Production: Returning to Unemployment, Quiche, Bicycles, and other Summer Activities.

It’s official, or rather has been official since last Friday. I’ve returned to Unemployment-Land. The land of… well, unemployment? Job(less)-centric anxiety attacks fueled by a dwindling bank account balance, uncertainty over the future, and infinite amounts of boredom. The question of “Why am I doing this?” being asked countless times a day, in between cups of increasingly cold coffee and a phone that remains stubbornly silent. WAITING.

At least, that’s what it could be (and I have to admit, has been). It doesn’t have to be that though and I am determined to not LET it be that this time around. It’s summertime and I live only 30 minutes or so by bike from the beach. I have a basket full of projects I had to put on the back-burner while I was working, including a feature length screenplay that I’m all ready 60+ pages into (yes, seriously, I’ve actually been writing something beyond a blog. How weird is that?).

So rather than lamenting about my lack of prospects, my financial uncertainty, or any of that other stuff, I am going to instead focus on the things I enjoy spending my time doing. Writing. Taking pictures. Bike riding. Cooking. Spending time with my friends and family. These are the things I’m out here for after all. What’s the point, I ask myself? Well, all of that really.

Writing: As I mentioned, I’m working on a screenplay. Yes, I know everyone and their mother in LA is working on a screenplay. I’m working on incorporating all of the clichés into my life. Screenplay? Check!

I am really excited about this writing adventure though. Sure I’ve written things before but this is by far the longest, most real feeling project I’ve worked on. I don’t know how good it is or anything like that but honestly at this point my goal is more to finish something. The rest of those concerns are for the next draft.

Bicycle: I got a new one! After my old one died (the rain killed it, I swear) I was feeling rather helpless and stranded. So on Friday, just in time for the 4th of July festivities, I ventured up to Hollywood and bought my new ride out of some random dude’s garage. I love you, Craigslist.

She was a little rusty but some steel wool and scrubbing took care of that. Really the bike is in great shape and kind of completely perfect for me. I now even know a tiny bit about Raleigh bicycles. Yes, I googled it almost as soon as I got home. NERD.

Here she is:



Photography: (I know, I’m going out of order here) Back in December I purchased my friend’s old Nikon D40X. He was upgrading and since this was the camera I’d be lusting after for months, it was the prefect opportunity. I took it on a road trip and played with it a little but now I’m finally, actually, attempting to learn how to really use it. So far my photo subjects have included flowers, my friends, my cooking experiments, my new bike, bees (poor idea), and an onion (um, better idea than the bees?). I don’t know that I’d call my photography “Good” yet, but I’m learning! I’m pleased. You can see some of my efforts over on Flickr.

And, finally,

Cooking: Quiche! I made one! I’ve been promising my mom I’d post this recipe (I’m only two weeks late) so here it is:



Adapted from Vegetarian Times

Vegetarian Times has this whole cool crust part of the recipe involving phyllo dough but I have to admit to laziness on this part. I went with the store bought Pillsbury variety. Which is apparently vegan, good news for the roommate! Not that she’d eat an egg filled quiche anyway, but I digress.

As they also note in the magazine, a quiche is perfect for customizing. Add the ingredients you love. The original recipe called for Feta cheese, which I don’t really like, so I used Gruyere instead. It also called for a red onion but since I had a yellow one all ready on hand, I went with that.

Crust:
Pillsbury Pie Crust (usually found with the pre-made cookie dough and biscuits and all that stuff)

Filling:
Fresh Spinach (You can also use frozen. 1 10-ounce pkg., thawed and all liquid squeezed out)
1 Yellow onion, finely chopped (depending on the size of your onion, you might not need all of it. I had a bit left over)
½ cup cheese (I used Gruyere, one of my favorites and GREAT for baking)
10 cherry tomatoes, halved

Batter:
2 eggs
1 cup soymilk (or your milk of preference)
pinch ground nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray. Make the crust at this point if you’re going from scratch. Press your crust into the pie pan.
2. Filling: Stir together spinach and onion. Sprinkle cheese over crust. Top with spinach mixture. Arrange tomato halves over quiche.
3. Batter: Whisk together all ingredients in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour quiche batter over the filling in the crust. Set quiche on baking sheet, and bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until top is brown and center is set.

And that’s it. Seriously. How easy is that? If you’re making a bigger pie, it’s ½ cup milk for every egg used.

The recipe really is great. I think my favorite part was the nutmeg. It added such a perfect, subtle touch. The cheese on the bottom keeps the crust from getting too soggy so it held up really nicely for meals over the rest of the week. I think I may actually make another one this week. Maybe trying out a few different ingredients. Maybe not.

Other upcoming culinary adventures: Whole Wheat Pasta Stir Fry (also ganked from Vegetarian Times), a spinach smoothie, and a Rhubarb-Mango crumble my lovely friend posted over on her blog Do Not Feed the Editor.

I suppose that’s enough chatter for now. I should probably actually eat food, not just write about it. And there is more screenplay writing to be done as well. Maybe I’ll even make it outside today.

Unemployment-Land, here I am.

Production: What's for Lunch?

Again, lack of updates! I know! The short version of things to play catch up: I've been working for the last week and a half on some additional photography for a feature up at Warner Bros. in Burbank. Since it's only additional photography it's a super short job. We prepped last week, we shoot four days this week, there's probably a little bit of wrap next week, and then I'm done.

