rocksteady758

Probation

2009-11-23T05:09:05Z

As some of you have known, it has been a very trying and honestly miserable few months for me, the worst of which have hit over the past couple weeks. I had temporarily lost my job at the school until January, we've been going through tight times at home once again, and I had been suffering from a lack of motivation on just about anything. Not even Rocky did anything for me, and everything had felt like an obligation, even the things I enjoyed. I had also been having frequent panic attacks, especially when I'm out in public or even around people I know, and I'm going to see if I need any anti-depressant medication. I hope not, but that's why I'm getting the assessment first.

This is all connected since my behavior has become very morose, and at times, filled with pure anger which has been bursting at the seams, waiting for that total meltdown to happen at the slightest bit of bad news. I haven't felt like this since high school, and it's upsetting that it hasn't been expunged from me completely.

Unfortunately, I've subjected a lot of my friends to my depressing (and erratic) behavior for quite some time now, some even for years. And over the past few days, it's come to a head and I've had to learn some sobering and harsh truths about how my friends see me, and how some can't enjoy talking to me right now because of my attitude. But that also doesn't mean they don't want to be my friend all together. The problem is that they try their damnedest to help, and I push them away and not realize it until they're pissed off at me. I do cry out for help, and it's the situation where you need your friends the most, but I let fear of trying new things push them away.

And I'm tired of living in constant fear. I've spent so many years living in fear of really....nothing whatsoever. Over how a girl and her psycho best friend back stabbed me. Over a breakup that led me to drinking. And over a group of friends that turned their back on me because I couldn't support their egotistical behavior.

And this is what's really gotten to me these past few months. I had a couple of friends who I loved dearly, and who loved me back and we'd do anything for each other. Never in my mind crossed the thought that they'd turn their back on me all because I couldn't stand by them while they were insulting my other friends and their efforts. It put me in an impossible situation to where I'd be a traitor to someone, and I still feel that way. Now they want nothing to do with me, and I know it's no fault of my own, but there are times I pray that I could try to set things right, cause it shouldn't have ended the way they did.

When I lost them, it felt as if a significant part of my life here had died, since we went through a lot together and I knew they were always there. And since then, that's when I got extremely paranoid about even my best of friends. I was convinced that they were going to turn their back on me at the next moment and make it like it was all my fault, and trash talk me behind me back thinking I was a depressing laughingstock.

The other big problem I had to deal with these past few months was a mistake of my own, and it was dating this girl who was dead wrong for me and made me miserable for 2 1/2 months. I hardly enjoyed any of it to begin with, and I felt like even kissing her (or even THINKING about her) was an chore I hated doing. She was always throwing tantrums both in private and in public, always humiliating me. It was like babysitting a 2 year old. And she made it clear that my first priority was always her, and damn my schoolwork or friends, and damn my sister too.

Why put up with her bullshit for so long? I was patient with her, and praying and hoping there was a way I could get her to mature and realize the value of having friends and I badly wanted her to meet my friends in Rocky, so that she'd feel welcome somewhere. Sadly, it was a huge mistake. She came to the show, and managed to be very cold and even leave before it was over. And the one thing I could never forgive her for was when she insulted them and told me that she hoped I didn't have friends, especially them. A few weeks later, I dumped her, and she handled it in the most immature way possible, but she's free to do so. I'm just glad it's over and it'll have to take some serious maturing for her for her to even possibly be an acquaintance in the future.

What's frightening is that since our breakup, I've been turning into her. Always negative and whining, hot temper, immature way of handling things. It's like I'm regressing to a younger version of me that I thought I had outgrown. When this year began, I set out to make a huge comeback for myself and regain all the ground I lost in 2008. I was making progress, but I've also taken a couple steps back recently. Well, I still have a month, and I cannot go into age 23 and a new decade being like that.

And I also know that this may very well be my last chance to do so with quite a few people. I can't blame them for being sick of me when all I do is act all morose and reject all their help. And it's very insulting and hurtful to them to go out of their way and get nothing in return. In other words, I'm on probation with them at this moment, and I need to shape up for my own sake. And lord knows I can't lose these friends. They've been some of the most wonderful and loving people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, and to not realize their contributions and let fear from some unrelated bitch cloud it is a crime I've committed countless times as of late.

And the biggest obstacle I have to beat is my inability to move on from the past. It's where the fear comes from. It's where it puts innocent friends in a difficult spot because of some bitch from four years ago. And I need to stop being afraid of myself, and what I am capable of. That's where my friend's suggestions come into play, and I must listen now. And I need to stop having to be reminded by them and myself about what they really are to me.

So, this is my pledge to you all. And I'll see to it that it isn't mere words either. Just know that I love you guys and I want to be the best I can possibly be to you.

The Twilight Saga, by Stephen King

2009-11-19T22:30:54Z

The Twilight stories seriously needs to take place in Maine, like a Stephen King story. Ah, welcome to Forks, Maine!

Shawshank prison? A deserted Bangor airport? Derry?

Really, if they did, it would be remotely intresting and all the ridiculous sparkling Vampires, morose morons for a heronie, and CGi Werewolves would be a little more convincing, and when you add the King touch (and the cameo), you could have a little fun!

To continue, Edward should be sent to Shawshank Prison, and the Sisters can have him. Bella can go to Bangor International and wait for the Langoliers to arrive, and we'll let Pennywise have at it with Jacob (Even with the spider)

I think, though, that we should ensure that Stephenie Meyer has an accident and Annie nurses her back to health whilst making her write a better book. Then hobbles her.

Or, better yet, send Roland Deschain to Forks, and let him clean out the whole town.

I wonder how Jacob would fare against the Wendigo?

And lots of classic rock songs have to be referenced. And Boston Red Sox must be mentioned.

Don't like what I have to say, Twihards? Deal with it.

Five years later

2009-10-30T18:48:20Z

Five years to the day today when I joined FFO.

Damn.

It doesn't feel that long ago, but I don't feel like anything resembling the same person I was then.

I actually still remember the fall of 2004 very well. Ah, good times in the midst of terrible times.

Oh, well, at least I'm celebrating in the best way possible. See you all tonight!

Talentless actors and most horrifying moments in film

2009-07-06T23:24:53Z

Another bitching about the movies blog...just because I felt like it!

Most Talentless Young Actors

NOTE: I'm not including the obvious ones like Ashton Kutcher or Denise Richards. I'm talking young actors in the early 20s that we only herad about recently.

1. Michael Cera- I will say it right now, I didn't like Juno at all. It's hard enough to root for it's protagonist when she's an insensitive bitch, but this guy really made me want to throw things at the TV, and that's because this fella really lacks some serious balls. And he ends up playing the same fucking person every movie he's in. He's the only thing about Arrested Development that I dont miss.

2. Megan Fox- Before people start comparing her to Angelina Jolie, she has to actually show she can ACT and not be some piece of ass for the Michael Bay House of Cinematic Atrocities. Even though Miss Jolie hasn't set the bar with film lately, I can safely attest that I have seen her act, and act very well.

3. Shia LaBeouf- At once, I thought he might be something. But he has to look distressed and panicked and yelling in just about every movie he's in, and let's not get started on how he made Crystal Skull damn near unwatchable (More later on that). The only one who's looking more like a shipwreck is Lindsay Lohan. Oh, as a side note, she'd make the list, but one can only hope she still has any talent left, if she lives to 2010.

4. Kristen Stewart- And I'm not saying this as someone who will proudly scream out "FUCK TWILIGHT!". Its ugly when you make your debut in a Lifetime TV movie. And its worse when you show less emotion than the three others on the list combined.

5. Evan Rachel Wood- I'm no expert, but it would be nice if I could see her perform with a love interest with someone from her own decade, let alone her century.

