At one time I loved all things Star Wars.
Super loved. The movies were amazing, great art existed for them, cool video games were made, the toys had an air of awesome... it was massive.
Then the prequels happened... and it was all bad. At first, you tried to trick yourself into thinking the first one was good. Once that bubble popped, all you saw was awfulness. Bad stories, acting, direction. So many racial stereotype aliens... this is unique to the prequels and is not present in the originals. To make matters worse, Lucas went in and tampered with the originals in terrible ways. He also said the original films as they were would never be seen again.
Furious anger. Bad cartoons, movies, and games. Messing up the original masterpieces. I took a long, long break from all things Star Wars.
Recently, I rewatched the entire trilogy in their original forms. ORIGINAL original. No A NEW HOPE. No Greedo shoots first. No cleaned up effects. No lame Hayden Christensen at the end of it all. No anything, other than what played for audiences 30 or so years ago.
Man, those movies still have it and are incredible. They are very timeless. They are helped tremendously by the fact that they are fantasy and are given a large leash to play with. Roguish romance. Dynamic friendships and relationships. Memorable characters. A "chosen one" story line. Technology busting special effects. A score for the ages. One of the top villains of all times. SCRUFFY NERF HERDERS!
So, yeah. I love the futuristic vibe mixed with old school film making. The wipes between shots are fantastic. I love being more schooled in film these days and seeing things that Lucas picked up from lots of old classics.
Watch the original Star Wars. Not any changed versions. The original effects are still awesome and I feel it is a huge slap in the face to people who broke down boundaries giving their all if you change their work or act like it wasn't good enough.
Star Wars... I love you. But only the you before George Lucas went crazy and stained you by association.
PS - Check out the ORIGINAL trailer that is so wrong in tone... fascinating.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Blush Response...
We went camping this weekend with friends and had a pretty good time. I got a bit red from swimming and beaching. The weather was pretty cool and windy at night which wasn't the greatest, but all in all a good time.
Friendly reminder - Observe and Report came out on DVD last week. It is one of my favorite movies of the year, so definitely give it a chance if you like dark comedies. Again, it is dark. You've been warned.
Busy week lined up. Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Script changes to make. Few other things. Hopefully get to check out a movie at the Art before it goes away Friday.
Friendly reminder - Observe and Report came out on DVD last week. It is one of my favorite movies of the year, so definitely give it a chance if you like dark comedies. Again, it is dark. You've been warned.
Busy week lined up. Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Script changes to make. Few other things. Hopefully get to check out a movie at the Art before it goes away Friday.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Buzzzzz
Been a tad busy. Not 100% with "important" stuff, but busy none the less.
Yesterday went over a lot of visual concepts/conceits aloud with a friend. Just flipping script ideas out there. Fun stuff. Movie stuff has been going pretty well and I have relatively no stress concerning it.
It became cool for two days and then it got really hot for a few days... I'm hoping for a weekend in the middle. This weekend will largely be spent out doors. Woo.
Longer, more painful to read updates will resume next week.
Yesterday went over a lot of visual concepts/conceits aloud with a friend. Just flipping script ideas out there. Fun stuff. Movie stuff has been going pretty well and I have relatively no stress concerning it.
It became cool for two days and then it got really hot for a few days... I'm hoping for a weekend in the middle. This weekend will largely be spent out doors. Woo.
Longer, more painful to read updates will resume next week.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
With the sure shot...
I got a new notepad today. Spiral bound! I will be using it (am using it, in fact) to write out shot list the best that I can. It is impossible to do 100% without 100% locations, but I can still do a lot of work with this right now. So, that is where I will be spending the next week.
Also looking at getting the practical special effects figured out. Nothing too major, but still something that has to be taken care of... no real concerns though.
Still weighing sound issues... capturing sound is the only thing I am worried about (still).
Since my football teams are in the tank, I will not be paying any attention to that stuff. Which is good.
Will know more in a month or two, I suspect.
Also looking at getting the practical special effects figured out. Nothing too major, but still something that has to be taken care of... no real concerns though.
