"Watchmen": 3rd screening

Went to see "Watchmen" again on Friday. Will definitely be buying the full artist's soundtrack now. I only purchased a couple of tracks from that originally. I especially love Philip Glass' 'Pruit Igoe & Prophecies' played during Dr. Manhattan's origin sequence narrated by Billy Crudup. That's probably my favorite part of the movie.

I also picked up the "Tales of the Black Freighter" DVD. Wasn't really interested in seeing "Freighter" actually. Kind of got bored with the side story in the graphic novel and stopped reading those panels about a third of the way through the book. What I was more interested in was Hollis Mason's "Under The Hood". Great little 38 minute documentary told like a television interview special from the late 70's. I had hoped for a little more content, ala those in-between chapters from the comic. But I certainly enjoyed what we did get. I know this will probably be a part of the "Watchmen" special edition DVD, but I really wanted to pick it up now while the movie was fresh.

Maurice Jarre, composer for "Lawrence of Arabia", dies

A great composer has passed. 'Laura's Theme' from the movie "Doctor Zhivago" is an iconic piece of music which will live forever in film history. As well as so many of his other compositions for films like "The Year of Living Dangerously" and "A Passage to India" which he won an Academy Award for. You can read his obituary here at latimes.com.

ENOUGH!!!!

BUILD THE FUCKING THING!!! Enough of all this "stupid, know-it-all, asshole, jerk (you forgot ugly, lazy and disrespectful. Shut up bitch and go fix me a turkey pot pie!)" delay crap! To be completed in 2014?!! This thing should be up NOW! Today I read their quibbling about the name Freedom Tower! SERIOUSLY!!! Oh come on!!!

This just continues to disrespect all the people who died on 9/11!

"Gossip Girl" Season 2 update

Ending my second week at Cannery Agency on the "Gossip Girl" Season 2 DVD. Just found out the budget only allows me two weeks of work, although the plan is to go over that by a day or two. I'll be finishing up by end of next week. There is a possibility I may have a break during the middle of the week while they wait for more episodes which I'll need to complete the piece. Then pick things up from there and finish. Should have some idea by Monday.

Called Happy Hour Creative to check in with Chris, but he's out of town this week. Will try on Monday. Hoping to swing over into the next project when this one ends. It's a good time of year scheduling wise for that to happen.

"Terminator" gas station

This Saturday we're heading up to the high desert on the outskirts of Palmdale about an hour from The San Fernando Valley.

Why? Because at a lonely gas station on a lonely stretch of road, Sarah Connor had her photo taken by a little boy as she thought about Kyle Reese. I finally found this iconic location after some exstensive searching online. Everything coming up just said 'Palmdale'. Hello, an address would be nice! Suddenly I just typed in 'Terminator gas station' on Google Maps and there it was! Bringing the movie so we can watch that clip while we're there. It helps me connect more with the scene and location.

Tom Hanks eyeing Major Matt Mason

Wow! Can you imagine a period 1960's Major Matt Mason movie? Where all the spacesuits, vehicles, and moon base playsets came to prefectly recreated life? Awesome! I'm in if it's done right. Just make it for the baby boomers and NOT the "Star Wars" prequel loving crowd. You know, the same 20 year olds who think the new "Star Trek" movie will be 'better than that crappy old original series'. Sorry, just had to get another dig in.

Go, Tom Hanks! I LOVED Major Matt Mason toys and had them all when I was growing up. In fact, they're still sitting in my Mom's basement back East. This is making me want to go and rescue them. Click on the MMM logo for the full story.

Awesome "Back To The Future" screening!

Last night's screening of "Back To The Future" at The Arclight was incredible!!! They showed a practically brand new print and the energy coming from the audience was just amazing!

At this close-to-sold-out event (in one of the bigger auditoriums no less) the house was packed with true "BTTF" fans. A couple of guys came dressed as Marty McFly, complete with orange down jacket ("Hey Biff, get a load of this guy's life preserver. Dork thinks he's gonna drown!"), and one even drove to the theatre in his own DeLorean! Walking in to find our seats, we came across two people handing out flyers to a "Back To The Future" reunion event happening late in April. But more on that in a bit.

