"Shaun The Sheep" (2015)

Made in 2014 and released at the tail end of 2015...

“Shaun The Sheep” is so unapologetically adorable, you will be unable to NOT enjoy your time watching it. It’s cutesy without being annoying, and fun. The story is simple, but the journey, not so much. And there isn’t any dialogue.

Anyone who wants to get into making movies should watch movies like this. The visuals tell the story.

It begins on the mundane world of sheep herding. Wake up, get ready for the day, wash, rinse, repeat. Shaun, the title character is tired of this daily ritual. One day he is inspired to “take a day off.” To which he enlists the help of the other sheep in the flock to dupe The Farmer. When an accident occurs, in which The Farmer inadvertently travels to “The Big City” The sheep and the sheepdog set off to get The Farmer back.

Please watch this movie. This should be shared with family as it won’t get irritating on repeat views (as something like “Inside Out” would…with the color alone). This is the same fun you have with most Nick Park productions have (“Wallace and Grommet”). It’s on the same level of cuteness and innovative storytelling.

I love this flick.

"Super Dad" (1973)

I first saw this movie in middle school on 16mm film. So I was elated to see it again on 35mm at the New Beverly.

It's a strange movie, in that...it's actually a pretty grim movie, aside from the fact that Bob Crane is in the movie. Take out the deviant nature of the guy, the movie still feels...really sitcom-ish.

The movie is about a father Charlie McCready (Bob Crane), who on the eve of his little girl turning college aged, his biggest worry is that she marry someone...serious. The little girl Wendy (Kathleen Cody) grew up with some beach bums. But they're teenagers so why the fuck would they care about...life. They just want to push that all away. Well, the day has come, and now dad is desperate to see his daughter get serious. So he fakes a scholarship so she would go to his college and marry someone...serious. Times have changed, and we're at the tail end of hippie generation. The fictional college (which I assume is either Berkeley or Stanford) is full of anti-government strife. Wendy falls into the "wrong crowd" and must now be rescued by pop AND a boy she grew up with and loves Bart (Kurt Russell).

A few questions occurred to me this time around...where the fuck is Bart's parents? You would think as these two kids grew up together, the families would also know each other. They are nowhere to be seen.

If he wanted her to go to college and be serious, why does this movie end in a wedding?

Oh well, it's Disney and none of these questions need to be answered, but they are nagging. The movie is also odd in that, it becomes some strange balance between wanting to be a Disney movie and making a serious movie (especially when it comes to confronting hippies). It can't be both. It's uncomfortable as even the threatening villain is so corny. As one patron of the theater put it "he's Bob Ross corny."

This movie is that 70's Disney. Herbie, Darn Cat and that era. I grew up with it, and appreciate the churned out sensibility of...well, optimism despite the more cynical world view. Keep in mind, this movie was made at around the time they were making "Dirty Harry." So a LOT of the language is really outdated. It doesn't seem like Disney knew how to talk like a thug, or know what fear really was. They still had to skate the "kids movie" feel. So...that's that.

I think it's worth a look if you can find it. I like movies that end in weddings. Not sure why. Maybe because the stress drives people batty. "Super Dad" was a failure at the box office, but it is a cool look at Disney in the 70's trying to find an identity in a live action cruel world.

Time Capsule Of Your Life

Because I don't have cable or the internet at home, I watch a lot of broadcast network t.v. I've got a great thing going, in that these days they have channels that sort of mimic cable. For instance, here in Los Angeles, they have the Escape channel (which apparently is across the nation) that gives me episodes of "Snapped!" A show about women murdering boyfriends or husbands. This was reserved for the Oxygen network, but now is syndicated to Escape. This station also shows "FBI Files" and old episodes of "American Justice" or "Unsolved Mysteries" Weird that both the hosts for those two shows are dead (the reboot of "Unsolved Mysteries" had Dennis Farina....yeah, we know Robert Stack is long gone). The original "Unsolved..." was spookier than fuck. Maybe it was Robert Stack's voice. Or the fog he emerged from. The music was just fucking scary, y'all:

Anyway, I stumbled onto a new station called "LAFF" I think it's suppose to be a ripoff of "Comedy Central" But it shows OLD syndicated sitcoms in a row. I get a "Night Court" fix followed by "Drew Carey" then "Grace Under Fire" I'm seriously laughed out by the first episode of "Grace..."

The most alarming part is when I stick around for the closing credits. I see that "Night Court" aired in 1984. FUCK!! I was in 4th grade. We JUST moved into our home in Cincinnati. 31 years ago we're talking and watching the show...it's weird. Because this aired as I was just settling into school with all rich White kids, from the previous school of angry Black kids. As this show was being broadcasted, things seemed so...simple. Then I started to fast forward, and thought...there was no internet at the time. No solid cable t.v. No social media, blogging, Twitter, nothing...just three channels. And "Night Court" was on the air. It threw me for a loop because you can see the sign of the times in the episode. Which, by the way, the comedy STILL holds up

Watching these shows now...sort of puts my life into perspective. Other than I'm now an old loser eating dinner while watching...what is essentially "TV Land" and drinking sparkling water. It also doesn't seem like that long ago. Which is a really odd way to gauge the time you have on Earth. What does the next 30 years bring? Life is so odd.

Shitty 90's Music

I would like to officially apologize for the music from the 90’s. Specifically grunge. Okay, the whole shit show. We gave you HORRIBLE bands or decent bands with horrible music. Soul Asylum, Jesus Jones, Soundgarden, Crash Test Dummies, Pearl Jam, Living Colour, Lenny Kravitz and so forth. This is all garbage. You know we didn’t even have an identity. Even as BAD as the 1980’s were, they committed to cocaine over-sampled over produced pop. Like you could even call it that. I remember living through the 90’s listening to music from the 50’s and 60’s. At least music from the 80’s still had it’s kitschy charm. Pearl Jam is ULTRA whiny. And confusing. Their lyrics were really pretentious. As was the wine swigging weirdo, Eddie Vedder. To give you an idea, even Pearl Jam couldn’t come up with a title for what was eventually called “Ten.”

Fuck Pearl Jam. Nirvana will probably find another wave of fans. Maybe. Their t-shirts are worn in irony now, but I wonder…when I listened to Derek And The Dominos, if any person who grew up in the 60’s considered that music garbage and us stupid. I guess I was fortunate I stuck with Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. I’m really jealous of their music, because it transcends time. Some of SRV is pretty corny, but the good ones far outdo the bad ones. Nothing is going to outdo Arrested Development “Tennessee.” Man that shit is bad.

But you know who transcended all of this? Michael Jackson. Yeah, no shit…his music actually bridged Motown 70’s to dull 50’s remake 80’s, to mundane 90s to the millennium. His tunes do sort of hold up. This is pretty amazing, considering how we’ve changed.

Anyway, music from the 90’s…really really sorry.

Cam Newton: Super Bowl 50

Cam Newton is the star quarterback for the Carolina Panthers that is now playing for the Super Bowl. His recent statement is that African-American QB like him is confusing to White people because they’ve never seen anything like him. Sort of true. He’s a superstar. He would also be only the second full Black QB to win the Super Bowl, if he wins. The other being Doug Williams. I think Russell Wilson is part Black. But that is EXACTLY the issue to which we’re so..divided. Why add to the conversation of being a African-American QB? Oh well. If your asked a question, it’s nice of him to be so honest.

When I first saw Cam play in college, I thought he was brash and arrogant. He was really brought back to Earth in his first two years. That Superman stuff is really garbage. The celebration piloting a shitty team, really gets on your nerves. Well, fuck me, because if you win…I don’t care if you slather yourself in mustard and hump the goal post, YOU DESERVE IT. Yes, excessive celebration is irritating. However, if you’re the other team, this should only mean you beat this fucker. If you can’t, he should be able to dance a jig on your grave. You’re paid to be a professional, so the spoils go to the victors.

If you think about the Panthers, I think you’d find it difficult to name another player. To me, that’s pretty amazing. A team that plays like…a unit. No one player should really pop except for the QB. Hell, they get the blame, so I like the fact that QBs are starting to get more brash. They should. The fucking position has GOT to be stressful. The other thing is that the Panthers have only lost one game in the regular season. My God, that is impressive beyond words. Let’s be real here. Winning a football game in the NFL is an event. Tens of thousands of people have paid a LOT of money to watch you play. Millions others watching at home. What else can you say allows that? So the pressure is ten fold. To win 15 games is ridiculous. Especially playing a position which has been dominated (in the past) by White guys. Does it mean he should be a showboat? It’s never really been a norm yet, so in that sense, hard to decide. But you probably should cut Newton some slack since there really isn’t a precedence.