Most Horrifying Moments in Film

NOTE: This isn't about horror films, but just such atrocities that are too painful to even think about

1. Shia LaBeouf picks up Indy's fedora at the end of Crystal Skull. Yes, Indy snatched it up, but the moment was still all too horrible. It made my heart stop mid-beat for 5 minutes, trying to overcome what I just saw. And this is after he hung out with CGI monkeys. Thank Christ for Karen Allen.

2. Jar Jar Binks. The epitome of all that went wrong with post-1999 Star Wars. You know damn well what I mean.

3. Napoleon Dynamite and the fad that followed. I dont even know what the movie was getting at. I've been around to see what really makes a cult movie and what doesnt. Thank god this has died out.

4. Ben Affeck crying in Armageddon. Like passing a kidney stone. I'd happily pay either Darth Vader or Captain Picard if one of them would do a hit job on the whole damn cast. Judging by the morons on Earth, maybe the asteroid deserved to hit it after all.

5. Joel Schmacher's various crimes committed in Batman. Far too many to name. Far too many puns. Far too many cartoon effects. Oy indeed.

6. Keanu Reeves trying to do Shakespeare. Look, I'm not as hard on him as others. Speed and Bill & Ted are all-time favorites of mine. But, Keanu doing Shakespeare?

7. The ending of Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes. This was a borderline pick, but I wasted good money to see this in a theater, and I still have no idea what the hell Burton was going for. More like a sequel threat that thankfully never came.

8. Glitter. If you've managed to see 5 minutes of it, you'll get what I mean. Not even a full blown RiffTrax laughfest could ease the pain.

9. Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. I grew up with Margot Kidder, I fell in love with Margot Kidder. She was fun to watch. She was a product of the last golden age of film (the 1970s). Kate Bosworth made me want to bitchslap Lois Lane. A Superman story is lost when you root AGAINST Lois. Oh, and thanks for little Damien as well. Speaking of Superman...

10. The mechanical spider in Wild Wild West. And I'm not even talking about the fact that Will Smith and Kevin Kline were total assholes in the movie that you couldnt stand. Whats sad is that the spider was Jon Peters' idea for a Superman reboot. So, even though it was a mediocre-to-poor movie, at least Superman Returns didn't have this. Kenneth Branugh gets a pass since he camped it up so over the top that it was a rather refreshing break when he was on screen.

Best/Worst Director's Cuts of Movies

2009-06-16T06:18:02Z

Thanks to the technology of DVD, we've been able to see different versions of movies we've come to love and hate, and we've seen how it can improve, or ruin them. Of course, the extra footage has allowed some to make our own cuts just for our personal enjoyment.

I put together a little list of the best and worst of Director's Cuts...None of the best are flawless, and some of the worst even get silver linings.

Best Director's Cuts

Alien- This is kind of a tricky one because Ridley Scott prefers the 1979 cut, and understandably because either version is a masterpiece. But he also wanted to present an alternate cut that works, and that's how we got the 2003 cut. I got the privilege of seeing it in a movie theater, and it's an experience I'll never forget. And I actually prefer this version. We get to see Lambert bitchslap Ripley outside the infirmary, and we find out what became of Dallas and Brett. These two scene I felt should never have been removed. And a lot of scenes were trimmed a little to keep the pacing going, which helps as well. However, I have two complaints. First, we see the fully grown (and CGI added) Alien dangling from the chains right above Brett before it makes it's grand appearance. Second, the cocoon scene with Dallas should have taken place before the self-destruct was initiated, not after, when Ripley is on her own.

Superman II- This is a radically different version, since this was done by the real director, Richard Donner. After he was fired, Richard Lester took over, and he just had to go and reshoot just to get credit. Hence, we got the Cellophane S, a poorly shot Paris sequence, too many scenes with a bunch of hicks, Margot Kidder looking frail and distraught, a Gene Hackman soundalike that sounds nothing like him, and no Marlon Brando or John Williams! In 2006, they were able to find all the lost footage, used a screen test with Chris Reeve and Margot Kidder, and used a few Lester scenes to complete the film. Many have bitched about how choppy it all looks, but it's forgivable given the circumstances. Kidder looks alive again and having fun, and out of a screen test comes the most creative way to reveal a superhero. Yes, he turns back the world again, but it's preferable to the kiss that erases memory from Lester.

The Empire Strikes Back- This is a reason why the Special Editions did help the Star Wars series, to an extent. With the exception of that damned News Corp logo at the beginning of the film (I prefer the slanted zero in 20th Century-Fox), the film was greately improved. No iditotic sequences of "Jar-Jar humor" or out of place actors that were in the other two films were to be found, a lot of shots that were obvious matte paintings have been cleaned up, and we actually SEE Cloud City, instead of a bunch of windowless hallways. Still, I'd rather that R2 didnt taste so good as opposed to being lucky to getting out of the swamp.

Blade Runner- I'm referring to the 2007 Final Cut, which finally perfected maybe the most compassionate movie I've ever seen. Scenes are finally well paced, no lazy dialouge readings are heard, we don't make a cameo appearance in the Shining at the end, and I think we finally get a little clarity in the replicant issue. The best part is that everything remains dark and there is no dawn. That, and "I want more life...FATHER"

Aliens- This barely made it, because there was some excess in the addition of more scenes, but it really does drive the character development. We can see why Ripley takes to Newt like a surrogate mother, and we even see seeds of romantic feelings with her and Hicks. It makes it all the sadder that they had to just make Alien 3 and kill them all off in a very boring movie. On the down side, we really didn't need to see Newt's family drive up the derelict. It's a 5 minute scene and it really drags down the pacing of the film.

The Abyss- The movie, at either version, has a running time that could use an intermission, but its worth it in the 1992 Director's Cut. The tidal wave threat finally completes the movie full circle.

Terminator 2- It may be longer, but you wouldn't really know it. We see a much deeper connection with the Connors and the Terminator, and explaintions as to why things turned out the way they did. Plus, we see Michael Biehn in this one, and that doesn't hurt one bit.

Worst Director's Cuts

Apocalypse Now- This movie should have won all the Oscars in 1979. It easily beats the Deer Hunter as the movie about the Vietnam War. It's one the most human movies around. And it's choatic making is the stuff of legend, that it amazes how it came out as well as it did. However, the Redux version is one of just total excess that all but destroys the pacing. The Playboy sequence in the abandoned base was mostly pointless, and while the French plantation sequence makes its point, it does nothing to add to the film. The theft of the surfboard is really the only good thing I can take out of it, mainly because it's genuinely humorous.

Return of the Jedi- Jedi Rocks. Hayden Christensen. "Weesa Free!" A guest apperance by the Audrey II. If that doesn't make my point, you haven't been paying attention. By the way, the original Star Wars doesnt make the worsts lists because in spite of unneeded "humor" and in spite of a cameo by Jabba the Hut, I'd still happily see it in a movie theater again. It's nowhere near as damning as the changes in Jedi.

Death Proof- It wasn't very good to begin with. It may be the reason why Grindhouse flopped at the box office. Yes, the last 20 minutes and Kurt Russell are brilliantly done, but that hardly makes it a movie. And in the extended DVD cut, we get to see all those deleted scenes. Sadly, it was a very boring lap dance and MORE TALKING ABOUT NOTHING.

Superman- It still is the greatest comic book movie of the 20th Century, and its influence has lived on to where other great ones such as the Christopher Nolan Batman series have come to fruition. But the 2001 extended cut is filled in pointless scenes that seriously threaten the pacing. Why did we need to see Martha Kent open up the house in the morning, or see Lex try ice and bullets on Superman when he already knew it wouldn't do shit?

Army of Darkness- What, exactly, do the added scenes bring to the movie? It's really just extentions of scenes that are already in the film and have already stated their purpose. And Ash doesn't need any more time-fucks. Making him oversleep to wake up in the Apocalypse sounds more like a threat for a sequel. Besides, the S-Mart ending fits much better with the overall film. Remember, Shop Smart, Shop S-MART!

