Ding, ding, ding: post house mass e-mailing time!

Time once again to roll out my pro-site link to that gi-normous list of post houses. As previously mentioned, I'm now making contact every two months like clockwork. Last run was March 29, now it's the end of May, next run will be July 29, etc. We're still in one of the high traffic times of the year for work so I'm having faith that the next hook into another top trailer house is coming.

"X-Men: First Class" tickets in hand

"X-Men: First Class" continues to garner incredibly glowing reviews, and we now have our tickets for Friday's premiere. Check out the latest one from The Hollywood Reporter by clicking on the photo of Magneto.

This movie is starting to look like it will absolutely dominate the box office over the summer....but of course there's still "Super 8" bowing just one week later. I'm just glad to see some REALLY good movies coming our way instead of the disappointing fare we've been exposed to over the last two years. The warm months have not been the same at the box office since "Iron Man" and "The Dark Knight" ripped it up in 2008.

BTW, look for the next LA Filmcutter podcast in about a week as I'm sure "X-Men" will have me wanting to praise it up beyond typing a mere post!

Summer movie tickets and Comic-Con expectations

Tickets are on sale now for "X-Men: First Class" and I'll be buying ours today. "Super 8" as well. Definitely going opening night for both. We're rolling into an amazing movie summer. By the time we get to Comic-Con most of the big summer releases will have already premiered. "Cowboys and Aliens" bowing a week after the event with "Captain America" definitely being the go-to premiere for the crowds on Friday night.

Hearing that "The Avengers" and "The Amazing Spider-Man" will have major panels but I'm more looking forward to the "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" presentation, still just under a month out from that movie's release date.

Now on Facebook!

LA Filmcutter is now on Facebook! The FB icon will take you directly there. So don't be shy...click that 'like' button!!

Now you can keep up with the promise, the dreams, the successes, the pitfalls, the events and the rants...all from your wall. But if you only check this site out through FB in the future, please remember to come back on a regular basis to take in the bling. Sometimes....O.K. most of the times...it's all about the bling! Enjoy!

So....are people just not watching or listening to anything?

Experts say the DVD and music markets are in fast decline and home entertainment is hitting the skids.

Say what?

Yes, the DVD market has softened and downloading has been rising to the top very quickly as the media of choice for movies and TV shows. Certainly the music business has all but forgotten the CD market at this point as iTunes Store became the #1 music sales outlet in 2008. Yes, I understand people are downloading music for free from music sharing sites as well. Some of these have been shut down by the federal government, go-to site Limewire just last month. But there's still a desire for anything and everything new.

The internet has made getting your favorite movies and music incredibly easy, and I seriously savor that aspect of my passion for both. But people ARE still buying content (I WILL NOT say fucking 'product'!) and they will always have a need and desire to be entertained. Which brings me to the title of this post. All of the news sources make it sound like everything is in decline therefore no one is going to the movies or buying music and DVDs. Then why is Lady Gaga selling millions of copies of her new album, why are people flocking to the new crop of spring and summer movies, and why are several big films topping the download list?

Gimme a break! Sorry, I have to differ.

The economy has bounced back and continues to get stronger. Formats change as surely as new decades come and go. Soon packaged media will be obsolete and everything we buy will live digitally on our hard drives. I for one welcome this all encompassing future. Ultimately the bottom line is in what format will people get their entertainment next? They want music, they want movies, they want home entertainment. Don't think that's ever going to change.

Wait...what?

All I have to say is absolutely bloody brilliant! I'M IN!!!

Happy Geek Pride Day!

Suddenly was reminded that today is Geek Pride Day! This date was chosen to commemorate the release of the original "Star Wars" on May 25, 1977 and has since become a national day of appreciation for all things GEEK!

I personally love that this day has a designation all it's own. Recently I've been posting about how if gays and other people of diversity are being much more accepted into culture, then why shouldn't we?!

