Sunday, December 13, 2009
Bones, Drones and Emma Stones.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The I-Have-No-Idea-What-You're-Saying Smile.
For you see, this smile is so offensive and so pitiful that it is absolutely and completely taboo. It is so shameful that no one ever mentions it. It's like when a bum comes up to you and swears rapidly in a foreign tongue; he's right there, but you're forced to ignore him or risk being stabbed/shot/choked/spat on or if you're really unlucky, followed for several kilometres until you jump into a moving vehicle to escape the foul-smelling hell he has beseeched upon you.
The common scenario for the I Have No Idea Smile usually begins with a friendly chat between two people - BUT WAIT - this is no friendly chat at all, as one of the persons has somewhere to be OR has more important things on the mind OR doesn't like the person they are chatting too. Ulterior motives one could say. So from the start this chat is doomed to end badly.
They begin to discuss something irrelevant and most probably boring as ass and then the desperate person who has entered this conversation with all intentions too leave fazes out and gives the I Have No Idea What You're Saying Smile and BOOM! - the revelation dawns on the other that they have just been the victim of THE SMILE.
All dignity you once had is out the door. The level of respect that person had for you drops to 'NONEXISTENT' and they come to one of two realisations: 1) They realise they must be boring and vow to never be boring again or 2) They realise they don't really like you that much anymore. Either way, this Smile is monumental.
But it is those of us who can identify the Smile and stop it in it's tracks that are the best off. You see, I'm a bit of a pussy and I avoid confrontation but if I'm ever given the I Have No Idea What You're Saying Smile I will most definitely say something along these lines: 'You have no idea what I just said do you?' or 'Oh my god, you cheap bastard, you're not even listening!' or 'You just smiled when I told you I almost had my scrotum amputated!' And trust me, that last line is used far more often then you think.
So I say we bring an end to all awkwardness that the Smile manifests. Instead, as a species, we should vow to always confront a person if they ever throw one at us, or perhaps (and this suggestion is probably less fun but morally right) actually start listening to people. But when has listening ever helped the world?
Never! Chants every deaf person in the world. I'm sorry, disabilities aren't funny. Except for that one where they turn into Elephants.
In light of this I have started a facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=166557059441&ref=mf - this way we can share our experiences and opinions on the I Have No Idea What You're Saying Smile.
I have also seen Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus twice and it is brilliant and confusing and amazingly well made. I truly suggest you see it because not only is it Heath Ledger's final performance, it also stars Lily Cole, the most perfect woman in the entire world. I call dibs everyone.
She is a supermodel/actress/giant and she is generally amazing at everything. Also, I thought I might add an update to my film school quest. I got the interview. This is HUGE news. This means I can go down to Melbourne on the 19th and hopefully destroy the VCA and everyone in it. This is it guys. I'll be certain to give you a blow by blow recount when it happens which I'm sure you'll all really enjoy but if I get the feeling I'm getting any cyber I Have No Idea Smile's I will - probably do nothing.
Then again, I may hunt you down.
Until next time my darlings...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Future.
Monday, October 19, 2009
My Life & Nicholas Cage.
So that's that. I'm sorry if you are now lying dead before your computer. When your parents run in after calling you for dinner several times I'm sure they will look at what you were reading, and if they survive further than you I pray that they read this; I'm sorry for killing your child. There, that takes a load off of my mind.
In other news, most of the films I have blogged about are nearing their releases. Including Where the Wild Things Are, Avatar, Nine and 9. I promise to see them as soon as I can as to warn you or encourage you depending on my critique of them. Although, my words may be bias though as I am easy to please (just ask your mum), but seriously, all I need is a big screen, popcorn and that warm atmosphere of the cinema and anything that appears before me gets the thumbs up.
Unless that thing is Nicholas Cage.
I will admit, as much as I hate him, that is a great photo, really draws out his eyes.
Until next time guys...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Two Months Later....