Halloween- It's actually a TV version made for NBC in 1980, and not what John Carpenter prefers. But I guess it deserves mention on here anyway. There's really onely one good added sequence ("You've fooled them, haven't you Michael? But not me."), but the rest is simply filler to pad the running time, and simply pointless.

Repo: The Genetic Laughingstock

2009-05-17T00:37:41Z

Yes, I said it, and I don't care if all those "REPO Armies" come after me for it :P (Then again, they're as real as the Republican teabag parties).

The Repo fans are just about as bad as those mentally insane Twilight fangirls, perhaps even worse. And that really says something. Not only do they try to copy Rocky Horror, they try to copy Blade Runner and even Sweeney Todd. The end result looks like a music video for either an emo rock band, or a tween popstar's attempt to "mature".

The only thing I can give it is that Sarah Brightman made the best of a bad situation. She's just as beautiful both in looks and in voice as she is in her theatrical work. I can see why even the Repo haters go easy on her. I hope she's given far better roles in the future, especially since word has it she was a last minute replacement.

No movie has any right to call itself a cult classic within mere MONTHS of release. And you lose credibility if Paris Hilton is one of your stars. What's even sadder is that she was one of the better things about it. And she was performing at just about the level you expect from her. What's funny is that she was handed the script while she was in jail. Who knew Paris in jail could deliver a negative reaction for society?

The music is just stupid wallowing crap that makes RENT look bearable. (Yes, I said it. RENT sucks too. Sue me.) See, Rocky Horror had good music and a plot that didnt try to go for shock value or adhere to fanboys (Snakes on a Plane, I'm looking at you!). And the talent in RHPS is actually fulfilled, putting one of the cinema's greatest actresses on the map, and launching the careers of some truly gifted and enjoyable stars of the stage and screen.

Of course, the only reason why it hasnt been overstocked to death at the local Hot Topic is because they still gotta clear out all of the Twilight crap. But I've seen more Repo crap there than I wish to ever see again.

And, on a filmmaking note as a film student, this movie is a prime example of how cinema may become less and less realistic over time in terms of settings. It reminded me too much of the 2008 version of Speed Racer, and how its graphics and colors gave me a terrible migraine. It's also very upsetting to see obvious bluescreen settings throughout the entire movie to where I'm not even sure there was one actual set built for it.

I've been given permission by my friend Kevin to post his blog regarding a Repo "shadowcast performance" he went to last week. What he's written can best describe it all.

__________

In other news, Cos and I went with some of TDA (The Denton Affair of Cincinatti, OH) to see Repo at the Esquire on Saturday with a "cast."

Do I write a recap of the evening or not? So many things I gotta say but I don't know if it's worth the time that I do not have.

No one can call us "haters" now---we went into that theatre with an open mind and we sat down to give it a chance. I think I'm gonna send Terry Zadoinko a bill for the 95 minutes of my life that I want back.

I'll admit that I had not sat down and watched the thing from beginning to end in one sitting. I got through about an hour of it over about two weeks. I really want to know how anyone.....ANYONE can look me in the eye and tell me Shock Treatment or Phantom Of The Paradise are shitty movies.

Supposedly when the thing ran at the Esquire last time it sold out twice and people were all over the theatre singing and saying lines and having a great time. I have one question:

Where were those people last Saturday?

I am no longer worried about Repo muscling in on RHPS. If there are really serious Repo fans, where were they to "testify" for their beloved movie? They can only show up when the director is there I guess.

The "cast" consisted of three teenage girls who had a trivia contest before the movie, asking questions even I knew the answers to. The best part was when they mistakenly introduced the contest as a "Rocky Horror" trivia contest.

So, they asked about three questions and gave out 15-cent glowsticks to the oh-so-lucky winners. Then they had a contest where they had people shout out the word "graves"--just like in that stupid song.

That was it. The whole "pre-show".

Then the "cast" apologized for not being able to start the movie right away because they don't know why the "bitch-ass management" didn't start the movie yet. They said a few other nasty things about the Esquire staff but I can't really remember what, I was kinda in shock. What a great way to start your first show as a cast---publicly put down the management. They must have had some training from Jon Rowland.

So when the movie DID start, the "cast" ended up sitting in the front row loudly singing along with the movie. That was their contribution to the giant bucket of shit we had to sit through for the next 95 minutes.

I want to say this one more time for all those Repo dorks who have been giving us shit about not liking the movie: WE TRIED TO GIVE IT A CHANCE.

As soon as the movie started, everyone....and I mean EVERYONE in the theatre was yelling random AP and making fun of the movie. I don't mean they were doing callbacks like at RHPS--it was the total opposite, they were cat-calling and putting the movie down. I know we do that on some level to RHPS, but everyone in the theatre was just shouting out everything they could think of to put the movie down. Apart from the "cast" made up of 5 teenage girls in the front row, it was clear that everyone in the theatre hated the movie.

So, of course we had to chime in with some callbacks. We got quite a few laughs and we weren't even trying. People were walking out on the movie when it was still on the first reel.

That movie is awful. I mentioned this on Rocky Radio and I'll write it here: I really wanted to like the movie. I was sold at Anthony Head. Of course his singing in the movie was REALLY amazing, but the music is pure shit. He could have sang the directions for a microwave and it would have been more entertaining.

I know bad musicals. I LOVE bad musicals. Repo is beyond bad. The music is so crappy and horribly-written that I was figuring out the lyrics before they were even being sung. It was like reading a Dr. Seuss book for the first time, you can kinda figure the text out as you go along. First rule of writing a musical and/or opera: you need one good memorable song. There isn't one song in Repo worth remembering or humming as you're walking out the door. The entire production design of the movie is ripped off of every movie ever made. There wasn't one original element to the whole look and design of the movie. The cast is decent---Tony Head, Bill Moseley, Paul Sorvino? It has one hell of a cast, but they are totally wasted, like watching an old episode of 'The Love Boat'--you can tell the celebrity guest stars are asking themselves "What the fuck am I doing here??!!!??"

Repo is pure shit. It's a great idea that was turned into an awful movie. I know that the film was a back-breaking labor of love for the filmmakers and all that, but I don't like it. I don't know why none of the Repo fans can accept the fact that someone hates their movie. I have dealt with people putting down RHPS my whole life. I'm fine with it...in fact, if everyone loved RHPS & Shocky I'd probably have no interest in it. I *like* the fact that it's not everyones cup of tea. Why is it so important to so many people that Rocky fans just HAVE to love Repo?

Another thing: someone mentioned to me that the Repo fans/casts also cannot stand the movie. They say "it's just like all the Rocky fans who don't really like the movie."

I've said this a million times, but I am NOT one of those fans who hates the movie. I would never spend so much of my time on something I hate. Cosmo and I would never put up thousands of dollars to throw a party centered around something we don't like. That's just dumb. If you go to RHPS and you don't like the movie, that's cool. Some people just dig the social scene and being there. I can live with that, but it's not me. I am NOT gonna go along with this Repo shit just 'cause it's a fun place to hang out. I can go to RHPS for that or I can sit at home and play with my wife or myself if I want a good time.

We gave it a chance and now we hate it even more than we did before. It was worse than we ever thought it would be. I'm ashamed and mad at myself for even going. The only reason we actually sat through the whole thing was because it was kinda like watching a car accident, and also because we were in shock. I cannot imagine how Cos, Aaron and Missy felt sitting in their home theatre and watching that shit.

The Denton Affair has nothing to worry about. There are so many fun things that go on at RHPS at the Esquire apart from the movie. The minute you get there the entire front of the theatre is swarming with audience members hanging out. When you go in there's music and a party atmosphere that is enough to cheer up anyone. The cast is always more than friendly and they go around talking to everyone before the show. The pre-show usually involves not only the virgins but the entire audience. By the time the movie starts, you already feel that your ticket money was well-spent.

