"Jackass 3D" and "Hereafter"

Saw "Jackass 3D" on Friday...the most unique and funniest use of 3D yet! Johnny Knoxville and the guys can still throw the shit (literally) out there, even ten years later! "Hereafter" last night...a little too long and drawn out. Kind of played like a slow moving French film. In fact, quite a bit of the movie is in French with subtitles. Not Clint Eastwood's best I'm afraid.

The best surprise entrance at the Scream Awards...Bill Murray!

Almost forgot to post this. Bill Murray's surprise entrance at the Scream Awards dressed in his Ghostbusters jumpsuit and back pack!! LOVE what he has to say about some of the comedic actors and performers he knew and worked with over the years who are no longer with us.

Most of the YouTube links have been taken down due to copyright infringement....blah, blah, blah. But I did manage to find one still up. Check it out!

Welcome to Tron Day

Tonight is the premiere in select theaters of 20 minutes of footage in 3D from "Tron Legacy". There's just one catch...

As it turns out I'm working all this week, and just learned that I'd be here next week as well. This is GREAT news of course! Being that I'm in the middle of cutting several broadcast spots and trailers for a couple of major projects concurrently, plus due to the logistics of getting to a theater that's only three blocks from my apartment yet at least an hour from work, I've decided it would be best to not attend tonight. Other factors come into play as well.

I was looking at my free ticket info last night which includes admission for you an a guest. It states that you must come to the theater no later than one hour before show time with a photo ID. The ticket has my name on it. The movie starts at 7pm, Rebecca and I would have to be there at 6, plus you know there's going to be a huge line of people that may already be starting to form. The twenty minutes off footage they show will likely include the ten minutes we already witnessed at Comic-Con this past July, and I actually read a blurb online that somewhat confirmed this.

All of these things came into play in my decision. The drive during the height of rush hour on the freeway will most certainly be harrowing against the clock. If I weren't working this would be a snap, but I seriously have to think about priorities right now. Yes, I'm disappointed that we won't be going. On another note, we can still get to Disneyland where ElecTRONica is in full swing and I absolutely want to check that out!

Spot-on complaint about the "BTTF" Blu-ray packaging

This is seriously the kind of crap I've been bitching about for years! The studio's ofttimes disregard for the consumers' handing of DVD packaging.

This guy talks about how unprotective and thoughtless the lock-in mechanism that holds each disc is for the new "Back to the Future" Trilogy Blu-ray set is. Click on the DVD case to read the full article. Echoing his complaint, I definitely had my share of snapped discs because they were locked in way too hard. One more reason why I'm about to load my entire collection onto a hard drive and store away these poorly designed cases. This isn't about the awesome new special edition set, it's about shoddy storage functionality.

I seriously want to find the asshole who came up with the concept for these and SLAP HIS FAT FACE!!!

One of my major studio broadcast spots goes to finish!

Because one of the four broadcast spots I cut at Happy Hour Creative has been approved all the way up the ladder at Warner Bros., meaning it will now go to 'finish' or final prep for broadcast, I can now reveal the movie I previously have not been able to name: since the end of September (amongst other projects) I've been working on "Unstoppable" starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine.

The film doesn't come out until November so I can't say any more about it right now. But I can say it's been a lot of fun cutting these broadcast spots. They've been pretty varied in style and content and definitely a major source for my continuing here at HHC. I'm also working on more spots for that major ABC series and feeling pretty confident that this train will take me into next week. If this happens it'll be my eighth in a fantastic two month straight block of work!!

Wrap of the day's BTTF events

Here's a wrap-up montage of some of the press events going on in NYC yesterday and today to promote the release of "BTTF" on Blu-ray, which includes red carpet and Q&A bites. This clip is also on the official website for the DVD.

Today's the BIG DAY!!!

The all new special edition set of the "Back to the Future" Trilogy is now on Blu-ray and standard DVD!! MUST....HAVE....COPY!!!!!

Loving the coverage that's been in the news and online regarding the press conferences and Q&A's happening in New York City today. Hopefully the love will continue as we approach our own gathering of fans starting next week. Keeping my fingers crossed that Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd just might put in an appearance, although I know Lloyd is currently doing "Death of a Salesman" on Broadway which could curb his West Coast travel.

Last night's digital screening of "Back to the Future" was a blast! Picture and sound quality were amazing, plus the crowd of fans in attendance were great. Everyone received a round of applause as they appeared on screen. After the show they were giving out commemorative 27x40 1-sheets...NICE!! Click on the image for a larger version.