I wonder what you have all been doing over the past few months? Tell me, I'm interested. My months followed the path of stress, stress, stress really, I handed in my short film (after leaping and pouncing catlike over the many obstacles it threw before me), did my trial exams, took a trip to Melbourne, applied to film school in Melbourne, effectively defended myself and brutally obliterated the army of tests they sent to prove my worth, finished year 12, had my formal (or 'prom' for you amero-canadians), partied, celebrated, studied, revised and got sick. But don't get the idea it was bad. Trust me, it has been a great few months. But now I must study for those ugly exams that are flying PowerPoint style towards me with horrible classical music accompanying them. And study I will.
I've also decided to post some photos of my adventures over the past few months as proof they exist and as a reasonable excuse as to why I haven't blogged. I am sorry, really. First off we have two of my favourite images from my film The Room. Just in case you forgot, The Room is about four teens who run away from reality into an imaginary place where all their problems are forgotten. The first image is from a scene where The Room shows its supernatural, random self by dressing the characters in Shakespearian, the second from the finale when they realise it is evilllll (cue spooky music and ghost cry).....
Here is the proof of my Melbourne visit:
Our final days of school:
And here is one of the only formal photos that survived my scrutinous 'Do-I-Look-Like-An-Absolute-Douchebag?' test. The stunning girl in the middle is Mel and my best friend Dan on the left:
But enough about that. I want to talk film and television now. Here is the list of films and shows I have watched over the past two months that I now recommend to you:
5. Vicky Christina Barcelona - Self explanatory. This film is fantastic. A definite buy-before-you-see sort of film. Johansson is on par with her Lost In Translation days, Javier Bardem is excellent and Penelope Cruz is well - Penelope Cruz. Yes, this is a great film.
6. Gossip Girl - Okay, I think I've said it before but there is no judging on my blog. So all those evil thoughts you just sent my way were just destroyed by my automatic judge-sensing machine guns. Besides, this show is addictive as hell and even though in every episode this guy is dumping that girl and that girl is with this guy etc etc everyone is good looking, the acting is good, the clothing is amazing and the city is awesome so what more could you want? Watch it before you shut it down and I guarantee you will get hooked.
8. Pushing Daisies - My brother always told me this was his favourite show and I never really took any notice. That was before I bought him the first season on DVD. This show is so well made. I mean it. Its about a pie maker who brings the dead back to life for a minute with a single touch but if they are alive any longer than a minute, they are alive forever and something of equal value dies in their place. Every episode, location and scene is stylised though ie. The pie shop is all in shades of green and the waitresses house is all in pink and white floral. ITS AMAZING. And INSPIRING. You must see it to understand how cool it is. So - see it!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Some crazy Basterds and some average Joes.
No one was dead. Don't get your knickers in a knot. But three days later I was walking down the red carpet, towards the entrance to the State Theatre when, low and be-bloody-hold, there, speaking animatedly to a journo, is my absolute hero, Quentin Tarantino.
You can't hate me if I wet my pants a little alright? There's no judging on this blog. So, I proceeded into the theatre after a little hyperventilating (in the completely stereotypical oh my god oh my god way) to have my mismatched socks completely blown off by his latest film Inglorious Basterds.
What an amazing film. I won't say too much though as I'm pretty sure there was some rule on the tickets saying I shall die a long and painful death if I utter even a whisper of the contents of the production. What I will say is, it was long, full of delectable, drawn out dialogue that only Tarantino can produce, equalled in intense, ear-splitting (in the best way possible), graphic action and too top it off featured some the greatest music I've ever seen accompanied with a film, and that's saying something, because I'm deaf.
I'm not deaf. And I have no intention to offend those who are. The film was amazing though and when it finally hits screens (more like sucker punches screens - followed by repeated stabbings in the chest and jugular - followed by several roundhouses kicks and finished off with double eye gouges) you must see it. Even the girls who hate violence. I mean, it's Brad Pitt, don't all girls just froth over the opportunity to see Brad Pitt act? Talk? Blink? Live a life in reverse, turning from an old, saggy man into a young, good looking boy, continuing onwards (or more like backwards) to the single sperm and egg we are all made from? (C'mon, you've all seen it...or guessed at least). So there.
In other news, I think I may have been right about GI: JOE, which was viewed by my eyeballs last night. Okay. Here's the breakdown. Sienna Miller was hot, stole every scene and fought like a feisty cat (and we like that okay?), Channing Tatum (the guy from all those fairy-boy films) was mediocre but that may be because the script gave the illusion (and quite convincingly) that three 7 year old girls had wrote it.
