Best Film Stuff... 2009

I'll have a top 15 below and below that will be some individual accolades. Some films may have been out in 2008 in some places and some may not see wide until next year. I thought it was a strong year, but it was strong outside of your typical big movies or award baiting dramas. And no... I didn't see everything.


TOP 15

15) The Hurt Locker



A very tense portrait of a bomb squad in Iraq, this one has the best direction and set pieces of the year. A truly thrilling film that deserves a look from everyone. It doesn't completely gel as a narrative, but the few snapshots present will make you sweat.

14) Thirst



This almost plays as Twilight for adults. An interesting tale of vampires featuring a priest. Not Chan-Wook Park's best (director of OldBoy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), but a nice little film with a director that is always worth watching.

13) Fantastic Mr. Fox



Wes Anderson's stop motion adaptation of a Roald Dahl book. Really timeless and bizarre... exactly like Wes Anderson's other films. This is his best film since the Royal Tenenbaums.

12)World's Greatest Dad



Maybe the darkest film on the list... and it is hilarious. Best advice would be to watch it blind, watch no previews as they give too much away. Robin Williams stars in one of his occasional films that matter. Written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait.

11) Gomorrah



OK, maybe this film is darker than the one above... as this film has no laughs. No traditional narrative to be found here. Just a handful of characters that are involved or within reach of the Italian mob and quick peeks into their lives. Brutal and real, this is a post modern look at the mob. No romanticism or lovable characters, just the ugly truth.

10) Bronson



A film that features one of the best leading performances of the year (if not the best). A TRUE story about Britain's most infamous prisoner. Tom Hardy disappears and delivers a truly singular, visceral performance as Bronson. I really enjoyed this film, even if it doesn't have much to say other than just putting Bronson out in front for all to see.

9) Drag Me to Hell



Sam Raimi returns to his horror comedy roots and shows no one can do it the way he does. Great atmosphere and direction, it is rare that a movie can invoke huge laughs while still being able to turn on the tension. All a credit to Raimi's skill and knowledge of the audience.

8) In the Loop



So funny. So true. Which makes it so sad. A laugh til you cry look at politics and the people who are in charge of things... it seems so ludicrous. But we all know all to well that it is unfortunately the truth. As for laughs per minute ratio, this is probably the highest of the year. And it is incredibly smart to boot. Walrus.

7) UP



Pixar always delivers and Up is no exception. Poignant and beautiful, Pixar are the masters at delivering stories that anyone at any age can enjoy and take something away from after viewing.

6) The White Ribbon



I am still mulling this film over. Does it belong on my list... and if so... where. I put it here for now. It could go up or down. It is without a doubt deft film making. The story of a small German village just before WWI and how certain elements can rot a society. I don't think it is alluding to one specific thing (the to come WWII), but can be applied to many things including the human condition. Not overly complex in its symbolism and allegory, yet so much going on and with a huge cast it gives you plenty to consider. Wonderfully shot, each shot composition reinforces the narrative. If you can handle a long, non scored black and white film with subtitles and enjoy thinking about your consumed art... Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon is highly recommended.



5) District 9



An absolute stunning film. A first time director who made a more endearing "big" film than anyone else who released one this year. The film does massive amounts with a modest budget of $30 million (modest for this size film). A lead you've never heard of delivers an incredible performance and the pacing never lets up. A few tiny things keep this one from being perfect, but it is good enough that it will be around forever. Delivers a haunting look at certain issues with an allegory as simple as refugee aliens. Brilliant.



4) Observe and Report



I consider this film pretty much to be perfect. I don't think it is for everyone, but for what it is and what it wants to do, it does it flawlessly. An incredibly dark film, but also very funny... it is akin to a comedy version of Taxi Driver. Great film making.

3) Where the Wild Things Are



This movie hits pretty hard. It also talks down to no one. It paints a three dimensional view of a child, which is rare in any medium. The film shows a rare and small time in anyone's life... when even your personal havens are no longer safe. A movie that shows the raw power of cinema and how it can transport you.

2) Moon



Hmm. This film ended up higher than I would have guessed. I love it. I think it is fantastic sci-fi. A small film that is carried by Sam Rockwell more than any other film is carried by its lead (that I can think of off the top). Fantastic acting coupled with a very smart script that leads to some truly haunting emotions for you the viewer. Special mention to the Clint Mansell score, guy does killer work.

1) Inglourious Basterds



Amazing writing. Killer direction. An ensemble cast that destroys on every level. A level of fun and excitement rarely reached. Just fantastic. I adore this film more than I care to write about. One of my most watchable and favorite "me" movies ever. Special mention to Christoph Waltz who delivers one of my favorite performances ever as Landa. This may be Tarantino's best film ever. Truth. It will not revolutionize cinema the way Pulp Fiction did, but as a stand alone no baggage piece of work... it may be the best. Time will tell. Regardless, amazing film.