Okay, so now what happens if he does win? Is he on the mountain with Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or Tom Brady? Not quite. He himself has admitted as representing the face of Black QBs, he does have a responsibility. He’s essentially taken on this duty. And it doesn’t appear he shies away from it. Which is why it seems we are where we are.

The experts do have Carolina Panthers winning this one. To me the bigger story is that another team that’s never won a Super Bowl gets crossed off the short list (yeah, my shitty Bengals still remain). I think that’s a much bigger reason to celebrate.

Norton High School Everyone Gets A Trophy Garbage

You ever get your ass beaten by a parent in a sport?
Teaches you a lesson. That not everyone gets to win.
I recall being blasted in kickball by my middle school teachers back in the late 80's. This was at a time when no one gave a shit about your feelings, the minute you start running your mouth, you get the shit kicked out of you. Great lesson. These days...we want everyone to feel like a winner.

Hot story is, there's this kid with down syndrome who wanted to wrestle. Deven Schuko, an undefeated senior at Norton High, decided (and with a great heart, mind you) that wrestling this kid and letting him get pinned, thus ending an undefeated season, be a good deed. Sorry, it's not. It's good in theory, but misguided in terms of a real lesson.

A lot of us will never get the opportunity to be champs in anything we do. Down syndrome or not. That's the truth. We won't win at everything. Genetics is part of that. I wrestled in the smallest weight class in high school. I sucked. Genetically speaking, I wasn't fit to tangle with boys (you know what I mean). I would feel AWFUL if someone on the other team realized I wasn't up to snuff and threw the match. Better lesson to lose, then to win by phony set up.

I really believe what this kid wanted to do with this other kid was from the heart, but the reality of it was...it's condescending. The true lesson in life, to everyone if you want them to feel equal, is that we don't win. We don't get a trophy. To respect someone, is to treat them as equals. Ass kicking or not, because I think it's much more debilitating to treat someone as a person with affliction, by feigning equality.

Russell Simmons On Being Rich

Russell Simmons is the founder of Dej Jam & Phat Farm clothing. He's inspired and set new styles for the "urban" youth. Black, white...it doesn't matter when it's green.

But he had something fascinating to say on Adam Carolla's podcast in regards to being rich.

See Simmons was rich at a young age. Not by being born into it, but by creating it brick by brick. Mad respect for the guy who earns a living. Even though it's in music I could care less about, it's amazing his reach. On being rich, his advice is...it won't make you happy. Not that he isn't happy having money, but his feeling is that you only have one ass and one comfortable chair. You can buy as many high end thousands of dollars worth of chairs but you can only still sit in one. What did I take from this statement? Be at the content in which you can respect yourself.

Money while buys you certain luxuries can only find short term joy. YES, it purchases comfort. A lot of that comfort (if you really dissect it) has nothing to do with your own comfort, but for someone else's. A lot of guys could live lower than their means, but a lot of their children do not want to.

I love this attitude. It's not hippie dippie socialist garbage. It's actually telling you to find your level of wealth or success that you can live with. To extend yourself causes a hole that may never be filled. Or that you gauge it on others' success. This movie industry is sickened with it. Your failure is my success type attitude. That's poisonous only to you, if you think like that. Simmons is very clear that being rich didn't make him the man he is now. Understanding his wealth did. His extension of wealth at this point is to do good with it. Help others who have ambition. And lead good men into pushing forward to do more good. This is a legacy.

The point of being rich, isn't just to satisfy your own wants. A Ferrari satisfies you for a few minutes, until you realize the hill you climbed to get it. Most people love the journey and don't really care for the destination. All our lives are a journey and we can learn much from this.

Hillary Clinton As President

Wouldn't that be a trip to see a woman's portrait up on the walls of the White House?

I wouldn't vote for her though. This may seem really petty of me to say, but there is something REALLY awkward about having a person be a feminist, but still stay with her husband who is a philandering jerk to further her career. Even if both parties consider it a "business deal" there still is something really disingenuous about Hillary's intentions. To me, that means morals take a back seat to her own ambition. I mean, we're not just talking about Monica Lewinski here...it's a long history of it. And she's not dumb. She probably knew about all these affairs for some time now, and stuck it out for...well, where she is now. I think she would have gained more ground losing Bill...or maybe not, the fact is, she's saddled with weight. No matter how she cuts it. And I would also imagine it to be really embarrassing to even consider it. Nope...zero shame. Moving forward with her ambition.

Should a president have some modicum of dignity? You would think. But she's taking a big pile of manure right into the mouth to push her ambition to be president. It's pretty amazing anyone can have respect for that woman. To put it in perspective, would you advise your girlfriend to dump a cheating husband? And if she doesn't listen to you?

"Jessica Jones"

Caught this at a friend's place.
Show is dumb. Surprise so many people have latched onto it, like the second coming of Jesus (Jones). It's gawd-awful film noir spin with girl acting like a guy acting like a shit. She's not that. And it's like a child playing grown up. Krysten Ritter who plays the titular character isn't a tough chick. She says tough stuff and does tough things, but she seems like she's wearing her mother's clothes. They needed someone surlier. It's not enough she's been through a lot, she seems like she just gotten through high school.
The voice over tough girl act is dumb. Even Harrison Ford knew that attempting it in "Blade Runner." The banter is suppose to be hard boiled. Instead, it's awkward.

Public is dumb. Thank God this show proves that. Now I don't have to feel so stressed putting something together that doesn't have to make complete sense. The popularity of this show just opened doors to terrible copy cats. Looking forward to it.

Super Bowl 50

So the teams are set to meet in Santa Clara, CA. The site of which I saw a Bengals/49ers game.

Denver Broncos & Carolina Panthers.

Yeah, underwhelming. For one, you got Peyton Manning (Denver’s record tieing 8^th Super Bowl) against Cam Newton and a bunch of who-the-fuck-are-they? The only dudes I know is Luke Kuechly. And that’s just because he is a Cincinnati kid. And Ted Ginn Jr. because he played for Ohio State.

I’m a little miffed this investigation into Manning getting delivery of human growth hasn’t been the focus of this win. I’ve wondered in the past how just one year out of  a broken neck injury, he was able to play the next year. Pretty amazing, considering it sidelined Dan Marino for life. Fuck, Manning is only a year younger than me and he’s still on the field with massive angry people who want to injure you. I don’t take that much punishment and I’m just…tired.

You can chalk this up to modern medicine and the ability to fix things, but that’s even more proof, athletes at this caliber are juicing. Consider that in their mind what would be the difference between a doctor injecting you with cortisol to push back ligament damage or numb shoulder pain to a little hormone to recover faster? Ticky tack but EASILY abused.

On the other side is Cam Newton. I’ve been a critic of his for a while. Frankly, seeing him in the line, before the snap count makes you want to throw up. If you’re a defense. He smugly moseys to the center, and releases this long string of air, which sounds like air escaping his fat head. Then he barks out count. But fuck, does the kid have an arm. Early in his career the ball was sailing all over the place. He had the power, not the control. He was the Ricky Vaughn of the NFL. He also panic and ran out of the pocket, as he was good at that in college. In the NFL, you don’t live long doing that. So he wised up there. And holy Hell, his passes are dangerous. When I watch elite QBs toss, they have a little bit of air underneath them. Not Cam. They are bullets. And with pinpoint accuracy (for the most part). They zip to a receiver so fast, the defensive back looks about 3 yards off before he realizes the guy caught it. That is scary for the future.

What I CAN’T stand, is that showboating ghetto garbage. That dance he does makes me ill. Not seeing that alone makes me hope he doesn’t score a damn touchdown. Because he’s essentially saying he’s doing this all himself. You see Brady do it? You see Mannin do it? Rodgers? Nope. Just this Superman dance he does catering to the crowd. The dance is Janet Jackson dumb. And surprise he hasn’t been flagged for it.

I am glad to see two completely different teams make it this year. But there’s no drama behind either of them. The Giants v. Patriots had a ton of stories. If Arizona v. Steelers would’ve made it, great stories. But these two…Broncos have that history, I suppose. Carolina, well…they could be the Clemson of this game.

Academy's Diversity Change pt. 2

So, they've now changed the Academy voters' standards to some odd, yet telling requirements:

The academy now aims for women to comprise 48 percent of its approximately 6,000 members and "diverse groups" at least 14 percent as an initial step. Its 51-member board of governors voted unanimously for the changes, which also include limiting members' voting rights to 10 years and expanding recruitment outreach globally.