It was that bad. I tried to see the good in the film, I really did, but even the impressive chase scenes couldn't outweigh the rest of the film, which got progressively more unbelievable as the film went on. You have to see it though, its a blockbuster and not many come round a year. Truthfully I kept on expecting the vehicles to transform and start fighting. They didn't.
So, filming for The Room (go back a few blogs, 'tis my major work) is almost wrapped up and although being the sole organiser has been difficult, its has also been awesomely rewarding and fantastic. I can't wait until I can have professionals surrounding me, working as a team to make my ideas into awesome realities.
And believe you me, they will be awesome realities.
But as I am currently crushed beneath a billion tonnes of work (I managed to find my laptop and wifi to write this, and oddly enough I comfy cushion made from denim with a pretty little heart stitched - okay.) I must now begin to complete it (or at least set fire to it, peice by peice) so until next time; adios amigos.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Does anyone like Politics?
So, with this knowledge, you will understand why I would be slightly insulted in this situation:
Friend: So what are you doing after school?
Me: Going to film school biiitch!
Friend: Really? I thought you were going into politics?
Me: What? Really?
Friend: Yeah, I swear you told me that once.
Me: Had you just seen me inject drugs into my arm because I don't think I would ever sanely tell someone that.
Friend: Hey, settle down, you'd actually suit the part.
Me: *slaps*
I didn't actually slap him (because slapping is weak and a punch to the mouth would have been more efficient) but I was unsure whether to be offended or complimented and I was also gobsmacked (in a completely over-the-top, jaw dropped, eyes wide, hands to the face, Home Alone sort of way) that he had thought I was going into politics.
I mean, I'm the freak who has a poster of the hookers from Sin City on his wall, not the election poster of John Howard from 1998! I'm the guy who quotes Kill Bill, who calls his friends padawan, who raves on and on about Emma Watson, who constantly drops uninteresting-but-personally-intriguing facts about films and whose freaking Myspace headline was 'I'm going to be the next Tarantino.'
That was a lie. I know, I got myself there too.
Anyway, we never really finished the conversation which is a shame as I would have liked to yell all this at him but I guess then that it was a good thing that we were stopped. Back to the topic of politicians I believe I was told to mention Kevin Rudd in this blog, but I decided against it for three reasons; 1) I fear if I start on him Imay never finish as everything about him makes me angry 2) I really have nothing factual to say about him and 3) I don't like politics so why write a blog about them. Oh wait. That's right! I just did! To wipe your minds clean of this I will amaze you with something worth being amazed by:
So I spoke about this briefly a few entries back but I decided to elaborate as it really looks amazing. The film revolves around a new planet called Pandora where blue humanoid aliens (see below) roam peacefully. The human race creates a hybrid species called Avatars (half-human, half-cyborg) that are able to be sent into the planet and controlled by a telepathic link. But one of the Avatars (Sam Worthington, robot from the latest Terminator, born and bred in Australia) falls in love with an alien princess (Zoe Saldana from Star Trek) and my guess is some crazy stuff follows. It was written by James Cameron 14 years ago but the technology to make his ideas into a reality was unavailable so it was postponed. Luckily for us that technology is now in existence and after 4 years of hard work it is almost here. Avatar is going to be fantastic and it comes out on December 18th.
Let's just hope there is no mention whatsoever of that 90's song 'I'm Blue' otherwise I'll have to kill someone.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Cliches.
I find this problem getting to me, more and more, recently. Call me sentimental but it's hard to accept the fact that this is my final year in school and that I may not be seeing a lot of the people I have come to know ever again. In light of this I have been trying to encourage those I know to actually do what it takes to get what they want instead of just bumming out, marrying young, birthing several annoying boys, getting divorced and retiring at the age of sixty, saggy, bitter and toothless, as is the custom nowadays.
Yet even I know it would be hard to take me seriously (and I can be serious) when I'm saying things like 'shoot for the stars!' and 'follow your dreams!'. This is because those things are said so much (normally by weird men with slicked hair, big glasses, shirt and tie encouraging us to go for gold and to touch them in their bathing suit areas) that they are rated as 'UNCOOL' instead of 'COOL'.
