I saw Sunshine Cleaning last night and stinking loved it. Both Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are my new favorite. At the end of the movie I felt like maybe we were friends.
The reason this film is so great is because it's both hopeful and honest. Life doesn't always work out the way we imagine and sometimes it gets pretty dark but we can find sunshine in even the saddest and darkest places. When we have no money, no husband, and we clean up after dead bodies. When we feel like a total loser. When someone we love dies. This movie is all about finding hope when terrible things happen and life doesn't provide us with the happy ending we expected. I just loved it, so go see it!
Oh boy oh boy! Stinking excited for this movie to come out October 16th. I know in many ways I'm a child in a bad way. But I'd like to think, maybe sometimes, I'm a child in a good way.
I completed my Fiesta Movement Film. Almost all of the videos I saw that were uploaded looked a lot more like video resumes than anything else. Not really my style. I believe in less is more, (unless we're talking about one of my many indulges, in which I can't help but practice the principle more is never enough).
The dilemma: in a short film how can I prove I have an internet audience, that I know how to put together an entertaining video, and I like road trips without it looking like shameless self-promotion?
This is what I came up with....
The open road, our life journey, all the random, strange people we pick up along the way and the places we go. And the people along the road will do all the promoting for me.
This past month I've rediscovered all the things I forgot I loved to do. Been crazy busy working on a short video project (further details on the project later).
My Film in the Making:
That's Paul in my opening shot. Paul helped me brainstorm the idea and is writing an original song for me which I'm excited about.
Justin is my camera genius and pretty much helped me figure it all out from the beginning. That's his battle wound after a tragic barbed wire accident.
These shots we got of Bekah were really incredible and she looks so great.
This shot cracks me up, because I told her, "throw the sign but don't throw it in the lake please" so she dramatically throws it and then watches it till it drops.
Some more shots and people who helped me out.
Found this abandoned road right next to the train tracks. Such an incredible spot. Justin risked his life on a skateboard next to my car for this shot.
I have to have it done by Sunday. So check back in a couple days!
This will be my last blog about WATCHMEN. Cross my heart.
It seems as though a lot of people went into Watchmen expecting another superhero movie, polished and triumphant, those people came out disappointed.
Aside from a few moments, Snyder avoided dumbing down Moore’s masterpiece to win over the public. Watchmen was made for fans.
This isn’t another comic book movie. It exposes the paradox of the superhero genre. In this reality Superman doesn’t care for humanity, Batman’s a nut, everybody else’s damaged, paranoid, narcissistic, sadistic, sexually deviant. Got goosebumps when Dr. Manhattan says if there is a God, I’m nothing like him.
Watchmen imagines a reality universe. It’s the possibility of what could have been if we had superheroes. We wouldn’t let superman just rescue cats from trees or fight crime in Metropolis. He would help us change history! If Superman existed and he was American, we surely would have won the Vietnam War and what would that have meant?
Watchmen was less plot driven and more character based. Generally, the movie medium doesn’t need to worry about character development and they don’t really have time to. The book is addicting and emotional because you get attached to characters, especially Rorschach whose character is heartbreaking.
I think just as the graphic novel redefined the comic book genre, the movie redefined the comic book movie genre. Comic book movies aren’t just for kids anymore. Watchmen hit theatres at a time when superhero movies are growing tiresome. How about something new, refreshing and serious?
I loved the movie from the very beginning when Bob Dylan’s “Times they are A’Changing” played through. It got me feeling all “Watchmen-y” (which is a word, Zach Snyder used it).
11. Sunshine Cleaning 4.9 - Another 2008 Sundance Film. Love Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.
Honorable Mention: Lets not forget about 2009's release of Fast and the Furious....four? And if that isn't exciting enough, Paul Walker and Vin Deisel are returing for old time sake. Oh boy!
I finally saw the movie “Che.” Soderbergh and Del Toro did a great job. But more than anything the movie had me inspired by Che himself. I have wondered why Che has become resurrected? It’s been over 40 years since his assassination and he has come alive again as a pop culture icon. I’m sure the socialist would turn in his grave if he saw the T-shirts, ash-trays, posters and pins being sold across the capitalist market. I was most shocked to see his popularity with white, return-missionaries at BYU. Wondered if they knew he was a Marxist, a guerilla war lord, an executioner, on the right hand of Fidel Castro. I couldn’t understand his appeal. But even still it was very clear that as of lately Che’s legend was being romanticized.
