Go see this film! I'm going to

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL.

I think it looks pretty awesome. So go see it! Actually I don't care if you see it or not. I don't even know if it's any good yet. All I know is that I want to see it.

I know that there a lot of Keanu Reeves haters out there... but whatever. I like the guy. I enjoy most of his stuff... even though at times he seems to be playing the same character over and over... but oh well. I didn't say that he was the best actor out there, or even that he was my favorite. I enjoy his stuff, and this new film looks like one that I may like. But who knows! We'll see I guess.

Check it:

my Brand 8 blog site is now up!

So after some very hard work and a little persistence, all of my projects (short films, music videos) are now up on my Brand 8 blog site. I really hope all of you go and check it out, leave some comments, and let me know how you feel about my stuff.

See you all again soon!
PEACE

The Coldest Winter

So I recently started writing what will be my next short film. It's called THE COLDEST WINTER, and is a short film version of a bigger film that I'd like to make one day. Although simplified a great deal from the larger story, this short film will pack a good punch. I'm trying for something different this time around. You could call it experimental I guess. I'm gonna shoot the film at a high frame rate, and make the whole thing slow motion. There'll be dialog in the film, you just won't here it. It's going to be pretty cool I think. I'm really anxious to get started on it. And I'm pretty set on doing it for my project in ADVANCED MEDIA PRODUCTION, which I will be taking next semester.

Here's a short film by Clu Gulager called A DAY WITH THE BOYS, which made me want to do THE COLDEST WINTER this way:



this version has been re-cut. you can find the original on the DVD of David Gordon Green's GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Bottle Rocket on Criterion DVD!!!!

A Criterion Collection edition of Wes Anderson's first feature film BOTTLE ROCKET was just released on DVD the other week. And I, of course, bought it. This film is so great. It's also the first film that Owen Wilson (who co-wrote the film with Anderson) and Luke Wilson acted in. Before that, Anderson and the Wilson brothers were all friends growing up in Texas. Crazy, huh? I think that's awesome how these guys, who were all friends before they were big, were able to do something together... and now look at where they are. That's exactly what I'm striving for with my projects and my friends.

If you go back and watch this film you'll find hints as to what Wes Anderson will do in his future films (RUSHMORE, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, THE LIFE AQUATIC, THE DARJEELING LIMITED. This film isn't as detail-oriented as his later films... but it does have it's fair share of it. I love it.



Wes Anderson's first film is definitely one of my favorites of his.

watch the original short film BOTTLE ROCKET, which Anderson made in 1994. It's shitty quality, but that's what you get for free. To watch a quality version of it but BOTTLE ROCKET on Criterion Collection DVD!

Ben Harper's "Morning Yearning"

Ben Harper's song "Morning Yearning" is amazing. And what's even more amazing is the music video for it, directed by Heath Ledger.



I can't get over it. Listening to this song, and watching this video, moves me deeply. I don't know what it is. I feel a close connection to it. It reminds me about a feeling of innocence, when I was young... and how that's gone. How much I miss it. A lot has changed since then. Some for the good. Some for the bad. But I believe that only good has come of it.

Listening and watching this also makes me miss Heath Ledger even more. He was an extremely good actor. And watching this shows how much talent he had in directing too. I can't imagine what we're missing because of his untimely death. I'll always think about that. Anyways, that's my peace for right now... watch the video.

Darren Aronofsky's THE WRESTLER

Check out the trailer for Darren Aronofsky's new film THE WRESTLER:



Whoa. This film looks incredible. I love Aronofsky's films. Actually, now that I think about it, I've only seen one of them. Let me say that again. I love Aronofsky's film THE FOUNTAIN. It's amazing. It's definitely one of my top 20 favorite films. I still need to see his other films Pi and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM. I know, I know, I can't believe I still haven't seen them either.

Anyways, back to THE WRESTLER. This film looks awesome. Mickey Rourke stars in it. I can't wait. I don't know what else to say about it. I loved Rourke's return in SIN CITY. Shit, he was even good in ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO... which came out before SIN CITY. He's definitely fought a good fight back into the movies. You should also check him out in Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film RUMBLE FISH. That's a great one too. I can't wait to see this film now. I've been hearing about it for a while, and I was already interested. But now. Man. I can't wait. I'm gonna leave it at that.

Kanye's new album

So Kanye West just came out with a new album last week. It's called 808s & Heartbreak. It's different. It's not a hip-hop album at all. He doesn't rap on the album at all. He sings. In autotune. It's crazy. Kanye has gone on to say that it is a pop album. Although it's extremely different from anything Knaye's done before, I still really like it. Over the past year Kanye went through a lot, with his mother dying due to complications from cosmetic surgery, to breaking off his engagement with his fiancee. Kanye always comes from the heart, and that's what I love about him. No matter how pretentious he may come off, or how annoying he can be, I'm a devote follower of his. He stays true to himself, and in this world today, that's big. Here's the music video for the song "Heartless" off of 808s & Heartbreak.