Even though this was a two-date only presentation, I get the distinct impression that we may see this high-end version yet again when we're treated to the movie at the Puente Hills Mall in a little under two weeks for the first night of the "BTTF" Event. For many of us hardcore fans, last night's special screening was only the beginning of the 25th Anniversary Celebration!

Cast of "Back to the Future" on The Today Show

Check out Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Robert Zemeckis, Huey Lewis, and Mary Steenburgen talking about the 25th anniversary of the first film and the legacy of the trilogy on The Today Show this morning.

"Back to the Future" digital presentation screening TONIGHT!

Off work now and on my way to the Universal Studios Citywalk Cinema for the "Back to the Future" 25th Anniversary screening! Can't wait to see it with the fans in all it's hi-def splendor....and hopefully find a DeLorean Time Machine or two parked out front.

Beginning my 7th week at Happy Hour

Work (wonderful work) continues at Happy Hour this week! The next five to seven days are going to be pretty hectic though, what with being here during the day and going home at night to cut the "Back to the Future" 25th Anniversary trailer for the big event which is now bordering on a week and a half away. I just sent John's documentary to Ken for his perusal and will be uploading a couple of test clips for the locations tour so he can see the direction I have in mind.

Plus on top of all this, tonight is the 25th Anniversary digital presentation screening of "Back to the Future" at Universal Studios Citywalk and then Thursday night is 'Tron Night' with a screening of 20 minutes of footage from "Tron Legacy". It's a big blowout week of editing cool projects and watching great movies. I'm lovin' it!

"Back to the Future" is everywhere this week

With the release of the "Back to the Future" trilogy on Blu-ray as well as a new standard fully blown out DVD edition, fan appreciation is at an all time high right now. With Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd appearing together for the first time in years on the Scream Awards, as well as some prominent news stories about footage of original Marty Eric Stoltz finally being revealed to the public for the first time, we're right in the middle of a "BTTF" 25th Anniversary tsunami....and I couldn't be happier about the acknowledgment and praise!

It's now officially two weeks to go until the "BTTF" Celebration, and my editing skills will be in full force this weekend as I kick into high gear working on the 25th Anniversary trailer, polishing John's documentary, and cutting some test clips for the locations tour; all to upload for Ken to view.

Monday is the digital screening of "Back to the Future" at Universal Citywalk, 25 years to the day that Marty McFly travelled back to 1955. I am SERIOUSLY pumped!!!

Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd reunite!

The best moment on TV all week....HELL, ALL MONTH!!

Purple ROCKS!!

Show your support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens today! Click on the purple sneakers to learn more.

Let's talk about just how much I HATE pretentious fans!

Here's an article on a British site which talks about how the "Doctor Who" spin-off series "Torchwood" is falling into the story-arc craze and about how J Michael Straczynski is the blame for proliferating that concept in sci-fi TV shows. His one comment about the quality of JMS's brilliant "Babylon 5": 'The CGI was a bit shonky, but it passed the time.'

O.K. here's my response: [pause to clear throat]....FUUUUCK YOOOOU!!!!

"Babylon 5" WAS and IS one of the best sci-fi TV shows to ever air!! I swear to God, I really have a major dislike for the young pretentious fans of today! I mean seriously?! What an asshole! Nothing has since topped the size, scope, and depth of "Babylon 5"....I'm sorry, not even "Battlestar Galactica". I bet he likes the frickin' "Star Wars" prequels too!

Thanks, Allen, for sharing this.

New week at Happy Hour and the EW DeLorean

Starting my sixth week straight at Happy Hour Creative. Hoping this will be another full one for me. Working on additional changes on the project-to-be-named-later, as well as the possibility of creating an entirely new broadcast spot. Meanwhile, I continue to work on my second spot for the sophomore season of that ABC series.

This past weekend I completed adding more content to my friend John's "Back to the Future" documentary. Got an e-mail from Ken, the organizer of the "BTTF" 25th Anniversary event, who had just seen my John Hughes tribute video "Through the Eyes of John Hughes". When we spoke earlier this month he mentioned that he might have seen it previous. So I sent a link as a refresher. He LOVED it and is looking forward to working with John and I as we bring John's documentary and my BTTF anniversary trailer to the event.