I think more than anything his popularity reveals the world’s desperate need for a hero. Coming from the ultimate hero enthusiast, America is begging for a hero of their own. (Maybe Obama will step up to the plate and be that.) How can one not respect Che’s undaunted revolutionary idealism? How can one not appreciate his belief in and love for humanity? Or be inspired by his passion? When his troops betrayed him, his asthma almost killed him, while he was fighting despite his obvious failure he never wavered from his principles. He walked away from power, fame and money. Whether you agree or not with his politics one can’t help but recognize Che as a hero. Or at the least, acknowledge the potential of a better grade of individual if we shared his same dedication for a cause and for human kind.
During times of change like today, whether you’re hopeful or anxious we all need assurance that we can control our own destiny. And in all honesty, I can’t help but find the warlord pretty attractive. VIVA CHE!
I don’t want to sound too star struck by saying it was kind of exciting being in the same movie theatre as Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle, 50 Cent, Cuba Gooding Jr.,Russel Simmons, Spike Lee (who was wearing the most absurd fur baseball hat. I guess when your Spike Lee you do what you want.) and, of course, Antione Fugua, the director of Training Day and the movie we were about to see.
The theatre was filled with actors, directors, producers, the Sundance Institute, publicists, advertisers. At the very last second, after all the important people got in and the theatre was almost full, Mike used his charm to get a ticket from a female publicist for the movie Brooklyn’s Finest and I managed to score a ticket from a product advertiser. We were nobodies in a room full of somebody’s, trying our hardest not to stick out terribly.
Brooklyn’s Finest has taken a lot of criticism. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get choked up watching it. It was dark and tragic. Ethan Hawke’s character was heartbreaking. And though I can identify some points of underdevelopment, especially with some characters, I’m still struck by what Antoine Fuqua said about the film afterwards “Like Rembrant we are all living our lives in light and dark.” This was another good cop bad cop story that explored the blurry line between black and white and that enormous gray area in which we all reside.
Today was an extension of Christmas. I bought the Blitzen Trapper album on vinyl and white converse.
Anyone who knows me knows I’ve never been one for fashion. Being trendy for some strange reason embarrasses me (Note: I admire people who are fashionable and up-to-date with trends. I think this quirk shares its roots with the same quirk that prevents me from dancing "sexy" at clubs. I just get embarrassed okay?!) I don’t usually buy things for fashion sake, and if I bought these converse to be trendy I would surely be a day late and a dollar short, even I know that. What I'm trying to say is I bought these because Gabriel Macht looked so cool in his black converse in the movie The Spirit! It’s pitiful to admit but as soon as I saw them I thought “I want to look like the Spirit.”
This is the only picture I could find of The Spirits converse. Don’t ask me why in the infinite fountain of internet trash there isn’t one picture of his shoes. Did nobody else think that was the coolest part of the movie?
As I have mentioned before Zack Znyder is directing the movie screenplay of one of my favorite graphic novels The Watchmen. I’ve been waiting for almost a year for this movie, whose release date was supposed to be 3-6-09. However, there have been some complications in one of the most anticipated comic book movies ever made. There is some disagreement between Fox who bought the rights to the movie back in the late 80’s and Warner Brothers who just spent a lot of money filming and advertising for the movie and its release in March. Read more. I would be one disappointed child if the movie doesn’t ever make it to the big screen.
The Watchmen is so incredible because it asks all the questions super hero stories should ask. It’s the reality of the super hero genre. What would super heroes look like in the real world? What should the world look like with super heroes? And of course what in reality would the world look like with super heroes? Who watches our superheroes? Who watches America? Where are we headed? SO COOL!!
All week I’ve been dreaming of costumed super heroes and Heath Ledger. This morning at 9 AM I finally got to watch The Dark Knight at the IMAX. It changed my life. Only one regret, that I didn’t get my friend Stephanie’s 8 yr. old boy Batman costume to wear.
Reasons why this movie was incredible:
1. Heath Ledger. Top Five Favorite performances ever. 2. Favorite line “Either you die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.” (The foreshadowing of Harvey Dent.) 3. The relationship between The Joker and Batman. One couldn’t exist without the other. They are social outcasts. Neither could ever live normal lives and that is the great sacrifice Batman makes. 4. The preview for “Watchmen.” The greatest graphic novel ever written. It’s the only graphic novel in “Time Magazine Top 100 Novels.” Can’t wait for this movie!
Confession: I weeped like a baby when I watched this movie. Weeped. I could have just been hormonal. Watching the preview made me cry again. PLEASE! Somebody else watch this movie and tell me they weeped too.
