Friday, November 30, 2018

Jim Acosta is a Fucking Tool And An Enemy To Press

CNN "reporter" Jim Acosta seemed to be really shocked when his White House press badge was confiscated for asking Trump about something he didn't want to talk about.
To make matters worse, Acosta wouldn't hand over the mic when a White House intern attempted to take the mic away.
Bro, you aren't a journalist at that point, you are an activist.
Now I'm all for freedom of speech, despite what Yahoo and all other media attempts to prevent. Yes, you fucking shitheads obviously side with Leftist bullshit, which create people like me. Perhaps that is your end game. Truth, people like Acosta don't give a flying fuck about the public or the truth. He got his limelight and is most likely jerking off to his own image.

Obama had confiscated press badges in the past with little to no outrage. Why? You know why. He got away with a lot. The one that comes to mind is allowing a 12 year old Muslim fuck into the White House when he clearly made a bomb. The outrage was quickly doused by the press since...well, he certainly felt it reasonable to asses the fucking retarded kid for making a bomb and bringing it to school. Dude, it was a bomb and meant to fuck with people. I would've gave him more points for admitting so. But Jive Barry took time off his busy schedule to clarify that it wasn't a bomb and that it was a clock. Yeah, I take his word for it. So don't give me any jive about whether or not it was a bomb or clock. That punk fuck knew what it was. Just made you look more stupid for saying it wasn't. Most definitely lost my respect for the Oval office.

That said, I do find it strange that CNN is so backpedaling on its stance on "the truth" when it doesn't dare rock the boat on blasting Nancy Pelosi and the old Dems still wanting her to be the Speaker. Find it funny actually, considering they're going right down the same path that put their most hated Orange fella there in the first place. Hey, jerkwads...it didn't work the first time. A new film came out called "The Front Runner" which places a little bit of blame on the media for sensationalizing Gary Hart's run for the presidency. Hart quit after a massive media scandal attempted to derail him first. That makes him a coward. And, pretty sure no one wants to see a movie about a spineless turd. That was run by The Washington Post, a liberal rag. So, Leftist, here's a clue...the media was what fucked you in the first place. The fuck do you want to lean on them now? They are now and have been for a long time entertainment, and that is all they are. Why do they put pretty people in there anyway? It's acting, dummies. If you believe the media or press, you are fucking retarded. Don't believe this blog either, think for yourself.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

20 Tips On How To Stop Boozing

A friend contacted me last night about how to get her friend to sober up...because she just hit two D.U.I.s

I suggested a few things, perhaps something here can help...

1) write everything down. If you've ever read my earlier blogs, it's mostly gibberish. Because I was sobering up. Your anxiety shoots up to a million and it has to go somewhere. Why not write?

2) Forget Alcoholics Anonymous. While championed to hold a monopoly on the cure to booze, I don't think it helps too many people out. Check out the recidivism rate for real facts.

3) now that you have free time NOT being boozy, the worst is filling up that time. How about making a list of things you want to buy with the money you save. Notice I didn't say "buy shit." Most people buy a ton of shit when they shake loose addiction. Don't. Just make a list. It does feel good.

4) Read and actual book. I would read celebrity bios. They're entertaining mostly because they speak about their own addictions. Don't read any on the Rat Pack. Obvious reason there.

5) Make something. Look, once you quit drinking you're going to be REALLY boring. Or at least think you are. Most people aren't that interesting sober.

6) remember writing? Write out a piece of dialogue you had drunk...IF you can remember

7) Hang out with sober friends. Drinking friends can return to your life, but not before you dry out yourself and don't have the craving for booze.

8) replace the sugar you lost. You know, in the 60's (I think) there was something called "The Wine Diet" which essentially used wine to lose weight. Once you lose a lot of your body's reliance on sugar, you will gain weight in other ways. Being antsy causes one to eat salty snacks. Being fat is better than having a busted liver.

9) call someone. For the most part, you'll be going through this alone. It sucks. I can't sugar coat it. Once you sit on your couch twiddling your thumbs about no more access to booze, it gets very lonely. Reach out to an old friend. Talk about it. There is no longer shame in your weakness.

10) Don't EVER say you quit drinking. The word "quit" to a lot of prideful people means giving up. And that spirals into drinking again. I've been to bars recently to (essentially) babysit a friend who still drinks. I look around and realize it's a VERY social thing. I saw big titted women who drank to feel less inhibited (if you can believe that). You never quit, you just get back to it if you want.

11) Eat healthier, if you can. Carrot sticks are good. Keeps your mouth busy. Also drinking soda water. It fills the void of the motion of drinking. Everything is really a ritualistic thing. Eat, smoke, drink, fuck. Repeat. You take one thing away, it feels odd. Start replacing each thing if possible.

12) Read about people who've fucked up their lives over booze. Plenty of stories that scare you straight. It also might clue you into why, at the core, you drink. For me, it was the sense of inadequacy. That hasn't changed HOWEVER, what has changed is how I manage it. I stay away from people who tend to undermine your ability. In fact, fight back about that. You are never inadequate. You are you.

13) exercise. The gym has been a salvation for me. I use to drink heavy and then detox there. Now I just detox from eating Fritos.

14) Purpose. Most people drink because they feel they have no purpose. Why most of Ohio booze it up. Purpose. This cure most inadequacies.

15) Stop fooling yourself. The common thing I see most, are people who lack a ton of self awareness. OR accept it and make light of it. Yes, that's good. Except when you've become deluded. You aren't a drunk and a party animal. And because others are doing it doesn't make it more acceptable. In fact, being a unique individual means celebrating it without having to booze.