Still weighing sound issues... capturing sound is the only thing I am worried about (still).
Since my football teams are in the tank, I will not be paying any attention to that stuff. Which is good.
Will know more in a month or two, I suspect.
Friday, September 18, 2009
HEALTH
I feel better. Today is the best... as has each successive day. Last night we abandoned a concert early. Was not up for the full 4 bands it seems. But still, lot better than I was last weekend.
Going to be working on a few minor things script wise today. There is also 1 scene that needs a lot of work, but I am not sure how to proceed with it. I'll fix it by weekend's end.
Starting to get more specific shots and transitions in mind.
I also have a lot of ideas on how to rework and old script that I want to rewrite. So, I may do that soon or in a few months. Just have to see.
Too much work to do. Time to get back to it. Spent some time away for perspective's sake. Played the Batman game. Had an illness. Time to get back to the full time.
Going to be working on a few minor things script wise today. There is also 1 scene that needs a lot of work, but I am not sure how to proceed with it. I'll fix it by weekend's end.
Starting to get more specific shots and transitions in mind.
I also have a lot of ideas on how to rework and old script that I want to rewrite. So, I may do that soon or in a few months. Just have to see.
Too much work to do. Time to get back to it. Spent some time away for perspective's sake. Played the Batman game. Had an illness. Time to get back to the full time.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Hey, pig.... yeah, you.
Think I have the flu. Not 100% of course, but I feel pretty awful. IT may even be the dreaded swine flu... DUM DUM DUM. You know... that thing that causes panic... but that is JUST A FLU. I'd wager I got it at the NIN show this past week. Supposedly there had been something going around from the shows in NY to Chicago to now LA. Mark me as one victim of the NINfluenza. It was worth it.
This is the worst sickness I've had in at least 4 years or so. Definitely the worst since I have been in L.A. M is a bit worried, but it is nothing to be concerned about. I'm eating soup, drinking my JUIIIICE, and taking my vitamins (cause that's what good Hulkamaniacs do).
Being sick (I sleep on the couch for some reason if I am really sick), I was able to wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning and catch an episode of Mr. Ed. Had't seen it in at least a decade. Ludicrous, but somehow charming.
Back to laying down, watching Batman The Animated Series, playing some Burnout Paradise, and feeling all around bleh. We had big plans this weekend too... boo!
This is the worst sickness I've had in at least 4 years or so. Definitely the worst since I have been in L.A. M is a bit worried, but it is nothing to be concerned about. I'm eating soup, drinking my JUIIIICE, and taking my vitamins (cause that's what good Hulkamaniacs do).
Being sick (I sleep on the couch for some reason if I am really sick), I was able to wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning and catch an episode of Mr. Ed. Had't seen it in at least a decade. Ludicrous, but somehow charming.
Back to laying down, watching Batman The Animated Series, playing some Burnout Paradise, and feeling all around bleh. We had big plans this weekend too... boo!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
It was the best show... I ever seen...
I wasn't going to blog on the show last night, but as it turned out to be the best show I ever saw, I will.
Nine Inch Nails - 9/8/09 Henry Fonda in L.A.
We get there and go through check in (have to have ID and pick your tickets up there, cut way back on scalpers) and then line up way around the block. I've been to several sold out shows at this venue but the place usually doesn't fill up until during the show. For the second to last NIN show, the line was way down the block hours before they took the stage (or before the doors even opened).
Crew was very polite and got everyone in at a decent pace and without too much waiting.
We get in and the venue is as I remember (of course), but the size (very small) seems all the more epic due to the fact we are about to see a huge band here. We get in and are very close to the front. Maybe 6-8 people back, slightly right of center. Awesome spot. Opening band Health was pretty good and the crowd was respectful (and remained a good crowd throughout). Some guy passes out right next to me on my left side just before the show starts. A pro camera guy sets up shop directly to my right.
Lights go out. Band comes out. Immediately tear into Head Like a Hole. Which is unusual as that is almost always a near closer. Then Terrible Lie. By this point much of the crowd, myself included, figure we are going Pretty Hate Machine front to back. NIN had gone through The Downward Spiral twice at the recent closing shows. Turns out, this did not happen.
