Audience: LonelyPond

WARNER AND INDEPENDENT FILMS/FRIDAY

May 09, 2008 04:05PM

I think that part of the reason I like writing is that you really only need a new pen and a new pad and you can create a whole new world. That's affordable. Sometimes you don't even need a new pen, only the back of a used envelope and a borrowed pencil stub. One grandmother always brought me pens and cool pads from work; the other kept a stash so I could draw my Cab Boys (they rolled around in an oversized grocery cart on their adventures) comic strips (I think they might have actually been storyboards) on her coffee table. Why mention this? Well, today in the Journal, a front page Marketplace article announced that Warner Bros. is closing down Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures, leaving only New Line Cinema producing new projects. Which led me to think, less money in independent/art films, less places to land scripts. I then followed that thought with a moment of envy -- the memory of the Canadian and British government funding so many of their animators seem to have access to...but then I am forced to admit that while I can find lack of funds creatively stimulating (and here I'm speaking of small amounts of cash and fully stocked food in the house, not totally skint), I find the search for money totally absorbs all of my time and energy and leaves me doing nothing but waiting for a check or an idle, easily amused leprechaun. I hate that feeling. Which is why this started with the freedom of the pad and the pen. A new world for a couple of bucks and then with an internet connection and a second typed draft, I can share it with interested parts of the universe. Maybe it's time to put "In The Bleak December" up on michelledenisenorton.com -- it's a good story. I like it. But right now I have to decide about scratch art and puppets and see what I can do with the purchased on sale Toon Boom Studio Express 4. Have a great weekend. Don't forget it's "Rip That Wrap" night -- open something you've nearly forgotten about, try to remember why you bought it and use any money you save by not going out(the Alice Trillan theory of economics) to buy yourself a new pen and start a new universe.

"TRA LA IT'S MAY..."

May 09, 2008 08:44AM

The rainy month of May...apparently, my modem suffered a minor lightning strike and then an incompetent repairman so after another service visit yesterday, my modem is up and running...what did you miss...party instead of a "Rip That Wrap" last Friday, Iron Man rocked -- Robert Downey, Jr. puts me off a bit in person (too much Chaplin), but he was an excellent choice for the role. I was surprised by how much Tony Stark alone in with his work time there was so Jon Favreau knew what he was casting. A little brutal and there should be a warning about massive scenes of car carnage, but good summer blockbuster start. Smallville's been intriguing,two weeks ago good Clark and Lois stuff, this week, good plot twist...no Lex next season, might be good for the show. Can't decide about Speed Racer -- rainy day like today would be the ticket, reviews aren't encouraging, but cars, action, speed...I'll let you know if it makes it in my weekend.

COMPUTER VS. SUN

Apr 30, 2008 01:28PM

Too much computer but trailer done, website updated (with pictures hyperlinked to various things including the new Meet Lonely Pond Productions trailer which I'm hoping the Cape Fear Film Fest will include in their rotation). I am going to take a walk, darn it, and smell the lilacs before the thunderstorms roll in...as for you, find the trailer at http://www.mideno.com. Tallyho.

AAAAARRRRGHHHHHH BUT PARTIAL TRAILER

Apr 29, 2008 12:30AM

Too much computer time, but almost a trailer...the start of one anyway...more up on a rooftop than LPM (lfl) at the moment but I need more files from my .iso interpreter Calvin as well as some sleep. Anyway, here's a quick glance; good night: http://gallery.mac.com/lonelypond/100018

SUBURBAN GIRL

Apr 27, 2008 10:07PM

Well, I was upset on Sarah Michelle Gellar's behalf that her starring role in the adaptation of "A Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing" went straight to DVD, but after watching it, I'm puzzled at how anyone could take a best selling book, SMG and Alec Baldwin, New York City and the bouncy lead in song by Sara Bareilles ("Love Song" which now can be heard everywhere from Radio Disney to "Made of Honor" commercials) and make it so darn boring...too many literary references and a plot that skipped from dramatic event to dramatic event with no real flow...some good performances -- evil blondeshell boss, lingerie designer best friend...I think if Gellar is going to do movies like this she should stop apologizing for the script of "Simply Irresistible" which at least had spark and I also think that someone should write a decent script for her. O.K., enough grumping. Tomorrow, last Friday's Rip That Wrap review. Also, we're testing Dragon Stop Motion software over the next ten days and I'll be commenting on the Project Pye thread.

SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY

Apr 23, 2008 09:52PM

yes, it's the anniversary of WS's birth and my friend Laurie has sent me a fun list of links to amuse, entertain and educate so I am stealing them and posting them here -- which can count as my early birthday present -- thank you, Laurie. And my personal suggestion: read the ninth Chet Gecko novel ("Give My Regrets to Broadway") if you need a Shakespeare fix and can't get to Japan for their version of Hamlet. My theory on Hamlet(and why you won't be seeing my version) -- if you're going to go to all the bother of directing it, you might as well play the lead as well -- two visions of Hamlet head to head is a frightening thought. Anyway, like Shakespeare, I will take someone else's work and repackage it for the groundlings so here you go (I like "Bond and the Bard" -- Alan Cummings is very entertaining and who I wonder is the most Bond like hero -- probably Rosalind, maybe Olivia-- for my next version of Twefth Night -- secret agent fun, there's a thought)happy Bard day everyone: "You made it through Earth Day, but don't forget April 23rd, Shakespeare's 444th birthday! What, you're not prepared? A new crop of things to help celebrate yet again: Get thee an Hamlet finger-puppet set: http://www.bardcentral.com/index.php?cPath=180 or Shakespeare bobble-head: http://www.tudorguild.org/shakespeare-toys-c-101.html Order some Shakespeare's Pizza: http://www.shakespeares.com Fly to England and listen to Royal Shakespeare Company actors compare 007 to doublet drama ("Bond Meets the Bard"): http://www.rsc.org.uk/WhatsOn/5732.aspx -- and watch the BardÃ�Â¢Ã¯Â¿Â½Ã¯Â¿Â½s barge float down the Thames: http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/3253 Or fly to Japan: http://www.age.ne.jp/x/umi/e-welcom.htm Or trot over to the Folger Library for a photo opp: http://www.folger.edu/woSummary.cfm?woid=447 Or settle down with a table full of recent Shakespeare books: http://www.slate.com/id/2189316/

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE...

Apr 23, 2008 09:22PM

The more they bite -- did I mention this is the year I am apparently giving up nostalgia - and maybe my breakfast friend The Wall Street Journal. Managing editor Marcus Brauchli resigned; change has apparently been too slow for Murdoch (Gayle sends me helpful article links from the Columbia Journalism Review) and I'm finding too many stories contain sloppy writing and/or editing and details I just don't want to know about things that are of no interest to me -- exactly where the guard dog sniffed a casino executive for one quick example and what the presumably happily married woman and the convict she helped escape did on Valentine's Day for another. I enjoyed the Journal because the writing was crisp, I didn't have to read about car accidents or daily crime, and it delved into interesting tangents. The tangents are turning into torrents and my interest is turning into lack of. And on the CBS sitcom front -- welcome to the night of the no segue -- I can't believe I'm saying this but too much Sheldon. The Big Bang Theory is becoming the Big Bust Theory because they've fallen too in love with the nerds. Plots used to involve humor that came from friction and relationship and character; now they seem to just focus on Sheldon's quantum peg in a Flat Earth hole -- as well as allowing a total waste of Kaley Cuoco's comedy skills.

YouTube Channel

Apr 21, 2008 10:37PM

Right, if you're not following along on the Project Pye movie page -- soon to have its own website (I hope) here's the link to watch our stop motion skills improve: http://www.youtube.com/lonelypond

FORBIDDEN KINGDOM

Apr 21, 2008 09:46PM

Well, go see it, but don't fall off a Boston rooftop to do so. Excellent Jackie Chan-Jet Li martial arts action, fairly solid storyline, still sucks to be the girl in these kind of films which makes a Weinstein quote I read (quick paraphrase) that this film will bring women to a martial art film kind of questionable. I assume whichever of them it was is counting on the cuteness of Michael Angarano. Some reviewers raved about the Chan-Li fight but I think the best one is the first group fight in the restaurant where Chan throws Angarano around like a dead weight sack of rice. The final fight echoes that one for a brief moment, which is cool. Plus, bonus points for Jet Li playing the Monkey King, laughing and looking like he's having the time of his life. It inspired a haiku and afternoon lilac scented tai chi so try it out: Jackie Chan Jet Li/Martial arts excellencies/Joint effort must see.

FRIDAY

Apr 18, 2008 09:26AM

Well, yesterday was hectic...transmission went down but covered under warranty so thank you Saturn...although I missed a doctor's appointment and it's very hard to get myself pysched up for them...So very wired yesterday and ended up staying up too late and watching the second of the "Librarian" movies with Noah Wylie, Bob Newhart, Jane Curtin, Excalibur, etc...kept meaning to turn it off, but then something fun would happen so I just kept watching...need to pull out the Indiana Jones movies in preparation for the next one...This week's big screen blockbuster tip: Forbidden Kingdom with Jackie Chan and Jet Li, but remember it's also "Rip That Wrap" night. Take the shrink wrap off something you already own, cook up something fun and try to figure out why you bought the movie in the first place. Happy Friday.

