and attitude (and dance scenes), we think about what's ahead, and what we're leaving behind.

And then he grew up, and gave us Planes Traines & Automobiles, She's Having A Baby, some of his most accomplished works, in my opinion.

In Planes, he pulls a similar switcharoo. We start with Steve Martin dealing with the New Buddy From Hell, and how that evolves into a true friendship. And heartbreak, too, when we discover John Candy's character is basically homeless, mourning the loss of his beloved wife. That's heavy stuff for a comedy.

She's Having A Baby. The pressure, the panic, of fatherhood. Did I do the right thing? What am I doing? I'm going to be a father! But when it comes down to it, when his wife and baby are in distress, life slaps Kevin Bacon in the face - nothing else matters but them - and he wakes up, ready for fatherhood, to be a better husband. Funny? Maybe not, but real? Yup.

Even though his career seemed to be winding down (he wrote numerous screenplays under an alias - the Beethoven movies, a few Home Alone direct-to-Tv sequels), his resume is painfully impressive, and who knows what he still may have had up his sleeve.

Dear Mr. Vernon: We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it is we did wrong, but we think you're crazy for making us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Does that answer your question?

Sincerely yours,

The Breakfast Club.

Throwing $50 out the window

2009-06-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write this on June 8th, but, well, I didn't. But I wanted to share.

6/8 was the deadline for Austin. And I just HAD to send something. I had a few choices I was thinking about sending a month prior, but life sped up to the weekend prior to the late deadline and there I was, with nothing sent yet. So I decided to send The Stand-In.

So I went to print it on Friday night, thinking I can mail it Saturday the 6th. But I discovered I was out of ink.

Fuck.

So, after work on Saturday I buy ink. Head home, print the mofo out. But I don't have 3 hole punch paper (I swore I did), and can't find my 3-hole puncher. Post office is closed anway so I gotta wait 'til Monday.

Monday the 8th.

6:30am. Rise. Make breakfast for my kids.

7:00am. Get spatula, scrape kids out of bed.

8:15am. Drop the kids off at school, head to work, take script and entry materials with me.

9:00am. Start working. No time to mail script yet.

12:00. First inspection (I'm a home inspector) runs long. I know my office has a 3 hole punch so I run over there, 3-hole punch The Stand In, then realize I still need card stock covers. But I'm running late and head straight to 2nd inspection.

NOTE: It's at this point of my day that I wish Austin joined the 00's and accepted e-mail submissions.

4:00pm. Inspection ends. Hit Staples to grab card stock. Attach card stock, head to Post Office.

4:53pm. While in line at Post Office I make the mistake at glancing at the script (don't do this). I see two things that I would immediately want to change. Not typos, but poor wording.

On the 1st page.

No time for corrections, I mailed it off.

Hectic day aside, my thoughts spin around me. Did I pick the right script? I thought it was a good comedy, but good enough to place? I just don't know. I got my notice from BlueCat regarding the quarterfinals (didn't make it). I wasn't even in the top 987,645,464 quarter-finalists. And what did I send? The Stand-In.

So, Austin looks bleak. Enjoy the $50 bucks, Austin. Buy yourself something pretty.

Where Are We?

2009-06-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

Hello? Fellow bloggers? Where the hell did we go? Are we over the blogging thing? I dunno. I mean, I have time to post, I just don't do it. And it seems like a lot of other bloggers/writers have stopped as well. Not all, of course, but there's been a noticeable drop off.

Are we busy writing? Working the day job? Raising a family? Farting around? Farting?

Writing's been hard to get going. I still have several scripts started and am working on them as I much as I can, I've listed their titles here before. I'll mail out The Stand-In to Austin on Monday, and am waiting on the Bluecat Results (quarterfinals announced soon).

Peace out.

BlueCat Feedback - The Stand-In

2009-04-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, gang, here's the feedback from Bluecat, for my comedy, The Stand-In. My logline is:

Pete, an anti-social loser, hires a male model, Simon, to attend his high school reunion cruise as Pete to "wow" his former classmates. But when Simon falls for Kara, Pete's high school crush, Pete takes matters into his own hands and battles the model for her heart.

The feedback.....

What did you like about this script?

Pete's initial humiliation-by-wedgie is an amusing scene. Pete clearlyseems destined for a life of humiliation and sexual failure; youeffectively set him up as a protagonist who needs to transform himself and his life.

When we jump forward chronologically, you swiftly establish that Pete is still a put-upon individual: his good nature is exploited by his colleagues, who pile their work upon him. His dress sense may have improved (slightly), but he seems no closer to romantic success. Will the impending school reunion enable Pete to correct wrong turns that he's previously taken, or will it just be a reminder of his sexual and social failure as a teenager, a pattern that heappears to be stuck in?

You quickly establish Simon as a rather vacuous, self-absorbed hunk.The scenes in which he feigns concern for the starving Africans before switching to diva-esque behavior between takes are amusing (if a little obvious). The impending reunion sets the main plot in motion:Pete hires Simon to impersonate him, creating the impression that he'ssucceeded in life. It's a premise that has comic potential. We already anticipate that things won't go quite according to plan; is Pete's aspiration (to impress everyone with "his" (Simon's) good looks and material success) a false goal? Perhaps accepting himself and being unashamed will prove to be his true goal.

You derive some farcical energy from the scenes on the boat. You quickly show Pete's plan coming unravelled: Simon wants Kara for himself, while Pete discovers that Kara actually had a crush on theold, socially-maladjusted him; he'd have been better off appearingunder his own guise rather than that of the fictitious "Chuck". Of course, Kara hates liars, so he feels compelled not to come forward immediately (a narrative contrivance that is just about convincing).

You tighten the screws on Pete as Simon appears to be successfully winning Kara's heart. How will he undo the confusion he's caused? Can he hope to win Kara away from Simon? Will the (unavoidable) revelation of his true identity anger Kara when it finally arrives?

You bring Pete to an appropriate end point, as he discovers some home truths: that he should have confidence in himself as he is, that the bullies who tormented him were fallible people with insecurities of their own, and that being himself is the route to success with Kara (well, that and a good makeover). Having a fitting end point for your protagonist is a good attribute in a script; so long as you're aware of the "lesson" your protagonist needs to learn, the false goal they're aiming for and the true goal they need to recognize, you havea strong "core" to the script. If things go a little awry in the second act (and they do, somewhat), it's just a matter of remedying this. The spine of the script remains strong.

What do you think needs work?

It's problematic to specify too many songs in the script; you may not be able to secure the rights to use them. It's best to refer to generic types of song if it's absolutely necessary (in the karaoke scene, for instance), rather than being specific. The karaoke sequence itself is overlong; it should only take one song to establish that Pete's unabashed taste for cheesy music endears him to Kara.

Why is Simon so determined to seduce Kara? He's an odiously self-absorbed and cocksure character, obviously, but he has a vested interest in keeping Morty (and, by extension, Pete) happy. It should be easy for Pete to persuade Simon to follow orders and make him lookgood without threatening his relationship with Kara. You need to establish convincingly why Simon goes "rogue" and pursues his own agenda at the risk of angering Morty (who holds the keys to his career in his hands, of course). The mechanics of the plot need a little attention here.

Some of the contests between Simon and Pete (the relay race and the rock-climbing contest) seem a little unnecessary. The second act feels slightly dramatically flaccid. Once we know that Pete has a circle of friends who are prepared to help him defeat Simon, we never feel that Simon is a serious threat to Pete's happiness. Write to increase the possibility that Kara will fall for Simon; make him more of a real romantic threat. Deepen Kara as a character; she feels slightly one-dimensional, a "prize" for Pete to win rather than a distinctive personality in her own right.

Best of 2008

2009-03-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm way late on this but haven't updated in a while. Working on a few scripts and have finally settled on one, a comedy called Born Again Christian. Act 1 is done and I'm onto Act 2.

So here's my "Bests" lists of 2008, music & film. Music-wise is not an order, there were several important albums to me, hard to pick a best.

The Airborne Toxic Event - An amazing debut, and every song on this album is terrific. And the album-ender, Innocence, might just be one of the best songs I've heard in years. If I picked a number 1 this would be it.

Keane - Their 3rd album, Spiraling. A little more energetic than their 1st two, just about everysong on here is solid. And like Airborne Toxic, it has an amazing closer - Love Is The End.

James - Hey Ma - Great, great, great from start to finish. Waterfall is a stand out.

The Killers - Day & Age - This grew on me, and now it's almost always on. The songs A Dustland Fairytale & Spaceman are simply wonderful. Wow.
Coldplay - Viva La Vida & Prospekt's March - Both the album & EP brought us some amazing songs. Lovers In Japan, Life In Technicolor (1 & 2), Lost, Strawberry Swing....

Radiohead - In Rainbows - Not their best album, for me that's The Bends, but it had some amazing moments, none better than Videotape.

Weezer - Not incredible but solid. It has two wonderful songs, The Angel & The One as well as The Greatest Man That Ever Lived.

Sigur Ros - No, I don't know what the singer is singing, but the music is powerful and inspiring.

Charlatans UK - You Cross My Path - Welcome back, guys. A solid return to form.

MGMT - Time To Pretend - This is a grand album, with songs that sneak up on you. And just try NOT to dance to the song, Time to Pretend.

Youth Group - The Night Is Ours - they've still never topped their amazing debut but this is still a fine album. A fave is Dying At Your Own Party.

Best Flicks -

1. Let The Right One In - The direction. Cinematography. Acting. The snow. The blood. And the pool scene. Whoa. Currently being re-made by us silly Americans, which is a shame.

2. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist - Beyond a fun, cool soundtrack is the smart script, directing and wonderful acting. It feels like you're there, because you'd had this kind of night. The night that nothing yet everything happens, and the night you'll never forget.

3. In Bruges - Stellar. A dark, pitch black comedy. Ralph Fiennes, Colin Farrell and ....are at the top of their game, with a cool biting script.

4. Milk - Fantastic.

5. The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke & Evan Rachel Wood sitting by the ocean. That's truth.

6. The Dark Knight - Yup, Ledger is amazing, and even if he hadn't died tragically, he still should have won that Oscar. But more than that, this is a great film.

7. Role Models -It could have been a dumb, thoughtless romp. It wasn't.

8. Wall-E - A beauty.

9. Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Same as with Role Models. Coulda be a waste but it really rocked.

10. Burn After Reading - not the Coens' best, but it's tight, smart and fun/fucked up.

Coulda been good but was really just Ok......Benjamin Button - Yeah, it was pretty much EXACTLY like Forrest Gump, plot-point for plot-point. Characters, too. Same writer as well. And dialogue that mirrored each other. ("My name is Forrest. Forrest Gump"...."My name is Benjamin. Benjamin Button")...BUT it still told an interesting story.

My main problem was it was too cold. Some critics applauded because Fincher left out some of the shmaltz. Well, having a heart and pouring on the shmaltz are 2 different things. The movie lacked a heart.

BACK

2008-12-27T21:12:00.001-08:00

It's been a weird fucking year. 2008. It can go, can't wait 'til it does.

I thought 2007 was a weird one.

I wish I had 2007 back.

It's also hard to believe that 2008 is already over. I have these mini-flashbacks of events that happened this year that seemed like they JUST happened.

Bascially, life is moving r e a l l y fast. We all know this, of course, but it's amazing how fast it does go when you think about crap like that.

Scripts:

I was trying to get my horror script done but my head/heart/guts just aren't into it.

I had 3 script requests before the holidays - The Money Shot, The Stand-In, and A Couple Of Joes. Sent them out, hope to hear something in January. Fingers crossed.

Bloom/Separation Of Nate - Haven't gotten much done on it lately but an adjustment here, a tweak there.

Westville - Still love this one, and I think it'll be the one I finish next. I've got Act 1 done and I'm happy with it, and I'm well into Act 2. It's a fun script, has elements of Diner & American Graffitti.

Titan - This was my high school drama. Not about a shooting (although it touches on one) but focuses on one kid who is pretty much left behind, bullied, etc, and how his life falls apart. I think a story like this will always be topical - maybe too much so - I'd hate to rip off some story of some poor kid from a current headline.

And I've got about 5-6 others that I look at every now & then, itching to click on the file and getting back to them.

Movies:

Saw some stuff here & there.....

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist - Loved this. A sweet movie, great performances, and a killer soundtrack.