I was all determined to cook myself a lunch for tomorrow but I just got back a little bit ago from watching True Blood at L's and at this point I think it's just going to be a sandwich. Oh well. I have all kinds of exciting, tasty things from the Whole Foods I'm anticipating the eating of.

I love Whole Foods btw. I'm so underwhelmed by most of the groceries out here. We have access to such fabulous local produce and yet the Ralphs and the Pavillions et al manage to stock the worst stuff. That's probably not local and is definitely not fresh. What up with that?

I do like all the farmers market stuff but it really does get pretty expensive. And none of the markets I've been to can compare to what I was used to back east. Farmers markets in NYC? Lovely. If anyone has any LA suggestions for a good one, I'm all ears. Suggest away.

But the Whole Foods! They stock local and fresh and not hideously expensive! Plus, the stores are so awesome people just have to start making out on top of the apples! Those are some seriously exciting apples. (I swear I witnessed just that while shopping for Passover veggies with G. It was the Whole Foods in Manhattan Beach. If you were looking for someone to make out with amidst produce, you might want to try there...)

Do I really have to wake up at 5:30 again tomorrow? I love that I'm working and I am enjoying this job. But damn. Much more than three weeks of this would be exhausting. And would it not be nice to have another PA in the office? Oh you have no idea...

I am really enjoying being up on the lot at WB though, I've really got to say. I absolutely adore zipping along the back lot in the golf cart. Our golf cart is so zippy! Heh, and all the tourists on the studio tours totally stare at me. It's the "Look! Someone making movies!" stare that's a half curiosity, half envy, full of excitement stare. I know it well because I've done it plenty myself. And this is my industry. I'm silly.

Okay, I'm going to make a sandwich for tomorrow, set the auto on the coffee pot (most brilliant feature ever), and get some sleep. We start shooting on Tuesday and I feel like this is going to be a very, very long week.

Food: Blueberry Raspberry (Vegan!) Pie

I know this is completely off topic for this blog, but if film is my first love in life then cooking and baking is my second. And since it's my blog, I'm going to post what I want. Plus, I just haven't had much film related things to say lately. I need to write something!

I made pie!

I went to the Farmer's Market with J and L yesterday, and while none of the veggies were really jumping out at me (although the heirloom tomatoes were kind of delicious) the blueberries would not let me pass them by. And man were those raspberries good too... I had to get them. I had to make pie.

So last night as J was watching the MTV movie awards, KT was flying in from PHX, and DL was putting up our kitchen shelf (don't ask?), I made pie!

I've been experimenting with various Vegan pie crust recipes for the last couple of years and I think this one might just be my winner. It wasn't perfect but for a first go I'm very pleased. The flavor is definitely there. I think I overworked it a bit so it's not as flaky as it should be, but I'm confident that on a second try this crust will be the one.

I also didn't have any cornstarch as my first recipe called for so I worked on a different one that used flour for the filling instead. And instead of just blueberries I added the raspberries as well. It came out to be 2 parts blueberry, 1 part raspberry and 100% delicious. I don't think I'd change a thing on the filling.

Only other thing to note is that our oven ended up running a little cold. I've sort of noticed this cooking before but since this is the first time I've made pie in it, I wasn't sure what exactly my time adjustment needed to be. It did take a lot longer than I thought it would, but the pie was baked evenly in the end and looks lovely.

I'm very pleased with this effort.




Blueberry Raspberry Pie Recipe

Crust:

* 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 to 2/3 cup canola oil
* 3 to 4 tablespoons soymilk

Filling:

* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Butter (I use Earth Balance, in keeping with the Vegan thing)

Crust:

Into a 9-inch pie plate, sift together the flour, sugar, and the salt. In a glass measuring cup, whisk together 1/2 cup salad oil and 3 tablespoons milk with a fork. Pour that over the flour mixture in pie plate and mix with a fork until all flour is evenly dampened. If it is still too dry to work with your hands, mix a little more oil with a little milk and add to flour mixture. With your hands press the dough evenly against the bottom and up the sides of the pie pan, allowing the excess to fall on the counter. (This will be the top crumble crust and is about 1/3 of the total crust mixture.) Sweep it into your hand and reserve in a small bowl. Crimp the edges of the bottom crust or use a fork dipped in milk to flatten the crust along the rim.

Filling:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Sprinkle the berries with Lemon Juice. Set aside. Combine the dry ingredients. Add to the berries and stir evenly. Add the filling to the crust.Then with an ordinary teaspoon, place little 1/2 teaspoons soft butter evenly over the top of the berry filling.

Crumble the reserved crust on top of the pie.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Check it after 30 minutes. If crust is getting golden but pie filling is not quite congealed, tent the pie with aluminum foil to keep crust from getting too brown.

Let cool and then enjoy the hell out of it!
****

Recipes I worked off of are here:

Used this for the crust: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-live/pollys-perfect-blueberry-pie-recipe/index.html
-For the "Salad Oil" I used canola which is what we had in the house. I really like the flavor so I don't know if I'll change that next time all though it will be fun to experiment with some different oils.
-I substituted Soy milk for the regular milk. I think I might try using vanilla sometime as well.
-Next time I'm going to sift the flour more. And try and handle the crust less. The actual mixing the crust in the pie dish was interesting and worked surprisingly well. This is messy though so I recommend covering your surface with wax paper first.