INSOMNIA

Apr 14, 2008 08:34PM

I should haiku about that but then I'd be counting syllables all night -- I wonder if they'd look like sheep and now I have the "Shaun the Sheep" theme song in my head so jaunty dancing syllables here we go...Late night visions leap/Jaunty dancing syllables/In and out of sleep

TODAY'S HAIKU

Apr 12, 2008 07:52PM

Yes, it's Spring and I'm haikuing again...here's today's: Early bird calls drive/ Engines launching Spring's lawn roar/ Over sleep's sound spell

ECONOMIZING

Apr 12, 2008 07:50PM

So in the interest of economizing, we have decided to make Friday nights "open the previously purchased still shrink wrapped video and cook in" night. We decided to break into the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers collection Gayle had gotten me for Christmas and watch "Follow the Fleet"-- food choice: nachos. Music by Irving Berlin; comedy by Ginger, Fred and a monkey in uniform. Notable number: "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket" -- great comic mugging by Ginger combined with sharp tap. Quite a switch to see a movie where the closeup is practically non existent and most scenes are filmed at least from mid thigh up, if not from the doorway. But great to see so much said physically and musically instead of just with the eyes, lips or camera.

THINKING

Apr 10, 2008 10:08PM

Spent some time at my alternate office -- no new Mac magazines so that's disappointing...flipped through "Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride: An Invitation to the Wedding" and came to the sudden, shocking realization that I'm going to have to go through every stop motion scene two if not three times. I don't know why I had the just once mental image, but there it was...now it's gone, replaced by ????????!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????? or !!!!!!!??????omg?????!!!!!!!!!!! Also Gullible and Twitchy don't seem to be attracting a YouTube audience. The cooking witch numbers are going up, but not so much the orange cat numbers...should put up the next episode "CRUSH" --we definitely improved.

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

Apr 08, 2008 08:55PM

The summer movie edition of "looking forward to" -- I've had the list in my head for awhile and TV commercials keep reminding me so here it is: Forbidden Kingdom -- Jackie Chan and Jet Li, fun and adventure, great; Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull -- Harrison Ford still INDY and as big screen as always, Shia LaBeouf great addition; Iron Man -- Robert Downey, Jr. looks to have cracked Tony Stark, superheroes always fun; Speed Racer - previews with mindblowing visuals and speed, cast looks fun although I have my doubts about Hirsch. Gayle is looking forward to the next Batman, but I think Heath Ledger's Joker might be too intense. Beau is looking forward to Hancock (?) the Will Smith superhero screw up movie; I still can't see catching Get Smart -- don't like Steve Carrell and the commercial I saw didn't make it look anything like as funny as the original. Apparently, they're selling it based on Anne Hathaway's legs. I just flash back to the Princess Diaries and miss Barbara Feldon. And Don Adams. And the writing of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. And Bernie Koppell. Just need to scrape up $200 and buy the original from Time Life. Here's an early start to this year's Christmas list.

HEY HEY MONKEES

Apr 06, 2008 09:04PM

Finally my ON DEMAND recovered from exposure to my brother Joe and I had an opportunity to be unwedded to the TV schedule, which is good because I needed a little comedy boost to recover from exposure to a Pinter one act. So I paid a visit to the Monkees. Very very obvious jokes, lots of running around, very very good time...a surprising amount of just running in circles like maniacs while being chased by a guy in a gorilla suit, gansters, other people's unhappy spouses etc. Fun fact of the day: Mike Nesmith's mother invented Liquid Paper. And you should find a way to listen to "El Dorado to the Moon," my favorite Nesmith solo song. Also "Tanya" -- he had a bunch of songs with girls names, most of them enjoyable. And "El Dorado" -- load up with Esso gas and take a spin.

MONDAYS & HEIST FILMS

Mar 31, 2008 10:11AM

Too much TV talk so let's hit up some movie memories...caught "Ocean's Eleven" last night -- parts of it, watched the end, then the beginning...love heist films. Used to practice climbing things (doors, houses, trees) as a small child so I could be like Cary Grant in "To Catch A Thief" or Robin Hood (did I mention my medal from Gun &; Bow club -- on the list of things people are least likely to know about me)...Ocean's Eleven is a fun one, I also like the remake of "The Italian Job" -- of course, I did, cool cars. Don't remember "Ocean's 12" and it had Catherine Zeta Jones who is usually a memory aid and Gayle had no interest in 13. Oh, right, I remember -- Sinatra week on the afterschool movies -- "Guys and Dolls", "Robin and the Seven Hoods." Also the more modern "Maverick." Must have seen "the Sting" but not on my top list...on another note, happy opening day. Time to toss out the first pitch. Spring is here, even with the grey rain.

VERITAS

Mar 29, 2008 10:18AM

Well paced Smallville episode, although I thought the Lionel begging stuff was a bit overdone. Hope the Lois and Jimmy out and getting themselves into trouble is a precursor of more Lois and Jimmy in the future. Lovely moment for Tom Weling when he stood on the roof of the Daily Planet looking up after Kara and Brainiac and wishing he could fly.

PETER AND THE WOLF

Mar 26, 2008 06:19PM

Two years writing the script and she couldn't figure out a way to save the duck????????????? Aaaarrrghhhh. I want to see "Guy 101" the short that beat "Peter and the Wolf" out for a BAFTA. We just watched the Great Performances special -- Gayle under duress, apparently she can't stand the music. Best part, boy eyes vs. wolf eyes and the cat was pretty entertaining, but on the whole not as impressed as I was expecting to be...although, of course, you must respect the painstaking effort...but I thought there was too much storytelling time wasted for "Watch the puppets do this slowly and/or almost cry while listening to repetitive music." I always remember Peter and the Wolf being fraught with tension, while this version just made me long for the happy moment when the duck reappeared. Alas, no happy duck moment. I feel cheated.

MONDAY ROUNDUP

Mar 24, 2008 09:33PM

"Big Bang Theory" back with style, but as much as I love Sheldon -- so funny sometimes I go beyond laughter -- they need to give Kaley Cuoco more to do (another reviewer said this, but I figured out what it is they need to give her to do; they used to have Penny-Sheldon or Penny-Leonard conversations happening on camera; now they're happening off -- yes, I'm sure it's harder to write, but that dichotomy was essential; don't turn Sheldon into a one man show... or they could add 15 minutes to the show to allow for the extra time science talk requires...happening place today here in Pennsylvania -- Elections office -- bunches of people switching registrations and registering. GREAT to see democracy in progress; if only we had better choices.

SMALLVILLE

Mar 22, 2008 11:44AM

Well, at least the pacing's good and Lana and Clark aren't annoying. But no Lois and worse, the someone new comes in and Lex kills them midseason obsession is getting predictable (the mutation of meteor freak of the week) and the obsession with the Veritas logo is bringing back bad memories of reincarnated witches.

TESTING

Mar 19, 2008 02:14PM

Have been having fun with test animations -- cold fun on Monday evening, but still fun. My Macintosh makes some things so easy, which is nice. IMovie keeps crashing, which is bad and I still haven't accessed the stuff I have stored on my external hard drive created in an early OS so that really bites...but still higher than 6 on the computer fun meter so very good.

BIG BANG ENCHANTMENT

Mar 17, 2008 11:40AM

Big Bang Theory comes back tonight (8:00 apparently -- new time -- on CBS) -- I hope it hasn't lost a step; Enchanted out on DVD tomorrow...

TORCHED

Mar 17, 2008 11:38AM

Gayle thought I wouldn't like Torchwood and she was right, but not exactly for the reason. She figured I'd go relationships yuck...Gayle does not believe the I, Michelle Denise Norton, am a sentimental romantic argument -- even when I offer my '07 favorite movies as proof -- Enchanted, Alvin and the Chipmunks (come on Hollywood, step up here)...anyway, Torchwood-- it's supposed to be Dr. Who for (and with) bisexuals; what it actually is is BAD Buffy for method actors. They all appear to be screamers and/or whiners. The Owen is taken over by Death which we found out from a internet search in old legends story just made me realize what a great and scary episode the Buffy comes down with the flu and sees a storybook monster stalking the children's ward (season 3, I belive, maybe 2 -- will look it up) is. No wonder they brought James Marsters in; they're probably hoping to catch the Buffy fans still suffering from withdrawal. But try some real heroes and effective episode pacing and storylines that aren't just overemoting and ineffectual pounding on closed doors.

THE BIG BANG THEORY

Mar 10, 2008 09:58PM

One week from now: new episodes. Until then, I catch the occasional "8 Simple Rules" and the rest of the usual, although trying to cut down and work our way through the Coupling DVD's that finally arrived from Amazon. BBC should release "You Must Be the Husband" on DVD and more urgently, "Sean the Sheep" as there are Sean DVDs out there, but they won't play in mine...getting hooked on "Top Gear" which is bad because 1. they are anti-American (see their road trip through four Southern states) and 2. digital cable must go. Also getting hooked on late night internet, which is a bad habit.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: NEW FRONTIER

Mar 09, 2008 12:22PM

Rented Justice League: New Frontier this weekend. Great art, excellent voicework, especially David Boreanz, Neil Patrick Harris, Jeremy Sisto and Lucy Lawless. Very patriotic in a go American ideals and not necessarily the government sort of way and earnest. Today's heroism is willing to kill to survive, not necessarily for one's country. Heroism used to be don't kill at all or do so to save desperate women and children so I'm not sure that's progress...I guess it's hard not to use heroism to comment on current politics, but the extra layers slow down the story. But that's Darwyn Cooke's call, not mine and otherwise a good story with some great animated action sequences.