16) Holidays are the worst for not boozing. It's a time when people get together with family to drink because nothing else is going on. I get it. My oddest memory is laying underneath my parents' Christmas tree (which I'd just put up) with a handle of Clan MacGregor blitzed out. They didn't think much of it, which is odd. This is the hardest scenario to dodge booze. I would suggest leaning towards the grandparents or better yet, leave. You really have no clue how boring a party is until you stop drinking.

17) Pinpoint your anger. I've been an angry drunk more times than a happy one. Here's what I see, you people who are happy drunks are more miserable than angry drunks simply because you are drinking to hide inward anger. Being upset with life is normal. Accepting this pain is normal. Drinking to feel better about it is NOT. Numbing this pain only means you face it later. Or in other ways. Angry drunks are just stupid irresponsible people. Reckless behavior. In short, angry drunk=hurt others happy drunks=hurt themselves.

18) stop your excuses. If you want to drink...drink. But don't give people a reason. "Hey, it's beer thirty" or "it's 5PM somewhere." These catchphrases are for frat boys who haven't grown up. If you want a drink, just drink. The rest of that fun time banter is hiding the fact that you want to drink in the morning hours.

19) Build or fix something. I think a sense of accomplishment fulfills having a purpose. Hobbies that you can design or make with your hands gives you a lot of that. A birdhouse, oil change, repair something broken. All these things make you feel so much better. I recently fixed some issues with an old computer. That was a sense of accomplishment.

20) Go out into fresh air. I know people tell you to hike (which goes with exercise). But a simple walk somewhere foreign is kind of nice. Go to a park where you know you can just listen to a breeze blow by. Or do a road trip to the desert or to a different city and visit their local diner. When you move around, you really don't have much time to think about booze. Yes, these thoughts pop up from time to time, but the more you stay active...less focus on drinking.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Influences

This generation of filmmakers...I do have hope for. The serious ones anyway. A lot are influenced by directors who were influenced by people who actually read for a living. While this is not a good thing when it comes to making good stories, at the very least, we know they have great taste.

My influences go a bit further back. In my years, at 22 years, I watched 50's films. So we're talking the 90's to the 50's. I would assume the directors in their 20's today would be guided by films of the 60's. Probably some are. But it seems to be a void there somehow. I really hated 70's cinema until I stepped back a little to understand why it paved the way for the more raw gritty shoot from the hip style. The 60's had large musicals (still) and didn't tackle too many topics until the late 60's. Obviously "Easy Rider" began the trend of "independent film" funded by a failing lackluster Hollywood studio too hopped up on drugs to care. Also...Vietnam War.

I think this generation seems to embrace the darkness of the 80's. 90's and 2000's cinema was so...buoyant. 80's comedies are suited for television or re-booted as Stephen King horror dramas. In an odd way, meant more for tone and less for content. The 80's cinema...I haven't heard anyone in their 20's to 30's cite an influential film in this era (c'mon people "Unforgiven" or "Silence of the Lambs"?!). I think they probably saw the 80's the way we did...frivolity.

I did watch Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver" in my teen years...a LOT. Only to discover later, writer Phil Schrader felt the ones who embraced it were fucking nuts. Yep. As I grow older, my favorite directors are Billy Wilder, Preston Sturges and Hal Ashby. Though I think George Roy Hill doesn't get appreciated enough. Nor does Frank Capra. I'm not sure the new crop of filmmakers ever truly study construction of story and film like we use to. I look at the youngsters who just graduated college and know there's a vacancy there.

I have a director friend now, who I was truly alarmed to realize how little he's actually seen.

Friday, November 23, 2018

"Suspiria" (2018)

"It smells like cunt...I think" Paul Lynde

The new reboot of "Suspiria" is a languishing bore, pretentious as shit, BUT brilliantly made. The tone of the film nails what that period (pun intended) feels like.
It's a dance academy in Berlin during the late 70's. A runaway Ohio chick finds this place that is willing to take her in...since she has...the shine. I mean...she is touched by some being. Witch crafty. A darker cornier spell casting odd ball story of a lost of innocence told through the eyes of a future prima donna. The dance sequences are well choreographed, yet...there is a massive emptiness to the set up. Perhaps I was hoping for a more Hollywood version of the Dario Argento original. Which, in all honesty, I tried twice to get through when I was a teenager. Fuck, it's got naked witches. Too bad. What it felt like was...well, you can smell the worse parts of women. Which, if you weren't gay going in, you felt gay going out. Surprised to see a lot of homos in the theater I watched it in. The violence is palpable. Miserable, cold and wet. They nailed the tone. Unfortunately, to trek through the muck means having to wait and wait and...wait until you get to some point. Which there is none that I can get to. I think it's drawing some message about women against women. Or...maybe old replaces new. Or following your dreams ends in nightmares. Or...I give up. Neither existed in Argento's either. I'm still not sure why either is considered an interesting story.

I continue to pity the ones who sunk their faith in the niche crowd who wants this to be good. Sure, the music by Goblin in the original gave it an original feel, this time Thom Yorke injects it with a different tone. I sense a nod to Stanley Kubrick's abrasive atonal guttural drone.

The other thing is the over-stylization of something very mundane. While it also winks at a similar mystery as say...Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now," somehow it remains...quaint. Operatic bloody pulpy ending doesn't save it, it only punctuates the mess we already see. Dakota Johnson is the lead...sort of. She seems to be a deer in headlights, over-her-head type. Which you never sense any level of fear. Which is a massive no-no in storytelling. And speaking of which, how the fuck do you tell this witch story around any campfire before the first kid is passed out asleep before the horror. It's not scary, it's not horrific, and...well, it really lacks the atmosphere I was desperately hoping for. You wait too long to get payoff. And it doesn't even exist. Director Luca Guardino made a splash with gay-as-shit "Call Me By Your Name" which is equally as banal. I think the self-importance kills any chance this movie had.
Try again, pal. This time, stop boring people.