For the filling: http://www.recipezaar.com/Blueberry-Pie-24521
-Like I said, this only 2 parts blueberry, 1 raspberry.
-I didn't measure the lemon juice, I just squeezed a quarter of a fresh lemon over the berries.
-I did not use any salt. I'm not a big fan of salt in cooking. I avoid it whenever possible
-I ended up using slightly more cinnamon and added about an equal amount of nutmeg, maybe a slightly bit less. I always just add the spices to taste and, as anyone who's tried my cooking knows, I like my cinnamon!
-I'm really very pleased with how the filling turned out. I can't think of one thing I'd change.

The Cary Grant List

Has it really been over two months since my last post? Ouch. I really have no excuse other than that life happened, my apologies!

Last week I decided I wanted to watch more Cary Grant movies. Cary Grant is wonderful and I had watched His Girl Friday at the beginning of the month; I'm in the mood for more. So after scouring the internet and bugging my friends for recommendations, I have put together this following list. I actually got quite a few excellent recommendations but decided to cap the list at ten. Make it something manageable to get through!

I will always take more recommendations though! Feel free to leave them in the comments. And let me know any thoughts you have on these! Follow the links for info from IMDB.



The Cary Grant List

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) dir. Frank Capra

Bringing Up Baby (1938) dir. Howard Hawks

Charade (1963) dir. Stanley Donen

Father Goose (1964) dir. Ralph Nelson

Holiday (1938) dir. George Cukor

I Was A Male War Bride (1949) dir. Howard Hawks

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) dir. H.C. Potter

Operation Petticoat (1959) dir. Blake Edwards

Penny Serenade (1941) dir. George Stevens

Suspicion (1941) dir. Alfred Hitchcock

I would write more about Grant and these films but I think it would make more sense to do that AFTER I've watched them. Don't you think?

Review: Coraline

Coraline is a movie that I have waited years to see. I read the book back in college and I couldn’t wait to see it when it was finally brought to the big screen. Based on the young adult novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman (one of my favorite authors) and brought to the screen by Nightmare Before Christmas’s director Henry Selick, Coraline is a fantasy adventure story that has an appeal for an audience of all ages.

The story opens as 11-year-old Coraline Jones moves into a pretty pink house on a hill with her workaholic parents. Coraline, not Caroline, has one big problem. She’s bored. Her parents ignore her, her neighbors are weird, and the house is full of old leaky windows, boring pictures, and unexciting doors. That is, unexciting except for one. A strange, small, old door has been locked and papered over. Why? What’s behind it? Naturally Coraline must know.

Much to her disappointment, her mother unlocks the door with the big, old key only to reveal a wall of bricks. There’s nothing else there. Or is there?

After night falls Coraline discovers that behind that door lives her Other parents and they don’t ignore her. The old actresses who live downstairs, Miss Spink and Miss Forcible are much more interesting, and Mr. Bobinsky, the man in the attic, has an Amazing Mouse Circus. And best of all, Coraline’s one friend Wybie doesn’t talk. It’s all wonderful, as long as you ignore the ghost children in the closet and the fact that everyone in this Other world has buttons for eyes.

The story of Coraline can be seen a number of different ways. An adventure story for the kids, for that door actually does lead somewhere and that somewhere is a fantastical Other world. Or a horror story for adults; that Other world is a creation of the Other Mother, a monster who feeds on the souls of children. Or for many, it’s stands somewhere in between, bringing forth a medley of emotions including fear, wonder, longing, and excitement.

And Coraline is exciting. From the story to its technical achievements, Henry Selick gives us a film that does not disappoint. Visually it’s stunning, the animation that I’m sure looks great in 2-D looks incredible in 3-D. 3-D is really the way to see this movie. Laika Entertainment has really outdone itself here. The thing about the 3-D in Coraline is not how things jump out at you, it’s not about the gimmick, it’s how the images fall away. The 3-D enhances the film. This world has a real depth and Coraline is the best example I’ve seen so far of the potential of the 3-D technology.

Don’t worry if you’ve missed the 3-D though, Coraline is still worth seeing. Beyond that, the stop-motion animation is still superb. It’s colorful and vibrant. The character’s all look as one might imagine they would while reading the book. It’s clever as well. One of my favorite bits is how, in the Other Mother’s world, the animators reveal that a theater Coraline enters is filled not with people but with little dogs. As Coraline follows the usher, also a dog, to her seat, the camera shows us the back of the chairs. And sticking out between them are dozens of little wagging tails. It’s adorable and the film is filled with many similar moments, just as striking.

The important thing about this film and all of these elements is how they come together to not just give us a faithful adaptation but also a great movie. Sure, there are plenty of changes from Neil Gaiman’s book. For one thing, Coraline’s friend Wybie did not exist in the book. However, by adding him to the movie Selick gives someone for Coraline to play off of. He helps to not only move the plot along but also to develop her character. Where in a novel you can read paragraphs of a character’s inner monologue, you can’t do that in a film. So a character like Wybie is introduced to serve the same function. And he’s a cute character! Honestly I think my only complaint on the adaptation is that the Cat didn’t have more dialogue. He really has all of the best lines in the book. Oh well, I guess we can’t have everything!