MADONNA

Mar 03, 2008 09:12PM

Caught Dick Tracy on the FLIX (?) channel a couple of nights ago -- I remembered the t-shirt ticket, the midnight opening and the Boy Scouts out with their grandparents, but I didn't remember if I liked the movie. Now I remember -- Madonna TOO sexy, movie too slow, all the shots should have been at night -- the daytime shots looked too bland -- and too much repetition. Some great montages over Madonna songs though -- better pacing there then in the movie generally, but once again repeated too many times. 2 months of free digital cable is apparently saving me money by decreasing my mental list of movies I want to rent or buy. Madonna is a better actress than people give her credit for (yes, I did see Shanghai Surprise) and I wondered why she didn't get better parts in better movies and then Gayle pointed out that every music video she did was a movie. Very true. Next quest: Who's that Girl. And then maybe Ishtar.

OUR WEBSITE

Mar 02, 2008 03:02PM

It's the unofficial first test of my website building skills -- check out the new and slightly less argumentative Lonely Pond Productions site (sorry about the cut and paste, my HTML expert blew a gasket): http://www.mideno.com

FILMCATCHER.COM

Feb 27, 2008 10:41AM

New indie film centric site a friend and fellow LonelyPonder worked on. Movie reviews, opportunities to promote and buy, cool color scheme for your profile image. Check it out. As usual, I can be found by the lonelypond. http://www.filmcatcher.com

QUICK CATCH UP

Feb 27, 2008 10:39AM

Caught "the Wedding Banquet" on ON DEMAND. Ang Lee is really an amazing director. Scoring great, especially for emphasizing humor, very powerful understated performances -- really enjoyed it. Also picked up the phone and called for stop motion help. Big step for me; I hate using the phone, but I really want to just have some fun with puppets and see what happens. Still trying 2-D animation software but had to take a break because it was driving me crazy with frustration (and really zonking my right side muscles). Will go back to it this weekend. Oh and whoever's in charge of the weather how about some sun and walking weather?

BOO APPLE

Feb 20, 2008 11:10PM

Now, I have been a huge Apple booster since college, but I have just discovered that when they break your iPOD, there is no on-line way to communicate your unhappiness with their updating glitches directly with the company. I guess I will be sending them a stern letter and eating up minutes placing a long distance call. So much for good PR. So endeth the first flush of romance...

QUICK REVIEWS

Feb 16, 2008 07:02PM

Smallville this past week not bad for being inside of Lex's head. "Definitely, Maybe" only a maybe, although Isla Fisher a find -- screen filling vitality. Have been testing animation programs -- ToonBoom Studios basic program and then the child friendly FlipBoom. Studio is a bit difficult, but as I work with it I can see where it is incredibly useful but I'll have to actually read the instructions rather than just futzing around. In FlipBoom, I actually finished a simple project while Gayle's downstairs watching "Torchwood" -- we have 2 months of free digital cable and yes, she apparently likes the "Dr. Who" spinoff.

RE-GIFTERS

Feb 11, 2008 06:18PM

Picked up my comic books and an extra graphic novel -- Re-Gifters, written by Mike Carey with art by Sonny Liev and Marc Hempel. Story sounded interesting, looked like a good read with a quick glance through. At first, it seemed a bit too "gee, does he think I'm cute," but turned into a deeper story -- a very enjoyable read. Good urban ethnic blend with a Korean-American main character. Recommended if you like your romance, action and character in the graphic form. If not, there's always Gayle's choice for the evening: "It Happened One Night." Bit too slow and talky argumentive for me, but then I'll stick to my musicals if we're going to do black and white. "Top Hat" or "Carefree" for me, thank you.

HAPPY YEAR OF THE RAT

Feb 08, 2008 09:34AM

Best wishes for health, wealth and prosperity as we enter a new cycle.

BLACK CANARY + GREEN ARROW = ACTION ADVENTURE FUN

Feb 08, 2008 09:31AM

Well, last night was the best Smallville episide in long while -- I like Smallville much better when it focuses on crisp, fast action and straightforward plots -- next week, apparently, we play in Lex's mind so I'm not so looking forward to that, but back to last night. Black Canary made another great addition from the DC canon of heroes -- Gayle kept raving about her makeup -- and the return of Green Arrow was a needed infusion of swashbuckling adrenaline. Plus, Lois being Lois -- much better than the Grant Gabriel situation. Here's hoping that if the Writer's strike resolves, we see more scripts like that one and the Green Arrow/Black Canary in Star City spin off -- or at least either the Justice League or the Legion of Superheroes in the season finale. Which reminds me, I need to pick up my comic books. And the Papercutz Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew graphic novels are fun (another library find). Am also looking forward to a non comic read that looks fun: "Will the VAMPIRE PEOPLE please leave the lobby" by Allyson Beatrice -- a humorus look at cult fandom with a Buffy bent.

POST MURDOCH, A EQUALS BORING

Feb 06, 2008 11:18AM

Well, now I'm grumpy about my morning paper because the esteemed Wall Street Journal might actually turning into a News Corp. shill with lowered journalistic standards. Or at least, they're packing the A section with six oversized repetitive articles on a single subject (Super Tuesday yesterday) instead of one or two well written, succint and informative pieces on a subject, allowing room for more issues to get coverage. "The Informed Reader" has been removed and the front page rejiggered -- plus, a sudden deluge of graphs and charts. All of these things are making me rethink the virtue of a daily read that now takes half the time to read and offers half or less of its former interest. If my first issue of "The Economist" slides through the mail slot anytime soon, it'll be a much more serious contender for my subscription budget.

BUSINESS MAIL

Feb 05, 2008 10:11AM

My first issue of "Animation Magazine" as a subscriber has arrived, addressed to "Michelle Denise Norton, Lonely Pond Productions, Inc." "Persepolis" is on the front cover; "Ratatouille" has the back cover. Those two bookends are proof of the diverse world of animation -- it's not all dancing penguins. Caught two "Shaun the Sheep" halves on the Disney Channel yesterday -- still funny; still amazing technique. Aardman rarely goes wrong. Now, I have to 1. figure out where to start and 2. JUST DO IT. But first, rats.

PUT ME IN COACH

Feb 04, 2008 09:45AM

Haven't heard from the Athens International Sci Fi and Fantasy Fest; would really like to get LONELY POND MONSTER (looking for love) out in the universe -- and have an excuse to celebrate with ouzo. Right now, taking a break from movies to practice drawing rats for the Chinese/Lunar New Year (starts Thursday). Might rent Ratatouille (sp?) -- maybe if I get in touch with my inner animated rat, 2008 can be the year I finish Project Pye.

"RODERIGO Y GABRIELA"

Feb 01, 2008 02:43PM

ESPN's First Take not only does sports news, but also music. At the tail end of today's show, they turned over the stage to Rodrigo y Gabriela, a heavy metal acoustic guitar duo who met in a thrash metal band in Mexico then moved to Dublin (acc. to Wikipedia). They were amazing; I have found people who play the guitar like I do in a dream I haven't dreamt yet-- with pounding passion. Follow your muse to YouTube or the Superbowl countdown and enjoy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8dPso79Z9

BELLVILLE RENDEZVOUS

Jan 31, 2008 03:56PM

Watched "Triplets of Bellville" -- finally. Fascinatingly grotesque, extremely well done and I didn't like it. But I learned from it and it reaffirms my faith that an effective movie does not require dialogue. Very distinctive visual style; the director pointed out in a featurette that in a silent film you can not differentiate characters by voice so you must do it by art. Part of the reason I paid more attention -- you can't just cheat by listening; active watching is required. "Triplets of Bellville" is a strange mix in many ways and worth a watch, although I am glad I only borrowed it from the library.

JAZZ SHOTS

Jan 22, 2008 05:40PM

Trying out library DVD's -- occasionally try to work up a jazz mood to see if I can finish one of the two jazz scripts I've been steeping for awhile. Picked up "Jazz Shots from the East Coast, vol.1 " and am listening to it in the background now. Nice mellow live unadulterated performances -- so far 1/4 of the way through and I've enjoyed them all -- especially Bill Evan's "Porgy and Bess," Ahmad Jamal Trio's "Ahmad Blues." and Phil Woods quartet's "My Old Flame" so that's pretty much everything including the number I can't read under the library label. It's one in a series of six -- three East, three West. Now, we're on the Theolonius Monk trio so pardon me while I swing along.

CRISP AND CLEAN

Jan 22, 2008 05:32PM

Well, I was right when I thought sports coverage might improve the NYT average -- here's the perfect lede (sic, Gayle assures me) from John Branch's article on the Giants-Packers game: "Under a full moon, a black sky and a crisp and cruel blanket of cold, the Giants stood on the frozen sideline of Lambeau Field, waiting for a rush of warmth." Sets a mood, describes the scene and even manages some suspense, succintly. Bravo.

