A Gory Place

Still Here Just Spread Out

2011-07-04T13:15:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!! A lot going on as I am about to start shooting my second feature film. But also I have consolidated a lot of things and am mainly posting over at my website http://richarddiaz.com/.

That is not to say I will not be posting here. It's just most of my posting is happening over there. And at some point depending on how things go I may shut this down and just post there. We'll see. I love having this blog so for right now I like having both. But if I don't post here feel free to check over there to see what is going on.

I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July!

Movie Of The Day - Blow Out

2011-05-04T20:12:00.000-05:00

BLOW OUT (1981) d: Brian DePalma

What might be my favorite Brian DePalma film 'Blow Out' is a great thriller. John Travolta plays Jack, a movie sound guy, who records an accident one night while recording ambient sound for a film. He rescues a girl from the accident, Sally, played by Nancy Allen. In the car was a presidential hopeful so the situation is covered up quickly. When listening to the audio Jack hears a gun shot right before the blow out of the car tire. I'll end it there because you should just watch the film.

I think 'Blow Out' has always been a favorite because there is the filmmaking part of the film which was always fascinating. Using filmmaking tools to help figure out what is going on. I just loved that. The film just came out on DVD and Blu-ray from Criterion and what better way, outside of the theatre, to see the film. Featuring a great performance by John Travolta and Brian DePalma at the top of his game this has always been one of those films I love to tell people about if they haven't seen it. Amazingly shot by one of the best cinematographers ever Vilmos Zsigmond and featuring a great score by Pino Donaggio. If you have yet to see this film by all means do.

Movie Of The Day - Top Gun

2011-05-02T22:52:00.000-05:00

TOP GUN (1986) d: Tony Scott

I can't believe it's been 25 years. Times like this can make me feel old. This year marks the 25th anniversary of 'Top Gun' and as a celebration of that AMC Theatres did a special screening of the film in full 4K digital projection. Just like the 'Taxi Driver' screening I saw back in March (which you can read about here) the films have been remastered but not to an extent where they look new. They retain their respective film sources. Top Gun was always a grainy film inherent to the film stock it was shot on and that is intact. This was not some digitally cleaned up situation where the film no longer looks like film. The thing that amazed me was the cinematography. The restoration really brought that out big time. 'Top Gun' was always a good looking film and with someone like Tony Scott at the helm you know it's going to but I was never fully aware of how good it looks. This was my first time seeing it on the big screen and while a more energetic audience would have been nice the experience was great. I love my home theatre and my HD projector where I watch films on my wall which makes it like a mini theatre in my living room but nothing beats the actual experience of seeing a film in the theatre so I was so happy a friend reminded me this screening was tonight.

I'm not going to get into whether or not the film holds up because I'm sort of beyond that. The film holds up for me because the film came out when I was a kid and is still entertaining as hell. It's pure nostalgic for me. A new Blu-ray release is coming out to celebrate this which is great. Looking forward to picking it up when it comes out. But nothing will match tonight's screening.

I hope AMC continues to do these screenings because it is really a joy seeing all of these films again on the big screen.

Movie Of The Day - Stand by Me

2011-03-31T01:16:00.000-05:00

STAND BY ME (1986) d: Rob Reiner

"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"

Maybe it was just a coincidence but I first saw 'Stand by Me' when I was 12 so I think it sort of struck a cord with me that was deeper than just the experience of watching a great film which this is. Before moving to Chicago I lived in Connecticut. I was there for those formative years where you start to figure out who you are and where friendships run deep. We ended up moving away a few weeks after I turned 12 after I had the best summer of my life. I was surrounded by friends and we just had fun. We enjoyed life and experienced a sort of simple joy. This was broken after I left and it actually took me several years to bounce back from. I felt alone for a very long time. It was during this time that I took my love of movies to a new level as, in a way, the movies became my new friends. I guess everything happens for a reason.

The story of four friends taking a trip to seek out the body of a dead classmate hit by a train 'Stand By Me' features standout performances by the the young Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, and the late River Phoenix. Their journey is filled with so many great and touching moments. It's that key moment as boys slowly enter the next phase of life from being boys to young men. Every time I watch the film I am just amazed by it. And watching it at different stages of my life it takes on a different meaning for me. It also reminds me of those times way back during that summer when I was 12. In some ways the last time I felt like I belonged somewhere and with other people. A memory I will cherish for the rest of my life and something that watching 'Stand By Me' takes me back to.

Taxi Driver Restoration Screening

2011-03-22T23:58:00.001-05:00

Tonight I went to a special screening of Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver' on the big screen. As I wrote about a few months back I went to a screening here of it which happened to take place on my birthday (which I wrote about HERE). How could I say no? That was an original film print. I believe from the original release because it was pretty beat up and faded. I love seeing older films on film. Even if the print is not in the best of shape. It represents the way the film was intended to be seen at the time it was made. It's why when I go to screenings of older films and it's not an actual print but a DVD projected I get mad. I can stay at home and watch the DVD. I can't see the print at home. So film all the way and I was happy to have the chance to see one of my all time favorite films on an actual print.

Now, that being said I love technology. I love digital. I just don't like manipulating something that wasn't intended to be. I fully support restoring older films in the new digital age and cleaning them up and making them closer to standards we have for current films. However older films were not made for our current film market. So they shouldn't be made to be in an unnatural way. They need to be preserved as closely to their original intent as possible. One such way is a film's grain structure. Grain is what makes up film. It's where the image lies. In some film stocks the grain isn't so apparent as in others. During the transition from the old Technicolor process which was extremely expensive the film studios dabbled in different film stocks until they eventually found one that was stable. It took a good 20 years or so but it happened. 'The Godfather Part II' remains the last studio film to be made under the old Technicolor process. The following years there were less stable film stocks used which is why many films during the 70's and 80's appear to be grainier. Mirroring the look of low budget films made on "cheaper" film stock. But that also lent itself the charm. The fact is the films made during this time have a thicker grain structure and it's part of how they are. It's there and it should not be taken away. Otherwise the films take on a very fake almost plastic look.

This leads me to the recent restoration done for 'Taxi Driver'. I wasn't sure what to expect. Hearing about one of my favorite films getting restored and getting a Blu-ray release is exciting for me. Having it get a theatrical run is even more exciting. The restoration was done carefully and tonight having watched this restored version in 4K digital projection I can say the film looks stunning in all of the best ways possible. The opening Columbia Pictures logo was soft which made it look like an old worn out print from the time. Then came the opening credits montage which have always been a little soft as well because the credits were superimposed over the footage which meant additional processing of the footage in a lab. It's why credit sequences, visual effects shots, and even transitions like dissolves and fades, may have a softer or faded look to them in older films compared to the shots around them because of additional printing in the lab to pull off those things. The opening credits looked great but softer. However, the first real shot which is full on straight film from the negative without additional printing is the second cut after Travis Bickle walks into the cab company's manager's office. The first shot is still a processed shot coming out of a dissolve. Then we cut to the great Joe Spinell sitting at the desk and the detail was absolutely incredible. I was floored but how good it looked. And not in a cheating way. The grain structure was completely intact. The grain was there but the image was clean and the detail was very fine. The colors were perfectly stable and exactly as they were intended to be.

The audio was not some spruced up audio remix. It was clear and had a little more oomph to it but it did not falsify the film's original mix. It was a solid stereo mix which upheld Bernard Herrmann's outstanding score. One that I still argue is one of the best ever written.

Read a great interview with Grover Crisp over at The Digital Bits who was in charge of doing the restoration HERE.

This was a limited showing in a handful of theatres across the US in AMC theatres. Luckily the one I go to all the time was one of these theatres. The downside was there were very few people there. But on the upside it wasn't filled with people who would disrespect the film. No kids sneaking in halfway through because the previous movie they snuck into had ended. It was people of different ages watching the film again or bringing someone with them who was experiencing it the first time. I would hope this would be done more often. I don't know how the returns were but I hope it was enough to warrant more special screenings of older restored films like this.

Me sitting in my seat wearing my Travis Bickle shirt right before the screening started.

To this day the film still manages to pack a wallop. There were times when I could feel the uneasiness of the people watching it as we descend into Travis' madness. And the ending still brought a silence to the theatre with only gasps as the carnage escalates.

'Taxi Driver' has been one of my favorite films for over 20 years now since I first saw it. It has lost nothing in my eyes and to have the honor to experience it not just once but twice on the big screen both in an original beat up film print and in a beautifully restored digital projection is beyond a special experience for me. Watching the film in a theatre humbles me. I know I will never make a film like this. I will never make a film this good. You know what though? I'm ok with that. I know where I stand in my career. I am just happy to have the chance to watch the film and feel the way I do. And to have seen it this way makes me appreciate it all the more.

Congratulations on the restoration Sony. You did the film good. And yes, I am talkin' to you.

UPDATE: Blu-ray.com has a review of the upcoming Blu-ray release and it looks to be amazing. Check it out HERE

Oscars 2011 And ... Yeah

2011-03-02T12:17:00.000-06:00

Once again the Oscars came and went. People both applaud and debate who won and who should have won. I am not an Oscar basher. I believe in awards and honoring people. I like seeing everyone all glitzed and glamoured for the night. Althouggh the allure of celebrity is not what it used to be as in the modern age of knowing everything about everyone we know too much about these people. However, I am always happy to see someone awarded for their creative effort.

I in no way have any ill feelings toward the award or the importance of it with such a marvelous history behind it. I do have ill feelings towards the way the show is produced. It has really gone down hill. This might surprise some people but while I have made jokes about it the fact is the length of the show is not a problem with me. If it was five hours long then so be it. I say this not because I actually want to sit there for five hours but only because if it means bringing back what is missing from the Oscars then I'd rather it be longer. And the thing that is missing is the love of movies.

Over the years in their attempt to shorten the show and make it more "hip" they have stripped away all of the celebration and honoring of movies which is what the Oscars are. The Oscars were always more than just giving out the awards. It was celebrating the movies and the people that make them. Unfortunately it doesn't feel that way any longer. By cutting corners to shave off a few minutes they stripped away the one thing that used to inspire me. Every year when I would watch the show I would want to go out and make a film the second it ended. I felt so inspired. No longer. And that is a shame.

One such way they have completely ruined it for me is the recent decision to not include the giving out of the Honorary Oscar and the Irving Thalberg award. I don't mind them doing the main event at a different time and place but the actual awards should be given to the recipients on the show. Instead the entire presentation was done at a different venue and a few seconds of highlights was shown during the telecast as the recipients were brought out on stage to stand there awkwardly as they went to commercial. Considering one of the Honorary Oscars went to legendary actor Eli Wallach and the Thalberg award went to none other than Francis Ford Coppola(!) just made this a bigger insult to me. These awards represent part of the history of the awards and of the film industry. To treat them this way only emphasizes my point and my displeasure.

I will also say much like other people I was also disheartened to see that during the memoriam that Corey Haim was not included. Having been in so many amazing films in his life his absence was uncalled for. We fans honor you even if they don't.

I will say that unlike other years I was pretty much either happy or content with the winners. While I haven't seen it yet I do wish to congratulate 'The King's Speech' on all of its wins. Plus a congratulations to everything 'Inception' won. My favorite film of last year. I knew it wasn't going to win any of the major awards but I was happy to see it win what it did.

The one I was rooting for the most was for Christian Bale to win for Best Supporting Actor for 'The Fighter'. He was so amazing in that role that the moment I saw the film I said he better win it. So I was very happy that he did. Congratulations Christian. You deserve it.

Taxi Driver In 4K For Anniversary Screening

2011-03-02T11:46:00.000-06:00

Coming to AMC theatres for two showings on Saturday March 19th and Tuesday March 22nd is Martin Scorsese's classic 'Taxi Driver' which is one of my all time favorite movies. I got to see it on my birthday this past August at a special screening which was so amazing. I am really looking forward to seeing the restoration they did though. And on April 5th it is finally coming out on Blu-ray which is really exciting. But any chance to see it on the big screen is always a treat. For more information on the two screenings go to the AMC website HERE.

Clip Of The Day - Manhunter

2011-02-12T01:38:00.000-06:00

WARNING SPOILERS

One of my favorite scenes is in Michael Mann's 'Manhunter'

The main character Graham is trying to track down a serial killer and in order to do that he must start to think like the killer which means he must shut out his life. When he finally gets to that point he is alone in a restaurant and looking at himself in the reflection of the glass knowing that he has blocked out everything in his life including his family to search for this killer. His reflection is his other self. The one with no attachments. The one with nothing but what he must be in order to do what he needs to do.

From the first time I saw this film this moment stuck out to me and has always remained. It creeped into projects I was doing without realizing it. Not just a moment of seeing ones self in a reflection (which I have done) but that character realization that they must become something else in order to do what is called for. Even if what they must become isn't something along the same lines as thinking like a killer but just the moment when they know that in order to overcome what they are facing they do need to be something different than what they are. It's a theme that has been in everything I have done and will no doubt continue to be.

Here is that scene. While brief it is one that is vital to the film and to my own creativity.

Love This Commercial - The Force

2011-02-12T00:50:00.000-06:00

I'm sure everyone has seen this already but I figured I'd post it anyway. I just absolutely love this commercial. Yes, I am a 'Star Wars' geek so it speaks to me on that level but even to the innocence of childhood which I always relate to.

Random Bit Of The Day

2011-02-08T00:43:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday George A Romero

2011-02-04T11:59:00.000-06:00

Today marks the birthday of one of my idols who is none other than filmmaker George A. Romero.When I was young there were two directors whose names I first took notice whenever I saw them. It meant something and I started to grasp the concept of what a director was and did. The first was Steven Spielberg and the other was George Romero. And to say this man has been an influence on me is an understatement.

So I would like to wish George a very happy and wonderful birthday! Here is to so many more.

And just because I can here is the trailer to one of my all time favorite films (one of my top three in fact) George Romero's 'Dawn Of The Dead'.

Stuff I Love - PAC-MAN

2011-01-22T22:04:00.000-06:00

I was around when the arcade boom hit in the beginning of the 1980's. Kids flocked to them to play Donkey Kong, Centipede, Space Invaders, Asteroids, Frogger, Q-Bert. And of course the granddaddy of them all was Pac-Man. I fell in love with it even though I kind of sucked at the game. I fell in love with video games in general but always had an affinity for Pac-Man. I think because it was one of the first video games I ever played. Plus I played it when it was the hottest thing out there so you felt like you were part of pop culture. Which to a very young boy was exciting.

My mom and sister were into figure skating which meant I was dragged along to the ice skating rink sometimes at the brink of dawn for my sister to practice. What was once an arduous chore became the one thing I looked forward to because the rink built a small arcade and filled it with video games. Now the problem wasn't trying to get me to go to the rink. The problem became getting me to leave. I was such a Pac-Man geek I even had some merchandise including a Pac-Man stuffed animal, Pac-Man t-shirt, Pac-Man bed sheets (yes, I slept with Pac-Man), and eventually the little portable Pac-Mac which at the time was awesome because the body was shaped like an arcade game.

Obviously things from our childhood take on special meaning for us. For me Pac-Man will always hold a special place in my heart. I still love to play it to this day. I even have it on my iPhone. And yes, I still suck at it. But the memories it brings back is what is valuable to me. For that I will always be a Pac-Maniac.

Back when I used to watch the channel G4 (and in my opinion when it was good) I loved a show called Icons. They did one on Pac-Man and here it is in three parts. Enjoy!

And of course the infamous Buckner and Garcia song Pac-Man Fever.

This I just thought was really cute.

Movie Of The Day - El Mariachi

2011-01-08T01:16:00.000-06:00

EL MARIACHI (1992) d: Robert Rodriguez

I remember hearing about Robert Rodriguez way back when. I was a freshman in film school and this guy made a film for $7,000. Sure he did. I was a cynical know it all film student. Or so I thought I knew it all. Turns out I didn't know a damn thing. And honestly, neither did a lot of my teachers but that's a post for another time. I eventually saw 'El Mariachi' and was completely impressed by it. It's not just a good film for $7,000. It's a good film in general. The story of a mariachi seeking out work comes across this small Mexican city where he is mistaken for a local who has a guitar case full of weapons and he's taking revenge on the local gangster who ripped him off. Rodriguez not only directed the film but he wrote, shot, edited, did sound, basically everything on his own. When it came time for me to get to graduating from film school I realized I didn't know what to do. This was before the digital revolution so making a movie was not really an option. But then Robert Rodriguez released a book called "Rebel Without A Crew" on how he made 'El Mariachi' for not only so little money but also pretty much no crew. This was such an inspiration that it made me want to do the same thing. I won't get into my experiences but the film is such an entertaining film and one that continues to inspire me to this very day. So much so that I made a feature with very little money and no crew. In fact, I'm about to do it again.

Star Wars Films On Blu-ray

2011-01-06T19:07:00.000-06:00

As most of you reading this know my love for 'Star Wars' knows no bounds as it was the film that I saw as a young child that started my love of movies and inspired my desire to be a filmmaker. It has, and continues to be, a personal thing for me. So needless to say the announcement of all six films being released on Blu-ray is extremely exciting for me!