So I decided to try and find some new phrases to use that would see me getting happy, excited faces instead of shut-the-hell-up faces. But, alas, it didn't work. Instead I came full circle and realised, to my annoyance, that they are cliche's because they're all we have. 'Try hard you little Trooper!' just doesn't have the same ring to it as 'Go for gold!' and 'Make sure you do what you really want to do because if you don't you'll die a slow, painful death to the hands of the Japanese Yakuza!' just doesn't feel as light and fluffy as 'Only you can make your dreams a reality!'.
So what to do in this conundrum? Well, we already have the answer. Because of this situation (and due majorly to the fact that we are so unoriginal we can't even produce new phrases) we created the line 'It sounds stupid (or dumb, or cliched, or overused, or hilariously lame) but seriously....' This phrase is used to keep us safe from those shut-the-hell up looks (god damn them) and the ratings of 'UNCOOL'.
It works. I use it. 'It sounds stupid but seriously, you have to follow your heart.' - Quote me. Yesterday. So perhaps we need to embrace the cliche instead of hating it or putting it in the bad ratings box (alongside anything on Channel 9, southern cross tattoos and gossiping middle-aged women with coffee breath and bad smoking habits). Perhaps the cliche just needs some loving.
In other news director Robert Rodriquez who is sometimes in my list of favourites and then sometimes not is releasing Red Sonja next year based on the comic series and starring his fiancee (and mega babe) Rose McGowan.
Admit it, it looks awesome, let's just hope Rodriguez is in a Sin City mood while making this and not a Planet Terror mood, or worse, a Spy Kids 3.
PS: Check out the awesome flashing Che pic!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Glee.
In other news, filming for The Room is going awesome. We're getting into the juicy stuff though so it is getting a little intense and I am beginning to understand the term 'holy mother of god I am so stressed!' but it is all good and I mean, I have time to blog right, so it can't be that bad? Next time I will have some lovely screenshots of the project that you can gleefully drool over.
Finally, prepare for Harry Potter. Emma Watson is coming. And oh my she looks fine.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Singing Cats.
Yes, that was a ploy to get you to comment. But do it. It makes me happy.
Happier then the person who invented viagra.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The amazing effects of puberty.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Varla, my beloved.
Basically this film revolves around three strippers who get sick of men and their woman-related obsessions and after an extended dancing scene (that even includes the 60's rendition of the "crump") they leave their club, hopping in badass convertibles (because every stripper could afford a convertible) and speed off to wreak havoc. They do. And they do it better than Demi Moore in Charlies Angels 2. After they come across a young couple in the middle of the desert (mind you, they have just been wildly drag racing so the audience is so shocked and aroused that the reason why they are in the desert is unimportant) and the feisty leader, (imagine sexy black hair, dominatrix style catsuit and dialogue to match) Varla, kills the male by doing a series of intense judo-like moves and eventually karate-chopping his throat, they then proceed to drug, gag and kidnap his girlfriend. The sexy, blonde (Billie) and the exotic Indian (Rosie) are forced to follow their leader and while they fill up at a gas station, the helpful attendant tells them that those two buff men over there live on a deserted ranch that has a huge stash of money hidden in it. Well Varla, being the minx she is, hatches a plan to steal the money and basically murder every character in the film.
Its truly awesome. Here is the poster (Varla is the hot one in black):
As you can see, it's splendour is immeasurable.
I'll be off now. Possibly the shortest blog in history (although I spent a lot of time on that blurb so deal with it.)
R.I.P Michael and Farrah.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Where are those Wild things?
Pics from, Where The Wild Things Are, written and directed by Spike Jonze (Being John Malcovich, Adaptation) have been released and it looks amazing. The animation looks like nothing I've seen before. So this is on the list of things to be excited for.
Check out the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NOkQ4dYVaM . Also, Transformers 2 is out today and as soon as I have observed its beauty with my own two eyes I will report back and give you my thoughts (I promise no spoilers).
Let's just say that Isabel Lucas might have another stalker in the very near future.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Mac vs. Windows
Now, I happen to have a HP laptop, with Windows, in fact, I've always had Windows, so of course when I use Mac I find it foreign and hard to use but aren't there more important things to fight about ie. The war in Iraq, If Miley Cyrus is a boy, If Gingers are actual people?