FLORID -- NO THANK YOU

Jan 21, 2008 10:29AM

And no, that is not a misspelling of Florida. It is infrequently I get to use a word like florid, but the situation and style demand it. Giving the New York Times a retrial -- they offered 1/2 off; I'm trying to read more -- so yesterday my first paper arrived, I skipped to the Style section, nothing spectacular, then the Arts & Leisure and Charles Isherwood's Shakespeare review (remember, it is not an authentic Lonely Pond experience if there hasn't been a recent Shakespeare reference -- and I've been slacking). Oh heavens -- such language, such over the top cliche ridden absolutely dripping language (Isherwood's not Shakespeare's): "The hallmark of both Mr. Russel Beale's and Ms. Wanamaker's performances is a limpid human truth that it requires an assured technique to achieve in Shakespeare." "Limpid human truth" and what kind of a sentence is that. See where florid is called for? And further on: "Mr. McGregor's piercing blue eyes glint like lit-up jewels in the crepuscular dimness of the production." "Crepuscular dimness" -- there's a concept. Why not go all out and throw in cerulean? Anyway, so far half price is still too much. Yes, I like a clever turn of phrase in a review, but I don't enjoy reviewers who seem to be mainly interested in showing how much they know -- or how many words they can spell. Maybe today's Sports Monday will tilt some of the balance. Perhaps they pay A & L "writers' by the word/syllable and the rest of the reporters don't get as much space to fill. I'm sending in my 12 issues of the Economist for $12 bucks postcard today -- they can thank the Times -- and looking forward to tomorrow's Wall Street Journal, although if Murdoch gets rid of the Marketplace section where will I get my media, marketing and small business news?

THANK YOU BEN FRANKLIN

Jan 17, 2008 07:10PM

Lending libraries are the BEST route for self education, a great resource and the premier forest to wander through and make your own tracks. Find a cool book at Borders, it'll either cost you or you'll long for a photographic memory; find a cool book at a library and take it home to be your buddy for at the least two weeks. Enjoyed "The Black Swan," would like to remember the author's name, but it was about risk taking and rare occurences and encouraged tangential thinking. And today, while taking back the last stack of books (on time, no fine, go Team Norton) and searching out new -- I discovered a copy of "The Triplets of Bellville" -- excellent. Also came home with Art Deco and classic car research, plus the usual Hardy Boy/Nancy Drew fix and a cool book called "Don't Try This At Home" which very matter of factly explains things like how to go over Niagra in a barrel (first go to Canada -- my advice, not theirs -- there's not even a fence) and how to steer a sub under the artic ice and how to borrow the Mona Lisa, fight a bull, lead SWAT team and other things you might never do but would enjoy knowing how to...So be nice to your local librarian and go get some books.

ANIMATION SOFTWARE

Jan 14, 2008 06:41PM

Trying to get recommendations of animation software to try -- most out of my price range. Friend of a friend suggested that old favorite "Flash." Hoping to try out some of those in my price range next week. Had a short film inspiration today -- a response to a review of a Becket play; need to come up with about three more for trial runs. Happy hunting, I hope. Drop a suggestion if you have one. Telemarketer today chatted me up about animation when he fouind out I subscribed to "Animation Digest;" he was apparently a former graphic artist who wanted to break into animation -- third question he asked about it was "what software?" My answer: still searching and/or what's wrong with pen and paper. Apparently, animation fascinates a lot of people...I need to tap into that for some help/suggestions.

JIM PARSONS

Jan 14, 2008 06:34PM

Is really the break out comedian of the year...was watching the "Big Bang Theory" again and Sheldon is just hysterical; great writing, great delivery. And Kaley Cuoco's perfomance as Penny is an understated treat -- it's fun to watch her watch them as if they were prodigy puppies. I'm beginning not to even mind Johnny Galecki as Leonard -- he usually puts me a little off ("Roseanne", "My Boys")...been catching occasional "8 Simple Rules..." reruns on ABC Family; Kaley Cuoco very funny there also.

ACES CAKED

Jan 13, 2008 04:02PM

In a desperate search for fun Food Network content I finally broke down and watched "Ace Of Cakes." Very creative, cool challenges -- they turned out an amazing King Kong in one episode...I wonder if they'd help me with the Project Pye character design. At least I can think of the cakes more as art than food so the show doesn't make me ravenously hungry like Rachel Ray's or Giada's sometime do.

WINTER GUEST

Jan 13, 2008 03:57PM

Movie night at Eric's and we watched "The Winter Guest" again -- for me and Eric, Gayle had not seen it with us lo those many years ago. Still enjoyable, still for no reason I can exactly say...great characters. Based on a play by Sharman MacDonald (I think) which explains the intensely talky parts, but there were many quieter, in amongst the scenery and the big thoughts moment that actually worked -- it helps having actors of the caliber of Phyllida Law and Emma Thompson, plus Sean Biggerstaff who looked very familiar and a handful of others. All good work, some nice fun moments along with the requisite dramatic tension. Mellow movie night. I was surprised in the credits by the mention of CGI and special effects so I did a quite Google search and eventually found an article describing the 75 special effects shots used and used pretty seamlessly -- we create weather now: http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9712/17/winter.guest.lat/

WITH MUSTARD

Jan 10, 2008 04:11PM

Ah, a food pun -- you must know one of the original titles was "Catch up" and I tangented from there. Keep meaning to mention the "Speed Racer" preview I saw -- not a "Speed Racer" fan, but the special effects look great -- the guy playing Speed doesn't seem to have much to do except try to look like a live action version of Speed Racer; I always think that's a bad sign. TMNT special features not much to watch -- more storyboad and animatic fight scenes, nothing new and educational. The universe is apparently trying to encourage me to spend less money out -- Starbucks is dropping organic milk and my alternate office is out of Silver Jasmine tea and it is no longer on the order form. Spent some time online looking up animation software -- ToonBoom and Mirage (not available for sale anymore)...need to get to the position where I can download trials and play around with them.

NATIONAL MUTANT TREASURE TURTLES

Jan 09, 2008 10:37AM

Went to see National Treasure the second on Monday. Enjoyed seeing Helen Mirren having fun on the big screen -- added for intellectual sex appeal, I wonder if that appears on CVs other than hers. Thought the big money action sequence on the Tilt O' Platter of Doom slow and almost laughable. I think I did laugh -- Gayle frowned at me anyway. Already a Disney ride with two routes to the Golden City -- one for the adventurous and balanced; one for the less so. Had the urge to watch Jon Voight's other foray into the action genre -- the original Tomb Raider. Now there's a sequel that needs to happen: Tomb Raider III, more like I than II and with Helen Mirren or Judi Dench or Diana Rigg as the villian...ANYWAY, I did enjoy the puzzle/mystery aspects, just wish the action sequences had been meaningful and not just badly paced extravaganze. Plus, no way I believe any parent lets their little boy drown for them unless they(the parents) have to rescue a younger sibling or are the only people with the save the world retina print. Work on your character and your timing, people. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or TMNT was less impressive without the big screen and the dark and the atmosphere...haven't finished it; might watch the special features. I don't think they put enough money/effort into the voice talent. Sarah Michelle Gellar is always a pleasure, but part of the success of Alvin and the Chipmunks is that they got good, fun voice talent with great comic timing for the 'munks. looks like Bruce Wayne, sounds like Patrick Stewart didn't work for me, Splinter sounded like a bad outtake and none of the turtles stood out...very negative for me; have to find something out in the universe I like or work on one of my own projects so I don't feel like a talker and not a doer -- or a movie reviewer and I'd rather make 'em than rate 'em so time for a better start. Cheerio.

CATCH A WAVE

Jan 04, 2008 05:29PM

Well, now i have the Click 5 singing "Hey girl, I wanna (sp?)catch your wave..."in my head, but that wasn't my intent. Still having the hawaii/open beaches rolling waves craving and the ukelele sounded like a minature Spanish guitar and not salt water and hula dancers so I rented "Surf's Up" Send me to the video store alone and I come back with "Harry Potter" (the new one), "Once", "Surf's Up" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" -- still miffed that I can't find "Triplets of Bellville" here (or the modern "Christmas in Connecticut" -- Tony Curtis responsible for one of the best "I can't act" scenes ever. Off track, where was I - catching a penguin wave -- right. "Surf's Up" started off annoying but then there was Jeff Bridges (mad movie refrence plug here: "Fabulous Baker Boys") and the how we did it featurette that explained they actually got the handheld camera look by using a handheld camera in a virtual environment that they could see only through the LCD screen...they had another camera on top of the handheld that tracked its location by means of LED lights on the ceiling...very very cool; gave a completely different feel to the animation...now how do I work that into PROJECT PYE without a budget or animation program...Five (plus one) quick mad movie references off the top of my head: "Carefree," "The Tall Guy," "Ira and Abby," Strictly Ballroom" and (not a movie reference but) "You must be the Husband." I need a Miranda. Happy Friday; enjoy your weekend. MAD is apparently shorthand for must aquire, darn it. The plus one is "Johnny Tsunami"

THE TRIBE

Jan 02, 2008 09:50AM

Ah, that was the fun thing I watched on New Year's Eve...history of the Jewish people and Barbie -- great fun in an 18 minute package; loved the visuals, the style, the script...you can find it on Itunes and more info at http://www.tribethefilm.com. Excellent stuff...

