Next week!

Next week kicks off a month of good concerts.

Next week I will be seeing one of Nine Inch Nails last shows ever (allegedly) at the small venue the Music Box. Floor tickets in a 1200 people max capacity venue (give or take when it comes to show goers). Of course, I am super excited. NIN are playing 4 shows ending their touring career (again, allegedly) in Los Angeles. Four different venues. I got the venue of my choice. I went with the Fonda due to it's intimacy and overall niceness. I didn't want to shell out for multiple shows. I feel lucky enough to go to one.

A few weeks later at the Fonda (again) is a smaller show, but one that should be very cool. Gaslight Anthem and Murder by Death.

Today, I got some great tickets. Alice in Chains at the Avalon. The day after their new album (and first in 14 years) comes out! The Avalon is a similarly tiny venue holding about 1200 as well (I think). These tickets weren't easy to get as it was through Live Nation and those people are terrible. I thought I wasn't going to get any tickets after failing miserably for a long time.

A few days after that, we go to Pearl Jam at the Gibson Amphitheatre. This venue holds about 6,000 and we should have great seats in this venue as M purchased them through the fan club.

So, WOO! Good month of shows coming up. Seeing three big bands I "grew up with" in very small venues will be fantastic!

I have a 95 page version of the script "completed" and set to be read sometime soonish. I am still working on it a bit. I will probably take a week or so away from it then get back to it. I say that, but I can already feel myself wanting to work on it tomorrow.

The return of something MASSIVE...

Massive Attack return! An EP in October with a full album slated to follow in February! These guys are one of the most important groups of the last 20 years and I can't wait to give their 5th album a listen. Below is a the new single, Splitting the Atom. Everyone check it out and give it a proper listen!


REMOVED - Youtube had to take this one down.

No one picked this, it's on random...

Thoughts on The Strain.

Today I finished reading Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Strain. Yes, Del Toro the director of films such as Hellboy I and II, Pan's Labyrinth, and the Devil's Backbone. Chuck Hogan is a well established genre writer. The Strain is a vampire novel that read a bit more like a procedural thriller than a straight horror tale. Early word I saw hyped it has something new and fresh in vampire fiction. While I don't think it is very "new," it is still a very solid and exciting read and miles ahead of most books in the genre. One of the reasons it didn't seem super fresh, it's worth noting, is that Del Toro had already given many of these great vampire ideas a test run in Blade II.

The characters are well developed and you care about all of them. One of the things the book does best is structure the introductions and appearances of various characters through out the length of the book. You get a great feel for these characters before fate sets them on their path and they meet face to face. Switching between so many characters, you never forget who is who which is important. The pacing never falters. I don't like giving too much away, but this book is the first in a trilogy (2010 and 2011 the follow ups... follow up). I am definitely looking forward to continue this journey at that time. For fans of procedurals, vampire fiction, and Guillermo Del Toro.


Order the Strain and give it a read!

I'm going to try to squeeze in Good Omens this week. Maybe. It's my next must read, but I also want to read that Nick Cave book as soon as it's released. So, I may have to put Good Omens after that one. Depends on my schedule. I have video game testing Thursday and Friday. Love doing that!

I've been making a list of things I need to do effects wise and a few other thing wise that I'll be getting on as soon as I can. Once I get all that stuff worked out logistically and operating, I'll feel a lot better.

I currently watch a lot of sample videos and test footage from various cameras to peg what I am going to use. Have to find something capable, but affordable. It is boring and can be annoying. Back to it, YAY!

Presenting... the new M website!

I have been lending an assist to M as she revamps her website to something more "currently her," I guess you could say. It is still very much a work in progress and will change a bit over the next few weeks. Yes, we know there are links that go nowhere. Those pages have yet to be made. Regardless, let us know what you think and enjoy M's work and new space! She is the best!

Check out the new site!

Oh, and if you see an error besides a busted link... report it!

Been doing some slight revisions - rewrites, additions, etc. Sitting at 94 pages. Vision continues to sharpen as well. Woot.