Honorables:
Up in the Air, Anvil! The Story of Anvil, Coraline, Public Enemies, Watchmen Director's Cut

Best Individuals

Direction
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Screenplay
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Editing
Bob Murawski, Drag Me to Hell & The Hurt Locker
Chris Innis, The Hurt Locker

Score
Clint Mansell, Moon
Hans Zimmer, Sherlock Holmes

Cinematography
Chung-hoon Chung, Thirst
Larry Fong, Watchmen

Special Effects
District 9
Where the Wild Things Are

Best Actor
Sam Rockwell as Sam Bell - Moon
Tom Hardy as Bronson - Bronson

Best Actress
I thought it was a pretty awful year for lead women in film... can't pick one out of all the films I have seen. I hear Michelle Monaghan is very good in Trucker. I will check it out this coming week.

Best Supporting Actor
Christoph Waltz as Col. Landa - Inglourious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress
Mélanie Laurent as Shoshanna Dreyfus - Inglourious Basterds
Anna Kendrick as Natalie Keener - Up in the Air

Best of 2009 (non-film)

Here is the stuff from this year that I enjoyed... sans films. Look for a top 15 of those around the new year.

Music

Best Single

Depeche Mode - Wrong




Runner Up

Massive Attack - Splitting the Atom



Best Albums

5) Metric - Fantasies



Super slick synth pop perfection. That is pretty much what this album boils down to... yes, it is glossy, but man is it good. Three albums in my top five have ten tracks. This is one of them.

4) Pearl Jam - Backspacer



One of Pearl Jam's absolute best albums... coming in 2009. Yes. This is a band with legs. A fantastic album that has more energy and punch than any of their other albums. The ballads take a back seat on this one, which is a bit of a reversal for a PJ album.



3) The Horrors - Primary Colours



Ten tracks. All great stuff. For my money, this is one of the best albums to come out in this genre (sort of a indie gloom rock) in a long, long time.

2) Silversun Pickups - Swoon



A fantastic album from start to finish. Ten tracks and not a single one is filler or wasted. This feels like how albums should be done. They take many cues from when Smashing Pumpkins mattered (SP, get it, though they are named after a liquor store)and deliver a memorable and extremely well crafted album.

1) Mastodon - Crack the Skye



Heavy and beautiful, Mastodon released one of the best heavy album of all time with Crack the Skye. Only 7 tracks long, yet it clocks in at 50 minutes, an epic album that fits together perfectly. The heir has finally become apparent in regards to heavy music.

Honorable Mentions

Morrissey - Years of Refusal, Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue, Blakroc - Blakroc, M Ward - Hold Time, Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures, Jay-Z - Blueprint III, AFI - Crash Love, Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, La Roux - La Roux

Videogames

Man, I wrote a lot in 2009... and I also played a lot of video games. Geez. Anyways... here are the favorites I played. Based mostly on fun I had with them. Didn't get to some (Uncharted 2, for example). Here are 3 I really liked... no explanations, but a video to show you about it if you are unfamiliar.

Brutal Legend


Demon's Souls


Batman Arkham Asylum


Books


With all the gaming and writing... and the usual film viewing... I did not read as much as I wanted to... but I still read several books this year. My favorite below.

The Death of Bunny Munro - Nick Cave



This book really snuck up on me. I didn't know if I liked it for at least the first 25% of it. But by the end I was really on board and felt it was a great work. Some really nice character work and some things I can't even mention structure wise, or else it would spoil. Definitely check it out. Bizarre, crude, and yet somehow heartfelt.


Comics

I read some, but it was largely an off year for keeping up with the comic universe. I did come across a new series that is absolutely fantastic. Imaginative, currently vital, literary, and intelligent. A series I can't recommend enough to anyone who likes a good story... which means everyone.

The Unwritten



Written by comic veteran and great Mike Carey, this series is fantastic. The first collected volume hits in a few weeks for only $10. Get on board with something great.

Television

I haven't had cable for two years now... I have no idea what is great beyond network TV. I still think Lost is one of the best shows around (ever). Supernatural has been really great. I watch a lot of cartoons. The only new show I would recommend is Glee. But that is sugary and bright... so, know that ahead of time... all you lovers of realism and gloom.

Avatar reaction....

This may be long.

Avatar is the latest James Cameron film and one that has been getting a huge amount of buzz and positive word of mouth. I am responding to the film and people's reactions to it.



The short of it... the film is decent. It flirts with being good a few times, but decides to reside in tepid territory. As a film, you know... because that's what it is, it barely passes. Barely.

As an FX demo reel it is pretty good. As a 3D tech demo reel it is amazing. That is what Avatar is good at... that is all.

It is recommended over other big fare... like the films of Michael Bay, Roland Emmerich, or Stephen Sommers. Cameron is good at what he does. The film is intelligent even if it is sort of a "behind" the actual script and story intelligence. There was obviously a lot of thought and care put into it by very smart people.

Go see it in a theater if you care to see it.

So, on to more in depth stuff. Score following the text on a few points.

Story/Characters

The film is a compilation of a million things you have seen before. All story points and characters are recycled and completely unoriginal. Every character is a "that guy" character that are expected to be in a film such as this. There isn't a single non-cookie cutter character in the film. And no character really has any depth. It is disappointing.

6/10

Script

See the story section above. Characters come off ridiculous and their dialog reflects this. Might as well be twirling their mustaches if they are bad guys.

6/10

Actors

Do what they can with what they have... which is cartoon characters or cliches. Everyone pulls their weight, even if it is feather light. No one stands out as bad and no one gets a chance to be good.