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Jan 02, 2008 09:45AM

And I'm trying to leave all the interference behind me in December...rented Harry Potter and the Legion of the Phoenix this past weekend; disappointed...why change the look of the Dementors; thestrals not great either; final fight scene swirling special effects great though...disappointed in Umbridge on the big screen. Had heard great things about the actress; was expecting to be disturbed, but no -- Imelda Stauton (spelling off, I'm pretty sure) lacked the repression and maniacal gleam required of an epic villian...books still a better experience; the core trio growing up well as actors -- Daniel Radcliffe did an excellent job without, I suspect, an excellent director for actors and Emma Watson and Rupert Grint did well the little they had to do...On a what am I doing note -- trying to figure out my level of involvement in PAfilms.com and still trying to set up an office. It's time consuming. What color are your walls?

HUMOR AND HEROES

Dec 26, 2007 10:02AM

Well, I tried to avoid spending all of Christmas Day watching the Stargate SG-1 marathon on the Sci Fi network andf it was pretty darn easy (apparently most of my family spent some of the holiday either watching it or avoiding it; nature or nuture, both are a little scary)...For marathons it seems like you should pick your best, most fun stand alone kick ass episodes not your deeply entrenched political intrigue with your B-Team stars. I tried several episodes and didn't stay for more than a commercial break. Stargate Atlantis had more success holding my interest -- they also have more women, although Carter is actually one of the s I had Stargate SG-1 hopes -- Amanda Tapping and Richard Dean Anderson do a great job with the heroic grit, humor and chemistry mix. Later seasons of Stargate SG-1 (from my admittedly limited skimming) and Atlantis seemed to be bogged down in slow pacing, leaving me too much to contemplate which was the more disturbing villian The Wraith or The Borg -- parts or chowder, which is the worse nightmare? This morning, Sci Fi rolled out Kevin Sorbo in Andromeda -- too bad Sorbo isn't around much; there's an actor who could kick it through all the parts of being a hero. It's the difference between captains and first officers -- sure, it's the end of the universe, but we're going to have a blast directing the fight -- first officers just frown, try the occasional heorics and make sure the junior officers feel safe and important. Captains make it opera -- comic or tragic, but on the HUGE scale. And the Stargate SG-1 personalities seem to lack that level. So I will spend this low time of the year as things restart considering heroism of the fictional sort and it's place in storytelling. Cowabunga, dudes.

"Twas the Night Before Christmas..."

Dec 24, 2007 09:40AM

Yesterday's wind gusted fifty plus degree weather was more March than December, but still here we are...Happy Christmas to those who celebrate and may you find what you want under your tree. My two favorite presents so far -- finding my buddy Byrd on Linked In and the Pixar Short Film collection (thank you Paula). One of the best things about this holiday season has been the new holiday movies/shows I've seen -- top 3: Hogfather, Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Class of 3000 Holiday special...I'd stopped watching the Class of 3000, but the Christmas special was an enjoyable treat -- I love the way some of the fabric trim/textures looked -- Class is done in a unique style and clothes and the music video moments really benefit from it. Anyway, take care, enjoy the upcoming holidays and the week between...Cheers.

OFFICE

Dec 18, 2007 09:45AM

I adore my alternate office not only because there are people who make me Silver Jasmine tea as well as stacks of magazines and books, but also because it's already set up...no desks have to be carried upstairs, no cables laid across routes that won't tangle up people or cats, no walls that should be painted because our two week photo intern boarder decided she wanted wasabi walls...found a bargain desk, but the rest of it is difficult and time consuming; seems like everything this time of year goes slower and leaves no time for recreation...I did go see "Alvin and the Chipmunks" -- I did mention coming down with a rare fit of nostalgia earlier, didn't I. Chipmunks darn cute, story simple, not enough Seville and chipmunk time though, but still fun...Inspirational story; Ross Badrossian (sorry about spelling: I will try to find proper) spent 90 of his last $100 on a tape recorder, thought hmmmm...what if I change the speed and lo, "The Witch Doctor" song was created, followed by Alvin and co. -- I've always said buy the hardware and see what happens -- inspirationa stroy thanks to interview with Badrossian's son in locl "Fly" magazine.

THE LONG SHOT

Dec 13, 2007 10:28AM

What's wrong with the long shot? There I was, watching "Hogfather, Part II" and we were getting to the dangerous part of the climax where Death's granddaughter (excellent job by Michelle Dockery -- I think that's her name) was facing down the villians in the form of angry fanged dogs and we see her face...it looks likes she's drawn up in an intimidating position, her bosom might be heaving if you exercise your imagination based on her breathing rate, but we have a potential great shot -- heroine on one side of a fallen snow bridge, vicious villians ready to leap, Death helpless in the background and mostly we get to focus on her face and the Bride of Frankenstein modified hairdo...waste of a dramatic cinematic moment...and harder to read...shoulders and posture would give you the watcher a firmer grip on how RESOLUTE the character was...body language is so much more than the face.

HOGFATHER & THE CHIPMUNKS

Dec 12, 2007 09:05AM

Spent some time at my alternate office yesterday and ended up at the nexus of Lao Tzu and Terry Pratchett (yes, there is one); then I come home and find out that Pratchett's Christmas fable "Hogfather" is on the ion network (what is the ion network?) -- not as funny as the book, although the actoir playing Lord Downey of the assassins, the woman playing Death's granddaughter and Albert, Death's temporary Christmas pixie assistant all do very nicely. Special effects are very cool, especially for the small screen -- nice lighting, although Binky should glow more. Catch "Hogfather, Part II" tonight at nine or read the original book -- it's a very new very old take on "the Fat Man" and laden with Pratchett hysteria -- the movie doesn't do the wizaeds well at all...This time of year, I get sideswiped by fits of nostalgia so Alvin and the Chipmunks is looking fun (big Jason Lee fan) -- am also on a ukelele hunt -- hard to find in town; someone was on a ukelele hunt ahead of me so the hanging pegs are bare.

DREAM HAIKU

Dec 06, 2007 09:28AM

had an intensely vivid dream where I was in school, sort of, and had written a poem, I think, but it was rebus like with pictures indicating words; it seemed very complicated, but then I woke up and only remembered the settings and the complicated...it's frustrating when I have dreams where I'm reading something I've written and then can't recall any of the details at all. Aside from that, had a massage and a shower in the middle of a grey funk the other day and saw a glimmer of a way to restart -- Christmas music video; and today's there's snow for further inspiration. I'm a great believer in natural seasonal lighting. Time to see if I can round up any interest -- my LEAST favorite part of the process.

SOME ENCHANTED POSTER

Dec 01, 2007 07:28PM

Well, one of my jump start my creativity projects turned out well; finished a poster for a Canadian "Queer and Christian" contest...don't know if anyone'll like it, but I had fun doing it...turned into a surfing on a mini rocket robot...should do a gay robot cartoon series: "Gear and Queer." And on the totally flip of that note -- went to see "Enchanted" -- yes I actually WENT to see a movie...thought I was goingh to hate; when she hit Central Park and the reggae band kicked, well, it was love -- and then at the end, I almost forgave them for the housework. Amy Adams played many very fine comic and dramatic notes and James Marsden was gleaming good natured greatness (and he finally gets a girl). Go see it if you have any sentiment or romance in your soul at all...and yes, my calling/business cards should say "Creative Engine, runs on green tea, dark chocolate and the San Jose with chicken infused with liberal amounts of raging sentimentality."

UNENCHANTED WEEKEND

Nov 26, 2007 09:49AM

Well, "Enchanted" did fine without my dollars added to its pile...the Disney advertising machine has led me to believe it would be fun and charming and nothing has led me to believe otherwise. So maybe this week...so maybe this week seems to be my new motto about seeing movies... Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal movie critic, raved; he's a big Amy Adams fan from "Junebug." Some sun over the holiday weekend, but I had to spend a lot of time indoors teching for the upcoming Christmas show at DreamWrights. I like tech better as a director -- I got to talk to a lot of people and try to shush even more people, but it seemed cold molasses slow and I was indoors and not out getting sun. Need something to pull me out of my midwinter grey funk as winter hasn't even officially begun yet. Watched the end of Mona Lisa Smile on FX this morning; it's one of those movies I don't intend to rent again but kind of feel like I want to watch again. I can't figure out if it's inspirational or not. I did figure out that Kirsten Dunst always gets the best part -- maybe it's a "Get Over It" Night -- good funny take on Midsummer with a great opening sequence and several roar out loud moments. There's my pump up the volume clear out the funk Kirsten Dunst double feature: "Get Over It" and "Bring It On." I wonder what Eliza Dushku (misspelling probably) is up to now? Sarah Michelle Gellar has three movies coming out and her first Maxim cover. Anyway, happy Monday -- or cure it with lasagna like Garfield -- actually lasagna from Yesterdays was my favorite hangover cure in college; maybe the fat cat is on to something. Chow. Meow. Etc.