Let me illustrate my point with this forum debate.
Mac vs. Windows: Which is better?
Stefan: I have become seriously disappointed with my Macbook Pro at the moment.
Gatekeeper: Thats because Windows takes a huge dump on Mac.
Lady_Veera: That was rough.
Stefan: Yeah Gatekeeper, watch what you say.
Flashback: He's right. If Windows and Mac were in battle Windows would use its lightning sword to obliterate Mac. Mac is a sissy girl computer.
Stefan: WTF?
Lady_Veera: What's wrong with being a sissy girl?
Flashback: Macs.
GregM: Its basically choosing between Windows which are safe and reliable and Macs which are neat and clever.
Gatekeeper: Whatever Dick Smith. Windows wins forever times infinity.
GregM: Are you 5?
The conversation then continues into a series of completely explicit and outrageous obscenities that become progressively less coherent in each post (mainly thanks to Gatekeeper's lack of spell check, or, eyes). The point is, why do people care so much? Its like the Holden vs Ford battle. Or the Today vs. Sunrise battle. Everyone knows our trivial bickering's will have no effect whatsoever on the group of billionaire designers who sit on the top floor of those huge skyscrapers stroking their chins and discussing gold shoes while deciding the fate of the earth as we know it (I mean, I've heard they can breathe fire) so why do we bother?
NOTE: I'm not actually going to propose an answer to that as I have just remembered something much more important. Check this out:
Check out the trailer on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPErY-0YNeA . Yeah. Consider my pants officially wet. Did you see the girl fight like I saw the girl fight? Hopefully the plethora of B-list actors in this film won't let it down. Either way this is a film worth getting excited for.
In other news official photo's of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland have been released and it looks positively amazing. Check out Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen:
As much as I love her I don't think Mizz. Carter would have a job if it wasn't for her amazing husband. Although she is pretty damn awesome as Bellatrix.
I'd marry Bellatrix.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Pre-production and Hometown in Ruins.
That makes me wonder what emotion would fill me more? Remorse for losing my family or absolute relief that I survived? Is life worth living if you don't have a family? My friend always says this quote that we can't actually find the source of; 'What does it matter when you don't have a face?' It is probably appropriate in any occasion. There is no answer to that question as it's completely shocking and once you have recovered from the initial shock you are then left confused and bewildered. In fact, this question may just be the greatest question there has ever been.
Speaking of the greatest things there have ever been:
By the way, Terminator 4 made me realise that I really do dislike Christian Bale. I mean on a scale of Sylvester Stallone to Nicholas Cage he's probably a Steven Seagal. Perhaps even a Hugh Grant and that's saying something as not many people can be as a big a fool as that bumbling British fool. To save you all from a drawn-out and most probably explicit speal about young Bindi up there I will give you all the pleasure of knowing I am in the pre-production stage of my latest smash hit 'The Room'.
My film centres around four teenagers some time after they have manifested an imaginary room to use as an escape. This room evolves and grows around them, from a old, cluttered house, to an expansive, empty field. The teens are living a life of bliss, without a worry in the world, but not all is rainbows and sunshine in their beloved Room. Nightmares and the gradual decline of their lives alert the teenagers to the fact that perhaps the Room isn't a godsend and perhaps they have run for to long.
That's probably what you would find on the back of the dvd with some rave reviews in crazy fonts all around it. I'd like to say that this idea came to me after hours of brainstorming but truthfully I couldn't sleep one night and at 1 AM I sat up and wrote the entire script. Now if that's not a child genius I don't know what is. But seriously, my J.K Rowling inspired moment came and went and I was left with a skeleton of a script and some notes on techniques and actors I would employ.
That was early April and since then my short film has grown legs and arms, grabbed a basket full of flowers and skipped merrily all the way to this very day, finding joyous friends and laughing jovially every second of its existence. Pushing all Hansel & Gretel incarnations aside, the film is my pride and joy.
Filming begins on Wednesday. And if I had said that out loud it would have been accompanied by a high pitched screech and perhaps even some jumping up and down and grabbing of the shoulders of whoever was in front of me.
I am excited to say the least.