Burn After Reading - Smart & fun as hell.

Milk - Really well done. Sean Penn was superb, and Gus Van Sant really poured his heart into this.

Let The Right One In - A stunner.

Role Models - Funniest movie of the year of good, funny movies. Also loved Tropic Thunder, but Role Models is better. Jane Lynch is great in support - will someone give this lady an award already?!

The Day The Earth Stood Still - Not horrible.

Changeling - Interesting story. Had the pace of a dead tortoise but was a decent film, just something I'd never really watch again.

Can't wait to see: The Wrestler, Benjamin Button

Happy holidays.

GO!

2008-10-29T20:31:00.001-07:00

All Over The Place

2008-10-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

Usually, I've got a few scripts open and sorta pop back and forth between them, depending on my mood that day.

Now I'm a mess.

I've narrowed my screenplays down to 2 (that I want to work on). No, wait. 3. Krikey.

One is Bloom (tentative title, we discussed this a few posts ago, and thanks for the input). The other is Temp'd, which is my little crime comedy of sorts. The other is Westville, about love, friendship and odometers.

And now, my books.

Yeah, books.

One is a memoir. Yeah, everybody's got one. Well, so do I, dammit. The other 2 are adaptations of screenplays. Cricket Hill (2nd place comedy at Austin in 2003 - For those of you down there this year, good luck and have fun). The other is Brightsword, which is a fantasy comedy.

I decided to work backwards on these (as opposed to adapting a novel) because:

A. I had bad writer's blockage.
B. Cricket Hill is a hard sell as a feature-script, and is better suited as a TV series (tried that 3 years ago until the company that optioned it went belly-up), or a novel.

But its too much to work on all at once, too much to think about. I know I have to focus on one (ok, maybe 2) so I can stop fartin' 'round and get at least one of these completed soon.

Cool Poster Time

2008-10-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

More Union Feedback - Writers On The Storm

2008-10-08T21:47:00.000-07:00

I entered my script, Union, into Writers On The Storm and didn't get far. Ok, I got nowhere. They did provide feedback. Here it goes..........

Recommendation: Pass

Strengths/Weaknesses:

There are a lot of fun moments in this script, and a great family dynamic, but the story doesn't quite come together as it should. Characters are so quirky that they have a tendency to feel like caricatures instead of fleshed out people. The pacing of the story drags as a result of the flashbacks and changes in perspective. A good start, but a ways to go.

Reader suggestions:

One of the major concerns of the script is that we're never quite sure who the protagonist is, Hoyt or Barnaby. Barnaby's narrator status makes us lean toward him - the audience is seeing the story from his perspective.

However, the majority of the story centers on Hoyt. This slows the story down. Strengthen pacing by giving the script a stronger conflict, and making sure it sticks to a classic three-act structure, which works well with comedies. Consider eliminating some or all of the flashbacks - we don't need them to understand the family, and they interrupt the narrative.

Work on fleshing out the whole family - give them more flaws, more motivated personality, and more active goals throughout the script.

***At the end of the notes they gave it some scores, it boiled down to Structure, Major & Minor Characters, Title, Premise & Execution being labeled as SO-SO and Dialogue, Style/Voice, Originality, and Commerciality labeled as GOOD.

"So-So." That's a funny critique. They should have a "Neat" or "It was aiight" or "Kinda sucked."

Oh well, onto the next contest/script/query/who knows.

James - Sometimes

2008-09-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-j3F6uoHpc

I Sing Myself To Sleep........

2008-09-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

The last time I saw James was 1992. Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA. They were opening for Squeeze, and I got to meet them afterwards as they were hanging out, looking for a cool place to go (we had no interest in Squeeze). Nothing like a little chit-chat with a band you admire. A similar thing happened last week at the Trocadero in Philly.

I got the the concert as the opening band, Unkle Bob, was playing. Good stuff actually, I had no expectations. Never heard of them. Anyhoo, they played and were gone, and soon James began. For those of you who don't know them, their big hit was LAID from many moons ago (it's in most teen movie previews). And yes, I named my teen movie Laid. Ok, anyway...

James played, and they were astonishing. They played all their gems. Sit Down. Sometimes. Born Of Frustration. Seven. Ring the Bells. Say Something........

I love it when a band breaks out a trumpet and violin, then invites the audience to sing the chorus of their tunes. On Sometimes, we all sang the ending chorus for about 5 minutes as the band just watched, smiling. Good stuff.

After the show I decided to check out the overpriced t-shirt section. I asked a dude how much the shirts were. $30 per t-shirt. Man, I used to balk at $20. But he mentioned that Unkle Bob shirts were only $20, and I told him I only had $15 (I truly did). He said they'd accept that. I figured they were an upstart band, and selling merch is a good way for them to make some cash so I gave him my last $15. And it turns out he was the lead singer of the band, out selling t-shirts.

We chatted for a few minutes, mostly small talk, he told me to find them on myspace & facebook.

Now, I understand they're not well known (they did apparently have a song on Grey's Anatomy last year) but sometimes you just can't beat seeing bands in a small venue, rubbing elbows with a possible future rock God.

"Sometimes.....I look in your eyes and see your soul."
James, Sometimes.

New Script Title

2008-08-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Yo. Been a weird Summer, I'll leave it at that.

I'm awaiting word on two screenplay competitions - Austin, which should hopefully announce 2nd rounders/semi finalists soon (this week?) and Writers On The Storm (9/15 - quarter-finalists). Once again, fingers crossed.

By the way, my new profile pic was taken by me in Serbia back in 2000, in a small village outside of Belgrade. He's a neat kid, and there were a bunch of other amazing kids that had gathered around to see the dorky American with his dorky camera. Got some great shots.

So I've been tinkering with a script or two. Kinda settled (but not really - focus, Pat! Focus!) on two - Westville and another that I'll need your help on:

It's about a 30ish year old guy, married with kids. But his wife is leaving him, and his life is unraveling. It's a drama but with some comedic touches.

His name in the script is Nate Bloom. Two titles I'm kicking aroung are: Bloom & The Separation Of Nate.

Which do you guys prefer?

Unless round's funny

2008-08-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

Got a few scripts I've been kicking around over the last few months, and as usual, will be starting a new one before the other ones are finished...or even halfway done.

Bluecat Union update - No go for the Semi-finals. Ah, phoey. Guess I'll just have to win at Austin (2nd rounders to be announced at the end of the month - fingers crossed).

Taking a look at some screenplays I started but never finished for a variety of reasons, such as America Inc, Westville, and The Wonderful World Of Wonderworld. All comedies, cause that's my thang.

I started a new screenplay about a month ago that was supposed to be a drama, but couldn't help throwing some comedy at it. Life's funny, what the hell can I do?! That one is called The Separation of Nate. Have an outline for one called Funeral also. So, I may be telling y'all about any number of these soon (hopefully I'll be saying something along the lines of "I finally finished...." or I'll be saying how I just started 6 more new scripts. Who knows. Writers write, so as long as I'm working on something, even with a lack of focus, at least I be writin.'

Still stuck on the new Coldplay, James and Weezer albums, and will be attending the All Points West shebang at Liberty State Park on August 9th with Radiohead headlining. Should be pretty amazing.

'Book Me

2008-07-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

So I signed up for Facebook recently. I like it, it's a neat alternative to myspace, and it feels cooler and less dirty/nasty/filthy than myspace.

Anyway, just get on their if y'alls got a facebook page and look me up!

Saw Stepbrothers. Funny stuff. not amazing, and more of Will Ferrell/Man Child antics, but it's still funny shite.

Going to see The Knight That Is Dark on Sunday.

BlueCat Feedback - UNION

2008-07-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here is my feedback from The BlueCat Screenplay Competition for my script, Union (currently a quarter-finalist). Fingers crossed that it advances. Here goes.......

What I liked?

What worked in this screenplay was a well written, good natured family/holiday comedy, with a good central plot arc, compelling characters, and a significant theme.

Some of the best of this screenplay were a number of very funny moments throughout the screenplay. Some examples are as follows. Page 45 and 46, very funny, “I’m pregnant”, followed by “I’m a lesbian”. The timing used here was also on point, and showed a sophisticated understanding of comic elements. Pages 81 and 82 were also very funny with the disastrous hunting trip. The scene on page 92, with the mayor on down, confessing their gay experiences in public, was also very entertaining.

The screenplay featured good emotional movement throughout. This was definitely a story with a strong moral center, specifically focused around values of family and acceptance. These thematic elements were a major driving force behind the central plot and character arcs.

Structurally the screenplay was successful in several ways. Scenes turned well with good beats of conflict. Act climaxes weren’t that pronounced, but there were major turning points and reversals placed in strategic locations, roughly based within a three act structure. The main character arcs, Barnaby and Hoyt’s in particular, worked very well in congress with the story’s central plot arc. Further more, from early on starting at the inciting incident, it occurred to me that the success of the screenplay would depend on two things, character dynamics and an increasingly complicated and tenuous set of progressive complications, and second act obstacles. I’ll get to the characters in a minute, but as far as the progressive complications were concerned, you delivered, and kept the screenplay engaging and entertaining.

There were a number of really likeable characters in the screenplay. You easily cultivated an audience investment in all of the family’s collective success, and specifically in Barnaby and Hoyt obtaining their objects of desire. With Barnaby it was about finding himself. With Hoyt it was about making peace with his family, his town, and his self. Both Barnaby and Hoyt had great emotional movement and turning points. Hoyt in particularly was a very dynamic and entertaining character. Though Barnaby, narrated the story and was technically the protagonist, in a way Hoyt’s desire to sort out his family was the spine of the screenplay, more so than Barnaby’s personal character arc, as it would seem. In this screenplay Barnaby’s own character arc, in all actuality, takes a back seat to the collective character arcs of the family members.

What needs work?

A big problem here is genre. Since this is a family/holiday comedy, with an adolescent protagonist, most of your audience is going to be either young adults or entire families. Your audience is young adults, while the content is very adult. The situations are often too thematically sophisticated for your demographic, and the humor is usually too edgy.

You’ve written a very good adult comedy in a family genre. A great example of where this is a problem is on page 68, the sex scene between Liz and Hoyt. This scene is very graphic and has very explicit conversation and content. This scene alone would guarantee you an R rating. Forget that you lose most of your audience demographic right there; no audience wants to see this scene. No one wants to see or think about their own parents having sex, and they certainly don’t want to see Barnaby’s. As a general rule, parents having sexual intercourse should be left out of any cinema altogether. There’s also a ton of cursing in this screenplay. Some of it could be cut without affecting the story, or the humor. Some of the bad language seems to derive solely from Barnaby’s narration, and that I think it would behoove you to tone it down.

The ending is a little sappy, and emotionally contrived. I liked the fact that Hoyt becomes friends with Pissbottom, but from the way in which it occurs, there isn’t any strong motivation or catalyst behind the change. Suddenly Pissbottom just breaks down and admits to Hoyt the reason for his animosity. This is fine, but maybe there can be something stronger which drives this change in Pissbottom.

We'll Survive - The 7 Song Meme

2008-07-06T20:12:00.001-07:00

Okay, Crymes hath tagged me with the 7 song Meme (What I'm litening to right now). This is pretty much it, in no order:

1. Weezer -The Greatest Man That Ever Lived. A fun, jokey song, but also one that you can listen to and decide that you're gonna kick some ass.

2. Weezer - The Angel & The One. This speaks to me. Truly. Usually a tongue-in-cheek band, they drop a few serious ditties once in awhile. The lyrics:

It's not my destiny to be the one that you will lay with
So many reasons why I have to go but want to stay here
Sometimes I want a taste, but then I don't know what I'm saying
You are the angel and I am the one that is praying

There is another love that I would rather be obeying
I see the ecstasy, and already I'm anticipating
I feel a deeper peace, and that deeper peace is penetrating
I've got the magic in me, I am complete is what I'm saying

I'm flying up so high, my purple majesty displaying
I've reached a higher place that no one else can make a claim in

I'll take you there my friend, I'm reaching out my hand, so take it!

We are the angels and we are the ones that are praying
Peace, shalom
Peace, shalom
Peace, peace

3. Maps - Don't Fear - Simple song really, with only 5 lines and it's 6 minutes long. The lyrics are:

Don't fear
The sun
Feel like someone
Somehow, somehow
C'mon

4 & 5. Coldplay - Lovers In Japan & Strawberry Swing - My 2 faves off of their new album, and album full of great songs, but these stand out to me. Just wonderful, wonderful stuff here.