THE BIG BANG THEORY

Nov 19, 2007 06:18PM

I love this show and the Writers Guild Strike had better not kill it. Very very funny, plus it is the one show on TV where the characters dress even remotely like I do...have also been catching Stargate Atlantis -- o.k., Tayla and Dr. Keller (?) were going off on a mission and give me two women packing for a weekend together and I get hopeful...but good solid no torture sci fi action -- I like it.

MID WEEK BLUES

Nov 14, 2007 10:05AM

Waiting...I'm very bad at waiting...the weather is in a no place grey blue area and so am I. On the things that wander into my life front, I am now directing (and rewriting) the Nativity pageant at church. Since I'v ebeen polling people, now they're talking about it and it turns out no one really remembers and/or could stand the old one. So this should be interesting...slow week, tight shoulders, grumping...

AARRRGGHHHH...

Nov 10, 2007 06:37PM

Too busy, too booked, too broke (the three B's), my dad's having a meltdown and I'm having to dodge the coughing/sneezing stuff that's breaking out all over the universe. Laughed really (and surprisingly) hard at "The Big Bang Theory" -- the guy playing Sheldon is hysterical. Sadly, now closed down because of the writer's strike. Samantha Who is entertaining -- plus, there's an ilicit cultural thrill in seeing a dating relationship between the oldest children of the Camdens and the Bundys. Anyway, back to green tea, vitamin C and actually trying to relax so I can REST. Enjoying late hardy Boys books -- all action all the time. Good night. P.S. Wizards of Waverly Place best Disney show out of the box in awhile, but they need to show more SHAUN THE SHEEP! BAA.

RADIO FINALLY

Nov 05, 2007 09:24AM

Fun event yesterday -- although I proved I have absolutely no rock and roll street cred -- a very cool non commercial radio station we could only listen to when we went to the Neato Burrito in New Cumberland (yes, this will be one of those entries filled with non vague very regional references) has started broadcasting in the York area -- WXPN, 88.7. They had a free concert -- although the promised pastry buffet was a cash bar; who doesn't spring for coffee????????? -- not that I drink coffee -- SeaWolf was the featured band, 7 musicians I think, including a cello and a fairly listenable sound, although (and here's where I lose my child of rock and roll card), after two songs I moved to the lobby to listen -- too loud. Yes, I went to Live Aid with ear plugs and book and yes, my brother the music maven teased me mercilessly about it, but even so I walked away with a burning listen to every amazing Robert Plant scream on record urge so I couldn't have missed much...Gayle has always refused to play the Joey Ramone "It's A Wonderful World" that's on the "Gilmore Girls" soundtrack when I'm in the car because she can't crank the volume to its top notch. So yesterday, she spent part of the afternoon realizing that wasn't a fluke. And pointing out that the level at which I listen to rock is not a level at which it should be played. Ah well, c'est la something -- welcome to town WXPN -- now I can use my volume control knob instead of the SCN button on my car radio.

BOBBING FOR APPLES

Oct 31, 2007 07:20PM

Visited nephews in Boston -- they put pizza delivery numbers on the back of hotel room key cards now -- and discovered an APPLE store at the best mall I know(Indian food, Apple store, Lego store, cool tea store, several chocolate stores, game store, etc.) so I browsed...New IMACS look amazing with HUGE bright wonderful screens...Liked the Ipod Classic a lot; Ipod Touch had a great screen, but not as much of a fall in love tactile sensation as the classic...but loads of fun to browse...hope you had a hauntingly fun Halloween -- we were home for once and tons of neighborhood trick or treaters; lots of princesses, although costume free also seems to be a popular option...when I didn't feel like buying a costume, I did the singing at the top of my lungs drunken bum or cat burglar; I made a darn cute Lone Ranger at the age of 7 though...always wanted to have a masquerade party where people came as famous couples -- it was going to be half of the Devil and Daniel Webster for me -- Gayle probably wouldn't like that...One year at Pumpkin Prom (go U Northwestern), I was the Oscar half of the Odd Couple -- I had the Mets hat and the disheveled look; Tom had the fastidious despair. I enjoyed tapping cigar ash on his shoulder to his look of genuine horror. Anyway, happy haunting all.

GHOSTIES & GHOULIES

Oct 31, 2007 07:09PM

And bad judges who blame America when it's their own darn fault...have decided as it is the right of all non felonious Americans to vote for whoever they want, the "Dancing With The Stars" judges are the ones responsible for killing the buzz of the 20 million viewer show...if you want to stand around and look horrified when the best dancer on the show gets voted off (Sabrina Bryan, see yesterday's entry), then don't be the people who have put her in 4th place thanks to a biased highly subjective form of slidingh scale nonsense voting that holds her to a higher standard than the rest of the celebrities...Boo to Len, Bruno and Carrie Ann; don't blame America, it's your fault for heightening short term drama at the expense of long term talent.

DANCING WITH SABRINA BRYAN

Oct 30, 2007 07:27PM

Exactly how heartless is America???????????????? Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan and her partner Mark were voted off "Dancing With the Stars" tonight...it's so so sad; Sabrina's a phenomenal dancer -- are the people mad/cruel? And she looked so so sad. And that's bad. Sabrina Bryan is an amazing dancer and America has just taken the heart and a good chunk of the talent out of "Dancing With The Stars." Take heart, Sabrina, you're great and this means so very little in the grand scheme of things, although I'm sure it hurts like heck. People will tell you it happens to everyone, but it's terrible when it happens you. Good general advice coming up: What matters is how you come back. So best of luck, Sabrina Bryan...we loved watching you dance (I grew up idolizing Fred & Ginnger so I'm a tough audience)...and I think "Dancing With the Stars" has lost its viewing audience in this house...it's like the voter/judges combination of CLUELESSNESS has taken away the sun, leaving only a much darker sky with no light to reflect. BOOOOOOOO.

YAWN

Oct 26, 2007 09:23AM

I am obviously tired and too fond of clever wordplay (my own), which explains yesterday's switch of Tim Burton's Nightmare with Freddie's. All the Halloween visuals are swirling around in my head, thoroughly mixed and muddied by slates of October rain and no sun...so, time for a mental break...and more sleep and fewer things with numbers...need a soundtrack for R&R, the Buffy Halloween episodes and some kind of soothing tea, baked pasta and/or chocolate chip walnut cookies...anyway, hello weekend. Enjoy yours.

NIGHTMARE ON ELFMAN STREET, TAKE II

Oct 25, 2007 09:43AM

ERROR CODE, NO ELM STREET INVOLVED...NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS; NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS...Caught Tim Burton's NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS night before last; was looking forward to it, it seems to make up a huge chunk of our cultural and artistic vocabulary. Stunning opening visuals, I found myself drawn into these characters and this world as we spun through Halloweentown...but then, straight riff on the Grinch, repetitive derivative music; I kept flipping between it and the baseball game, but although Jack's Christmas studies and experiments were entertaining, the music kept chipping its way into headache level and eventually the game won. Some great camera shots, phenomenal art design, but not for me...I started watching the animated Scary Godmother the other night -- I love the graphic novels -- background art beautiful, voice talent not and I thought the 3-D CGI characters looked terribly out of place against the watercolor wash of the beautiful 2-D backgrounds. If you want the Scary Godmother experience, find Jill Thompson's graphic novels or comic books -- there should be more of them. Now, I'm holding out for "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." There's a classic

DUMBLEDORE? BAH HUMBUG.

Oct 24, 2007 10:06AM

o.k., so not only was Dumbledore a squib hating "Aryan" when he was but a lad, now he's gay...it just makes me grumpy...if you want to make a character gay, actually INCORPORATE it into your story. I love the Harry Potter books but I was always mildly disappointed that JK Rowlings hadn't included a gay character and this after the fact stuff is just useless...I don't know if I had any gay teachers in middle/high or elementary school; I don't care...if you're not even going to casually link a couple in the book, don't bother after. What's the point? Be brave DURING -- the world is a mix of characters, include a better variety of them in your story -- that would be useful. And perhaps inspirational to those of us who occasionally wonder if there are any characters like us in other people's worlds. I guess that's why we have to create our own. Boo to JK Rowlings for such a...I want to say weak effort, but maybe it's lack of bravery or conviction or imagination. Bah. And humbug.

CHAZZ OVER BROADWAY

Oct 23, 2007 10:04AM

Chazz Palminteri exists on film as one of my favorite movie characters ever: his tough guy will murder for art hidden playwright in "Bullets Over Braodway." And now, he comes to Broadway in a return of his own play(also a movie), "A Bronx Tale." Joanne Kaufman talks to Chazz in "A Cultural Conversation" on the back page of today's Wall Street Journal's Personal Journal. The article hits on faith, Chazz's ability to keep his belief that he belonged in the "Bronx Tale" movie, and how his own story differs as he looks at it from the perspective of a father rather than the son who wrote it. And his father's simple truth: "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent." "A Bronx Tale" opens officially on Thursday; I may have to rent the movie. I am certainly going to up "Bullets Over Broadway" on my rental list; I think it's my favorite Woody Allen movie -- it's the only one whose moments and characters have lingered.

