Thursday, January 29, 2009

This Amercian Life

I was driving to school yesterday morning when it was reported on the news of NPR that John Updike had died. I actually verbally expressed remorse. I haven't read a fraction of Updike's work, but I always read his reviews in the New Yorker (which I tend to buy at airport magazine shops- probably because I assume I use my 5- 7 hours of travel time to actually finish a whole issue - which makes me wonder how anyone can have a subscription to the New Yorker and actually have the time to read it cover-to-cover on a weekly basis, but this is really besides the point) UPDIKE! Yes, I was sad to hear he passed away, as it was in my senior year high school class, The Short Story, that I first read "A & P." It's really one of those first times where I felt like a story was written for me, and was able to illustrate my own thoughts and realizations of growing up- which I couldn't verbalize. This story is that verbalization. I often think back on the story, the young guy working in that A & P- and what he witnesses, and what he attempts to do- because it bleeds of truth. It's about rebellion, and it's about making personal choices that may not be accepted by the status quo- it's about the consequences of being an individual, about the often futility of martyrdom- but being young an naive enough to believe that one can change the quo. Or it's about a teenage boy trying to impress some girls. Either way, it hit home then and for something as simple as that, I was somber at the news of John Updike's passing.

One side note- I never had the chance to officially teach this story in any of my classes, but in one of my teaching classes I created a lesson plan for it. Just in case you were wondering~

Saturday, January 24, 2009

“If being crazy means living life as if it matters, then I don’t mind being completely insane.”

SO the OScar nominations were announced on Thursday. I expected all of the top 5 but one. Substitute THE READER for DARK KNIGHT - and I would have happy. Ben Button landed the most nominations- but this movie-that-tries-way-too-hard-to-be-emotionally-meaningful is really a hollow spectacle devoid of true emotions. (I choose The Reader over this one!) I was also sorry to see Rev. Road get passed over- though the backlash it received is understandable- it takes a lot to make a film of unlikeable characters in a depressing detierioating marriage- but I liked it!
All I can hope for is that Slumdog or Milk walk away with best picture - ditto for the directors. (I always root for Gus Van Sant, even when he makes awful painfully minimalist films such as Gerry and Last Days. Mostly, because in high school, my film/video teacher, Ms. Smith, knew Van Sant, and had tried to get him to do a workshop with us. He never did, but still it was nice that he even thought about us enough to reject us.


The following are pictures of my new room. Please notice the bold choice for my walls. I hope this doesn't end up driving me insane!





And here's video of the record player in motion!



Thursday, January 22, 2009

Speaking in Images






My headaches and words escape me.

Monday, January 19, 2009

my sign is vital, my hands are cold

The eve of the inauguration... how many people will end up watching it? In D.C.? On Facebook? That's where I plan to watch. It feels like the next place to be watching such a cultural event. I assume people listened to former president's take their oath on radios, black and white televisions, and now H.D. broadcasts and on our social networks. Fast forward 40 years - "I remember when we watched President Obama's inauguration on a social networking site called facebook. Little did we know then how much CHANGE that day we begin..." Change for good we hope. Things aren't looking to good out there. But for at least tomorrow, people will be celebrating, full of anticipation and high hopes. We are suddenly confident in the midst a dense fog. Even our beloved celebrities are showing up to spread the cheer. That's something right? Well, Bruce Springsteen at least performed for the one of the most promising moments in our nations history. (Speaking of The Boss, what a year, probably going to win an Oscar for "The Wrestler" song. Playing for Obama and then playing in the Superbowl Half Time Show.) But we can't just sit back and celebrate and pat ourselves on the back. Nothing's been done yet. Positive thinking will only get you so far. But it's a start.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Out There Part of Your World

The semester has finally "officially" started, though as a producer this "introduction to the class" session seemed about 6 weeks too late! No worries there, the key to producing is to realize the avalanche is right on your heals and know it's moments away from burying you. Sounds like fun, eh?