7/10

Direction/Pace

Putting these together since it is all under Cameron. The film is Cameron's best and worst qualities times 10. The direction is compelling enough, but he seems more interested in extended montages of native life (both the wildlife and the way of life) than any real weight in the storytelling. But he is good at what he does and this is why the film succeeds the best it can given its ludicrous plot cliches.

7/10

Design Work

I am giving this a separate section as it is one of the main points of the movie. Mild spoilers. This is less about personal preference for the designs and more about just what is. Looking at the flora and fauna of Pandora is one of (if not THE) best thing in the movie. Seeing a bevy of newly created things is quite fun. All is not rainbows though, as there are some problems. Everything is just a riff of some Earth creature which dampens the creativity a tad. The design philosophy is uneven... most critters have 6 limbs and breath out of their chest cavity (which makes sense from an energy stand point). But the Navi are 4 limbed and breath from the nose. This is really for audience connection, but it is an obvious design flaw. It was done for the old rat vs squirrel argument (which was wonderfully mentioned in Inglourious this year).

Also, very annoying is the direct copying of Native Americans for the Navi culture. Lame.

8/10

Digital Effects

The Navi and planet look good. Not fantastically awesome ZOMG this is so much better than anything ever made like so many people like to say. But solid. You never feel like the creatures are real, real. At least I never did. I thought Davy Jones from PotC Dead Man's Chest was a MUCH more convincing character in terms of photo realism.

(compare that to the blue folk above)

Pixar films even have fairly photo real backgrounds. Backgrounds are easy these days. This film also cheats by having humans rarely appear near or next to Navi. So, it makes it easier for your brain to accept. That being said, still very solid and impressive work. Just not groundbreaking or leaps above anything else out there.

8/10

3D Tech

Ah... something the film does astoundingly well. This is the best aspect by far, but that is a real shame. As it is a gimmick. One that won't carry any weight away from a nice theater. This is some of the best 3D work I have seen. Easily the best for live action. Coraline from this year also has fantastic 3D. This isn't tons better than that, but it is still fantastic tech.

10/10

Score

The music is so/so. Which is disheartening. I was hoping for something great. When it goes too native sounding, the score flounders. When James Horner does what he does best and doesn't try to invoke Native Americans, the score soars.

6/10

That will be it for scoring sections. As a film you (assuming you are intelligent and actual expect quality story telling) get a barely passing, but fun ride.

Film
6/10

As a theater experience in 3D it gets an upgrade. If you have ANY interest in seeing the film, see it in theaters. This film will not hold up. In 5 years, this will be a forgettable film.

Theater Experience
7/10

The film is decent. A bit tepid. Which is a shame for the most expensive movie ever made and one that has been gestating well over a decade. Any real weight in the story is just glossed over. Ask yourself... what Cameron film is this better than? Exactly.

Also, I'll end with a point that have been making the rounds on the net. This film could only be made by a white person. This mechanic is so tired and outdated (part of the overall generic story), colonization bad. We bad. But WAIT... only one of us can save you. Only the turncoat who comes to see the error of his ways can save the silly savages. Ugh. Go away, stories that use this ridiculously outdated mindset and device.
Read more here... What I was telling you before...

Beat down.

Have gotten some small things done over the last few days. Have the latest (hopefully last, at least in terms of story revisions) draft printed. Will be some dialog changes dependent on actors. Built a small camera utility yesterday.

The holidays were going to keep me busy as it was, but some bad family stuff has been going down and this has exhausted me and will make it hard to get many concrete things done until afterwards. I do have some meet ups scheduled with work people, so there is that at least. More show and tell.

My 15 Films of the Decade...

I figured I would make a best of the decade list for films...

This is the decade that saw me transformed me from someone who thought they were fun to someone who thinks about film almost constantly and studied it extensively. Weird to think about. These are my personal favorites... I think.

It is almost impossible to make a list like this, but this is composed of things I liked, passed my critic test and felt were important. Honorables in the comments.

15) Mulholland Drive



I can understand why some don't like this film, but this along with Blue Velvet are two of the things from David Lynch that I love through and through. Things that I love as much as about any piece of art. This one has a great vibe and air of mystery throughout. The cast delivers fantastic performances all around... this movie is just very special and can deliver feelings that few other films can. You may have to watch it a handful of times to decipher something out of it, but that is half the fun.

14) 25th Hour



Spike Lee's best film? Maybe. This is a film I feel is hugely important. It was made by a New Yorker very soon after 9/11. Other films tried to capture a panic type feeling from the event or not even bring it up... in this one the reality of the situation is just a part of the characters' everyday lives. There is some truly haunting imagery that comes with the story of a man who messed up and is now trying to figure out if he has any options left in his life. I think this film is overlooked a bit. Everyone should watch this film.



13) Memento



This film would announce the arrival of Christopher Nolan. Of course he has had a killer decade, but this film is really special. True, it loses a touch on repeat viewings... nothing really compares to sitting through this one for the first time, but with incredible direction, writing, editing, acting, music, cinematography, and more... it is a fantastic film. The writing is incredibly tight... absolute awe on my part. This film also seemed to be part of a really nice neo-noir set that was emerging, which seems to have since cooled in many ways. Shame.