What did happen was the best set list I have ever seen from NIN and the best concert I have ever been too. The band sounded awesome. The set list was varied and fresh. Oh, and there was a ton of awesome special guests.
Trent was into it more than I had personally ever seen. Being so close was great as you could see all the extra expressions and gestures he put into the songs. You could also tell that it had hit home this was the end (or very close to it).
So, after 15 awesome songs Trent introduces Mike Garson as a special guest and I was super happy. He is best known as David Bowie's pianist/collaborator and had played on a previous NIN album (and is my favorite pianist). They started with Just Like You Imagined, which is one of my favorite pieces of music ever (and one Garson played on album wise). After that we got The Becoming and I Do Not Want This from The Downward Spiral with Mike Garson killing the Becoming and also doing several improvs. This added a whole new dimension to already amazing songs.
Mike Garson played a solo piece (which at the time I didn't know was Down in the Park piano version). Then Gary Numan (WICKED!) came out and played Down in the Park (!), Metal and Cars. Oh yeah... and Mike Garson played on those songs as well. Oh... and with Cars, Eric Avery from Jane's Addiction came out and played bass. The Numan mini-set was a treat. That guy sings as good as he ever did.
After Cars, Mike Garson departs. Then NIN + Gary Numan + Eric Avery are joined by opening band Health for a cover of Gang of Four's Anthrax. It was pretty neat and there was a ton of people on stage.
At this point, the band (and everyone) exits.
After a minute the lights go dark in a show time again kind of way... Trent comes out and explains this is a mess up. He says that the house lights were supposed to come on, so when the band came back out it would be a bigger surprise. "So, please, when we come back out in one second, act surprised." He walks off then back on and the crowd feigns loud surprise. So, does Trent. Hilarity.
Trent then introduces someone he almost had to drag on stage (it took a few reassuring waves to come up). He said it was a good friend and a member of NIN. Then Danny Lohner (former bassist) came up and started an amazing encore set. They played the Queen cover Get Down, Make Love during this time which was a real treat to see live. On top of the other great songs during the encore, they played Mr. Self Destruct and Wish with vocalist Greg Puciato from Dillinger Escape Plan.
So many surprise guests. After the encore, the band departs. The crowd is still going nuts. There have already been 28 songs!
NIN return for Encore 2 and finish off the night with a great 4 song ender. They play the Joy Division covers Atmosphere and Dead Souls. Both were awesome.
Then came the final two songs. The Day the World Went Away... another favorite. This version killed. I started to tear up a little which hasn't happened at a concert in ages. Trent got emotional and wiped tears away. Hard to explain. But a lot of themes in the song (loss) are present in what I am writing. And what others around me are going through. And I also knew this was the end. They finished with a fantastic rendition of Hurt. Which is a song often used for closing, but was very appropriate here. The whole band looked thankful for the great crowd and seemed to know that was a special night.
It was the best show I ever saw. Thank you guys (Trent and Co.) for the music and good times!
Set list and videos below... thanks to GetBonus for videos! (http://www.youtube.com/user/getbonus)
Just Like You Imagined with MIKE GARSON
Opening with Head Like a Hole...
Set List
1. Head like a Hole
2. Terrible Lie
3. Sin
4. March of the Pigs
5. Piggy
6. Echoplex
7. Reptile
8. I'm Afraid of Americans
9. Survivalism
10. Head Down
11. 1,000,000
12. Letting You
13. Burn
14. Gave Up
15. Eraser
16. Just Like You Imagined (with Mike Garson)
17. The Becoming (with Mike Garson)
18. I Do Not Want This (with Mike Garson)
19. Mike Garson solo Down in the Park piano version
20. Down in the Park (with Gary Numan & Mike Garson) [Gary Numan song]
21. Metal (with Gary Numan & Mike Garson) [Gary Numan song]
22. Cars (with Gary Numan, Eric Avery & Mike Garson) [Gary Numan song]
23. Anthrax (with Gary Numan, Eric Avery & Health) [Gang of Four cover]
ENCORE
24. Heresy (with Danny Lohner)
25. Get Down, Make Love (with Danny Lohner) [Queen cover]
26. Mr. Self Destruct (with Danny Lohner & Greg Puciato from Dillinger Escape Plan)
27. Wish (with Danny Lohner & Greg Puciato from Dillinger Escape Plan)
28. The Hand that Feeds
ENCORE 2
29. Atmosphere [Joy Division cover]
30. Dead Souls [Joy Division cover]
31. The Day the World Went Away
32. Hurt
Nine Inch Nails - 9/8/09 Henry Fonda in L.A.