A question that a lot of parents seem to have is “Is this movie too scary for my kids?” I think the answer is that it depends on your kids. It wouldn’t have been too scary for me but by the time I was Coraline’s age X-Files was all ready my favorite show. It is rated PG and I think it’s definitely one of those movies where a little judgment on the part of parents is needed. If your kid doesn’t like scary things, don’t take them to see it. The Other Mother is a monster and she can be scary. If your kid can deal with stories of the boogeyman, you’re probably okay. If you’re not sure, there’s a book out there that’s a quick and easy read. Give Neil Gaiman’s novel a chance; it will give you a good idea of how scary the movie is going to be. They’re both on about the same level.

Of course, I say use your judgment in a world where parents take their kids to see Watchmen. If you’re going to take them to that, please, reconsider and give them something a little more age appropriate. Coraline is still in theaters after all.

I really am very pleased by this film. Until I watched it (twice) I was still ambivalent about the idea of 3-D movies. Now I’m very excited. Henry Selick and Laika have done an excellent job in bringing Neil Gaiman’s fabulous story to life. It’s great film that’s definitely worth seeing, at least once.

Coraline features the voice talents of Dakota Fanning as Coraline Jones, Teri Hatcher as Mother/Other Mother, John Hodgman as Father/Other Father, Robert Bailey Jr. as Wybie, and Keith David as Cat.

Review: Clueless

When Amy Heckerling’s brilliant teen version of Emma hit the big screens back in 1995, I was still in middle school. I remember being utterly fascinated by the vision of teenaged California beauty that was laid before me. Was that what high school was going to be like? Plaid skirts and cell phones, cool cars and parties, romance and fun? I especially liked the idea of the plaid skirts. And that really cool computer program Cher had to help her dress herself in the morning (I still wish I had something like that!). Alas, reality is not nearly as glamorous. I didn’t get a cell phone until I went to college.

Luckily for Clueless, it doesn’t need a firm base in reality to work. It’s a fantasy that is layered, nuanced, and intelligent. Based on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless is about Beverly Hills princess Cher and her group of upper crust friends. Cher and best friend Dionne are the two most popular girls in the school. The film follows their exploits, everything from creating romance between two cranky teachers to making over the new girl in school. There are parties, charities, classes, shopping, romance, debate… and very little homework.

Cher is a sixteen-year-old beauty queen who lives with her father in their palatial Beverly Hills mansion. After Cher and Dionne decide to try their hands at matchmaking and make-overs, Cher naturally must learn that her friends are actually all quite good as they are. Roles switch, Cher realizes she’s in love, and after attempting to make herself over, there’s a happy ending. The lesson in the end is to accept people as they are. And that possibly love is closer at hand than one may initially think.

Clueless after all is a teen comedy, there’s always a happy ending. While it occasionally brushes on touchier topics, it doesn’t try to be any more serious than that. The biggest issue it deals with is virginity and when the right time to lose it might be. Good one-liners, plenty of entertaining bits, and fun characters all come together to give us a charming and infinitely watchable movie.

The cast includes Alicia Silverstone as Cher, Stacy Dash, Brittany Murphy, Donald Faison, Breckin Meyer, Jeremy Sisto, Wallace Shawn, and Paul Rudd as Cher’s love interest (and step-brother) Josh. Everyone in the ensemble does a great job but Silverstone definitely stands out. She’s perfect as Cher, the right mix of ditz, charm, and occasional, surprising insight.

Clueless is more than just another brainless teen movie. It set the bar in the nineties and many of the teen movies that followed borrow heavily from it. Despite its Beverly Hills surface, Clueless has a script that is full of comedic wit and charm. It hits the right combination of satire and sincerity.

I’m always a fan of a story that features a likeable female protagonist. While Cher is perfectly capable of being incredibly silly, ultimately her concern for others and a desire to do good for her friends wins out.

In the years since it’s release it’s since been followed up by a string of other successful teen movies featuring female protagonists including Mean Girls and Ten Things I Hate About You (another adaptation). It’s also Heckerling’s second foray into the teen genre, her first being the favorite Fast Times At Ridgemont High.

Of course, having been released over a decade ago it’s natural to wonder how Clueless holds up. I think the nostalgia it induces works in its favor. The soundtrack is poppy, the wardrobe is very ‘90s, but the tunes and threads bring back good memories rather than feel dated. Ultimately the story is one that continues to work, no matter how much time has gone by.

Clueless is ultimately a movie for girls that the boys can still get a laugh out of. It’s a nice change of pace from the normal testosterone infused fair offered at the Cineplex. Even though I’ve long since graduated from middle school, it still remains one of my favorite teen flicks. It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon in or a girl’s night with your friends.

There are currently several DVD options available. The standard, no frills edition that is pretty bare on the special features was the first released. That's since been discontinued as a new edition (the Special Whatever! edition) was released in 2005. It includes a number of features that does the movie much more justice. Definitely worth the less than $15 price tag.

Review: Revolutionary Road

From the very beginning Revolutionary Road makes it clear that it is not going to be an easy film to watch. We’re thrown into the midst of a domestic meltdown and enveloped by an overwhelming sense of frustration and claustrophobia. Sam Mendes pulls no punches in giving us this adaptation of Richard Yates’s 1961 novel. Revolutionary Road is a depressing journey through a maze of self-pity and broken dreams.

According to everyone who knows them, Frank and April Wheeler are “special.” They move into that little house on Revolutionary Road with dreams of greatness. They are there starting their family but they are determined to stay above the boring normalcy of suburbia. They both know that they are better than those around them, one day they may even move to Paris. Of course, reality overcomes them and year after year they find themselves falling deeper into the trap they’ve set for themselves.