Long live the basterds...

I saw Inglourious Basterds this weekend. This is Quentin Tarantino's newest film and certainly one of his finest efforts. The film takes heavy cues from Spaghetti Westerns and the French New Wave to create quite an awesome display of cinema. As a disclaimer - the film is not really the action film that it is marketed as... it is a TARANTINO film. As such, expect the real drama and tension to come from great dialog and not from other means.

Now, back to a bit of the film. No spoilers.

I saw Inglourious Basterds THREE times this weekend. On Friday, Saturday, and on Sunday. I didn't really set out to do that, but that is the way it worked out. I was not bored for one second in any viewing. I have never seen a movie everyday of a weekend before (I don't think).

I tell you this because I obviously love this film. I think the film is so strong that almost no one would be dissatisfied or would say that it is a bad film. But for me, the film hits everything perfectly. It may not be the best film of the year, but it is my favorite film of the year. If someone was to set out and make a perfect film FOR ME, then this is probably that movie.

Spaghetti Western stylings? Check. French New Wave influence? Check. East TN character? Check. Nazis as the bad guys? Check. Killer use of music? Check. Amazing dialog? Check. Amazing cast and performances? Check. Exciting structure? Check. Takes you places you don't expect? Check. Are the characters nuanced? Check. David Bowie used in some fashion? Check.

The list literally goes on and on.

I don't want to get in too much with the plot or who gives the most stand out performances out of a long list of stand out performances. I want people to go see it. The cast is large and the movie has at least 4 languages that are used. This is a large, international cast. I'd say I'll see it again after a few weeks. This film shows why Tarantino is considered the best of the modern age. No one makes films like this guy. He makes movies for people who truly love movies.

This feels like a cop out to me. It isn't a review. It's a gush. Sorry. But please, go see the movie. I am fairly certain you will enjoy yourself a great deal. Especially if you enjoy any of the following... Spaghetti Westerns, well written dialog, amazing use of music in movies, WWII films, Tarantino films, Brad Pitt, international ensemble casts, and movies in general.

As a side note, M loved it as well. She had no hesitation in seeing it each and every time and pushed for us to keep going. Awesome.

PS - It is important to note that this movie showed me that Hitler loves "The Willhelm Scream" just like the rest of us.

CHECK OUT SOME WILLHELM SCREAMS!

AVATAR day impressions...

Yesterday was "Avatar day" as dubbed by Fox. This is James Cameron's first film since Titanic (which was ages ago) and he has been developing it for a long, long time. The amount dollars that have been sunk on this will probably never be known, but rest assured it is a massive amount. So, the studio along with Cameron held an event in theaters all across the country. They showed off 15 minutes (or so) of footage from the movie in IMAX 3D to make people's jaws drop.

How was it and how did it go? Well, the best thing I can say is that the 3D tech was really strong. It was nice 3D. But the film itself seemed very sterile and dare I say boring. My wife, M, absolutely hated it. The designs look bad all around, the computer effects are cartoony, and the story seemed a bit redundant. I personally thought it felt more like digital art storyboards from art school graduates in motion as opposed to photo real. Now, if they were going for this, awesome. BUT - the problem is everyone involved, Cameron included, have been claiming your eyeballs will catch fire with how amazing and groundbreaking it looks. It does not come anywhere close to this level. District 9 looks loads better and it only cost a reported 30 million.

The marketing campaign is a wreck too, in my opinion. From the director of Titanic? Really? You have a huge sci-fi movie and that is the message you want to send? How about from the director of Terminator 1 & 2, Aliens, and the Abyss. That would hit much better with fans and people who would be interested in this. Or maybe not, the footage was very romantic in a "I know you are not from my people, but I love & believe in you anyways" kind of way. Maybe this is this is the chick sci-fi epic flick. A movie for Twilight fans in space.

I could be wrong. It is James Cameron. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and see it. But will most everyone else? The theater was mostly full, but response was largely MEH. I heard a few younger people (16/17) who said how awesome it looked. Mostly though, I heard a big uneventful sigh. Scary for something that was to be an eye firing hype beast.