From Blu-ray.com:

Star Wars Saga Blu-ray Announced (Update)

Posted January 6, 2011 02:43 PM by Juan Calonge


As anticipated, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment officially announced today the Blu-ray release of Star Wars for September 2011. The studio will release the saga in three distinct sets "to meet the needs of every Star Wars fan: Star Wars: The Complete Saga (a nine-disc set including all six films, priced at $139.99; Star Wars: Prequel Trilogy (a three-disc set including Episodes I-III, priced at $69.99); and Star Wars: Original Trilogy (a three-disc set including Episodes IV-VI, priced at $69.99). Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray will feature all six live-action Star Wars feature films utilizing the highest possible picture and audio presentation, along with three additional discs and more than 30 hours of extensive special features including never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes, an exploration of the exclusive Star Wars archives, and much more. Contrary to what some hoped and others feared, no 3D Blu-ray announcement was made. Thanks to forum member "Beast." Update The preorder for the Complete saga is already up at Amazon, at $89.99, or just $15 per movie. The Prequel Trilogy and the Original Trilogy, in turn, go for $44.99 (again, $15 per movie).

I know I've posted this before but here is my one favorite moment. It is the one that is personal to me. I so identified with this moment. The longing for something more. The feeling of it seeming so long away like the two setting suns. Dreaming of one day doing the things you wanted to do. Being who you wanted to be. When I saw it done live at the Star Wars In Concert last year in front of a full orchestra and a giant (and I mean GIANT) HD screen projecting this it actually brought tears to my eyes. I wasn't expecting it but I think it touched on that emotion buried so deep within me. The little boy was reached in that moment and I was just happy the lights were dimmed because a grown man crying at a Star Wars concernt isn't the most manly of things.

So once again I present to you Binary Sunset:

My Favorite Films Of 2010

2011-01-04T00:26:00.000-06:00

Here are my top ten picks for my favorite films of 2010. I know I haven't seen everything I have wanted to see yet and it's possible this list could change but I'm sticking with it for now. Remember, these are ones that I have enjoyed not what I think are the best. These may not even be films I would recommend to other people. Just ones that really defined the year for me.

So my favorites are:

First off I want to give a special shoutout to a film which is not a new film but got an amazing restoration. So while I won't include it in my list I do want to mention it.

METROPOLIS - d: Fritz Lang - This is one of those movie miracles that is like mana from heaven in the film buff world. Long thought to be lost forever an extended version of 'Metropolis' on 16mm was found which adds a whopping 25 minutes to the film. Granted these elements are not in great shape but they add so much to the film. The existing parts have been restored to almost eye boggling purportions considering the age of the film. And getting the chance to see it in a theatre was just an incredible film experience. One that deserves to be recognized.

Now on to the list!

10. SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD - d: George A. Romero - I am sure I have a few head scratches right now. Well get out the Head And Shoulders and have that looked at because I loved this film. I realize I might be the only one that loved George Romero's latest excursion into zombie-ville but I found its lighter tone and different approach to be a really great change of pace. A sort of B story to his previous 'Diary Of The Dead' which follows a band of now on the run former National Guardsman trying to survive in the zombie ridden world by venturing out to this secluded island and are caught between the battle of two warring families who have different viewpoints on how to deal with the zombies. The main character appears briefly in 'Diary' but is the lead character in this one and I found this to be a really fun ride. Romero abandons the first person video gimmick of 'Diary' and just sets out to tell his story which was refreshing. As is the film which is why, again even if I am the only one, it is one of my favorites of the year.

9. SHUTTER ISLAND - d: Martin Scorsese -Going for more of a dramatic horror film to his follow up to the Academy Award winning 'The Departed' Martin Scorsese reteams with Leonardo DeCaprio with a mood piece about two Federal Marshalls sent to a mental institution for the criminally insane to find what happened to a missing prisoner. We discover that there is much more going on at the facility than it seems. This was a film where I figured out the ending pretty quick so it was not a shock. The amazing thing is the film works better the second time when you already know where it's going. Scorsese is at the top of his games with his master visual strokes and building of tension in even the smallest of situations. The whole film has a very uneasy feel to it. It's nice to see Scorsese venturing into this territory. I hope he goes here again.

8. THE SOCIAL NETWORK - d: David Fincher - The infamous film about Mark Zuckerberg who invented Facebook. What is real and what isn't doesn't really matter to me. I take it as a fictional account of a real situation. What really makes the film so incredible is having Fincher in the director's chair and the amazing cast assembled for this. The backstabbing, lying, fakeness, deceit, and disappointment is all here. Apparently inventing Facebook is just like making movies. And the ending is something that while may not be true is a true fact of life when it comes to people and sometimes the real reason they want to be so successful in life.

7. THE MILLENNIUM TRILOGY (THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST) - d: Niels Arden Oplev (Dragon Tattoo), Daniel Alfredson (Played With Fire, The Hornet's Nest) - While this may feel like a cheat the fact is the three films actually do go together. An exciting trilogy of films about a girl who is (ahem) screwed over in life so she rebels and becomes this expert hacker unveiling everything about her attackers and her life in general. The unfolding which occurs over the course of all three films is really quite amazing and so well done. Hard not to get too specific without ruining certain things so I'll end it here. At the heart of the trilogy is a brilliant performance by Noomi Rapace who keeps the whole trilogy intact giving it the key elements that holds it all together.

6. THE FIGHTER - d: David O. Russell - Here is a big surprise for me. This modern 'Rocky' tale based on real life boxer Micky Ward is a really great film. Micky is surrounded by people who claim they are looking out for him but all have their own needs leaving Micky at the end of the stick. The struggle of an amateur boxer who only has so much time left to try for the top before he is too old is done so well and so true that you get swept up in it. Mark Wahlberg is great as Micky in a very subtle and understated performance. Amy Adams is wonderful as his fiesty girlfriend who is constantly trying to get Micky to do what is right for him despite his family set backs. The standout is Christian Bale who plays Micky's brother Dicky who once had his glory when he fought Sugar Ray Leonard but is now barely holding on with his drug addiction. An absolutely stunning performance that should not only get nominated for an Oscar but deserves to win it.

5. THE EXPENDABLES - d: Sylvester Stallone - Sometimes a fun action film is all I need and Sylvester Stallone delivered on that pulling together a great cast and letting it all go. A group of mercenaries gets more than they bargained for during their latest mission. That's pretty much all you need. Then just blow a ton of stuff up and I'm a happy camper. The kind that existed back during the 80's action film days. A throwback that I enjoyed taking and continue to.

4. BLACK SWAN - d: Darren Aronofsky - I loved this film about a ballet dancer battling obstacles to play the dual role in a production of Swan Lake. What I really enjoyed was the exploration into the process someone creative goes through to create something. Granted it is taken to the extremes in the film but the battle and hardship and demanding nature that creative people go through is something that not everyone understands. This is as good example as any. Natalie Portman gives an amazing performance. Special mention to Barbara Hershey who plays her over protective mother.

3. A SERBIAN FILM - d: Srdjan Spasojevic - The infamous film that has some people calling it an exploitative piece of garbage while others, like me, found it every bit as enthralling as it was appalling. A former porn star is given the opportunity for another job only he can't know what the film is about which leads him into the very dark world of snuff films. This film is as graphic as they come (including the infamous baby scene) but behind that is an absolute brilliant film which is shot and acted so well. The scary thing isn't how extreme the film gets but the fact that what is depicted does actually happen. This stayed with me long after it ended.

2. SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD - d: Edgar Wright - Having not read the graphic novel before going in I had almost no knowledge of this before sitting down to watch this. Boy was I blown away. Edgar Wright's outstanding take on the material about a boy who starts dating the girl of his dreams but must first defeat her seven evil exes is as fun and visually stunning as it is also quite touching. Plus it stars one of my celebrity crushes Mary Elizabeth Winstead. But that is not why it's one of my favorites of the year. It just helps.

1. INCEPTION - d: Christopher Nolan - My favorite film of the year because it is a clear example of the kind of film I would love to make. Christopher Nolan hot off The Dark Knight delivers a film that works on every level (no pun intended). People who infiltrate others dreams to steal or implant information which involves several levels of the dream world might sound like it's going to be confusing but it is told so perfectly that not only does it make sense but it delivers with fantastic action sequences and some very strong characters. An absolutely brilliant film and in my opinion the year's best.

And there is the wrap up of the year on my end. Here's to hopefully many more great films in 2011.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-26T01:38:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a really wonderful and very merry Christmas!!

Working on the Best Of lists which will hopefully be up by the end of the week.

Movie Of The Day - Colin

2010-12-19T17:38:00.000-06:00

COLIN (2008) d: Mark Price

When it comes to the world of micro-budget filmmaking, which I am currently apart of myself, movies come and movies go. Technology has gotten to the point where anyone can go out and make a movie. Some people have a decent storytelling sense but lack the aesthetic to tell it effectively. Others have an interesting aesthetic but lack the knack for telling a story. And most, quite frankly, are just flat out bad. So when you come across one that is actually a good story and well done it does make you want to stop and take notice.

Enter Mark Price's film 'Colin'. The UK made film was supposedly made for around $70 relying mainly on favors from friends and colleagues. Shot with a small consumer camera and limited means filmmaker Mark Price devised the idea of telling the story of a zombie apocalypse from the viewpoint of someone who turns into a zombie. It is easy to nitpick a film that was made for almost no money on its shortcomings. Maybe it's because I'm part of that world as a filmmaker myself that I know you can't fault a filmmaker on things that most likely they had no control over. What I look for are the above notions as to whether they can tell a story and how well they can tell it. Well, Mark Price knows how to tell a story and tell it with some very wonderful shots. My main beef is the fact that there is a lot of shakycam in the film but it is done in spots to help hide certain things so I can let it slide. What surprises me about the film is there are a few really great emotional moments. Something you never find in films on this level.

The world of the micro-to-no-budget film is one that is littered with too many films which leave much to be desired. So when one comes along from a filmmaker that I believe has a very strong future ahead of him and told and made well then it deserves my praise and admiration.

In The Works

2010-12-17T23:04:00.000-06:00

I am starting to work on my Best Of The Year lists which I have to admit I get a kick out of doing. My plan is to do a year wrap up plus my picks for best of the year in movies and I might do one for my favorite Blu-ray releases as well. I would do one for TV but I don't watch that many TV shows. The year wrap up will be more of a mish mosh of other things anyway.

I will probably break it up into different posts. My guess is the Blu-ray one will be the first of the bunch. But who knows? That's the exiting part. Right? Um ... right? Er ...

(re)search my Trash Interview With Me

2010-12-15T14:28:00.000-06:00

I recently did one of my favorite interviews for (re)search my Trash.com covering my films and me as a filmmaker.

You can check it out HERE

Coming Soon

2010-12-08T01:44:00.000-06:00

Coming soon will be a few posts to wrap up the year including the traditional Best Of lists. There were a lot of films I didn't see this year that I'm sure other people will gasp at them not being on my list. However I did see some pretty amazing films.

I know things have been a little light lately but I've been busy getting my own film off the ground and getting my last one out there. But I am still here and will post whenever I can. So keep an eye out for the year end wrap up.

And for no reason other than it was the first thing I thought of when I typed "coming soon" here is the 'Creepshow' trailer.

RIP Leslie Nielsen

2010-11-28T21:51:00.000-06:00

I'm sure by now most of you have heard of the passing of Leslie Nielsen. So sad. I am sure we all have our special memories from all of the vast films he has done. You can see his IMDb listing here.

A very underrated actor in many ways. Some people take for granted how hard it is to do comedy. Especially do it so well. Before he broke out doing comedy he was known as a very serious actor. But after knocking the ball out of the park in 'Airplane' he sought it out as comedy not only gave him a great satisfaction personally and professionally but it gave him a second career basically.

He will be truly missed by so many fans who continue to grow. Tonight as I look on Twitter and Facebook I see people of all ages mourn his passing. His legacy of a truly amazing body of work will be remembered forever.

I leave with this little bit from one of my favorite films 'Creepshow'. Much like his breath Leslie Nielsen's films will live for a loooooooooong time.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T20:56:00.000-06:00

It's that time for another Thanksgiving. That means for some of us it's time for turkey, stuffing, and family. It can also be a time for some movies. If you're alone it's a way to pass the day. If you're with family it's a way to pass the day.

I decided to go through and pick out some films I think might make good Thanksgiving films. Some for specific reasons while others were just ... eh, why not? So for no real reason here are a few picks by me of films to watch this Thanksgiving.

We'll start off with the one that actually works the best.

PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES - One of the few films that actually uses the holiday of Thanksgiving as a backdrop. It's a hilarious and even touching film starring Steve Martin and John Candy from the late great genius John Hughes.

The rest are in alphabetical order.

BACK TO THE FUTURE -Nothing says family more than going back in time and interrupting the meeting of your parents. One of those films where the concept and the execution is just perfect. What can I say that you probably don't already know? A fun film that would be a nice escape this turkey day.

BAD TASTE - Peter Jackson's first film about aliens coming to Earth to turn humans into an international fast food snack. Sounds perfect for a day like this.

BURNT OFFERINGS - We all have our creepy relatives. Well, this one has creepy relatives and a creepy house to boot. It's the day for creepy family so why not check this one out. And I think I need to say creepy relatives one more time ...

THE EXPENDABLES - Maybe it's because it just came out on video but this fun throwback action film seems to fit. Let's face it, on a day like Thanksgiving we might be in the mood to watch some ass kicking.

FEAST - Ugly creatures that like to eat and have sex. No, I don't mean your uncle and his strange new bride. A group of folks trapped in a tavern fighting off some creatures with big teeth is pretty much exactly what most of us will be dealing with anyway. So why not watch it?

SALO - My one out there recommendation. The infamous film about school children who are kidnapped and then turned into slaves to do the most demeaning things imaginable including the most notorious scene from the film - poop eating. Can't be worse than dried turkey though.

I couldn't find the trailer so instead here is a small clip that makes no sense but ... yeah.

THE SEARCHERS - John Ford's tale featuring one of John Wayne's best performances as he tracks down his niece who has been kidnapped by Indians. A powerful western about family and prejudices.

THE STEPFATHER - It's family time so how about a movie about a crazy stepfather who has an extrememe sense of the perfect family. Check out the brilliant performance by Terry O'Quinn.

TETRO - Family are not exactly what we expect or what we hope. Here's a recent Francis Ford Coppola film that deals with that with a brother going to visit his long lost brother discovering the brother he had is not the person he's found. Like all family reunions.

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE -The ultimate family dinner scene? One of my favorite films so why not post this.

ZOMBIELAND -What is a day about eating massive amounts of food without mentioning zombies? There are so many to choose from but I decided to go with the recent horror comedy Zombieland which might be the perfect match after pigging out all day.

I have my own yearly tradition so I decided to end this post with it.

KING KONG - I think stemming back to when I was a kid and a local station would show King Kong every Thanksgiving it stuck with me and became my own tradition. Not that the film has a connection outside of that with the day of Thanksgiving but it's a personal connection which at the end of it is the key. I will be watching this while digesting my turkey and pumpkin pie thinking back to when I was a kid and that to me will make the day worthwhile.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

A Serbian Film Get US Release

2010-11-08T22:12:00.000-06:00

I was wondering whether 'A Serbian Film' (which I wrote about here) would be released here in the US. Not to say I thought it wouldn't because of censorship. Moreso whether a distributor would have the testicular fortitude to release it and be able to handle the heat for it. I was informed by a friend over the weekend that it not only got a US release but will have a theatrical run from Invincible Films. A piece over at Dread Central has some of the details as well.

Apparently it'll get a limited release in an R rated form. Not sure how this film will get an R rating. I'm sure it can but it would have to be severely cut. Part of the power of the film is that it is 100% explicit. There will be a very limited run in its unrated form though. My guess is it'll be extremely limited since I don't know how many theatres will show the original version. Right now this is aimed for February of 2011 with a DVD (and hopefully Blu-ray) release of the uncut version to follow with even a showing of the R rated version on Showtime.

Having seen the film a few weeks ago at the Horror Society Film Festival, in what is I believe the only 35mm showing to date in the US of the film, I can honestly say the film has come up in so many conversations. People are both appalled and fascinated by it. A very powerful and well made film. Just one that goes to the extreme. Pretty soon those of you who can take it will be able to judge for yourself.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T14:47:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year once again! As a little throw back I am reposting the links to the fun posts I did last year recommending different films to watch. I hope you enjoy them a second time.

Halloween Movies List #1 - Second Look Halloween Movies

Halloween Movies List #2 - Halloween Tales For Kids

Halloween Movies List #3 - Alternative Halloween Flicks

Halloween Movies List - Classic Halloween Movies

I hope everyone has a very fun and happy Halloween!!!

Movie Of The Day - A Serbian Film

2010-10-25T03:50:00.000-05:00

A SERBIAN FILM (2010) d: Srdjan Spasojevic

There are movies you always hear about where someone says,"Man, that is messed up." Or something akin to that. A lot of times it is a matter of personal taste. I have had some people get disturbed by things that I wouldn't even flinch at. We all have our things that may freak us out more than others. But then there is the depravity of mankind which I think does reach most of us. Anything that shows the worst of what we are capable of. Especially on a very primal level with no morality. So films like 'Cannibal Holocaust' is pretty disturbing. Not just the real life animal murder but the faked but very realistic cannibalism and rape. Although thanks to a friend who informed me that one of the most infamous scenes from that I guess they used an actual corpse to pull it off (no pun intended) so maybe I should use the word fake loosely. In other cases like the more recent 'A Serbian Film', where the film is indeed fake in its portrayals, it does not shy away from its blunt use of the worst things humans will do to each other for money and bizarre and extreme sexual gratification. I was lucky enough to see this film in a very rare on the big screen in 35mm cinemascope at the Horror Society Film Festival. While some people did walk out I stayed for the whole film.