Set in 1950’s Connecticut, the film follows the Wheelers at the point in their lives where they realize that their dreams are slipping from their grasps. How special can Frank possibly be in his mid-level job at the same company his father made a living working for? How talented is April when she can’t even make it as an amateur performer in the community theater? If they’re not better than their neighbors, what are they?

The thing about both April and Frank is that neither one of them is very likeable. The longer the movie goes on, the more painful it becomes to watch, the more contemptible they both become. They are living in a world of self-delusion and each expects the impossible from the other. They are on a path leading to their mutual destruction and the only question becomes how many causalities will they cause along the way.

Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio unite in this Sam Mendes film (for anyone who’s forgotten, we first saw them together in James Cameron’s epic disaster Titanic). I must say that their onscreen relationship has only improved with age. While still a pretty boy, Dicaprio has proved himself a serious actor. The acclaim Winslet has received for both this film and the Reader is well deserved. Their characters may not be likeable, but they’re not supposed to be. Both actors accomplish exactly what they need to and the emotions they choke out of their roles are overwhelming.

The film itself is amazing. The cinematography is gorgeous; Roger Deakins continues to prove himself one of the best cinematographers out there. The production design, costumes, and make-up all work to not only bring to life this 1950’s suburbia, but to give weight to the sense of impending doom even as Frank and April struggle to make things “right.”

The biggest problem in this film is not that we are asked to relate to two people whom have no real redeeming qualities, it’s that Sam Mendes gives us no opportunity for emotional release. The tension builds and builds and builds but there is never a moment of catharsis. We are never allowed to let our tears go. It’s a hard film to watch and a harder film to walk away from.

Revolutionary Road is up there as one of the best films from 2008. However it’s an incredibly hard film to watch, monumentally depressing, and unless you focus solely on it’s technical achievements don’t expect to feel good in anyway after the credits roll.

Review: Watchmen

Alan Moore’s Watchmen is an interesting creature; critically acclaimed, held in high esteem by a small but hardcore group of fans, until it’s feature film debut this month it was virtually unknown by the mainstream. Not just a long form comic, it justifies the phrase “Graphic Novel.” And until now it was believed to be unfilmable.

Which begs the question; does Zach Snyder’s adaptation prove Watchmen is filmable? Obviously, it’s been filmed. How successfully is up for debate.

For those not familiar with the film or the comic, Watchmen takes place in an alternate version of 1985. We’ve won in Vietnam, Nixon has been reelected for a third term, and the Cold War is still going strong. Russia is moving into Afghanistan, the doomsday clock is set permanently to five minutes to midnight. Oh yeah, and Superheroes are real. Ozymandias, Rorschach, Comedian, Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, all ordinary citizens who happen to like fighting crime and wearing a mask. The only one amongst them all who has any real super power is Dr. Manhattan.

Watchmen is a history study of the evolution of these heroes; from the gimmicky Minutemen of the days following WWII to the Watchmen themselves. The story goes from their early glory, to the public backlash that leads to masks being outlawed, and finally to the present day and their redemption. These “Superheroes” are human and flawed. Watchmen is as much satire as it is case study. Where is the line between good and evil? Where does morality lie? What makes a hero and who is really the villain?

The complexity of Watchmen is what makes it so great. It’s not where the story goes, but how it goes about getting there. It’s this complexity that made many fans believe it could not be made into a movie. It’s also what had those same fans waiting over two decades to see if they were right while they secretly (or not so secretly) hoped they were wrong.

Early on fans heard rumors that the ending of Watchmen had been changed. “No Squid!” circled the internet. Honestly though, I think the film would have benefited from more changes. The Squid works well enough in the book (either you’ve read the book so I’m not spoiling anything or you haven’t, in which case you have no idea what I’m talking about) but I can’t imagine that working very well on screen, astronomical CGI costs aside. Losing the squid was not tragic and the ending could have potentially worked fine without it. What makes the ending of the graphic novel so effective are all of the details. It’s all the accumulation of all the small tragedies. The imagery in the film is evocative of September 11th for sure, but it doesn’t have the same human face. It’s sterilized.

I think the failure of this ending serves to highlight Zach Snyder’s failure in this film as a whole. He is able to mimic the visual style and tone from the Graphic Novel but he fails in the nuances. Snyder’s Watchmen is a high-testosterone fan boy’s wet dream. It looks great, has plenty of sex and violence, but it’s lacking the maturity to know when enough is enough. Sometimes you just need to say, “Cut!” I can agree that the action sequences look cool but really, I got the point that Comedian is losing the fight. He could have gone out the window two minutes earlier and we would have lost nothing.

Speaking of Comedian, how great is Jeffrey Dean Morgan? The casting in general is great. While I wouldn’t have minded a slightly older Laurie, Malin Ackerman surprised me. I was expecting much worse. Carla Gugino’s make-up could have been improved, Matthew Goode’s build was a little odd for Adrian, and a couple of other minor complaints but for the most part I loved everyone. Occasionally I had moments of pity for the actors, some of the scenes were just god-awful, but the actors themselves did what they could with what they were given. In some instances they were competent, in others they excelled.