On a very positive note, after the footage we headed over a screen for Inglourious Basterds. Film knocked my socks off. I will post more complete thoughts after I see it again. And maybe even see it again, which is absolutely unheard of for me (I did hit Moon and D9 twice, but not thrice).

Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology.

REMAKES!



Today is an apt day to finally yell at the world about remakes. Today Tarantino's Inglourius Basterds hits the cinema. Brace yourself, it is a remake. Or based loosely/closely around the film Inglorious Bastards (I can't say, as I haven't seen it yet). Resevoir Dogs has whole sections based right off of City on Fire (Hong Kong film). Tarantino is a high quality filmmaker.

And a lot of his stuff is borderline remakes... or homages as he would say. But still.

It is amazing to me that people cry and cry about stuff being remade constantly. And it is constantly (both the crying and the remaking). But guess what, despite what some people say about modern Hollywood being out of ideas or remakes being a new thing... remakes have been a part of Hollywood since there has been a Hollywood. Seriously.

If something was a book first, does every film based on the work after the first film become a remake? If so the classic Maltese Falcon and Wizard of Oz would be bad news to most. They are not even the SECOND film adaptations of the works and this was back in the 30s.

Would we be better of without the Departed? Martin Scorsese's brilliant modern gangster tale? No, we wouldn't. This film is a direct remake of the great Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. Scorsese, largely considered to be one of the best directors of all time, also made Cape Fear. You know... another direct remake.

How about the give and take that the samurai and western genres did back in the 60s (OK, westerns mostly took)? Kurosawa's Yojimbo was directly remade with western paint for Leone's For a Fistful of Dollars. Both movies are amazing and this let Leone forge ahead with two fantastic sequels (you know.. that little the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly film). Kurosawa's Seven Samurai got the cowboy paint with Sturges' the Magnificent Seven. All the above mentioned films, remakes or not, clearly enrich the world of cinema.

Now, of course I am not saying all remakes are good. But are all movies good? No. Are MOST movies good? No. But to knee jerk and demonize remakes as "bad" is silly. Just like anything, it comes down to who is making the film and the talent of those involved.

Someone might say... but bad remakes far outweigh the good! This may or may not be true. But even if it is... bad films in general far outweigh the good. Do we stop making movies? The same can be said of book, games, music, anything really. Quality is a rare beast.

So, get off the "stupid remakes" train and enjoy good work no matter where it comes from. We shall end with Oscar Wilde - "Talent borrows, genius steals."

I'll report back on Basterds and a few others by the end of the weekend.

He is a tiller... he has a tiller's hands!

I found out Nick Cave has a novel coming out in a few weeks titled The Death of Bunny Monro. That guy is great. Besides his music with the Bad Seeds (he is one of my absolute favorite songwriters), he has written a great screenplay (the Proposition) and done some fantastic film scoring with Warren Ellis (the Proposition, the Assassination of Jesse James, and the upcoming the Road). So, I definitely will be checking out the book.

Order the Death of Bunny Monro!

Listen to Nick Cave's Hallelujah live - One of my favorite songs off of one of my favorite albums.


I got in to the Halloween II premiere. All the premieres I get to go to are horror related. Go figure. Not overly looking forward to the film, but I do have an open mind about it. I will definitely be on the look out for the director, one Rob Zombie. At least it is on a Monday... that means Hollywood shouldn't be too bad.

I watched a movie, Transsiberian, the other day based on a recommendation from my uncle Kenny. I recommend everyone track it down if you can. It should be at your local video store or definitely on Netflix. It is a nice little throwback thriller that hits the same notes Hitchcock liked to hit. It is deftly made and stars Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer. It is written and directed by Brad Anderson (Session 9, the Machinist).

I have a few notes to implement into the script and then I will feel comfortable calling it version 2.0. I still like it and am plugging away on a few small things with it. I've got a handful of other things I would like to work on as well. I don't know if I will or if I will put them off until later while I focus on the main, current one.