Check out this list of basic rights and responsibilities of being a geek! My favorites is number 3, but as far as 7 is concerned I think a lot of us definitely have style:

1. The right to be even geekier.

2. The right to not leave your house.

3. The right to not like football or any other sport.

4. The right to associate with other nerds.

5. The right to have few friends (or none at all).

6. The right to have as many geeky friends as you want.

7. The right to be out of style.

8. The right to show off your geekiness.

9. The right to take over the world.

So get out there today and let everyone know WHO YOU ARE and that you deserve respect and appreciation!!! You can read more about this very special day right here.

And yes, we absolutely have another winner!!

Like I was even remotely surprised! Just like yesterday's wonderfully positive news that "X-Men: First Class" is certifiably awesome, here is a smattering of amazing review snippets posted after a special advanced screening of JJ Abrams' "Super 8" over the weekend. This summer keeps getting better and better!

"X-Men: First Class" early reviews: Fantastic!!

Yes, True Believers, THIS is what we've totally been waiting to hear....the GOOD news!!! No spoilers, just some great early reviews after a screening over the weekend.

We're here at the Red Bull LA Soapbox Race in downtown LA waiting for the race to start! Our favorite team to win is the Angry Birds. Beautiful weather today, having a great time!

COMIC-CON: 60 DAYS AND COUNTING!!

My Groove and her 4th Anniversary

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls...I have my groove back at last!

Went to the dealership this morning to pick up my Mini. What an amazing experience to get back behind the wheel after two months and realize how much I missed her. The only thing they missed to was to give her a wash, but that was totally fine with me since I usually do all of that myself. Once inside, the very first thing I did was plug in the iPod and start my Mini playlist. Track 1: 'Love's Theme' by the Love Unlimited Orchestra. The same track I played when I first picked her up from the dealership in 2007.

And with that in mind, I can now officially acknowledge my Mini's forth anniversary. Maybe a little late because I was waiting for her return, but it was four years ago at the beginning of May that she arrived in my possession. Now I have a brand new engine and a brand new 2-year warranty. Let the motoring continue!

First LA Filmcutter Podcast: IT'S HERE!

After some uploading issues this afternoon, pushing my promised 48 hour premiere window, the very first LA Filmcutter podcast has FINALLY arrived! Click on the podcast icon to listen. You can also download it to put on your iPod, iPhone, iPad or other mobile device.

This is a pretty freewheeling 15 minute talk and occasional rant. Still in the experimental stage but I foresee a number of very cool additions, including guest appearances and location broadcasts, that could make this thing really fun! The first episode begins with Dirty Vegas' "I Should Know" which was one of the very first tracks on my 'Trip to LA" playlist in 2002. That's when I arrived in Los Angeles for the first time, ready for the ten interviews I'd lined up. Enjoy!

Getting my Mini back!

Tomorrow is the day!! Finally, after what seems like a millennium, I'll be heading to Bob Smith first thing in the morning to pick up my Mini!

Had a chance to get in and start her up last Saturday as that was the day I was to originally scheduled to liberate her from storage. Felt so strange, like a year had passed since I was behind the wheel...even though it'd only been a series of weeks. However, the service department was unsure of a non-engine component and wanted to repair it to avoid my having to return almost certainly right away. Glad their taking care of the problem but it's added an additional $200 to the tab.

No matter!! My girl will be back on the road with the sun roof open and the Mini iPod playlist cranked soon enough!

bin Laden's demise and America's return

What? I'm making some type of political comment? I know this is a little late but just briefly....I have to say I was amazed and very happy to hear of bin Laden's death. I think this country has now risen from the ashes of 9/11 to say [like Samuel L. Jackson] 'hey, we were viciously attacked and we motherfuckin' struck back! Now can we get back to the business of feelin' good about ourselves?'

Bush did shit, Obama rocks....and now we can raise our heads up, as well as our new Freedom Tower in Lower Manhattan, to celebrate the fact that we ain't goin' NOWHERE!

