Obama vs. McCain Dance Off!

This is truly awesome!!! And the best way to judge these two candidate's ability to lead this nation through their street cred and sidewalk cardboard box moves! Check it out!


Unbelievable McCain Vs. Obama Dance-Off - The most amazing bloopers are here

LA Filmcutter officially endorses Barack Obama

We here at LA Filmcutter are always striving to be fair and balanced in our opinions...

O.K. so that was a lie.

What I'm trying to say is I can't think of anyone better (or at least out of the two choices presented to us right now) who would give this country a real fresh start. The one we REALLY, REALLY NEED after W. fucked everything up SO BAD!!!!

So I am officially endorsing Barack Obama for President. But if Luke Skywalker were running for the top spot, Obama would just be sloppy seconds. Now get out and vote on November 4 DAMNIT!

Back to work at Happy Hour...and next week, New Wave Entertainment

While I'm sorting through a multitude of photos from a certain, recent, much anticipated trip to Chicago (more on that shortly), here's a much needed work update.

After three weeks off in late September due to a lull in work at Happy Hour Creative, I'm back once again (and starting my forth week) cutting a multi-part promotional piece for FOX DVD. This includes a run down of past and current titles, spotlighting some future releases including new seasons of "24", "Family Guy", and "The Simpsons". I'm booked through the end of this week.

While I was trying to learn what would happen after this project was completed, along comes a phone call from New Wave Entertainment.

They wanted to know my availability during November. In fact, they wanted to book me for the entire month working on the DVD for Keanu Reeve's "The Day The Earth Stood Still". I immediately let them know at Happy Hour that I was being summoned for another project. Not being sure if there was definitely a need for me after October, they said to go ahead and take the project. After I called New Wave back to confirm, Chris (the head of Happy Hour) assured me that even though I'd be gone for four weeks, my place here would be secure when I returned. I told him I really appreciated that, and definitely feel I'll be back soon enough. Provided work is still strong after my New Wave gig, moving into December. Of course that's always a tricky time being a freelancer in the film industry, so we'll see what happens when it happens.

Bottom line is, this could conceivably be my last week at Happy Hour for this calendar year. But ultimately I'm really glad I have work lined up until Thanskgiving. That's a major comfort.

Ron Howard's Obama endorsement

This is such an awesome video! I've always loved Ron Howard...from his acting to his directing. He really is an American icon. Now he's stepping back in time to help everyone realize that Barrack Obama is the one to vote for. And I couldn't agree more! Especially after watching this inspiring and funny plea to voters.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

"Blue Thunder"/ "War Games" 25th Anniversary screening

Attended a double feature screening of "Blue Thunder" and "War Games" at The Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. This was to commemorate the 25th anniversary of both films and included a special Q&A with Director John Badham. I was pretty excited to see the listing for this on filmjerk.com, a site that posts all movie screenings (old and new films) in the Los Angeles area.

The one thing I knew I had to wear was my JAFO cap. Those of you who've seen "Blue Thunder" know this was the cap worn by Daniel Stern’s character, Lymangood, and stands for 'Just Another Fucking Observer'. I was especially glad I wore this when I found myself confronted by someone who was involved with the making of film.

As Rebecca and I sat at a sidewalk cafe enjoying lunch before heading across the street to the theater, I suddenly felt someone's hand on my shoulder. An older gentlemen's voice softly spoke in my ear. He asked, "That wouldn't happen to mean 'just another fucking observer', would it?". I turned around replying 'yes'. He then introduced himself; Edward M. Abrams, one of the film editors on "Blue Thunder"! I practically leapt out of my seat to shake his hand. Turns out he was having lunch with some fellow editors that included his son, who saw my cap as they entered the cafe. We spoke for a few minutes about the movie and my work as an editor in the industry. That was such an added treat to converse with him, and I wore a huge smile of appreciation as we entered the theater a half hour before show time.

It was great to see both "Blue Thunder" and "War Games" on the big screen again, and the Q&A with John Badham (presented between films), even though fairly short, was interesting and included some tidbits about working with Roy Scheider. After the Q&A, Badham moved to the lobby where he signed autographs for fans (pictured on the left).

Just a great night, and it really took me back to when I first saw each of these movies when they were first released. It's hard to believe it's been 25 years!

Paul Newman Remembered

Something that both Paul Newman and Robert Redford wanted to do for the last few years was to make one more picture together. Sadly, we'll never see that.

But what we did see was a man who held acting in much higher regard than any fame or celebrity brought. In the movies his piercing blue eyes, charm, and casual manner were familiar and welcoming. While his driven, commanding, and sometimes intense side inspired us all to follow him anywhere. Whether in hot pursuit across the American West or through an inferno in the world's tallest building. As a prison inmate, a pool hustler, a race car driver, or a con-man, Paul Newman was an actor and man whose magnetism was almost impossible to resist.

My first full-on appreciation for Mr. Newman began with 1974's "The Towering Inferno", and soon grew to "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid", "The Sting", and "Cool Hand Luke". He was one of the last of Hollywood's great leading men, and I'm glad to have enjoyed and savored his many performances in so many dramatic, comedic, and action packed movies during the heyday of his long career.

Here are a couple of articles about his passing in The LA Times, NY Times, and Robert Redford's thoughts in Time Magazine on the passing of an old friend.