Since the work load has consumed most my last few days, and today as well (though I am taking a 3 hour break tonight to take in delightful hockey match up of Henrik Zetterberg and the Red Wings take on those pesky up and comers the L.A. Kings at the Staple Center). I've had the luxury of being too exhausted to care that I have no room, nothing unpacked and am sleeping on a futon that seems to be gasping for life in the cushion. Again, no worries. Though, it's kind of strange looking up and seeing your flocculent mattress leaning up against the wall behind a couch. So close yet so far.

Tidbits of the week:

In the 1988 movie Twins, smoking was permitted in supermarkets. I thought Marney was pretty when I was 8 years old and still think she's a knock-out now, even with her 80's hair and smoking her cigarette after deflowering Julius.

Can't wait for Obama to go from president-elect to president. Hope he saves the world. The potential Great Depression 2 (GDII) makes me quite pensive.

Still haven't found "I'd rather be reading Bukowski" bumper stickers for me and my sister.

My Starbucks giftcards from Christmas are running dangerously low.

I need to find 2 hours this weekend to see a new print of Godard's Made in the U.S.A. - one that's never been released on video or dvd - and wouldn't you know, is playing over at the NUART this week.


Can't wait to find an LP of the song to be played in the credits of WATCHMEN, a Bob Dylan cover of "Desolation Row" by My Chemical Romance- glee.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Man on Wire on DVD

Really, if you want to just watch something inspirational and something that will show you potential of the human being watch the documentary Man On Wire. It's on dvd now and should win the best documentary oscar.

Started class today in the outrageous and spectacular new Cinema Arts building. The elevator is in the Lucas wing, but my classroom was in the Spielberg wing... complicated layout, seriously. The complex looks like it belongs in Florence or maybe Vegas's version of Florence. It made me realize as I wandering down the massive halls covered in rare and vibrant classic movie posters (The Blue Dahlia written by Raymond Chandler? I got to rent that one!) that I'm spending my days in the most impressive Film school building in the WORLD. I just wish the cafe would open and that I take full advantage of the facilities. You should definitely check it out when you visit me!

Also, check around for any good vinyl at thrift stores or your parent's basement. Send it to me, but make sure it's something I'll enjoy.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Roomless

I'm in my new house. All my stuff is piled in the living room, and outside on the porch. Unfortunately my lease ended on the apartment a few weeks before the room I'm going to live is actually available. This means an undetermined amount of time living on a futon in the living room.

Luckily, moving here is exciting. Greg and Rich will make for solid roommates as Rich enjoys football, wine and most fun things. Greg has decided to become a beer baron, and will be trying to brew his own beer in the kitchen. Plus, my rarely used xbox 360 has found new life. It's a shame I'm going to be so inundated with work for school to just let go and sit, wrapped in my blue fuzzy blanket, and just watch movies and fight zombies on the 360. Unless I eliminate sleep. I'm not beyond this.

To help bring a new sense of style to the house I impulsively decided I wanted a record player, found an inexpensive one on craiglist and within a day, entered the world of vinyl. The thought came to me as I was listening to some albums I bought this year on Itunes. I was always a fan of album art, especially on my cd's and was pensive thinking how it's a part of music buying is ending. Then I thought about tapes, and records. Records were what album art was really for, those big sleeves created a sense that these songs together create an actual piece of art. Plus, there's just certain bands that feel like they need to be heard on LP. It's just part of that raw sensation that I've never experience in my digital realm. Yep, I thought all this and bought a record player. I don't plan to buy tons of vinyl. Mostly, I'm going to look for select albums I love that I believe would give me a different listening experience and pick up those. Also it allows friends to send me records they find and think I want. Like any Bouncing Souls album.

Tomorrow starts the first 3 days of auditions for the film. I also got to remember in all my producing and running around to go to my screenwriting class on Monday.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The New Production House


After having a business lunch with my Producing partner we stumbled into the Bourgeois Pig, an independent coffee house with free wi-fi and the ambience of black lighted art gallery/ wooded forest. I believe it's my new spot.