Suddenly I noticed actor Topher Grace sitting a few rows in front of us. Nice!

As the lights dimmed the crowd cheered wildly with anticipation. I knew this was going to be a very enthusiastic evening and drank in all the fun reactions. Every little nuance, line, and moment that everyone knew was greeted with huge laughter and applause. It was as though the movie was one of our closest, most beloved friends that we all embraced with warmth and wonderful adoration. This outpouring was like a drug to me! At something like this, the fans are a huge part of what makes the evening so enjoyable.

When the movie started up several of us noticed that the aspect ratio was off. The image looked stretched, and not in 1:85 the way it should be. A few seconds later the lights went up and a representative from The AFI (who sponsored the screening) apologized and said the film would be back up in five to ten minutes. I certainly didn't feel put out, but was amazed afterwards when the management gave out free return movie passes to everyone. Wow! I so appreciated that. Going the distance for something they didn't have to do. Thank you, Arclight!

A few minutes later the aspect ration was fixed and off we went. It was awesome to see the movie on the big screen once again!

With our free passes in hand, we strode to the box office to use them immediately. Picked up a couple of tickets to see "I Love You, Man" on Wednesday night. After the initail trailer which looked disappointing, I read critical reviews that really praised it. Plus word of mouth has been solid. And yes, to top the night off there was even a star sighting. As we turned from picking up our tickets I spotted Justin Long walking though the lobby with a few friends. He might have been seeing "BTTF" as well. No, I did not go up to him and say, 'Hey, your a Mac!'. Just seeing him was cool. I still get star struck after five and half years here, and I know I'll probably never lose that.

The guy with the Marty McFly gear who drove to the theatre in his own DeLorean was talking to few people in the lobby. After which we all followed him down to the parking garage to get a closer look at his car. He actually had the Flux Capacitor replica they're selling now in between the seats and lit up! Awesome!

That flyer the guys were handing out in the theatre was promoting a "Back To The Future" cast reunion in Burbank, April 25 and 26. The advert looked like the 'Save The Clock Tower' flyer on one side, and info about the event on the back. Today I looked at HollywoodShow.com to learn more. We're absolutely going to attend!!! Check the link for more details. Also, click on the BTTF.com link under 'My Favorite Movie Sites' to see all things "Back To The Future", which includes added info about the show as well.

"Hey, you! Get your damn hands off her!"

"Terminator: Salvation" ending leaked online

Boy, does this ending suck! After the studio discovered that the actual ending to "T:S" had been distributed on the web, they quickly started writing an entirely new one. I SURE AS HELL HOPE the new one is much more believable than this far fetched epilogue!

I still have faith in McG. Do the right thing, guys! Have some respect! Don't bury this franchise! Long live James Cameron!!!

Click on the photo to read more. After that, follow the aintitcoolnews.com link for added details. You'll be glad you did.

"Back To The Future" at The Arclight

Going to a special screening of "Back To The Future" tonight at The Arclight in Sherman Oaks. Just looked at the seating chart online and it definitely looks like it may sell out by the 7:30 screening. We bought our tickets at the end of February. Once again, I love these special events. Not only because you get to see some of your favorite films on the big screen again, but the audience is always made up of true fans who are respectfully vocal with applause and laughs during their favorite moments.

Seeing "Seven Samurai" for the first time

Went to a screening of Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" at The Aero Theatre Saturday night. I had never seen it before, just bits and pieces. I really enjoyed it, and recognized the infuence the movie's had on cinema ever since.

A couple of misconceptions: I never knew it was over three hours long! Wow, who knew?! Plus, I'd always had it in my head for some reason that Toshiro Mifune's character was serious and intense. He, of course, was realy animated and very funny! My only previous notion of the story came from seeing the American styled remake, "The Magnificant Seven". So it was a treat to finally watch this classic film in Japanese with english subtitles on the big screen. It was a packed house as well.

I was amazed by the camera work at times. This film was made in 1954 when cameras were still pretty bulky. And yet Kurosawa shot several scenes with a rough yet fluid, almost steadycam like quality. Much more of a broad epic epic than I imagined, Kurosawa was akin to Steven Spielberg at the time he made "Jaws". Still somewhat early in his career, yet with a brilliant and innovative eye behind the lens.