12) City of God




A film that has probably sworn me off of going to Brazil forever... incredibly real with its depiction of life in the slums of Rio De Janeiro, it shows what paths are open to some youths and how no option is really a "good" option. Forget last years Slumdog Millionaire, this is the real deal. A much more powerful and real portrait which ultimately makes it one of the decade's best.

11) The Incredibles



Brad Bird's (Iron Giant, Ratatouille) first film at Pixar seems like the perfect film from that studio. A fantastic superhero film with a great score and so many homage's to old Bond films makes for a throughly entertaining film for all ages. The family dynamic presented here is very true to life and each character is three dimensional and feels very real. Just a complete joy from start to finish. This along with Wall E, Ratatouille, and UP show just how universal and endearing to all that Pixar's medium can be.

10) OldBoy



I don't think a director had a better decade than Chan-Wook Park. This guy is an insane talent and he absolutely killed this decade. In terms of a director of the decade award, it is either this guy or Darren Aronofsky. JSA, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, OldBoy, Lady Vengeance, I'm a Cyborg but That's OK, and Thirst. All in the 2000s. This is probably his most liked and well received film. I love it and what it does with traditional anti-hero archetypes. This is sort of a Man with No Name meets the Count of Monte Cristo. Incredibly powerful, disturbing, and thought provoking.

9) Inglourious Basterds



This is one of my most fun, favorite films ever. If that makes sense. I just have a blast watching this film. The writing is the usual stellar Tarantino dialog we expect. The performances are out of this world (Christoph Waltz for best supporting actor!)... bringing so many unique and colorful characters to life. A WWII film that changes history and laughs as it does so... so cry about it and you cry alone. As for its style, a balanced homage to Spaghetti Westerns and French New Wave wraps it all up in a way that lovers of film should squeal about. Some people have tried to rain on Quentin's parade since he changed cinema in 94. This is his best movie since then (and I really like all his films period) and shows that he will be around to annoy his detractors for a long, long time. Oh... and a David Bowie song piping in at full blast = win.

8) Lord of the Rings trilogy



A bit of a cheat having all films in one spot. But it is what it is... truly epic film making on a scale that is rarely seen. These films definitely have more in common with Lawrence of Arabia than other films that share the "fantasy" tag. A completely believable world brought to life with considerable care and love by the whole cast and crew. Great pacing for such a long epic... just astounding work. A huge gamble that paid off creatively, financially, and critically.

7) Spirited Away



The master Hayao Miyazaki's best film? Probably. Which certainly means it is in the conversation for greatest animated feature of all time. Very beautiful and very poignant with its emotional attachments, the film brings a hugely fantastical look to an awkward time in a little girl's life. A+ work from every single angle. I love getting swept off to this land that has been so vividly brought to life.... over and over again.

6) Amelie



This film absolutely makes my heart soar. I love the director and this film is just so full of the idiosyncrasies that he and his characters are known for... love it. Expertly made with cinematography that makes me giddy... actually the whole film makes me giddy. So in love with life and all that it entails, this film is for everyone. Expertly showing that bravura storytelling can be saccharine, but still possess the upmost artist merit. I get so sick of women who try to defend Twilight as something "for them"... so lay off... no. No. No. Terrible is terrible and there are too many examples in art, such as Amelie, where something can be made for the hopelessly romantic and still produce stellar results with true merit. Thank you, Jean-Pierre Jeunet. I look forward to your newest film, Micmacs... which is coming soon!

5) The Departed



Based on a Chinese film (Infernal Affairs) that could have just as easily made the list, the Departed is Martin Scorsese showing that he knows best. A thrilling ride with proper twists and turns that is assembled as only a true master could. Scorsese returns to the genre that made him famous and shows no one can do it better. Loaded cast delivering a great script to you. Be grateful. Enjoy this ride again and again. The film also has an amazing use of music, showing why in addition to theme and style, others such as Tarantino and Mann have also learned from Scorsese's deft use of "modern" music. Anyways, a fabulous tale of the lengths the good will go to take down evil.

4)The Fountain



A film I did not have the pleasure of seeing upon release... something I regret massively. I want to see this on the big screen so bad. This film is beautiful. Just, tear inducing. The visuals are astounding. The message and emotion present... heart breaking. The Clint Mansell score can make me tear up all on its own. Maybe my favorite score of the decade. Crushing. This film I had skimmed some reviews of before release. After viewing the film, most of the reviews were dead wrong on everything. Absolutely off point. The film is incredibly small in scope, there are some large visuals and themes present, but it is a very intimate story. The best kind of storytelling. It never holds your hand and deals with things that everyone secretly fears and thinks about. A piece of art so raw and honest in its emotional delivery it can be hard to watch without want to look away.


3) No Country for Old Men



An absolute mind blowing film. Richly layered with great themes that really seem like universal truths. I feel like this film is oft misinterpreted, even by those that really like it. One of the most thrilling films I have seen and one that comes by everything very honestly. Almost no score is present throughout its entire duration, so you know the tension is truly present and earned. The Coens are masters of so many genres and this film is their crowning jewel. Weirdly, all Coen films feel like the Coens no matter how different they are... great talents.