Thanksgiving 2018

What are you grateful for?
To me, everything. Family friends and just being able to eat a good meal at a favorite restaurant. Though I'm more sluggish these days with being tired...I press forward in my goal to help people with THEIR goals. I think that's a goal.
Some people don't listen though. That's their choice. I have a friend now who has overextended his lifestyle beyond anything I can afford. I have a full time job and do a little bit of side work to supplement my living. This person is living real tight on money. But he also refuses to live any less. Or rather, doesn't see how he could. This is perplexing at the logic level, but does make sense when you unpack it.

When I lived in Sherman Oaks, I had two other roommates. Then it became one. I took over the payments of that other room and used it as storage. The money was tight, but I enjoyed paying for it if it meant my camera gear didn't have to be in storage. It's a lot for a somewhat young person to take over. At the time I was also heavily drinking, so it was a poor financial decision.
But through ten years living in that apartment, there were so many flakes and weirdos and friends and girlfriends and parties and...memories. All which I am grateful for, since it was the full experience. That said, I can see why most people who get into entertainment don't want to grow up. Most don't. To be honest. The country had to force it on us, to take responsibility for our bad behavior of sexual harassment. When Hollywood went corporate, we all had to "adult-up" But to be perfectly clear, there are many many people who transitioned easier than our party generation. This new Millenials seem like douchebags, which they are, but they're also ridiculous responsible (except for my nephew). The people getting into the movie business now seem so lacking of humor. They are laser focused to conquer. I THINK I remember being that uber-serious. But I can't remember. I'm sure a Baby Boomer took a look at me on set and thought I was just a jackass. Hard to say.

But Thanksgiving isn't about how we murdered those savage Indians for the better. Because, we benefited from genocide. It's to remind ourselves that we are better off NOT being Indians. Or something like that.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Michelle Obama Wrote a Book...

...and the Leftist media cannot wait to shout from the rooftops what a best seller it is.
A few things about the bios in general:
First, the writer is most likely not the writer. It's pounded flat and pulverized into oblivion by lawyers until it becomes just the basic shit we already knew from news and nutjob rumor bins.
Second, the fuck is someone like her writing a book? She isn't interesting. And it isn't her fault. IF you do your White House gig right, the most you could write about is how you mistook chardonnay for chablis. The rest is ugly boring. Your day to day growing up into marrying someone who made you important. Most First Ladies aren't interesting. That's why in 300+ years, rumors are much more fascinating. We love to hate cackley witch Hillary, or mention addiction plagued Betty Ford. Or model-esque yet cold Jacqueline Kennedy, BUT, that's us telling your story. Not you. When you do it, it's sanitized. Unless of course you spend a few sentences blasting Orange dude Donald Trump.
Listen, you dumb cunt, putting him in your little book makes you a terrible human being. Especially since you left out the whole thing about letting your daughter intern with Harvey Weinstein. Even the dimmest of Leftist bulbs knows you vetted his ass thoroughly, knew his past but still allowed it. Here's how I'd spin it...you did it because he was influential to a career your daughter was interested in, and made a grave mistake. You know what? Americans would forgive you. Except your enemies. Which wouldn't have fodder to blast you with (like me). Also, you haven't lived a life worth remembering. I doubt I could go into anywhere in your hometown and ask one major contribution that set you apart from a wife of a typical CEO. You bought off-the-rack for your wedding and spent nothing on it, and married well. That doesn't make you extraordinary.
But, digging not so much more deeper, the truth? Some publisher offered you $60+ million advanced to write it. Fuck, I'd make shit up and throw in Trump if that were on the table. I don't even like money, but a chance at an easy paycheck like that came along...why not?

Actually, a lot of it is about how racist Americans are and how she had little faith in Barack being President of The United States because we're racist. I'm sure this indictment extends to the Black community as well. Or not, when Americans proved her wrong. Yet, curious how she doesn't back peddle on that.

Her true racism (systemic bigotry) shines thru and never will change. Her judgement of the world has obviously been clouded by terrible childhood from some traumatic event in direct correlation of victimizing herself with race. You can tell. She belongs in my generation where we hid a lot of terrible events, even moreso the society that accepted it.
Enjoy the payday.

Independent Film Budgets

So you want to make movies on the legit, eh?

People often ask me how much it costs to shoot on film.
The simple math...as of 2018 it's about $1000 per usable minute.
In other words, if you're movie is 15 minutes, count on spending $15,000
This number changes depending on how crafty you are in terms of what type of deals you can sling.
For me, it is the perfect math. And it typically comes out this way. My films are about 3-4 minutes long and it does come out to be about $3500. This includes costumes, makeup, film, processing film and so forth. Again, this number could go up say if you have to buy a new hard drive or your location costs more. I own my own film cameras and lenses. It fluctuates to what you're willing to spend really.

I broke it down recently for a co-worker who wondered...IF I were to do it without having the cost of scanning and buying/renting everything on the up and up.
Let's say, legitimately speaking...with all the union numbers involved as well. To keep it basic, let's say it's two people talking at a restaurant, one man, one woman on a three page script

As of 2018

Renting a 16mm film camera=$700/day this affords you camera and one lens

Film= for 4 minute scene...and shooting on super16mm, one 400 foot can of film costs about $160. With a 5 to 1 shooting ratio, you need 20 minutes of footage to cover. I suggest you get 1200 feet (33 minutes) of film since you have to take into consideration if bad things happen. The contingency roll is nice to have. That's $480

Processing film is about .21c foot. Let's say you shoot it all...that's $252.
Location for a restaurant...IF you're lucky...about $1300/day. Depending on what type and how busy, you could just build a set.