"....One day, the sun will come out...." Lovers In Japan

6 & 7. James - Great band from the UK. They sang the classics Sit Down and their biggest hit, Laid, among other gems. They've got a new album (Hey Ma) with some great stuff, most notably Boom Boom, just a bittersweet, precious song (it ends in a flourish of strings, the icing on the cake) as well as Of Monsters & Heroes & Men - Sample lyric, the end of the song:

Rambling poets
Manic with vision
We are the drivers yet we feel driven
Moths in the moonlight
Fooled by a flashlight
Caught in a jam jar
Gasping for air

Either way. I’m in awe of you.
Either way. We’ll survive. We’ll survive.

I shall now tag Aaron & Moviequill.

Cue theme from The Natural - Updated

2008-07-02T03:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, I had to update this post - I forgot some inportant info such as the title of what the hell I'm talking about!

I'm a quarter-finalist for the BlueCat Screenplay competition! Yeeeaaaahhh bboooooooooiiiiiyyyyy!

My script is called UNION, and is a family comedy. I also sent Union to Austin & Writers on the Storm.

Ok, it's just a quarter-finalist, and there's about 100,000 others with me (I think a bazillion people entered this year) but it's been a shite year thus far so give me a frakkin' break. A guy's gotta celebrate.

I'll post the feedback when I get it, as I've done in the past. C'mon, gimme some love! Pat needs some love!

Pat Rodio Park!!! NICE!!

2008-06-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

WOW! Somewhere in Fairfax, VA, there is a park called Pat Rodio Park. It's apparently also known as Keith Avenue Park, but screw Keith. What the hell has he ever done?

Check it out here --- http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMJJM

Now, while the park looks cool and all, I really wish they would have consulted me on this before they built the joint. It's my legacy, after all. It looks fun enough, but I hope somewhere out of the picture's view is a tall slide, a see saw, maybe some kind of sand box, and (obviously) a merry-go-round - a vomit-inducing nightmare that many park-builders seem to have forgotten.

Stuff

2008-06-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, starting to write again. We'll see how it goes.

Sent out UNION to some competitions/fests - Bluecat, Austin, and Writers on the Storm. I'll keep anyone who gives a poop updated, and post any feedback (from Bluecat & Writers).

Touching up an old script that was requested off of movie-bytes.com called Dritwood. Basically a road crime comedy that takes place across NJ. I shot a trailer for it in 1998 on Super 16mm. I'll post it if I can.

Going to start a new script soon. I've got plenty of other ones already started but this one is important. Cathartic, perhaps. Been a real shit year, so we'll see how this one goes.

As for my box office guesses so far it's been hit & miss.

Iron Man - I said 330 million and it's at 297+ million. Might not hit 330 but might hang around to get close.

Indy - I said 290 million. It's at 276 and stills trong so it should pass 300.

Kung Fu Panda - I had at 140 and it's at 117 and strong as hell. Likely to get over 200 but Wall-E will knock it down this week.

My 2 that were WAAAAYY off were Sex and the Shitty (I had at 40 million, oops) and Speed Racer (I had at 180-190 - double Oops.)

Music-wise I'm listening to Editors, Interpol and the new albums from Weezer (not all great, but some stellar tunes) & Coldplay (so far it's amazing).

Late!

Almost there........

2008-06-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

Trying to get back. Difficult. Zero inspiration. Actually, negative inspiration nowadays. Lots of shizzle going on. None of it good. Just some personal, life-altering stuff to clean up.

As for writing, I may have fixed a typo here & there but that's about it. My managers read The Stand In, and dropped me. Thanks, guys! Upside is I was with a new agent by the end of the week, so not all is lost.

Anyhoo, as for movies, saw Kung Fu Panda which was a fun romp. Indy was ok, better than most popcorn movies nowadays but it was just really forced. Speed Racer was Speed Racer, won't change the world but it wasn't what I would call bad.

So once I sort of the personal life I'll try to get back on the writing horse.

Summer B.O.

2008-04-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

Here are my guesses for the Summer Box Office. Feel free to chime in.

Hancock - 340 million

Iron Man - 330 million

Sex and the City - Sigh. 40 million.

Dark Knight - 320 million

Speed Racer - 180-190 million. It doesn't look bad in my eyes (or in my son's eyes, he can't wait). It looks like campy fun. They embraced the orignal source, and I think that was wise. It's all over the place where it matters (Nick, Cartoon Network, online, in cereal boxes, and the toys have been out for weeks).

Indy - 290 million.

Wall-E - Number 5 is alive again! Yes, it looks like that goofy robot from the Short Circuit epics, but the damn thing is adorable and there looks to be some pretty special visuals here. Plus, you know, Pixar. 260 million.

Narnia - 300 million

Incredible Hulk - Eh, I just don't see this killing at the box office. 70-80 million.

Love Guru - Mike Myers is back. If it's funny, I'll say 175 million.

The Mummy - 90 million. I don't think people will care after Indy.

Tropic Thunder - 150 million.

Kung Fu Panda - 140 million

Get Smart - Opens against Love Guru. Doubt both comedies can make it. 60-70 million.

Wanted - Looks fine and all, but nothing new. Let's call it 90 million.

The Happening - I liked the Green Effect better as a title, but this looks creepy as hell, and I think it'll be a nice surprise. 240 million

Pineapple Express - 120 million - Will probably open big but drop fast. Doubt it will have Knocked Up legs. In the end, as hilarious as this looks, it's about potheads on the run, and pothead movies aren't usually blockbusters.

X-Files - 90-100 million.

If they're good, Meet Dave (Eddie Murphy comedy), Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D & Step Brothers might make some noise.

Being Productive

2008-04-20T18:41:00.000-07:00

Trying to get productive again. I've been writing plenty - I'm waiting for my managers to discuss The Stand-In and see if they have notes for me (they will - they're big note-givers, but they know what the hell they speak of so I should listen). In the meantine I've been touching up an old script that I still think could do well nowadays.

I'm also in the process of getting some of my old work up on youtube. Some of the projects I'm pleased with (considering our no-budgets) and some, well, not so much. They don't age well, would be the nice way to put it. If anything, by watching them, you can learn what NOT to do.

But that's what I'm talking about. Production. I have some short ideas that we might put into production this year. One is a portion of a feature-script that could be condensed into a 15 minute short. Perfect for a weekend or 2 shoot. I've also been talking to a cool band from Philly (they lent us a song for my feature, West River Drive, back in 2002) called Patrickshead and may shoot a video for them.

Have no plans for a feature any time soon, especially the low/no budget/shooting on weekends type. If we get back into producing, I'd like to start slowly with smaller stuff. With the kids and all, I simply don't want to lose my free time embarking on a feature and missing time with them. I did it before when they were younger and regret it a ton.

Been thinking about getting my horror script back out of the pile - I never finished it actually, I got Act 1 done and thought it was way too much like every other horror script ever written, but I've thought of some cool twists that may make it stand out. We'll see.

The wife and I snuck out and saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Funny stuff. Had some really, gut-busting stuff in it. If I had to compare, not better than Knocked Up but still a very funny movie. Paul Rudd is a funny bastard. Jason Segel wrote a fun script with some great moments. Check it out.

Song of the day - Weezer - Pork & Beans.

Chaos Theory

2008-04-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

Marcos Siega, a supercool dude I met when the company he was with optioned my script, Cricket Hill, has a new movie out. Yes, the Cricket Hill deal was killed like a lame horse when the company dissolved, however, I still keep in touch with Marcos. He's a good guy to have in your corner, knows a shitload about directing and story in general. Anyhoo, check out his new movie, Chaos Theory:

The Stand In - Done.

2008-04-12T21:36:00.001-07:00

Finally. It took longer than I wanted, but I finished that puppy. Here's how it went down:

Pitched my managers some ideas/partially written scripts and we zeroed in on The Stand In (I'll whip up a logline and post it soon - I'll tell you this much, it's a romantic comedy). They loved the idea but wanted to change the setting (it went from taking place over several weeks down to a weekend, and from a city setting to a contained setting). More on that soon.

So I thought - no problem. Yeah, it was a problem. At least, not as easy as I figured. Scenes that I loved had to be cut - and I hate cutting scenes I love, although it was right to do it.

The worst part was Act 2 (isn't it always) but I'm hoping some of the set pieces I added will work. I think it flows well, and I tried to be sure to give the main characters their own voices - If you cover the character names on the page, can you tell them apart?

Is it the best thang I ever wrote? Well, no. But I like it, and enjoyed writing it. The movies/stories I like usually aren't main stream stuff...maybe that's why I'm still working the day job! This is certainly mainstreamish, so we'll see what kind of reaction it gets. The Managers will come back with some notes, and once we get it to a place where we're all happy, they'll take it out to the marketplace.

Keep you posted.

Oh Uwe

2008-04-09T13:33:00.001-07:00

Uwe Boll, director of Dungeon Siege, Bloodrayne, Alone in the Dark, and the upcoming Postal. Well, not much I can say. He pretty much sums it up:

I'm done

2008-03-31T20:44:00.001-07:00

Yup. I'm hanging up my screenwriting shoes. Why? I'm just beat. I've been at this thing for years now (11), and it's gotten me nowhere. Zilch. Nada. Had a few close calls but nothing ever came of anything.

I told my managers earlier today, and they understood where I was coming from. They left the door open if I decide to try again, but I can tell you that that will not be happening.

So, the plan is to pretty much stick with the regular job and concentrate on the family. Because really, I'm sick of the constant disappointment in this dead-end pipe dream.

Later.

Don't Fear

2008-03-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to hammer out my comedy script The Stand-In. I'm on a sorta deadline, so not much to post about at the moment. But I hope y'all are rockin' & writin'.

In the meantime, check out Maps - great band. Well, it's one guy plus some other fellas when he plays live. Anyway get the whole album - great inspiring stuff to write to. Kinda trippy but thoughtful, Chapterhouse-meets-Stone Roses-meets-Charlatans UK with a sprinkle of Moby - if you guys have any idea the bands I'm talking about. The song/video below is pretty repetitive, however, it's quite beautiful. Enjoy!

Rotten Hell

2008-03-17T20:52:00.001-07:00

15 Quotes Meme

2008-03-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Name the movie:

1. "'Cause me men, ain't we." GLORY

2. "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast." CHARIOTS OF FIRE.

3. "No more yanky my wanky." 16 CANDLES

4. "Let them eat static." THE WRATH OF KHAN

5. "My name's Harry Pepper. If you ever have any trouble with the line, do me a favor, don't ask for Harry Pepper." BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

6. "Sex? He's a man! We wrestled!" BARTON FINK

7. "You want to know how I did it? This is how I did it, Anton: I never saved anything for the swim back." GATTACA

8. "I didn't want you to be this miserable. A little bit's all I asked for." BREAKING AWAY

9. "Kickboxing. Sport of the future." SAY ANYTHING

10. "Bunch of slack-jawed faggots around here! This stuff will make you a god damned sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me!" PREDATOR

11. "Is it safe?" MARATHON MAN

12."I'd known her for years. We used to go to all the police functions together. Ah, how I loved her, but she had her music. I think she had her music. She'd hang out with the Chicago Male Chorus and Symphony. I don't recall her playing an instrument or be able to carry a tune. Yet she was on the road 300 days of the year. In fact I bought her a harp for christmas. She asked me what it was." NAKED GUN

13. "Nothing's riding on this except the first amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press, and maybe the future of the country. Not that any of that matters, but if you guys fuck up again, I'm going to get mad. Goodnight." ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN

14. "I've tried everything: the embassy, the German government, the consulate. I even talked to the U.N. ambassador. It's no use, I just can't bring my wife to orgasm." TOP SECRET

15. "Very odd, what happens in a world without children's voices." CHILDREN OF MEN

I tag Aaron, MovieQuill & Taz.

Yo.

2008-03-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

Busy, busy. Trying to finish my Stand-In re-write so my managers (Heroes & Villains Entertainment) can start sending it out. I plan on getting them a draft within a week.

Lots of sickness going around, seems to have missed me, but not the kids. But they're troopers and are getting past it.

The talent show for my son's school seemed to be a success. I'm the coordinator for it (2nd year!) and everyone seemed to have a good time. The kids did awesome, and we kept it to 2 hours (32 acts, not bad!).