Boone Isaacs said she is ready to embrace "any and all ways we can increase the conversation about storytelling and how to bring more diverse voices in storytelling into the marketplace."

Yeah, you assholes, that should've been in place before. There are un-casted actors who put "Birdman" into history. So fuck you. And eat shit with your boo-hoo'ing about Michael Keaton. Fuck that guy. He's a smug, entitled clown who got a second breath at life by...whining? Enter...DiCaprio. This fucking punchable-faced pussy-posse leader who is really getting a lifetime achievement award. He is always DiCaprio in ______ (fill in this blank). He can't be anything but. There is no way in fucking hell I believe he could survive a Vermont winter, let alone 1800's frontier shit. Present voters are dumb.

HOWEVER, I will say this...as I've always said, making rules so they become inclusive is racism in itself. I don't vote for an Asian dude because...he looks like me. That's REALLY as racist as it gets. But in government voting they rely on the stupidity of our society to believe that. That's how we got Schwarzenegger and that's how we got Villagrosa. We got confused that the Terminator was going to murder our taxes and make jobs. Preferably as cyborg maintenance. That didn't happen. 'Cause Californians are the dumbest people on the planet. God...why hasn't Arizona invaded us is beyond me.

I'm not completely sure how this will shake out. Obviously White folk have their gripes (except honorary minority George Clooney & Sean Penn). The point of this whole thing is...why should we even give a fuck. It's about movies. Does it make a kid from the ghetto think they aspire to the gold? Some. Usually the people who go looking for it. The point is that, they are media dopes and already success stories. Awards are dumb. Even with these new rules implemented, it's still dumb. They've been fighting desperately for that since...um...1939 when Hattie McDaniel won for "Gone With The Wind." Yet, four...yes FOUR Asian actors have been given the statue for acting. Asians don't even give a shit. So much for diversity.

The Jay Cutler Effect

Jay Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Previous of this, he attended Vanderbilt University. A practically all white school in Tennessee. It’s really funny to see their basketball team. I dunno, things may have changed since then.

Anyway, Cutler’s had a very spotty NFL career. A lot of QBs with more skill sets and better record don’t seem to get the opportunities he gets. And it’s bizarre how he continues, while others (Tim Tebow) get sandbagged.

If you took a poll of NFL players who they’d like to punch in the face, for no other reason than the way they look, I would guess the majority would vote for Jay Cutler. My theory is that, some people just have that special combination of smug and unaware that makes people just want to clock you. And Cutler has it in spades. I grew u with kids like this. They seem sort of…prep school educated. They’ve had advantages we can only dream of. Nature gave them good looks, power and money. And you know they were raised by nannies. Vanderbilt…the name itself conjures up wealth (Gloria Vanderbilt…say). Speaking of which, Cooper Anderson is related to Gloria Vanderbilt…another guy you want to punch in the face. And it’s got to be in the face. Gut punching doesn’t improve the smugness. Face at least knocks them out. And you KNOW when they come to…the tra-la-la snobbery just continues.

I think actor Armie Hammer suffers from the Jay Cutler effect. He’s been in two bombs “The Lone Ranger” & “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” Two t.v. series turned big screen failures. I think it’s him. He is of that Arm & Hammer rich kid family. Perfect teeth, perfect hair, tall, blonde blue-eyed Nordic god. Hate his fucking face. I think working class movie goers can sense it. Hollywood was determined to make him the next thing. Fuck you. He’s got everything, he ‘aint gonna get our money too. So, the village votes him too pretty to be one of us.

That other actor Taylor Kitsch had that too. He went from television “Friday Night Lights” to two big budgeted bombs “Battleship” & “John Carter From Mars.” He was down to earth gritty as a high school football player, but once they wiped off the mud, we saw the face we wanted to punch.

How did someone like Brad Pitt get away with not falling under the Jay Cutler effect? Well, for starters, he was lucky not to fully exist in a social media world. His first major flick was “Thelma & Louise.” He was ripped and young and ape’ing James Dean. Women gushed over him. Guys didn’t give a shit. We were gay if we looked so fuck him. You have to look at what you want to punch. Pitt also took roles that went against his genetics. “Fight Club” was dark and ugly. “12 Monkeys” proved he could do something besides be pretty. To sidestep The Cutler Effect you have to bury yourself in manure. In other words, Jay Cutler would have to resign himself to be second banana to someone with a better record. That’s not gonna happen. So ka-pow! Amazing he’s able to survive Chicago.

You know who really was the pioneer of the Cutler Effect? John Kennedy. He and his brother have that east coast snob look. People even named their reign Camelot. As if he were King Arthur. But to a certain group, his face just had that effect. People just wanted to punch it in. I think it’s like…they got what they want, when they wanted, how they wanted. And then passed it off like they were one of us. There’s a reason both of the Kennedy guys were knocked off. I think it was their stupid faces.

Ask not what your country can do for you, but why the country would want to punch you in the face

Stephanie Seymour's D.U.I.

I had a massive crush on the former Mrs. Axl Rose. Both these nudnicks went off the deep end with each other. Axl, without a doubt, physically abused Stephanie. And it ended ugly. Not surprising in a rock star's life.
Stephanie was once of the original Victoria Secret angels. Busty where it mattered, but saddled with a bubble brain. How did Kathy Ireland dodge it, is more the mystery. Anyway, Stephanie married rich. A billionaire. And so her life as a trophy wife moved forth.

She's 47 now. And got busted backing into a car on a freeway. She smelled of alcohol and lost her balance. Some would say, she lost her bearings decades ago. Well, I think she's learning a pretty harsh lesson in life now...women after the age of 35 regardless of pre-supermodel status, don't get to get out of trouble.

There was probably a time when she was getting away with reckless behavior. But like the rest of us past 30, we can't flash our tits and kowtow to a police officer. I wouldn't doubt that Stephanie's former status as a model would bend rules.

I think most women should feel a sense of...the world righting itself when things like this happens. Yeah, you'd be a hater, but there is a satisfaction about seeing people who've gotten away with so much sort of coil into their own fame. Or in this case former fame.

She'll be fine, and most likely won't do community service...like CalTrans (ugh). But, this type of press is pretty bad. You're in Matthew Perry territory.

All Politicians Suck Mass Ass

Here comes the election. And the mudslinging. Not really surprising. Or is the begging and pleading to show how much one candidate loves America more than the other. This is pandering to the dumbest of the dumb. Since most Americans LOVE having being sucked up to. It’s such horseshit. We have no brains to decide based on the real internal garbage that goes on. The truth is, it takes money to get elected. You know what else? I’m convinced it’s to show Americans…that if they love our country, they won’t be investigated (as much) for where their money for the campaign came from. See, a man who works for you, can’t be crooked…right?

SO I have a solution for these politicians that supposedly love America. Let’s just see how much you love this country and that you have our best interest in mind. The day after you are elected President…the VERY FIRST act is to do military time on the front lines of our most recent war. That’s right. Pick up a fucking weapon and prove that you are on our side. Can you imagine the respect you’d get? It use to be that Presidents did military service. Shit, you’re the Commander In Chief. I would think you’d have to know how the military works.

You’re probably thinking “well shooting someone in war doesn’t prove someone wants to be Prez.” Yeah, but being shot at for your country sure means you have some feeling for it.

See, I’m sick of people like Trump, Cruz, Clinton, Sanders…all these assholes who claim to love America. And the most they can do is send people to their deaths. The position has changed slightly to a guy who can balance a checkbook rather than defend the free world. It would be bad-ass for a Prez to be that way. Schwarzenegger would get far…if he was born in this country. Because even the perception of being a badass gets your pretty far. As it stands now, all we get are salesman’s, eager to tell us what we want to hear to get our votes that don’t matter.

No Diversity In Academy Awards

It is pretty hypocritical that the industry which prides itself on being SO diverse, has shut down people of color to the awards. Specifically in acting.

I have to reiterate how little I care about this awards being given to "the best." If "Mad Max: Fury Road" is second in terms of how many nominations, how are we even thinking that this award is serious? That movie sucked ass. And it's a movie, not a film.

It does seem suspect that a character piece such as "Straight Outta Compton" was so critically received but got a pity nomination (original screenplay). I would think some would be SUPER PISSED that Bryan Cranston got nominated for "Trumbo" a movie no one saw but is about the Blacklist of Hollywood Commies back in the day. Considering the dude who played Eazy-E In "Compton..." was fantastic says very little to the Academy that White is always might.