Normally I try and do a lame attempt at doing a synopsis but this is direct from the website:

MILOS, a retired porn star, leads a normal family life with his wife Maria and six-year old son Petar in tumultuous Serbia, trying to make ends meet. Sudden call from his former colleague Layla will change everything. Aware of his financial problems, Layla introduces Milos to Vukmir- mysterious, menacing and politically powerful figure in pornographic business. A leading role in Vukmir’s new production will provide financial support to Milos and his family for the rest of their lives. A contract insists on his absolute unawareness of a script they will shoot. From then on, Milos is drawn into a maelstrom of unbeleivable cruelty and mayhem devised by his employer, “the director” of his destiny. Vukmir and his cohorts will stop at nothing to complete his vision. In order to escape the living cinematic hell he’s put into, and save his family’s life, Milos will have to sacrifice everything - his pride, his morality, his sanity, and maybe even his own life.

In a Serbian heart of darkness where life is cheaper than a candybar, in a struggle with enemies powerful beyond belief and just as violent and pathologically evil,
chances of surviving are abnormally thin.

This film is graphic in every sense. Some of you may have even heard about the infamous baby scene. It is true. And if you haven't then use your imagination and yes you are imagining it even if you are thinking it can't be that bad. This is one very sick film. However, it is also one very good film. There is a lot of talent at work here even if in many ways the film is unwatchable.

Milos is expertly portrayed by Srdjan Todorovic even though he is put in the most awful situations. The performances elevate the film beyond any cheap thrills film as well. There is nothing cheesy here. This film shows the worst parts of the real torture porn. Faceless and powerful people desire for these videos which to me is the most disturbing aspect to it. It's bad enough that these sick people are making these videos but that there are people with such a desire to see it they will pay a great deal for these people to make it.

While it doesn't shy away from the violence the film is particulary very well shot. I was so impressed by the cinematography by Nemanja Jovanov. This was shot on the RED camera and it looks beautiful. I know that sounds odd considering the some of the content but from a lighting perspective it is one great looking film.

Much has been said about the score which is too pretty amazing in its techno sort of in your face harshness which fits the film perfectly.

The graphic nature of the film will turn off probably 80% of you. And I will say at least 50% of you (if not more) should never see this film. I know that goes against my normal intuition but the graphic nature is something where I do think a lot of people just cannot look past it. In some cases I will make the argument that you need to look past certain elements to see what the film is really about. In a film like this it is hard to do. Which is why I would caution most of you before venturing into it.

This is also a film that is told very well and the violence in all of its extremeness is justified. It needs to show the evil that these people do. And the thing is, while it's dramatized for the sake of a fictionized film, these types of things do happen. At its worst mankind can be one sick being. And while in a dramatic sense the telling of such things in the spoken word can be powerful it does sometimes take the in your face approach to reach people. It's like making a movie about the Nazi's and not showing anything from the holocaust. Sometimes you do need to "go there". While some may question it and even question me in this I do feel that it is on some level justified. But it is one very disturbing and sick film. And I stand by the fact that I think most of you reading this should not watch this film. It is graphic to the extreme. It is violent to the extreme. It is sick to the extreme. It is also one of the year's best films.

Just Take One

2010-10-19T02:47:00.000-05:00

Every Halloween filmmaker Adam Green makes a short film through his ArieScope Pictures and this year's one has just posted starring he and filmmaker Joe Lynch. Much like the rest this one is hilariously awesome!!

Inception Trailer If Released 60 Years Ago

2010-10-07T18:15:00.000-05:00

Now this is just clever and awesome!

Movie Of The Day - Gladiator

2010-09-22T00:31:00.000-05:00

GLADIATOR (2000) d: Ridley Scott

When someone asks me what kind of movies I would like to make 'Gladiator' is always one that comes up. Not only is it one of my favorite films but it is the epitome of what I would love to do as a filmmaker. Take a simple story but enrich it with characters and texture and take it beyond the means of the genre set piece.

'Gladiator' is basically just a simple revenge story told against a Roman backdrop. The story of Maximus (Russell Crowe in his Academy Award winning role), a Roman General who is told he will become the Emperor of Rome once Caesar (Richard Harris) dies. Only Caesar's son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) is by no means happy with this decision and kills him naming himself as the new Emperor. When Maximus refuses this he is sentenced to death along with his family. He escapes but is too late to save his wife and son. He is then picked up by a traveling slave merchant and sold to become a gladiator. He is so successful that he manages to get back to the great arena in the heart of Rome and get his chance at revenge.

Now in the wrong hands that could be fairly cheesy. Fun but cheesy. Instead it is an astounding epic with such a richness that it was, in my opinion, one of the most deserving of the Best Picture Academy Award in the last decade (along with 'The Lord Of The Rings'). Ridley Scott brings so much to the film with not only the look and feel but he brought on a stellar cast which propels the film out of the usual summer movie fair. And the score is one of my favorite. Hans Zimmer, along with the amazing voice of Lisa Gerard, produced an outstanding and moving musical journey which perfectly matches the film.

Watching it again in the new remastered version I can say the Blu-ray looks incredible. After the initial release which looked like it was an old HD transfer riddled with DNR this new one (which you can get a replacement for if you have the old one) is just stunning. It is clean but still retains its film-like appearance. Talk about night and day. The old one was pretty bad while this one ranks up with one of the best.

I could go on and on about this film but rest assured it is among my top favorite films and if I could come even remotely close to achieving this in my own career consider my one very happy filmmaker.

Movie Of The Day - Carlito's Way

2010-09-05T21:55:00.000-05:00

CARLITO'S WAY (1993) d: Brian DePalma

A movie I have loved since the day I saw it, and one that is one of the influences on my current film 'Dark Light', is Brian DePalma's 'Carlito's Way'. Starring Al Pacino as Carlito Brigante, a former drug smuggler/dealer, who is out of prison and finding things are different than when he went in. His lawyer (Sean Penn) is a cocaine user and gangster wannabe who has troubles of his own having gotten involved with some mobsters. Carlito tries to set his life straight with a dream of escaping to the Carribean and live the simple life with his former love Gail (Penelope Ann Miller) who isn't sure she can trust him after he up and left her before going to jail. But escaping the past and from the surrounding problems proves hard for Carlito as he tries to get away from the bad things except (to borrow a line from 'The Godfather Part III') they pull him back in.

Brian DePalma is at his best here and the film is filled with everything - drama, action, suspense, comedy, and a love story. At the time it was billed as a sort of 'Scarface' follow up and even rip off with the same director and actor trying to rekindle old magic as was stated at the time but it's not. It's actually an outstanding film with fantastic performances and visually wonderful and tightly told. In some ways, although I do love it, I think it's actually a better film than 'Scarface'. A great mix of so many elements and a film I love to revisit from time to time. A truly great film that if you haven't seen it then do yourself a favor and watch it.

Movie Of The Day - Pulp Fiction

2010-08-27T10:58:00.000-05:00

PULP FICTION (1994) d: Quentin Tarantino

'Pulp Fiction' is just all kinds of brilliant. Most likely all of you have seen it. If by some chance you haven't then go watch it like now! It is an amazing film and one that introduced the world to Quentin Tarantino. I was already a huge fan after seeing 'Reservoir Dogs' on video when it came out in the spring of 1993. I was like,"Who is this guy because this movie is incredible?!" I followed his career from penning 'True Romance' and then to his second film 'Pulp Fiction'. A film told like a novel (something that has become his trademark) where it jumps around. You follow characters for one story and then jump to other characters for another story but some events take place before or after others so not everything is actually in chronological order. It's never confusing though. And of course Tarantino's pention for dialogue is at play here in full force.

I had not seen it in many years but I was lucky enough to see it on the big screen at the Gene Siskel Film Center this past week. Enough time had passed where the experience was both new and like visiting an old friend. And a reminder that Tarantino is just a genius.

Movie Of The Day - Taxi Driver

2010-08-22T16:48:00.000-05:00

TAXI DRIVER (1976) d: Martin Scorsese

For my birthday this year I treated myself to a movie. I realize that may not sound overly special but this was a special showing. At the Gene Siskel Film Center they are doing a summer long event showing different films of Quentin Tarantino and films that have inspired him. Well, one of the inspirations for Tarantino is also one of mine. The fact that they were showing it on my birthday meant that I had to go because something was telling me I needed to. And did I ever.

Knee deep in trying to get my second feature film going I go through bouts of doubt, confusion, anger, and even resentment. So it's nice to sit back and watch something that inspires and even humbles me. I've met a lot of filmmakers over the years and it's always refreshing to meet one that has a similar appreciation that I have for not only films but filmmaking. However, I have met several that think of themselves as either being above where they actually are or just flat out think they are better than others. Now if they made something that was worth bragging about I would cut them some slack but most of them have not. Some have not even made anything at all. At times I may say or do something that makes me feel a bit like the top banana but then I get a nice kick in the pants from filmmakers that remind me that I have much to learn and a long way to go. I've mentioned some of the filmmakers before that humble me - Alfred Hitchcock, Akira Kurosawa, John Ford, Howard Hawks. Martin Scorsese is another.

My favorite Scorsese film (and that is hard to say because there are so many great ones) is 'Taxi Driver'. The bizarre tale of following a man, Travis Bickle (played unlike any other actor could pull off by Robert DeNiro who's birthday is also the same as mine so only fitting even more), who is on the verge of insanity but at the same time basically disappears into society. Another face in the crowd. He drives a taxi at night but becomes obsessed with a woman Betsy (Sybill Shepard) who works at a campaign office and the desire to take out the politician she is working for after his attempts to woo her fail. He then has a similar, albeit different, obsession with a young prostitute Iris (Jodie Foster) whom he wants to save from her pimp Sport (Harvey Keitel). The fine line between being a villain (killing a politician) and a hero (killing a pimp)? Fascinating question. A film that could be picked apart to no end for sure. But the artistry with how it is told is something that is just staggering. And the absolutely amazing score by one of cinema's great composers Bernard Herrmann is, dare I say, one of the best ever done. It perfectly captures the harsh off balance nature of the film with the beautiful artistry of the images.

The film lives in a world of its own. It is almost one you can't categorize. Scorsese has said that a lot of the images were inspired by horror films yet the film is not really a horror film. The dark nature of the film keeps it from being a drama. There are even some good comical moments but the film is far from a comedy. It is its own film. It is just simply 'Taxi Driver'. One of my all time favorite films. I cannot think of a better birthday present to myself than to experience it once again on the big screen. Plus I needed the humbling and inspiration.

Movie Of The Day - Shutter Island

2010-07-26T20:18:00.000-05:00

SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) d: Martin Scorsese

It is no secret that while I may be outnumbered on this that I was no fan of Martin Scorsese's Academy Award winning film 'The Departed'. In fact, I think it is pretty horrible. But many of my friends think I am nuts for that. It also gets worse when I say that I think 'Gangs Of New York' is brilliant. That being said, I felt that Scorsese, whom I absolutely admire and lionize, is a filmmaker I was beginning to fear was moving past his golden era. That maybe his good days were behind him. While I felt that 'Gangs' was (and is) incredible that perhaps he had put so much into the film (I believe it took him like 25 years to have it made into a movie) and the lukewarm response it got might have made him doubt himself. His following films, for me anyhow, were pretty subpar. While I dislike 'The Departed', 'The Aviator' was decent albeit a mixed bag. Scorsese, a lover of the horror genre, decided to venture into genre territory with 'Shutter Island'. The main problem with the film is that I figured out the big twist almost immediately. Actually I was guessing what it was before I ever saw the movie. Not every last detail but the main aspect of it. So it never surprised me. In fact, it left me a bit let down. That being said, and upon a second viewing, I will say that this is Scorsese's best since 'Gangs of New York' in my opinion. While the big twist was no surprise for me I did appreciate the telling of the story. It is told well. And on my second viewing I really appreciated the unfolding of it and the technicalties of it. It is one amazing film visually. Scorsese knows when to speed things up and when to slow them down. The feel of the film is one of unease and nervousness. And Leonardo Dicaprio, who can be hit or miss with me, is excellent in this part of a US Marshall sent to Shutter Island, a hospital for the criminally insane located on an island, in search of a missing patient. Only he is hiding secrets of his own.

While the big surprise twist was no big surprise for me (although if it is for you then I think you will love this flick) it is still amazing how it unfolds and the look and feel just show how much of a master Scorsese is. This film holds up on the second viewing. In fact, I liked it a lot more on the second viewing. Which makes the knowing of the big twist insignificant and the sign of a great film. I'm glad Scorsese hasn't lost it. Just please no more 'Departed''s.

What You Talkin' 'Bout, Willies?

2010-07-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

Andre over at the awesome The Horror Digest blog put out a call for people to post things from movies that give them the willies. I tried to mix it up a little by picking some stuff that freaked me out as a kid and some more recent film moments. I listed my ten in alphabetical order.

Side note, is it me or does searching for screen caps a major pain? I could not believe how much it sucked. Search engines seem to turn up everything but what you put in. So not every picture/screencap matches the moment I'm talking about.

Please take notice that a lot of these will contain SPOILERS. My picks:

An American Werewolf In London - As a kid I some how managed to get my dad to take me to see this film. What I didn't know is that I would be traumatized for years to come. The opening scene where David and Jack are being surrounded and eventually attacked by the werewolf messed me up. For years to come if I was ever outside at night, especially near any kind of wooded area, I always wondered if a werewolf was going to come out and get me.

The Amityville Horror - While the actual case is most likely a hoax the film is still a scary tale. And one scene that freaked me out as a kid (and possibly as an adult too but I won't say) is when the young daughter claims she has an imaginary friend who is a pig. One time when the mom comes in and the girl claims she just scared her friend out the window the mom playfully goes to the window to play along only to see two big red eyes staring at her with a pig sound squealing. Heebie jeebies.

Burnt Offerings - Another kid creepy moment which freaked me out has to do with the driver from this movie. The guy appears at one point (which is the actual screen shot above) and it creeped me out.

Creepshow - While my love of 'Creepshow' knows no bounds it was almost unwatchable for me at one point because of the one segment called "The Crate". The first time "Fluffy" attacks a lowly janitor and turns him into a meal freaked me out so much I had to leave the theatre and ended up watching the rest of the segment from the lobby.

The Exorcist - What is probably the scariest film ever for me, and I am sure I could point out several moments, but one specifically is the appearance of the infamous demon face during Father Karrass' dream. The quick flash, while only a few frames long, is enough to make you think the film itself is possessed. I can't even look at the picture. *shivers*

The Eye - One of the Japanese ghost films (among the hundreds that have come out) that I found effective. One scene that made me jump out of my chair was when the lead character, who sees ghosts everywhere, sees a woman who comes right at her claiming to get out of her chair. I am glad no one saw me jump because it literally got me.

Henry Portrait Of A Serial Killer - One of the creepiest and disturbing scenes, and one that made me creeped out even being in my own house, was the infamous scene when Henry and Otis have videotaped their attack on a family and are watching it. It is so disturbing that even the dark humor of the film is no where to be found.

Session 9 - Without a doubt one of the creepiest things I've seen in the last ten years is in this film. When one character sneaks back into the hospital to steal some items he's found buried in a wall he finds getting out is a little hard in this abandoned place. He hears something and when he looks back down the hallway he sees a figure appear. A simple image but one that is just completely scary. Just made my hair stand on end thinking about it.

Paranormal Activity - I was one of the people that found this film really creepy and the one moment that really got to me because it went beyond what I was already freaked out about (sounds, a door closing) is when the lead character is actually dragged out of bed and down the hall. Making you realize things are indeed getting worse.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre - The first appearance of Leatherface is definitely one that gave me the willies. It was so intense and almost unbelievable because it just happens. No build up. He comes out and hits the guy with the hammer and slams the door shut. So stunning and very shocking.

So these were my picks. I could have listed more but I wanted to have a few different ones. Some childhood picks and more recent ones. List your own and share.

Movie Of The Day - Schindler's List

2010-07-10T15:37:00.002-05:00

SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993) d: Steven Spielberg

When I woke up this morning I didn't expect to be watching this film to start my day. While waiting for my coffee to brew I was flipping around the TV when I came across 'Schindler's List' on cable. I didn't want to stay on it as the subject matter is one that is hard to watch for just entertainment purposes while waiting for your breakfast beverage. But it was near the beginning and I was struck by the incredible cinematography in the stark black and white images. Having not seen the film in many years I had forgotten much about it. My coffee machine let out its steam as it finished brewing but I was no where to be found. Instead I was glued to the TV for 3 hours.

The story of Oskar Schindler a factory owner who profiteered from the use of slave labor during the war only to realize that his pursuit of money was inadvertently saving the lives of many Jews from being executed by the Nazi's. His realization leads him to spend everything he owns to save as many of them as he can. The harsh realism of the way the Nazi's treated and murdered Jews is unlike any other kind of cinema violence. It has a brutality and realistic portrayal unlike any I have seen. I was both enthralled by the incredible artistry of the film from its look and feel to the emotional depth it went leaving me in tears by the end of it. While certain shots and moments I had not forgotten since when I had seen the film before there was much I had forgotten. So the experience was near new.