So, back to writing. Also, the Ben Stiller comedy epic Tropic Thunder looks to be great - If not, it still has one of the best tag lines ever: "Shit Blows Up!" Perfect.

2008 Oscars

2008-02-23T21:54:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not gonna list my pix for this year. It should be pretty predictable. Yes, Daniel Day "A Bastard In A Basket" Lewis will win, and he should. Let's talk next year.

Best Animation - Might come down to Horton, Kung Fu Panda & Wall-E. Or if they're any good, the Madagascar sequel, or something called Bolt (about a super-dog) from Disney.

And now for movies starring humans. Keep in mind, some of these might get pushed to 2009, or might completely suck it. Or a lil' flick (Juno 2: The Revenge) could always come out of nowhere.

Oscar possibilities:

Body Of Lies - Leo & Russell team with Ridley Scott for a CIA thriller. It'll make a ton, and if it's good, look for it at the Oscars.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Fincher, Pitt & Blanchett.

Nothing But The Truth - Rod Lurie returns, starring Kate Beckinsale & Matt Dillon.

Australia - Baz Luhrman directs Hugh Jackman & Nicole Kidman.

Miracle At St. Anna - Spike Lee does WW2. I'm there.

The Women - remake starring Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Bette Midler, and a ton of other names.

Shutter Island - Scorcese, with Leo (again)

Revolutionary Road - Leo (um, again) reteams with Kate Winslet, directed by Sam Mendes.

Doubt - Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman & Amy Adams in a 1960s-set drama about a priest accused of abusing an African-American student. Oscar material, at least for the actors.

Burn After Reading - Clooney, Pitt, The Coens. Not sure when this is coming out, but never count out the Coens. But keep in mind that they really held back from their usual style for No Country, and if they return to their off-the-wall filmmaking, it won't make much money or get many kudos (but it might be super-cool).

Strike - Over!

2008-02-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

"The time has come to accept this contract and settle the strike,'' stated WGA West president Patric A. Verrone.

"Sweet," said New Jersey screenwriter Patrick J. Rodio.

My Best (and THE Worst) of 2007 - Updated!!!!

2008-01-29T23:53:00.000-08:00

First of all, what a freakin' year. Wow. Some truly great films happened in 2007. Now, I've numbered my top 10, but with me at least, depending on my mood, a list like this could change over time. And will.

Also, it should be noted that while we did have a great year of movies, nothing came close to my Children Of Men experience from 2006. Still love the hell out of that film.

Here we go:

Not on my top 10 - Chuck Wilson's War. Saw it, thought it was good, but considering the material, not much happened story-wise. He decided to help, then he helped, and that was it. Barely any conflict, and what little there was (possible drug scandal) was barely a blip. Interesting story, not a great flick.

Honorable Mentions:

The Hunting Party - Richare Gere, Jesse Eisenberg & Terrence Howard lead this funny but important film about journalists looking for a brutal Serbian terrorist. It's a pretty smart script, with great performances by the above-mentioned trio. Check it out.

The Ten (Funny, but kinda gets old).

The Bourne Ultimatum (a nice bookend if they stop, decent story and kewl action).

I Am Legend - Yeah, I liked it. Sue me.

Superbad/Knocked Up - Really funny stuff. Loved both.

Trade - Powerful stuff. Didn't amaze me though, the trailer was incredible, but it was still a good movie, and well worth seeing.

The Mist - Holy shit. A fine creature feature with a little social commentary thrown in. But that damn ending. It actually rips your heart out, pours gasoline on it, lights it on fire, then puts it out by taking a nice, long piss on it. Messed me up, man.

Here's what I HAVEN'T seen, that might have made my list:

Rescue Dawn, Atonement, Rendition, The Savages, Before The Devil Knows You're Dead, American Gangster, Ratatouille, Zodiac, Into The Wild & Eastern Promises.

Oh, and here's the worst of the year - Ghost Rider. Oh. My. God. What a piece of crap. Worst thing about it - Wes Bentley. I love this guy, too, but what a shittily written part and really really poorly acted, full of "Bwah! Bwah! Bwah! I'm going to take over the whole world!!!" Bullshit. Ugh.

Finally, here's the best:

10. The Lookout - Loved this movie. A nice caper, kick-ass writing and tight direction.

9. Once - A sweet little gem of a love story. I think it's a tad overrated, and some of it did drag, but it had some truly emotional scenes, and I loved the last shot. Loved it.

8. The Darjeeling Limited - It was no Royal Tennenbaums, but I liked the cast and think Wes Anderson did a nice job here.

7. Gone Baby Gone - Ben kicked some ass directing & co-writing this. Good for him. He really captured these neighborhoods, the people, their language. And Casey is on a freakin' role.

6. Juno - Smart & witty, sure. It's a fun script, however, Cera, Garner, Bateman, and Page are the ones that ground it, the dialogue, its emotion. Some of the dialogue is actually a little to show-offy, but the actors make it work. And kudos to Jason Reitman, he did a fine job here.

5. No Country For Old Men - Great movie. It has some incredible scenes and great performances. But Bardem is a little overrated in this role. While he kicks ass, don't get me wrong, and makes a skin-crawling creepy killer, he's pretty emotionless and one-note. I would actually nominate Tommy Lee Jones over him, thought he was excellent (Brolin did fine, too). I liked the ending but didn't love it. Fargo was better.

4. There Will Be Blood - Daniel-Day Lewis is the movie. His performance is astounding. Paul Dano was wonderful as the preacher, and I think this is the best thing Paul Thomas Anderson has done.

3. The Assasination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford - Casey Affleck should win the Oscar in my book. Brat Pitt was great as JJ, and Sam Rockwell was also damn good as always. Loved the direction and smart writing, but the cinematography blew me completely away. Roger Deakins should win the Oscar for this. And not just for the amazing landscapes he captured, but for the intimate scenes as well. Incredible, breathtaking stuff.

2. Sunshine - Wish more people saw this. Really amazing film. There's something that goes down approx. 3/4 of the way through the movie that I thought did not work real well, and that kept it out of the #1 spot. But for the most part, I thought this was fantastic. Haunting.

And at #1 - A Tie!

1A. 3:10 To Yuma - Great, great stuff. Bale & Crowe are superb, and the last 10 minutes is thrilling stuff. I can't describe it without spoiling, just see it. Best western since Unforgiven (not as good as Unforgiven, but came close - this is a damn fine film).

1B. Michael Clayton - For me, this movie kicked ass. The acting, crisp writing & direction, all of it came together for me. Clooney was superb, as were Pollack and Wiltkinson. Tony Gilroy rocks.

What were your faves?

Heath Ledger is gone

2008-01-22T15:43:00.000-08:00

That is truly fucking ridiculous. Wow. A terrific actor, he looks simply amazing in The Dark Knight, and besides that, just about everything else he was in. Jesus Christ.

An amazing talent is gone (possible pill overdose - here is the NY Times article) which leads me to ask Hollywood - ARE YOU PEOPLE THAT FUCKING STUIPID??????????

To quote Red Leader......

2008-01-20T22:02:00.000-08:00

Almost there......

My best list of 2007 is almost complete. I know I'm not going to see everything I should before I post it, but it should still be a good representation of 2007. And let me just say, it didn't seem like it at the time, but what an amazing movie-year.

I should have it up this week, for the 2-3 of you that give a hoot.

Song of the day - Maps: To The Sky.

Blood

2008-01-13T22:09:00.001-08:00

God damn.

Great, great film. Daniel Day Lewis - Astounding.

Still need to see 3-4 flicks before I can write a definitive top 2007 list, but I'm trying to finish up this week.

Recently caught My Blueberry Nights, starring Norah Jones, Jude Law & Natalie Portman. Interesting movie. Not amazing, but neat to see a Portman stretching her legs a bit.

The Golden Globes were awesome. Nice & short! Actually, I'm a sucker for the speeches, etc, so I missed the usual BS, but not all of it. Good for Mad Men, and there were quite a few surprises (like Juno & Clayton getting the shut-out).

The Oscars should be interesting,and I hope they are broadcast as per usual. The Guild shouldn't picket this - too many careers riding on it. Some of these actors/craftspeople only get nominated once, and what an honor it is for them. If the Guild pickets Oscar night, they're doing more harm than good. What about some nobody nominated for a short film? This is THEIR moment. Let them have it.

My Slate

2008-01-10T20:25:00.000-08:00

I heard Weinstein Co, Overture, & UA are the latest to have struck deals, like Letterman recently did, so I'm hoping this is a sign this daggone strike will end soon.

Loving my Laid re-write. It's gone through quite a change, hopefully for the better.

After this it's off to my already in progress comedy called The Stand-In, and I'd also like to continue work on my kids/family script called The Battle Of Thunder Hill. And of course I'd like to start my drama, Dakota, that's been kicking around my head. And finish my comedy Westville. And continue my murder/comedy called Thong. Oh, oh, and when I free up some more time I'll work on my other comedy called Kill Whitey. Almost forgot about my thriller, NSA. And my road comedy called Crazy With The Cheeze Whiz. And my working-in-a-mall comedy called Retail Messiahs. My heist comedy Temp'd. And my dark comedy called The Wonderful World Of Wonderworld.

I expect to have these done no later than 2020.

Done (Again)

2008-01-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

Just finished a pretty intense re-write of Laid, made from notes through my managers. At first, I resisted, but finally I saw the light and I think it's much stronger now.

Coming soon: My Top Movies of 2007. I've still got a few to catch. But looking back, we had a pretty amazing movie year. Some pretty great stuff came out.

Oh, and that writer's strike? It can end now, thanks. Going on way too long, people (other than writers but them too) losing way too much money & jobs.

Song of the day: LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends.

PS - Yeah, that's one of many awkward pics from my youth.

So, it's here......

2008-01-01T19:58:00.001-08:00

Oh-8. Welcome!

The Eve was spent at the bro/sis-in-law's, where there were numerous kids running about (2 of them mine) and only about 4 injuries. There was a sweet girl vomitting as well, but that was due to a fall prior to the party (rollar skates) so she had to leave, but she rocks and we hope she's doin' better.

Ah, and there was karaoke. My wife and I sang "Move Along" to our embarassed 5 year old son (one of his fave tunes) and my bro-in-law & I tackled "Abracadabra," "If I Had A Million Dollars", and the one that truly brought the house down - "Total Eclipse Of The Heart."

My dream was to sing "Bust A Move" but we didn't have it on our collection of karaoke CDs.

We actually left around 11 and figured to wrap up 2007 quietly at our house, so we put the kids to sleep.....and fell asleep. My wife woke me up at around 12:20am, 2008. Oops. No ball-drop-watching 4 us.....2nd year in a row.

Now back to some screenplay writin.'

2008

2007-12-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

Have an amazing new year.

The Kingdom/I Am Legend

2007-12-26T19:53:00.000-08:00

Saw both of these fine movies this week. Both were a lot better than I thoughted.

I Am Legend - This was a solid movie. NOT an overblown action mess, it didn't have all that much action, although it had plenty of thrilling sequences, and plot-wise, they were perfect. I liked Will Smith in this a lot. The guy can act, and has a hell of a sense of good projects (next Summer's HANCOCK looks great and will make at least 250 million). Special mention of the evacuation scenes - probably a bit too realistic. Yikes.

Anyways, a lot of this movie is bleak as hell. From the empty streets to the emotional rollercoaster he goes through. It's worth taking a look at.

The Kingdom - Not a perfect movie but well-crafted. Peter Berg is a helluva director. Some terrific sequences here, real kick-ass stuff. The stand-outs to me were Jamie Foxx & Chris Cooper, plus their "Guide" that escorts them around. Jennifer Garner & Jason Bateman were good as usual, however, for the most part their characters didn't have much of a purpose to actually be there (I'm sure in the orignal script they had more to do). Regardless, another good flick worth your cashola.

Next on me list: Before The Devil Knows You're Dead, There Will Be Blood, Juno, and No Country For Old Men.

New Stuff

2007-12-21T21:40:00.000-08:00

**I've been working on some new scripts. See if you like 'em:

All Up In My Shit is a romantic comedy. I'm also thinking about a sequel, called All Up In Your Shit.

I have a horror script I've been working on called Don't Scratch The Taint.

I'm changing my old Cricket Hill script, switching some themes around, giving it a good polish (that's what she said) and am now calling it I'm Aiiight.