2)Let the Right One In



A taut and small film that really deals with some universal subject matter in interesting ways. The film centers on a young boy and his encounter with a vampire. The film is fabulous. I really like films that deal with the awkward stage that the lead character is in, and this film delivers. When all you want in the world is a friend, but you don't have a lot of experience in that area... how do you behave. A great coming of age story that shows the power of friendship and loyalty. This film along with Thirst and the upcoming Daybreakers show that there is still a lot of creative material to be mined from vampire lore... despite the vampire's current vogue status and apparent creative bankruptcy.

If you have yet to check this film out, please do so... but a HUGE word of warning. There are two subtitled versions running around in the retail sector. If you get it from a rental store, Netflix, or even a retail store... you will probably get the bad one. You have to search for the one that says subtitled (THEATRICAL) on the back to get the good one. The correct version came out later... so look for the theatrical subs.

1) Children of Men



Yup. This is my favorite of the last 10 years. A movie that has some amazing contrast and visuals. A movie set in the near future that deals with a world where child birth is impossible. This film absolutely hammered me. A simple premise anchored by an incredibly weighty performance from Clive Owen and rounded out with great performances from all. This movie is about hope most of all... including the lack of it. Some see it as bleak, but I see it as incredibly bright and the length humanity will go to preserve hope. The music in this film is amazing... another score I listen to regularly. The direction for this one is out of this world. If you have an appreciation for film making, you will have your jaw on the floor.

This film is also part of a seeming sci-fi resurgence. But it leads the pack there and amongst most others. It is a true example of what cinema should strive to be.... tight, emotional, gripping, ambitious, beautiful, real, intimate, intelligent and large in meaning.

Finished?

I pretty much finished the script for good Saturday. I think I want to add one element, but it is very minor.

Now that I can officially put the script in the done pile, I can focus on other things. I think this week I will be building some items that will be useful for filming.

On top of this, I will be working out my "effects" shots to make sure I have how to do them all worked out well in advance of shooting.

Also will start to work on a few costume elements. Character design is ongoing... starting to work on something really cool.

After the holidays, I hope to add a few additional cast and crew.

Way too much to do.

Here is a sketch by M of our friend Jason who is playing a role... cropped for a reason.

Blargh.

Back, after a month of settling in...

Lots and lots of good stuff has happened. Almost none of which I can talk about.

Over the past few days the ending of the screenplay presented itself to me... so I am spending today working on that. Then I think it is pretty much done, done. And on to the next thing.

Favorite 10 Heavy Albums...

Tomorrow all goes dark for a week or so. But as I song I love goes... by the light of the moon...

Alright, so in sort of honor of Brutal Legend and the heavy music kick I have been on... I present my favorite ten heavy albums of all time. Some rules... I judged based on personal preference as well as overall influence and importance. Only one album per band (or else several spots would go to Metallica). Has to be in hard/heavy rock/metal for the most part... no super genre benders. I am not a music critic or musician. I give other albums that are close and a track from the selected. So, in no particular order...

JUDAS PRIEST - BRITISH STEEL

I love Judas Priest. Most of the time. Without a doubt one of the most influential metal bands of all time. This is their best album and one that shows why they are so fun. Songs that are heavy and still manage to be fun... but serious. An album with Living After Midnight and Breaking the Law is a winner already... but the whole album is great.

Honorable mentions: Screaming for Vengeance, Angel of Retribution

Powerful piece: United



MOTORHEAD - ACE OF SPADES

Along with the above mentioned, really a huge catalyst for the genre. Motorhead brought the heavy and the loud. Ace of Spades is hands down their greatest album and one of the best heavy rock albums around. Every song is a killer.

Honorable mentions: Motorizer (yup, 2008's album was a beast)

Powerful piece: the Road Crew


METALLICA - MASTER OF PUPPETS

Maybe the best metal album of all time from their greatest act. One of the best albums from any genre top to bottom. A complete and utter master stroke. Can't say much else. Every song is a killer. On top of the musicianship the album was very topical at the time.

Honorable mentions: ... And Just for All, the Black Album

Powerful piece: The Thing That Should Not Be (top shelf Met meets Lovecraft = one of favorite songs ever)


WHITE ZOMBIE - ASTRO CREEP: 2000

An incredibly heavy and groovy album from Rob and Co. Easily one of my personal favorites. Rob understands showmanship and knows that you can be silly and still write a killer and catchy song. Despite the funk and fun, this album brings the heavy. Every song is a winner.

Honorable mentions: Nothing close in their catalog.

Powerful piece: Electric Head pt 2.. but here is More Human Than Human due to embed issues...


AC/DC - BACK IN BLACK
Band loses an amazing frontman... done? No. They return with Brian Johnson and release a flat out beast of an album. A top to bottom monster of hard rock. All the radio songs and all the rest slay.

Honorable mentions: Nothing in that category, but Razors Edge and Black Ice are both fantastic albums.

Powerful piece: the opener Hells Bells


MASTODON - CRACK THE SKYE

Hey... this one is from this year! I think these guys are the new kings of heavy music. This is their best album, even if it only has 7 songs. Great technical players and song writers who know how to put together a complete album (every time thus far). It is great to know that a group can still push the boundaries and take over the mantle.

Honorable mentions: Blood Mountain

Powerful piece: Oblivion


PANTERA - VULGAR DISPLAY OF POWER

The great Southern heavy band (at least until the Don). Funny that these guys started as a glam hair band and went on to define a certain kind of groove oriented heavy. Was hard to decide between this one and Cowboys... but out of respect (har) I went with this one.