BTW, I really didn't think there was anything wrong with people taking to the streets to celebrate bin Laden going down. He deserved what he got (a bullit through his eye and brain) and we deserve to finally feel good!...DAMNIT!! Tell that to the woman in those videos released on 9/11 of people in the Middle East celebrating. ALALALALALALALALALALALALALA now, bitch! LOL!

First LA Filmcutter podcast!

Yes, True Believers....after many months of false starts, the very first podcast for this site was just recorded today! I'll be adding a couple of bells and whistles tonight and posting sometime in the next 48 hours. LOOK FOR IT!

Saw "The People vs. George Lucas" yesterday and "The Beaver" this morning. Both were great! Full reviews tomorrow.

Availability call and follow up

Got a call from one of my contacts at New Wave Entertainment on this past week. She wanted to know my availability starting Monday. Of course I'm still at Happy Hour and will be for at least the next two weeks. She said they had a few projects heating up which were mostly sizzle reels and that there would probably be a need for an editor or editors going into June.

The last time I worked at New Wave was in December of 2008 on the DVD for the remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still". Since the downturn in DVD sales due to oversaturation, that would also turn out to be one of the last DVD special features projects I would work on.

I let her know that once I was done at Happy Hour I'd be available to come there if there was still a need at that point. When we got off the phone I immediately e-mailed her a link to my pro-site so she could see the short-form stuff I've been cutting. The only projects they've seen my work on is long-form special features.

I finally broke down and called Trailer Park back. It's been a month since I applied to their call for editors that garnered me a call back. As mentiones, they wanted to have me come by for a meet-and-greet to be followed by my starting my first project with them. When I spoke with them on Thursday I was told that they hadn't forgotten me but that they were waiting for some of these projects to heat up more before bringing me in initially. That had been my thought over these past few weeks that perhaps they just weren't ready yet. I was told that they would contact me when that happened and for me to feel free to check in as well.

I also just saw a job listing on entertainmentcareers.net for a trailer editor. The company name said 'confidentially' which usually means it's a top house. Sent my link off to them right away. Even though I'm working right now I still want to keep the fires of advancement burning!

"Beetlejuice" Q&A with Michael Keaton tonight

"So, say it once, say it twice, three times the charm, and remember… [sings and dances] I'll eat anything you want me to eat and I'll swallow anything you want me to swallow. So come on down I'll…CHEW ON A DOG!!! AAAOOOOWWWW!!!"

Heading to the Aero Theatre tonight with Rebecca for a double feature of "Beetlejuice" and "Multiplicity" plus a special Q&A with Michael Keaton!

"You bunch of losers!!!! You're working with a professional here!!! [kicks over a tree] Nice fucking model!"

Stepping up my methods

Being that I'm in a major career-advancing mood now, I've just stepped up my calendar for sending out a link to my pro-site to all post houses on my list.

Previously I was firebombing everyone between three and four months apart. I will now carpet the lot every two months like clockwork. The last mass e-mailing to go out was March 29 which means the next scheduled contact date is May 29. I have a calendar alarm set on my iPhone that will notify me the day before each period. I'm not getting any younger...it's time to grab more of my share!

Happy Birthday, Martha Quinn!!

Holy crap, is she really 52?! Had a major crush on her in the early days of MTV. And I never knew she was born in Albany, N.Y. just 10 miles from where I did. Crazy!

Unfortunately MTV is no more (at least as far as I and a lot of other people are concerned), but Martha's VJ stylings continue with her "Martha Quinn Presents" radio show on SIRIUS Satellite every week. The cool thing is she does the entire program from her home in Malibu. God bless technology! Really wish I had the network so I could listen!

"Fast Five" review: ridiculously and jaw-droppingly AMAZING!!!

Who would have guessed that I'd not only go to see a "Fast and Furious" movie in the theater but that I would ACTUALLY LOVE IT!!!

I originally had no intention of checking this out as I've always given the "FF" franchise a wide berth. Suddenly the movie premiered and was greeted by a whole slew of amazed reviewers praising it as the best in the series. Even a couple of people I know who never cared for these kinds of films said it was great. O.K. so now we had to go. And OH MY CHRIST does the movie deliver!!