While 'Jaws' will always be my personal favorite Steven Spielberg film 'Schindler's List' is without a doubt his best film. While not the ideal way to start my day I can think of no better way of spending it.

And yes, I did eventually get my coffee.

100 Greatest Movie Insults Of All Time

2010-07-01T22:13:00.000-05:00

This is beyond genius.

Doing Some EFX Tests

2010-06-22T00:48:00.000-05:00

Going off a few tutorials from the amazing website VideoCopilot.net I did some playing around in After Effects. I'm doing tests for my new film 'Dark Light' (that I wrote about here). These are not effects related to the film itself. Just testing out various methods. These effects are just for fun. They aren't polished as they were each done in a little over an hour.

Using the above still picture I animated it to look like it was live footage from a helicopter. Plus a little added surprise.

This next one I used the same photograph but did a missile test. Plus a slight camera shake and zoom as the explosion happens. There is a lot at work in this one. I couldn't even begin to explain all of the different elements and layers at work here. But look at the above photo and then see everything added.

Elements used include Action Essentials 2 and Optical Flares from VideoCopilot.net, and Particular from Trapcode.

We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat

2010-06-20T19:44:00.000-05:00

'Jaws' is easily one of my favorite films. It has so much that it is literally something special. It has action, adventure, horror, humor, drama, and even a little emotion. A film that still holds up to this day. What was feared to be an astonishing disaster during its making turned into something that changed the film industry forever. It marked the birth of the summer blockbuster.

A young Steven Spielberg stopped at nothing to make sure his film was not shut down despite an escalating budget and constant technical problems with the film's star - the mechanical shark. Resorting to the Val Lewton technique of not showing the creature but implying its presence led to a stroke of creative genius which went on to terrify audiences who were too afraid to go swimming at their local beach but were more than happy to line up at the movie theatre for the carnage.

Starring the late Roy Scheider and featuring Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw the film is basically the ultimate man versus nature story. A modern day Moby Dick. The last half of the film being the three main characters setting out to sea to track down and kill the monster that has been attacking the local shores. Where this film could have been just a fun film and nothing more instead underneath has a line of drama which is ever so present in the real reactions people have of what is happening. Plus the utter genius of what is perhaps one of, if not my all time, favorite scene where the Robert Shaw character Quint breaks out of the rusty seaman cliche and creates a fully rounded character with the telling of his experience on the Indianapolis. What I affectionately call the "Quint Speech". A moment in a film where something about a character makes them fully realized. Never has this been better done than with this scene.

So on June 20, 1975 audiences were treated to a film which would both terrify them and yet have them line up around the block for more. A young filmmaker went from being a guy holding a sinking ship afloat (literally) to being one of the biggest directors in film history. Generation after generation discovers this incredible film and it continues to live on. The oft quoted line,"We're gonna need a bigger boat," could be changed to,"We're gonna need a bigger movie theatre."

Congratulations to everyone involved in this masterpiece and I salute the film which is one of my personal favorites that continues to entertain and inspire me to this very day.

*Images taken from JawsMovieArchives.com.

Dark Light - My New Film

2010-06-19T11:34:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but I've been a little busy. As some of you know I'm a filmmaker. My first film 'Distortion' is starting to make the festival rounds. Right now I'm prepping for my second feature. It's an action thriller called 'Dark Light'. Needless to say this is going to consume most of my time so posts may in fact be a little on the light side over the next few months. I'll try and squeeze in a few here and there. I am still here just a little on the busy side.

Here are a few links for anyone interested in following the film:

The Official Website (which is coming soon) is HERE

The official Facebook page is HERE

The official Twitter is HERE

The official MySpace page is HERE

There is also a blog covering the production HERE

It is a very low budget film and I'll be making it (much like the last film) with no crew. So any and all support is greatly appreciated.

Gory's Random Clip Of The Day - My Eyes ...

2010-06-06T16:26:00.000-05:00

I say this at least twice on every film set I've been on.

Movie Of The Day - Minority Report

2010-05-29T23:23:00.000-05:00

MINORITY REPORT (2002) d: Steven Spielberg

What was billed, and released, as a summer blockbuster I think slightly hurt a film that is more than that. While there is action and a star lead this Steven Spielberg film, based on a short story by Phillip K. Dick, is really an old fashioned film noir.

Three people have the pre-sight of people being murdered so the Pre-Crime division gets the scattered images from the "precogs" and decyphers them to discover who is going to be murdered and by whom. Then they swoop in and arrest the person before the crime happens. John Anderton (Tom Cruise) heads the unit until one day one of the visions reveals himself murdering a stranger. This leads to an unraveling of a mystery with twists and turns and even a few action sequences. But this science fiction film is at heart an old fashioned film noir set against a science fiction backdrop. And I absolutely love film noir so this film was really something when I saw it in the theatre upon release. This is also arguably, after 'Saving Private Ryan', Spielberg's best film since 'Schindler's List'. A tight film with some real suspenseful moments and a climax that is about character not explosions. So strange that a big budget sci-fi summer movie with state of the art digital effects is more in line with the low budget black and white films of the 1940's. And desevedly so. An underrated film and one I was happy to revisit.

RIP Dennis Hopper - The Man Who Saved Hollywood

2010-05-29T13:56:00.000-05:00

I'm sure everyone has heard of the passing of Dennis Hopper. It was only a matter of time unfortunately with him having cancer but it's still sad when it happens. Much will be written about he and his movies. His drug years. His amazing up and down career. His friendships with all kinds of people including the late great James Dean. A man who lived life to the fullest (perhaps too full sometimes) and has left a mark unlike few before him. However one such mark is the fact that the man saved Hollywood.

During the 1960's Hollywood revenue had dropped drastically and the studios were on the verge of bankruptcy. People weren't going to the movies as much and with the social climate at the time more kids were getting high and/or protesting the war (specifically the draft more than the war but that's a whole other thing) so no one was invading their local theatre for the latest Hollywood had to offer which wasn't really much. The films being turned out at the time were not ones anyone wanted to see. Hollywood had lost touch with the current crop of moviegoers. They were in a downward spiral until one actor decided to make his own movie. A hippie drug biker flick starring he and his buddy and a few friends. The film was 'Easy Rider'. A low budget film that no one at the studios even understood. And quite frankly some of us in the audience didn't either. But the film struck a chord with the people at the time and it became a huge success. Hollywood scratched its head and decided they were out of touch and knew their only hope was to grab onto young directors and let them do their thing. Out of this came the careers of Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Brian DePalma, William Friedkin, Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorsese ... and the list goes on and on. These filmmakers in turn redefined Hollywood and soon both the amazing films of the 1970's came about plus the birth of the modern blockbuster.

If not for 'Easy Rider' then who knows what would have happened. All because one man decided he wasn't seeing the films he wanted to see and went out and made his own. 'Easy Rider' isn't just about the hippie movement of the 1960's but about how one man created something that he felt was missing and it ended up changing everything.

That man was Dennis Hopper. Rest in peace.

Movie Of The Day - Collateral

2010-05-28T00:14:00.000-05:00

COLLATERAL (2004) d: MICHAEL MANN

It's no secret one of my favorite filmmakers is Michael Mann. I just think he makes such amazing films. His action films are a clear example of the kind I want to make. They have the action but have a very strong dramatic element to them which I love. One such film is 'Collateral' which stars Jamie Foxx as a cab driver who picks up Vincent (Tom Cruise), a hitman who came to town to take out five people. The two of the them are fantastic in their polar opposite characters and the film plays out almost as a bizarre buddy picture only on a more serious note. There's action, surprises, but mainly just great characters. An amazing film from an amazing filmmaker. I hadn't seen it in a few years but experiencing it again on Blu-ray sure did make my evening. And inspired me as well.

Happy Star Wars Day

2010-05-04T12:10:00.000-05:00

Today is 'Star Wars' day and to celebrate it I am posting this special post for it. I know I've gushed over 'Star Wars' in the past. And for those that know me personally they have heard it to death. It's hard not to though. The usual fan boy celebration of the films and the mythology and yes, even the lightsabers can be found everywhere. However, 'Star Wars' has very personal meaning for me. It takes it to a different level of appreciation because I might be a different person today if not for it.

When I was 3 going on 4 my parents took my sister and I to see it at the theatre. When your that age pretty much anything bright will grab hold of your attention but this was different. I was completely mesmerized by the powerful iconic images on the screen before me. It was such an awe inspiring moment that it changed everything. I became fascinated by the moving image. By visual storytelling. Whether I was watching movies or TV I found myself studying it even before I knew what the technical aspects of it were. When I played with my toys my eye became the camera. I would move in real close for a close up or pull out for a wide shot. I would repeat actions so that I could view them from different angles. All before I knew what any of that was. I didn't know about camera angles, editing, cinematography. I just wanted my imagination to mimic what I see on the screen.

As I grew older I learned more about the filmmaking process and knew from a very young age that a director was what I wanted to be. It's all I knew how to be. People would tell me how cute it was and that I would grow out of it. But I didn't. It only became more intense as the years went on. Even when people told me I needed to find a "real" career to invest in I was determined. I even had teachers tell me to give it up only to come around and tell me to keep going no matter what after they saw how determined I was.

I made my first feature film 'Distortion' which I literally just finished. It was many years in the making and I made it on my own with almost no money. But my love of movies and of filmmaking stems back to that one moment when a young child was completely enthralled by the film playing out in front of him. 'Star Wars' changed my life and I cannot be more thankful. I don't know who I would be today if that had never happened. Quite honestly I don't want to know. I like who I have become. I only hope that little kid who dreamed of becoming a filmmaker one day feels the same way.

Here is the one moment from any film that I feel defines me. It is only fitting that it is from 'Star Wars'. That sense of dreaming for something that seems so far away. Hoping one day to reach it.

Thank you 'Star Wars' for everything you have done for me. May the Force be with you.

I Know You Have A "Q" But I "Ran" "North By Northwest"

2010-04-25T18:06:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a few weeks. Thank you again for checking out the interview I did over at Dead End Drive-In. I have been busy with both fun stuff and film stuff. My original intent was to do blog posts for each of these events but since I wasn't able to I am putting them into one big one.

Spent a lot of time, as always, at The Music Box theatre. First up was a special showing put on by none other than Turner Classic Movies of Alfred Hitchcock's 'North By Northwest'. That alone would have been truly something but to top it off there was a special introduction and Q&A in person(!) with TCM host Robert Osbourne and star of 'North By Northwest' Eva Marie Saint. One of those nights when you are in film geek heaven.

The theatre was packed. The picture does not do the theatre justice as it sits like 750 people. Since this was part of the TCM Film Festival it was free. You just had to show up with a ticket you printed up and it was first come first served basically. I waited in line for a long time but it was worth it.

The Q&A was great. Only downside was there was no signing so I never got to meet them but it was still great. One great piece of film trivia.

SPOILER ALERT

In the scene when Eva Marie Saint shoots Cary Grant in the cafeteria there is a young boy at the table just behind them who plugs his ears before she fires in preparation for the sound. You should have heard the murmurs in the theatre as none of us knew that. And when it came up in the film the laughter and applause was great.

END SPOILER

And might I add that Eva Marie Saint still looks great. Such a fun evening. Only downside was being there by myself. One of those times when you are so geeked out you want to talk film with someone. Alas it was not meant to be. Still a great time.

Not often do you get to see Hitchcock on the big screen so it was so incredible. Hitchcock is one of my all time favorite filmmakers and such an idol of mine. A really special evening.

Up next at The Music Box was the Sci-Fi Spectacular. This was the fourth year they had it and it's always a good times. Put on by the same people that put on the 24 hour Music Box Massacre every October. This one is a mixture of science fiction and horror films. The line up this year included 'Them!', Mario Bava's 'Planet Of The Vampires', 'Flash Gordon', Larry Cohen's 'Q The Winged Serpent', Tobe Hooper's 'Lifeforce', and John Carpenter's 'They Live'. In attendance was Larry Cohen himself which was a huge thrill for me. I have been such a fan of his for years. And his maverick ways of making movies was a big influence on me.

The following day he was also doing a more private speaking at Horrorbles on screenwriting. I was lucky enough to be one of the 20 people there.

One personal thing about the Sci-Fi Spectacular was they showed the trailer for my film 'Distortion'. It was the first time anything from my film has ever been shown on the big screen. And to see it at The Music Box where I see so many movies was so incredible. And this was right after they showed 'Q' by someone I admire, Larry Cohen, and before one of my idol's John Carpenter with 'They Live'. So it was really amazing and even moving for one night to share the screen with them.

A picture of my trailer being shown. Again, the picture does not do justice to the size of the theatre or the screen.

One final bit of coolness. On a special rerelease they showed another one of my idol's on the big screen with Akira Kurosawa's 'Ran'. As I've mentioned before Kurosawa has been a big influence on me so to see one of his films on the big screen is a real treat. Much like Hitchcock I don't often get to see their films in the theatre so when I get the opportunity I jump at it.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Outside of these events I really haven't had a chance to watch many movies. I need to fix that and get back into more posting.

Dead End Drive-In Interview

2010-04-05T12:15:00.000-05:00

Over at the awesome blog Dead End Drive-In is an interview with me (well, the real me not Gory) about my film 'Distortion' and a few other projects. Plus there is an interview with actress and a dear friend Deneen Melody (who did a cameo in 'Distortion' but will be in a leading role in my next film). So much coolness over there. Please head on over and check it out!!

http://deadenddrive-in.blogspot.com/

Movie Of The Day - The Killer

2010-04-04T20:03:00.000-05:00

THE KILLER (1989) d: John Woo

One of my all time favorite movies is John Woo's 'The Killer'. It was my first John Woo film that I ever saw and it completely blew me away. I saw it back in 1993 and if there was a clear case of what kind of action film I wanted to make it was this one. I remember when it ended I think I sat there for a few minutes. Back in the days of VHS I think the tape actually got to the end and it started to automatically rewind. Then I got the Criterion laserdisc which was both flawed and inspiring. It was flawed because the only thing they could get for a transfer was a release print so it was beat up. But it was the original Cantonese version in the original language (as opposed to the dubbed version on the VHS) with the still superior to this day subtitles. I don't think I can tell you how many times I watched the film. Or even just scenes of the film. Just amazing and I could not get enough.

When an assassin (played by the totally awesome Chow Yun Fat) accidentally blinds a club singer (Sally Yeh) as he's pulling off a job he befriends her and then falls in love with her. He tries to help her but needs to pull one last job so that he can help get her new eyes. After the job he is set up but it also leads to the police being on his trail. The cat and mouse of the killer and the cop (Danny Lee) is just fantastic. And the action scenes are amazing. This is John Woo at his very best in my opinion. I love his other movies too (yes, even 'Paycheck' you haters you) but for me 'The Killer' is beyond just a great action film. I think it is just a great film. It has it's drawbacks but they are due to its low budget (I believe the budget was about $2 million) and the fact that the films at the time, much like movies in Italy, were all dubbed after the fact. So even though it's in its native language it can seem a little off at times.

'Hard Boiled' tends to get most of the love (which I absolutely love as well). It also gets treated better as far as video releases go. 'The Killer' has never gotten the release it deserves. I know it would cost money to do a proper restoration. And if I am ever in any position to do so believe me that I will find a way to make it happen. It was just released on Blu-ray in a flawed release. It's a 1080i transfer that is not great. Not bad but nothing that screams high definition. Plus the subtitles are still a bit all over the place. Not bad as I do think they are good in spots but they are no where near as good as the Criterion ones were. Specifically when it comes to one key part at the very end of the film. The Criterion release is the only version to get the subtitles right there which I think ruins an emotional moment. However, beggars can't be choosers. Like I said, I have no options here. This is all I can get and I will take it because I love this movie.

When I say it is one of my favorite films I do mean it. If I have to list a top ten (which may not be a bad blog post actually) then it will be in that top ten. It has been for a long time. Some films come and go from that list but a few of them have been there and will remain there. 'The Killer' is one of them. As it says in the trailer from one of the reviews,"'The Killer' is great cinema." It is. A film I will always consider one of my favorites both personally and professionally. It has inspired me and thrilled me. It speaks to me as a film buff, a film geek, and a filmmaker. What more can I ask for?

The Expendables - Bringing Back Old School Action?

2010-03-31T18:35:00.000-05:00

Finally! An action movie with real men blowing stuff up. I was really interested in this film while it was being made but you never know. Sometimes things can be too good to be true. Now seeing the trailer I am 12 years old again waiting for that summer action film. Bring it on!!!

Dread Central Premieres My Film Trailer

2010-03-24T12:47:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody. A little out of Gory experience today as the real me emerges to promote something special.

Dread Central is premiering the trailer to my film 'Distortion' so get on over and check it out. Big thanks to Steve aka Uncle Creepy on writing such a great piece.

http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36571/exclusive-trailer-debut-distortion

I am so excited about this!

Gory's Random Clip Of The Day - Rainbow Connection

2010-03-24T12:44:00.000-05:00

A little more Muppets today because it makes me smile. And I think a friend needs a smile too so I hope this helps a little.