Rocky Horror in a theatre/cinema survives on repeat business. If it weren't for people coming back the movie would have died years ago. The Denton Affair's show is one worth going back to. Every time you go you'll see something new.

I cannot think of any reason why anyone would go back to Repo a second time. It's like spending $8 for someone to give you a colonoscopy with garden tools. I ask again, where were the people who sold out the show months ago? If they're such die-hard fans hell-bent on making it the next Rocky Horror, where the hell were they? I guess they think it's only a midnight movie if the director is there.

Even if by some chance the Esquire decides to keep running Repo, they'll end up losing money. I give it maybe two more shows before it dies.

Repo sucks.

The end.

Movies That Need to Die

2009-03-17T02:21:47Z

It's now time to rant again about shitty movies, as a result of the horrifying spectacle that is Miss March, overpromoted to death on MySpace as of late. Thankfully, people avoided this piece of crap as it was a huge bomb, and will be forgotten until next year's Razzie's ceremonies. Provided that the gruesome twosome of Friedberg and Seltzer don't put out another movie this year, and assuming Lindsay Lohan is too busy throwing drunken tantrums to make a movie in 2009, Miss March is the early favorite to win the top awards at the Razzies.

That being said, allow me to rant about certain movie genres that need to die a horrible death (or simply just die):

Car Racing Movies- This especially applies to the unpleasantness that is the next Fast and Furious movie, which explains why Paul Walker can get any work these days (If Richard Donner can't get a good performance out of you in Timeline, nobody can). It's main demographic are the stupid white boys and girls that want to truly believe they're "black" and "ghetto", just so they can get laid on a near-daily basis. Here in Las Vegas, there is a near-sickly obsession with cars, as if they were worth more than loved ones. It's just a fucking car. If you're claiming to be a "dirty" boy because you spend too much time in your truck doing stupid shit, you're a serious douchebag. I wonder who the next big-name rapper will be featured in this one...

Star Wars- This is written with little pleasure, as I grew up with Star Wars, and the original trilogy is considered by me to be 3 of the best movies ever made (Yes, Jedi was that good. Ewoks at least had some fight, as opposed to Gungans vs. Battle Droids). As bothersome as the Special Editions were, it was some of the best experiences in a movie theater for me. And I enjoyed Revenge of the Sith very much, considering it (for the most part) to be the only worthy prequel. Sadly, the Phantom Menace was a idiotic kids movie, and Attack of the Clones was the most forgettable, and this is a movie with Christopher Lee! And I only could make it through the first 10 minutes of the Clone Wars before I walked out, utterly appalled. Something is very wrong when you see the Warner Bros. logo, instead of hearing John Williams' version of the 20th Century-Fox fanfare. Of course, these all are easily preferable to the horror that is the Holiday Special. Yes, even in 1978, the cracks began to show. I never cared for the Clone Wars TV series either, and it's time to pack it in and save Star Wars from becoming an even bigger joke than it already is. Man, this really hurt to write, but it had to be said.

Road Trip For Sex Comedies- Now you can see why American movies are usually frowned upon, and these movies are a huge reason why. Let me make sure I have this correct. Uptight guy meets a girl, nearly gets laid, something totally impossible happens to detour him, girl disappears, guy goes on a road trip with douchebag friend, meets total assholes and the obligatory lesbians, guy reaches the girl but decides against getting her back suddenly. Oh, and while we're on the subject, no more Playboy ANYTHING! We've put up with the House Bunny, and we're somehow survived through the Girls Next Door....but Miss March?! I say we take off and nuke the Playboy Mansion from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Kevin Costner Movies- There have only been a total of two movies where I could stand him. The Untouchables was one of Brian DePalma's best with a great supporting cast, and Bull Durham, where Costner was the worst thing about it, but the movie was carried by Susan Sarandon and my love for the game of baseball. But everything else has ranged from cliched to annoying to ridiculous. I endured Waterworld in a movie theater and it's an experience I'd like to pretend never happend. Swing Vote was a syrupy bullshit fairy tale that was many years too late and a waste of good talent. But the serious crime that is unforgiveable is robbing Martin Scorsece of the Best Director and Picture Oscars in 1990, when Dances With Wolves inexplicably beat out GoodFellas. That, I can never forgive.

Dancing Movies- I hated Dirty Dancing. And I don't care if it sets my hopes of getting laid back another year or so, I hated it with a passion. But it's so much worse these days, when you keep hearing about those movies about the guy from the wrong side of the tracks finding inspiration by dancing hip-hop and stealing some pin-up girl from a big shot. And now it's about to be spoofed, which certainly makes it all the more painful (More on spoofs in a bit). It basically contributes to the false perception that a lot of people my age like to put on for others, and what will it do for you after the end credits roll? Does it get you a job, or even a gig? Not everything today has to be "ghettoized". I prefer to be me, even if I don't get the girl for another few years.

Spoof Movies- It's painful to witness the downfall of this genre. I grew up with Mel Brooks, Zucker/Abrahams (When they were in their prime), Leslie Nielsen, Harvey Korman, and Madeline Kahn (I consider her to be the best actress I've ever seen). They kept their spoofs on topic, with such humor that even to this day can still make you laugh all day. Sadly, I can only get that humor now from political funnies and reviews of bad movies. It's sad to see Leslie Nielsen reduced to supporting roles that, in spite of his best efforts, are written so poorly that all you can get is a few chuckles anymore. The genres was hijacked around 9-10 years ago by the Wayans Brothers, who chose to go down the gross-out route with the first two Scary Movies that introduced the concept that you can put in so many fads and pop-culture references of the time it was released. Within a week, the references were outdated. But then this practice fell in the hands of a duo named Friedberg and Seltzer, and they have put out a series of truly horrifying movies that weren't even spoofing the genres that it's title was saying (i.e. Juno in Disaster Movie). Worse, they contain the kind of references that we very much world like to forget even happend in the first place, such as Punk'd. Hell, even Zucker has fallen hard, partly because of being a "9/12 Republican". The Scary Movie sequels and An American Carol are the examples of his fall from grace. It hurts to say this, but not even the great Mel Brooks himself could save this genre now. Just be grateful that he's still with us today.

Sports Movies- And this goes for both inspirational and comedy sports movies. Look, no matter how much you try to sugarcoat a underdog story about a player or team, you're not fooling me. And comedy doesn't mean gross out gags. Besides, nothing will ever top Major League, and the fact that Jesus Christ could never hit a curveball.

Movies for Tweens- We all remember the Twilight craze from last fall, in spite of the fact it was about a Hayden Christensen-wannabee that was ripping off Superman's powers and claiming it to be witchcraft or whatever. In the past, we've put up with such classics as Bratz, Save the Last Dance,the Covenant, the endless string of teenybopper movies from 1999-2001, etc. I think it's fair to say that the 13-14 year old demographic are total idiots. Speaking of Save the Last Dance, I remember when I went to the theater to see it back in 8th grade. But the funniest bit was when all these middle schoolers started fucking around and getting into fights and whatnot, and they even formed a conga line of sorts around the middle seats, it was hilarious. That, and their callback lines that were incomprehensible.

Cult Wannabees- You don't make a cult. It happens. It happend for Rocky Horror, and it happend for The Goonies. You just can't shove a movie down someone's throats and expect it to be followed and performed by a floorshow cast. Just because a movie can POSSIBLY be bad doesn't mean that it's watchable. And throwing in product placement (Red Bull in Snakes on a Plane) and stars of the moment (Paris Hilton in REPO!) only makes us more inclined NOT to want to watch it even the first time.