I repeat, I've got no skin in this uncomfortable corner Hollywood paints themselves into. On the surface, it seems the industry is very liberal, but deep down inside, they still find ways to remind us how they really feel. And there aren't that many voters for these awards. You could lay a bounty to the "anonymous" voters and see the faces of diversity in this industry vote pool. It would probably surprise non-movie folk they're probably over the age of 50, White and gay. That's my guess on the demographic. Gays are rich. Rich like conservative, even if they are gay.
That would be the greatest F.U. to all the ones who've fought so hard for diversity...

...it was the gay Whites all along.

MLK Quotes...Stop It!

Are you sick of your friends posting quotes from MLK online? You know, it irks me for the simple reason that the guy probably didn't talk like that in real life. Or day-to-day. Sure they're pearls but if I gave a fuck, I'd search out his wisdom about humanity myself (which I had, for a book report in the fourth grade). I have access to Google. You don't have to remind me that I'm a piece of shit.

This blow-hardy need to quote the reverend seems...misguided. Half the shit he said never applied to me, the other half, he ripped from Gandhi. But whatever, having a day off is having a day off.

The other irritating thing about this, are the marches for awareness. I'm pretty sure EVERYONE is aware of the plight. What you're doing is blocking traffic and turning people against your cause. Because people have to work. Even if you don't. So this in-you-face marches are really pissing people off. A day off is a TON more appreciation for those of us who hate the office. And in that time off, I sure as shit appreciate it.

What do people expect us to do on this day anyway? Do you get like...a cake? Or put up lights or something? I think if his day was much more festive (instead of inciting road blocks) people would be seriously down for that. Like balloons and a picnic or something. Anything not to make it feel like drudgery. Just...help a brother out and nix the quotes. Start with that.

"Foxes" (1980)

How in God's name did Adrian Lyne get this movie made without people in this country running him out?

Movie is about four teenage girls trying to survive 1980 San Fernando Valley living. Cool to see the locations from where I live now. Horrid to see the culture that existed back in the 80's.

Filmed through gauzy smoke, this movie centers around a very rambunctious group of girls who sleep over at each others' houses, complain about parents, get abused by parents, and...well are neglected. They are raised by the streets. And find odd comfort in men much older than them. Some are drug pushing pedophiles. Others seem to be dopes who were never in that scene. For those who grew up in the late 70's, the fashion will make sense. As well as the mentality of absentee parents. During this time, most parents were coming off the drug binges of the 60's. The children are byproducts of this. Jodie Foster plays Jeanie, a mother hen of these girls, in particular Cherie Currie's character Annie, who is recklessly running down the path of tragedy. We've seen it now a lot, but this was the first ever to portray this out of control world (LONG before that shit-show "Kids").

The movie is beautiful though. It's lensed like the early days of Penthouse. VERY soft lighting. Rembrandt like. Though I don't think you feel that sexuality with these girls. In fact, you feel more mother Hen to these knuckleheads doing stupid things. They desperately want to grow up, but see grown ups are fuck ups. 36 years later we're still dealing with the awful job of parents versus teenage girls. Social media be damned. Look for a young Laura Dern.

"Edward Scissorhands" (1990)

This movie is really bad. It's good at fooling people that it's good. But it's bad. Depp is dumb. Winona says "I love you" to dumb Depp, with only one moment between them. Never explains why the scissor hands were temp for real hands. They wasted time focusing on a machine that has no bearing to the rest of the story. Everyone in the town is stupid.

At on point in the movie, the town leaves a dead teenage boy in the yard of the gothic castle. The cops, in this stupid world, wouldn't even consider going to investigate. And it's bookend by the dumbest reveal since "The Crying Game."

This movie doesn't hold up. And it's strange how much it's hold in high regard. Because it's Tim Burton? Luckily this movie didn't derail him, since he made a pretty good one with "Big Eyes." But DAMN! Is this movie stupid.

"13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" (2016)

If you’re going in hoping to get more ammo for your political side, don’t bother. It’s directed by Michael Bay, so you get a very thin agenda. I counted a total of two moments. First was a 2 minute conversation about they’ve lost their faith in helping others…which actually plays more into anti-war than anything. The second was showing the aftermath of an attack from the assault leader (again, anti-war). The rest is an action movie. I’m surprised the dude hasn’t come out and said so. That this is FIRST and foremost a dumb action movie. More “Rio Bravo” than “Zero Dark Thiry.” The Libyans are the Indians. Also…they haven’t been this ridiculous since a VW van full were chasing Marty around in a DeLorean. That’s what me…as an American loves.

I kept wondering as I was watching it, if this were just some guy’s original action movie would it be as cool. Yes. Let me rephrase, fuck yeah. I love these type of holding the fort stories. Us against them. “Assault On Precinct 13” movies. This just so happens to have some real life elements that happened. Which, by the way, this isn’t the story of the fall of the Embassy in Benghazi and the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens, it’s really about the second part of the evacuation of another C.I.A. compound that was secret and have secret dudes being secured by secrecy. Hence, they are the secret soldiers. You do have to wonder how a movie was made. It was because it was based on a book. By someone, now, supposedly working clandestinely.

I’m not going to explain the plot of the movie. Wikipedia and anti-Hillary Clinton people will give you that. What I will say is, forget the political angle when watching it. It’s really a solid old-fashioned action movie. Where people say corny heart tugging statements before the “Indians” scale the wall. Some parts are really remnants of “Pearl Harbor” American jingoism. I’m a sucker for that. If you aren’t…you’ll hate it.

I think as far as turning his style around, when it comes to super serious true stories, Bay doesn’t do a bad job. People just discount it immediately because it is the guy who made “Armageddon.” The rock music video days are pretty much over, so some scenes are going to feel dated. The rest is a great diversion away from our lives.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Can you believe we lived in a world where a single man made this much of a difference?

Pretty cool. Now can you imagine ANYONE in that age group who gives a shit about policy anymore? At least willing to change it. We're a lazy, dumb lot...more concerned about social media than standing up for injustices. I'm not even talking about Black Lives Matter or the rancher in Oregon. Maybe a cause that means something. It may mean that we aren't as divisive as we want to believe. Or we've always been decisive. I'm not sure. I know we have a Black president, which is pretty badass, if you think any other Western country has not even entertained the thought of it. Think about that. Italy, France, Germany and the U.K.- we are the first, but we still get the shit for cops killing Black folk.

I don't think MLK would've been behind Black Lives Matter. It seems so...specific. MLK believed all lives mattered. That we have to work together to get along. He's like my supervisor above the manager. We have massive personality clashes, but the supervisor want us all to find a middle ground. Because we have to share the country.

The one thing I will interject this with is that life is unfair...for everyone. Sort of. Depends on what you think is "unfair." I was born short and brown. Is that fair? Not really. But I don't expect people to cater to my own biology. The sense of fairness and everyone equal does sort of go against our own capitalistic mentality. If I can't break more boulders to support my family, and a burlier dude can, should I be expected the same pay? Not really.

So I think we need to search within ourselves to define "fairness." At least when it comes to being honest. If you have no education...should you still be deserving of a well paid job? That's for you to decide. I know a lot of well educated people who wouldn't be happy with the investment they've made on that. But again, what is "fair."

Obama's State Of The Union

These speeches always rub me the wrong way. Because they're SO blow-hardy. It was background noise as I was making dinner, and figure I should listen to what el Presidente had to say. Which was nothing. As usual. He's not any different than any other politician. Pander to the masses. Which, going by standing ovation, he must be doing well. I don't fucking know. Probably should. But if it hasn't made much of an impact, then so be it.

It doesn't matter who's president anymore. According to Obama he implies he doesn't want Trump to be it. This probably just infuriated those who have faith he will win. Why take so few minutes to passively aggressive dig at a clown? Maybe because you also fear his reach. To mostly...people who are fed up with politicians. I heard a podcast with Trump recently who...speaks like a different type of politicians. He's a phony like Obama is. His rhetoric is similar to Obama's or Clinton's or _____ (fill in scum candidate). They're all garbage oily salesman. Ted Cruz's interview was very unnerving, because he started every answer by addressing the interviewer by name. It's THE single most phony thing a politician does. "Let me tell you, Joe, that our policies on taxation come from a yearning from the American public to simplify tax policies, Joe, because Joe, your family needs more time together and less time figuring out the tax code, Joe." VOMIT!

None of this adds up to dick in the end, since we'll be where we are four years from now. Same dog and pony show. Same ambitious garbage people who throw out so much garbage. Is it weird that there is a lot of muck this year or am I just coming in mid-conversation?