And I can't forget my epic love story, Yo, Girl, I Wanna Be On You.

**Sike. M E R R Y H O L I D A Z E

Compared to most creatures, Humans tend to SUCK

2007-12-16T20:22:00.000-08:00

We really do.***

Look at what we do to each other. We're all selfish pricks. Yeah, all y'all. Yeah, you too.

We all think we're better than the rest. I know I am.

We rush through those Wal-Mart doors to get our grimey hands on a half-off cd player, trampling the elderly in our awesome path. Move it, ya old beeeyyootch! I kill for half-off!

While on the subject of Wal-Mart, I would TRULY rather roll across a field of glass (naked, obviously) than enter one of those hell holes.

We're very, very rude. All we care about is us. Me, me, me. I, I, I.

We'll cut each other off in a heartbeat (I'll race you to the red light, douchebag!). Learn the common courtesy of a god damn traffic merge!!! (We take turns, get it?!?!?!). And I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT when I'm trying to change lanes and the prick behind me in the other lane SPEEDS UP so I can't get over. Hey cockscab - Not a good idea - we might crash!!

Speaking of crashing, we rubberneck. Do we get out to help? Bwah! Good one! We're running late! Ain't got time to help, but we've got time to look at that poor bastard's smashed-up SUV. I'd hate to be that guy!

We're ignorant. We condescend. We criticize. We like to sue.

If something screws up our lives, we'll take it out on EVERYONE. For the record, if I get pissy or my heart stomped on with metal cleats, I like to sulk. Sulking rocks.

***I went shopping today.

Best Tunes of '07

2007-12-14T21:38:00.000-08:00

I'm working on my best flix of 2007, I'll post that in a couple of weeks. But tonight I present: Da best moosic.

1. The National - Boxer.......Amazing, amazing, amazing album from start to finish. Not a wasted track.

Runner Ups:

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - An album to rejoice. Drags on about 3 songs, but besides that it rocks the house. "No Cars Go" and "Keep The Car Running" are amazing. "Intervention" too.

Radiohead - In Rainbows - Great album, but it has some songs that I'm not into that must be skipped. Not all great, however, it still has some amazing songs like All I Want, House Of Cards, and the harrowing Videotape.

From Videotape:

This is my way of saying goodbye
Because I can't do it face to face
I'm talking to you after it's too late
From my videotape
No matter what happens now
You shouldn't be afraid
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen.

Interpol - Our Love To Admire....Another superb album from these knuckleheads. "No I In Threesome" gives chills.

The Bravery - Time Won't Let Me Go is a great single, but also has some great tunes across the album.

Dave Gahan - Hourglass - Always been a Depeche Mode (Depressed Mood) fan, so I'm inclined to like their solo efforts. But Dave did a nice job here, and his song "Kingdom" really kicked some assage.

The Killers - Between Sam's Town & Sawdust, they've had some good stuff within the last year.

Silversun Pickups - "I've been waiting for this moment, all my life..." from Lazy Eye.

Travis - Their song Closer is heartbreaking.

What's your favorite CD/song of 2007??

2007 - Year Of The Suck

2007-12-09T19:36:00.000-08:00

I'm talking about my family. They're disappearing, fast.

May 2007 - Stepmom died (Cancer)

September 2007 - Real Mom Died (Emphezema related)...This one was quite a blow. Had a pretty rotten relationship, almost to the very end, and when she passed I cried like a baby. Anyone have a time machine?

Today - Lost Grandpa #2. Lost my 1st Grandpa (Called him Poppy!) in 2001, that Grandpa was like my Father - he basically raised me.

Grandpa #2 was a nice man, although I only met him when I was 18 (long story, met my bro when I was 15, and my Dad when I was 18 - I am the king of dysfunction!). But Grandpa #2 was a neat old guy, kinda lost it mentally over these last few months, got very sick this last week and went pretty quick).

But it's weird when I think of this: Everyone who raised me is GONE. Along with the above-mentioned Mom & Poppy, I lost my Grandma in 2005 (she was Nanny, and was like a mother to me).

Nanny had been in a rest home for a few years, didn't recognize anyone for several years. Always seem to be familiar with me though, like she thought I was someone she might have known. One of the last times I saw her, I fed her, and she smiled, content. It was my Driving Miss Daisy moment, like at the end when Hoke feeds Daisy. I really miss her, and never really had a chance to say a proper good-bye.

When Poppy died, it rocked me, too. He'd been sick for a while but hung around, he was strong like that. Last thing he said to me was: "Go, have fun. Don't worry about me." He died 2 days later.

I need to talk to them again. Just a little sit down, give me like 10 minutes with each of them, just to let them know that all the times I rolled my eyes at them or laughed off their advice, well, they were probably right, and I was young and stoopit. And that in my life I'll be okay and I'll do the best I can to make them proud.

I can do that in 5 minutes, but I think 10 minutes is fair.

Holy Amazing Poster, Batman!

2007-12-07T15:43:00.000-08:00

Dig My Dug

2007-12-03T21:27:00.000-08:00

Windy as shit outside. Took the trash out tonight and noticed that ALL of the freakin leaves have fallen off a tree by the street (it must have happened all at once). The leaves covered the front steps and I couldn't have people tripping up the steps and curbing themselves, so I took care of business. Nothing like raking in the dark.

In other news Jessica Alba is still hot and MTV needs more videos.

In the world of the tube, I gotta say I'm getting sick of Chuck. I liked Chuck a lot, but they are having the same damn conversation all over again - Chuck looks at Hot But Vacant Blonde, she doesn't give 2 shats, he asks are they together like fo' real, she says no it's still just a cover and ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Best thing about the show is the Nerd Herd & Adam Baldwin. Actually, Chuck (the dude) is cool but this plot point sucks cat hair.

Heroes had its big Fall finale. Whoppee. Sylar "is back." I know this because he said it out loud when he started up a conversation with a spinach can.

Laid (the re-write) is cruising along, but I'm realizing now that I could have been working on it for the last half hour but instead I'm typing this very important post. Damn me and my bad decisions.

I'm itching to get some other scripts started/continued/dusted off but I must must must get this re-write out of my way.

I think I just heard the trash cans take a shit all over the street. Damn wind.

Meaningless Update #59704836N

2007-11-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

Geez, no takers on the meme deal? Fine. Just 'cause there be a strike don't mean we can't have a lil' fun.

I'm hearing this strike may end by the holidays. Let's hope it does, and us writer folk get a fair shake, and the crews can actually get back to work and continue to feed their babies.

I'm working on a few things. Need to get my Laid re-write done ASAP. As soon as the strike-smoke clears, we're going to get this puppy in circulation. My manager has got some nice plans for it.

I'm looking at some older scripts to punch up after Laid is done. I've got about 3-4 that I'd like to take swipes at. Plus about 10 that I'd love to begin. Just not enough time in the frakkin day.

On TV - Reaper & 30 Rock rule. Chuck has moments. Nip/Tuck is eh. Weeds is getting old. Bionic Woman is better than expected.

In da Theater - I need to see Juno & No Country.

Song of the day: The Killers - Shadowplay.

Create A Logline Meme

2007-11-26T20:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a Rhys meme tag, here is my meme post. The meme goes a lil' something like this, to quote the lovely Rhys:

1. Post 3 consecutive pages of any script you choose that you've written. It can be a completed project, something you're still working on, a movie, spec pilot, spec episode, whatever...as long as it's 3 consecutive pages. You must tell the title if it's an existing TV show. If it's a movie or spec pilot, revealing the title is up to you.

2. Tag 5 peeps to do the same.

3. Follow the meme around (it can be the people you tagged, the person who tagged you, someone's you stumbled upon) and after reading the pages, come up with a logline/episode summary you think fits and post it beneath the entry. Try to do this for at least 5 people.

4. After your own meme has gotten enough guesses, post the REAL summary/logline and see who got the closest.

Ok. Some of you may know this script from past postings, and if you do, well, I don't know what to tell you. It's called HEADSHOT.

INT. CASTING COMPANY - LOBBY
DAGNUS TODD, a paranoid-type in his late 20s, sits across from JENNY JAMES, a hottie in her early 20s. A pile of her own headshots sits on her lap.
Near her are three other ACTORS. One reads a Variety with a headline that reads:“Indie Film Cast & Crew Found Slaughtered”
Pacing near Jenny is NICK, a perfectly-built dude in his 20s.

DAGNUS
Nice headshot.

Jenny sighs.

DAGNUS
I said, nice headshot.

Jenny looks at him.

JENNY
I didn’t realize you were talking to me.

DAGNUS
It’s cool.

Jenny smiles politely and fidgets.

DAGNUS
So anyways, nice headshot.

JENNY
Oh, right. Thanks.

DAGNUS
No problem. I’m nervous. You?

JENNY
No. I just wanna get it over with.

DAGNUS
It’s my favorite part of the process. The audition.

JENNY
Oh. Well, my favorite part of the process is actually getting the part.

Dagnus laughs annoyingly.

DAGNUS
That’s a good one. Can I use that?

JENNY
It’s all yours.

DAGNUS
You had any big roles?

JENNY
Few things here and there. Was a stand-in on a soap. A few supporting parts in some college films. A lot of theater.

DAGNUS
You’re too pretty for the theater. You should be up on a great big movie screen, in the lead role. Way too pretty.

JENNY
Oh. Um, thanks.

Nick stops pacing.

NICK
Hey, dude. You’re like harassing her. Leave her alone.

DAGNUS
I’m not harassing anybody.

NICK
Whatever, creep.

Nick sits next to Jenny, staring at Dagnus.

DAGNUS
You here for the audition?

NICK
I already got a part. My buddy is the director. I’m just chillin’ like a villain.

DAGNUS
Oh, cool. I’m chilling, too.

NICK
It ain’t “chilling.” It’s chillin.’ And you're not.

DAGNUS
Hey, you say tomAto, I say tomAHto.

NICK
And you’d be wrong.

I hearby tag Tom, Aaron, Robert, Lew and Scriptweaver.

Cranberry Sauced frickin' rooles!

2007-11-22T22:09:00.000-08:00

Poster is from a little indie called Teeth. Not sure how the movie will turn out but I like the poster.

Turkey day is over. Thank Christ. Such a pain. But I do look forward to chowing down on the sides (turkey is ok, but I'm not thrilled about eating it). I'm a Stove Top stuffing guy, and I also need to have my cranberry sauce (from a can obviosuly, I won't eat it unless it has the can shape on it. An assortment of pies is nice, I prefer Pumpkin, Lemon, and Apple.

Haven't worked on much this week. Been crashing a lot, maybe I need to switch vitamins. Trying to get my Laid re-write done, and I'm eager to push ahead on some new scripts I've been kicking around.

Songs of the week: Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head and 2 from Radiohead - All I Need & Videotape.

Be safe.

Flashbacking

2007-11-14T21:28:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while, I get slapped in the face with a image from my past, usually just a flash for no reason at all. This ever happened to y'alls? Perhaps I'm just loony. Probably that.

Anyhoo, I've got a two part question for those give a rat's. List some cheesy/cool/whatev stuff from your past that you think of every now and then that takes you back to a moment/event in your childhood. 2nd, name some flicks that you saw when you were young that you thought were like totally rad but now, not so much.

Here's My Part 1 List:
*Parachute Pants - I looked PHAT in those, boooooyyy!!!
*Good bad bands I loved: Night Ranger, Asia & Journey, all the way. Asia once said, "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes." Has it?
*Mousse - I used a LOT of mousse when I was in my teens. I mean, my hair would not move. At all. Why should it?
*"Girls" by the Beastie Boys
*NKOTB
*Jailbreak
*Playing Chinese Checkers with my Mom.
*My X-Wing (best spaceship EVER).
*Thundercats - Um, ho.
*Legos - Before they came with directions & moving parts.
*My Diamond Back bike.
*Mix Tapes (I made dozens)
*Braces - I got them during my freshman year and had them removed the week after I graduated. Go, high school!
*Hitting Disney with my Grandparents.
*Drakkar Noir

And don't forget videogames:
Atari 7600, Colecovision, Intellivision.
Dig Dug, Q-Bert, Galaga.
And the Gateway/MAC of its time: The C64. I ruled Bard's Tale, by the way.