Music Superstar Movies- This might get me hanged, but I paid to see both Glitter and Crossroads. Glitter was out of desperation from the 9/11 coverage (Right when it was shifting from compassion to HAIL BUSH!). Never did anything look so out of place or tedious. Crossroads....*sigh*....I willingly paid FULL PRICE for it. I have been wanting the money back ever since....and I still cant bear to watch even a second of it again. It's needless to say how the movies were. What's even more annoying are the vehicles with rappers that are nothing but album promotions. I felt like the only man in the world that was unwilling to see 8 Mile when all the teen girls wanted to go to masturbate to Eminem back in 2002.

I rest my case.

Looking Back at Little Shop (Four Years Later)

2009-01-16T15:55:57Z

As of this month, it has been four years since I first got involved with Little Shop of Horrors back at ....Bonanza.. ..High School..... The thought of it didn’t come to me until not too long ago, but that play had a pretty significant impact on a lot of us who performed it, especially myself. It did a hellva lot of good for us, and it also brought a lot of pain to a few of us as well.

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What I’m writing will be rather blunt, so hopefully no offense to anyone.

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Here’s how I remember it…

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I was a couple months into my time at ....Bonanza.. ..High School...., recently an escapee of Rancho High, and while it was no paradise, it was definitely a far better place to be. I had also gotten my first job at Albertsons as well, and I was not particularly enjoying the life of a grocery store (That’s before I met my dear friends at Vons). I had also recently joined FFO as a techie and was responsible for the lighting and still a very naïve little boy on there. And I still believed there was a life for me back home in Hercules, CA. But I was craving a chance to be able to actually perform, something I hadn’t done since Charlie Brown a couple years before. At the time, I was researching a great deal on Peter Sellers and his methods of acting that utilized his talents, and trying to adapt to them.

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I forget exactly how this came about, but Mr. Russell (My theater teacher) told me that he had me in mind for the role of Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop. I had heard of the movie, but had never gotten around to seeing it. Apparently, I was selected due to the short temper that I had at the time and was famous for (Before I matured), and it was perfect for the character. What made it weird, however, was the fact that I was the only one, and there were no auditions for anyone. I had never performed a principal before, and only had one play to my experience at the time. Still, it was a chance, and I took the part. I bought both the Little Shop and Rocky Horror DVDs and actually found myself enjoying it to where I became very enthusiastic about the project.

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Thanks to a terrible scheduling of my shifts, I had to miss the initial meeting where they saw the movie, but I made it to the initial script readings. I met a lot of people that, for better and worse, changed my life (Vince and Sami in particular). Everybody got along right off the bat, and the atmosphere was upbeat. However, two things annoyed the hell out of me. Most of all was the taming of the script, removing any explicit words. We were high school students, and it was already reduced from a high PG to G. Then again, we at least removed a god-awful subplot regarding Mushnik adopting ....Seymour..... Second were the endless warm-up routines we would do before each rehearsal. It got to where I would be falling asleep on the floor during the middle of them.

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The funny thing about this is that at the same time, a rival production was going on in the room next to us (Father of the Bride), and they had taken quite a few shots at ours. It reminded me too much of all the cast rivalry drama that was at its peak at the same time at Rocky Horror.

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Still, we progressed along nicely. Steven and Brittany were Seymour and Audrey, respectively, and while chemistry is a clichéd word, I felt it between the three of us. Steven was a freshman at the time, but took his work very seriously while learning to enjoy it at the same time. A very well-meaning fellow who turned himself in ....Seymour.... without any difficulty. ....Brittany.... was a year younger than me, and has been correctly referred to as having the voice of a pop star. She approached Audrey with the same voice dialect that Ellen Greene had (And to be compared to her is a major compliment). I also recall she had a boyfriend who she was attached to, in every way imaginable. Even her voice mail was a love letter to him. Too often would be the case where not even a tow truck could get her away from her boyfriend to begin rehearsal.

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I honestly wonder what it would be like if they were ever on FFO and they got to be Brad and Janet for a show...man, that’s a tempting thought.

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Life would usually consist of listening to Rocky Horror, Shock Treatment (Which I recently was introduced to) and Little Shop during the endless bus trips, shopping at the Walgreen’s for their cheap sodas and 25 cent Ho-Ho’s, and checking e-mail at the library. During the time, I quit my Albertsons job and went to go work at the Regal Cinemas, where Skid Row and Dentist were always playing in my head, it seemed. Speaking of which, I also spent a lot of time at the actual orthodontist, getting my braces on.

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I had also met this girl from Centennial who I became involved with, but she was just a mistake I kept repeating over and over. We’d always plan a date, only for me to get stood up and find out later that she got drunk instead. And I was always on the losing end of her deciding whether to date me or some dirtbag. It even got to the point to where she humiliated me after a Rocky Horror show one time. I have to credit ....Brittany.... for helping out one time when she suggested that I was the better person for not lying and not being the one crushing hopes. So, if you’re reading this, thank you very much for it!

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I also took my first step towards getting the inspiration for a film career, when I discovered the information regarding the original ending to the movie that was in the play, but dropped from the movie in the height of the John Hughes era (You like it, but they want a happy ending, no matter how absurd it is), and thus begun my long search for it that ended with the invention of YouTube. It struck me as to how much better a movie can be with certain scenes inserted and removed, etc. That’s how I first got into video editing.

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A man named Bill Diamond came into contact via Mr. Russell and turned out to be a Muppeteer that worked with Jim Henson and Frank Oz. We were able to get a shipment rental of several Audrey II props to use throughout the show, and I had to learn how to slide down the big one when I get eaten without breaking my neck. A lady named Nadine did all the hard work inside there, and Vince (With his deep voice) supplied the voice.

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The only real trouble I had during the whole affair was my delivery of Mushnik’s voice. I went for a Yiddish-Bronx delivery that sounded just terrible. Too often, Mr. Russell would ask me to articulate it better. It got to where I finally had to drop it two days before our performance.

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We promoted the hell out of the show, holding a fundraiser, and lunchtime previews, etc. A huge mistake I had made that may have hurt it was when I had taken a leave from FFO due to drama at the time (Which I swore never to do again), and I cost both sides a golden opportunity to cross-promote each other’s shows.

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When we did our two performances in May, our hopes were high, and so were some tensions as well, and they weren’t just of the usual preshow jitters that any production goes through. It came to my understanding that there was some “differences” between some of the cast. I only remember of one, I do know I had one as well with the stage manager, which made me feel bad since I hate drama of any kind. I’ve had enough over the past few years to last me for a lifetime.

.. ..

Only some of the cast got microphones, so I had to really overact for anyone to hear on stage. I seriously believe I could’ve been better, since I felt I came across as a raging and dimwitted buffoon. Besides, I always preferred the movie’s version of Mushnik’s death (He had the upper hand). Given my added “weight” and graying hairspray, I felt like I was also screen testing for the Criminologist when I got back to FFO. Look where I am now….

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What always broke my heart was how both performances brought only a half-filled auditorium each, and it made me a little angry too. I’m the kind of guy who thrives on audience participation, whether it’s yelling lines at Rocky, or really cheering on Seymour and Audrey. But still, we managed to make it a fun time, for what it was worth.

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Our after party was held at Sami’s place, and it was a pretty good time as well and very relaxing as we all talked and even danced. It hurts to write this, but it was also the last time we could all be in the same room together peacefully. The party at Sami’s brought about the roots for a few subplots in our lives. A few have now moved away, there were some falling outs, and a few failed romances came out of that night, including one of my own that was a real lesson about a lot of things. But that chapter is closed in my life now. The way I see it, they were painful at the time, but for at least some of us, we’re better and wiser people as a result. And I do hope someday that these hard feelings can be put aside. After all, it was all really just bullshit in the grand scheme of things.