It's late, so no real substance in this blahg. Listen the that Nick Cave at least. I'll return tomorrow (for real this time) to actually say something.

She's a total blam blam...

So, my script has several characters. But most are minimal. So minimal, it almost doesn't matter who plays them. There are FOUR who are really important. A central character and three very structurally important and not easy to cast side characters. Good news is 2/4 slots are pretty much filled. I'll work on the last two when I know more about rolling. Plus, I don't want to have to ship people a ton to where I'll be filming. That costs money. So, I'll stick to what I have now and worry about the rest later. I'll say more when it feels right to do so. I don't want to throw out the few interesting things I have right away and then have nothing for a long time (that's the main issue).

I got the free tickets to watch 15 minutes of James Cameron's Avatar in IMAX this Friday that the studio is showing. They want to build the hype. Now that I have had my expectations lowered thanks to people's comic con reaction, I am really looking forward to it. But Avatar has its work cut out for it if it wants to stand with Moon and District 9 in this year's sci-fi field. That being said... James Cameron gave us Terminator, Aliens, and the Abyss. Bring it on!

After that, we will prolly jump over a screen to see Inglourius Basterds. QT rocks my socks every time. Couple in Brad Pitt playing a crazy Tennessean, I'm there. FYI, Tarantino was born in Knoxville. Hence all the East TN references in all his films.

I'm probably going to check District 9 out again tomorrow. Thoughts on remakes and piracy are two things in the pipe. Probably do one tomorrow.

Sometimes the same is different... but mostly it's the same.

Script grew by 5 pages this weekend. Hand me the tissues, they grow up so fast.

Saw two good movies this weekend which I'll detail below (similar weekend release and quality wise as when Drag Me to Hell and Up came out on the same weekend!). Before I do, the Where the Wild Things Are trailer makes me nearly tear up every time.

WATCH IT!



That is an ad for District 9. There have been similar billboards, posters, bus benches all over LA for a few months now. All in all it has been a very well ran marketing campaign.

But what is it for? Why, a great science fiction film of course. The film is smart, tense, sad, action packed... all the things one would want out of a sci-fi summer blockbuster. I use the word blockbuster with a bit of a wince, as that can be a dirty word.

The movie has a great concept. Aliens came to Earth, now what? Like most (if not all) good sci-fi, the movie is a very personal story. A small story that is swept up in larger happenings. It illustrates a lot of social issues that have been present and will always be present. What I like about the film is that it doesn't make a lot of comments on this, it just presents it as it is and leaves the comments to come from the viewer. When I watched it, I didn't see a piece of fiction - I saw our world.

This film is great sci-fi in the vein of James Cameron and Paul Verhoeven. Moon earlier this year was great sci-fi in a more restrained manner (Kubrick, Terry Gilliam perhaps) and this is the other end of the intelligent sci-fi spectrum. I don't want to say much more than that. Take it in. Definitely see it. It is absolutely one of the years best films and heralds a great new talent in film.



The second film is Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo. Miyazaki is a master that can be mentioned in the same sentence as Walt Disney, no question. Yes, he is that good. Ponyo is a very cute film and is probably his youngest aimed film ever. Even more so than Totoro. The film is very colorful and masterfully made, but there is nary an adult theme in site. A few brief glimpses, but by and large this is about the joy of two young friends and the adults and their themes are left by the side of the road.

The film has a very painterly look with some backgrounds looking like a color pencil/water color hybrid piece (as opposed to an animated backdrop). This may be Miyazaki's most colorful and weirdly visual movie (and that's saying something). I definitely recommend it if you love animation. But if you do see it, again, it is about the joys and wonderment of youth - so leave your adult baggage at the door.

Reading rainbow....

I read the script aloud today with an actor (or a friend, depending on how you want to look at it). It took a bit of time.

All in all, it was fun. It was good to get some outside my brain feedback and felt nice to articulate ideas in spoken form that I had not put forth in any other way. It was very worthwhile.