We also talked about my contributing to another of the week's programming. Turns out there will be multiple monitors on the bus that's taking everyone on the location tour. Ken wanted to know if I could cut some individual clips from the movie to give a visual reference for fans as we approach each stop. Of course I told him I'd love to be involved with that(!), and could even add some nice eye candy....which I won't talk about yet just to keep things under wraps.

Had an amazing discovery over the weekend. The first time Ken and I spoke he was preparing his DeLorean conversion for a photo shoot in NYC, leaving the next day. That was two weeks ago. This past Saturday night when I went to see "The Town" I happened upon a copy of the Entertainment Weekly reunion issue. As I flipped through the pages to see Lea Thompson and Michael J. Fox posing next to the DeLorean Time Machine, I suddenly had a thought about the timing of when Ken said he was heading to the Big Apple...maybe this was his conversion. Then, turning the page, I saw a credit below the second photo in the shoot that credited him as the owner and converter of the car!

WOW! Talk about having a SERIOUS IN! I was very impressed. When I speak with him sometime this week I HAVE to hear the details of how that happened, the coolness of having his DeLorean appear with Fox and Thompson, and what it was like to hang with them for the shoot! Click on the image to see the full spread.

A little over two weeks to go until THE BTTF event!

"The Town" was GREAT!!

Powerful, intense, Aflleck and Renner are excellent! Even actors like Blake Lively and Chris Cooper in much, much smaller roles really shine. Full review coming up.

First LA Filmcutter podcast coming soon!

Yes, True Believers, I'm finally about to unleash the voice of lafilmcutter.com onto the unsuspecting world!

I'd been wanting to do a podcast for about a year now but never seemed to have the time or proper set-up to do so. Rebecca and I have also been wanting to do the same thing jointly but were having similar issues. Now that I have my iPhone it'll be much easier to record what will probably begin as a monthly report. Depending on how that goes I may expand to by-monthly...but let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet.

Mostly, the podcast will cover topics I talk about here, but with more flourish, sound FX and music. It's definitely another creative outlet for me personally which, aside from letting you, my friends, know how I'm doing in Hollywood and life in LA, has always been an aspect I love about this site. It's a place where I can really be me, visually.

So stay tuned for my first podcast coming soon! Hopefully before the month runs out.

O.K. so I didn't get to "The Town" last night, mostly because I ended up leaving work a little later and traffic on the 405. Passed by the theater at the time the movie was starting, 7:55pm. However, I'll definitely be going tonight. Lots to do this weekend and I'm ready to go!

"The Town"

Heading to the Arclight Sherman Oaks tonight to see Ben Affleck's "The Town". It has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, plus I have a free pass. Looks like a win/win night to me.

Really looking forward to "Jackass 3D" and "Red" but am definitely waiting until Rebecca returns from Peru to see those with her.

My Telly Award has arrived!!

I was just handed my Telly Award today at Happy Hour for the "The Book of Eli" broadcast spot I cut! Has my name on it and everything! As mentioned previously, this is my very first career award and I'm pretty excited and proud to receive it. Sure, it's not a Golden Trailer Award as I had hoped for this spot, but still a very definite acknowledgment of my work. Now to find the right place to display it at home.

Certainly capping what has been a very good year work wise, I look to the upcoming lean period in the industry with optimism. I need to keep working and I have faith that work will continue in some way shape or form. Monday starts my sixth week here as I continue to work on more broadcast spots for a major ABC series, soon to begin it's second season.

Here's the "Book of Eli" spot, entitled "Our Future", once more.

Michael J. Fox and Lea Thompson on the cover of EW

Even though I've come to LOATHE Entertainment Weekly's pretentious writing and view on pop culture (an overuse of the word 'cheesy' sealed their doom for me), I DEFINITELY need to pick this one up. Looks like there's some cool photos inside! Click on the image for the full story, and here's a little interview with MJF and LT about the photo shoot and working together in "BTTF".

Accessorizing

Along with the car charger I picked up on Monday, my trip to the Apple Store last night yielded an iPhone 4 bumper, plus a new Plantronics Bluetooth earbud at Fry's. Still trying to find time to REALLY start playing with everything. The weekend will definitely bring more immersion.

My first iPhone App. and Apple Store visit tonight

Bought my first App. for the iPhone last night when I got home, one I had planned to grab right away. It's the time circuit console from the DeLorean in "Back to the Future" that acts as a clock / timer / alarm and standard clock! Check it out by clicking on the image.