Our choices are really sad this year. And we didn't need Obama chiming in with his digs on our disgust with some policies. The American way isn't something he can just interpret. The refugees of Syria are a threat. Though...dipshit won't admit we don't have qualified people to vette the people who "wish to do us harm." We got morons who spend too much time on old man Joe with a hearing problem at the airport and ignore Habib with the long beard and Q'uaran jammed in his armpit. Because we can't judge.

Maybe our country isn't so financially fucked as he believes. I don't need a handout, but would love a job I care about. He should probably save his breath about what we want. For instance, knowing Americans want a decent wage to raise a family. No shit, dude.

"Barton Fink" (1991)

In anticipation of the new Coen Bros. movie “Hail, Caesar!” I thought it’d be appropriate to watch “Barton Fink.” I didn’t know they had already taken a crack at Hollywood before.

This movie is about a theater writer who gets recruited to write a screenplay for a fictitious studio called Capitol Films. He’s bullied…sort of…to get writing. But he then suffers from writer’s block. While holed up in a seedy motel, he befriends a next door neighbor (John Goodman) who is a friendly enough traveling salesman to stave off boredom and to procrastinate, but the world starts to unravel as the pressure to write drives him to insanity.

It surprised me that this movie was released in 1991. At the time, the only thing I heard about the Coens were from “Blood Simple.” That movie bored me to tears. “Raising Arizona” was funny, but weird. It made an odd impression on me. The Coens share the same odd idiosyncratic quality of a Quentin Tarantino movie. Though they reference more real behavior issues, Tarantino steals from other movies. They also share the jarring violence. The world of “Barton Fink” are cartoonish. Beautiful, in the sense of style, but the people are ugly. And their behavior lead to their demise. Not just demise, but gruesome end.

I had to remember that I was watching a 25 year old movie. The movie is better now than it was then. Which is shocking, considering our sensibilities have to catch up with Coen oddball theater. The ending will have you asking more questions than having an answer for. Is the writer losing his mind? Did he even make it to Los Angeles? Are we in purgatory?

This is movie is fun. And it unfolds and begins to twist the screws on us. I appreciate the inside jokes. Specifically Michael Lerner’s character of the studio exec who is blowhardy and logically-illogical. The lines come fast, so you have to digest the rhythm. And as you spend enough time in this world, it starts to absorb you. It’s fascinating to see a movie made in the tone of movies made during this period, but also include more modern themes. This is a solid flick.

The All White Academy Awards

There's been some grousing about all the actors/actresses being white this year. Caucasian.
Can you name the last Asian to win for acting? I can't. But I don't care.
So this whole thing about complaining that white folk award other white folk is stupid. If you care. And you shouldn't. Because you should really care about why there aren't more finding cures to cancer. But, entertainment...yes ENTERTAINMENT gets the brunt of this garbage.

If you want to go down that route, maybe we, as technicians should wonder why a Mexican is kicking our asses in filmmaking. Does anyone else care? Nope. Because he's making movies people respond to. So if opportunities aren't given to minorities, then make your own. We can't make rules to someone else's game. And complaining just makes us look spoiled.

I bet there are going to be a lot of jokes in regards to this. A non-issue is just good debate fodder. But it's really about why our own don't make more opportunities. Keep in mind, the Razzies...the worst movies of the year, were dominated by white folk too.

Powerballs

The Powerball lottery drawing is tonight, and someone or someone’s are going to be massively wealthy. $1.5 billion. You want to talk about insane revenue into California…this is a windfall for all of North American.

I don’t think anyone is content with a lot of money. Life is comfortable after money but it still doesn’t say…get you peace of mind. If you are married, have close relatives, or have kids…it complicates a lot of things. Greed is funny. If a relative had won that much money, I just don’t think I could believe I am owed any of that money. A lot of people do. I think if I lived in Taiwan, my relatives would for sure believe they are entitled to it. Money is a centralized idea there. I’ve heard stories about some of my relatives.

It’s not that I have any issue with money. My biggest gripe is that everyone else does. Money just makes people so weird. And if it comes from not working and some windfall…I consider it weirder.

Money doesn’t make you live longer. Steve Jobs died young. You would think the time he spent creating technology to change the world, he could’ve spent finding cures for cancer. Obviously with money, he was able to die in a hospital instead of some alley.

Also, getting that type of money from luck, I don’t think makes people respect you. Chances are, people would be resentful. Not to say they wouldn’t take your money, just that you go to some fancy restaurant and they know you won the lottery, I think they’d fuck with your food. Or the valets would park your car in some shitty section. Or whatever. I don’t think people would suck up to you the way they would if you earned it. Stories are told about rags to riches from work, resentment towards just blind luck. I would imagine friends would see you differently. You’d grow paranoid of people you’ve just met. They would know you, you wouldn’t know them. And you would never be generous enough with your luck for their taste.

If you do win, I would say disappear. I think in this scenario, your faith in humanity would be tested beyond belief.

Academy Awards Nomination

Well, now I know God is a jokester. Didn't want "Revenant" to get any notice, it got twelve. Fuck this town and its high school shit. Everyone wants to get on Leo's good side. And the director, Innirratu. The guy is annoying. His speeches are intolerably dull. As are his movies.

It's not just sour grapes but the sense of what Best Picture means nowadays. I don't think "Carol" is Best Picture material, but it does call back a heyday of when Hollywood was glamorous. Leo gets raped by bear, a little dirt and mud and he's...an actor? So it seems. Or maybe he needs to suffer.

In the cinematography department, we have Roger Deakins again nominated for "Sicario." He's the Susan Lucci of this award. Nominated so many times because...his name is Roger Deakins. Poor bastard is going to lose again. They should've nominated him for "Hail, Caesar!" to make it a fair fight. It's glamorous and pretty and stupid voters would've fell for it. Or maybe that's for next year's nomination when he can lose to another digital movie. "Sicario" is really bad looking. Well, bad looking for Deakins. It's flat and looks like "Cops." And it's nominated. What a joke. "Carol" should win, but "The Revenant" will, because of press, and because most voters don't know what cinematography entails. A pretty landscape and shot with no lights. Could it start a trend? No you dumb fucking yontzkes...Stanley Kubrick was doing this for decades.

Incidentally, I've been told that "The Revenant" is a remake of a movie called "A Man In The Wilderness" to which all the old timers are implying is a better movie. The lesson here is timing. We're really starved for character pieces. If you think about "The Martian"...it's a one man show. This movie is dumb. Dumber than dumb. Proves Hollywood is dumb. I mean, it's smart in terms of the science, but dumb because it's not really a story. Think long and hard about this story and you will vomit with the lack of story. I'd rather read a manual on how a keyboard works.

So, I'm pissed again (big surprise). It goes to show the machine we've become. Great stories are dead. I do want to catch "Spotlight." It deals with some heavy subjects that remind me of the Alan Pakula style true tales stuff. I think with all the "Datelines" or "20/20" nothing really shocks us anymore.

The Slag & The Alabama Crimson Tide Win

To my co-worker “would you watch an old dude ass-grab a 30 year old?”

Co-woker: “How old?”

Me: “I guess 70. Guy could be 40, but he looks like he drank a lot in life.”

Co-worker: “I don’t think that’d be my thing.”

Me: “What if he had only three fingers on one hand?”

Co-worker: “Oh fuck yeah. I would’ve taken pictures”

Timmy Nolan’s is a cool pub in Toluca Lake. I’ve been there years ago when I was still drinking. I forgot that they had food, but remembered I’d fallen down their stairs. Which…I doubt I’d be the first. There actually two sets that someone could potentially injure themselves. One is on the outside. But, I think it’s been an institution in that town longer than Toluca Lake has been there. Or it’s bad luck to fuck with the Irish.

Upstairs is where me and my buddy known as The Van Man, in these parts…saw the old guy paw at a young girl. It was a solid show. I mean he was digging in nail on soft buttcheek. The surprise is that she was enjoying it. It reaffirms my feeling about young girls and attention but really disheartens me about my theory about young girls and attention. She’d been drinking, but wasn’t sloppy enough to think this was a good idea. I thought this was just a barfly who was a regular. I learned later everyone there had some concern as to this exchange. A girl with a terrible daddy issue.

So, instead of heading for the hills, The Van Man got a closer view. Of the game? Most likely. But also to get a closer view of this slag. I don’t blame him. Was curious myself. Here is a girl, who gyrating and wiggling her ass in front of families and patrons giving everyone a show. Complete stranger. Did she care? Didn’t seem like it. It was actually comical how everyone tried to ignore it. Polite company, as the table next to me were British gents.  This somehow trumped the Alabama/Clemson game. A three fingered drunk who grabbed more ass in one night than a donkey show wrangler. I despised my hands and age at that point. To be an old perv is the goal.