Not much else to say. I need to write down a lot of the ideas that I said that aren't on paper and take in to consideration the feedback given.

I'm a bit tired!

More than a feeling?

What inspires me? ZZZZZZ. Whoops. I lost you already. I have a quota to keep up for my own well being, so neh.

Of course I watch a ton of movies and am often inspired by them. But I never watch or see something and say "I need to make that" or even "I need to make something like that." If I watch something I like I usually pay more attention to how it makes me feel. I get a feeling from something (be it movies, books, music, the jerk at the grocery store) and want to know how I can replicate the feeling that with my own bag of tricks (so to speak).

So, something that inspires something else may be entirely unrelated come the end product, except that they elicit a similar emotion. That's my thoughts on where inspiration from other things should come from. It definitely should not be (for example) tons of films aping Pulp Fiction in the years after its release. All of those "wanna be" releases after the fact were super terrible. And they deserved to be. Trying to ride coat tails like that always is bad news.

But say you watch Pulp Fiction and try to build something that elicits a similar emotion, without stealing the exact gimmick or structure, that may turn out OK. Christopher Nolan (example time) showed Heat to his crew before they went off to make the Dark Knight. He was showing the vibe/feeling he wanted to capture for the Dark Knight. I would say he succeeded. Tarantino captures the feeling of things and magnifies them and shows them through his own vision. Scorsese, Leone, Shaw Bros, and more are all easily FELT in a Tarantino movie. But he doesn't go out there and try to make a movie LIKE one of the said directors. Sometimes it is a fine line for sure.

Anyways, the end.

I'll post my thoughts on Ponyo and District 9 in a day or two. And another post on remakes one day soon.

What's that sound?

No one could claim my love of film is a secret.

I moved from the South to L.A. for many reasons none of which are film related (almost completely wife related). Which is strange and ironic.

I have enjoyed a lot of things out here for sure. Seeing movies way before anyone else is pretty great. Attending certain events is very exciting. It is exciting alone to be in a place where film is taken seriously (even if a lot of the people aren't). Shaking Guillermo Del Toro's hand at the Hellboy II premiere was a great thing. Weird as it sounds, I know.

Ultimately, I find it hard to articulate my complaints with Hollywood. It's mostly the people. People who are ridiculous and infuriating. In their ideas, how they present themselves, and even what they truly believe (which is saddest/worst of all). I have dipped my toe in enough while here to know that it is incontrovertibly not me. Of course, I wouldn't mind some of the assets in the long run to produce something larger in the future. But as of right now, that is not even something I would consider.

I want to prove a few things first. Hopefully. I want to show exactly what is possible on almost nothing. To show how a strong script and vision can conquer something with a much larger budget. I also want to be able to execute said script and vision exactly as I see fit.

The current script is in a weird spot. I am going to start to work on a shooting script a bit more and nail down some shots. As it stands now, I have 2 or 3 versions of any particular scene running in my head. Which is a bit weird and can get confusing. Since I don't know what equipment I will be using, I try to compensate by having several possibilities ready. In the end, I think I will go with the lower end set up. Shot wise. A bit more documentary style (which works for the material or it would be off the table). This will be cheaper and a lot easier to obtain the proper images.

I will obtain the images. Regardless. Independent film's biggest bane, in my opinion, is the lack of proper sound. Weird or "stylish" imagery can get you by and a script can be made no problem, but people won't forgive bad sound. This is probably where a huge majority of any budget I obtain will go. What I am going to do exactly is not for certain, but I will most likely work with a professional.

I don't want to mess that aspect up. And if I am doing 100 things already, I don't think I could manage a decent sound job. I don't know if I could do that if it was my only job.

Hence, I'll get help.

That new thing... The Unwritten

I went to a 15th anniversary screening of Pulp Fiction last night and had an absolute blast. Can't say much more than that really. Big thanks to the Art Theatre and to Mondo Celluloid.

I got in to an early screening of District 9, which I am really excited about.

I started a new story today, but it will be slow going I think.