And now, my movies (forgive me, I was young and stoopit):

Red Dawn: "WOLVERINES!" Loved that!
Friday The 13th Part 4 - I was cheering with the rest of the guttertrash in the audience when Jason was getting hacked up by Corey Feldman.
Rocky 4 - Two words: Ivan Drago.
Commando - Not that commando. I prefer boxers or boxer-briefs. I'm talkin' Arnie kicking ass & takes names. Sweet.
Invasion USA - Chuck Norris. Also kicking ass & taking additional names.
Lucas - I don't blame you, Luc. That chick is HOT.
Oxford Blues - Rob Lowe's finest hour.
St. Elmo's Fire - Rob Lowe on sax (Not the finest hour)
They Live - Roddy!!!
Gotcha! - Totally awesome teen spy triller!

Teen Movies that fucking ruled:
The Breakfast Club (Actually, one of my all-time faves).
Weird Science
Better Off Dead
16 Candles

Note: I was never a fan of Pretty In Pink (Gasp!)

Your turn............

My Best & Worst

2007-11-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

Here is a list - just for the hell of it - that describes my best and worst screenplays, as well as the in-betweens.

Da Worst:

Lost & Found - first script I ever wrote (1997), painful to read now. Painfull. I'd rather crawl across a field of glass (yes, naked, obviously) than have someone read it. It was about friends searching for themselves, blah, blah, blah. Get over it.

Stain - 2nd script ever. A story about homeless youths. Made a movie out of it too, which was even worst 'cause of its crappy budget. The main problem was that I held back, and I should have pushed the envelope more. Plus it was bad.

Love Interest - Has some decent scenes, but overall a mess. About a guy who is in love with a girl, then meets another cool girl, and then some other stuff happens, and ends up alone anyways. Why? I dunno.

True Colors - My worst title, by far. About a long distance college relationship that doesn't work out. Lame, pointless. I never actually printed it out from my old word processor (Then does it really exist?)

Alleys & Intersections - Another dopey title. Crappy crime drama where the main character dies at the end 'cause I thought it be cool if the main character died at the end. Main character didn't really need to die at the end.

My Best:

Union - My latest and greatest, at least in my own eyeballs. Trying to come up with a decent logline, and I'm not sure I want to post it for the world to see quite yet - I'm afraid the idea will get stolen and then I'd go postal.

Good People - A fun story, and my first option. It's gone through a ton of drafts, and I might revisit it soon. Wrote it back in '98.

Cricket Hill - A pretty edgy take on family dysfunction. Includes but not limited to incest (the game the whole family can play - by Milton Bradley!) between one of the brothers & the sister, adoption, weed, an affair, etc. It's better than I'm making it sound.

The Flight Of Barnaby - This will win me the Oscar, if I don't leap from the Walt Whitman Bridge first. It's a period love story set in the early 1900s about an inventor trying to invent the first airplane. Kind fo a hard sell, but worth it damn it! Written in 1999.

The Money Shot - Apparently, producers shun porn-related movies, but if they didn't they'd love this puppy. It's about a college kid whose financial aid gets screwed up so he decides to make a porn & sell it to cover his tuition. Was optioned for 6 months in 2002 but then the producer dropped off the face of the Earth.

Shuttlecock - Comedy about Badminton. I love this script, it's fun, and I got a kick out of putting the word cock in a title.

The Rave At Danny Carter's House - well, it's about that. I wanted the story to build up to the rave at the end, but some people said it needs to happen sooner. F them.

A Couple Of Joes - This was optioned a few years ago. It's a fun, family movie about a kid named Joe (and his buddies) helping Joe's Grandpa (also named Joe) run for governor.

Doing It Sideways: The Joshua T. Bolt Story - Another porn script. Always loved this one. An out-of-work actor gets in a bind and turns to making porn with his friends. Their pornos take off just as Joshua's childhood love returns. Like a grown up versi9n of The Money Shot.

Tom Noodle - Tom (little kid around 9) goes searching for his Mom in the late 1920s, and his guide is a prostitute. Yeah, hard sell, but I thought it was solid.

Toss Ups:

Headshot - I set out to make a funky horror comedy about a weirdo extra who loses his shit on a film set and tries to kill everyone. Everyone who read it recommended to keep the killer's identity a secret, but the fun of it for me was to see this nutball losing it and offing everyone, I really didn't plan on making it some twist later, I wanted people to know that this is the killer, and let's see who can survive. Maybe I'm just an idiot.

White Gold - Yeah, that white gold. This was meant to be a simple little script and is, it would need only 1 location (a house). It's about a film crew trying to shoot a sex scene. I think it's fun and would be good for a low budget quick shoot, but plot wise there isn't a whole lot going on.

Smoking America - Pothead from NJ wins the Powerball and runs for President. Has promise, needs work though.

Brightsword - Kinda like The Princess Bride meets Lord of Da Rings. This would be a 180 million production. One of my fave scenes is where the main characters are swallowed by a whale and after stumbling around its belly, they are shat out. But I noticed the main character has a limited arc and I need to work on him.

Tourniquet - Small town goes searching for a missing penis that was flushed down a toilet. Too many characters and a little confusing, plus it takes too long to get to the slicing it off part, but I love huge portions of it. Obviously, a tough sell though.

Jablasco - Driver's Ed teacher hires students to kidnap wife so he can save her and look like a hero. Students turn on him and try to rob him and kidnap her for real. Not really like To Die For but it's been compared to it. I think it's a fun/dark script, but needs some work.

Zucker - I like it but it hasn't gotten great reviews from the peeps who have read it. Older man (Zucker) falls for a rich younger chick, then panics and takes off for Mexico, leaving her in debt. Rich dickheaded father of the chick sends a hitman after him. Zucker realizes he loves her and tries to break back into the US, with hitman in pursuit. I like it a ton, but it needs work, I need to get to the meat of the story quicker, Act 1 wanders a bit.

The Go Getters - Exactly like Freaks and Geeks, written before Freaks & Geeks. My longest to date, 140 pages.

The Bomb - I'd like to re-visit this. It's about a bomb that accidentally falls on a small town (doesn't go off) in the mid 50s. The government wants it back and the townsfolk try to hide it. Fun but needs another pass or 2.

Monster - My first horror flick. I wrote it back in 2000. I ramped up the action in it though, so there were bridges blowing up and scenes with the Army, etc. It's got some good stuff here and there.

Superhero Blues - Written before Mystery Men bombed. Basically about the everyday lives of Superheroes, what they deal with (Bills, divorce, etc).

Deacon Street - Dark dark drama. I mean, DARK! Guy watches Dad shoot himself, then loses his mind, ends up in a mental hospital (that's all BEFORE it begins). If I had the $$, I'd shoot it and win Sundance with it.
95% of the movie takes place in the mind of the main character.

20 Seconds In Dullville - Something Ed Burns has probably already made. I still like it, though I'd love to punch it up. A drama about coming back to the place where you grew up, and you've failed at life in every possible way.

Being Gordie Flynn - Depressed guy kidnaps then pretends to be Gordie Flynn (a cool rich guy) at Gordie's high school reunion. I'd work on it but I lost my disc, and didn't back it up. Note to self: Don't do that anymore.

West River Drive - I shot a version of this a few years ago. It's about a kid dealing with his mentally unstable mother. The script was pretty much taken from my childhood, although it had years of situations crammed into 100 minutes. I'm going to make it a book instead.

That's it. I've got probably 15 scripts I didn't mention, not too sure what categories they'd be in, but this is enough. I'm tired, and after seeing all the shit I've written (and not truly sold) I've gone and depressed myself.

My Meme

2007-11-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just got slapped across the face by a meme. (love ya, MO). So here it is.

Post a song/video/link/lyrics to a tune that has inspired your writing, given you a script idea, has something to do with whatever you're currently writing, or just gets you in the mood (for writing, scumbags). Then carry on the grand meme tradition and tag some of your peeps.

Now, I'm internet-impaired so the best I can do is post links. But click on them because they rock.

So many choices. Geez. But there's one song that always blows me away, and it's best experienced with its video. Click here, then simply choose the 2nd video (glósóli music video), sit back and get inspired. This Sigur Ros composition astounds me, such a simple, beautiful piece of music and the video is breathtaking. Watch it and try NOT to be a better person afterwards.

But I've got a follow up, and it's a song I used in my movie from 2001 (Better Days), called Just Like Fred Astaire, by James. They've got about 6000 amazing songs that inspire me but this one is among my faves. The script for Better Days had a lot to do with finding love and all that jazz, and this song was a perfect fit. Check these lyrics:

I believe in happiness
I believe in love
I believe she fell to Earth from somewhere high above
I believe in Hollywood
Don't believe that love must bring despair
Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire

Who said love is just a disease
A plague for the naive
These days no one believes

Meteors may strike the earth
Nations live and die
I'm the boy who got the girl
And now were gonna fly
We can cross the race divide
Bridge a gap that wasnt really there
Cause when I hold her in my arms, I feel like Fred Astaire

And here's the video.

I shall now tag Aaron, Crymes, Todd, Da Weaver, and Sweet Lew.

Sing A New Song

2007-10-29T15:05:00.000-07:00

Several posts ago I mentioned that I sing in the car, not the shower. Well, today I thought about what songs really make me want to lose my voice; the songs that you sing along to until your voice cracks/breaks/shatters/melts. Here are some I came up with, most are things I listen to on a regular basis, with a couple oldies (for me at least) from the 80s. Feel free to add to the list!

U2 - 40, Desire, Bad, Where the Streets Have No Name, Exit, Beautiful Day, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, One

INXS - Don't Change, Guns In The Sky, New Sensation, Suicide Blonde

James - Sit Down, Sometimes, Seven

Youth Group - See Saw

Arcade Fire - Wake Up, Keep the Car Running, No Cars Go

The Waterboys - The Whole Of The Moon

World Party - Way Down Now

Tears For Fears - Shout

Snow Patrol - Run

REM - Superman, Green

Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down

The Cure - Just Like Heaven, In Between Days

New Order - Regret, Age Of Consent, Love Vigilantes

Coldplay - Yellow, In My Place

Travis - Turn

Radiohead - Let Down, Just, Karma Police, Fake Plastic Trees

Interpol - Not Even Jail

Sum 41 - Pieces

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

GNR - Paradise city, Sweet Child O'Mine

Journey - Faithfully

Asia - The Heat Of The Moment, Only Time Will Tell

Secret Machines - 1000 Seconds

Nada Surf - The Blizzard Of '77, Killian's Red

The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It, When You Were Young

Bosox!

2007-10-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

This is sweet.

My Shorts

2007-10-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I've made a movie, '03 to be exact. And that's just fine. I like just writing for now, maybe someday in the future I'll get the bug again, but after shooting 3.5 features and some shorts - all of which went nowhere after lots of hard work by most involved - I have no plans to get back on that horse.

I was going over the list of shorts in my mind today, and here they are:

The Passenger - My Senior Thesis project. What a wasted opportunity. I had access to cameras, film & editing equipment, and I blew it on a lame concept/plot:

Guy is driving home from college, passes broken-down motorists, then he breaks down, starts to walk. Calls home, hangs up on stoner brother, gets beat up by broken-down motorists he passed earlier, then keeps walking.

What did it mean? Was it a metaphor for his life? Beats the shit out of me.

Neil - In class project, the only one I didn't direct. I acted as a newscaster who delcares his love for the weatherman while Neil Diamond's "Today" blasts in the background.

N2 - No budget horror: A group of friends is stalked and killed in a house during a night of nothing happening. At the end, after the last person is killed outside, we see the killer - It's a film camera, who comes back inside the house and sits in front of the TV to watch Neil Diamon sing "Sweet Caroline."

Short - Actually pretty good. Story of 2 homeless guys trying to make ends meet. Very little dialogue, mostly stark images & music mixed in with flashes of their past (via old home movies).

FeedMeBack - Non-sensical film class project, basically I just slapped a bunch of images together (including funky feedback of a video camera taping its own images from a TV screen - trippy). Teacher loved it for its meaning. Damned if I knew its meaning, I just thought it looked cool. Got me an A! Yeah, boooyyy!!

The Family Dog - The most successful. Played a few minor fests and made some cash off the internet (back when Hypnotic, Ifilm and Atom websites were popular). Shot on Super 16. Sweet.

The Reappearance Of Homer Pitts - I liked this one. Story of a kid who feels left out and turns invisible. When he realizes he family indeed loves him, he reappears.