RADICALLY HENG BALLROOM

Oct 22, 2007 04:47PM

And it's "Dancing With The Stars" night -- last week's paso doble's sent me to rent the "Strictly Ballroom" dvd; Baz Luhrman holds that great fine line between drama and side splitting floor rolling humor...watch it. I plan to -- when I'll have the time, that'a another question...Fun scriptwriting blog plugged by the Guerilla Filmmakers Handbook folks (and now me): www.rougewave.blogspot.com...little down today, tired, so I plugged in my emergency booster -- the New Radicals "maybe you've been brainwashed too" cd, tracks 2: "You get what you give" and 6: "Someday we'll know." Must be played at high volumes and sung to -- at high volumes. Then I cut out neon futurescape shapes and collapsed on the couch. Add that to the afternoon's I Ching meditation, which started with #46 Sheng: Growing Upward and distilled to #32 Heng: Long Lasting. Heng gave me my simplest point to ponder: "The superior person stands firm without changing his aim." I'm always looking for new targets -- it's tiring and confusing. So I'm going to think about Zen archery for awhile. (My I Ching recommendation is translated by Taoist Master Alfred Huang -- very clearly laid out and great use of language.) Have a marvelous Monday, terrific Tuesday or whatever alliterative type of day you deserve/desire.

READING UP

Oct 19, 2007 10:09AM

Have apparently decided the best way to get to writing is to get to reading so I grabbed my top science fiction-fantasy authors from the library shelves: Terry Pratchett (read TWO Pratchett books yesterday -- if you are not reading the WEE FREE MEN series or giving them to preteen nieces, friends, etc -- major mistake -- so zinged through WINTERSMITH and the latest in his DiscWorld series: MAKING MONEY, which was fun but lacks some of the zing of his others. I'll read THUD again for that), David Weber's SERVICE OF THE SWORD Honor Harrington anthology(#4 -- several good stories and I might look for more John Ringo books; his stories moved well and mixed action and humor, my favorite combo; I should dig out a Harry Harrision STAINLESS STEEL RAT book somewhere) and a Marion Zimmer Bradley -- her Free Amazon stories and characters inspire, comfort and amuse me. Plus, a great mix of science and fantasy -- she really sets up a complex, layered universe. Reading...ah, couch, tea, pile of books, stereo finally downstairs, weekend...

"PYE" THOUGHTS

Oct 17, 2007 10:14AM

Coming to some conclusions (and misspellings) on the "Project Pye" thread, if you're interested -- commitment and the lure of the money idea -- well, I don't need to develop that last one, we all struggle with is this THE idea? Is it going to be the break for me, make my million dollar Hollywood deal????????? and is that the reason to do anything...it's been hard since college to do things with the same sense of fun and adventure... I remember everyone dressing up in a suit, got a job and changed their personality and it was horrible; plus parent and family pressure. I miss my grandmothers; they used to just keep piles of papers around so I could draw, doodle and write while not asking any questions...I keep thinking I should be able to pay the mortgage and I don't like money enough to be motivated by it...anyway, obviously, I'm still working this one through. That's what Wednesdays are for, right?

LARS AND THE SLOW WEEKEND

Oct 17, 2007 09:54AM

Welp, my media world is converging around "Lars and The Real Girl," another movie it will take me 3-6 months to find. Joe Morgenstern raved about it in Friday's Wall Street Journal and then the "real girl" Kelli Garner pops up in my latest "Men's Health"--o.k., why Men's Health you ask --well, I'm apparently off GQ; you can't read Maxim for the articles, there aren't any good ones; I can't afford British men's magazines, although I love the photography and columns and Men's Health has THE best recipes(as well as the occasional good relationship advice -- they date women too). Anyway, have been under the finally seasonal weather -- well, today warm again. Decided I need to get out of the house more so auditioned for Fruitcakes, the Christmas show...worried about having enough energy for performance (it's a big drain for me; I don't get the audience recharge some actors do) but I got a management slot so all the fun of rehearsal and none of the performing drain. I think it will be good to build my stamina, although I am going to need new winter weight blacks.

CROPWALK

Oct 12, 2007 09:51AM

They're happening all over the country, they raise money to alleviate hunger and poverty with 25% remaining in the local communities and it's an important cause so find a walker, find a CROPWALK or paste this link: http://www.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=242533&u=242533-192845901&e=1298107616 And if you can't do any of that, consider donating to your local food bank this fall and winter. Thanks for listening.

WIZARDLY WEEKEND

Oct 12, 2007 09:06AM

This weekend, the $2 Harry Potter and the Disney Channel premiere of Wizards of Waverly Place -- the oldest son is quite funny and any member of the DeLuise family is worth watching in a comedy...Last night's Smallville about a C+, hit all the bases, Kara's hitting a lot of the same comedy notes Lois used to and I will grudgingly admit that Lana and Clark need a chance to get over each other, but can it happen quickly? But lex's dialogue makes even less sense than usual and what's his face the new Daily Planet editor/publisher ?????? looks fresh out of high school; I keep hoping they'll bring Michael McKeon (sp) back as Perry White; he and Lois could have had some fun at the Inquisitor together...Tuesday's Eureka Climate Change rerun was actually enjoyable; I'd missed it the first time around...nice quirk factor, B+, A- level...anyway, Fall weather finally here, curl up with some warm apple cider and gingerbread and enjoy it.

"WHICH LIE DID I TELL?"

Oct 09, 2007 08:30AM

t's the you should read this portion of the blog..."Which Lie" by William Goldman is subtitled "More Adventures in the Screen Trade." It is a lively, funny, sad, touching, inspiring adventurous book; plus, solid screenwriting advice -- and it made me want to unwrap our DVD copy of The Princess Bride and watch it. Goldman also wrote The Year of The Comet -- his Charade crossed with Sideways before the existence of Sideways (and weren't we all happier than) -- which he considers his big flop, but Gayle and I really enjoyed. Fun fact I learned (Goldman is fascinated by the heights of action heroes) -- I'm taller than Stallone. When I was out in LA, I don't remember the people seeming smaller than they were in Chicago, but I never hung out on a studio lot. Also, if you can bear a book about a fourth grade gecko, yes, I said fourth grade gecko, read "Give My Regrets To Broadway" by Bruce Hale; it is for lovers of the hard boiled style, Shakespeare, theatre, great chapter titles (I love a great chapter title -- see the Myth Adventure series and their chapter heading quotes in the early books) and good old fashioned fun, packed with an impressive number of puns and jokes that will make you GROOOOAAAAN. And we can all use a good groan.

FRIDAY ROUND-UP

Oct 05, 2007 03:38PM

Just got a WithoutaBox update and saw that THE TRIBE is now available on I-Tunes; Congratulations, Tiffany and now I really need that video Ipod (if Santa's listening, the IPod Touch seems to suit, although I do like the new colors...Harry Potter's at the $2 theatre so maybe I'll hit that this weekend; my bridge teacher objects to my choice of verbs, apparently you get even fewer verbs than cards per trick...NOOOOOOOOOO -- that's what I yelled after I saw the promo for next week's Smallville; Lana's back IN SMALLVILLE, after only TWO episodes -- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...Eureka season finale -- the good guys are still good guys, the bad guys still bad guys and it was all terribly boring; what's the point? Introducing Eureka Lite where Jo, Zoe, Zane and Fargo save the world every week? Grump. I'm getting out my Gilmore Girls DVD's; maybe I can pick up a few interesting verbs to throw at my bridge teacher -- apparently, throw is not a suitable substitute for play, even if it is an accurate description of what you do with the card...anyway, Happy Friday -- play, throw or the verb of your choice all you want -- I'm trying for relax and resurge, the new R & R .

SUPER MACRO WORLD

Oct 02, 2007 07:54AM

Playing with the camera is teaching me something about myself -- I am more a focus person than a panorama type...I take my camera, go outside and take close up pictures of glowing flower petals; I am so very glad this camera turned out to have a close focus feature...colors are glorious, detail fine -- one shot you can see the pollen scattered around...didn't get to any movie type activities this weekend; too busy, too tired from the busy things. Still working out energy hiccups -- need a tidal schedule like the ocean...missed my ocean visit; sad. That was one of the better things about Evanston -- Lake Michigan wasn't the ocean, but it was a horizonless inland sea and did wonderful things with the moonlight -- and it was no more than three minutes away.

ANGEL OF SMALLVILLE

Sep 29, 2007 06:42PM

Enjoyed the season premiere -- put me a mood to watch more episodes, always a good sign; good thing we have a still new enough to smell like it Season 6 collection. So we watched "Static," I think...good Chloe content...Season 7 looks to be about rebirth, religion and flying; hope it's also about Lois, although how many more Clark isn't himself (this time literally) so he can grope Lois markers are we going to use? Bizarro effect very cool...B+, I think -- great special effects, moved fast, little light on humor, but Smallville Episode 1's notoriously cover too much ground so B+.