Insurance for everything is about $500 for one day. This is because there are no stunts. Just two people sitting and talking. You do any physical fight, the price goes up. And they do ask this.

For two actors at actor's scale (from what I remember)... that's $600 per person=$1200

Production Designer: $500
art department=$500 (2 people)
hair and makeup=$500
craft services and meals for crew: $1000 (seriously it's that much, if it's not pizza)

Cinematographer minimum=$600/day
assistant camera=$400
second assistant/loader/clapper=$200

Gaffer=$500
electrician=(need two, small set)=$500
grip=(need two)=$250

Sound=$500
Boom operator=$300

Lighting and grip equipment=dependent on what lights and what grip...let's say we spend about $2000, since you can light with very little on small set

Truck rental=$200 (grip can drive truck, though keep it under 2 ton and no air brakes or you need union driver)

Let's leave post out of it, since editing, sound mixing, vfx and so forth wildly fluctuates and people often forget. THIS you should NEVER forget to budget for. It's the worse, since it seems once you get past the low budget shoot, you are too exhausted and broke to understand you have to spend MORE on this part to get it done right.

The final tally for our 4 minute film about two people sitting and talking (if we did it legit)?
$12,382

Some would say it's the film that sets you back. But shooting with feature level digital cameras set you back about $1500/day camera rental. Without a lens.

Typical studio action flicks start at least $100,000/day. And now you know why.


Monday, November 19, 2018

Evelyn Keyes

I've been reading this really filthy biography of a woman who portrayed the younger sister of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind"
I'm not entirely sure what inspired me to get this book, but fuck...is it filthy. She fucked everything that wasn't bolted down. Then fucked that.
And it's fun.
I love stories of shitty Hollywood. Back in the 30's to the 60's, most of Hollywood had no equal when it came to mentally unstable sexual deviancy. In fact, they celebrated it. As a kid watching these old movies, it's hard to imagine this woman taking so much dick. As did Vivien Leigh, who played Scarlett O'Hara, who also had some unsavory habits.
I don't imagine most women are angels in the least. And it has gotten to sink in that most are probably much more perverted than men. But society sort of reels them in a bit. It's "unlady like" to sit with your legs spread open. Miss Manners would admonish you for elbows being on table. You didn't walk alone at night. Meanwhile, they were getting their pussies grabbed...oh wait...of course that never happened.
The other thing...if you go on Instagram now, it's odd to see women wantonly show as much as possible, sometimes even more skin than I've ever seen in Playboy in the 90's. It's a shame we are losing shame. Because a tantalizing woman means so much more than a whore in sheep's clothing. But I digress, listening to this nutjob women vomit their sexual escapades is fun to read. It confirms a lot about women who want to make it in Hollywood, and somehow also exonerates Harvey Weinstein. More shocking is how he hasn't been a whistle blower in terms of trading sexual favors for favorable roles in movies. Hard to imagine Gwen Paltrow moving so far in this business if she couldn't take it in the ass like a champ. Her pop was Bruch Paltrow, but still. It also makes me reconsider all the talent on the edge that never made it. Sad if they blew a producer and STILL failed...I'm trying to recall all those women who had a glimpse of fame then quickly disappeared. The French actresses, such as Catherine Denueve, have been pretty vocal about the bullshit these #metoo bandwagon bitches have latched onto. It seems like sour grapes that some women were willing to trade their trim for a better role, but then turn around and claim it a crime. Perhaps it is. Who knows? But for a lot of powerless unattractive dudes who spent hours wanting to get powerful to grab ass (Johnny Hyde) it is no longer the place to do so. What a shame.

Alyssa Milano vs. Georgia

When Stacy Abrams (D), who would've been the first black governor of the state of Georgia lost to Brian Kemp (R) a group of celebrities took up the cause of what they claim was an unfair election. Unfair...since Kemp had been accused of voter suppression prior to the final tally. Having had a 60,000 vote lead, Abrams finally conceded that Kemp had emerged victorious but did not admit defeat.
Huh?
Weaponized by Oprah Winfrey, who has disappeared in all this, celebs got together to boycott Georgia.
Atlanta, as some of our industry knows, is Hollywood east due to massive tax breaks the state gives to productions shooting there. It's been so lucrative, Tyler Perry built a massive backlot studio that has been rented out to productions from the West.

Here's the problem with Milano's ill conceived boycott.
For one thing...who fucking cares what you think?
The second, the bottom line has always been, always will be the bottom line. If the state wants to give Hollywood lucrative production tax breaks, guess what? They don't give a fuck what you think. Incidentally, most of Hollywood's money is now given to them by China. Guess who China could give a shit about? Black women. Though not often mentioned, they don't want Black women in their movies. Nor Blacks in general, yet we have not gotten to label them racists. Why? Because they happen to be minorities in the United States, and quite honestly...they get away with this shit for it. My parents didn't hire Blacks, Mexicans and occasionally had ONE White dude come by to fix things when broken. No one called them out. Ever. To this day, we actually prefer our Chinese restaurants be manned by Chinese people. I would say, most get uneasy when Mexicans attempt real Chinese cuisine.
Call me bigoted, I'm just pointing out what is reality.