Honorable mentions: Cowboys from Hell

Powerful piece: WALK!


GUNS N' ROSES - APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION

Ahh.. GNR. One of the most powerful debuts ever... and then proceeded to go off the rails almost immediately. Regardles, Appetite stands as an amazing achievement in hard rock. Yes, the band members have issues... but don't tell me you don't want to be taken to the paradise city.

Honorable mention: nope.

Powerful piece: It's So Easy... why not.


MEGADETH - RUST IN PIECE

I used to like this band... then I didn't... now I do again. Regardless, easily at the top of the speed metal game with only Metallica in their way. Rust in Peace is a great album and one of the shining examples in this genre. Mustaine is always killing it on guitar and always has something political to say, which I can respect.

Honorable mentions: Countdown to Extinction, Endgame (new album is great)

Powerful piece: Holy Wars... The Punishment Due


BLACK SABBATH - PARANOID

A fantastic album from a fantastic band... the album came out in 1970... 1970. Seriously. The closest we get to that on my list is Ace of Spades, Back in Black and British Steel... all 1980 (what a year!). The group's second album and amazingly in top form. Paranoid and Iron man... oh yeah. Group sort of did the opposite of Judas Priest... Sabbath exploded out and then fizzled after 4 albums... Priest took about 4 albums to really warm up in the first place. Other fun fact... both bands were formed in the same English city (Birmingham) about a year apart (68-69)... what was in the water there.

Honorable mention: I'll go... Master of Reality

Powerful piece: War Pigs

Tuckered... thoughts on a book and a game.

I am super tired. Hooray. Huzzah.

Been super busy. All will be dark for a bit come Friday.

Below are thoughts on a recent book I read and game I have played.


THE DEATH OF BUNNY MUNRO

Nick Cave's second novel is the Death of Bunny Munro. When I first started this book, it wasn't what I would immediately expect from one of the better song writers around. Well... maybe if you count his Grinderman project. The book is crude and seemed a bit off kilter at first. I stuck with it (of course) and was glad I did.

Coming in at 288 pages, the book is a fairly brisk read. It is written largely in the way the lead characters think... a TON of sentences end in "or something." Anyways... what started out as a seemingly crude and simple story evolved into a fairly deep and involving tale. It details what happens when you just do what you want and think you have life in a headlock... and all it takes is one important bolt to come loose and all starts spiraling out of control.

That's all I can really say about it without getting into plot and what not. Not really where I want to go. I will say I definitely recommend it to any man. As for women, it would just depend on how much you can stomach a crude character who acts like a man with no restraint.


BRUTAL LEGEND

I recently played through Tim Schafer's Brutal Legend on PS3 (also on 360). This game is a weird amalgam of action and real time strategy that takes the world of heavy metal and makes it real. Think heavy metal album covers and that is the world you are thrust into. Jack Black is the voice of the lead character and coupled with Schafer's dialog is quite hilarious (Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy Kilmeister, Rob Halford, Tim Curry, and others provide voices as well).

The gameplay is fresh and the game looks like concept art come to life. It has a great style. The soundtrack also is composed of over 100 hard rock tracks (this game has very much put me in a heavy metal frame of mind). I had a blast. The game has a great multi-player mode as well.

I highly recommend this game to anyone who values fresh concepts, original IPs, action or RTS games, heavy music, and/or quality writing. A trailer follow below... followed by a reminded that you can't kill the metal.

WATCH A BRUTAL LEGEND TRAILER!

My new favorite funny video at the moment...

But don't forget the classic... Rollins vs Techno Viking...

7 for 7....

I just cleaned up some dialog that needed to be cleaned up... based on a read through... think it was last week. Hard to keep up as my brain has been mush the past few weeks.

Too much going on.

I noticed while discussing this script a few weeks back that all of my scripts intended to be first features share a lot of elements. A ton. This would be cause for alarm if all my story ideas were like this... but for whatever reason it always just applies to whatever will be "first." After that, things go crazy. I hope a get to go a little crazy. I know I'll get a little bit with the first one though.

I was laying awake the other night and cracked an old story idea wide open. Really happy with what happened with it and where it could go. Still get to keep all the cool elements from before too... woo.

In about a week I will be sans technology for a week or so... all will be dark. I'll post some more before that and then when I get back up and running.

For my Bday I am getting myself Windows 7. Woo. Found an upgrade for students with edu email addy for only 30 bucks. M has an addy just like this... what a steal!

Halloween fun...

Happy Halloween!

Good week...

This week turned out to be pretty great. Few minor bumps in the road aside.


Monday had a good read through and heard from some people in regards to assistance with the film. Very important things. Woo.

Tuesday found out something super spectacuLAR, but can't say what it is at this time.

Wednesday went to the movies.

Thursday went to the Queen Mary's Halloween deal. It was pretty fun. Always fun watching some of the people we go with...

Friday... took it easy for the most part.

Now for Halloween...

Gamer tag, ZOMG.

Get your Portable ID!

Them Crooked Vultures...

The super group featuring John Paul Jones on bass (Led Zeppelin), Dave Grohl on drums (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), and Josh Homme on guitar & vocals (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss) finally have a studio single.

New Fang off their forthcoming album...

Insomniac Games community day...