Vin Diesel, who decided after breaking free of the franchise to seek bigger movies that just didn't work then beat it back to the money train, is again onboard after his initial return in "Fast and Furious". Not having seen that movie, I actually just learned that "Fast Five" picks right up where "Fast and Furious" left off. Vin and Paul Walker head a sort of Ocean's Eleven group to rip off $100 million from Brazilian corrupt businessman Hernan Reyes (who portrayed Ramon Salazar in "24"). Walker and friends have sprung Diesel from the prison bus that was taking him away for 25 years and now they're hiding out in Rio to figure out what to do next.

This is an incredibly INSANE, HIGH OCTANE movie!!! The action at times is so amazingly jaw-dropping that I could barely contain myself in my seat, letting slip a few serious hoots and hollers along with other members of the audience. The climactic sequence involving two high powered cars driven by Walker and Diesel pulling a giant safe full of money through the streets of Rio starts out almost cartoon like. This has some serious WTF moments that are joyfully ridiculously and laughingly fun at each turn...and I LOVED every minute of it!!! An early train car heist sequence is a very cool and stylized stunner as well.

Dwayne Johnson plays the elite commando-like law enforcement agent whose team is closing in on Diesel and Walker's gang while they amass the members (some from earlier "FF" movies), the tools and the tricks necessary to make it so they'll be set up for the rest of their lives. Of course everyone waits in anticipation for the ultimate smackdown Johnson and Diesel will have. On a side note, I have to say it's great to see The Rock getting his groove on in this kind of an action movie. I was getting tired of all of these comedy and Disney roles (like "The Tooth Fairy") which seemed to steer him away from Schwarzenegger's action crown. Even though Johnson has a great comedic timing and is genuinely funny, I've really been wanting to see him crash some cars and pump some bullets of late. Here, we absolutely get those kind of meat and potatoes!

O.K. yes this story has been done before. But the fun element of an oversized robbery with fast cars, a streetwise team and the swagger of a couple of current action giants brings this movie to crazy, CRAZY heights of out-loud 'OH MY CHRIST!'-inducing AWE!!! Plus there are several curve balls nicely placed throughout, especially during the climax.

DO IT, SEE IT, CATCH IT, BASK IN IT'S SPECTACLE!!

"Thor" review: definitely much better than expected!

"Thor" is a movie I've been a little skeptical about going all the way back to Comic-Con of last year. After watching the 10 minutes of footage they showed us I knew right away there would be no desire to see it in the View Master quality 3D conversion. Yuck! The costumes, sets and worlds of Asgard looked spectacular. But nothing really reeled me in that this was going to be great. With each new trailer or broadcast spot I found myself continuing to question whether the movie would work.

Flash forward to last Friday night. My skepticism had waned a bit after reading reviews from the Australian premiere just a couple of weeks ago, and those were very positive. Rottentomatoes.com had rated the movie at 80%. But once the domestic reviews began flowing in with so many of them wonderfully surprised that the movie was actually good, I put aside any concerns and went in with a fresh slate. And I am happy to announce that the movie is indeed spectacular!!

First up I want to say that Kenneth Branagh was absolutely the best choice as director of this movie. By bringing his Shakespearean sensibilities on board, Marvel has given us another spot-on rendering of one of their top-tier heros. Chris Hemsworth absolutely nails the role of Thor, playing the God of Thunder with the right amount of bravado, honor and perfectly placed humor. Tom Hiddleston's Loki could have been an over the top caricature with some high pitched Riddler-like voice as he is sometimes portrayed in the comics. Instead Hiddleston not only give us the evil side of Thor's brother but the angst of learning his birthright. Anthony Hopkins as Odin is also perfectly cast as well. These three are the core of Branagh's almost period-like symphony that is only brought down to Earth in tone when S.H.I.E.L.D., led by Clark Gregg's agent Phil Coulson, finds Thor's fallen hammer as he did in the after credits-scene from "Iron Man 2".