Back to Stacy Abrams. It's not to say she didn't have a point. Most elections are rigged, if you consider people spending a shit-ton of money to get a job that wouldn't pay back that costs...ever. It's really stupid, unless you consider she is the mouthpiece of powerful rich people who collectively attempted to will her to the top. People like Oprah and a lot of Hollywood. The working class Hollywood couldn't give a flying fuck. Gays and Blacks seem to care the most. Or women who have been injured by...the same people who you now defend. Let's be honest, there is no way Alyssa Milano survived the 90's unscathed and molested and raped.
Though the boycott is simply a laughable cry for attention, it really shines a light on a darker moment in our business which is the aftermath of sexually assaulted victims. Milano is a victim. Of the industry that also bought her fame. Most Americans would argue that she is now biting the hand that fed her. Or rather, lashing out at the ones who didn't harm her. Which begs the question...when would she be satisfied with her accomplishments. Men in Hollywood are deathly afraid of any salacious events. They've turned the tide of under represented people in our business. Not them, per se, but the recent events of outrage. Through this, I still refuse to take what I didn't earn. Those deeply rooted in the business would consider me retarded for not taking advantage. The White men are endangered species to my brown face coming in and getting anything I do approved. Watch any film that deals with the bygone days of nepotism and casting couch shenanigans to see this. The gays have skated gleefully thus far. But after the White man...the Velvet mafia should be next.
Me? I just choose never to be at the charity of the people who abused their status in the business. There are massively petty celebrity nutcases (as witnessed through this midterm election). These are not the people you want to be beholden to. The inequities weren't because heterosexual White males controlled Hollywood. Quite the opposite if you believe stories about David Geffen.
I think this "boycott" is fool hardy and simple minded. The hard working people of Georgia don't care whether Samantha Micelli doesn't make another movie. These folks just want to go to work and just live a content life. Carrot dangling the bright lights does nothing for people just trying to keep their homes. All it does is make them resentful and vote even more Conservative to prove you can't hold them hostage. This is where "Gone With The Wind" created deep pride in their past. And continually hammering them for their more Conservative beliefs buys you no friends.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

"Widows" (2018)

I'm not sure what you expect of this film about women turning to heisting money from their dead husband's debt to gangsters, but...somehow it navigated the mess it potentially could be, and silences a lot of questions of logic because it is...a traditional tough guy flick with girls instead of guys. Leading the pack is Viola Davis, whose Droopy eyed exhausted Black woman schtick isn't taken to comedic moments, but real ones. Hard ones. Ones where you genuinely feel the deep cut this movie makes on women who have lost everything. MANY Conservatives may not feel the empathy for a woman whose entire lifestyle was predicated on a criminal husband. Nor would they feel a twinge of sympathy when true tragedy strikes her. But none of it has to do with a moral high ground. Life in urban Chicago is what it is, and in the end...life moves on at a snails pace where nothing really changes.
I think this was more of an indictment on the Leftist stronghold in that area. Run by the disenfranchised Blacks who, on one side, just want to own a piece of land, on the other have to do terrible things to get there (less you forget Joseph Kennedy was a bootlegger). This isn't the lesson. This is purely about women who have no other options. They aren't all good. Nor are they all bad. They are trying to move on with their lifestyle, but going about it the wrong way.
Okay, so now, if you've read this far, I'm sure this doesn't sound like anything you would want to watch. But I think many people should. It isn't pointing the finger at any person. But rather showing you how tough city women live. Widows are tough women. They survived their spouse's death and need to push forward. They justify their past lives. They...are sometimes betrayed by their own past.
But this is also a fascinating 70's style tough person movie. It ISN'T a heist film. That takes place only for about 10 minutes. It is a female bonding film, that could have been.
I'm purposely being vague so you go see it.
Enjoyed the film written by Gillian Flynn and Steve McQueen. And Directed by Steve McQueen.
I think it deserves a few Oscar nods.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

William Goldman R.I.P.

Writer William Goldman passed away.
He was the most influential writer, to me, when I desperately wanted to write screenplays. This blog is inspired by his own insights into the movie business. Everyone in Hollywood credits him with the infamous line "No one knows anything." And true to form, Hollywood embraced that and took pride in how they have zero ideas what the public wants, but can only pretend they do.

I love that love/hate with the business. Though Mr. Goldman's life is less glamorous than you would think. I think most writers are. He was a self-affacing, probably could've been a stand-up comic. I've read all his books about the business. Some juicy behind the scenes stories of the in-fighting of some of his most celebrated movies. Though he himself only saw flaws, even his bad movies were good.
I learned a TON from this man. Especially that we shouldn't take this business all that seriously.
He somehow was also the Zelig of writing. Not particularly a good student, and he didn't really care for movies (except for "Something About Mary" within the industry he was a screenwriting guru. Doctoring many scripts we didn't even know about. Or some, like "Good Will Hunting" he's been credited for but has taken a more...cheeky approach to answer those questions (read "Which Lie Did I Tell?")
Above all...Mr. Goldman taught me that movies are suppose to have a buoyant quality to them. "Butch Cassidy..." was irreverent to the ultra serious Western. Or "The Princess Bride" was a tongue-in-cheek approach at fairy tales LONG before Pixar tackled them. Or "Misery" had Kathy Bates be humorous even in her most monstrous state. These are what movies are made for.
Though I often mention Billy Wilder, who co-wrote most of his films, Goldman strictly stuck to writing. Or teaching...
Brillance.
His insight, needs to be discovered by the young writers today.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Value Your Craft

If I were to give advice to people who wanted to make it in the movie business, I'd say a few things.
The very first thing is "value your craft." Forget fame and fortune. Your craft is the only thing you can truly call your own, since it's really the only thing you can control.

Most young people find fame on social media. These things require very little craft and a LOT of promotion. Like Kim Khardashian who literally does nothing, if earning lots of money by showing you large ass or tits, enjoy the fruits of your labor.

I don't think this is too satisfying for those who love the skill of filmmaking or acting.
If you follow the trends, you are dead. Know who you are and what you can do.
This is not to say, Instagram models or social media influencers DON'T value their craft, but it is getting harder and harder to see that solid work pays off more than...overnight success based on nothing more than tit shots. If you don't care, as most don't seem to, then more power to you. The world can use more tits.