I'm off to the Apple Store tonight to pick up a few accessories for my new baby, namely a nice case and screen protector. Must protect!

I am now the very proud owner of an iPhone 4!

....and have just taken my first step into a larger world. My first command: bring on the Apps!!!

Wow....can't believe the time has finally come when I hold the most amazing communication device / multi-level gadget / insanely addictive toy in the palm of my hand. Truly amazing!

And at that moment, the heavens parted and the angels began to sing: "You have an iPhone, you are a Golden God!" Too bad I'm the only one who can hear the heavens. LOL!

Awesome "BTTF" Scream Awards Michael J. Fox promo!

Check out this incredibly cool promo for the Scream Awards airing this coming Tuesday! It's a shot-for-shot remake of the original teaser for "Back to the Future". Only this time we see Michael J. Fox, today, answering the offscreen woman's question. WATCH IT!



...AND here's the original.

"V: The Original Mini Series" soundtrack!

Just found an amazing gem on Amazon.com! The soundtrack to the original 1983 "V" mini series by composer Joe Harnell.

I'd been hoping for years that something like this would be released at some point. According to the description, it's a 'rare promo CD containing the original soundtrack to the 1983 television mini series V.' This has just been designated as a MUST BUY!!

Wait, stop.....I discovered while writing this post that Amazon also has the original soundtrack from "V: The Final Battle".....Check! That goes on the list as well! Click on the CD cover for more info.

iPhone time!

Off of work and about to head to Burbank to pick up my very own iPhone....FINALLY!!!

OMG, Eric Stoltz' "BTTF" footage is NOW ONLINE!!!

AT LAST!!! Clips of Eric Stoltz, the original Marty McFly, from the first five weeks of filming on "Back to the Future"! This stuff has NEVER been available before due to contractual agreements, permissions and actor compensations. Taken from the Blu-ray and DVD release of the trilogy coming exactly two weeks from today! MUST BUY, CAN'T WAIT, CHECK IT OUT!!!...

Oh yeah, and pardon the DUMB-ASS commercial before (unless it's for the New York Film Academy, in which case it's cool)!

Special "Tron Night" IMAX screening...and we have tickets!!

Disney is having an advanced screening of 20 minutes from "Tron Legacy" in 3D at select IMAX theaters across the country. The date is Thursday, October 28 @ 7pm.

Saw this on Facebook a few days ago, with free tickets going up online today at 1pm. However, when I arrived at the site @ 10:30am my time, tickets had already sold out for the Burbank 16 IMAX where I would have preferred to see it. The good news is tickets were still available at the Promenade 16 IMAX just three blocks from where I live! Quickly I entered my info and grabbed it. One ticket admits you and a guest, so Rebecca and I are now all set.

One hour later I rechecked to see how fast tickets were going and the Promenade 16 IMAX was sold out as well. Whew! Click on the "Tron Night" logo for more info.

iPhones are in!

Having confirmed that the shipment of 16GB iPhones came in yesterday at the AT&T store, I'm going to pick mine up tonight! Can't wait!!

The REAL reason....???

So what is the real reason why the 3D conversion of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" has been halted? You can wave whatever smoke and mirrors in front of me all you want. The bottom line is 3D conversion SUCKS!!!....and Warner Bros. KNOWS THAT! [whiny voice] 'Oh, we want to get it right...oh, there aren't enough 3D conversion houses to handle the load for our release date.'

Bullshit.

It's a flat-out foregone conclusion among movie fans (myself wholeheartedly in agreeance) that 3D conversion as it stands now, and may for the near future, is a cheap substitute for the real thing. It's not steak at Ruth's Chris, it's a cheeseburger at McDonalds! Shooting a movie using 3D technology from the beginning is the only way. Just one minute of the extended preview for "Thor" at Comic-Con this past July spoke volumns. I WILL NOT watch a 3D converted movie. I'm more than happy to stick with upcoming releases like "The Green Hornet" in good old tried-and-true 2D.

Don't get me wrong, I do love 3D....with select movies though. Hollywood needs to stop flailing around to have everything in 3D. Click on the "Deathly Hallows" 1-sheet for the full 'tale' of how Harry will smartly stay 2D, at least until Part II comes out next year. O.K. so maybe half smart. Hey there's a title..."Harry Potter and the Half-Ass, Half-Smart 3D Conversion".