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For a couple years, I was reluctant to revisit Little Shop, still grieving over my breakup with Sami, and angry over how poorly the show was received. But then I got a DVD copy of our performance, and slowly let myself back into the whole thing. I still can’t bear to hear myself sing though :P

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I had remembered my favorite number from Phantom of the ..Paradise.. called The Hell of It, played over the closing credits, and it seemed to describe the drama both on and off stage during Little Shop, so I ended up using our footage to create a spoof of Phantom’s closing credits. I am still terribly proud of it and glad to see its gotten views on YouTube. I later made a movie from our footage, dubbed over with music from Rocky Horror and Shock Treatment, in the same vein as the Pink Floyd version of the Wizard of Oz.

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I did this not just because of my personal tastes, but also because I didn’t want us forgotten so easily just because our shows weren’t well-attended. We worked our asses off, and we gave some pretty damn good performances for us to be swept under the rug so quickly, in my opinion.

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How has Little Shop changed my life?

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In a way, Little Shop may have done a lot more good for my life at this time than what Charlie Brown did for me when I was a suicidal freshman. It taught me how to become a better actor and how to take on a principal role. It introduced me to some people in my life that have made a positive difference in my life, even if it wasn’t until years later. One helped me get back on my feet last year when I had nothing to live for. Another taught me (in a way) about loving someone and the joys and consequences of it. Best of all, I appreciated just how much of an art form theater is to me, regardless if it’s being a floorshow cast, or a one-man show, etc.

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I do hope that those on cast who are still here in Vegas can put whatever differences aside and hopefully reunite sometime in the future and share how this has affected them as well. I can dream, can’t I?

A review of of the year from hell- 2008

2009-01-01T00:44:13Z

Well, 2008 was a seriously horrible year for me, and it's obvious I have nowhere to go but up.

January- Was working at Borders, and unable to afford to go back to CSN since I still owe a few hundred in tuition, but at least was keeping busy. Found out my ex-girlfriend and recently ex-friend was pregnant and I was admittedly devestated, more because I felt I lost a friend I worked so hard to get back.

Feburary- Got fired from Borders over a very stupid mistake on my part that was pretty much based from fear of losing a job I was good at. Kimmy and I broke up mutually that same day as well. Went to the County Democratic convention where it was absolute madness, but yet, had a sense of fun amdist it. I also met Barack Obama for the first time at Del Sol High, the first of 4 times.

March through May- It was the beginning stages of a complete nervous breakdown. I felt so guilty over everything that had been happening as far back as 2005 and it's still difficult to let go. I really don't know what can make it go away for me. I was so cranky on the bus trip to California, and I barely left the house. Also, Tropicana Cinemas closed then thanks to the dipshit excuse for an owner, and the cast was homeless.

June- Since our old house was foreclosed, we had to do a crash move, and get a new car (Traded in my car, which was about to die anyway). Dad also had a double hernia surgery, which kept him out of action for a few weeks. We seriously were treading poverty. The worst was when my mother nearly died on her 60th birthday from bronchitis. Miracously, she recovered and is doing better.

July- My dreams had been rather surreal all year, but nothing compares to one I had where I was basically seeing two versions of myself having a brutal fight. One of me was trying to find any sort of hope in my life, and the other wanted to keep myself in a consistent morose mood. I remember it all, and neither of them won the fight. It was a very frightening dream. I also tried my damndest to get any sort of help for my family, but practically every agency told me to go fuck myself. Hell, Vocation Rehab even told me that I should give up school for now and take a janitor job. And they were dead serious. For the love of god, there were days where we could barely eat anything because we had no money. Finally, there was a girl from DD that I had asked out, but it never materialized cause I wanted nothing to do with her friends, and we ran into each other at karaoke one night, but she pretended I didnt exist. It was a truly humiliating experience.

August- I got a job through my aunt working at a company posting Craigslist ads, but they always looked for excuses not to pay me. Whatever little I got, I had to use to be able to eat. It ended in October when they finally went under. But I also applied and got accepted into the Art Insitutute, and it's been a great experience thus far. Met some people, good and bad, and began my climb back towards dignity.

September and October- The news I had long awaited to hear came, when FFO was set up for a Halloween show at UNLV. I managed to meet some very gifted performers as a result, and we ended up drawing over 700 people to the show. 2009 should be a nice year for us. We had our usual obstacles, but we mananged to overcome them better than ever before, and I was amazed at how much my school was into the show when I promoted it.

November and December- The great day I waited 8 years for came, and it was every bit as sweet as I hoped for (Obama's election). However, it was also a very stressful time for me, as nobody would listen to me when I have gone to apply for work. I was constantly busy as well with my midterms and finals, and I'm happy the work has paid off well so far. My birthday was intially a awful one as I got insulted and was starving the entire day, but a few of my good friends made it a good one a couple days later. Still, the break's been a bittersweet one. I'm so happy for 2009, but I feel I'm ending 2008 on a low note, as I've had a few falling outs with friends from both here and even back home in California. I'm so grateful to those true friends that really have helped me out this year, but it doesn't mean it doesnt hurt when you do lose a friend.

So, what to do for 2009? How do I keep it from going down the drain by March like 2006 (The yearlong nervous breakdown), 2007 (The year of fear and heartbreak), and 2008 (The year of rock bottom)? I really don't have a specific answer. I wish I did. I'm a little nervous about how it's all gonna go, but I do know a few things I must do:

-Become more consistent and abundant with my chanting. I definately want to introduce it to a couple friends that I know could find this useful.

-Keep kicking ass at school. I've never felt more accomplished than I have there, and I feel I've got a chance at life again.

-Get some serious therapy, whether it's from friends or a psychiatrist. I really need all the help and friends I have if I'm going to make it.

-I've got to win at something, for once in my life, without becoming some white boy acting ghetto.

-Let my fucking past go. I've already let my past life in California fade into memory, but now I need to do the same to a few things in this life. But I really dont know how to, and that's what I need to find out here.

-Find a significant other, when I'm in the best condition to do so, and have an actual physical relationship. I'm 22, I'm still a virgin, and I need to get involved very much both emotionally and physically, with the right lady.They say wait, but is that really believable?

-Apply all the lessons I've learned about myself this year.

So, I guess I should stop trying to find the answer, and just make sure 2009 is a far better year than the last three. The potential is there (President Obama, FFO at it's best, Art Insititute, a real sense of growing up). I've just got to meet those expectations.

There are some who are already expecting 2009 to suck. Do you truly believe all 365 days will be dead weight at midnight tonight? Happy New Year Everyone!

Little Shop of Denton (An experimental recut)

2008-12-04T03:58:57Z

I've put together an experimental project of mine much like Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of Oz". I have taken the videotaped 2005 performance of Little Shop of Horrors at Bonanza High School and replaced it's audio with music from the stage and film versions of "The Rocky Horror Show" and "Shock Treatment", where the music was best appropriate. It was really just for fun. I guess you can say that I didn't want us easily forgotten. Opinion would be appreciated!

Since it's hard to put a video on a blog, here's the link to the YouTube playlist.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EDE51C5793A48616

Thoughts on last night...

2008-11-06T00:28:58Z

Simply beautiful last night.

Define irony. Seeing Ohio and Florida atone for their past sins. Seeing Virgina, the heart of the Confederacy, throw it's electoral votes for an african american. And most amazing, Nevada finally learned some common sense, and pretty decisively (15% or so margin of victory, plus Titus winning the District 3 seat!).

I saw crowds in front of the White House, where it will shorty be a dignified American landmark once again. It felt as if a dictator was overthrown. It felt good to see people see the White House as a place of honor once again.

I remember the heartbreaks of 2000 and 2004, elated with hope only to see them shot down because there was a delusion of a certain type of American that was only acceptable, and all others could go to hell. Not anymore. This proved that we all are our own person, Democrat and Republican, of many ethnicities, of many backgrounds, that we're not simply liberal or conservative, and that we've learned respect.