If you value your craft, rejection is a small set back. And boy, you are going to get some major rejections. Though not as barbaric as in my day, or worse, in the days of Cecil B. Demille, rejection is harder when you value your craft, but more rewarding when someone sees you are serious.

Ignore what is going around you unless it has to do with your craft. There are many reasons why you were rejected or accepted. A LOT of times it has very little to do with talent, but your look. Yeah, counter to what I just said. HOWEVER, the gem is when you find a person with a look AND they can act. And you are in front of the right person. That is the diamond in the rough. Be that person.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Film Fan or Film Maker

I've mentioned this before, but I think it needs to be said again. There are two types of people in this business. Film fans and filmmakers. A film fan becomes a movie critic. They can dissect the film from an academic standpoint, but couldn't make a movie to save their lives. The nuts and bolts and sacrifice doesn't compute with a film fan. There are a few who have bridged this gap. Directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Peter Bogdonavich both seem to possess a wealth of film knowledge as does Martin Scorsese, BUT...if you watch their movies, they are derivatives of stories they've seen. Tarantino gets the worst of it, since his movies are essentially, the greatest hits of movies of the underground. He's a mix tape artist, but still...they are entertaining enough...but after the first viewing.
Scorsese is probably the most celebrated of film fans. Though, in HIS defense, he studied the craft of his favorite directors. His trivia is based a lot on HOW a movie is made rather then the content itself. Everyone I graduated with in film school were film fans. Needless to say, none are working in the business anymore. Some do it peripherally. Like teach film studies. But it's NOTHING like production. Even today's production is guided by film fans and not film makers.

It may seem sour of me to say, but I really don't like film fans. I consider myself a film watcher. And I defend my own taste as most other people do. But, in reality, I love the craft itself. Yes, I know...you've heard me say how much I HATE being on set. I do. But there is also the comraderie that does come with pushing the boulder up a hill together. And then, actually putting physical pieces of film together (for which NO ONE does anymore). I do it when film breaks during a scan.

It also sounds elitist of me to say. But I have plenty of friends who study film and are convinced they know how to put a movie together. Absolutely true. ANYONE can make a movie. Seriously. ANYONE. But it also takes craft. And craft takes FOREVER to learn. Some do have inherent talent that is envious to people who struggle. I recall being grossly jealous at this new generation that grew up with a camera in their hands and instantly knew what made the best images...compositionally. It always irked me it came so easy for them.

A film craftsman LOVES the artistry of putting these things together. Every bit. Though, in my case, the post production side is daunting. Most people prefer sitting quietly chiseling away at their images to form a story. It's excruciating to me to whittle it away. Because I know what goes into those images. Film images more than anything. I am also very envious of the people who aren't married to their images. That's one I still try to learn from.

Film fans can be filmmakers, don't get me wrong. But it takes separating something you saw and want to emulate (yeah yeah yeah, everything is copied from something else). But, most film fans are aggravating in that they can't get past a movie they want to copy. "That shot from 'Touch Of Evil'!" Or they "Jaws" shot where you push in and zoom out. Blah. That's film fan talk.
Most of this town are film fans. Very few are filmmakers. I continue to work at being the latter.

Monday, November 12, 2018

Dirty Juicy Gossip

According to some sources, an article in Esquire magazine is about to come out that spotlights the homosexuals in Hollywood.
At the top of the list, which is baffling to me, is George Clooney. Sorry George...you're my homie from the 'Nati but he is closer and closer to being the Rock Hudson of our day. This explosive news isn't going to be startling for some but for me...goddamn it. The guy was smooth, Cary Grant like and...well, that dude got some dirt about being homo as well.

Here's the deal, after maybe a few months possibly a year, people will stop caring. Yes, it's going to make some people really uncomfortable. I would say, save that for when the real hate comes out. The Conservatives will hate him more for being a liberal, point their claw finger and admonish his deviance. The rest of the country wouldn't give a flying fuck. I do, only because it's weird to know because he went as Cloon-tang for so long. Okay, just to me and people who remember late 90's lingo.

Would it surprise you now if say...Leo DiCaprio is a fruit? Probably not. Chances are, most actors are. This is eye-opening simply because the entire industry seemed to have gone more grope-y towards women. Perhaps it's the old executives that do this.

So, not that I am the "you heard it here first" guy. Since most of you know this already. But, get ready for the next celebrity hot topic.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Thousand Oaks, California Shooting

12 people were killed when an ex-Marine, most likely suffering from post traumatic stress disorder blasted a bar and dance club.
I live about 16 miles from Thousands Oaks and don't go to bars anymore. But that specific night was set aside for people under 21 and they were teaching country line dancing. This is where it gets weird...
...a man who had survived the Las Vegas shooting was one of the casualties of this shooting. Goes to show, maybe Death and fate go hand in hand. It needs souls to live.

I'm very glad I don't frequent bars or clubs anymore. They were a waste of money. Though, shootings happen everywhere now. Could be movie theater, shopping malls or wherever someone may have a beef.
Another strange thing...the gun man had stopped his spree to post on social media.
I often wonder how much this effects our pea brains. Are we even prepared to handle rejection on a global level. I'm sure big tittied woman flaunting themselves with balls out confidence drives the "involuntary celibates" nuts. Especially for a soldier who only saw male ass for months or years (unless you're in the Navy).