George Lucas, listen the fuck up!

Awaiting iPhone shipment

Called my favorite AT&T store in Burbank on Saturday in anticipation of purchasing a 16GB iPhone 4 and as it turns out they were out of them. Said they'd be getting a shipment in today so it looks like I won't be picking one up until tomorrow night. We've gone back to the same customer rep. a few times who works there and I want to buy it through her. If that shipment arrives on schedule today I'll be all set.

Another week at Happy Hour

Starting my fifth week straight at Happy Hour Creative. I continue to bask in the amount of work I've been doing here. Word is that I may be going into next week as well but no solid confirmation of that yet.

I've definitely been cutting several cool projects over the summer and into fall. This year has absolutely put me back on track with expanding my career. After last year's financial near-disaster, the types of projects and the amount of work I've been involved with has pushed me back into progressive gear.

Working, rearranging, planning a trip

Working on my friend John's "Back to the Future" documentary today in anticipation of the "BTTF" event which is now a little under one month away. Also need to get to work on that 25th anniversary trailer I plan to premiere there as well. Stopping over to John's today to pick up yet another drive of more footage he recently shot.

Also rearranging a few things around the apartment in anticipation of heading back to my Mom's when there's a break in work. Need to ship the last remaining items that have not made it out here yet. That stuff basically takes up a five foot square area of floor space in my childhood bedroom. Of course as long as the work holds out I'm staying put and here's hoping that will be for awhile!

Tonight: pepperoni pizza, cheese breadsticks, and a 10th anniversary screening of "Almost Famous" in the 10th Box Home Theater. Aaaahh, relaxing.

Dinner tonight, airport tomorrow, and more Happy Hour next week

Just finished my third week in a row at Happy Hour Creative and am about to head over to pick up Rebecca for a pre-trip dinner out. She's taking a flight tomorrow morning for a two-week trip to Peru! Even though I will miss her more than she could possibly know, I'm really excited about her trip (joined with a best friend and co-worker) and know she's going to have an amazing time!

Next Monday brings another full week at Happy Hour, continuing to address notes on that unnamed major motion picture project perhaps (depending on notes from the studio), as well as a new one cutting a couple of broadcast spots for a major prime time ABC TV show...but more on that a little later. I know, call me a tease, I can take it!

Just finished up yet another project, this one for Cartoon Network, that was completed over the course of the past five days. In general it looks like I'm going to be around for awhile which is great news!

"Almost Famous": 10 years after the band hit the road (again)

This is one of my newest favorite movies of all time, and it's hard to believe it's been ten years. Certainly one of director Cameron Crowe's two best films, the other being "Say Anything", and his most passionately close-to-the-heart story because he lived it.

"Almost Famous" would also be Kate Hudson's best and most memorable role to date, starring in a string of very forgettable romantic comedies since. Kind of sad because I really love her portrayal of Penny Lane, the band groupie (no wait, 'band aid') who doesn't know how to let go.

The movie's just a flat-out fun journey to watch...repeatedly. Hilarious and occasionally bittersweet, filled with many memorable quotes:

William: "He traded you for $50 and a case of beer!!"
Penny: [fighting back tears of rejection while trying to make light with a wisp of a smile] "....what kind of beer."

AND some really amazing music; classic rock tracks from the 70's interwoven with Nancy Wilson's album of songs for the fictional band Stillwater. Crowe has always said why create new songs that may sound superficial when you already have a huge catalogue of incredible classic tunes out there that can perfectly set the mood to any scene and resonate more deeply.

I especially like that photo I've included in the banners above; a publicity still of Cameron Crowe with the two actors who play William Miller at different ages, Michael Angarano (younger) and Patrick Fugit (older). It's almost like a progression of Crowe from boyhood to manhood, since "Almost Famous" is his personal story in a sense. Some of the best movies are ones that directors or writers have experienced in their lives. The immediacy and intimacy Crowe has with the material truly makes this movie what it is, and as time continues to pass, a true classic.

"It's okay! I'm easy to forget! Just leave me behind! I'm only THE FUCKING LEAD SINGER!!!"

"Star Wars" in 3D: 'The fool, or the fool who follows him?'

Check out this open letter to George Lucas written by a true "Star Wars" fan who works for CNN. I have to admit he had me right up until he says he'll be there at 12:01am on opening day when the 3D versions of all six movies open. Putz! That's just what Lucas wants, you MORON!!