And no this doesn't make me get teary eyed. I just have something in my eye is all.

Happy Birthday Akira

2010-03-23T11:49:00.000-05:00

Today would have been Akira Kurosawa's 100th birthday. I gave a tribute to him in a previous post (which you can read here) so I'll spare you the repetition. The man has been a huge influence on me and his amazing films continue to inspire and humble me.

Happy Birthday Mr. Kurosawa. Thank you for everything.

Don't forget to catch some of Kurosawa's films on TCM tonight.

Gory's Random Clip Of The Day - Moving Right Along

2010-03-22T13:09:00.000-05:00

I love the Muppets. Got to see 'The Muppet Movie' at a midnight show a few months ago. Such a smile I had that night. Kind of fitting for my mood too. Officially finished my film last night so now I am moving right along.

Gory's Random Clip Of The Day - Weird Science

2010-03-20T12:23:00.000-05:00

I love me some Oingo Boingo.

Update and Promoting

2010-03-14T13:57:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody! I know I have been a little light on the postings lately but I have been busy getting the final parts of my film 'Distortion' finished. Plus I've started writing the script for my next film 'Killer Talk' which I hope to make this summer. Needless to say I've been keeping the home fires burning.

I will try and post more even if they're small posts. But I have not left this blog behind. Just haven't had the time I did before.

For a little self promotion the awesome people over at the Horror Society posted some official stills from my film 'Distortion'. I am cutting a new trailer which will be done soon. I'm sure I'll be posting that everywhere including here. Here's the piece with the stills:

http://www.horrorsociety.com/2010/03/12/distortion-stills/

Big thanks to Mitch and look out for an upcoming interviewing I'll be doing as well.

I promise more of my vague ramblings are coming. And as always, thanks for reading.

TCM Celebrates Akira Kurosawa

2010-03-07T12:17:00.001-06:00

TCM (Turner Classic Movies as opposed to Texas Chainsaw Massacre) is celebrating the 100th birthday (or would be if he was still alive) of one of cinema's most brilliant directors Akira Kurosawa. What better way to celebrate than with some of the director's films as they mound their special March event 100th Anniversary Of Akira Kurosawa's Birthday. Throughout March they will be showing some of his best work.

I have always known of Kurosawa but never actually saw any of his films until my freshman year of college during one of the best/worst classes I have ever had, The History of Cinema (a story for another time). We watched 'Rashomon' and I was completely blown away. I say often that nothing humbles me more as a filmmaker than Kurosawa and that is the truth. You never feel more like an amateur than when you watch one of his films. Each frame could be taken out of the film and hung on the wall like a piece of art. That is how perfect they are. I remember the first time I watched 'Ran' there was one shot that was such perfection yet so simple that it actually got me a little emotional. And of course 'Seven Samurai' is just one of the best films ever made. Look I'll debate and concede people's opinions on movies. Afterall they are subjective. I love hearing what people think about movies. I don't need to agree with them and they don't need to agree with me. All I ask is for mutual respect. But, there are a few movies where I will not budge. And me saying that 'Seven Samurai' is literally one of the greatest achievements in the medium I stand by completely.

Kurosawa has inspired me in so many ways. Even in ways I didn't know. I even have a screenplay outline for a film called 'The Outsider' which is very much inspired by 'Yojimbo'. While no where near his mastery I had some Kurosawa-esque shots in my film 'Distortion'. Some intentional while others just happened. One I did do on purpose was a specific close up. Kurosawa had an ingenius way of doing the two person close up. While I couldn't find an exact example here are two similar examples of how he would do them followed by the still from my film.

From 'Rashomon':

From 'Yojimbo':

From my film 'Distortion':

If you've never seen any of his films then be sure to catch at least one of them on TCM during their tribute this month. They may be a lot to take in on initial viewings but they stay with you. The genius of Akira Kurosawa is one that will never be forgotten. His birthday would have been on March 23. Happy Birthday, Mr. Kurosawa. Thank you for your legacy and for your inspiration.

Gory's Favorite Scenes - Jaws - The Quint Speech

2010-03-05T11:09:00.000-06:00

One of my all time favorite scenes, and at times I even dare to say my favorite, is from 'Jaws' when Robert Shaw's Quint character tells the story of the Indianapolis. The thing I love about this scene is that it is a quiet scene but is just riveting and it is done so simply. A young Steven Spielberg who was ready to jump out of his own skin with his creativity knew that when the time came a director steps back and lets the actors do their thing. Although it's a little too apparent in the clip below but when you watch the film the music creeps in and is very subtle. But these are the technical things I admire. What makes the scene so amazing is what it represents on the whole. Quint is a cliched character. Even right before he and Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) are comparing scars. Quint's scars are from different sea life encounters and even one bar room arm wrestling shenanigan. Then Brody (Roy Scheider) notices a mark on his arm and asks about it. He says he had a tattoo removed causing Hooper to make the joke that it said "mother"as he bursts out in laughter. Quint reaches across the table and grabs his arm much like a parent grabs the arm of a child and says it was the Indianapolis. Immediately Hooper stops laughing. There is a brief silence where the weight of that alone is brought into the boat they're on. Then Quint goes into his experience of what happened when the Indianapolis sank. Told with such a quiet intensity and subtle emotion and a subdued pain which he shows as if he's never told someone before. This cliched character all of a sudden becomes almost the most fully rounded character in the entire film. Someone we could have easily dismissed is now more human. In one telling of his story we know where he came from. We know who he is. Why he is. I've often said that every great movie needs a Quint speech. Not a scene where a character rambles on but where a character becomes more than just a one dimensional character on the screen. I cannot tell you how many times I have watched this scene and everytime I have the same feeling. An absolutely brilliant scene.

Movie Of The Day - The Music Man

2010-03-02T23:46:00.000-06:00

THE MUSIC MAN (1962) d: Morton DaCosta

I love musicals. One of my favorites is Meredith Wilson's 'The Music Man'. It is such a sweet film and the music is just fantastic. There is an innocence and a purity when it comes to love and happiness and enjoyment of life that this film is filled with. It always leaves me with such a grin. Professor Harold Hill (played to perfection by Robert Preston) comes into River City, Iowa to swindle the folks of this quiet town into buying the idea of a boy's band which includes buying instruments and uniforms. In the process he brings a life to the town that it never had before. In turn he finds something in him that the swindler never had before thanks to the local librarian Marion (Shirley Jones). The music is great, the characters are fun, and it has such a heart. I hadn't watched it in a few years and I shouldn't let so much time pass again before watching it again.

Added story bonus: In one of my acting classes in college we had to pick a song to lip sync to and "perform" it. Everyone picked some pop song that they felt made them look cool or sexy. Yours truly picked a song from 'The Music Man'. It was evident that I was just trying to have fun and enjoy myself. Therefore I was the only one that got a round of applause not only from the class but the teacher herself. The song I performed was none other than "You Got Trouble".

Movie Of The Day - Sunshine

2010-02-27T22:07:00.001-06:00

SUNSHINE (2007) d: Danny Boyle

Between '28 Days Later' and 'Slumdog Millionaire' director Danny Boyle made a film a lot of people haven't heard of called 'Sunshine'. A science fiction film about a group of astronauts and scientists sent to deliver a giant bomb in the middle of our dying sun in the hopes of creating a star within a star. A film that quite honestly I thought was just ok the first time I saw it. The thing is it grows on you and the second viewing is far different than the first. Now it is one of my favorite films of the last ten years (which you can read about in my Best Of The Decade list here). The film is tightly told and beautifully shot. Danny Boyle knows how to compose some stunning imagery while never deviating from the story. He is not showing off. He is telling the story he is setting out to tell but picks just the perfect framing and the scenes are edited at a pitch perfect pace. The music by John Murphy is just stunning. I have the soundtrack (available only on iTunes at the moment) and listen to it quite often. There is a B story that can be quite throwing which takes place in the second and third acts. Aspects where the film ventures into horror film territory. On first viewing I was thrown off by it. But now I think it is brilliant. I don't want to go into it without giving anything away. Probably the best thing about very few people knowing about this film is that you can watch it without prior knowledge. And trust me you do want to see this. If you have the same reaction I did the first time then do me a favor and watch it once more. You won't regret it.

Binary Sunset

2010-02-24T19:28:00.000-06:00

This was a very important day for me. Instead of retyping what happened I will ask you to go to the blog I have for my film. Click Here

Gory's Random Clip Of The Day - The Lighting Of The Beacons

2010-02-19T20:05:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite moments, especially musically, from 'The Lord Of The Rings' is in the third film 'The Return Of The King' when Pippin lights the beacon to send for aid. The beautiful music composed by Howard Shore for this moment as the beacons are lit is literally stunning. Everytime I see the scene or even just hear the music I get goosebumps. Not kidding.

Here is a live performance, featuring Howard Shore conducting, doing the piece of music. Let the goosebumps begin.

I wanted to include the clip from the film but couldn't find one. At least one that did not have embedding disabled. No luck. So here is a link to a YouTube file of the scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6LGJ7evrAg

Horror Society Write Up

2010-02-18T18:36:00.000-06:00

Breaking the Gory persona a bit here. But the real me was written about over at the Horror Society website along with my film(s). I'll be doing an interview with them very soon which I am really looking forward to.

http://www.horrorsociety.com/2010/02/18/widescreen-films-productions/

Be sure to check out not just their website but also their new radio show and their events which you will always find me at. Some of them I have written about before.

Really big thanks to Mitchell Wells over at the Horror Society!

Gory's Random Clip Of The Day - You Get What You Give

2010-02-17T11:50:00.000-06:00

What's up Hiroshi? Let's light this candle.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T11:07:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone has a very happy and wonderful Valentine's Day!

As a little bonus here is a scene from one of my favorite films. Might have to find time later today to squeeze this in.

It's Time To Enter The Room With Tommy

2010-02-13T17:36:00.000-06:00

Every so often a film comes along that is an absolute masterpiece that it reminds you what cinema truly is. The more recent example for me was 'The Lord Of The Rings' trilogy (my pick for the best of the decade which you can read here). Something that in essence represents films at their very best. Then there is the opposite side of the spectrum where a film is so bad it reminds you why movies like 'The Lord Of The Rings' are so special. Most people would consider 'The Room' to be one of these films. Well, yes and no. Can it be called one of the worst films ever made? Yes. But that doesn't mean it's bad. Let me explain.

A movie can be so bad that it is almost insulting to watch it. It's boring and dull and a complete waste of time. But then there can be a film that may have set out to be one thing but turns into something else. Obviously films like Ed Wood's 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' and 'Troll 2' come to mind. Films that set out to be a science fiction horror film and a flat out horror film respectively but failed so miserably that they become funny. They are failures because they fail in their intent but in another way are successes because where these films might come up short they deliver in being (granted unintentionally) funny and entertaining. The last one being the key. For me a film no matter what its purpose should be entertaining. That doesn't mean it's lighthearted. It means it shouldn't bore you. No matter how serious a subject matter a film should never not entertain or all is lost. This is why films like 'Plan 9' and 'Troll 2' work because they are too entertaining. This too is why 'The Room' works because while it fails to be the relationship drama it set out to be it succeeds on being completely entertaining and absolutely hilarious.

Here is the trailer.

The film was financed (some say through dubious means but that would only make the overall story that much more entertaining) for $6 million and was written, produced, directed, and stars Tommy Wiseau. An odd man to say the least and someone with enough of an ego to put himself into all of these positions. Namely the star. But that only adds to the overall experience. The story of a man who is engaged to a woman who may not be in love with him as much as he is with her. So she starts sleeping with his best friend. That's it in a nutshell but the film needs to be seen to be believed. There are many random shots of San Fransisco scattered throughout the film. There is a table with a picture of a spoon on it (which prompts audience members to toss plastic spoons into the air). The acting is ... well ... this film needs to be seen. Ideally at a midnight show with an audience. Only then can you have the full experience.

Here is one of my favorite scenes:

Exactly! Now experience my favorite line reading in the entire film.

If that doesn't make you want to see the film then I don't know what will.

Now the thing is while the film is on one level horrible it is just so entertaining. On that level it works. Compare this with James Cameron's (who I do love and admire greatly) recent film 'Avatar' (my review here) a film that chances are I will never see again. 'The Room' I've seen five times in the theatre and will be going back for more. So I ask you, in the end, which is the better film? The $300 million film that I'll never see again or the $6 million film that is so bad it brings me to tears from laughing so hard that I've seen five times?

This often reminds me of one of my all time favorite scenes from Tim Burton's 'Ed Wood' where Ed Wood meets Orson Welles. I really feel the is the epitome of my view on films and filmmaking. Films are left to the interpretation of the individual audience member. And no matter what, filmmakers are the same no matter their place in history. We all have the same trials and tribulations. What makes a movie so special? Is it the utter brilliance of 'Citizen Kane'? Is it the utter awfulness yet entertaining mess of 'The Room'? I say it is both.

Here is that fantastic scene.

(for the record Welles wanted Heston for the role in 'Touch Of Evil' and when the studio wanted to hire another director Heston fought to keep Welles saying he would walk off the project without Welles directing which the studio caved to and Welles was always grateful for)

In a very rare treat the mysterious and even odd Tommy Wiseau came to my favorite theatre The Music Box Theatre for a screening of 'The Room'.

The marquee. Only at The Music Box will you see that kind of marquee. It's why I love the theatre.

The Room!!

The sold out crowd (of 750 people!) begin to take their seats.

Tommy takes to the stage.

He was sort of interviewed (Tommy pretty much said what he wanted) by Aint It Cool News' Capone.

Tommy gets roses from a fan.

And thanks said fan.

Say it Tommy!!

Now it's time for the show.

After the show Tommy signed. Here he is signing my 'The Room' poster.

Tommy and yours truly.

They had a table selling merchandise so I had to get the talking(!) bobble head.

My signed DVD of 'The Room'.

My signed 'The Room' poster.

Tommy told me he wrote something special just for me. He told me it says "May all your dreams come alive". Can't tell if that's what it says but Tommy told me it says that so it says that.

*The official website for 'The Room' can be found here.

Happy Birthday George

2010-02-04T11:59:00.003-06:00

Today, February 4, marks the birthday of one of my all time favorite directors George A. Romero.

George Romero has been an influence on me ever since ... well ... ever since I can remember. Ironically it wasn't 'Night Of The Living Dead' or even 'Dawn Of The Dead' that first made me curious as to who this man was. It was 'Creepshow', his horror anthology film he made back in 1982 with stories written by Stephen King. I came across the 'Creepshow' comic which was released before the movie. The fact that these gruesome stories were made into a movie peeked my adolesant curiosity. I had to see this film. I begged my dad to take me to see it (I was 9 at the time!) and he eventually gave in. He figured he could cover my eyes if anything too extreme happened. Luckily the film is over the top and dark humored so I was pretty much fine. My parents knew of my affection for movies (especially horror movies) and how they were made even at that age so I was allowed to see some stuff that most kids probably wouldn't. Again, mainly because I was aware that it was all fake. I was not ready though for the story 'The Crate' which proceeded to scare the crap out of me. So much so I watched most of that episode from the lobby peaking in through the little window in the door.

I was both terrified and fascinated by the film. And the name George A. Romero meant something to me. Who is this guy? Long before the internet it was not easy to come across information. I was determined. The before mentioned 'Night' and 'Dawn', 'Knightriders', 'Martin', 'The Crazies'. Most of these films I did not see until later but 'Creepshow' and the name George A. Romero stuck with me. I did beg my father once to take me to a double feature of 'Dawn Of The Dead' and 'Creepshow'. Unfortunately the theatre was not exactly in an area my dad wanted to spend four hours of his day. In retrospect I can't blame him although I long for that experience today.

I eventually saw 'Night Of The Living Dead' and was amazed by it. Especially for how little money it was made for. While I couldn't see 'Day Of The Dead' in the theatre since I was too young I made sure I was there right when it came out on video. I must have watched it five times over the three days I had the movie (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon before I had to return it to the video store). I didn't watch it with the expectations that horror fans had at the time because at that point I had only seen 'Night'. I loved every frame of it. I got to talking to one kid at school about it and he told me about 'Dawn Of The Dead' which was next on my list. Even as a kid I wanted to space out these films. You don't want to over saturate yourself with too much of any given filmmaker. I find it's better to appreciate the works when it's split up. Like the summer in high school when I watched almost all of of Alfred Hitchcock's films. Not all in one weekend. Over the course of three months. It made for one very memorable summer. My first time watching 'Rear Window' is one I will never forget. A story for another post however.

I finally saw 'Dawn Of The Dead' and to say I was bowled over by it is such an understatement that I regret even using such an awkward phrase. This was unlike anything I had seen before. So much so the film remains one of my top three favorite films of all time. I cannot tell you how many times I have watched it over the years. It was always the film I went to as sort of like a comfort blanket as well. When I needed to escape or needed inspiration it was there. I had the film recorded off a VHS. Then I had a VHS copy. Then I had the laserdisc(s). Then I had the DVD(s). Now I have the Blu-ray. It will always be in my collection.