America needs to stop loving guns so much. It's fucking annoying how people think more people need guns. There's so many already. I just can't imagine having to tell a family member that they will no longer be coming home. Especially this close to the holidays. Just awful.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Fires Of California

So you want to live in California?
Be careful what you wish for, because we are on FIRE!
Jimi Hendrix said it best "roll over Rover and let Jimi take over"
Okay that wasn't best, but it's a bad ass song.
People about 14 miles away from me have been evacuated, mandatorily. That means they have to go...somewhere else like a hotel while they wait to hear if their stuff  burned down. My location is in the city so it's hard to imagine it getting this close. But anything could happen. The smell is in the air. The cars are covered with ash.
Nothing saves us from the devastation of something so quick (and seemingly) so random. I suspect arson, all the time. These forest areas which should be maintained by California parks, seem to slack a little. Maybe they're being underfunded because the fucking management is spending money on defending illegal immigration.

The northern Californians and the southern Californians are being hit. So you can't say "God hates the homos"Maybe you can. The rest of the United States seems to be unsympathetic to the people affected. Many are working class people who don't have anything anymore. Try rebuilding your life after the age of 30. My natural reaction was to join in the hate. Because people who can afford to buy a house are probably evil greedy fucks. But, fire doesn't give a fuck. A guy could've spent his inheritance on a home where he was going to raise his family in. Or a Mexican mechanic spent his whole life saving for a home. Or a Chinese immigrant won it in some opium den (just kidding folks).

People in our country are suffering, especially this close to holidays. Remember to be grateful and thankful.

Friday, November 9, 2018

Job Security

Sorry for being a bit bitchy about the voting thing. Just really fed up with people arguing over shit they have very little control over. I think if you really wanted to make a difference, get to the ground level and help people as much as you can. That's what I did. That's what really made me more aware, some people don't want your fucking help. Or...they never stop wanting help.

I work with a guy who is a staunch liberal. He has no idea why other than he's from Thailand and it's what they're suppose to do. He's a baby boomer who talks like Rain Man. Incredibly paranoid about losing his job. He's near retirement age and he is afraid of a job...uh...only a handful of people in this world know how to do. He's pretty fucking stupid. Unless he's heard something I haven't.
He believes corporate don't care about people at all. That's true. I will never dispute that. What I am wondering is how a man this late in life worries this much about it. He's bought his own house and has a son (in his own words not mine) is a successful lawyer. Maybe he's lying his ass off to pay off a gambling debt. Who know. He is a kind man, but as a co-worker who saw our recent debate, we got to see who he really was. A scared child in the land of LA.
I get it. My car shit on me today, and I don't really rely on anyone to grouse to (unless you consider a blog a person). I have money to fix. More importantly, I have money to buy. But I really don't care about luxury items. My friend recently purchased a sleek BMW. It's a comfy ride. You can tell a lot of money in engineering went into it for creature comforts. Too bad when it starts to shit the bed, it's going to cost a ton to deal with. And the monthly payments are fucking shit.

Not that I prefer living in fear of my car breaking down on me when I'm most needed. I get the ol' Thai guy's fear. I can tell people all the time that there are only a handful of people who do what I do. Granted, they would have to train them for a few weeks, maybe months. It takes years to get proficient though or inspire confidence that you won't fuck up their project.
Experts are always in constant pain of being outed as a phony. Or that someone somewhere out there knows more and can do it cheaper. Sound familiar?
Making films is really the only place where your voice is unique.
Wow, this started out as working your civic duty and downshifted to cars and job security.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Did You Vote?! Huh? Huh? Did ya?!

Of course you did. You wore your sticker to tell the world. Also, you pestered other people the importance. Men have died in battle for people to post on social media what a civic minded person they are. Meanwhile, more than half find ways to get out of jury duty. Fuck yourselves. Also, women weren't able to vote until like 1920. Motion pictures were around 20 years before women were allowed to vote. And guess what, this many years later...society has proven us right. They vote by emotion. God forbid a woman with hot flashes or pregnant gets in a booth. Just kidding folks!

I like that Americans vote. Though, the aftermath are candidates crying about how the vote counts were wrong, or equipment malfunctioned or illegal voters are voting. Or people use dead people to vote (Democrats and episode of "The Simpsons"). It's really for the Hollywood crowd to pretend they give a shit about America. Massive Lefties out here in Los Angeles. Their sole platform was how much they hated Trump and...daylight savings time?! Yep, you read that right, there was some stupid fucking box to vote to do away with it. I only know because the fuckface gym queer told me about it. He was up in a huff (as they are) how it causes strokes and heart attacks. It's one fucking hour. For farmers. His outrage came from the fact that the way to vote for it was "think of the children." They'll have to walk in the dark. True to gay form, his response was "fuck the children." Pal, join the priesthood. Also, I wish I was joking about this dude. He's a great well for Leftist outrage and my mockery.

Glad you guys went out there and voted. I know you need all the attention you can get for issues you haven't even read.
To be fair, I haven't read them either, but I didn't fucking vote. They have people at polls now who make it simple for the dumbest illegal in this town to vote. The ticket just informs you who EXACTLY you should vote for regardless of what they stand for. Fuck Gavin Newsome! But seriously, governors in California are entertainment clowns (Schwarzenegger). Incidentally, all those fucking annoying celebrities who promoted their candidate in states they don't even live in (fucking Oprah, fucking Dave Chapelle, fucking Taylor Swift..oh wait she did). These people fucking lost. You know what that says, you self-absorbed shitheels? Your opinion HURTS a candidate. So shut your fucking faces already, you're annoying. As is Yahoo who censors Rights and promotes Lefts. Lefty brains are too small to understand they don't have to celebrity blow. Righty brains are too narrow to vote against a celeb simply because they're THIS annoying. You're annoying. That's it.
See you in 2020!