South Park: The Ring

OMFG! Once again, another gutbustingly hilarious episode on South Park!!! The 13th season opener featured The Jonas Brothers going up against Mickey Mouse about how much they hate those purity rings. With Mr. Mouse responding by kicking the shit out of them!!! The broadcast version is fantastic, but the uncensored version is THE BEST!!!

Go to southparkstudios.com to see the entire episode. A new feature they offer on the totally revamped site allows you to view full episodes from every season...for free! Right at your fingertips. Of course I always buy the season pass from the iTunes Music Store and get the uncensored versions, but it's great that they've offered this.

South Park just keeps getting better with age. There has not been one single episode in the entire 12 season run (so far) that I haven't found completely, totally, and twistedly funny! This is THE laugh-out-loud show!

End of first week back at The Cannery Agency

This week was more taking stock of all the footage from this season of "Gossip Girl" and how to best portray the way fashion has become a defining force behind the show. Christina, the producer, and her camera crew will be shooting an additional interview and B-roll with the costume designer on Monday. I'll probably have a rough cut of the interview clips done this coming week, with a fair amount of fashion clips from the show slugged in with a little bit of flash by friday.

The Academy Awards 2009 roundup

Yes I know this is very late, but I still had to chime in.

In a nutshell, so very happy for Kate Winslet FINALLY winning an Oscar! And that acknowledging whistle from her Dad when she called out to him was priceless! Also very much appreciated Heath Ledger's win for "The Dark Knight". Big upset and surprise!!!: Sean Penn takes Best Actor away from Mickey Rourke! Wow! But after the dust settled I realized it was sort of a political move for The Academy. Give the honor to a comeback kid or honor the gay community as a whole by honoring "Milk"?...Hmmm. Sean Penn's speech however was very appropriate and poignant. And can we please have a few more dancing Indians?


The complete revamp and overhaul of the show was fantastic! Especially the way the major acting awards were handed out by five previous recipients. Hugh Jackman put aside any doubt as to his ability to completely entertain and hold down such an immense event in the first five minutes. The musical number that kicked everything off, using the poor economy as a framework, was hilarious!

Using the process from A-Z of how a movie is made as the frame work for each award chronologically was well played. And the sets that represented each catagory, as the awards were being announced and handed out, were amazing!

I reall loved that, instead of a piece of music being played against the 'In Memorium' montage, Queen Latifah sang live. All while not just one screen, but many parceled out the images that will forever be associated with those actors and craftspeople who passed during the previous year.

After the standing ovation for Heath Ledger as he won for Best Supporting Actor, the room became incredibly silent as members of his family accepted his award and spoke of his love and passion for acting. I think the other nominees knew that their greatest gift Oscar night was to just been nominated. Everyone knew Heath was the only one this year who deserved that recognition.

"Slumdog Millionaire" won a lot of awards including Best Picture. Was anyone surprised?

Overall, great show! Please don't change a thing about it!

Obama on The Tonight Show

Just watched President Obama Tonight Show appearance with Jay Leno on Hulu (God Bless Hulu!). Not just to see what he did and said, but also because this is the first time in history a sitting president of the United States has appeared on a talk show. The best part was when Leno jokingly asked if any of the people he plays basketball with throw the game because he's the president. Obama's silent pause was priceless. We have such a cool guy in The White House.

People are buzzing about the Special Olympics comment misstep. Here is my kind, fair and balanced response to public reaction: AH RAB-BA-BA! Go hose somebody else down! Obama rocks!

Working and driving

It's so good to be back to work, driving my sparkling clean Mini to and from there each day. I feel a little rejuvinated and have a better outlook on things now that the big, deep, dark, cavernous void called 'no steady work yet' is slowly coming to a close.

As I drive The 101 Freeway to work this week I open the sun roof, blare some cool tracks on my iPod, and drink in that wonderful time of year known as Spring which is upon us. It's actually been a colder than usual three months since Christmas, so I'm appreciating it more this year.

Comic-Con 2009 4-day memberships gone!