MANHATTAN MEETS YORK

Sep 27, 2007 07:47AM

Manhattan Short Film Festival coming to the Capitol Theatre here in York this Saturday night and Sunday...apparently most of the films are international -- four from England; only one from the US I believe Gayle said. Here's the link:http://www.msfilmfest.com/2007finalists/index.html Also, the Game Plan opens this weekend: The Rock goes Disney. The Rock is the funniest of the funny muscle men (Stallone coming in second -- watch Oscar, I think, and you'll see what I mean) -- I loved the Rock's SNL hosting gig and he's a talk show guest I always try to make time for -- along with Ian McKellan and Rebecca Romijn on Conan. And for a segue(and obligatory Shakespeare reference), Mckellen's King Lear goes full frontal onstage in NY maybe???? (sold out anyway but soon to tour). Terry Teachout grumped this past weekend in the Wall Street Journal about sensationalism for the sake of audience titillation(well, not exactly what Ian's showing, but still a good word). I think McKellan would make an excellent Lear or anything else-- one of the great movie scenes is the scene in The Fellowship of the Rings where the two Ians convince you this little golden ring is the end of all worlds. But they kept their pants on...

WEDNESDAY RUMMAGE

Sep 26, 2007 10:17AM

Still not missing Eureka on Tuesday nights. Excited about the Smallville premiere -- sort of. More excited about Season 6 DVDs that we can fast forward through the Lex-Lana stuff. Surprisingly fond of Jimmy Olsen though and Chloe used to be the reason I stopped watching, but now her character is one of the major draws -- they have done an excellent job growing up her friendship with Clark -- so I'll be curious to see how big a factor she is in Season 7. I still think one of the characters has to go -- it's time to commit to making Lois a larger part of the show. Women's World Cup Soccer Weirdness...the US coach is pulling goalie Hope Solo -- you don't pull a hot goalie in a tournament; not even if your spare is undefeated against Brazil. Have some faith, coach. If you win the semi, what happens in the final? Almost tempted to wake up tomorrow and watch but the full moon's been keeping me howling all night these past two days so it's hard to sleep. YAWN.

TYPICAL TUESDAY?

Sep 19, 2007 09:48AM

Let's see -- fun with camera, frozen Indian food from Amy's and fresh bluefish for lunch, detoxing from bad lawyer meeting, healthful excercise, sun, chi gung, gardening, sound therapy, Eureka disappointment, phone call with littlest brother, dinner with veg from the farm, happy cats playing with catnip...might not be bad if it were a typical Tuesday, except for the negative parts...I think Eureka killed something when they killed Kim last year; after all, they "killed" Walter and Susan in the first episode last year, but both came back and there was real drama/risk. This season, the producers/writers have mixed up the chemistry; the charge relationships used to have has dissapated (sp?) into the ether. They have also drained out all the fun -- even Vincent's cameo's are low fat, no quirk plainilla. Least we had a Taggart appearance last night, but they are killing Beverly's evil momentum with her continuing absence. Season long conspiracies only work if the tension is kept taut and the characters have something at stake...here there's no urgency and no risk odds. Cash out your chips and go home. Beverly, Spencer and the former Eurekan charm have.

CAMERA

Sep 16, 2007 09:19AM

I am camera'd again (thank you, Dad)...apparently, I sounded so depressed/grumpy about the situation, he decided to kick in for one -- so now a Fujifilm FinePix S700(on sale, of course) has joined the fold -- I love colors in the Chrome setting and I didn't realize 'til after about the Macro settings which allow you to get with 1 cm. of the photo subject. So perfect for stop motion; this week, experimentation. My little Godzilla can wreak some good comic fun -- GODZILLA AND THE TICK VS. PATTON THE DESTROYER (if I wrap Godzilla and the Tick in rubber bands, Patton will twang away -- she's a natural percussionist.)

"IRA AND ABBBY" AND JENNIFER WESTFELDT

Sep 14, 2007 09:10AM

Thanks Joe Morgenstern (Wall Street Journal movie critic) for another movie I have to track down; your New England Patriot/Big Brother level of surveillance discovered that "ONCE" is actually coming to York so now I have a new quest: "Ira and Abby," which today got a rave from you on Page W6. "Kissing Jessica Stein" is one of my favorite movies -- it's wonderful, funny and marvelously unexpected; Jennifer Westfeldt is the writer and star of that; now she's apparently repeating as a double threat. Very very cool and very very certain it's not opening anywhere near here this weekend. So thanks again Joe for the tip-off. Now the hunt begins.

ANIMATION UNLIMITED, READ/WATCH IT

Sep 13, 2007 08:50AM

Very cool book...big visuals plus DVD with selected animation, some whole, some part...cool technique I learned about -- acratching images directly on film stock...beautiful example: Paul Bush's "The Albatross" -- actually part of this on the DVD -- impressive color, directing and texture, really amazing. Also of note(and on the DVD): Erica Russel's "Triangle", lush and voluptuos (sp?) -- a fascinating, visceral dance of color, shape and forms; Tomioka Satoshi's "Sink" is a colorful fantasy that's just fun to watch -- commuting everyday mixed with commuting extraordinary; George Griffin's "Head" contained some compelling images/thoughts, but too repetitive; Norman Mclaren's colors in "Synchromy" looked fine in the book, but add movement and my eyes yelped -- I was disappointed not to find Mary Ellen Bute's "Spook Show" on the DVD, Mclaren animated it and the still photo in the book is intriguing: and to finish out my half dozen -- Bordo's (Borivoj Dovnikovic) "The Exciting Love Story" was not only exciting and beautifully drawn, but great fun use of an eight box grid. Manyof the creators in the book discussed the ties between animation and sound/music. Also enjoyed the editors's (Liz Faber and Helen Walters) choices -- very nice overview of experimental animation -- as well as their inspirational introduction.

NO STUFFED PIZZA

Sep 13, 2007 08:32AM

Well'p, no go on the Chicago International REEL Shorts International Film Festival...down news for a Thursday. Polite e-mail. Guess I'll have to find another excuse to visit the Lakefill, Giordano's/Carmen's, Buffalo Joes, The Art Institute and the Music Box...maybe it's time to nudge Blake to put LPM (lfl) online and commit to a future project...and hope the Athens Sci Fi & Fantasy Short Film Festival gives me an excuse to toast with ouzo.

ANOTHER EXPO

Sep 11, 2007 03:42PM

This one in the Washington, DC. area -- it's my favorite comic convention -- you see a great cross section of what's going on with the indy comic scene.

THE PUFFY CHAIR

Sep 10, 2007 10:30AM

Shakespeare has ruined me for improvised dialogue -- well that and fairly serious education and self education and even in my not so serious mode, favorite authors like P.G. Wodehouse (remember, it's not the true Lonely Pond Productions experience if Shakespeare, Wodehouse, Fred Astaire, Bellwether, Eureka or Lois Lane is not mentioned at least once a month). Very impressed with the distibution and PR reach of The Puffy Chair folks -- read about it in the NY Times in an article introducing "mumblecore" to the NYT masses and then find in on the new DVD shelves of my local library. But apparently, what makes it work for eveyone else makes it not work for me. Mostly improvised dialogue is a major warning for me -- I tried improv once with great actors -- the short lived Bunbury Travel and Exotic Pizza troupe and what I learned was scripts and structures are better. I know actors and acting classes are addicted to improv games and we even use them for fun to get people thinking on their feet in rehearsal, but it just seems to continue the no respect for the writer trend. Actors and directors -- NAMES -- are money in the bank to Hollywood. Writers are believed to be interchangeable. Or the feeling that anyone can write a movie -- and yes, anyone can write a movie, but I believe art is filtering emotion and life and experience through the medium of the artist choice and thereby transforming it into something universal. And so the naturalism and the rawness and the uncomfortable close-ups that seem to bring people to movies like The Puffy Chair seem to be something other than art to me...Charisma, maybe, an alignment of chemistries or planets, or just more chutzpah than I can muster at the moment. But props for distribution and my lesson learned is that movies shouldn't sound exactly like real life. Distill and discern...

EDMONTON EXPO

Sep 10, 2007 09:31AM

If you're in the area: North of Nowhere Expo: Multidisciplinary Festival of Independent Media & Underground Art Sept. 16-30, 2007 (Various Locations in Edmonton) Mind being controlled? Become the media! The NoN Expo is a non-profit and volunteer-operated activist-arts festival that is committed to fostering the awareness of the arts as tools for positive social change. The 2007 Expo runs from Sept. 16-30 at various locations in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The 2007 NoN Expo includes: € several visual art exhibitions consisting of over 300 political art prints & original paintings € live music/performance cabarets including the closing Propaganda Party € dozens of acclaimed independent film & animations € a small press fair & fair trade eco-art market € D.I.Y. workshops & skillshares including the Dignity Villages Tent City Toolkit Start searching the 2007 NoN Expo site at: http://www.edmontonsmallpress.org/non2007/non2007.html

HEROINES & THE KP FINALE?

Sep 07, 2007 10:12AM

Tonight, we have Kim Possible finale redux, including spaceships -- looks like fun. Caught the X-Games episode yesterday -- another one of my favorites and one with great visuals -- the aerial fight kicks it up several notches...where is the next great heroine coming from? Chuck? The Bionic Woman? Sci Fi Channel going to go fantasy and have a Sheena series? I'm actually thinking Supergirl -- Smallville's introducing Clark Kent's Kryptonian cousin this season, my oldest niece (7) adores Supergirl and the current re-visioning of the Legion of Superheroes (not the animated one) is actually in its Supergirl and The Legion of Superheroes phase -- she just got elected leader, I believe. Plus, there's never been a girl who can fly (live action,

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