Click on the pic of Vader for the full article.

Last night, a few blocks from work on my way home, a fully converted "Back to the Future Part II" DeLorean passed by me. Complete with Mr. Fusion and a barcode license plate. SWEET!! Wondered where he was headed.

iPhone this weekend!

It's official! I am finally buying an iPhone this coming weekend! Picking up the 16GB because basically that's all I need. Apps. will ultimately be the biggest addition while music and video will stay with my iPod.

Wow...."Die Hard" director John McTiernan is going to prison for a year in connection with that wiretapping scandal. Crazy.

"BTTF" event countdown

One month from today the "Back to the Future" 25th Anniversary Celebration Event begins!!! Let the countdown start!

"Pilgrim" mania....REALLY?!

"Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" just had a screening in Hollywood at The New Beverly Cinema plus a Q&A with just about the entire cast....it sold out instantly. Now they've scheduled additional screenings on November 12 and 13....both those dates sold out almost immediately. Seriously?! I mean come on, the movie REALLY wasn't that good!

"The Social Network" review: Captivating and seriously tight!

Unlike with "Inception", movie critics are spot-on in their praise of this telling of how Facebook came to be through Mark Zuckerberg's initial idea 'borrowed' from twin crew rowers at Harvard and the havoc it's inception and follow-through affects Mark, his friends and soon-to-be enemies around him. What is ultimately a simple success story becomes wildly fascinating in it's telling through director David Fincher and actors Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake.

Eisenberg, as the Harvard student who created Facebook in 2004, is mesmerizing to watch. I've heard critics comment that Mark Zuckerberg's asshole personality and somewhat sociapathic behavior portrayed in this movie is not something very endearing. Not that the performance is bad, just that you want to dislike this college student turned billionaire. I actually disagree. I loved how he just put it right out there about who he was, what he wanted, who he did and didn't want to be associated with. He just cuts through all the bullshit of people and their ofttimes annoying interactions. I actually admired Jesse Eisenberg portrayal of Zuckerberg as not being out for himself but being out for what he could achieve and focusing on the potential for how cool the Facebook site could be, as opposed to how much money he could make. Ultimately, Eisenberg carries the movie with perfect pitch. This is definitely his best performance to date.

Justin Timberlake is nothing short of electric in this movie. Portraying Napster creator Sean Parker, he moves like a smooth criminal from Facebook interested-party hoping to connect with Zuckerberg, later to a co-shareholder of the company. Every scene Timberlake is in crackles, and you just can't take your eyes off him whenever he's onscreen. The future Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield, also turns in a great performance and adds to the trifecta of power, literally portraying Mark Zuckerberg's only real friend and financial partner until almost the end.

David Fincher's direction is outstanding and he's created a seriously tight film. Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall editing breaks this movie out of what could have been a simple telling of events that led to a website's birth, and that could have also been boring as hell. The editorial pacing not only moves the story along in a nicely creative fashion, but is sometimes joyfully quirky. Quick cuts back and forth in the timeline of events are masterfully seamless with good storytelling satisfaction. The screenplay by Aaron Sorkin is sharply paced; clever dialogue flows with well-oiled precision. The combined efforts of Fincher, Baxter, Wall, and Sorkin had me thinking 'Why can't more movies snap like this?' about halfway through the second act.

And on a side note, the one moment that really had me sit up was when Timberlake's character makes a comment about the fact that "The Towering Inferno" was filmed in the building they were in...the exact building I pointed at and motioned to Rebecca sitting next to me just five seconds prior in an establishing exterior shot as being that exact location! Not something just ANYONE would recognize or appreciate, but being a fan of that movie it just made he smile and say 'YES!!!' slightly under my breath as he acknowledged it.

Is this 'the movie of the decade' as a few critics are praising? I don't know if I could call any film that, but it's certainly one of the very best and most memorable of this year to date. You certainly walk away from it thinking just a little bit differently about that website we log into daily to share with friends, catch up on news and events, and sometimes play games. Did Mark Zuckerberg steal the idea for Facebook from the Harvard twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss? Quite frankly, when you're a college student, what constitutes stealing an idea when there was never any signing of paperwork involved? And straight up if that was in fact the case, then good for Zuckerberg because these guys were two Harvard crew rower assholes who never would have given him the time of day because they were richie elitists. Screw 'em!

Bottom line: "The Social Network" rocks!