According to the official site, the 4-day memberships, which include Wednesday's preview night, are now SOLD OUT! Only individual days remain, with Saturday filling up fast as usual. Suspected this would have happened last year after 2007's complete sell-out, but it's finally hitting the wall now.

2008 sold out only a few weeks earlier than the previous year did. Even though we'd purchased our memberships at least six months in advance out of fear that that would occur much earlier. Seems attendees finally woke up and aren't taking any chances now. No worries. We bought ours on Sunday of the event last year, and will probably do the same this year.

July's gonna be here before we know it!

Natasha Richardson

It's so very sad about what happened to Natasha Richardson that led to her death. She was so young. I can't imagine what her husband Liam Neeson and family are going through right now. So sudden and so tragic. The thought of doing something as simple as taking a skiing trip, that you have no idea will be the end of your life.

"Moulin Rouge" at The Arclight

Went to a screening of "Moulin Rouge" (one of my favorite movies) at The Arclight last night. One of the cool things about these special events is that some people dress in clothing or costumes that reflect the film.

For "Rouge" there were several people dressed like can-can dancers and daper gentlemen patrons of the night club in the movie. Two weeks ago, at the screening of "Raiders Of The Lost Ark", three or four guys dressed as Indiana Jones. Before that, several moviegoers dressed in retro-swing clothing for "Swingers". Just really cool to be among fans who are very passionate about the movies they love!

"Iron Man 2" now in rehearsals

Filming starts in three weeks. One more reason to look forward to Comic-Con this year. I'm sure Director Jon Favreau and Robert Downey, Jr. will be there along with the first trailer for the movie. Can't wait! That's gonna be a Hall H line that's very, very, VERY long!!! Better start breaking out the blow-up bed and tent!

"Gossip Girl" Season 2 DVD

Working on a 'fashion' featurette for the 2nd season DVD of "Gossip Girl" at Cannery Agency. With a thirty minute length to the piece, I've been told we may be taking three weeks to do a first cut, plus make changes per the studio's notes. That's good news since originally I was brought in for a two week stay. Yay! More work!

The best news of the day!

It's now confirmed that Linda Hamilton has done a voice over for the opening scene in "Terminator: Salvation"! This had been rumored for the last few weeks and is now a lock. One more reason why I'm having high hopes for the movie. You can read about it by clicking on the photo.

I really hope they're able to do a trilogy as planned. If this one is done right and works, there's a hell of a story waiting out there to be told.

"Watchmen" opening credits

LA based effects/animation post house yU+Co has posted the full opening credits sequence they created for "Watchmen" online! Definitely one of the best parts of the movie! Check it out:

Washing the two year old

Through all the spread out and unexpected rain days in Southern California, I haven't managed to wash the Mini for some time. Today is my last day before going back to work and she deserves to be shined up proper, like new. Heading out to do that in about an hour. Hard to believe in a little over a month she'll be two years old.

"All Along The Watchtower"

Was reminded of a couple of lines from the Jimi Hendrix version of "All Along The Watchtower", which plays in "Watchmen" against Nite Owl and Rorschach walking across the Antarctic tundra on their way to confront Adrian Veidt's at his snowbound polar base. It's the closing quote from Issue #10 of the original "Watchmen" graphic novel series and credited to songwriter Bob Dylan. The specific lyrics are as follows:

'Outside in the cold distance'
'A wild cat did growl'
'Two riders were approaching'
'And the wind began to howl'

The cat, of course, relating to Veidt's pet, Bubastis. Just a cool connection between song and screen that I keyed into upon hearing the track again after the midnight show last week, as well as flipping through the graphic novel once again. Great choice using the Hendrix version.

OMFG, FINALLY!!! Back to work!!!

Got a text message from producer Christina at Cannery Agency. She asked if I was available for the next two weeks starting Tuesday. I'll be working on the Season 2 DVD for "Gossip Girl". I cut a featurette for the Season 1 DVD last year at The Cannery as well.

What can I say...THANK CHRIST!!!!!!