On a serious note: [I hate getting this way on my blog, but I can't help it! I'm still crying! I'm sorry.] This movie exposed that feeling of inadequacy. Inadequacy in our ability to find strength to cope with overwhelming trials. Sadness, loss, loneliness, addiction. But it also inspired strength to deal with things we thought we couldn't, one day at a time.
Yes. It is true that Lori and Devin got married in August. And yes, it is April. But I finally finished their wedding. This is the last third of the video. Thought I’d post it so everyone could take a gander.
It is also true that Lori and Devin are my favorite and I’m in love with them. Happiest wedding ever! Look marriage isn't so scary after all.
Sorry its so small. My apologies. I'll try and post the next two tonight.
High School usually seems like it was million years ago, but some days it doesn’t seem that far away at all. “American Teen” was my favorite film I saw this year at the Sundance Film Festival. I was nervous it was going to look too much like MTV’s high school reality shows. But it was totally unique. It seemed like a movie. The characters were so natural. The resolutions were so perfect. And they all were so cool I wanted to be their friends. I was told they were all at a party I went to but I didn’t see the movie till the next day! Too bad because I think me and the “rebel” would have been best friends. After watching this, it felt like high school wasn’t that far away at all.
So question is: Who were you?
Comes out in select theatres (probably only Broadway Theatres in Salt Lake) July 25th
Lists! Lists! Lists! I have been carefully crafting, shaping, listing lists my whole life. A list for every aspect of my existence. Listography. I can measure my life out in lists. And like a living organism they are constantly changing, growing and dividing to create new little baby lists that grow and do the same. When I say this song is top 25, you better believe it’s been documented. So here is this latest concoction: a list of my Top 10 Favorite Movies. (Know that it is liable to change tomorrow for this is the nature of lists).
Love good films. Not too fond of mediocre films and I get firey hot with anger at bad ones. Love talking about films and since I have a semi-captive audience this will be my occasional podium for discussing my favorites.
This never happens but 10 out of the last 12 movies I’ve seen have been incredible. Here's one of them...
6 Reasons I Loved it:
1. An Unbeatable Duo: There are two, and only two, great things that have come from the state of Missouri: Jesse James and Brad Pitt (don’t anybody try and suggest Wal Mart as the third). Both are in the film.
2. Cinematography: Every shot was a masterpiece of composition, color and originality.
3. My Nomination for Best Supporting Role: One of the best performances I have seen by Casey Affleck, yeah that’s right the Mormon twin in Oceans 11, but true story he was awesome in this film.
4. Jesse James Obsession: Since I saw the old black and white film “Jesse James,” J. James has become one of my favorite American historical figures. It’s strange I realize. Most people think it’s odd in the same way they think it’s odd I find Malcolm X an American Hero. I’m not alone in my infatuation with this thief/ murderer. He stole from banks and trains and was thought to have murderer 15 people but still America loves Jesses James. He’s become apart of American folklore. And Henry Ford has become a great American Coward.
5. Everybody loves Robin Hood: Though Jesse was pretty shady he became a Robin Hood figure. I love Robin Hood and I love vigilantes, especially the wild and crazy western cowboy.
6. Hero’s: Jesse James seems to resurface over and over again in films and books. I think the Jesse James character is what America is missing. We need an American hero. America was once a country of giants now it seems to be made up of cowards. It was incredible. I wouldn’t recommend it to everybody. It’s dark and violent. And there are no clear heroes and villains. Maybe some people wouldn’t like it, but I loved it.
I think I loved this movie so much because I imagine jumping in my car and leaving everything behind terribly enticing. Mark Twain says its “lights out for the territory.” Steinbeck calls it the “itch” we all feel or should feel to escape the monotony and cruelty of our complicatedly simple lives. Dylan a rolling stone. I’ve already been tempted before by both Steinbeck and Dylan to travel North America with my RV, my camera and my guitar.
This movie identifies both the urge we all have and the problem we all share, even if its only occasionally, in our culture and the urge to step out of it to a different reality. It’s not jumping in a van and living like a hippy but identifying your significance or lack of in nature. On his journey he shares his friendship and philosophy with several on the road, learns about their lives and helps with their problems.
Into the Wild: A couple of life lessons: We must all set out on our journey to discover our small place in the big world We need the help and friendship of those around us and vise versa
Its hard to find great movies, most movies I've seen lately are forgettable. However, there is one coming out next week that I have been looking forward to for a while. I think I watched the trailer a hundred times. It's a movie musical that tells the story all through Beatles songs. Can't wait!