‎"The Social Network" was incredible and seriously tight!! Jesse Eisenberg is mesmerizing and Justin Timberlake is just flat out electric. "Easy A" was very cute and fun. Emma Stone: sweet, funny, sexy. Nice John Hughes nods. Full reviews up next.

Seeing "The Social Network" and "Easy A" today

Heading out for a movie double feature day starting this morning: "The Social Network" in the morning and "Easy A" in the afternoon.

A lot of critics are calling "Social" the 'movie of the decade'. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it but am a little leary of comments like that. Remember, this is what happened with "Inception" just a few short months ago...

'best movie of the year'
'a masterpiece'
'movie of the decade'

....and then WE saw it and were kind of let down. However I'm feeling a bit more love from this flick. The vibe is allowing those expectations to be a little more grounded and I predict a better enjoyment level.

I'd been waiting to hear more about "Easy A". Some great reviews, an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and good word-of-mouth comments about this very nicely echoing a John Hughes movie has my expectation meter up. Plus, Emma Stone is definitely the new 'it' girl in my book. I'm in!

I'll have reviews up tomorrow along with one for "Machete" which we saw last Sunday.

Happy Hour work keeps rolling

Finished up my third week in a row at Happy Hour Creative. Feedback was really strong from the studio on the project that can't be named at the moment. Between myself and three other editors, we batted eleven spots out to them and made a serious impression. A few changes needed to be made, but the structure of each of the spots that had been approved remained pretty much intact. I knew this project was going to be fun when I started and so far it's been a blast!

Heading into this upcoming week I'll be switching into one of two new projects that will take me through the end of the week, and I wouldn't be surprised if we went into the next.

"Wonder Woman" returning to TV via David E. Kelley....my response: ABSOLUTELY NOT, NO FUCKING WAY!! I want her to head for nowhere other than the big screen!

Expanding our "BTTF" event tickets

Decided to buy tickets for the 'Battle of the Bands' event on Saturday, November 6 due to the fact that there's more going on than just a giant Guitar Hero competition.

Here's the additional line-up:
Screen Used Prop Museum
Hill Valley Film Festival: Fan Films and Collections
DeLorean Car Show
Trilogy set photographer Ralph Nelson unveils the first public viewing of all continuity polaroids from all three movies

Between this, the screening at the Puente Hills Mall the night before and the locations tour the day after, this will make it a true "Back to the Future" weekend! Still holding out to attend 'The Time Machine...Disassembled' on Tuesday the 9th. Have not purchased tickets yet but that was the last event I'd checked off as 'want to go to'.

Unfortunately the individual tickets for the Enchantment Under The Sea Dance are now SOLD OUT. I was pretty frustrated by the news for a number of reasons I've mentioned here previously. I'm just hoping it turns out to not include anything we'll be happy to hear didn't happen later as opposed to 'oh shit, they did WHAT?!!!....and WE MISSED IT??!!'

Work has been pretty busy today so I'll be giving Ken, the event organizer, a call either tonight or tomorrow about John's documentary and my tribute trailer....which, BTW, I need to start cutting!!!

TV show creator, writer, producer Stephen J. Cannell dies

Was pretty shocked to read a few minutes ago that prolific producer and writer Stephen J. Cannell passed away from complications of melanoma on Thursday. He was 69.

He had been in pretty good health and was even talking with William Katt about tackling a big budget "Greatest American Hero" theatrical movie. "GAH" of course was just one of the very successful shows Cannell gave us in the late 70s and early 80s which included "The A-Team", "Magnum P.I.", and "The Rockford Files". "Hero" of course was my favorite of the bunch. He continued to create, produce and write shows like "The Commish" through the 90's and this past decade. Plus, even as technology rose with the advent of the home computer, he continued to write on a typewriter during his entire career, just like you see in every one of his signature logos after one of the show's credits. I can even here the music as I'm writing this. Click on the photo for more info at the LA Times' Hero Worship.

Also, check out this incredible compilation of all of his signature logo ID's. What's amazing is you see the progression of his professional life as he appears just a little older in each one. I have to say my eye teared up a bit as the montage came to a close.

SUCK IT Anaheim!!!!!

Comic-Con will be staying in San Diego through 2015!! Click on the logo for the full story. I really can't imagine THE event of the summer going anywhere else and hope plans continue to be pushed through successfully to get the additional space built to accommodate the gi-normous crowds.