That's It, That's All

I don't know anything really when it comes to snowboarding... but this new film That's It, That's All is AMAZING. I haven't seen the whole thing yet, only parts here and there, but from what I saw I was thoroughly impressed. It's an incredible film. The shots, mostly by helicopter, are amazing... and the music is just awesome. The film showed at The Abbey the other night, but I wasn't able to go, I'm broke! I definitely can't wait to see the rest of the movie though. I might even buy it, and I don't even snowboard.

I can't believe it's already winter

Time flies! Whoa. It seems like it was just yesterday when I was planning out everything I wanted to do this semester. And here I am, a music video done, a webisode, an interactive web-story, a new short film shot, and now I'm designing a website and gearing up to shoot another music video. Jeez. I can't believe how much time has gone by! I can't believe how much I've done in these few short months!

The weather is cold again. It's snowed a few times, but it's not sticking yet. It's shitty. All I wanna do is just stay inside, in my bed, and watch movies. There's one month left until the semester is over and I have so much to do! ARRRGGGHHH!!!! Oh well, I'll just bust ass, get it done, and before I know it it'll all be over. Have a month off of school, go out to California, and then start all over again in January. Fun, huh? Hahaha. It acutally is a lot of fun.

I just wish it were still Fall weather. DRY Fall weather. You know?

Paranoid Park

Aw yes, Paranoid Park finally came out on DVD. And, of course, I bought it. I really loved this film when I first saw it at The Abbey Theatre here in Durango. But upon watching it again, now on DVD, I don't really feel the same way. Yeah, I still love the film, but I'm just not as much in love with it as I was when I first saw it. Don't get me wrong, the story is great, and so are the shots, as well as the music... but the acting is terrible! From a filmmaker such as Gus Van Sant, one would expect a little bit more. Shot in Portland, Oregon, maybe Van Sant just wanted to use all locals... and those were the best ones he could find. ? I don't know. Either way, Van Sant, and this film, are huge influences on me and my work. I have a script that I'm currently in the process of writing, about some young skateboarders. I'm not gonna go into much detail of what it's about, but I will say that Paranoid Park had a huge influence on me writing it. Another film that I love, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, is also a major influence on the script. Although the acting in Paranoid Park is kind of shitty, I think everyone should still see it. It's still a great film. As well as A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints - this film is flawless. I love it.

PARANOID PARK trailer



A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS trailer

a porno with heart

Last weekend I went and saw Kevin Smith's new film Zack and Miri Make A Porno. Although I enjoyed it, for some reason the film felt kind weird. I don't really know how to describe it. The film had a really indie feel to it at first. The music that Smith used sounded like something off of the original Clerks soundtrack, it was cool. But as the movie kicked in something felt weird about it. I don't whether it was the acting or what. The acting did seem kinda off, which is weird. The dialogue in the first scene with Craig Robinson and Seth Rogen just seemed forced. Weird, coming from two very very talented comedic actors. A lot of thefilm felt this way. Maybe I just need to see it again. Even though it was writen and directed by Kevin Smith, it really didn't feel like a Kevin Smith film. I mean... I don't know, it DID feel like one, but at the same time it didn't. Maybe it's because a good handfull of the actors are from Judd Apatow's films. It did feel kinda like a Judd Apatow film... weird, as Apatow has stated Kevin Smith as being one of his influences. I guess it's not weird. I need to go see this film again before I say anymore. That's the conclusion I've come to.

Friday the 13th

So there's a remake of Friday the 13th coming out in February. I think it looks good and I'm definitely seeing it, but there's something about it that I don't quite understand. In the first film, Jason wasn't the killer! But as you can see, he IS in this new one. And then in the second film, Jason doesn't even have the hockey mask! I'm really interested in how everything's put together in this new Friday the 13th. Is it the same story as in the first film, but with Jason as the killer instead of his mom? Is his mom a big part of the story? I read in this set visit report that Jason's mom is seen in flashback sequences. Hmmmm. I understand that it's not only a remake, but also more of a re-imagining of the film, which makes me even more interested. I can't wait to find out the answers to my questions.

Right-Brain Thinking

Even though it was early on in the book, I really liked the talk on right-brain thinking. Yeah, yeah, everyone talks about how the right-brainers are rising up and taking things over -- the creative trumping the brainy -- but I totally agree. In fact, what is life with just logic and numbers and all that? I've heard enough of it. Think about it, we're on this tiny planet in this huge galaxy, in this GIGANTIC universe. I'm not trying to live my life calculating my every move, and check book, and so on. Anyways, I'm trying to have fun. Do what I want in life. Live it to the fullest. Everything. Spend money. Make stupid decisions. Whatever. That's how I think. I look at the stars at night, and it grounds me. When all things seem outta wack, or I'm having a hard time, I just look up there and remember my significance in this universe. Which is big. I believe. Yeah, maybe it's small, my signifance. But what if it is BIG. I'm going off on a tangent.