Enough about that. Now for a recommendation to people who read comics.




Vertigo Comics has been one of the most respected labels for people who take this art form seriously. They have had several quintessential graphic series such as Sandman, Preacher, Hellblazer, Y the Last Man, 100 Bullets, and Fables. Most of those have ended their run and I for one am always looking for the next series to rise up and join the ranks of those previously mentioned.

I think that the new "one" may be here with Mike Carey's The Unwritten. It is a fantastically written and imaginatively drawn series that has a wonderful premise. I won't go into too much detail, but it is highly literary and expects a lot from its readers. The series is only 3 issues in, so on one hand it is too early to say for sure. On the other, it beats the pants off most other things out there right now and is early enough that you can jump on board with minimal investment.

This gets the highest recommendation and if you read graphic novels certainly give it a shot!

Here you can preorder the first volume for only $9.99 if you don't want to get individual issues, though it doesn't ship until January. Long time to wait!

ORDER IT!

Of course you could visit your local comic shop and get the first 3 issues and get blown away ASAP!

BO really stinks...deodorant must not be in budget.

Just a few thoughts on box office performance, budgets, and audiences.

"Big" films regularly make near $100 million in a weekend. Even a $60 million dollar weekend is considered small these days (for some films). This would be great if quality films really brought people out to the theater and everyone got behind a well made movie, but that is not the case by and large.

People go see what the marketers want people to see. A movie can have a critical thrashing and still be a monster hit. People seem proud to have bad taste. Or they are some how "showing the critics" by going anyway. Really, they are hurting themselves as they will continue to get the same bad stuff piled on until they stop going. I can understand wanting a big action film or a big spectacle film. But there are no reasons why these films should not be judged by the same standards. These films can do the blow up thing and still be intelligent and deftly made.

This isn't to say that solid films are never hits. That's silly talk. Pixar films are always top notch and always bring in a fair amount. Last summer the Dark Knight became one of the biggest grossers in history and it is a very solid film. These are just off the top examples out of several possibles.

There are still too many examples of films that are terrible that make a ton. There is no excuse for this. People go to see bad films multiple times. And films that are unspeakably better go no where. Big films can cost $200 million easy. Even if it is a modest success and hits $250 million, that's $50 million in profit (before cable, DVD profits etc.). That's a lot of money. So it is business. But if people don't go to bad movies, then you will see less of them. That's more business.

Personally, I think back end deals should be more common. Which means actors, directors, writers and the like get a bigger cut of the profits instead of huge paychecks up front. So, if you only get paid scale (minimum) for a film the rest of the budget gets to go to sets and effects and things that will improve quality. You will keep the budget way down. All the people involved will work that much harder to make a good film as they will see more money due to the increased percentage of the gross they will receive. Even big blockbusters are effected by word of mouth and repeat viewings, mind you.

Anyways, that is a lot of nonsense. Let's look at some numbers that are highly depressing. I don't need to say much more than present these.

Great films followed by not so much...

SPECTACLE

The Fountain
Opening WEEKEND - 3.7 million

Transformers 2
Opening WEDNESDAY - 62 million

VAMPS

Let the Right On In
2.1 million total gross

Twilight
191 million total gross

MALL SECURITY

Observe & Report
24 million total gross

Paul Blart
146 million total gross

SIDEBURNS

In Bruges
7.8 million total gross

Wolverine
179 million total gross


Vote with your dollars. Example... Spiderman 1 and 2 were GREAT superhero movies. I was there for the midnight showing for part 3. Part 3 was not good (don't get me wrong, there was plenty to like. But they messed up some major things in major ways). I will not see part 4 in the theater. It's that simple.

We will sort of end with a Siskel quote... "There is a point when a personal opinion shades off into an error of fact. When you say 'The Valachi Papers' is a better film than 'The Godfather,' you are wrong."


On to something personal, here is a peek at some character art from my most recent script. It's nothing as I can't show the full design. I'll post a full one later that is not as important and secret. But still... here is a boot by M.

Gosh, it's hot.