Romero and I have a different world view. I know we disagree on certain political issues. But we share two things. One that absolute power corrupts absolutely. A theme that I feel is present in almost all of his films. A breakdown I can do at another time. And we both love movies and how they are made. Romero is someone that can make a movie by himself if he had too. He knows every job that needs to be done. In his early films he wrote, directed, edited, produced, and shot (or at least co-shot some smaller parts of his films). Even with no money he could create such energy into his films. And if you want to see a masterpiece then track down a copy of 'Martin'. His take on a vampire tale. A low budget film shot on 16mm that is just simply outstanding. His style and his just do it attitude have inspired me ten times over. Even beyond the short films I've done but mainly the feature film I set out to make with no money and even with no crew Romero was a key influence. I knew I needed to look to specific filmmakers to see how I needed to handle it. No better example than George Romero. In fact, one of his key lines of his filmmaking viewpoint, especially in his early films, was one I quoted often,"I'd rather have a hundred lousy shots than one great one." A sentiment I agree with. Especially on a low budget (or should I say micro budget?) film. Since I also edit I shot like a madman and while not every shot is perfect it is a shot that tells story. I can get into the editing room (also known as my TV room/office) and mold the film into how I want it. You need coverage to do that. A key piece of information I took from George.

In fact, I named my main character in the film George after Romero.

I could go on and on about the influence he has had on me. I barely scratched the surface. On this day though I mainly want to say thank you. For everything. I wish you nothing but the best. Happy Birthday George!

George and I at a Flashback Weekend convention back in 2008 right before I started shooting my film 'Distortion' (and also when I was 36 pounds heavier). For the record we were standing on an incline but he is also super tall.

Added bonus:

Two examples of some of my favorite scenes. Not anyone being ripped apart but his explanations as to why the dead have come back to life.

The most famous from 'Dawn Of The Dead'.

My personal favorite is actually from 'Day Of The Dead'. (it's basically the first 4 and 1/2 minutes since I couldn't find a shorter clip).

Movie Of The Day - The Third Man

2010-01-31T12:27:00.001-06:00

THE THIRD MAN (1949) d: Carol Reed

To say Carol Reed's 'The Third Man' is not one of the best films ever made means you have never seen it or have no clue what defines cinema. Yes, I am being that strict with it. I'm not saying you'll like the film but to have an understanding of what cinema means then you must include this as one of the top films of all time. Which might be an interesting list to compile. Something for me to ponder for a future post.

Released in 1949 'The Third Man' is not just a great film noir but a film which redefined so much in movies. In some ways it also marked the end of the bleaker films as we moved into the 1950's which was filled with Technicolor, cinemascope, and musicals. I do not say that with animosity as so many incredible films came out then. It was time to move on from the bleakness of the 1940's and what a way to go.

A dime novel writer Holly Martins (played perfectly by the always amazing Joseph Cotton) goes to post World War II Vienna for a job opportunity with an old friend Harry Lime (portrayed by Orson Welles). Though he doesn't know what the job is exactly he is excited for the chance. As he arrives he discovers that his childhood friend was killed by a car while crossing the street. Or so it seemed. However, a witness to the accident claims that there were three men that helped carry the body to the side of the road. Two friends of Lime's and a mysterious third man. Different reports abound which makes the whole incident sound suspicious. The police won't help since Lime is accused of being a racketeer of the worst kind so he embarks on his own to discover what happened including tracking down Lime's part time girlfriend Anna (played by the stunning Alida Valli) who he starts to fall for. Martins soon discovers that things are not as they seem and maybe his old friend wasn't who he thought he was.

The film is shot in such stark black and white and its use of shadows and cocked angles redefined many aspects of filmmaking. It's hard to look at it now and realize how fresh and new it was at the time since it has been used so much since. Plus shooting in post war Vienna with actual destroyed buildings gives it an authenticity. While aspects were shot on sound stages there is much that is shot on location which was not done too much at the time. And the bizarre yet amazing score by Anton Karas using his zither has become almost legendary. As the story goes Haras was hired to perform at a production party and when Reed heard the music he wanted it in the film. Originally as just a bit here and there but then decided he wanted Karas to do the entire score. And as anyone who knows me (at least when I get a phone call) the theme song is my ringtone on my iPhone.

Here is a clip of Anton Karas playing his mighty zither.

'The Third Man' is an amazing film and one that can really make you appreciate the art of cinema. I still remember the first time I watched it. I have seen the film numerous times over the years and luckily got to see it on the big screen as well. It was so great seeing a crowd show up for a film that is 50 years old. People of all ages were there. The magic of movies. Even all these years later people came out to see a classic on the big screen that most of them probably have on video at home.That's what great cinema can do.

A few pictures from the screening. Don't let the small image confuse you the screen at The Music Box is huge.

The organist played the theme before the film started. Beyond awesome.

Added bonus:

Update And Meeting Terrance - Graaaaaaaaaaaves!

2010-01-25T13:30:00.000-06:00

Sorry about the lack of postings lately. Been busy trying to get my film 'Distortion' 100% completed so I can submit it to a few festivals. That is the main thing taking up a lot of my time right now. A lot of work is needed to get it done and it's only me working on it so it is keeping me very busy.

The remainder of my time has been taken up by an awesome thing I am with. As I mentioned in previous posts I am part of the 90 Day Delinquents which is the Chicago shadowcast for 'Repo The Genetic Opera'. The last two shows I have done Luigi Largo which is played by Bill Moseley in the film. This past weekend was a big show for us where we were able to bring in Terrance Zdunich who is the co-creator of 'Repo' as well as playing Graverobber in the film. Which meant we got to hang out with him all weekend which was such a blast. To say he is a cool guy is an understatement. The show went so well (though for my own sake I screwed up one bit of choreography which my strive for perfection means it will bother me until the day I die) and we had a huge turn out. The crowd was so amazing! I was surprised how many people came in from out of state. It was such an incredible evening. My main regret is not taking a boat load of pictures. I hope the others did.

With the 'Repo' show done (for now) my main concern is getting the film done. I have a deadline as there are a few festivals I want to submit to next month so I may still be light on posts for a few weeks but will try to do a few when I can. Thanks for reading!

Me with Terrance after our show Saturday night. For the record, while he is taller than I am the lobby of the theatre is at an incline so I look a lot shorter than I am. Needed to point that out. heh

B Movie Madness 2

2010-01-17T12:34:00.000-06:00

I was at the latest event put on by the Horror Society here in Chicago called B Movie Madness and it was a great time.

They showed the original 'Night Of the Demons' (in 35mm) and had director Kevin Tenney there in person. They also showed his new movie 'Brain Dead' along with a couple of short films including 'Thirsty' starring none other than the awesome Joe Lynch and 'Hypochondriac' with writer, producer, and one of the stars Marv Blauvelt in person as well. It ended with a local independent film 'Incest Death Squad' which was made in Wisconsin.

A good time was had as is always the case at the Horror Society events. Can't wait for the next one.

Here's me with director Kevin Tenney. He is super tall. Making me look shorter than I already am.

Here's the 'Night Of The Demons' trailer. Warning: R Rated

Meeting Fran And Killing Kasztner

2010-01-10T17:54:00.000-06:00

As much as living in Chicago is wearing a little thin on me now, especially as we get 20 below wind chill warnings, there are times when I admit some really awesome things happen here. One of them was last night.

At my favorite theatre, The Music Box Theatre, they are showing this week the amazing documentary 'Killing Kasztner' about a Jew who collaborated with the Nazi's during World War II to help rescue 1,700 Jews and possibly saved thousands more from being executed. A controversial figure as some see him as a hero while others view him as a traitor. A fascinating documentary and well worth checking out.

I must admit I went there for different reasons. The fact that the film was so engrossing and educational was an added bonus that I was more than happy to have experienced. But I was there because for a few showings the director was there for a Q&A. The director is none other than Fran herself, Gaylen Ross! One of the leads from one of my all time favorite films 'Dawn of the Dead'. I went with two friends and we weren't sure if she would be ok with us being fans and wanting, hopefully, an autograph. You never know. She is there to promote a very serious film about a very serious subject matter and here are three fan boys with their posters. Luckily, she could not have been nicer and more accommodating. She was very sweet and signed everything we had (myself having my 'Dawn of the Dead' poster and my 'Creepshow' poster). And she posed for pictures.

So while I showed up as a fan boy to get an autograph I left being blown over by the story of a man I had not heard about before but one I will not forget. She made a powerful documentary and is a nice person to boot. And dude ... she was Fran!!!

Holy Crap! I Won Awards! - UPDATED

2010-01-06T00:09:00.003-06:00

Over at one of my favorite blogs a very happy surprise happened. Andre of The Horror Digest awarded a few blogs the "Zombie Chicken Award" and yours truly was one of the recipients. To say I am touched by this is an understatement. Not just the fact that someone thought my vague ramblings were actually worthy of something but that I was put amongst so many other really talented people. I love her blog a lot so to say the feeling is mutual is an understatement. Thank you Andre!!!

UPDATE:

Over at another awesome blog Rhonny Reaper of Dollar Bin Horror awarded me with another award. Talk about having a good day! She is so super cool! I really appreciate this so much. The "Kreativ Blogger". Ha!! I love it!

Kind of funny. I have been really down lately for personal reasons and this is such a highlight. Thanks you two. This was such a nice surprise and something that truly lifted my spirits.

UPDATE UPDATE:

Not only is this an honor but moreso because I'm receiving these from blogs which are so incredible. Sarah over at the great Scare Sarah blog gave me (along with some really great blogs as well) an award. I like that this one is "One Lovely Blog Award" because while on the surface it may seem odd considering the majority of this blog is horror related but it is about the love of the genre and about the love of film. I could not be happier. Thank you Sarah!!

UPDAT UPDATE UPDATE:

My friend Nicki over at Hey! Look Behind You! surprised me with yet one more "One Lovely Blog" award. And you better be following her blog or your life just sucks. Thanks Nicki!!

Movie Of The Day - Behind The Mask The Rise Of Leslie Vernon

2010-01-03T01:40:00.000-06:00

BEHIND THE MASK THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON (2006) d: Scott Glosserman

As mentioned on my top films of the decade post (which you can read here) this is just a great horror/comedy. And a clever one to boot. Using the pseudo-documentary take on following a serial killer in a world where killers are like they are in movies in how they pick their victims and virginal heroine to how they set up traps to creep out the unsuspecting. I had heard about this film but missed it in its short theatrical run. A friend saw it and raved about it (his blog you can read here by the way) so I knew I had to see it. I eventually saw it in the next best possible way at a convention with friends and a lot of other people including none other than Troma's Lloyd Kaufman as well. I was completely impressed and kicked myself for not seeing it in theatres. However I was grateful seeing it with a bunch of horror fans and the head of Troma made it an experience almost as good as the movie itself.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T00:17:00.000-06:00

Best Of The Decade - 5 - 1

2009-12-31T18:47:00.000-06:00

And now for the final five picks of my favorite films of the last decade. What are we calling this anyway? The 00's? On to the films.

5. TEAM AMERICA WORLD POLICE - Good parody is rare these days. In fact the only place I still see true parody is on 'South Park' which comes as no surprise that Trey Parker and Matt Stone created the best parody, and one of the best films, of the last ten years. Making fun of one side is not parody. It's called defamatory. Parody is when all sides are made fun of. The powerful are held in check through comedy. The fact that this film is done in all marionette (with strings showing and all) makes it all the more hilarious. Making fun of right wing ultra military use and excess patriotism to left wing compliance and hypocrisy made this a film all sides got around. Every time I watch it I swear I laugh harder. And as a great parody it works on its own accords to be so entertaining long after the jokes have passed. Easily my favorite comedy of the decade.

4. STAR WARS EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH -As a huge Star Wars fan I was pretty much predestined to love the prequels. It was easy for me to look past the lesser qualities and just concentrate on the story at hand. I admit it was hard (and exhausting) to constantly defend the first two. The third film though made most people see what George Lucas was building towards. As a young kid wondering what that fight between Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi was like was nothing compared to how it is in the film. In a good way. Plus all of the nods to the original trilogy, especially A New Hope, made this such a treat. It marveled the adult in me while exciting the kid in me. I can't tell you how many times I've watched this and just love it every single time. We can debate the first two but not this one. It's just a great film. It's a Star Wars film in every true sense.

3. THE DARK KNIGHT -Talking about hitting me over the head with a stone. As mentioned earlier I loved the first film but was not ready for what this film was going to be. Not just a spectacular summer film in every sense of the term but an all around great film. It literally has drama, action, suspense, great characters. It's one of the few times I walked out of a theatre in the last couple of years and knew I didn't need the film to grow on me. This was a pure masterpiece and I knew I just saw an amazing film. Plus it's message about what it means to be a true hero is a very mature approach. Not something you find in your popcorn entertainment. A daring film as well as an entertaining one. I keep forgetting how good it is until I watch it again and then I remember how great films can be.

2. GLADIATOR -What a way to start the decade. I saw this film several times over the summer of 2000. I could not get enough of it. On one level it's a very simple film but that is why it works so well. It's richness comes from the characters. I've watched the film dozens of times over the years (even within the last couple of weeks) and the film has lost nothing. It is very much like the old epics of yesteryear but also a modern sense of drama and realism that brings it to life. A film I felt was so deserving of the Academy Award. And a devastating loss for Ridley Scott not winning for Best Director. If it wasn't for the next entry this would be my pick for favorite film.

1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS -On occasion you know you are experiencing something that is literally part of film history. When I first heard that this was being made I was like ok. When I read that Peter Jackson, a filmmaker I loved even though very few had heard of him, was doing it I became excited. I thought there is a perfect match. I knew he could do it. What I didn't know is how well he could do it. He created a landmark that is truly stunning in all aspects. This is what you point to when you say why movies are magic. This is true movie magic. Every aspect to it is just so amazing that I almost wonder how Peter Jackson pulled it off. I think I would have gotten lost but perhaps making it so far away from Hollywood he was able to basically have the entire production technically live in the world they were creating. I was not alive when such monumental films like 'Citizen Kane', 'Casablanca', 'Gone With The Wind', 'Ben-Hur', etc, were released. But I can say I was alive to see two modern examples of films that set a new benchmark and that would be 'Star Wars' and now 'The Lord Of The Rings'. Without a doubt it is my favorite thing done in the film world in the last decade. It inspires me as a movie fan, as a filmmaker, and as a historic landmark of cinema. Now this is how you kick off a new millennium.

So there you have it. My picks for my favorite films of the last ten years. What will the next ten years have in store for us? Who knows? Will one of my films be on anyone's lists? Hey, I can wish can't I?

Happy New Year everyone!! Thanks for reading the blog. All my best in 2010.

Best Of The Decade - 15 - 6

2009-12-31T15:19:00.001-06:00

Continuing the Best of The Decade list. For the first part go here.

15. BLACK HAWK DOWN - Before Hollywood started showcasing our troops as crazy, stupid, unstable, and even rapists, they were shown in a brighter light in Ridley Scott's amazing film about soldiers being trapped in Somalia while trying to arrest two warlords. Based on the true events from 1993 the film captures both the horrors of war and the bravery of our soldiers. It is a very tense and honorable film and one that unfortunately hasn't been made since 2001.

14. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS - What haven't I already said about Quentin Tarantino's marvelous film? His historic fiction is told with such mastery that it proves he is one of our greatest filmmakers today. A master storyteller. My favorite film of 2009 and one of the best films from the last decade.

13. SPIDER-MAN 2 - Sam Raimi was able to breath new life into the super hero genre with the first film. But he blew the lid off when he took it to another level in the second. I still say no one was better suited for this screen adaptation of Spider-Man as well as Raimi and this film specifically proves it. All the pieces fit together perfectly. The film stands on its own.

12. OLDBOY - Talk about offering something different. What at first appears as a revenge story with a slight twist turns into a revenge story with s huge twist. The ending can be perceived as either sweet or extremely sick but this is definitely a film unlike many others from the last ten years.

11. MAY - At some point, if not most of the time, a lot of us feel like outsiders. Something about us that makes us different. An awkward thing that in some ways helps makes us unique. Although that one thing can also separate us from the "norm" and this is perfectly captured in the character of May played to perfection by Angela Bettis. I know a lot of horror fans, both male and female, relate to the film (outside of its horror elements) because as horror fans we tend to feel like outcasts. Very few films can capture this better than 'May' and it easily makes it one of the best films I've seen over the decade.

10. SHAUN OF THE DEAD - Once again a horror comedy that knows how to blend the two worlds perfectly. This is just an outstanding film that is funny and even has some scares in it. It's also a romance and a buddy picture. The fact that it takes place during a zombie apocalypse is just icing on the cake.

9. KILL BILL - Quentin Tarantino's fourth film is quite a film. Although it was divided into two parts because it's running time was pushing four hours it works both as two films or as one big whole. A revenge story (how I love 'em) about a woman on search for the people that tried to kill her. No need to trying to explain it but this film offers two things. It shows Tarantino's increasing sense of visual artistry and his command of the craft of storytelling. A completely mind boggling tale which makes this two of this man's films to appear on my list. Keep it up Quentin. I am lovin' it!

8. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN - For those that know me or have been reading the blog for awhile then you know my love for this film. Part of the beauty of it is that I saw it fairly blindly in that I knew almost nothing about it. I knew of it sort of but nothing specific. In fact, it fell on a day when I was going to see 'My Name Is Bruce' with Bruce Campbell in person so that was the highlight. This was sort of the film we were seeing to kill time. Needless to say I walked away with a different highlight from that day. A different take on vampires only from a child's perspective and told with such a tenderness and so much emotion that I was and continue to be amazed by this film. An absolute masterpiece. I will champion this film as long as I am able because I think it is just that good. There was no doubt this was going on this list. The question was how high.