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Voting Midterms

Did you vote?
Nope.
Wanna hear a secret?
I've never voted. Ever.
Politics are silly. But these civic justice warriors consider you an enemy if you didn't pick up a sticker after you voted to show the world what a great American you are. Watch the painfully self-aggrandizing photos of them and their stickers today.
That said, I've also have to right to complain publicly for whatever happens or whomever is in charge.
Guess what, fuckers, I don't anyway and neither do you. You're votes are useless and dumb. Ask Hillary Clinton who lost even though she won popular vote. Because the illegals in New York and Los Angeles over-saturated their population doesn't mean your vote counts. Get it? Why don't you move to Montana have a million kids and go from there.

I'll complain here. Because no one cares. And that's cool, because it amuses me to vent about stupid shit. Not that I'm completely self absorbed. It's that when you get older, you REALLY start to see the bullshit. And I applaud all my (supposedly) socially aware friends that they got out there and blindly follow their party lines. Yes, most of my friends are Lefties. Poor dumb idiots. I say the same about the Righties. If they were helpless and throwing a fit. The Left think the Right are dumb hillbillies and the Right think the Left are elitist homosexuals. Both are correct. So there is no budge in either camps. To me, why get worked up over dumb stuff. I tend to shoot down either asshole group that comes at me sideways sniffing out what I believe in. Here's the issue, any one who is so driven by the fact that they are a difference maker or are convincing...aren't. Politicians don't give a flying fuck about you. California runs on color platforms. Not one of these fucking candidates have any real solutions. The campaign ads are suppose to freak you out about one side or the other. The Right hate illegal immigration the Left just hate the Right. No matter what it is, disagree. That's aggravating. Because I really want to support the Left. Unfortunately, the longer you are in California, the more you see how taxpayers are taken advantage of by illegal immigration. Brazenly so. Like a convict who was just released who goes back into the streets at a halfway house rent free (it's across the street from me). This should anger everyone. Well, except for those who live in a decent area and only wonder "Gee, I wonder why we don't do more for the homeless, we should vote in someone from the Left to help." They don't have a heart of gold, people. They do stupid fucking shit with taxes. Like build more housing for them. Which doesn't help. It actually exacerbates the problem. But no one from the "elite" Left want to actually get dirty.
The Right on the other hand want to eradicate the homeless population. But they don't say that. They disguise it in reforms for prison. Or have a hardline approach to it. They're the guys who axed our mental hospitals. For what reason? I've no idea.
So, you see why I don't vote. Ever. You don't matter. No matter which side tells you that.

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Yoga Studio Shooting

Imagine being at your least dressed and most calm and getting an ass full of lead. Fucking people are nuts over nothing.
Here's the deal with the fucking dumb ass who shot up the yoga place leaving two dead, he couldn't get chicks. Then, apparently, he also posted misogynistic videos about it.
This fucking idiot...ANYONE can get chicks. Just not the one you want. My stupid looking ass can get chicks. It's pretty fucking easy if you're not a) fucking creepy b) think they're after your stuff.
The second part sort of negates my search, as I'm convinced that any woman you get hooked up with tends to adjust your living (and vice versa).
That said, I'm not sure where these dudes start freaking out about not getting chicks. Rejection needs to come early and often. That's the fun of life. To be honest, I do re-live my most embarrassing moments trying to get chicks. Most of them were younger than me, so I can't relate worth a shit. The others, because I have a bad habit of staring. Women hate that. They also just want you to be fucking normal. The American culture have built every woman to be narcissistic harpies who needs to keep up with the Joneses. That is true. The majority have fallen into a social media void. Pretending their lives are glamorous. It's easy. Just find the ones who don't do that. Or would rather not present themselves falsely. OR how about one so ugly she refuses to take part. Perfect. Now you also have a great cook. Just kidding, people.
Stop fucking killing women just because you can't fuck them. Oooo..t-shirt idea.

Thursday, November 1, 2018

"First Man" (2018)


I racked my brains trying to understand the dual meaning of "First Man" other than Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon. I suppose if you REALLY consider it, he may be the first man to ever experience something none of us will never experience.

Little is known of astronaut Neil Armstrong's personal life. He was a very introverted person whom we almost could assume suffered from Asperger's. A quiet savant who probably wasn't that much fun at parties. This is why the accomplishment of his life far outweighs the ending that we've all seen. The first man to ever step on the moon. Conspiratorial nutjobs out there claim it never happened, so be it. The other nutjobs think that not including the planting of the flag was a deal breaker. Guess what? The flag is on the moon in the film as is MANY instances where American flags are flown around. Universal wasn't going to allow patriotism to not go unnoticed from one of the most patriotic men in America.
That said, the true accomplishment is to make someone so milquetoast into someone who is ridiculously interesting. A lot of inner turmoil exists on Ryan Gosling's face, which has now been a running gag for a lot of critics. He never emotes. And you get that here too. But, it makes sense for him as Armstrong as you can tell, he wasn't an emotional person. Much has also been seen of Armstrong as an arms length guy which belies his accomplishments. It may be that "The Right Stuff" was the quintessential astronauts movie, this is the ultimate astronaut film.
I HIGHLY recommend this film, in that it puts you into the seat of these guys who are about to have the equivalent of an atom bomb explode underneath them. EVERYTHING about this film drives the essence of the time and the claustrophobia one feels inside. Tight quarters where you hear every creak and groan of a metal beast thrusting into the sky. It is a visceral experience that you feel more than you can comprehend. Without being a simulator, I suspect this is pretty accurate. The turmoil that Armstrong does feel at the loss of his daughter...you sense it. And there are many moments when you feel it really hit the inside of your heart. A man who tries desperately to feel so little feels so much. An awesome achievement from someone so young as director Damien Chazelle. He is in the same league as Spielberg or Abrams.