Anyway, in my earlier blogs about the Crimson Tide, I did mention how special teams could sink them. Well, they fixed that shit and threw the keys to the Ferrari with TWO amazing plays. One on side kick that was PERFECTLY executed. You will NEVER see anything like this again in your lifetime. Essentially the kicker kicked the ball into the air and Alabama receiver caught it in stride. Unreal. The second was a run back for 95 yards on a kickoff. That broke the will of Clemson. Let’s face it, the two were evenly matched. Both defenses couldn’t stop shit, and both offenses started to sputter. To Alabama coach Nick Saban’s credit, he knew something drastic had to happen. Had that onside kick gone the way of Clemson…he’d be the goat. But that gamble is what makes the game. So I thank him for that.

Am I trying to draw a comparison between a 70 year old three finger drunk, ass grabbing a 30 year old girl and Saban? If he leaves for the NFL, maybe…maybe.

The Death Of David Bowie

David Bowie holds a really soft spot in my heart, since I listened to his hits on my road trip with a girl I thought I was going to marry to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I'm not sure why, in college, everyone goes through a Bowie stage. He wasn't incendiary with lyrics or combative punk rocker. He was just a starman coming down to tell us tales of his travels through space and time. Oh, right, the drug thing probably was why we loved Bowie so much.

His music has a freedom to it that compliments the open road. It bops along the Ohio countryside where we could wail our lungs out to the passing cows. A celestial calling of...wide open fields. Your mind becomes calm and you feel all is right. It is strange that such an ethereal man could be so dead. Brought back to Earth by cancer. The elements that we have here consumed him.

His music lives on in my heart back in college. A retro love tale now that exists in a memory fogged by years, but never forgotten with nostalgia.

Perhaps, he isn't dead, but the Mothership returned for him. That's what I'd like to think.

The Acts Of Humanity

I really like getting out of the valley every chance I get. It seems the farther I venture, the less stress I have. I think most of what's around me seems to be bad memories. Or just, reminds of something I should remember. It's frustrating.

I went out to an L.A. Fitness in Stevenson Ranch area. This one had a hot tub and a sauna. I really like the stairclimbers there, and there are middle aged women with boob jobs. So that's good scenery. It's near a location I'd shot my short film. Nice mountainous view. There's a Starbucks I hole up in. I got my cup of coffee and planted myself to blog. When I looked up from my table, I notice an older lady with a ruddy complexion. Her hair was stringy, face aged by the elements, and bulged eyes of...substance abuse? You don't see too many homeless this far in the canyons. She was pleasant enough, and was speaking into a disposable phone. She was frustrated by the phone crashing on her and asked me if I knew anything about phones. I'm really not technical in that sense. I saw the frozen screen, and told her to just remove the battery to reset.
"That what it do?"
"I think so. You remove the battery and it will reset itself. I think."
She laughed. "yes, that's usually what I do."
I smiled back "hopefully that works"
"Do you know where we are? Which Starbucks?"
I was taken back by this question. How do you not know where you are.
"I think it's...Valencia." I was so startled I forgot it was actually Stevenson Ranch. She said "Stevenson Ranch Starbucks" to the person on the other end of the line.
"Excuse me?" A late 40's woman had interrupted this exchange.
"Yes" the homeless lady chimed up.
"Do you want a cup of coffee or something?"
The homeless lady smiled. Kindness. Very foreign seemed to have surprised her. And to be honest, me.
"Oh no thank you. Thank you though." The lady smiled. "Let me know if you do."
It never occurred to me to even offer. In a sense I guess it would be considered rude to assume someone is homeless and needs assistance. But she turned her down. The lady left. And it was me and the homeless lady again.
At this time, a big dude and a little girl walked in. He looked over at the homeless lady "Excuse me. Do you want a cup of coffee?"
I had to do a double take. Deja Vu.
Yep, he too offered something hot to drink. At this point I felt shitty I didn't offer.
To my surprise, this time she took the guy up on his offer. He continued "You need something to eat too? Here I'll get you something." He went into line with his daughter in tow.
They came back with a hot cup of coffee and a pastry. "You got some place to stay tonight. Somewhere warm?" She said "yes" but felt she was lying. She thanked them but declined any other offer. They chit-chatted for a while. The man knew what it was like to be homeless down near the South Bay. He looked like a longshoresman. Brawny standing next to his little girl. His girl said hi to the homeless lady. Charming. And a fantastic lesson in humanity. Something that sunk in with me as well.
The two left. And it was just me and the homeless lady again.
A few minutes later, a barista came by with a large cup of coffee "here, ma'am, you look like you needed something warm." And slid the cup in front of her. The fuck is going on here?

She smiled and accepted the cup. Now she was with two large cups of coffee.
She turned to me, and we chatted about phones and stuff. I could see at some point in her life, she was a beautiful lady. Mental illness, bad life decisions, drugs, alcohol or something had robbed her of that. But she had pride. I could see that. She let her phone charge. It dawned on me that there wasn't anyone on the other end of that line. She was speaking into an empty line. Maybe with the impression that she couldn't be taken pity upon. She simply was just waiting for life to keep moving past her. Much like myself. Except I would think in my case, I still have the ability to move with it. It doesn't seem she shares the same opportunity.
I packed up my things, and I stood up.
She piped up: "Listen, I just got these two large cups of coffee. You want the other one? I don't need this much, they keep giving me stuff." I was really moved by this. I'm not sure what it was, maybe I saw the passing of goodwill in one short time at Starbucks, but I'd be lying if I didn't think it was some sort of television set up. Like I'm going to be filmed being a total jerk to someone. I declined "No thank you, miss." She smiled.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" I said as I turned to leave.
"You too, hon. You too."
And with that I stepped into the canyons, a little less cynical about humanity.

Bengals 2015

I only write about this so I can put to rest the superstition that the Cincinnati Bengals are a cursed team. It’s been 1991 since they last won a playoff game. The previous day’s game Kansas City Chiefs, a team that had won 10 straight games to get their playoff demolished the Houston Texans. A team the Bengals constantly struggle against (or just Andy Dalton, who knows). So, winning in the playoffs for a jabroni team, isn’t unmanageable. Just to us it is.

On a rain soaked Saturday night (yep…under lights, more superstition) the Bengals let slip a two point lead due to dumb penalties by one individual that wanted revenge rather what was good for the team. In the play, Steelers’ quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, a guy who earlier went out with a bad shoulder, let a ball sail through the middle (with less than a minute to go) went high and through the hands of receiver Antonio Brown. Incomplete. But that’s when you saw it. A massive guy in orange and black stripe flash by…WHAM! Shoulder went directly into the face mask and neck of Brown and snapped his neck like a ragdoll. It was violent in a way…I don’t think they should replay. Vontaze Burfict, a linebacker for the Bengals was standing over Brown’s lifeless body…damage done. Now to get an idea of what we had just witnessed. Rewind 1 minute 46 seconds earlier.

Burfict was standing middle linebacker position when Landry Jones (filling in for Ben Roethlisberger at the time) chucked one down the center and was intercepted by Burfict. Yep, the same dude who shouldered into a receiver was a hero a few seconds earlier. This led to another possession by the Bengals for which (and if you believe in curses here we go) Jeremy Hill fumbled. When the Steelers recovered, my guess is…my city collectively put our hands up “here we are again.”

The pain is palpable. But not the way you think. It’s painful because it was done by our hate rivals, at night, in the first round of the playoffs (as Steelers snuck into the game when the Bills beat the Jets…wouldn’t have been easier losing to the Jets either, but a less chippy scenario).

A TON was said about our drought. The last time we won a playoff game, I had my learner’s permit and still in high school (I’m 40 now). This is the futility of this team that always seems to be in the wrong end of the great teams. We can’t get out of our own way.

Having replayed the game in my head, the moment Burfict had picked off that ball…there were already champagne bottles being popped. Because we don’t know how to win in THAT way. With discipline. No matter what excuses we make, the clock still had time, and business is still business. Patriots would never dream of that silliness. Bengals seem to have it in our DNA. Somehow, we just can’t win when we want to. The replay in my head was all of a sudden clear. The Steelers were resigned to the loss. You could see it in them. They were done and wanted to get out of the rain. They were going to put in an effort, but having one more possession down by their own 10 yard line, three timeouts and too much yardage to cover…they were done. So what happened? Bengals beat themselves. Again. All they had to do was to remain…composed. What got in their heads (I imagine) was the same thing the city and its people know…we have a loser’s mentality and we are about to let someone else prove it again. And this time IT’S THE STEELERS! The team panicked. You watch the last two minutes again, the Bengals thugged and bullied themselves into that loss. It reminded me of a child who throws a tantrum, and midway through, the parent had gathered them up and put them in the crib. Because they were too busy throwing a tantrum. Steelers simply stepped out of the way for Bengals to do what they usually do. They gambled on our history.