The three standouts for me, and I think for most everyone, are Morgan as Comedian, Patrick Wilson as Dan Dreiberg, and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach. I don’t even know where to begin in expressing my delight with Haley. From his voice to his posture to his expressions, he’s perfect. Absolutely, spot on. He is Rorschach; it’s as simple as that. It’s a rare thing to see someone bring a character to life so completely (Dark Knight comparisons are obvious here, I think). Haley’s performance alone makes Watchmen worth it for me.

As a fan of the comic, I went into this movie expecting the worst. I’m happy to say that that’s not what we get. Watchmen, while not great, is far from horrible. It’s flawed in many ways and I think the blame for that falls completely to Zach Snyder. He’s great at preserving the visual feel of these comics, but he’s not a very good director. His character development is atrocious (a problem 300 had as well), his music selection juvenile (we’re supposed to be watching a movie, not a music video for Sound of Silence), and he just doesn’t know when, or how, to step away from the source material. The 163 minute running time is cumbersome, to say the least.

I'd just like to point out that the graphic novel is the source material, the inspiration. It's not supposed to be the storyboard. There are scenes that are almost frame for frame lifted from the comic. While cool maybe once or twice, here or there, it's just unnecessary. The direction frequently comes across as pandering to fan boy sensibilities rather than focusing on making a good film.

Despite all of this Watchmen manages to remain a decent film. The problem for fans of the comic is going to be in seeing all of the ways in which a change could have been made to make this a better Movie. For people new to the story the problem may come in trying to follow the complex narrative. However, on both sides there is plenty of room for enjoyment. In fact, I have yet to come across anyone, fan or not, who hasn’t liked the movie. Everyone has at least a small complaint but we all agree that we enjoyed it.

For all of its flaws, Watchmen is a cultural experience worth being a part of. It’s worth giving a chance.

***

One of my favorite parts of the whole damn movie is the opening credit sequence. Watch it again online.

Links: M4M in LA

Medicine For Melancholy at the Laemmle Sunset 5

What Justin says:

Come see the little movie that could starting this weekend at the Sunset 5! Wyatt, Tracey and Barry will be there for Q&A's after the 8 & 10pm screenings.

ALSO! Watch us lose to Charlie Kaufman at The Independent Spirit Awards this Saturday on IFC Channel or AMC (www.spiritawards.com)

Also, be sure to watch the Spirit Awards this weekend! I'm out of town but I definitely have my DVR set. Steve Coogan is hosting and it promises to be a good show. Support independent film!

Links: A Quick Couple

Maybe good news for California film? I don't know, but I certainly hope there's some good news from somewhere soon.

Film Tax Incentive in CA

And a quick video:

Obama's Elf



Plus a longer one:

Boing Boing Video: David Byrne "The People Tree"

Links: Book of Caleb and Colbert Report

As if I didn't all ready love HULU enough.



The Book of Caleb, that little ol' movie I worked on out in Bucks County way back in the day, is now available on HULU for your watching pleasure. I love how the internet is giving us all of these fabulous new ways to see indie film.

Watch away!

AND!

I really have to share tonight's Colbert Report. Mostly for the bit about Neil Gaiman and his NEWBERY AWARD winning The Graveyard Book. But that stuff with Steve Martin was pretty good too. Yeah.

What was that about?

ALSO:

In actual life stuff, I have an interview for a job as an APOC on a pilot tomorrow. Wish me luck friends!

And Coraline opens this weekend (speaking of Neil Gaiman love). It's only in 3D for a few weeks apparently so you should go this weekend! If, you know, you like 3D and all that. I know I do.

Links: Medicine in Filmmaker

My second Medicine for Melancholy post of the day, but seriously this movie is worth it.

Cover of Filmmaker Magazine.

Go check out the link and then GO WATCH THE FILM.

It's really phenomenal and more than worth seeing. Go! Now!

Links: Medicine for Melancholy playing in NYC

Check it:

Links: MUTO: An Ambiguous Animation Painted on Public Walls

A short film that a friend of mine linked me to a while back. It's a very cool little work of art definitely worth checking out. Inspiring, vaguely disturbing, very worth the seven minute running time. Take a look:

MUTO BY BLU

Links: The Future of Film Criticism?

Is the revamped At The Movies the future of film criticism? I certainly hope not. I've only managed to watch clips of the new show, which features the Bens (Mankiewicz and Lyons), not because of a lack of access or time but because of a lack of patience. When people call the commentary shallow I think they're possibly being kind.

Going along with the theme of the decline of film criticism, Ben Lyons in particular is facing the brunt of Film Lovers's discontent. Watch the show once and it's easy to see why. Or just read this LA Times article and you'll get the idea without wasting your time.

Critic Ben Lyons gets many thumbs down

Thoughts: My Weekend in Film 12/9

Before I say anything about anything, can I mention that yesterday was completely ridiculous? Because it was. Completely. It was busy from (literally) the second I walked into the office. Maybe I'll go into the details later but it included everything from an incredibly stupid mistake by me (try booking a car in the wrong city) to having a bird shit on my head. No kidding. That was awesome.

Okay, enough of that.

The first thing I want to mention (or would this be the second? Whatever...) is that the film that was once called Kids In America (and is now apparently called Young Americans) seems to have finally gotten a release date. KIA was my first gig as an Office PA. We shot out in Phoenix back at the beginning of '07 and for a long time there's been no word on when the film would actually be released. Until now. Now, according to IMDB, Kids In America aka Young Americans will be coming out on January 30, 2009. Of course, this is IMDB and therefore not always 100% reliable. And these things are always subject to change. But it's exciting and maybe it's even a little bit true. I'm not sure I really want to give them money to let me in the theater to watch it, but I am curious. We'll see I suppose.