The '09 sound

The Limelight is still out. For those still checking.


Here we go, Los Angles year 2~

There’s a lot to discuss. I’m thrilled to report that my year ended with a delightful few weeks back on Long Island. I was able to relax, spend time with my family and my good friends. It was like pushing the old reset button on an old Nintendo System. The trip took me from Long Island to Newark, New Jersey, to Ewing, New Jersey to Washington D.C. back to Long Island. If someone were to ask me what was my favorite part, I would probably stand still and blank, I mean how can you choose? There were highlights, such as a night spent in a hot tub, sipping champagne, after a bustling snowstorm. A ton of great nights with my official #1 Friend Danea, who stepped up to avoid waffles the entire trip. I have the t-shirt to prove it. Can’t wait to wear it in San Diego! The Christmas Party, was fancy ass and videographed, which we will watch NEXT Christmas. There was much karaoke with my duet champ Ari and constant reverie in classic fun with Amy and Alan. Not to mention gracious appearances by Ian, the greatest person in the world, Michael Behr! In the flesh. A Jersey getaway hosted by Eric and Eileen, constant hockey games and movie talks with Pete and his (now) fiancĂ©, Melyssa! Christmas joy with Caitlin, and sizzling styln’ with Michael. Another New Year’s Eve with Gina Cutillo. And of course the many other people who made it a perfect vacation from the Left Coast.

But I can’t spend too much time recapping, as this blog is supposed to be about my experiences back here. The blog resolution is to keep it more updated. But it’s hard. As I told Amy, who took the blogspiration and made the best Blog ever (if you are reading this stop and read hers! www.alternativearmywife.wordpress.com) It’s like, why bother, she’s already blown me away blogging. But, this isn’t a competition; it’s a chance to purge my thoughts to a willing audience. Thank you.

So quick favorites of 2008

Favorite films- Dark Knight – By far on of my favorite films of all time, I could go on again on how it pushed the genre to all new boundaries. And as I saw the other critically hyped films, I couldn’t help but think, these are good, but Dark Knight is masterpiece.

Slumdog Millionaire- the real fairy tale feel good about life movie of the year. Not that Benjamin Button crap.

Milk- One of the most truthful feeling bio films I’ve ever seen, it never felt like a “movie”.

Let The Right One In- the real must see vampire movie of the year. Honest, chilling, and truthful about childhood innocence and fears.

Other films I really enjoyed – Hellboy 2, Ironman, Synechode, NY, Revolutionary Road, Wall E and Vicky, Christie, Barcelona.

Favorite Music from 2008

Check my old blogs about my gushing feelings about The Gaslight Anthem, but their new one, ’59 Sound is my favorite of the year.

I also loved the new Coldplay’s Metallica’s Death Magnetic (who knew they could make one like this again?) MGMT, T.I., Ludacris, Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs, and of course Alkaline Trio, Irony and Agony.

Favorite Sport moments of 2008

The Superbowl- come on, besides that it was the Giants, how they won and whom they beat made it the best one I’ve ever seen.

My last game at Shea, Mets came back to beat the Braves, after I climbed up to the upper deck, those orange seats where planes from LaGuardia always clipped my head. That’s how I’ll remember Shea.

Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup – after three years, the NHL has completely rebounded from the lockout, all new stars, and one of the best finals in long memory.

Of the heals of watching the Wings beat the Hawks at Wrigley Field (though this one was in 2009) We can’t forget the first Winter Classic in Buffalo, snow falling, Crosby winning it in a shoot out in OT. The great new New Years Day tradition.

So that’s the wrap up.

I’m moving out of my apartment on Friday, January 9th to my new digs with Greg and Rich in Culver City. Lots of couches. Team Cherry House.

Oh, and I’m producing a film for school.

Keep you posted.