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 !