I say this because the stories will continue…this is a historical low for a Bengals team that couldn’t get any lower. It’s a shame that the only legacy this team leaves is that we recruit so many great players only to lose them to teams we watch from the sidelines as they climb the ladder past us.

This loss stings the worst because it meant so much faith. The type of faith that resonated when I was 12 years old, watching Steve Young, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in 1988 Super Bowl), beat the Bengals with…1 minute 36 seconds on the clock. My resigned mind says that the game shouldn’t be decided by officiating (which it did) also realizes…the Rolls Royce was running and the keys handed to you, but you pound a liter of scotch and get behind the wheel. In other words, bad decisions collectively lead to disaster.

I wanted this win. But not for me. For the city of Cincinnati, who desperately needs…hope and faith. Pittsburgh does too. We’re very much alike. Working class stiffs. I know it’s dumb to spend so much time caring about something that doesn’t pay you. So with this blog, I close the book on 2015 Bengals. I am proud of the glimpse of winning. We shouldn’t hang our heads so low we don’t see the potential. To my surprise, there is massive talent there. We found them on a heap somewhere out there, so it can be done. To the players who put themselves on that field for our entertainment, I am thankful I had something to keep my mind occupied throughout autumn and winter. It’s been a fantastic journey with (strange to say) younger men than I who play a kids game as a diversion.

Golden Globes-Sunday

I don't fucking care about DiCaprio and his bear rape movie. Seriously.
There's been a lot of talk about the degree of what he's willing to do to get that elusive award. And the story behind the misery behind the shooting of "The Revenant" may go down as the next "Apocalypse Now" but whatever. It's "The Outlaw Josey Wales." RE-told like it was original. As it was based on a true story. Yeah, the frontier is all one big fucking true story.

I really hope "Carol" cleans up. Something about that movie. Maybe because it was shot in my hometown would draw light to the beauty of Midwestern architecture. There are some houses there that are true beauty. Plus it was shot on Super 16mm Kodak film. It's like a painting. I would think the press would for sure appreciate the topic as well. Forbidden love? Who knows?

Much like "The Martian" I really grew tired of the lone wolf tale. It was already done wonderfully as "The Castaway." We learn so much more of fundamental survival. And it was here on Earth. For some reason..."The Martian" needed to venture to another planet to share the same concept. And technology really failed him. Maybe because I think Damon just wasn't that convincing as a botanist.

Cate Blanchett, in "Carol" traipses through life as a rich lady's wife and has a dark secret from society. It's a story of class and acceptance. The men in the movie aren't bad people, they're real people. Listen, I'd be the first to shit on lesbians. Whenever I'm rejected by a girl, I assume she's a dyke. But this movie cut deep into deeper relationship of first loves. And lost. And hope.

In a weird way (bear rape aside) maybe "The Revenant" is also.

This would be the first year, I wouldn't mind seeing the women clean up the awards. Not because of anything political. But there's something arrogant about feeling you deserve the award because you eat fish heads and suffer the cold. Shit, "Nanook Of The North" should've been Best Picture then. It's about human mannerisms that mean more. I suppose if I were a 20 year old man, and divorce as it were, I would need to find male role model somewhere. Too bad it's DiCaprio. Also...the fuck do people see in this dude. It's always "DiCaprio playing ______ (fill in blank)." He's always THAT dude. You can't look past the beard, the cocaine, dancing and prancing. DiCaprio isn't a good actor. He's a star. There is a difference.

Go "Carol"

Movies Bleed Money

At a certain point in post production, money will start to just disappear. You are curious as to where this money goes. Into a void. But you are grateful, because if it's not directly siphoning from a wallet, you are okay to let the project exist in that void. As long as you feel something is being done.

I love having professionals in my corner. The reason short films are so difficult are the minutiae of what is good and bad. You HAVE to be an expert at every detail of it, and it's damn near impossible to be taken seriously if you don't have serious people involve. That's why the money flows.

During production is the worst. I recall many a student film where people would throw money at the problem to make it feel less worse. Panic has a way of opening checkbooks. At the end, you sift through the bones and marvel that you've spent what amounts to the living expenses of two years of food and drink. Why? Because you just want it out there. You want the sense of completion. You want to end the constant ups and downs of uncertainty. The world gets to decide then.

You will never get perfection. There's no such thing. Sucks, I know. This is the shit that keeps a lot of people awake at night. Those who make movies and live with it for years understand this sickening feeling that you somehow missed out on a frame. Or a sound cue could've been different. The effects suck ass. Or the sound just blows. In post...this is where you can patch it up. So you don't mind finding funds to do so. Somewhat leisurely. The trick is to balance what you need and what you don't. Procrastination in life is due to prolonging an uncomfortable feeling. We don't change our oil enough, because we have to wait at the lube shop. We ignore that gas smell, because it would mean scheduling some guy to come out to look under your house. And we leave the nuts and bolts of finishing a movie to others, because the less we look at it, the less we feel disgusted with our decisions. It goes into a very prolonged (a little painful) exercise in being creative. Or trying to be creative. A lot of people can remove themselves from this process, if they had assistance. Or if a studio demands a deadline.

I'll be honest, second-guessing every decision does suck the energy from a movie. This is another thing that destroyed many a great idea. You can write a quick story, film it and be done. These have a propulsion to them that's indescribable. Some really good ones are made under duress. If you've ever seen 48 Hour Film Festivals, you can sense this energy. It just moves. And no one has time to think. Or rather OVER-think. Which yields, actually pretty great results. The longer you dwell, the more you get in your own way.

I do my best to fast track as much as I can. Because I get bored easily. The nuts and bolts is DULLSVILLE. I wish I knew what feature directors do to stave off that. I know some could watch their three hour opus as if it were new. Man...what a skill.

Anyway, yeah, money is leaving my pocket. Just dropped off my camera for maintenance. My film camera...that's not cheap. But I need some more life out of it for the next thing. In the meantime, I gotta get more money so I feel comfortable giving it to others...as promised.

I guess the industry mantra of "don't use your own money" is also because you don't want to disperse the energy you have for the project. The more money you spend, you do start to cut corners. Conversely, an unlimited budget also drains some of that energy. Why bother if you can throw a mint at someone else to fix your issues from start to finish.

Money may not mean much to me, or it's really a means to an end. But I understand why others would need it, to give damn about my project. Tally-ho!

Disgrace Under Fire

Do you guys remember Brett Butler?
She was that actress that was on a show called "Grace Under Fire" about a blue collar Southern girl trying to raise her children. I stumbled across this show again, and...it's pretty good. Brett is very natural. Smooth in her delivery. Little did I know she was battling alcohol and drug addiction.

Today, she's doing a little stand-up around L.A. and spent some time in a homeless shelter.

You want to know the insanity of Hollywood...this was a successful show created by Chuck Lorre. Why does that name sound familiar to you?

He also was the center of the meltdown of Charlie Sheen on "Two And A Half Men."

Who is the common denominator here? Possibly digging up wrecked celebrities to be in t.v. shows? Or is it that the business wrecks you? Now a lot would argue that we only do what we want to do and we have no one to blame but ourselves for bad behavior. Completely agree. As a fellow drunk, I am responsible for terrible behavior. But you can't ignore the facts. Two very successful series, two celebrity meltdowns and one producer. The only difference to Sheen, was that he was actually smart to walk away with millions. And implode on his own time. Butler seemed to have done it behind the scenes during the series.

I think her story is pretty fascinating, considering how far you can fall from the top of the hill. And how much you can survive through. If you just step away from Hollywood for a little bit.

Do What You Can Do

Lately I've been considering doing something else in life. It's been nice dancing around in the film business, but, it's boring me. I guess once you get behind the curtain, the people involved seem to be more trouble than it's worth. Not that I would ever give up on my own projects, only that time away would be nice.