The Disintegration Of A Boy Band: Made before bashing boybands was popular. Ended with a "where are they now" sequence. One was lost in a forest, one cleaned trash of the streets, one was homeless, and the last was a stock boy.

George Clooney as Michael Clayton

2007-10-25T21:49:00.001-07:00

Damn! A must-see. One of the best of the year (My tops of the year list is now Sunshine, Michael Clayton and The Lookout).

Clooney is just amazing in it. He really is. A very layered, incredible performance. He lays it all out there. Tilda Swinton is as good as always. Tom Wilkinson and Sidney Pollack rock out in their supporting parts.

Tony Gilroy's writing and directing are so perfect, it blew me away. Not a scene is wasted.

One of my faves was the sequence at a birthday party (at Clayton's childhood home), including the scene with his son in the car afterwards. Any scene with Clayton and his brothers were perfectly done. Gilroy knows mood & tone, and he pulls it all off. Brilliant.

And there is a scene about mid-way through that will rock you. It was so creepy, so freaking disturbing, it easily blows away any junk-gore torture porn bullshit you'll see in Hostel or Saw 9: Buzzsaw!

Check it out.

UNION - Done.

2007-10-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

Still polishing my newest baby (UNION), but for the most part, it's complete. And I love it. Can't wait to get a nice, sleep logline together, when I have one I'm pleased with I'll post it and see what y'all think. It clocks in at 102 pages.

Have been editing LAID with some notes from my managers, so although I have a decent version I can send out, it's not officially out of the oven. It's like I put it back in because the middle was gooey....or another way to look at it is they gave me some killer notes and I decided to work on it further.

I just don't have enough freakin' time to write. Between work, wife, kids, and awesome TV like Reaper, Chuck, & 30 Rock, it's hard to get more writing done. Two scripts this year is decent (Laid & Union plus 2 re-writes of 2 older scripts) but I've got about 9837 more ideas I want to write, and easily 100 saved files on my cpu that are either partial scripts or a bunch of scenes that I've been dying to get to.

I'm itching to work on something dramatic next, so I might get to my Dakota idea, or my horror epic. If I feel comedic then I'll jump back into the Stand-In (already at page 60, I just put it aside to simmer) or Temp'd (I'm into act 2) or my mini-golf comedy I started 2 years ago, or Rollin' Thunda, another comedy. Jesus, see?!

For tonight, I'll polish Union. It's a damn good script, I just know it. It's sorta not too commercial, but then again, kinda is.

Oh well, I'll listen to the new Radiohead while I edit. I downloaded the new album. Amazing. As Tommy Cruise once said while manning a machine gun in TAPS: "It's fucking beautiful, man!!!"

Perry Does It Again

2007-10-15T23:01:00.000-07:00

Box Office:
Why Did I Get Married: 21.7 million - Damn!
Game Plan: 11 million
We Own The Night: 10.8
Clayton: 10.4
Heartbreak Kid: 7.3 (ouch)
Lizzy 2: 6.2
Da Kingdom: 4.6
Across the Universe: 3.8
RE:3: 2.6
Seeker: 2.2
Final Season: 664,351 (Jesus Christ)

I'm gonna try to see Clayton this week, would love to check out Darjeeling & Yuma, too. Is it just me or does 30 Days Of Night look bad ass?

Damn!

2007-10-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

Man, those Rockies handed our asses to us. I almost feel like the Mets....oh, wait, no I don't. We beat the piss out of the Mets all season and skipped past them to win the Division.

Tough loss for the Phillies, but it's their own fault, they just didn't hit.

So, Redsox vs. Rockies? That's what I'm thinking. If so, it's the Redsox in 5.

j o y d i v i s i o n

2007-10-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

Please check out this trailer for the Anton Corbijn film, CONTROL, about the life (and death) of Ian Curtis, lead singer for Joy Division (who, after his suicide, became New Order). The film looks amazing, love the crisp black & white, and the actor playing Ian looks JUST freaking like him. Can't wait for this.

IRON MAN

2007-10-04T14:07:00.001-07:00

Go, Ben!

2007-10-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

I saw this on the movie-bytes.com website:

Newcomer Ben Frahm, who had been working as a special-needs teacher at a middle school, has sold his comedy spec Dr. Sensitive to Universal in a deal valued in the mid-six figures. Shady Acres will produce. The script, in the vein of Liar, Liar, is about a doctor with the world's worst bedside manner who undergoes a transformative experience that makes him overly empathetic. The screenplay was discovered by Frahm's reps at Underground Films through a query letter, and was developed for a year prior to going Shady Acres, where it was developed further.

The thing that caught my eye was that it was initially discovered via a query letter. Whoa. Somebody actually read one of those things? Anyways, good for Ben.

Funny Games Poster

2007-10-01T21:46:00.001-07:00

Kudos to the marketing people for this film. Actually, there have been some pretty cool posters coming around lately. Can't stand the typical "headshot" posters Hollywood usually slaps together. Anyway, check this out........

Phillies Phever!!!

2007-09-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Congrats to our Fighting Phils, who came from 7 games back only a short time ago to the champs of their division. Certainly, it helped that the Mets completely C H O K E D, but the Phillies kicked all kinds of ass to win their division. Sweet! Jimmy Rollins - MVP!

Before The Devil.........

2007-09-27T20:51:00.000-07:00

I need to add this to my list of "must-sees," this is the new film from Sidney Lumet. Sweet poster.

Also, the Wes Anderson short film (prequel to Darjeeling) called Hotel Chevalier is a FREE download on itunes (co-stars Natalie Portman (she gets nekkid!!!). Check it out.

"Union" countdown - I'm into the 80s, I should have an updated page count for my next post.

Go Phils! Goodbye, Mets.

Script countdown - UNION

2007-09-23T23:10:00.000-07:00

Finally finishing this one. Been creeping and crawling around my head for a few years, got it started last year but put it on the backburner while I did other scripts.

It's called Union, and is a sorta comedy/drama about a family, set around Christmas. I won't divulge the rest yet, the actual plot is pretty high god damn concept.

I'm on Page 74 now, and plan to wrap it up within the next week.

TV

2007-09-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

Some cool stuff coming up this season. The shows I'm looking forward to most are Chuck & Reaper, and the return of Lost, Weeds, Dexter and Heroes. Californication is holding my interest, but Tell Me You Love Me is a snooze. It's supposed to be so "real." Try lame. Bunch of whiners.

It'll be interesting to see where Heroes goes after their limp finale - some showdown. They should have just had a rock/paper/scissor battle royale. But it's a good show that should get better.

Thought the first K-Ville was decent, although I'm not sure that an escaped convict could join the Army & be a cop, just because records were lost in New Orleans from Katrina. Wouldn't his social security number come into play?

Bionic Woman could go either way, but I think it'll be decent. Can't promise I'll watch though. I'll check out Pushing Daisies, at least it sounds different.

What will get canceled? Hmm, there's no way Life will make it past a few epdisodes. It's a so-so premise, and too much other stuff on for people to care. Big Shots will probably have a big premiere then die. Journeyman looks blah - people didn't dig Daybreak and that had Taye Diggs. And Dirty Sexy Money might make it, but it's got a shit title and a lesser Baldwin.

What will U be watching??????

Can't Wait To See This

2007-09-19T21:46:00.001-07:00

Hot Veggie

2007-09-19T21:37:00.001-07:00

Back 2 Work

2007-09-16T22:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks, team, for all of your condolences. It means a lot. Some day I'll meet y'all and buy you many drinks.

Been a rough week, but the services are over, things are slowly getting back to normal. It's a pretty horrible feeling I'm left with though, thinking I could've done more - even though I did the most really. But I just hope my mom is in a good place - a place without fear, pain, and lame remakes. Maybe Heaven is a constant Coen Bros, Weir, Spielberg and Scorcese marathon. Could be!

I'm slowly getting back to writing. I'm working with my manager on my Laid re-write. Need to re-work the beginning (to similar to Superbad - how was I to know 4 months ago when I wrote the beginning!!!???) and get some character work done.

Other than that I'm going to work on some stuff that aren't comedies, namely my horror script Route 66, my crime drama called Dakota, and another new idea callled Rollin' Thunda.

Just trying to keep busy, and finally sell one of these puppies.

K.R. 1944-2007

2007-09-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

So, my Mom died yesterday at around noon. She had been a heavy smoker most of her life, and had battled horrific emphysema for many years.

(Hey kids - Stop smoking - Yes, it will KILL you. Chew some fucking gum.)

The real tragedy of this was the life she led. I'm won't get into specifics too much (this is a LONG story), but I'll say it involved her deteriorating health (mentally & physically), which began when I was young, at a time when people who suffered from mental health problems were labeled as simply "nuts."

The main thing she suffered from was depression, which I think began as a form of post-partum depression that went un-noticed, then spread into other things as a lack of understanding & frustration from her family basically made her an outcast. Her disintegrating marriage couldn't have helped, either. She had been diagnosed as bi-polar, with psychosis n.s., depression, and schizophrenia.

Yeah, that's a pretty bad hand to be dealt.

Note: When someone is suffering from depression, get them help (!).

I'm sure some relatives attempted to help at first, but it certainly wasn't enough, so it was left up to me. But by the time I got her the help she needed, it was too late really. Like I said, this is a long story, this only scratches the surface.

And even though 90% of childhood was a living hell, I knew that deep down she was still a good person and a loving mother, and I made my peace with her before she died. But seeing her get worse as the days passed was heart-wrenching, and although her passing has hit me like a ton of bricks, I am glad she is finally at peace. The last 30+ years of her life sucked.

She was 63.

Austin Newz

2007-09-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

My family comedy, That's How We Roll, made it into the 2nd round of the Adult/Family portion of the Austin Screenplay Competition, but did not make the Semi cut.

Still, they say 2nd rounders are in the top 10-12 %, so I can't complain.

What Summer?

2007-09-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

Damn, that was fast. My oldest heads back to school on Wednesday, I feel bad because his Summer was lightning quick. I hope his year goes fast, and I hope by the end of it I've got a script sold and in production.

On that end of things, there are some rumblings. My Agent pitched my family comedy A Couple Of Joes to a producer who liked the idea and wanted to read it, so we sent it to him before Labor Day. And my Manager and I went over Laid and I've been tweaking it over this past week, and am almost done Draft #2.

For music fans: Check out recent releases from The National, Editors, The Bravery, and Interpol. Good music to write to.

Late!

PS - Pic is from Hotel Chevalier, the short film that will play before The Darjeeling Limited, and stars Jason Schwartzman (as his Darjeeling character) and Natalie Portman. Super cool. Can't wait to see this!

Wait A Minute - Stills

2007-08-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

Back in 2003 we were in production of a no-budget epic I wrote called WAIT A MINUTE. My wife and I were self-producing, and I directed and was DP, also.

Things were going pretty smoothly, and then I pulled the plug. The main concern I had was that we were wasting our time. It had a crap budget, and looked like a crap budget, and even if we finished it, NO ONE would EVER distribute it. NO ONE. It was just this scrappy little movie that would never sell.

Plus, the actors were nailing it. They all rocked. If Philly has anything, they've got a kick-ass pool of talent.

It was my own fault for ushering it into production without a real budget, but as I learned from my other past projects, it would'nt have gone anywhere. Some stills I took in '03:

2007 Thus Far

2007-08-25T20:49:00.001-07:00

Not many flicks have completely blown me away. I'm waiting to see stuff like Sunshine & Rescue Dawn, and upcoming films like Jesse James, There Will Be Blood, The Darjeeling Limited, Michael Clayton, No Country For Old Men, Trade, Crossing Over, 3:10 to Yuma, And Gone Baby Gone that will likely make their way onto a Top 1o list.

Best of the year so far? Scott Frank's The Lookout. Very well made all around.

Stardust was fun, but it wouldn't end up on an end of the year Top 10. Also thoroughly enjoyed Knocked Up & Superbad.

300 was barely okay. The Simpsons was funny but pretty much like a long episode - not that that's a bad thing. Pirates 3 was decent but 2 was better. Shrek 3 had moments but didn't need to be made. Saw the original recently and thought it was still great.

In the Land Of Women was interesting, I'd give it a C+. We also saw I Could Never Be Your Woman starring Michelle Pfeiffer & Paul Rudd (it's been retitled All That Really Matters and comes out in November) and that had some fun stuff, but again, didn't rock me.