No AC is no fun. To escape the heat for a moment I will be going to see Moon again at the lovely Art Theatre, which is just a few blocks away.
http://www.arttheatrelongbeach.com/

A few people have been introduced to Observe & Report over the past few days and everyone has enjoyed it. Boom.

I finished the first draft of my current script today and I am pretty happy with it. It sits at 87 pages as of this second. I was able to get it printed out at a great price (no printer here). Now it is in a notebook with a few other things and is ready to be read. FYI - If you need something printed in Long Beach at a good price by nice people, go to Copyco on Bellflower.

How about what I am looking forward to in the next few weeks... District 9 is said to be flat out amazing. Can't wait as it continues the sci-fi rebirth I believe is happening. After Moon and D9, there is still James Cameron's Avatar to look forward to in December! Inglourius Basterds is Q Tarantino and I will always be there for his films on opening day (and it's supposed to be great). And Miyazaki has a new film coming out called Ponyo. He is a master of storytelling and animation. Definitely a great few weeks ahead movie wise.

I'll chime in tomorrow on some thoughts about box office takes and why it makes me sad. Yes, sounds exciting I know.

PRINT...

Working. Want to print a hard copy of the current version during the first half of this week. It is easier to manage that way when it gets to this point. I am also at the point where I need someone else to look over said hard copy and so I can get someone's view on it that doesn't live in my head. I need to work over the last 15 pages or so and then will have a copy in hand (if I can find a place to print it).

Should have someone read it with me by the end of the week. I hope.

I was thinking today, when I was writing it out I thought it strayed vastly from my original intentions. Upon reflecting on it, I realized it was exactly what I originally intended though very different. Which is a bit weird. Still tons of time for it to go all crazy though.

Beyond all the dressing, it is about character. Which makes me happy.

I am also having some preproduction art produced to give people who read it a few visuals (all this really means is having M work up a few things for me). This should help in some spots so people can imaginate better (or visualize if you prefer real words).

I worked up a temporary/working title text image. No, I can't say or show.

This was all over the place. Boom.

A taste of Thirst...

Well, it finally happened. I finally saw a Park Chan-Wook film in the theater. I believe the opportunity had presented itself several times in the past, but by then I had always imported the Korean DVD. This time for once, an American distributor is on the ball and it is on screens before any import DVD is on the shelf. It was special for me as I feel he is one of the most important and greatest directors of the last decade (FYI he has directed JSA, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, OldBoy, Lady Vengeance, and I'm a Cyborg but That's OK). Perhaps rivaled only by Aronofsky in that time frame amongst new directors.

Originally, I was going to review the film - but with a stupid, irresistible pun available and the fact that I feel I have not digested it all, I will give basic impressions only (and no spoilers). The movie is definitely a "vampire film." And though there are horrible moments, it really is far from a horror film (much like the awesome vampire film from last year - Let The Right One In). This film is mostly about relationships and desire. It has heavy themes of sexuality, guilt and religion (the main character is a Priest) running on every level of the film. It is about two very different and dysfunctional people who somehow work together as a couple (even if it is in very messed up ways).

The film is anchored by two great performances from its leads, which is a Chan-Wook staple. The man always gets a lot out of his actors. Visually, it is every bit as well shot as his other films. While we are on the subject of "this is what he does," the film is also very dark and deals with its adult themes maturely (and violently). The music seemed a bit sparse, which is unusual for the director, but when it did present itself it was very powerful and memorable.

As a director, he knows how to set up small moments that can pay big dividends later which is something I always appreciate. The film is definitely worth tracking down and is recommended for his fans, fans of dark themes, and vampire fans who appreciate a new/nuanced take on the subject. Also, if you like to be challenged when you watch a movie you will like Thirst. I am looking forward to seeing it a few more times and analyzing all that is presented.

Thirst. A vampire movie starring a priest from the director of OldBoy. Go see it!

Also, avoid trailers if possible. I just watched it for the first time and feel that it blows too many important moments (as usual, and in a preview they lose all their weight).