So, in closing, no playing "We'll Meet Again" this time, or wondering how 59 Million people could be so dumb, or what we should've done differently. Last night was only the beginning, and it won't be an easy task. But I think we're all up for it.

Also, to my Republican friends who may not be taking this well, hang in there. I survived 8 years of Bush, and I'm still here! And I hope it doesn't ruin any friendships. I personally think you may be pleasantly suprised with Obama.

DailyKos: Bill O'Reilly and Frank Burns: A Comparison

2008-04-28T02:22:11Z

Whenever Keith Olbermann mentioned Bill O'Reilly as the "Frank Burns of News", it takes me back memories. I used to watch M*A*S*H often on FX when I was in middle school (I'm now 21), and Frank was always my favorite because of the comedic value brought by the late, great Larry Linville. Ever since FX took it off (So it could have more commercial time for it's "gritty" dramas), I had forgotten about it, but when Keith started the comparisons last fall, it always gave me a good laugh and brought back memories for me.

Never mind the obvious personality similarities, the physical resemblance is amazing. It's almost as if Frank got a spin-off series after the Korean War, and you knew you could see him at FOX News someday.

The similarities:

Billo may as well be Frank Burns, 20-30 years older. No chin, beaty little eyes, sniveling facial expressions, no lips, squints when laughing, and can easily be called Ferret Face, the Lipless Wonder, or the Chinless Chipmunk in his own right. Except, of course, Billo has far less hair, most likely from aging.

Both are Republicans who have full support of censure of the 1st Amendment. Frank had a photo of Sen. Joe McCarthy next to his bed (Hawkeye wrote on it, "Know Your Enema!"). Billo gloats over any anti-war movie that flops.

Both often like to fight one-man wars. I can't recall a specific event, but I know Frank has often tried to try to fight North Koreans on his own, only to retreat like a wimp after two seconds. That, or commandeer a tank and wreak havoc all over the 4077th. Billo declared war on France and delusionally believed he destroyed its economy. Or his endless list of boycotts merely on association. Of course, his greatest hit will always be the War on Christmas.

Despite denials, both have uncontrollable sexual urges. Frank had Hot Lips Houilhan, but Billo wasn't as fortunate, since he was simply a man-whore. And both also probably had some of the worst pick-up lines one will ever hear. Here's a couple classics from Frank:

"Oh, Margaret, you're my snug harbor...I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you to sail into!"

"Margaret, I get so excited when you say the word excited."

Of course, for the sake of mental health and sanity, I will not even bother to think about what Billo has said, especially in light of Andrea Mackaris. To be fair, Frank's refuge usually didn't last very long. All he had to do was mention his wife, and the next words heard all over Korea would be "GET OUT FRANK!"

Both have a sick amount of greed. Frank married his unattractive wife for money, which is why he never divorced her for Hot Lips. And he'd certainly go off the Army manual if it meant making a few bucks. He even said that he only became a doctor for the money. Billo's greed comes from the endless plugging of his online store, especially during the War on Christmas.

When Frank gets even slightly pissed off because of what someone said, he immediately files court martial papers, usually against Hawkeye. Billo usually sends his little boys on a camera ambush. Just remember the three magic words...Malamedy, Mackaris, Loofa.

Both have mass paranoia that is seriously unhealthy, and xenophobia that rivals only Lou Dobbs. Frank often was convinced that Communists were infiltrating and sabotaging aspects of the 4077th, all the way down to his toothpaste. To have fun with this, all one had to do was fill one of his foxholes with freezing water, yell "AIR RAID!", and let Frank do the rest. Billo often goes on rants against immigrants, the "far-left secular progressive loons", believes that George Soros is out to get him and destroy the country, and claims that he's fighting the "Forces of Darkness" in the War on Christmas.

The names and remarks both come up with for even the most unoffensive of words said towards them:

Frank: "You wish!", "Oh, cockypop!", "Go practice your putts!", "That was totally uncalled for!" (I think Dan Quayle found some inspiration here)

Billo: "Far left loons are at it again!", "He's a pinhead!", "Elements at MSNBC...", and of course, "SHUT UP!"

Both have had BS claims for awards. Frank often sought Purple Hearts, either by throwing his back out, or for an eggshell fragment that was cooking-related. Billo often claimed he won a Peabody while on Inside Edition, when he obviously didn't.

Both have probably the most laughable ideas outside of Clinton's campaign spin these days. Frank once enthusiastically supported a far-fetched cover story from a visiting Intelligence Officer that MASH units could function out amphibious at sea (Hawkeye called it "The Titanic"). Billo, as I've mentioned before, believe that a boycott of everything that George Soros and NBC employees/viewers have breathed on will help America win his "Culture War".

Their lack of skills in their professions is glaring. Frank is so bad of a surgeon and/or he often takes shortcuts during surgeries that a patient he operated on would usually have to be reopened in order to save his life. Billo resembles nothing of a real journalist or reporter. All he does is shove his Talking Points Memos and engages in bullying anyone who dares to disagree with any part of it. Usually yelling and name calling would be involved.

Both are wimps, period. Frank may claim to be the patriotic soldier he is, but he often would hide scared during shelling or sniper attacks. In Billo's case, please note that he never goes out with a camera crew himself to ambush someone. Why does he really expect them to be intimidated by his little boys?

They hate bad news about their respective wars. A couple classics from Frank regarding the Korean War:

"I'm sick of hearing about the wounded! What about all the thousands of wonderful guys who are fighting this war without any of the credit or the glory that always goes to those lucky few who just happen to get shot?"

"I hope you realize that by trying to introduce more discipline, more order, I've hopefully made this a more enjoyable war for all of us."

"We all know it's brutal up there at the front, especially those of us at the rear!"

And from Billo regarding the Iraq War:

"Now, you would think everyone in the world who values freedom would be rooting for the Iraqis to have them, but they are not. Here in the USA, some of the anti-Bush crowd would rather have chaos in Iraq than a victory for the president."

"Today we’re seeing the same thing on the net here in America, there is no difference. When Arianna Huffington allows people to say that Nancy Reagan should suffer terribly and then die, that is no different that what doctor Joseph Goebbels and others were putting out way back then."

"But as I’ve said before, I believe also that John Paul is naive and detached from reality. If America does not lead an attack on Iraq, once again, Saddam remains in power and is free to use his anthrax and other terrible weapons as he chooses."

There's clearly a lot they have in common. Here's two things that they don't:

Frank is much more high pitched, especially when he laughs. Billo is darker, almost as if he loves to scream "I'M THE MAN!". I can see why Keith usually mimics him with Ted Knight's voice. I hope Keith can one day do a good Rodney Dangerfield impression to challenge Billo, since it's only natural.

Maybe Billo is more like Frank this off-camera, but their body language differs. Frank often looks rather nervous or sulky, and often has his hands in his pockets. Billo likes to show himself as Captain America. Sorry, but Sean Hannity has already claimed that title. And Billo loves to jab his finger at his guests, and pokes out his cameraman's eyeballs with his pen at the beginning of his show.

I apologize for not having any pictures of Major Burns or Bill O'Reilly up so you can see what I mean by the physical comparisons, but I'm still new to the blogging on here. In any case, I hope you enjoyed this and I hope it gives you all a good cheer today!

The Space Odyssey Explained

2007-11-01T08:30:52Z

I recently found this great site that is a 20-minute animation presentation that basically explains what 2001: A Space Odyssey is really all about. It goes though each act of the movie, and connects them all together in the simplest terms possible. So, for those who couldn't understand it, and some who hated it because of it, I hope this can explain for you all.