7. SIN CITY - Robert Rodriguez translated Frank Miller's book onto the screen and created an amazing experience. Shot digitally and mainly on green screens the entire world was created in the computer. This allowed the world to be exactly as it is in Miller's books. With stark black and white and the occasional use of color makes these sordid tales all the more powerful. One of the few times in the last few years when a film ended and all I could say was,"Wow."

6. ZODIAC - David Fincher was stepping back into the serial killer world for a second time only from a different perspective. The telling of the mysterious case of the Zodiac killer that traumatized parts of California for a decade unfolds as if you've never heard it before. The genius of the film is that the first half is basically the Zodiac's killings and the police trying to figure out who it is. The second half is about the pure obsession that a comic strip artist goes through to figure it out long after the rest of the world has moved on from it. Granted I have an inkling for films regarding obsession. I think I can be a bit obsessive so I tend to relate to it. Despite its three hour running time the film moves and is completely engrossing. This film has also inspired me in several ways between my last film and the new one I will be making this summer. The inspiration alone makes it worthy of one of my favorites but the fact that it is an incredible film makes it easily one of the top films for me over the last several years.

Onto the top five which you can see here.

Best Of The Decade - 25 - 16

2009-12-31T13:45:00.002-06:00

And so begins my picks for the best films of the decade. These aren't so much the films that I feel best represent the last ten years. Nor are they the ones I think are the best all around. These are personal favorites. Movies that have reached me on some level and have remained with me. I'm sure a few will make you scratch your head while others will hopefully inspire you to see or rewatch.

I opted to go with 25 picks. I was going to do only 10 but there were enough movies that I feel deserve notice. While I don't think this was a great decade for movies there is no doubt we had some great ones and I wanted to acknowledge them.

These will be divided into three posts. First up are numbers 25 through 16.

25. POULTRYGEIST - Lloyd Kaufman and Troma have delivered what may in fact be Troma's best film (or at least on par with their best) but also one of the best social satires in the last ten years. It's also a horror film, a musical, a romance, and ... well, it has everything. A shining example of true independent filmmaking. This film just goes for broke and comes out a winner.

24. BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON - Horror comedy is hard to do. Especially when you run the chance of one outdoing the other. It tends to be more comedy than not. This film finds the right balance and is such an undiscovered gem of the last ten years. A documentary crew follows a serial killer around in a world where movie killers, and the tricks they play, really happen. The film is clever but doesn't end there. It is also very entertaining and one of the big surprises for me in the last ten years.

23. BUBBA HO-TEP - To say Bruce Campbell is amazing as Elvis is an understatement. This film is such an offbeat whimsical tale that it deserves to be seen to be believed. Director Don Coscarelli made an outstanding film and let Bruce Campbell give one of the best performances of his career as an aging Elvis in a home where the residents are being killed by a mummy. So he must stop him with the help of Ozzie Davis as John F. Kennedy. Yes. You read that right. Now go out and see it.

22. MIAMI VICE - Ok. Let the head scratching begin. Here is a film I feel got a bad rap. During the midst of the time when film versions of old TV shows was all the rage this one got included in the bunch when it shouldn't have. This was made by the original TV show's creator Michael Mann. He also happens to be one of the best filmmakers around. He made the film it's own thing and while people shrugged it off I think it deserves a second look as a good cop thriller. I've watched it several times and I love it more each time.

21. GANGS OF NEW YORK - I seem to be on the opposite side of the fence with this decade's Martin Scorsese. A lot of people sort of shot down this film but praised his later work especially 'The Departed'. I thought 'The Departed' was a mess of a film but absolutely love this one. Not sure if I'm missing something or other people are but I'm more than happy to say this is my favorite Scorsese film of the last decade.

20. REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA - A horror rock opera that has changed my life a bit. I love the film and the music to it. This film spawned shadowcasts all over the country (where people perform the film as it plays on screen) and yours truly is part of the Chicago group 90 Day Delinquents. I do Luigi Largo. In the process I have made several new friends and have an absolute blast doing it. To not have a film like this on my list would be a travesty. A film that makes me smile, created a hobby, and introduced me to new friends? Better believe it's one of my favorites of the decade.

19. GINGER SNAPS - Using horror as metaphor is one of the reasons the genre is so special. You can't really do that much with other types of films. This is a perfect example. Using the werewolf transformation of a young girl as parable for her becoming a woman. Turning in incredible performances from Katherine Isabelle and the always amazing Emily Perkins this film is one that really got to me. I may not be a young woman but those formative years of 15 and 16 any of us can relate to. And changing into a werewolf is probably the best metaphor around for those years.

18. SUNSHINE - Here's a film that sort of came under the radar. A science fiction tale from Danny Boyle that is a thrilling film as it is visually stunning. Our sun is dying so a ship is sent to deliver a bomb that will hopefully reignite the sun. Kind of odd because most people I know have had the same reaction. The first time you see it you think it's ok. Then it grows on you. You see it again and you like it more. The third time is usually the time when you feel like you love it. And I do.

17. BATTLE ROYALE - This film still hasn't been released here in the States. Some people claim it's because no one here wants to release it because of the content but I think it's because of rights issues. Either way it's worth seeking out. Every year a high school class is sent to an island and must not only survive but kill everyone around them. Only one student is to be alive at the end or everyone will be killed. The film is pretty ballsy and one that you don't forget. It has a dark sense of humor to it as well but also the fact that there is a Lord Of The Flies element to it where sometimes it doesn't take much for us to become blood thirsty savages. Although it does offer a glimmer of hope too.

16. BATMAN BEGINS - Talk about rebooting a franchise. Christopher Nolan not only gave Batman new legs but he redefined the genre is some ways. Giving the film a harder more realistic bent but still delivering on the hero front. How Bruce Wayne becomes Batman is told with such perfect storytelling that this just completely blew me away. This transcends the comic book film and is just a great film.

Onto picks 15 through 6 which you can find here.

Best Of 2009

2009-12-30T21:12:00.000-06:00

I present my list for the best films of 2009 according to me. These are strictly my opinion and do not reflect on other people's opinions. You may notice there are only nine titles listed. Well, there is a very good chance this list will change slightly. I did miss so many movies this year and there are a few that have the potential to be on this list. So in the meantime a place will be left empty for whichever film that may be.

In the meantime here are my picks for the best films of 2009 out of the ones I've seen.

10. COMING SOON

9. MY BLOODY VALENTINE - I love me my horror. And I love me my "fun" horror and this film is just that - fun. It's sort of a remake, sort of sequel, to the original classic. The 3-D in this film only enhances the fun factor. And I must say that the 3-D even at home is pretty effective. Especially on Blu-ray where the extra resolution makes the image a little more stable with the red/blue glasses. While it didn't reinvent the genre it did give it a fun 90 minutes which is not a bad thing.

8. UP - Can Pixar do no wrong? While not quite on par with some of their other titles 'Up' is still a very rewarding and emotional tale. Even early on as we have a sequence where we see the main character's life through a flashback it gets hard to hold back the tears. Especially if you've lived life a little. There is something true to Pixar's films which gives them such an emotional base. I think this is why they are so great. And 'Up' is no exception. Thank God!

7. WATCHMEN - While I didn't go gaga as much as some fan boys (or as angry since it's not 100% faithful to the source) I was heavily impressed by this film about an alternate version of our history if super heroes were part of our culture. Director Zack Snyder, after the 'Dawn of the Dead' remake and '300', knows how to speak the visual style of film. Visually the film is incredible. And while I think the message at times gets a bit awkward the film as a whole is an experience. And the character of Rorschach (played by future Freddy Krueger Jackie Earle Haley) is really incredible. If the whole film was about him it might have been higher on the list. The great thing though is this is one of those films that gets better every time you see it. It is one that'll be around for a long time. And deservedly so.

6. THIRST - Much like last year's outstanding 'Let The Right One In' this film offers a different take on vampires but much like that film looks at it from a more character driven perspective. A priest has an operation which creates the side effect of turning him into a vampire. His life starts to change and he lusts after a young girl who wants to become like him. A morality tale plus a little Lady Macbeth thrown in for good measure makes this another home run for director Chan-wook Park who also made the amazing 'Oldboy'.

5. DRAG ME TO HELL - It has been so long since Sam Raimi stepped back into his horror roots as a director. Some people were upset because the film wasn't disturbing. Well, Raimi likes fun horror. He delivers that here in spades. The beautiful Alison Lohman (what? She is!) plays Christine who denies an old Gypsy woman an extension on her mortgage which causes the old Gypsy to attack her and pay a curse on her which leads to demons harassing her and will eventually ... drag her to hell. Unless she can lift the curse. Many of Raimi's trademark styles are at play here and the film is just a lot of fun. You know you're in the hands of a master who is himself having a good time. So I sat back and joined in.

4. STAR TREK - I love Star Trek. I don't dress up in the uniforms and show up to jury duty but I do love the shows and the movies. I was a bit cautious with this reboot. The teaser trailer was cool but still I just wasn't sure. Well, I should have put my worries aside because this is one great movie. J.J. Abrams knew how to meld (pardon the Trek pun) the aspects of the original show and bring it to a new generation without alienating the original fans. While I feel the Kobayashi Maru sequence was not quite what I imagined when I first heard William Shatner talk about it in 'Star Trek II' the film as a whole is one giant entertainment. The kind we don't get enough of. The worlds of mindless entertainment and good storytelling can go hand in hand. Here is a prime example.

3. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY - The hatred I've seen from people over this movie. Why? Some people didn't find it scary. Ok fine. Why the anger though? I don't understand that. I for one found the film completely effective. Maybe I scare easily I don't know but I have seen the film (as of this writing) three times and each time I was freaked out. Sometimes all I need is a creaking door to get under my skin. Told in the first camera perspective (like 'The Blair Witch Project' and 'Cloverfield') of a couple who are being terrorized by a demon spirit so they decide to try and record the happenings. Made for around $12,000 and sold to Dreamworks this film also represents one of my dreams as a filmmaker. I'm sorry if you didn't find this film effective because it is for me and I am grateful for it. Well, I am when I'm not staring at a darkened corner of the room wondering if something is there.

2. TAKEN - I love me a revenge story. This one delivers. It doesn't try to be anything more than it is which is why I love it so. Liam Neeson plays a former government agent who is trying to reconnect with his daughter. She goes off to Paris with a friend but is kidnapped. Neeson goes off to find her and shows no mercy for the people that did it. The best scene in the film is when the girl is kidnapped as Neeson is on the phone helpless. One of the kidnappers picks up the phone and Neeson tells him they should let her go or else he's coming after them. The scene is both terrifying and exciting as we fear for the girl as she is taken and cheer for Neeson as he's promising to kick some butt. Now that is a father I like to see on screen.

1. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS - I have been hearing about this film for years. Quentin Tarantino talked about this film when he was promoting 'Pulp Fiction' back in 1994. As many people who know him they say he talks a lot about different ideas for movies with very few of them ever leaving his brain. I feared this was one of them but not so. The story of a group of elite soldiers out to do nothing but kill Nazi's during World War II and of a Jewish girl who got away as her family was slaughtered only to have the chance at revenge. I am glad the film wasn't made when Tarantino was younger. I think the more mature Tarantino brings more to the film that his younger self couldn't. The film is a work of historical fiction but one where we almost wish the real war happened this way. It is an amazing film with fantastic performances and some more subdued conversation pieces which while are Tarantino are not like they are in his other films. The opening scene alone is absolutely amazing. Probably the best scene of any film I saw all year. And the film as a whole proves Quentin Tarantino is one of our best filmmakers today. This is easily my favorite film of the year. Thank you Quentin for not letting me down.

Almost There

2009-12-30T01:01:00.000-06:00

Due to some work issues and, unfortunately, some minor health issues I am running late in posting my Best Of lists. I am finalizing them though. As a heads up the Best Of 2009 list will be a bit short. The Best Of The Decade list will be a bit long. I might even break it up into two postings. I will be posting them over the next two days. I know many of you are refusing to make plans for New Year's Eve until you know when I'm posting these. By all means exhale because they will be posted before midnight Thursday.

Just to avoid any possible issues just know that these lists represent my opinion only. I am not saying my opinion is more valid than yours. By all means I want to know what movies you like. Please don't waste your time criticizing my choices though. It only makes you look foolish and I have no patience for it. So meh.

Gory's Random Clip Of The Day - Star Wars A-Team

2009-12-28T15:03:00.000-06:00

My friend Tara had posted this and I thought it was hilarious. Had to repost it here.

Gory's Random Clip Of The Day - Beer

2009-12-28T10:13:00.000-06:00

Gory's Random Post Of The Day - Everybody Wants To Rule The World

2009-12-27T12:16:00.000-06:00

Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To Rule The World". The video is kind of weird but this is one of my favorite songs.

Movie Of The Day - A Christmas Story

2009-12-25T17:18:00.000-06:00

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) d: Bob Clark

I'm going to go out on a limb and say ... this is the greatest Christmas film ever.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T11:57:00.000-06:00

I just want to extend a very Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope it is a wonderful day for all of you and your families. Be thankful for what you have and please help those who are not as fortunate.

Probably my personal favorite adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' was done by Disney called simply 'Mickey's Christmas Carol' made in 1983. The DVD came out recently and it's worth picking up. For those of you unfamiliar with it here it is in its entirety.

Merry Christmas and God bless us every one.

Movie Of The Day - It's A Wonderful Life

2009-12-25T00:22:00.000-06:00

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) d: Frank Capra

A true classic that has gotten a little bit of a bad rap on certain levels. It's chalked up as cheesy or even dismissed because there was a time when it was played endlessly on PBS that it became almost nauseating. Luckily that was a long time ago and hopefully people will rediscover the film. It's considered a classic but it's sentimentality and its embracing of the goodness of people can be cheesy in the modern cynical times. I hope not because the idea that we do make an impact on people and our lives do matter is an important thing to share. It should also be one that is shared with all the joy and heartfelt emotion that goes with it. And sometimes old fashioned cheesy is exactly what is needed. Put your modern sense of cynicism away and just enjoy a good movie and appreciate the things you have. And remember no one is a failure who has friends.

Bonus clip. "What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down."

Gory's Random Post Of The Day - The House Of Tomorrow

2009-12-24T15:02:00.003-06:00

Gory's Random Post Of The Day - Live to Win

2009-12-23T23:18:00.001-06:00

From one of my all time favorite South Park episodes "Make Love, Not Warcraft".

Al Bundy Christmas

2009-12-23T01:28:00.002-06:00

RIP Dan O'Bannon

2009-12-18T01:23:00.000-06:00

Dread Central is reporting that screenwriter and director Dan O'Bannon has passed away. He was the writer of such films as 'Alien', 'Blue Thunder', 'Dead and Buried', 'Total Recall'. Plus he wrote and directed the zombie classic 'The Return Of The Living Dead'. This is truly sad news. He gave us so many great films and he will be missed.

Here's a shot from his role in the John Carpenter film he wrote and acted in when they were both still in film school 'Dark Star'.

Review - Avatar

2009-12-18T00:49:00.001-06:00

AVATAR (2009) d: James Cameron

One of my favorite directors (both as a fan and as a filmmaker) has always been James Cameron. Since I first saw 'The Terminator' back in 1985 I was completely impressed with the talent this guy had and followed him through today with his latest film 'Avatar'. Having not made a (narrative) film since 1997's 'Titanic' it has been a long wait. Many people have tried to do the kind of spectacular effects driven storytelling that Cameron can do but very few can. He is someone who knows how to use visual effects to tell his story without letting the visual effect tell the story. He is first a master storyteller and has always pushed the boundary of the effects business. It's why his films stand the test of time. At the end of the day the story remains. While the liquid metal of the T-1000 from 'Terminator 2' isn't as jaw dropping as it was back in 1991 the film still holds up because the story is just so amazing. Having watched the first 'Terminator' just a few weeks ago (blog post here) I can tell you it still holds up so well and still inspires me over 25 years later.

Now we have 'Avatar' his latest film and sadly to say, for the first time, I have mixed feelings. You have to understand I even like his first directing job film 'Piranha II The Spawning'. Unfortunately 'Avatar' is more akin to the films we've been getting waiting for Cameron to make another film rather than a James Cameron film.

The film tells the story of Jake (Sam Worthington) who is a Marine paralyzed from the waist down. His twin brother was part of an experiment where they take the consciousness of a person and place it into the body of a Na'vi. An avatar if you will. The point was to, at first, study them as is evident by the scientist who created it played by Sigourney Weaver. Since the twin brother has died they decide to use Jake as the fill in. Afterall, a lot of money is behind it. Not only the research to get it to this point but also the money to be gained from a rare mineral that is on the planet Pandora where the Na'vi live. The evil corporate guy (played by the usually fantastic Giovanni Ribisi) is just that. He may have had a name but it doesn't matter. He's the evil corporate guy. Plus we have the evil Marine guy (played by the also usually fantastic Stephen Lang). The corporate guy wants this mineral (I think it's a mineral) at any cost because it's worth a lot of money back on earth. The Marine wants to, in essence, just take out the Na'vi.