We get there and go through check in (have to have ID and pick your tickets up there, cut way back on scalpers) and then line up way around the block. I've been to several sold out shows at this venue but the place usually doesn't fill up until during the show. For the second to last NIN show, the line was way down the block hours before they took the stage (or before the doors even opened).
Crew was very polite and got everyone in at a decent pace and without too much waiting.
We get in and the venue is as I remember (of course), but the size (very small) seems all the more epic due to the fact we are about to see a huge band here. We get in and are very close to the front. Maybe 6-8 people back, slightly right of center. Awesome spot. Opening band Health was pretty good and the crowd was respectful (and remained a good crowd throughout). Some guy passes out right next to me on my left side just before the show starts. A pro camera guy sets up shop directly to my right.
Lights go out. Band comes out. Immediately tear into Head Like a Hole. Which is unusual as that is almost always a near closer. Then Terrible Lie. By this point much of the crowd, myself included, figure we are going Pretty Hate Machine front to back. NIN had gone through The Downward Spiral twice at the recent closing shows. Turns out, this did not happen.
What did happen was the best set list I have ever seen from NIN and the best concert I have ever been too. The band sounded awesome. The set list was varied and fresh. Oh, and there was a ton of awesome special guests.
Trent was into it more than I had personally ever seen. Being so close was great as you could see all the extra expressions and gestures he put into the songs. You could also tell that it had hit home this was the end (or very close to it).
So, after 15 awesome songs Trent introduces Mike Garson as a special guest and I was super happy. He is best known as David Bowie's pianist/collaborator and had played on a previous NIN album (and is my favorite pianist). They started with Just Like You Imagined, which is one of my favorite pieces of music ever (and one Garson played on album wise). After that we got The Becoming and I Do Not Want This from The Downward Spiral with Mike Garson killing the Becoming and also doing several improvs. This added a whole new dimension to already amazing songs.
Mike Garson played a solo piece (which at the time I didn't know was Down in the Park piano version). Then Gary Numan (WICKED!) came out and played Down in the Park (!), Metal and Cars. Oh yeah... and Mike Garson played on those songs as well. Oh... and with Cars, Eric Avery from Jane's Addiction came out and played bass. The Numan mini-set was a treat. That guy sings as good as he ever did.
After Cars, Mike Garson departs. Then NIN + Gary Numan + Eric Avery are joined by opening band Health for a cover of Gang of Four's Anthrax. It was pretty neat and there was a ton of people on stage.
At this point, the band (and everyone) exits.
After a minute the lights go dark in a show time again kind of way... Trent comes out and explains this is a mess up. He says that the house lights were supposed to come on, so when the band came back out it would be a bigger surprise. "So, please, when we come back out in one second, act surprised." He walks off then back on and the crowd feigns loud surprise. So, does Trent. Hilarity.
Trent then introduces someone he almost had to drag on stage (it took a few reassuring waves to come up). He said it was a good friend and a member of NIN. Then Danny Lohner (former bassist) came up and started an amazing encore set. They played the Queen cover Get Down, Make Love during this time which was a real treat to see live. On top of the other great songs during the encore, they played Mr. Self Destruct and Wish with vocalist Greg Puciato from Dillinger Escape Plan.
So many surprise guests. After the encore, the band departs. The crowd is still going nuts. There have already been 28 songs!
NIN return for Encore 2 and finish off the night with a great 4 song ender. They play the Joy Division covers Atmosphere and Dead Souls. Both were awesome.