"The Cake Eaters"

Went to a special free screening at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood of a new movie directed by actress Mary Stuart Masterson entitled "The Cake Eaters". It stars Bruce Dern, Kristen Stewart ("Twilight"), Aaron Stanford (Pyro in "X2" and "X3"), and Elizabeth Ashley. Rebecca had picked up a couple of passes through her work and asked if I wanted to go.

I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Plus, after the screening, Bruce Dern and Aaron Stanford took the stage for a little Q&A. Dern had some great stories about working in Hollywood in the late 60's and early 70's. Including a couple of funny moments he had with John Wayne during the filming of "The Cowboys". Not sure what the film was shot on, but definitely some form of high definition. And not transfered to film even! As the opening credits came up they were completely static in the frame. The cinematography was really beautiful.

Was hoping Mary Stuart Masterson would be there as well, but no such luck. Course if she did show I'd have to have her sign my "Some Kind Of Wonderful" 1-sheet. I'm really glad to see her branching out into directing. But deep down she'll always be 'Watts' to me.

Click on the 1-sheet image to learn more at the official site.

Cranking out a new, updated reel while desperately trying to find work

I've dove head first into updating my reel with a number of new trailers, promos, and DVD featurettes. As mentioned, I'm also creating a whole new look for my name 'logo', menu accessibility, and functionality.

I never would have thought there'd be no long term projects happening by now in March. A lot of things pointed to my getting back to work in late January, perhaps early February at the latest. And yet here I am. Every day I'm on the industry job sites as well as checking in weekly with the post houses I have worked with. After I complete my work on the new reel / resume and putting those in the mail, I'll be following up with each of the 28 post houses I now assault with updates of my work every three or four months.

I think something's going to happen at Happy Hour Creative. Was in touch with them late last week and it seems things are heating up on the scheduling front. Just not enough to bring me in yet.

Ratcheting up everything I've got to find and reach work as soon as possible.

Why the new "Star Trek" movie is going to SUCK!

'Reimagined'. The first time I saw that word was on a teaser 1-sheet for Tim Burton's "Planet Of The Apes" remake. I liked the way the word sounded and what it conjured up creatively. Over the past eight years I've learned to feel disgust and fear whenever I hear it mentioned or see it in print.

Saw the new trailer for J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" before "Watchmen" during the midnight show. Before that was the new "Terminator: Salvation" trailer which I was very excited to see on the big screen (Director McG premiered it at WonderCon in the main event room). However, the reception for that, which was pretty good, paled in comparison to the cheers and whoops that followed Kirk and crew doing a whole bunch of things I just kept shaking my head at. And that head shaking exceeded the number of times I did during "Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull". Here are just a few of the reasons why the new "Star Trek" is going to suck. Yes, True Believers, I said SUCK!

First off, all the action scenes look like something out of one of the "Star Wars" prequels (bad 'ol prequels!). Every frame is filled with a flurry of phaser firings, ships exploding, and general over-the-top mayhem. Jeez, reel it in, would ya! This is not "Star Trek"...at least not the Kirk, Spock, and McCoy version we should be getting.

Also:
- Kirk has a relationship with Uhura?
- Kirk and Spock have a fist fight on the bridge?
- Space skydiving?!

WTF! Again, this is not "Star Trek"! Call me a purist (which I am and where I speak from), but that's the way I see it.

The minute I saw the first still of the new Enterprise (overly bulbus warp engines?) I knew this thing was going down the wrong path. Plus a couple of images of the new bridge, which some have said looks like something you'd see in an Apple store.

Big Red Flag!: J.J. Abrams never was a "Star Trek" fan. But he LOVES "Star Wars"! Nothing wrong with that...BUT THE TWO DO NOT MIX! However, I'm sure all the fanboys who hold those sometimes obnoxious prequels high above the alter of George Lucas worship, will drink this head shaker in like it was his very life giving blood.

We'll see how this 'reimagining' goes come May 8.

Correction

In my recent post, "After the 2nd screening: more thoughts on "Watchmen"", I neglected to add a link to the sentence that contains the line 'Here's a YouTube link to some of them'. This has now been corrected.

Belinda Carlisle is 50

I just saw something online about "Dancing With The Stars" and how Belinda Carlisle (who's on the show this season) is now five decades old! MY GOD! But then, when I sat back and thought about it, I realized the sobering truth. Yeah, twenty five years ago she was 25.