I'm being a bit flippant here mainly because these two from the moment they're on screen are exactly that. The evil corporate guy should have been rubbing his hands together while describing how much he wants this mineral thing. About as cliche as it gets. I mean really bad. He almost comes across as stupid which to get that powerful in a corporation (and at that young an age) requires some smarts. Even if all you want to do is make a lot more money even if it means wiping out an alien species. Cameron did this character ten times better in 'Aliens' with the character of Burke (played by Paul Reiser). He was smarmy and had something to hide and gain at the expense of others but his turn was still a bit surprising so we do hope he gets what's coming to him. Here the character is just not even close to being original. It's basically a stereotype of a stereotype. Stephen Lang gives a little more to his evil Marine early on before he turns into the typical military "let's just kill everything" cliche.

The Na'vi are these beings that live on this planet where this mineral is. They're basically Native Americans. Not like Native Americans. They are. Just because they're twice as tall as we are and all blue doesn't mean it's still not there. The way they act, react to things, and even talk. Even they're language sounds like it came out of 'Dances With Wolves'. Which is pretty much what this film is.

The film starts out pretty original. I was liking the film despite the cliche of the evil corporate guy (I mean the first shot of him is he's playing golf with one of those office golf things ... yeah). Once they land on Pandora is sort of where the film starts to lose interest. Naturally there are crazy animals everywhere and there is some encounters and chases with creatures. Then we're introduced to Neytiri who is a female (and daughter of the chief of the tribe) Na'vi. She saves Jake from some dog like creatures. Which I found a bit disturbing. The creatures were a little too much like dogs so as they were getting beaten and stabbed and the familiar sounds of dogs whimpering in pain was a bit much for me. She senses something special about Jake and brings him back to the tribe. Now his orders (by the evil Marine and the evil corporate guy) are to see if he can, over the course of three months, convince them to relocate while they come in and take this mineral. They didn't tell them they can build casinos though. Maybe that's in the director's cut. The problem is we've seen this story before. The discovering a different culture story which at first is either so different or possibly an enemy but then the discovery leads to an understanding and we've all learned something about each other. It's not that we've seen it before it's that we've seen it before and done much better. 'Dances With Wolves', 'Witness', 'The Last Samurai'. Those are off the top of my head. There is nothing different about the story. There is even the warrior Na'vi who doesn't like Jake but eventually respects him when the crap hits the fan. Just like in all of the other ones. I hate to say this but just like the evil guys the story is cliche. Like I said, it doesn't start off that way but it ends that way.

Another thing missing is the sense of wonder. We're taken to this planet with these beings, all kinds of creatures, and exotic plant life but it doesn't make you really go "wow". You just look at it. When the characters jump on these giant bird like creatures and ride them through the air there was never a sense of amazement. Remember the first time you saw the dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park'? Hell, even the Cantina scene in 'Star Wars'? None of that is here. It looks great technically but there is no sense of wonderment.

SPOILERS AHEAD

I won't go crazy with this but it's worth mentioning. One thing is at the very start of the film we are flying over a misty forest. The voice over of Jake says,"I have dreams where I'm flying." Or at least something very close to that. Now later in the film when Jake gets on one of those birds and is flying through the air there was never that moment where he realizes he is flying like in his dream. Seemed kind of odd then to open the movie like that. I wanted that little moment. That might be why there is no wonder in the film because our characters never feel it

One big thing that I think really went a little too far. As if the relocation of the tribes and the deforestation and the stealing of natural resources from others (yes, I get it!!) wasn't enough there is a bizarre take on 9/11 where the very large sacred tree of the Na'vi is attacked and it eventually falls over and leaves ashes over everything. Very reminiscent of the World Trade Center coming down. This was just disturbing. Not in the way that was intended either. It felt more like exploitation. As it was happening I was thinking that I was reading too much into it. Maybe I am but I don't think so. Not cool.

END SPOILERS

Is 'Avatar' a bad film? No. I think seeing the film in 3-D, especially in IMAX, will make it an interesting experience for people. Maybe the 'Dances With Wolves' story doesn't bother you. Some stories I can watch over and over again in different ways. The you killed my brother/sister/cousin/wife revenge story will always work for me. So this kind of story may work for you. Some of the scenery is pretty amazing. The environments looks incredible. Unfortunately I was admiring them from a technical standpoint not from the wonder or awe standpoint. Cameron knows how to do action. You know what is going on and are never confused which I wish more filmmakers would follow. Shaky cam does not make action good. Follow Cameron's lead on this. As for the film on a whole though, for me, it just felt like a big cliche and while technically it's told well I didn't walk away with anything new nor did I feel like I was taken off to a distant world. At least not one that sparked that sense of wonder in me.

I love you James Cameron but I don't think I'll be seeing this again. However, I will be first in line for your next film. I know you're still a great storyteller with a lot more stories in you. You don't need to tell the ones others already have.

Movie Of The Day - Inglourious Basterds

2009-12-16T00:56:00.000-06:00

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009) d: Quentin Tarantino

I still remember back in 1994 Quentin Tarantino talking about this film on the Charlie Rose show. At the time that was going to be his next film. Then came three other films. Although I'm glad he didn't make it right away. I think the older Tarantino made a much better film than the younger one would have considering the subject matter. It has his style and exploitation feel but there is a level of maturity underneath that gives the film a little more weight.

Now I've loved Tarantino since I saw 'Reservoir Dogs' back in 1993. I was so impressed by it I would tell anyone I could about it. I was a freshman in film school at the time so while some people were interested most of them were mainly asking, "Who?" Then came 'True Romance' and I told people they should go see it since he wrote it. Once again I got a lot of, "Who?" Fair enough. Then came 'Pulp Fiction' and I told everyone to go see it when it came out. Finally they all got excited about Tarantino. Of course I was ignored for a good year and a half but that's besides the point.

Tarantino stands on his own and I have loved everything he's done. Although I do have mixed feelings to his 'Grindhouse' entry 'Death Proof'. I feel the first half is utter genius and pure him. The second half, to me, seems like someone trying to do Tarantino. I will say I was a little worried that maybe even he had fallen a bit. Well, I can keep my trap shut because the man has lost nothing. He crafted an absolutely amazing film with 'Inglourious Basterds'. A remake in name only of the Enzo Castellari film 'The Inglorious Bastards' it has stood the second time test. When I saw it the first time I loved it but before I go too overboard I always want to make sure a film is good the second time when you know what is happening. It does. Much like his other films there is much to enjoy on repeated viewings. While this film is not so much about quoting memorable lines it is just great storytelling. Plus it has the mark of a master. It is crafted so well the way the scenes play out. If Tarantino had any kinks to work out then they have been worked out because this is a precise film. And his use of other music works well here too including the great way he uses a certain David Bowie song. One piece of music which struck me though is one I absolutely adore. It's from a movie I just love called 'Revolver' directed by Sergio Sollima. The music was done by the great Ennio Morricone. One piece from the film which I love which I wanted to use in a movie one day myself is a very moving piece. I won't say specifically but it's used late in the movie. So hearing the music for me gave me a bit of an emotional response on top of the scene itself.

If you've been waiting to see this film then I recommend doing it now. If you've seen it already then I recommend watching it again. Now I just need to wait for his next film.

Even A Miracle Needs A Hand

2009-12-15T18:59:00.000-06:00

A quick update.

I know I'm late on a few things but I've gotten very busy lately. So much so my mind feels like ... like the picture above. In fact I have two shoots (that's video shoots) this week and weekend. My Christmas movie lists will be turned into one list and I will get to it next week. I originally wanted to do several lists like I did for Halloween but I don't have time. Might be better this way though. I can be more specific with the picks.

Also in the works are the two big lists. The best of 2009 and the best of the decade lists. The best of 2009 won't be complete as there are many films I haven't seen which I think I will really like. The best of the decade list I'm pretty sure will stand as is. Although I am still finalizing it. So hopefully I can get these done and posted soon. If so it will be a miracle. But even a miracle needs a hand.

Give me uuuuuhhhhhhh

2009-12-15T18:47:00.000-06:00

I remember watching this back in the late 80's and thought it was hilarious. So much so I still remember it to this very day. My sister and I can still do lines from this. So last week I was at McDonalds and had to pull over since something I ordered wasn't ready. Immediately I thought of this and sent my sister a text message with one of the lines. She responded with twenty lines.

So for a mere moment of personal randomness I share this with you.

Poultrygeist On The Big Screen

2009-12-12T13:45:00.000-06:00

Oh Chicago. How I have such mixed feelings about you. Like the girl who you hate on one hand but are compatible in ... other ways. With winter here the freezing cold is invading my living fibers so I am leaning towards hate, but then there is something along the lines of a screening of Troma's 'Poultrygeist' on the big screen which then makes me all giddy and happy I live here.

Last night at my favorite theatre in Chicago, The Music Box, there was a midnight showing of Troma's latest film on the big screen with director and Troma head Lloyd Kaufman in person. I've met Lloyd a few times over the years and it's always a good time. He is very nice and very funny. A big supporter of independent cinema. He's chairman of the Independent Film And Television Alliance. I recently bought his book (second in a series) of Direct Your Own Damn Movie. Companion to the previous Make Your Own Damn Movie with the new one being Produce Your Own Damn Movie. He also makes companion videos so last night at the Troma table I bought the "Direct Your Own Damn Movie" DVD set which I can't wait to dive into. He signed both the book and the DVD.

Here I am with Lloyd, Toxie, and two Tromettes, holding the DVD cover.

'Poultrygeist' for me is one of the best films Troma has ever made. It's so much into one. It's a comedy, gross out horror film, social commentary, and a musical. Yes, a musical too. I rank it up there with 'Tromeo And Juliet' and of course 'The Toxic Avenger'. In many ways it's probably better but I refuse to take anything anyway from those two films. I have seen the film before on DVD but this was the first time seeing it on the big screen which is always a treat.

Lloyd did an introduction to the film and a Q&A afterwards.

I had not noticed that they were selling 'The Toxic Avenger' posters at first so I had to get one. Lloyd signed it and I got another picture with he (and Toxie) and the poster.

Unfortunately seeing a Troma film on the big screen is rare these days so it was an opportunity I could not pass up. By the way, it is showing again tonight at The Music Box and Lloyd will be there again for those wanting to go. Trust me, don't miss it. And if you haven't seen the film yet then all the more reason to go. It's eggtastic!!

Movie Of The Day - Manhunter

2009-12-09T02:10:00.000-06:00

Manhunter (1986) d: Michael Mann

I just love 'Manhunter'. I first saw it back when it came out on video in '86 or '87. I was a kid and didn't quite got a lot of the technical details but was really impressed by the visual sense of the film and the exploration of obsession which, as some of you know, I am a sucker for in movies. The depths to which FBI agent Will Graham (William Petersen) goes to enter the mindset of a serial killer (played eerily by the great Tom Noonan) in order to catch him, I just find fascinating.

The film is best known as the first novel (Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon") turned film featuring the character of Hannibal Lector (played by Brian Cox). Obviously the role was made famous in 'The Silence of the Lambs' played by Anthony Hopkins 5 years later. The thing is there is no comparison. Lector is a small part of this story. I almost don't think of it as part of the other films. In fact, I think it works better here that Hopkins isn't Lector. Cox has a much different demeanor which works perfectly against Petersen's character. It wouldn't work as well as it did with Hopkins going against Jodie Foster . And as was apparent in the later adaptation 'Red Dragon' which did feature Hopkins in the role going against the character of Will Graham this time played by Ed Norton. Michael Mann perfectly adapted the key aspects of the novel and the characters and made it his own. It's why the film still stands to this day. It's one of my favorite films and as I've pointed out before how it has influenced me even when I didn't know it.

In my last film 'Distortion' (currently in post production) there are three 'Manhunter' moments. One was intentional. One became obvious in the moment. The other I didn't notice until it was pointed out to me many months later. The obvious one was I did take one line from the film ("This killing has got to stop.") The one in the moment was when I was grabbing some extra shots for a montage and had the actor look at his reflection in the window and then lift his hand up to it. Very similar to two moments in the film. The not so obvious one is just a type of shot which is not directly anything specific but does scream Michael Mann if you're familiar with his style. I found that one amusing as I had no clue but when it was pointed out it was very obvious.

Some people may feel the film is a little dated as there is a lot of music in it from the time and there are moments where the style is a little like the Mann created TV series 'Miami Vice'. None of this bothers me any. Although I did grow up in the 80's so I have a fondness for it.

If you haven't seen the film I suggest watching it. It's a little different than your normal serial killer film. And while it has a connection to 'The Silence of the Lambs' and 'Hannibal' it is very different. It stands on its own. Now I want to watch it again.

Weekend Roundup - Terror In The Aisles 3

2009-12-07T15:00:00.001-06:00

What a weekend. I have to admit there are times when I'm not overly thrilled to live in Chicago. As I gaze outside and see snow on the ground this would be one of those days where I wonder. However, there is no denying that I do feel fortunate at times because there are a lot of very cool things that happen here.

One of those things are the various events put on by Movieside Film Festival. They put on the Music Box Massacre event every year which is 24 hours of horror films done every October. Noon on Saturday until noon on Sunday. It's an endurance test to be sure but it's such a fun time that I am proud to say I have never fallen asleep. Although the second to last movie I do tend to feel it. In the spring they put on the Sci Fi Spectacular which is a 14 hour sci-fi film festival. More recently they've done Terror In The Aisles which is a smaller event than the other two but just as fun. They do about three films. The cool thing outside of watching so many great films with a theatre full of fans is they have guests come in which always special.

This past Saturday was Terror In The Aisles 3. Unlike the other two events this one is not strictly set to a time of year. Although the first two were in August (2008 and 2009) with this latest one obviously in December. Considering this is usually a dry spell as far as events and conventions (for horror fans anyway) it was such a great thing to have. As I mentioned in a previous post the lineup was 'Night Of The Creeps', 'The Blair Witch Project', and originally it was going to be '[REC] 2' but that didn't happen so instead they showed the ultimate classic 'Black Christmas'. No argument from me.

They had 'Night Of The Creeps' director Fred Dekker there who is such a great guy. I met him at a previous Music Box Massacre where they showed 'The Monster Squad'. He was there with Red Shirt Pictures' Michael Felsher who has produced some of the best features that have been on a lot of horror film DVD's in the last few years. I had the pleasure to hang out (if I can use that term) with both of them later in the evening and it was really incredible. Fred learned that I was a filmmaker so we talked about filmmaking which was beyond awesome for me.

Pictures from the Q&A with Fed Dekker and Michael Felsher.

Going artsy with the B&W.

I had him sign the picture of he and I from the Music Box Massacre two years prior. Also when I was about 30 pounds heavier.

Picture of he and I from Saturday. I can have him sign this one next time I see him. Hopefully I won't be 30 pounds heavier.

Next up was director Eduardo Sanchez who showed the original Sundance cut of 'The Blair Witch Project' which was quite a treat. Hard to believe it's been 10 years since this film came out. Eduardo was a very nice guy and really glad I got to meet him. I was lucky enough to get an original 'Blair Witch Project' poster from a guy there so I had him sign it.

A few pictures from the Q&A.

Once again going artsy with the B&W.

Here's 'The Blair Witch Project' poster I got.

And the two of us. He is very tall and I am very short.

I missed most of 'Black Christmas' since I was talking to Fred Dekker and Michael Felsher in the lobby. I love the movie but I was far more excited to talk to those guys. Consider me a pig in slop.

I can't wait for the next event put on by Movieside.

Movie Of The Day - Back To The Future

2009-12-04T23:41:00.000-06:00

Back To The Future (1985) d: Robert Zemeckis

It is so weird for me to say, maybe I'm just getting old, but they definitely don't make them like they used to. I haven't watched 'Back To The Future' in years and I forgot how enjoyable it is. It's funny and exciting and it has such a great story. When it ends you have such a big smile on your face. It's sad because I can't remember the last time I saw a recent film that made me feel this way. They just don't make fun movies anymore. They make plenty of mindless entertainment but not fun movies. The cynicalness of the 90's never left which is a shame. It's like being perpetually trapped as a sophomore in college. Getting back to the movie, this is one of those cases where all of the ingredients came together. The script, the director, the actors, the great score. It's one of those where, as a filmmaker, you always hope to have that chance at least once to experience that. Where the movie you set out to make is actually happening. So many times you settle but on those rare oocasions when it actually does happen it is very evident in the film itself. I have been feeling a little down lately and this put a much needed smile on my face. Although it is sad that either I'm too nostalgic, or possibly just too old, to actually have to say, they don't make them like they used to.

Movie Of The Day - The Terminator

2009-12-03T01:10:00.000-06:00

The Terminator (1984) d: James Cameron

Director James Cameron sure did make a splash with this film. Making it for only $6.5 million he proved that he knew how to stretch a dollar. More importantly he knew how to tell a story. I have been a huge fan of his ever since I saw this film back in 1985 (on video). I was completely blown away. It was one of those times I knew I was watching a movie made by someone I needed to keep an eye on. I personally have drawn much influence from James Cameron in my own directing style and approach to storytelling. From time to time I always like going back and watching this film. In many ways it is the most raw of all of his films. Probably because it was so low budget that he was involved in every aspect. Also because a young filmmaker needed to prove to the world that he was a force to be reckoned with. He did.