So, yesterday (Friday) was Insomniac Games' community day celebrating the launch of the new Rachet & Clank game. I have long respected Insomniac Games, but have never been a huge follower of theirs. Knowing that they created the Spyro series (did the first 3 games on PS before the rights went away), the Ratchet & Clank series on PS2 and PS3 (these games ALWAYS rate extremely high), and the Resistance series on PS3 shows that this is a developer that knows their stuff.

They join a small group of elite developers that are very close to Sony (the other two being Naughty Dog and SuckerPunch) who put out fantastic Sony exclusives. These studios are amazing. Sony has made some boneheaded business decisions this generation, but these guys never miss a beat. I had the good fortune to be able to test Uncharted 2 prior to release and all those guys at Naughty Dog were fantastic. Having just visited Insomniac, that group joins the ranks of fantastic people on top of stellar game makers.

When I found out about community day I decided I would try to get in, as I love game developers and their studios (seriously, you have not seen a cool work environment until you have been in a good game studio). The biggest problem is I am not overly familiar with their work. I know it.. but I haven't played much. I played a bit of Resistance and that is about it. I hastily d/l the first Rachet & Clank demo for PS3 (which turned out to be amazing. amazing gameplay, art, graphics, writing... epic fail on my end for missing out until now).

So, I get to the studio (or the Marriott next door as that is where the event starts) and there is already a huge line. They said space was limited so I am a bit worried. Luckily, after a slight delay, everyone is admitted with no turn aways. We get inside and Adam Sessler from G4TV is hanging out. He is very polite and fun. Turns out he was part of a panel that included some programmers, voice actors, and the president of Insomniac. It was a fun panel that discussed all aspects of production and other company philosophies.

After that was free lunch where they announced everyone there would be getting a copy of the new game (woo! and not yet released!) upon entering the studio. They gave everyone limited edition posters (and shirts and things earlier). We got to go and check out some of the studio which was a really nice environment with a great view of Burbank. Parts of the studio were shrouded with black curtains so we could not see what they were working on... good to know they are deep into working on whatever comes next even before this one is released.

After the studio/signing session we (I had by then formed a group with 3 other guys) head back to the Marriott and get to play some games and they raffle off some prizes. I didn't win, but with the free game and great swag already received, I felt like I made out like a bandit.

All in all it was a really fun time. Being so into a lot of media, for whatever reason I am the most awe struck by games. So much work goes into them.. so many arts (music, animation, character/world designs, writing, acting) coupled with perfected sciences of gameplay and game engines... all just amaze me. The most WOWSA moments for me in LA have come from being around game studios. Perhaps I just know too much about my #1 love, movies. I know all the magic... I want to make my own magic. But with games, I don't know the tricks. I just get to sit back and be amazed at the final product.

So, yeah... game developers are probably my "rock stars"... one guy while signing posters said "I should just do this for a living"... Funny. The developers enjoyed the day as well... they are huddled away for years making one product. To see fan appreciation and to have people give them a pat on the back is a big deal and a great gratification.

Support good game studios. Insomniac now joins the select few developers who I will support no matter what. I am immediately picking up the last Rachet & Clank to play through before I start this newest one. After that, I will be grabbing the Resistance games.

To end... here is a new PS3 ad featuring Ratchet & Clank. It is pretty funny...

Weird Science...

Tinkered with script a bit earlier this week.

Am going to do some overhauling of the final act tomorrow or later this week.

Have tons I want to do, but am at a bit of a road block. Real life road block that will be cleared soon enough. But in the mean time it is taking a lot of attention.

Will be in contact with more people soon. Feel like I have a solid enough core group at the moment.

Have a Saul Williams show on the map. Want to see Wild Things again. Maybe even Zombieland, it's very funny. Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Men Who Stare At Goats on deck.. both with Clooney. Go figure.

Halloween next week... no idea what is going on. Prolly will do Knott's Scary Farm again before then if everyone has decent health.

For some reason I just found out that Atlanta has the Museum of Puppetry. They have a long standing Jim Henson exhibit. Going to that for sure when I am out in that direction. Any takers?

I took a trip on a gemini spacecraft... it took me on a space odyssey... to a world of fashion and rebels... who were all starmen... from the outside... and they spoke of their golden years... and how you can put out fire with gasoline... to impress scary monsters. I'm deranged, they said... yet we could be heroes... I grunted my reply in a garrulous croak... I am an Earthling... a young American... and Aladdin Sane... take me to your disco king... it's time for some changes.

Wild Things... they indeed made my heart sang.

I saw Where the Wild Things Are just about an hour ago. First and with understatement, the movie was good. I hate to bust into hyperbole or what not, so if that sort of thing bugs you stop reading.

Still reading? OK, I warned you.

Where the Wild Things is the best movie I have seen this year. It's not even close. That is a nice honor with very nice films such as Up, Drag Me to Hell, Inglourious Basterds, District 9, Moon, Observe & Report and several other winners.

The film is about the pains and joys of childhood. I'm sure that has been said before. But it is important to note, the film does not shy away from the pain. This film is painful and full of melancholy. That right there will derail many a viewer. People who expect a movie that is clearcut and just about an imaginationland adventure of a child are in for a shock. They are getting a true work of art full of true, garish emotion.