Onto the weekend.

Friday PM:

We wrapped a little on the late side and by the time I got home I barely felt like dinner, let alone going out anywhere. So J and I parked in front of the TV, grabbed some drinks, and wandered through the oh so interesting programming that occupies the Friday night schedule. Luckily IFC was there to rescue us from the other mediocre options we were presented with.

They were totally showing Reefer Madness.

J and I decided that this crazy guy is awesome.

J has more of a relationship with the flick than I do, having once owned it on VHS. The only time I've seen it has been streaming online (I once watched it over the course of two days during a particularly boring stretch at ANTM). The reefer madness never really entered my life until I was a little older.

Reefer Madness is a riot. It's "scare tactics" really only serve to glorify the use of Marijuana. Those "awful" parties the kids go to look like a blast to me. Dancing, drinking, making out with strangers... what's so bad about that??? I guess there is always the madness, murder, and mayhem that eventually ensues. Eh, whatever!

The transfer on IFC looked not horrible but man oh man did that sound bad. I guess Reefer Madness isn't the kind of fare Criterion is going to pick up and restore anytime soon. Can't say I blame them. It's entertaining, maybe even subversive, and definitely exploitative but yeah. It's Reefer Madness.

And being that it's in the public domain, it's available online for watchin'.

After Reefer Madness I actually attempted to give The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake a chance. Um. Bad call. Not only is it awful (it's really awful) it's just plain, straight boring. After 40 minutes I just could not take anymore of Jessica Biel's stomach. I mean sure, it's a nice stomach, but come on.



And that guy who plays her fiance? So trashy! Why do movies and television always stick the absurdly hot girl with the really gross guy? It's so not fair. I mean, I know it's playing into a male fantasy, letting your regular Joe guys imagine for a second that they could ever have a chance with a girl like that (yeah right). But come on. NO FAIR. Chicks watch these movies too. If you're going to give Jessica's stomach that much screen time, at least give me a comparable set of male abs to stare at too.

TCM 2000 sucks.

*It's also bad beyond her stomach. It's just more of the same, slicked up Hollywood Horror. It has none of the grittiness or raw energy of the original. It looks horrible. It completely fails at building tension. And it's boring. I'm not really sure which offense is worse.

Saturday Afternoon:



After a lazy morning and moderately productive early afternoon, I finally got into my Friday Night Lights marathon. I watched the first four episodes of season 1 and I love it. It's so good! The show shot in what's very much so Peter Berg's style so it looks incredibly cinematic. Which is to say it looks good. Beyond the visuals though, what really makes the show great, is the story telling and the character treatment. The writing is just brilliant. These people come across as "real"; their relationships, the plot developments, the depiction of life in a small football town, it's all believable. I'm completely hooked.

I hear season 2 isn't as good but after what I've seen of season 1 I will watch all of it and be glad for it.

Sunday:

Another reason why I love TCM (Turner Classic Movies not Texas Chainsaw Massacre): all day Sunday they were doing a Disney movie marathon.

I started with:

Swiss Family Robinson



I adore Swiss Family Robinson. What kid wouldn't love that story of adventure? fighting Pirates, chasing off tigers, wrestling giant snakes, and living in the coolest tree house imaginable. No wonder they all decide to stay on the island. I wouldn't want to leave either!

Followed By:

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea



This movie was always one of my favorites as a kid. Personally, I think it shows my good taste. The stellar cast alone is reason to watch. Kirk Douglas, Petter Lorre, James Mason. Damn that's some casting. Sure the effects look a little cheesy now but I can still appreciate how groundbreaking they were for the time.

Kirk Douglas's little song routine is still one of my favorites ever. I'm not a huge fan of musical things, but I love that song.

Followed By

Old Yeller



Is it weird that I never saw this as a kid?

Followed By

The Parent Trap

Which I didn't actually watch because I had to go grocery shopping and eat and run to the airport to pick-up K.

Followed By

Pollyanna



It's been YEARS since I last saw Pollyanna. I still think the "Glad Game" is silly but I like the movie. I'd still really like to see the silent version starring Mary Pickford.

I'd also really like to see Happy-Go-Lucky. An apparently modern take on the story. It's been getting pretty good reviews and sounds fun.

***

Apologies for the brevity, but it's another busy day in the office. We wrap shooting today so probably needless to say, there's a lot going on. Moving all of the wrap gifts from the office to our cars not being the least of it. But yes, enough slacking for me. Back to work.

***

On the Slate:

I honestly don't really know. Haven't had time to think about it.

Links: Ebert's Top 20 of '08

Ebert's posted his list of favorite movies from 2008. And rather than doing the normal list of 10 he's gone and made a list of 20. Good for him.

It's an interesting list. There's a lot on it I haven't seen yet but it encompasses a wide range, including everything from Iron Man to Ballast. I don't know if I agree with all of his selections but it's a fun list nonetheless.

Check it: Roger Ebert's Best of '08

Thoughts: Film Independent's Spirit Awards and M4M

Film Independent announced the Spirit Award Nominees today. You can see the full list at their website. The Awards will be held on February 21st and be broadcast on IFC.