On the human side, Natalie Portman and Stellan Skarsgård are the scientists trying to understand strange phenomenon in the skies over a small New Mexico town. Kat Dennings, last scene in "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" brings the right amount of Facebook generation humor to this trio who are about to find a war of the gods brewing over their community.

The CG effects are really well done, especially in depicting Asgard's beauty and a couple of incredible battle sequences that had me leaning forward in my chair with amazement and excitement. The rainbow bridge of Asgard is wonderfully re-imagined as not a rainbow at all but a shimmering multi-colored raised pathway which leads to the other eight realms. Thor's hammer spins wildly at times during battle as it does in the comics and The Destroyer's look is a transposed exactly from the page.

Out of the Marvel stable I can't really say that "Thor" overtakes movies like "Iron Man" or "The Incredible Hulk". The only slightly off–kilter moment of the film comes when Thor's friends, on a hunt for their Earth-exiled companion, arrive at this little New Mexico town in full Asgardian garb. The mixing of our reality and the one anchored firmly in the heavens is a tough match during this particular sequence. I know some people who would feel that the movie just failed completely at this point. I on the other hand just pushed myself a little into just going with it and things were fine from there. My big concern is how will Thor and characters like Iron Man mix it up in "The Avengers"? In their proper place amongst the Nine Realms, the costume design is wonderfully rendered, especially Thor's which completely and perfectly echoes the more current comic book incarnation of black, grey and red.

Is "Thor" perfect? On a positive note I will say that it does present the God of Thunder in a really spectacular incarnation that's sure to have some major box office legs over the summer. You should definitely see for yourself what began with some trepidation has become a great ride!

Work extension at Happy Hour Creative

Word has come down that I'll definitely be here through the end of May! Been working over this entire weekend on a couple of network upfronts, continuing with those and returning to make changes on a theatrical feature broadcast spot perhaps sometime this week.

Still no phone call from Trailer Park which hasn't diminished my resolve to get in there very soon. Again, I'm just hoping it's because they don't have a need for me yet and just waiting to do that 'meet and greet' right before I start a project. I am SERIOUSLY hungry for some new substantial movement with my career. The time is NOW!

"Thor" was great and "Fast Five" was amazing!! Full reviews coming tomorrow!

Oh yes...!!

And let's not forget that it's time to start the countdown to Comic-Con which is now only two and half months away!!! Tick-tock, tick-tock!

Back in the saddle

After a two week hiatus, I've returned to report on a number of things....yet this post will be pretty brief as I'm at work and trying to get a cut out by end of day.

Tonight we'll be going to see "Thor". I've been pleasantly surprised at the good reviews coming down from major critics. So I'm certainly ready to be wowed by what is being called one of the best superhero movies of the past several years (can it be?). More on this after the screening. Tomorrow morning we expect to see "Fast Five" which is also garnering very positive reviews. Also want to check out the indie "Win Win" starring Paul Giamatti.

Continuing to work at Happy Hour Creative after taking a two day break to work on the Blake Edwards Tribute. Unfortunately, Julie Andrews was feeling ill and decided to meet with us on May 25 for final approval. So we put everything into polishing the piece to present to her in a few weeks.

Looking to pick up my Mini from Bob Smith Mini a week from tomorrow. That's when I'll finally have all the money together to pay for the new engine. Can't wait to have my baby back on the road! You have no idea!

Today has been a particularly bad day at work for reasons I caution to include here. Perhaps a little later when some of the smoke has cleared in my brain (no, I'm not on drugs!). Just something I really need to realize, accept and move on about. But it's certainly made me contemplate my place unequivocally amongst people. I need to do some personal housecleaning once more.

On a brighter note, I'm really looking forward to having a fun weekend with Rebecca as we will probably be heading to the beach, fly kites and check out bicycles we plan to buy in the near future! As well as see some great movies!

...O.K. so I guess this post wasn't that short.