Then came the final two songs. The Day the World Went Away... another favorite. This version killed. I started to tear up a little which hasn't happened at a concert in ages. Trent got emotional and wiped tears away. Hard to explain. But a lot of themes in the song (loss) are present in what I am writing. And what others around me are going through. And I also knew this was the end. They finished with a fantastic rendition of Hurt. Which is a song often used for closing, but was very appropriate here. The whole band looked thankful for the great crowd and seemed to know that was a special night.
It was the best show I ever saw. Thank you guys (Trent and Co.) for the music and good times!
Set list and videos below... thanks to GetBonus for videos! (http://www.youtube.com/user/getbonus)
Just Like You Imagined with MIKE GARSON
Opening with Head Like a Hole...
Set List
1. Head like a Hole
2. Terrible Lie
3. Sin
4. March of the Pigs
5. Piggy
6. Echoplex
7. Reptile
8. I'm Afraid of Americans
9. Survivalism
10. Head Down
11. 1,000,000
12. Letting You
13. Burn
14. Gave Up
15. Eraser
16. Just Like You Imagined (with Mike Garson)
17. The Becoming (with Mike Garson)
18. I Do Not Want This (with Mike Garson)
19. Mike Garson solo Down in the Park piano version
20. Down in the Park (with Gary Numan & Mike Garson) [Gary Numan song]
21. Metal (with Gary Numan & Mike Garson) [Gary Numan song]
22. Cars (with Gary Numan, Eric Avery & Mike Garson) [Gary Numan song]
23. Anthrax (with Gary Numan, Eric Avery & Health) [Gang of Four cover]
ENCORE
24. Heresy (with Danny Lohner)
25. Get Down, Make Love (with Danny Lohner) [Queen cover]
26. Mr. Self Destruct (with Danny Lohner & Greg Puciato from Dillinger Escape Plan)
27. Wish (with Danny Lohner & Greg Puciato from Dillinger Escape Plan)
28. The Hand that Feeds
ENCORE 2
29. Atmosphere [Joy Division cover]
30. Dead Souls [Joy Division cover]
31. The Day the World Went Away
32. Hurt
Monday, September 7, 2009
Because you asked for it...
Friend sent me this... it is pretty great.
CLICK HERE BECAUSE THE EMBED DOESN'T WORK RIGHT!
If only this was the real trailer to 2012.
CLICK HERE BECAUSE THE EMBED DOESN'T WORK RIGHT!
If only this was the real trailer to 2012.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
They send me singing I am an American...
Do you?
I am working on the synopsis still. Right now, actually.
It is alright. It is interesting because sometimes I articulate things in there that aren't properly expressed in the actual script. So, I have to go back and fix it in the script. Still, synopsis is very basic and bare. Poor thing has no eloquence.
Budget really scares me. I have plenty to work on before money would have to come into the picture, but still. I have several hypothesis about this... and all may be put to work in the end. Who knows.
I have been looking at bare minimum and what would be "appropriate" money wise. Ultimately it will have to be tackled later.
I really wish I could put more definitive shot lists together as well. Pretty much impossible when you have no idea where your locations and sets will be. I have some places in mind though. If I ask you to use a place you own or whatever, please consider it... !
Also, I continue to poor over footage from independent people all over. Which is by and large terrible. I don't mean to be rude, but when you disregard basic framing and lighting techniques that anyone could do with household items, it's annoying. So much of this stuff is so loose and never taut. This is before getting into story and script. Ugh. No vision. Sometimes I think this could be me. But anytime anyone starts to ask me about my own ideas I rattle off so much stuff without even trying... this makes me feel better. My attention to detail and vision are fairly immense and specific I think... hopefully this will be conveyed to viewers. On top of a good story...
Totally unrelated... I am not much of a John Wayne fan... but watching the Searchers today... wow. That film is fantastic. So much nuance in the performances. Sure, you could take a lot of the movie at face value (and I am sure plenty of people do), but there is a wealth of stuff you can dig into. There is an EQUAL number of story to the film that is peripheral and can be unearthed by the attentive viewer. And speaking of the aforementioned framing, John Ford was a master. Great Technicolor as well... I love that look. So many movies that came after it show its obvious fingerprints... great flick - check it out.