Where does it go? Where...does...it...go?

"Watchmen" Saturday morning cartoon!

This is F-ING hilarious!!! Check out the Saturday morning open for a mock "Watchmen" cartoon! It's especially funny if you've read or are familiar with the graphic novel. The guy who did this, Happy Partridge (aka Happy Harry), has created a spot-on parody open that looks like it could be the real thing!

After the 2nd screening: more thoughts on "Watchmen"

Went to see "Watchmen" again on Saturday night and I definitely appreciated and loved it even more on the second go around.

First off I have to say Jackie Earle Haley's performance as Rorschach is one of my favorites in the film, and it's a wonderfully intense one at that. Patrick Wilson as Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl II brings the most human touch to the movie, and probably the most accessability to the audience. He's warm and funny, yet physically precise when it comes to handing out justice. Jeffrey Dean Morgan really is perfectly cast as The Comedian. Like in the graphic novel, you want to hate him because of all the terrible things he does, but still love him in the end. Morgan brings all of that to the screen through four decades as the anti-Captain America. I also loved the Billy Crudup narrated montage of how Dr. Jon Osterman became Dr. Manhattan. As well as the before and after of his life, leading to the self imposed exile on Mars, all perfectly captured straight from the panel and page.

Many dialogue lifts from the comic resonated more with me. Especially since I took some time before the movie to re-read and reconnect with a lot of those iconic moments in the book. I have to say this movie has been a total immersion for me. Downloaded the original score soundtrack Friday, as well as a couple of tracks from the artists version. I've also been checking out all the behind the scenes featurettes online, as well as some of the faux news broadcasts, TV specials, and commercials that make up some of the viral campaign. Here's a YouTube link to some of them on the 'New Frontiersman' channel.

Even though there have been a lot of really positive reactions from critics, I read a really annoying review in The Hollywood Reporter yesterday. Guy just didn't seem to get it at all, especially when he made the remark, "And what's with the silly Halloween getups?". Well guess what? He didn't read the graphic novel! Now, I know the whole financial angle of a movie (at least from the studio's point of view) is to appeal to as many demographics as possible. Like I said in my review, this movie does cater to the faithful of the original comic. And as much as I'd like to see this movie make major bank, those people, coming in cold to a story that is definitely out there in comparison to the recent crop of superhero characters being brough to the screen, may wonder what the hell is going on. Let them.

Does the movie capture every single nuance of the graphic novel? No, but how could it at two hours, forty minutes. Will the Director's Cut being released in July encompass a broader and even more satisfying take on the original story? I say yes! Will the DVD that follows capture even more of the back story and depth found in the comic? Again, I say yes! Bottom line is there's so much more to see than what we've been given in 160 minutes. And even those 160 minutes are pretty darn good!

"Watchmen" midnight show last night

Loved "Watchmen"!...and you can read my full review to your right. Heading to The Arclight for showing #2 tonight. Got a feeling I'll be seeing this a few times in the theater.

The crowd was great for the screening. Plus there was a strange group of people lined up against the wall in back of us, apparently there just for the trailers. When the new "Star Trek" trailer premiered they all cheered passionately, then walked out. The guy next to me said they were some of the cast members from the movie. I looked around when they were congregating back there but didn't recognize any faces.

Next up, my WonderCon wrap-up (going through photos now), and before it's too late, my Academy Awards 2009 review.

Welcome to "Watchmen" Week!!!

Tomorrow night is the big night! Midnight show at The Arclight Dome with a sold out crowd! Plus, at the same time tickets were purchased for this a month ago, I also picked up another set for the 8:20pm show on Saturday. Like "Iron Man" and "The Dark Knight", I know I'll want to see it again right away.

The reviews I've read so far have been very positive, praising Zack Snyder's faithfulness to the original graphic novel and courage to make a true film for the fans while not selling out just to win mass appeal.

The final WonderCon roundup is coming tomorrow (I promise!) along with photos from our incredible weekend in San Francisco. As well as my take on this year's Oscars. Stay tuned!