Worst of the year so far is still Hostel 2.

What are your faves/non faves of the year so far?

Super

2007-08-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

Superbad - Go see it. It's a hilarious ride. The writing is sharp, and the actors really carry it. Great performances all around. Smart, fun, and pretty damn real.

And the good news it, I didn't unknowingly rip it off when I wrote Laid. One thing I worrried about was doing that as I finished my script, but they are pretty different so I'm not concerned about that anymore.

I was gonna start a new script tonight, tentatively called Rollin' Thunda but decided to go back and punch up some Laid. The Agent is reading it this weekend, and I'll get his thoughts.

Check out Superbad though. I liked it a lot. Knocked Up was probably a better movie overall, but Superbad has some truly classic scenes & dialogue. Damn funny stuff.

Done

2007-08-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

It's sloppy. I gotta go in and pull some teeth, whiten some others, break out the floss, but for the most part, stick a fork in it. It's done.

Gonna take a few passes at it, hunt for typos, funny up some scenes, then move along to the agent, see what he thinks.

It's done!

Final Lap!

2007-08-10T22:43:00.000-07:00

Almost there! Page 88. If I don't crash, I should have it done on Saturday night. It should land in the mid 90s, right about where I want it.

Ah, The 70s.

2007-08-09T20:32:00.000-07:00

Blasted through Page 70 last night, tonight I'm aiming for 80. It's almost done. And it's feeling great.

Below is a scene (I can only cut & paste it, please forgive it's appearance) from LAID. I was trying to think of one to post, and I thought this one would be good. Our hero, Joe, has a flashback to when he lost his virginity:

INT. CARAVAN - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
Joe and GLORIA, 17, are getting hot and heavy. He tosses a condom wrapper aside.

GLORIA

Is it on?

JOE

Fits like a glove.

She looks down between his legs.

GLORIA

Doesn’t it get any bigger?

JOE

I think that’s gonna be about it.

GLORIA

It’ll be fine. Just put it in.

Joe nods and concentrates, trying to insert himself.

GLORIA

I don’t feel anything.

JOE

I’m still searching. Wait, here you go.

GLORIA

Hey. Not up the ass, please. I’m not an up-the-ass girl.

JOE

No problem. I’m not an up-the-ass guy.

GLORIA

Good to know. Here. I’ll help you.

She reaches down between his legs, pulls him closer. She BELCHES loudly into his face.

JOE

Wow.

GLORIA

Sorry about that. Kinda did that in your face. Must’ve been those peppers I had at dinner.

JOE

Yeah, I thought it smelled like peppers.

GLORIA

Here we are.

JOE

Oh, God. Oh, my God!

GLORIA

Feel nice?

JOE

Shit yeah! Oh, boy. Gloria. Oh, Gloria.

GLORIA

No, no! Wait, Joe! Don’t come yet! I want to get it, too!

JOE

Yes! Oh, yeah! I’m coming! I’m coming!

GLORIA

God dammit!

He shudders and pulls away, exhausted, with a huge smile.

JOE

Nice. Did you get an orgasm, too?

GLORIA

Fuck off.

60s

2007-08-07T20:36:00.001-07:00

Laid is into the 60s now. Kinda hard to put an exact number on it, I have another file with notes, scenes, etc, that I will cut & paste soon which will add to the total.

The end is finished, and I feel real good about it.

On my main file I'm at 64, and will get some more done tonight. I'll try to post a scene or 2. trying to figure out which ones though. Many are filled with extreme raunch. I mean, I don't want to offend EVERYONE.

LAID

2007-08-05T21:37:00.000-07:00

Oh, man. This is a good one. My goal is to have this baby finished ASAP. It's so damn funny, it's raunchy, it's cool. I'm just happy as a pig in poop when I'm writing it.

I'm talking about Laid, and it's about, well, getting laid. I'm concentrating all firepower on it until it's done, then my agent will send it out and it WILL SELL. I have no doubt.

I'll update my progress throughout the week. I'm on Page 55, and am aiming for the mid-90s, maybe lower 100s before I slice & dice it.

Mist

2007-08-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

This could be a fun fright flick. It's directed by Frank Darabont, and stars Thomas Jane (see Stander - awesome flick) and William Sadler, and based on the Stephen King story.

What's THE scariest flick you've ever seen?

My top choices would be:

1. Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (70s version, really cool movie).

2. Nosferatu (70s version, directed by Werner Herzog & starring Klaus Kinski).

3. The first Nightmare On Elm Street

4. The Thing (1982)

5. Alien

6. Halloween

7. Friday the 13th

8. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (70s version)

9. Wolf Creek

Yuma + Darjeeling + My Meme

2007-07-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

First, this poster is absolutely BAD-ASS. 3:10 To Yuma stars Bale & Crowe, directed by James Mangold. Good stuff. Also, please check out The Darjeeling Limited Trailer. Looks awesome.

Okay, now, onto my meme: 8 Things you don't know about me. Hopefully it'll be more things you didn't know since we all did the last 5 things you don't know about me/us from 2 months ago.

1. I don't sing in the shower, but I sing like a mofo in my car, usually singing along to something like U2, Coldplay, Radiohead, Travis, Killers or Arcade Fire, and some old school rock like Journey.

2. When driving in my car or work van, I'm not only singing my heart out, I'm usually inspired there, too. The best place I come up with script ideas, dialogue, titles and/or scenes is while driving.

3. In 2003, I had my first big pitch meeting. It was at CAA. After ALMOST (this FRIGGIN close) winning for best comedy script at Austin I set up a meeting with a cool woman I met during the festival (a story editor). Anyhoo, I went in there and she introduces me to a hip agent dude and he tells me to pitch him some of my stuff.

AND I BLEW IT. BIG TIME.

I went in there not prepared to pitch, which was my fault. I thought I was basically following up with a friendly meeting and it became a meeting to snag an agent. So, I didn't snag a thing. Neat experience but come on, I should have been prepared. Note to all reading: BE PREPARED. It was freaking CAA!!!!

4. One day after 9/11, I deleted a script I was working on that revolved around hostages. Completely deleted it. Just couldn't work on it.

5. I hate......HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE loading a roll of film into a camera. I did it during college for my film projects, and one time while trying to load a 16mm roll in a dark closet, the inside spool popped out, and a gallon of film spilled all over the dark floor. I felt like pulling off my own head and punting it down the street.

6. When I was little, I played with Star Wars figures, GI Joe, Hot Wheels and.......Smurfs.

7. I hate to write, manually, with my hand. LOVE typing though, just don't ask me to write something out. My hand hurts just thinking about it.

8. I've never seen an episode of Survivor, American Idol or the Apprentice. But Beauty & The Geek? Oh yes.

I hearby tag The Crymedawg, Mr. Missouri, AustinMan, The Teacher, and Tazzy.

Back

2007-07-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

We've returned from our 2nd Outer Banks vacation. Great place (We stayed in Kitty Hawk 2 years ago, this time we were in Nags Head). Good stuff, they've got great beaches there, plenty of mini-golf, and some kick-ass restaurants. So, it was a good week. Now we're flat broke, but that's what vacations are for, right? Sweet!

Here are a few cool posters for some of the more interesting flicks coming soon:

At 98 We All Rotate

2007-07-12T21:06:00.001-07:00

Name the song from the above-referenced quote and I'll buy you a shot.

Mid-year report.....

Screenwriting - A lot in the oven, but none of it has finished cooking. Usually at this point of the year I'd have 2 completed feature-length screenplays, but for the better part of this year I've been burned out and exhausted/disheartened/depressed from the daytime job. Luckily, I'm getting out of the slump and have made great progress on my raunchy teen comedy called LAID. It'll be finished by early August and hopefully after I've worked on it with my agent it'll be set to go out by Fall.

Flicks: Haven't seen all that many movies. What I have seen:

The Invisible - I liked this. Pretty neat idea (not totally original, but what the hell is). Anyway I thought it was done well, had crisp direction and a great soundtrack.

In The Land Of Women - I think EW gave it an F. That's harsh. I'd say B minus. It wasn't awful, not great either, but wasn't a total loss.

Shrek The Third - Had its moments, a few funny gags & lines here and there, but for the most part, really not necessary.

Hostel 2 - Worst movie of the year. I dig horror movies, and I don't mind gore and all, but this movie was a steaming pile of feces. It was ruthless, brutal, and bad. A shame because I think Eli Roth isn't a bad filmmaker.

Pirates 3 - I liked it. It was fun. Way long, and there was simply too much story going on but overall it was fun, not as good as the 2nd but a decent bookend.

Knocked Up - Best of the year so far. See it.

300 - Meh. It looked neat and all, but I kinda got sick of it.

Box Office
In April, I made some guesstimates. Here's how they are holding up:

I said:
Pirates - 390 million. It's at 301 million and grinding to a halt.

Spidey 3 - 360 million. Well, it's at 334. Close, but no cigarette.

Shrek 3 - 320 million. It's at 316 and is almost finished. Close!

Transformers - 240 million. I didn't take into consideration that it might be good, or at least get decent reviews. It made 155 mil so far in its 1st week, so it'll likely cruise past 240, depending how it holds up.

Potter - I said 235 million, and it made 44.5 in ONE DAY. but it'll probably fall off, so we'll see where it lands.

Surf's Up - I said 180. not even close. It's at 56 million and just about dead.

Fantastic 4 - I said 170. It's at 123 and running out of steam so it won't be making that.

Oceans 13 - I said 150. It's at 109 and will probably get to 118-120.

Knocked Up - I said 160. It's at 132 but has good legs.

Ratatoullie - I said 140 and it's at 109 so it should clear that. Surprising it didn't tank.

Die Hard 4 - I said 130 mil. It's at 84 currently and should be passing 100 soon, so this might be a close one.

License to Wed - I said 150. Hahaha. Good one. I'm sorry, I thought it might actually be good. Oops.

Mr. Brooks - I thought around 110. Oops again.

28 Weeks Later - I said 30 and that's about what it made.

Evan Almighty - I said 90 million. It's at 78 and croaking, so I might be right, but it could sneak by 100 and make like 107 million.

1408 - I said 60 and it's at 58 but still going, might finished with 75-80 million.

That's all team. I'm off to The Outer Banks from the 14th to the 21st. Be good!

Poor Liberty

2007-07-09T22:30:00.000-07:00

Wow - This teaser is attached to TRANSFORMERS. It's a hush-hush movie from JJ Abrams, creator of Alias, MI3, etc, and is operating under the title Cloverfield or its release date 1/18/08. Check it out here.

It's like some odd/awesome combo of Blair Witch (shot on "home" video) and Godzilla (or that Korean flick The Host). Sweet.

C'mon Jason

2007-07-05T22:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, I like Jason Lee. I do. I think he's always been a great talent. But holy crap - this looks BAD. Not only because it's Alvin & The Chipmunks - the movie, but just look at the chipmunks. They've been hip-hopped.

Dreadful. From the director of Garfield 2!!!!! Bombing this X-Mas!!

2007's coolest-looking flicks

2007-06-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

Looking at the rest of 2007, there's some good shit coming. My must-sees are:

No Country For Old Men - Coen Bros. Nice-looking trailer, has a nice feel to it. I think it'll rock, and look for nominations for Tommy Lee Jones & Javier Bardem.

There Will Be Blood - Killer trailer. Reminds me of the better parts of Days Of Heaven. Daniel Day Lewis looks amazing already.

The Darjeeling Limited - Wes Anderson directs Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman & Owen Wilson. I'm so there.

Margot At The Wedding - Sounds like a chick flick, and it sorta looks like one, but it's directed by Noah Baumbach, who I've loved since Kicking & Screaming (not Will Ferrell's) from way back, although I didn't love The Squid & The Whale so much.

I Am Legend - The trailer is promising, and as long as Will Smith doesn't yell "Oh, hell, no!" I think it'll be a good sci-fi/horror epic.

The Ten - A 10 commandments comedy, with Paul Rudd, from the creators of Wet Hot American Summer. Seek out the trailer. Funny as hell.

Rescue Dawn - Werner Herzog's POW epic, nice buzz for Steve Zahn and Christian Bale.

Sunshine - Looks wonderful. Director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Weeks Later) usually delivers, and even his "misfires" like A Life Less Ordinary are at least worth watching.

30 Days Of Night - Vampires. Alaska.

What do you guys wanna see?