Next... a rekindled love of Star Wars or more of my stuff.
I am working on the synopsis still. Right now, actually.
It is alright. It is interesting because sometimes I articulate things in there that aren't properly expressed in the actual script. So, I have to go back and fix it in the script. Still, synopsis is very basic and bare. Poor thing has no eloquence.
Budget really scares me. I have plenty to work on before money would have to come into the picture, but still. I have several hypothesis about this... and all may be put to work in the end. Who knows.
I have been looking at bare minimum and what would be "appropriate" money wise. Ultimately it will have to be tackled later.
I really wish I could put more definitive shot lists together as well. Pretty much impossible when you have no idea where your locations and sets will be. I have some places in mind though. If I ask you to use a place you own or whatever, please consider it... !
Also, I continue to poor over footage from independent people all over. Which is by and large terrible. I don't mean to be rude, but when you disregard basic framing and lighting techniques that anyone could do with household items, it's annoying. So much of this stuff is so loose and never taut. This is before getting into story and script. Ugh. No vision. Sometimes I think this could be me. But anytime anyone starts to ask me about my own ideas I rattle off so much stuff without even trying... this makes me feel better. My attention to detail and vision are fairly immense and specific I think... hopefully this will be conveyed to viewers. On top of a good story...
Totally unrelated... I am not much of a John Wayne fan... but watching the Searchers today... wow. That film is fantastic. So much nuance in the performances. Sure, you could take a lot of the movie at face value (and I am sure plenty of people do), but there is a wealth of stuff you can dig into. There is an EQUAL number of story to the film that is peripheral and can be unearthed by the attentive viewer. And speaking of the aforementioned framing, John Ford was a master. Great Technicolor as well... I love that look. So many movies that came after it show its obvious fingerprints... great flick - check it out.
Next... a rekindled love of Star Wars or more of my stuff.
Friday, September 4, 2009
He aint going out like that!
Details for refunds to the NIN show were supposed to be announced yesterday. They were not. I was hoping for the best and that something was afoot.
I put on the Downward Spiral for some good mojo. The show was rescheduled! It is this coming Tuesday and this is great news for myself. I am sure a lot of people were put out with the concert date shuffle that went on, but stuff happens. And I am glad I get to go.
Here is a funny video that was circulating in the community after yesterday's announcement of cancellation. The video was then posted on NIN main website... which is even funnier.
I have been working on a synopsis/scene flow deal as one piece and it is annoying to me for some reason (started yesterday). Just seems tedious and I need to spruce it up with a little bit of better writing. Back to it.
I put on the Downward Spiral for some good mojo. The show was rescheduled! It is this coming Tuesday and this is great news for myself. I am sure a lot of people were put out with the concert date shuffle that went on, but stuff happens. And I am glad I get to go.
Here is a funny video that was circulating in the community after yesterday's announcement of cancellation. The video was then posted on NIN main website... which is even funnier.
I have been working on a synopsis/scene flow deal as one piece and it is annoying to me for some reason (started yesterday). Just seems tedious and I need to spruce it up with a little bit of better writing. Back to it.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
KKHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!
Today I was to be waving goodbye to NIN at one of the final NIN shows of all time at one of my favorite venues. And yes, NIN is one of my favorite bands. Last night (at another venue in LA), they played the Downward Spiral in its entirety and had special guest Gary Numan. Tonight's show was cancelled due to illness. I get a refund, no reschedule. I am sad.
I am going to work on a synopsis and scene flow chart today if I can get out of my current funk. Actually, I am going to do this for sure and get a few things together. Fun. Was playing with budget numbers last night (movie budget), money is not fun.
On a happy note... here is more new Massive Attack with the singer from TV on the Radio. Good stuff. This will be on the Splitting the Atom EP due out October 6th. Pick it up.