Anyways, if the left brain controls the right side, the so-called sequential side, the numbers side... that's what I use everyday. I write with my right hand, eat with my right hand, etc. Now I don't consider myself that creative of a person. I mean, yeah I want to make films, somewhat calling myself a "filmmaker" (I'm most definitely not... yet) and I guess you have to be somewhat creative to do so. I don't know, most of my stuff I take from real life. Real life experiences. Things my fried and I discuss everyday. All of that. So I'm not too creative right? But that's my passion. Now here's the funny thing -- whenever I play basketball I can only dribble with my LEFT hand! What's the deal with that?!?!?! I used to love basketball. I still somewhat do, but I haven't played in FOREVER. But what's the deal with me dribbling with only my left hand???? It most definitely feels the most comfortable... but I just don't understand it's significance. I was never THAT great at the game. Yeah I'm big and can play center alright... but it's not my strong-point, by far. So I don't know! I've been thinking about it often since I've read this book. Maybe I'm more creative when playing? Maybe I'm exercising different brain cells? Most definitely. Anyhow... it's something to think about. And just thinking about THAT, makes me thing more -- it's a trip. Our brians are indeed just as complex as the surrounding universe. There's so much to be learned.

upside down

So I took one of my paintings that a friend did for me and turned it upside down. As soon as I did so, I decided I liked it even more. So I'm leaving it like that -- upside down.

All of the sudden I feel more creative. Yeah, yeah, cheesy right? But it's true! I don't know if it's that, or if it's because The Godfather Part II is playing behind me as I look at this painting and type. Or maybe it's both. What, it's a masterpiece! The film, not the painting.

Over the last hour or so I've been thinking of a screenplay idea I've had in my head for quite some time, and as I sit here I feel like working on it some more. Usually at this time of night I'm pretty tired and can't get anything really productive done. But I feel energized. Weird, huh? Maybe. Maybe not...

Anyways, I'll leave it at that. I like my painting upside down.




=]

CJ7 !

is my favorite movie right now!
i'm in love with it

this little guy is in it:


if you haven't already see it... what's your problem!??!?!
go get it!

you know Stephen Chow? The guy who did Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle ??

yeah, he did it.
GO GET IT GORILLA FINGERS!




Seriously, this film is amazing. It's funny. It's heartbreaking. It's everything. My friend Ralph and I are all about it right now... and it hits home. Stephen Chow knows what's up!

And look out... !!! Stephen Chow is going to be directing the new Green Hornet film, whci is written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Superbad & Pineapple Express). Seth Rogen is going to play Britt Reid (Green Hornet) and Stephen Chow is going to play Kato ! This film cannot come fast enough!

STOKED !

Chapter 27

Have you seen this film??? It's about Mark David Chapman, the guy that killed John Lennon. Jared Leto plays Chapman... and does a great job at that. He gained 67 lbs to play the role! Now that's dedication. And it completely paid off. Leto is a monster! This is by far the best role he's played yet.

I don't know too much about The Beatles, or John Lennon. I was never THAT big of a fan. But after seeing this film and everything, I plan on looking more into the group, as well as the individual members. Just the happenings that surround all of these guys are very intriguing, and it's something I've yet to really take interest in, until now. I also bought the film Across The Universe over the summer, but have yet to watch it... I NEED TO!

As for Chapter 27... all I can say is WOW. What a film. It reminds me a lot of Taxi Driver, one of my favorite movies of all time. It's a monster. Be sure to watch both of these films if you haven't seen them.



YEAH!

link for THE MASTER PLAN

for some reason my previous blog for The Master Plan wasn't allowing people to write comments. So here you go, write some comments for The Master Plan - EPISODE I - "The Beach" !

and watch it here on youtube!

some music videos coming soon...

So over the summer I shot a music video for one of my friends, Jack, AKA Drastek. He, along with a handful of some other close friends, have been going hard doing their hip-hop thing for a few years now, and stuff is really starting to fall in place. Anyways, I shot a music video, and am still in process of editing it. It's MUCH more dificult than anything I've ever edited or put together before. It's crazy. So I should be done with it within the next month... Also, I'll be shooting another music video shortly for my good friend Nate Williams (of "Nate's Big Adeventure Home" and "Goldbricker" fame) - this should be waaaay crazy. I have no idea when I'll have that up - but be on the lookout! I'd like to have it done before the end of the semester... so we'll see!

And I can't forget one of my main inspirations as far as the whole music video thing goes. His name is Rik Cordero, and he's a BEAST at hip-hop music videos. This dude does music videos for guys ranging from Sean Price to The Roots to Joell Ortiz to Nas (if you know who any of those people are, you'll know he's a big deal). This guy is on top of his game. He shoots everything guerilla-style, going out on the streets, setting up, shooting - no permits, nothing. Well... maybe there are some. And THEN his turn-around is CRAZY. He'll got out and shoot on a Monday and have the video all edited and up on the internet by the weekend. I have much respect for this dude and his craft. Check out some of his work:'

Smif N Wessun - "Stomp"

The Roots - "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)"

Nas - "Be A N****r Too"

Joell Ortiz - "Brooklyn Bullshit"

"Nate's Big Adventure Home" an interactive web story

here it is!

The Master Plan - EPISODE I - "The Beach"

Here it is folks! Episode I "The Beach" is the kick-off of this new web-series. Brought to you by yours truly and the rest of the good fellows from Brand 8 Productions, 'The Master Plan' is about a group of friends and their constant pursuit of a good day. Today's master plan:



Please leave some comments and let me know what you think!