I have a fellow grad school friend who's given it up completely. He shares his opinions with me when he can. I can tell the shadow of storytelling is rough on him. As he recalls when making movies meant something. His family means more. I don't blame him, though...he seems embittered sometimes. The world moves on, and you feel as if you're left behind. In a recent interview with Robert Richardson, the cinematographer that shot "The Hateful 8" he talks about his fallout with long time collaborator Oliver Stone. For some reason, a project Stone wanted to do, got delayed, to which Richardson took another gig (one with Scorsese). Stone felt betrayed by it, and hasn't worked with Richardson since. I don't think it worries him. His two Oscars for cinematography precede his reputation. But he does mention taking his name off "World War Z" to which Paramount has sort of put him on a no-fly list. This is the shit-show you must endure to have a prolific life in movies. I've recently had a falling out with the powers that be. Though I've not verbalized my disgust for the management I supposedly answer to, I have been very clear the worker ants do the work, and these pathetic worthless management steal the credit. It's gut wrenching, as to the technicians who've spent a lifetime honing the craft, as the "powers that be" gladly accept the accolades. With ground teeth, these people disgust me on levels I can't really hide. Will they eventually be exposed? It's not a secret. So what's the next bit of logic...they accept this behavior. For those who believe you can do what you can do and let that stuff go...no one who cared about their industry, believes this.

I know a lot of people would rather not be involved in the drama and politics of storytelling. They'd rather just be fucking filmmakers. The rest of it is such high school garbage. I pursue my hopes of being my own industry. But it's not that easy. Wining and dining the glamour is part of the act. And I'm not so sure I stomach those things.

Being around real people have gotten me a perspective that living to work is not the same as working to live. Yeah, I know...obvious. Maybe I never put myself into the ring and felt the sting of true anger. I'd hope not. I couldn't sleep knowing this. But to transcend the resentment is all consuming. So much so, Richardson has admitted to having sacrificed his own personal family life for the goals of cinema. Does he regret it? No. It was his choice to do so. He fought the good fight early, and most likely doesn't know any other way to live.

Maybe this is a temporary feeling. But having to deal with shady characters lately have really tested my resolve. The threshold of those who moved on, beyond this...well, let's just say they picked a less taxing method of life. And it doesn't mean accolades at some award show.

We can only do what we can, when we can do it. And be happy just doing that. To me, that might mean letting the brass ring go, for the sake of sanity.

"Demolition Man": Future Told

I was watching “Demolition Man” on Bounce network. It’s basically poor man’s B.E.T. as they broadcast shows that cater to the Black community. I’m trying to figure out where we stand in life in terms of segregation. Are we against it or for it? Seems television is for it.

Sorry, sidetracked there…

“Demolition Man” is really prescient of the life we’re headed for because of the fucking Millenials. On paper, the Utopia which has no crime, no cursing, a regulated healthy lifestyle seems amazing. However, it would mean that we lose fatty foods, dirty sex and cigars. Our society today seems to be headed that direction with things like…hurt feelings. We are punished for thinking thoughts that don’t gel with others. What happens is that we have a massive blowback for the next generation. To which, guys like me will relate better with. The people in their 50’s now irritate the fuck out of me. Not sure why. But when I meet that age range, we never get along. Especially in this town. Maybe because I blame them for the start of when America lost all manufacturing. They are very similar to Millenials. Brats who play.

Now that we’ve fashioned a society where everyone gets a trophy, why bother trying. In San Angeles (the fictional future world in this movie), they’ve swung so far the opposite direction because of a benevolent idealist by the name of Cocteau that re-organized their world to gradually become docile and compliant. In contrast, we’re at that point where we’re actually considering Donald Trump as a presidential candidate because of the brush back of this supposed idealistic world we tried to create.

I am really not sure what the answer is. In this movie, it’s about finding the middle ground we can all live with. Or we may need another Demolition Man.

Tamir Rice's Mom Wants LeBron To Sit Out Games

Remember that kid who got killed for a toy gun in a playground by the police?
His Mom is wondering why LeBron James isn't protesting the fact that the grand jury isn't indicting the officer for the shooting.

Personally, they should've at least charged the cop. That was weird. If you saw the vid, cop came out shooting. It's just weird. That aside, do you think LeBron, since he's also Black, believes in your cause? Not sure what the cause is, but it seems important. And, not to be very stereotypical, the fuck are you soliciting a basketball player. Why not a government official? Because he's the most famous person in Cleveland? It's pretty sad, when we lean on someone who shoots a ball into a hoop for support.

Listen, it's not that LeBron doesn't care. It's just he's freakin' too busy and too rich to put himself into a situation to deal with something so petty. What does she expect? That by some miracle, boycotting playing basketball will turn the decision around? Pretty dumb.

Like most people who've the government failed, continue the fight, but just don't think you're entitled to people because of your of the same skin color.

"Inside Out" (2015)

Not to be confused with "In & Out" the Kevin Kline gay teacher movie. Which is better.

Anyway, this movie is not good. It's really well made, but it is REALLY depressing. It's a Disney/Pixar joint and feeds every cliche of their brand. The growing up part of the movie could be an after school special. But we're saddled with a girl and her emotional pain at the cusp of puberty.

If the premise sounds familiar, it's because it is also the same theme as a 90's sitcom called "Herman's Head" Where you saw the guy's emotion played out with actors substituting for the moods. Also, Joy, in this movie looks like a young Marge Simpson.

There are just too many rules for this movie for kids to follow. And the jokes are generally for older people...Train Of Thought for instance seems more geared towards people like me to smile at. However, the story slowly chips away at why childhood at this age remains in the deep subconscious and that feelings are a light switch that you can subdue with...hugs? And that, the main character...is in for much much worse. I can only imagine when she gets to puberty, the entire brain will melt down. Common sense would say she barrels through it, but...don't be so sure the way Sadness overwhelms her life.

A weird entry into Pixar's fantastic track record.

Super 8mm Film

Hold onto your Super 8mm cameras folks, cause Kodak is giving it a rebirth at the end of 2016. Yes, REAL film again for the kid in all of us. Not just for hipsters, BUT young kids who enjoy the limitations of...film.

I don't think this is a generational thing, but I should probably mention that...the waiting process of Super 8mm was part of the joy I had in shooting it. Keep in mind, VHS had been invented and camcorders were already destroying the home movie market. Super 8mm was niche when I was a kid. But I dug one up in the newspaper, took two buses out to the country and got my first Super 8mm camera from a guy who had it stored in a barn. He also gave me a splicer and a viewer too. I was a filmmaker. It was amazing to see frame advance to frame and realize that I was making a flip book. NOTHING is as exhilarating as waiting for what we shot to come back, and then threading it through the viewer and cranking the handle to watch the movement. NOTHING. Digital destroyed that magic for us. Thank God, they're bringing it back. Because I am convinced it will embed the imagination back into children. Their creativity will be much more...tuned. It's going to fix the gap of apathy I think the millenials abandoned.

This is great news.

"The Hateful 8" (2015) non-70mm screening

I really wanted to love this movie, since it starts off strong and becomes a rambling mess in between. Is the resolution satisfying. It’s angry and mean. Director Quentin Tarantino…in his 8^th movie, directs this movie with a great deal of respect for the genre of big movies. Shot in Ultra-Panavision, it’s glorious color and depth is a marvel to watch. It’s the same lenses that shot “Ben Hur” so it better be epic. Nope, it’s essentially a Agatha Christie rip. Like “Murder On The Orient Express” it involves a collection of odd characters that may or may not be in-cahoots with Daisy, a girl who has been apprehended by a bounty hunter who is determined to see her hang at a nearby town. A blizzard traps them at a haberdashery. Where everyone soon becomes suspects to either the freeing of Daisy, or collecting on the bounty. Along the way, the bounty hunter picks up a runaway calvary soldier with a violent past. Played by Samuel L. Jackson. Mayhem and violence to follow.

What they don’t warn you about this movie is…it’s got an agenda, but not sure what it is. Just that you feel it’s trying to say something about race relations. It’s clunky and not intelligently formed. Instead, Tarantino chucks the n-bombs as if he were being paid for each one he could throw in Yes, it’s the sign of those times, however, to put modern needle drop music in, sort of reminds you that sometimes it isn’t the most necessary. It’s uncomfortable and almost justifies the violence.

The same thing occurred in “Inglorious Basterds” & “Django Unchained.” It’s cathartic to see Nazis get their face blown up, or slaveowners get their dicks shot off. But in this movie, there is the added shame of forced fellatio story before he murders a Confederate that goes into a new level of cartoonish. Is it uncomfortable and funny, or funny and uncomfortable? Who knows? It’s not a good feeling. It’s confusing. And you can almost hear Tarantino giddy with joy as he’s filming and writing something that is sort of…immature. I get why the foreign press loves it. It’s Americans being clowns. It doesn’t fit the story. Other than to set up the next gruesome event.

By the time the dust settles, I’m not sure I care about anything or anyone. Great scenes, but not a complete movie. Fantastic technical achievement, I just really wished it was for a different movie.