Max is a child in a world that is changing all around him. He feels all sorts of things that he cannot fully articulate and this confuses him. It hurts him. It angers him. Max's real world tumbles into his imagination. This is his articulation of it all, after all.

So, yeah. That is just a cursory glance of what is in store. The performances are all great. That kid is perfect and does such a brilliant job. The voice actors for the Wild Things all nail it. Spike Jonze kills the direction. It is pitch perfect. Karen O and Co deliver a very fitting and emotional soundtrack.

Back to the Wild Things themselves... absolutely astounding. The best creations I have probably ever seen. Lots of practical work by the Jim Henson Company enhanced with CGI to present fully realized characters that are wholly believable... both physically and emotionally. Jim Henson would cry if he could see these wonders (I did, both from their technical stand point and from the film's emotional punch).

So, some people won't like it because it is a true portrait of growing up and not some nostalgic trip to when you may actually have had an imagination. If you remember what it was to grow up and still have an imagination, you are in for a treat. Albeit one that may punch you in the stomach and leave you reeling.

As for kids, I say let them see it. It may not be right for kids 6 and under (there is some "scary images"). But anything above that I feel they need to grow up with this movie. The book was hated on by adults when it came out as it was not deemed right for kids. Who was correct there? This film will present new things for them and strong imagery and meaning that they can latch onto even more as they grow up. Family films that don't talk down to anyone and grow as the viewer does are the ones that are around forever (largely).

This film is just as challenging as... the Wizard of Oz. The Princess Bride. Both films have some intense scenes... who doesn't want their kid to see those? (If you said me, then I feel sorry that your child is THAT kid.) Speaking of those two films, this one is just as perfect. I feel it is one that may have some misinterpretation and not runaway love immediately (like those two), but will more than stand the test of time and be there forever.

Yes. This film is that good. It surpasses almost all others and joins a very select group. It is a true reminder of the ultimate force of cinema and what it can accomplish and convey. Moving.

ACTION... we got action here...

I haven't really been updating like I want to... to much other stuff going on. Will try to update more this coming week.

On the plus, I reaffirmed my music man. I am working on a few other things.

Saw Law Abiding Citizen, lots of good ideas wasted. Pass on it.

Tinkering...

I have been mostly mulling over the script. Sometimes I get these "bright" ideas or desires for major overhauls. These are usually bad. So, it is at the point where I fear I will over tinker with it. I have to keep in mind the essence and not stray too far from it's base. Awesome ideas in the wrong place are wrong ideas. ::But it's awesome...:: says the little voice... go away voice.

Seems a bit lull like too... still working, but have lots of other things going on. Also, there are lots of things I want to do and it just isn't time. Soon enough.

Went to Motorhead last night. It was a good time. Rough show even though we were far away and on the raised section. Go figure. It was my first old man show, as I wore ear plugs.

And... this makes me laugh. The titles says it all... Zombie Kid Likes Turtles.

Jamming...

So, Thursday night brought Pearl Jam. One day after seeing Alice in Chains we got to go see Pearl Jam, both born out of the late 80s/early 90s Seattle scene. Both my favorite bands to come out of that explosion.

Mayra got tickets through Ten Club (the fan club). This means we don't know our seats. They are distributed by seniority save the front two rows, which are random. We get there and the guy at the ticket booth informs us our seats are FRONT ROW. Which was crazy (see that pic at the top? Yeah that was taken with a terrible cell phone camera, that's how close). The venue was really nice and had no bad seats... but that's still not front row. So, that was an awesome surprise.

Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 open up. He did a good job and you can do loads worse for an opener 98% of the time.

Pearl Jam take the stage and start off with Corduroy (for the most part, actually played some Pink Floyd Interstellar Overdrive first). Awesome. They sounded awesome. Being so close was awesome. We were posted directly in front of lead guitarist Mike McCready and I was glad. He played with the most energy and was all over the place.

I learned that Eddie Vedder is a lot better guitar player than I thought. He played 3 songs with a string quartet backing him up. Ben Harper came back on to play on Red Mosquito. The set list was satisfying to me. I got to see Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town.

All in all it was good to see a band that tight that has never really missed a beat in their entire career. I've felt for a long time that Pearl Jam is in the same category as Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. The kind of artist that is in it for the long haul for all the right reasons. A band that tours until it can't and loves bringing live music to all.

Keep it up, PJ!

Videos and Set list below...

Eddie Vedder puts the string quartet on the spot to play Lukin'... which they have not rehearsed.


Part of new song Amongst the Waves... in this one... down on the front row left just in front of security in yellow... in white... is me being all big. You can see M dancing on my right.


Jeremy... M is dancing in this one too...



Set List: (Interstellar Overdrive)/Corduroy, Severed Hand, Got Some, Do The Evolution, Dissident, Given To Fly, Johnny Guitar, Amongst The Waves, I Got Shit, Daughter, Jeremy, Unthought Known, Small Town, Driven To Tears (Police), The Fixer, Rearviewmirror

1st encore: Just Breathe w/string quartet, The End w/string quartet, Lukin w/string quartet, Red Mosquito w/Ben Harper, Jazz Odyssey, Better Man/(Save It For Later)

2nd encore: Gonna See My Friend, I Believe In Miracles (Ramones), Once, Alive, Yellow Ledbetter/(Star Spangled Banner)