M4M has been nominated for Best First Feature (Barry Jenkins, Justin Barber), Best Cinematography (James Laxton), and the Acura Someone to Watch Award (Barry Jenkins).

Congratulations to Medicine for Melancholy, Justin, Barry, James, and everyone else for their nominations!

Thoughts: My Weekend in Film 12/1

Hi! I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I drove out to Phoenix for the holiday to spend some time with my family. It was nice minus the six hour return drive that took nine hours. There was food, I cooked, my grandmother was in town from Florida, I didn't have to work, I slept. The family drove up to Sedona for an afternoon and I enjoyed the lovely scenery. Of course I forgot my camera and failed to take pictures. Oops. The drive was tiring but it's always nice to be with family on the holidays.

My brain is a bit sluggish at the moment, still slow from the Holiday or something. Bear with me.

Thursday:

After delicious food (turkey for the family, homemade veggie pot pie for myself), wine, and pie, we all settled on the couch and chilled out while we digested.



Fox Movie Channel was running a Planet of the Apes marathon and we ended up watching the original Planet of the Apes.

It's really been a while since I've seen it. In fact, I think Tim Burton's version was actually the last Ape movie I'd seen (I am NOT a fan). I do still enjoy the original. They take themselves so seriously. And of course I remember the first time I saw the ending, and how I really was shocked. I actually watched the movie before I was old enough to have had the ending spoiled for me. So I had no idea that the twist was coming.

One thing about watching movies like this with my family though. Especially with my dad. He never "remembers" anything (which is just silly, he remembers plenty but likes to play like he's forgotten). So of course we're sitting there watching, he wanders off for the last five minutes and then comes back and asks "What happened? Where are they?" My mom says "Come on, you remember Planet of the Apes!" Which of course he does. "Oh yeah, that's what happened, right?" as he lists off all of the major plot points of the last half hour.

Yes dad, yes it was.

Normal banter in my house. Oh family.

Friday PM:

I guess I must be insane because I actually agreed to go to the mall on Friday. It was kind of terrifying. I'm excited that I once again own pants that fit me (I have an issue with that. All of my pants seem to have gotten to be too large for me in the last year). I also finally bought a new pair of sneakers. I should perhaps try and do that more frequently than once every two years.

I did manage to survive the rabid hordes and eventually made it home to the safety of my living room. After Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and time reading Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, everyone kind of wandered off and I had the TV to myself. Ovation TV was running Andy Warhol themed programming all weekend and I decided to watch I Shot Andy Warhol.



I haven't watched the film since college (I watched it as part of a Women In Film retrospective type thing). I remembered liking Lili Taylor in it a lot, being somewhat shocked by certain parts of it, and just enjoying it as it fed into my fascination with Andy Warhol and that period in NYC.

I still find that scene intriguing. The people and personalities involved, the art and music and film, the lifestyle. I wish I could have seen The Factory, been a part of that at least peripherally. Or maybe not The Factory exactly. But that sort of creative scene.

Anyway. I Shot Andy Warhol is cool.

Saturday PM:

Australia. I had to see it. I'm a fan of Baz Luhrmann, I like romance and daring and adventure, I think Australia is a pretty neat looking place.



Watching the film, I couldn't help but be reminded of many, many other movies. Walkabout comes to mind almost immediately (for reasons beyond the obvious shared location) but it's not the only one. Throughout Lurhmann reminds us of old Hollywood, the Westerns, the War Epics, the Love Affairs. I'm a sucker for that sort of thing.

The reviews on this one seem to be split and I feel like it's definitely one of those love it or hate it films. I loved it.

Doesn't hurt that Hugh Jackman looks AMAZING. I finally understand his being named Sexiest Man of the Year. Indeed. Also, that kiss between

What really stood out for me though was Brandon Walters. Walters plays Nullah, the half white, half aboriginal child whose fate much of the plot revolves around. Walters is incredible. His performance is definitely something special.

Sunday:

Before embarking on what would turn out to be one of the worst drives ever, I ate delicious apple pancakes. And then I watched Joe Wright's adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. Wright also directed last year's Atonement and the upcoming (eventually) The Soloist.



Atonement is ok, it's one of those movies that I liked less the more I thought about it, but I still really enjoy Pride & Prejudice. I like Keira Knightly as Lizzie Bennett (and everyone else as the rest of the Bennetts). Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite books, it's such a great story with fabulous characters, and I enjoy the different adaptations of it. It's true though that Matthew Macfadyen is no Colin Firth. I still think Firth's Mr. Darcy is better.

I also wish Wickham had had a bigger role in this film. I felt like that subplot wasn't given enough time to develop. However, considering the film is all ready hitting two hours as it is, I suppose something had to be cut.

That's the hard thing about seeing a book you love adapted into a film. Something usually has to go but as a reader you're loathe to give anything up. It's always an interesting question, is the movie a good film or a good adaptation? Sometimes it's one, sometimes the other, and every once in a while it actually manages to be both.

Pride & Prejudice is a good movie, a decent adaptation, and a fair amount of fun.

On The Slate:

Friday Night Lights. The TV show. Seasons 1 & 2. I'm excited.

Play Misty For Me and Day for Night, both in from Netflix.

And maybe some James Bond although at this point I'm beginning to lose hope. So sad!

Links: The End

This is pretty cool if you've got some time to waste. Or just want something interesting floating in the background.

The End

(watch it as a slide show)