I am going to work on a synopsis and scene flow chart today if I can get out of my current funk. Actually, I am going to do this for sure and get a few things together. Fun. Was playing with budget numbers last night (movie budget), money is not fun.
On a happy note... here is more new Massive Attack with the singer from TV on the Radio. Good stuff. This will be on the Splitting the Atom EP due out October 6th. Pick it up.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
More heat than a Deniro/Pachino film...
Not having A/C can be the worst. Past two apartments have had no AC (which is not uncommon here) and have been upper level... so we get hammered heat wise.
I have been playing the new Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, which is a bit unusual. I never play these games because they tend to be terrible. But this one is absolutely fantastic. It is one of my favorite games of this generation. It is a game that finally does the character justice. There is action and detection. Stealth plays a large part in the gameplay. The cast of characters is well represented and properly portrayed. One of the best things is the cast from the animated series largely reprises their roles. All in all it is a must purchase for Batman and video game fans. It is available on PS3, 360, and PC.
Watch the Arkham Asylum trailer!
I have noticed over the last month or so that most independent horror films lean heavily toward exploitation and torture. I don't know why this is... if you are independent you should have a lot of freedom to do what you want creatively, so why so much in one subset of the genre? It makes me a little embarrassed. It is also ammunition to people who say they don't like horror films. I can understand with so much crap in the genre, but there is junk in every movie genre. I think ultimately all people like horror films, whether they want to admit it or not.
Halloween, Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street? Slashers. Alien or the Thing? Sci-Fi tinged. Evil Dead II or Drag Me to Hell? Raimi's slapstick/horror infusion. Psycho or the Birds? Plus lots of other Hitchcock. Seven or Silence of the Lambs? Procedural, but still loads of horror. Shaun of the Dead or An American Werewolf in London? Example of horror comedy. Night of the Living Dead? One of Romero's social commentaries masked by horror paint. Devil's Backbone? Del Toro's chilling ghost tale. Poltergeist? Spielberg and Co family fun scare. The Excorist? Demon stuff. Twilight? Horror tinged for people who can't get a date.
I could go on forever really. The genre is diverse. It saddens me to see so much one note stuff float out of it and sour people's impressions of a great genre. So, I know whenever I mention I am working on something horror related (which seems about 50% of the time), people may scrunch their nose. All I'm saying is... have faith.
I have been playing the new Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, which is a bit unusual. I never play these games because they tend to be terrible. But this one is absolutely fantastic. It is one of my favorite games of this generation. It is a game that finally does the character justice. There is action and detection. Stealth plays a large part in the gameplay. The cast of characters is well represented and properly portrayed. One of the best things is the cast from the animated series largely reprises their roles. All in all it is a must purchase for Batman and video game fans. It is available on PS3, 360, and PC.
Watch the Arkham Asylum trailer!
I have noticed over the last month or so that most independent horror films lean heavily toward exploitation and torture. I don't know why this is... if you are independent you should have a lot of freedom to do what you want creatively, so why so much in one subset of the genre? It makes me a little embarrassed. It is also ammunition to people who say they don't like horror films. I can understand with so much crap in the genre, but there is junk in every movie genre. I think ultimately all people like horror films, whether they want to admit it or not.
Halloween, Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street? Slashers. Alien or the Thing? Sci-Fi tinged. Evil Dead II or Drag Me to Hell? Raimi's slapstick/horror infusion. Psycho or the Birds? Plus lots of other Hitchcock. Seven or Silence of the Lambs? Procedural, but still loads of horror. Shaun of the Dead or An American Werewolf in London? Example of horror comedy. Night of the Living Dead? One of Romero's social commentaries masked by horror paint. Devil's Backbone? Del Toro's chilling ghost tale. Poltergeist? Spielberg and Co family fun scare. The Excorist? Demon stuff. Twilight? Horror tinged for people who can't get a date.
I could go on forever really. The genre is diverse. It saddens me to see so much one note stuff float out of it and sour people's impressions of a great genre. So, I know whenever I mention I am working on something horror related (which seems about 50% of the time), people may scrunch their nose. All I'm saying is... have faith.
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