Kubrick2001- The Space Odyssey Explained

I'm so broke right now...will someone please get the new 2-disc DVD set of 2001 for my birthday? :P

The Sad State of Movies Today

2007-07-27T21:17:20Z

I witnessed the anti-christ the other day and saw the trailer for the new Bratz movie, and this is what I witnessed so you dont have to endure it:

-BFF! OMG! 4real!
-High school in this movie is way too damn big. That's a reason why we need to downsize classroms!
-One blonde has total control over the entire school (Even the teachers and administrators too??) and divided it up into 48 cliques mapped out in designated areas in the entire school.
-Unrealistic cliques, might I add, such as Disco Dorks and Loners (Why be loners if you're hanging out with other people?)
-Paula Abdul. I say no more.
-Shitty cinematography. A 2:35:1 aspect ratio is for something with a shred of dignity, which is something non-existent here.
-By-the-numbers plot that is so predicatble that you can even predict the dialouge word for word and never see the movie. Even more than the lamest of romantic comedies (i.e. No Reservations)
-Slapstick gags that are so unfunny that it makes the opening sequence in Superman III enjoyable (And that movie is an insult)
-"Be Yourself". Not only will they try to trademark it, but we learned that with at least half a brain many years ago, something these dumbasses dont know.
-They pull out all the cliches for this one, and you can already tell how it will end, with a big dance performance at a concert.
-Too....much....pink....and I'm not even saying this from a male's perspective.
-As a 20 year old, I can say with a few exceptions, I've come to despise my generation and fear for the future of mankind.
-Avril Lavinge music in the trailer
-One of the Bratz look like Annette O'Toole. Please, save Annette from this indignity by look-alike association.
-Why send a message about "Being yourself" and being against cliques if you're just promoting your own clique in the movie?

To quote Col. Kurtz in Apocolypse Now, "The horror....the horror...."

As you can tell, the list of atrocities is expansive. In that horrible 3 minutes, I briefly lost all faith in humanity and the art of movies, and decided that it is time to make some reluctant apologies to a few well-despised movies of the modern era...

Batman and Robin- We confess, we love to make fun of Mr. Freeze and his puns. It's still not off the hook though for Chris O'Donnell's whiney performance as Robin.

Xanadu- The trailer looks way better than the actual movie. Still, I'll take a boring movie over vomit-inducing anyday.

Megaforce- Barry Bostwick as Ace Hunter. Believe it or not, it's enjoyable to watch him, and ONLY him in the entire movie. Ace and his flying bike in all it's glory!

Armageddon- Let's face it, it's a true audience participation movie. Certainly not by performing it (Who the fuck would?), but in terms of yelling lines and deserved insults at anything involving Ben Affleck and the mutilation of animal crackers.

Gut-wrenching, isnt it? But, it's come to that I'm afraid. The fact that nobody can come up with an original idea anymore, or learn that Dane Cook and Kevin James are not funny at all. But, I'm fine as long as I have my DVD collection of much more dignified films.

The Dharma of Star Wars and My New Phiolosiphy (A Must Read)

2007-06-27T06:31:33Z

I've just finished re-reading a book Kimmy got my for Christmas called "The Dharma of Star Wars". It's about the connections between Buddhisim (My religion) and the Force. Never have I found such peace in a book, and every time I read it, it helps me understand the religion I've practiced my whole life a little bit better, and it could be a great way of explaining it to others, given I'm terrible at explaining it straight-out. But it's not limited to Buddhisim, as the book draws paraells to many of the other religions out there in the world.

For those who aren't aware of all the Eastern philosophies and concepts that are embedded within the subtext of the Star Wars films, you'll be pleasantly surprised when reading this book. You'll look a the films in a different light, especially The Phantom Menace (Yes, you heard me right!) which is loaded with Buddhist references, ("Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.") In fact, there's a lot of talk about "suffering" in this book but, like Luke, you have to unlearn what you have learned and not take suffering literally, or at face value. There are many forms of suffering described in this book and it's supposed to be a part of life, not something you get rid of. Learn about it, accept it and deal with it, are the things you must do. This is wonderful and insightful advice.

The way it best explains it is Anakin's journey towards the dark side and even after he became Darth Vader how things came into play that eventually led him back from darkness, and also how Luke's actions and feelings nearly led him down the same path.

You don't have to even be asscociatied with any religion to get the picture in this book. I'd like for my friends and even whatever adversaries I may have to read at least a little bit of this and take thought into it.

This book took a big part in my new philosihpy of "You Will Believe...", because one is capable of achiving anything if one can make it believable to himself and to the others around him. However, it also takes responsible and proper action by the individiual to make it happen. Plus, you don't want to take the sort of actions Anakin did, which led him to the dark side and never even got him his goals, but in fact made his fears of failiure come true. Of course, do what you must and can to achieve your goal, but not if the path you choose leads to the suffering of yourself and others around you.

Reading this book, along with all the support and love Kimmy's given me our whole time together, gave me a new outlook on life and led me to let my many fears go and to not let negativity stand in my way, whether it's in the form of a boss, a hate-filled person with intent on making people I care for and love suffer, bad news, lack of a creative mind or undesireable results on my own works. Life is full of obstacles, negativity, and let-downs, but it's up to us to overcome them and make ourselves stronger from them. And as a firm believer in karma, things will be set right again, as revenge will only bring us the bad karma.

Here are a few parts from a webpage I found researching the book:

"In the beginning of Star Wars Episode I, The Phantom Menace, we learn the Jedi Knight’s teachings of mindfulness of the Living Force is identical to the Buddhist teaching of mindfulness of the present moment. Jedi Master Qui Gon instructs his student Obi Wan, to not center on his anxieties and to keep his concentration in the here and now where it belongs. Anticipation of the future is sometimes necessary but not at the expense of the moment. This is being mindful of the living Force. Only by touching the present moment deeply in the here and now, are we able to live fully. There is no life outside this present moment in the past or the future."

"Coming into a more authentic relationship with reality will show us that, the “right view” of things isn’t necessarily dependent on what we perceive but on how we perceive it. We will find that the perceptions we hold from images of the world are often false. Buddhist teachings tell us that “if there is perception, there is deception.” This is echoed in Star Wars when Obi Wan trains his Jedi student to practice with his light saber with the blast shield down. He tells Luke, “Your eyes can deceive you, don’t trust them.” It is a false perspective of reality we create inside our minds that leads to unnecessary suffering."

Light & Darkness

Duality as defined for this presentation is warfare. In Star Wars this warfare is sustained by two opposing entities, the Light and Dark Side of the Force. George Lucas has stated that these two sides are, "...designed around compassion and greed. The issue of greed, of getting things and owning things and having things and not being able to let go of things, is the opposite of compassion-of not thinking of yourself all the time. These are the two sides-the good force and the bad force. They're the simplest parts of a complex cosmic construction."

When Luke is first drawn into this warfare, his most troubling question concerns his dilemma, “Is the Dark Side stronger than the Light?” “The father (Vader) reminds the son, (Luke) as if the devil were his higher self, that without (higher) consciousness, “Your destiny lies with me, Skywalker.” 1 Obi Wan essentially tells Luke that, “Vader can never be turned. Those who embrace the Dark Side are forever lost. There is no redemption for such.” Obi Wan’s views are like those who opposed the teaching in the Tannisho that Amida’s merciful vow is much more for the evil person. 2 In Star Wars, “the dark side represents an energy that we may regard as another form of suffering.” 3 “In the Empire Strikes back, we see the back of Vader’s head and know, “Whatever monster Vader might be, this man had suffered, and suffered deeply.” 2

It is in the fifth Star Wars movie that Luke undergoes rigorous Jedi training and comes face to face with his own “Dark Side”. Yoda sends Luke into a cave where he confronts an image of Darth Vader and cuts off his head. “Darth Vader’s signature black helmet falls to the ground... ...Luke is shocked by the sight of his own face inside the helmet. His wide-open eyes stare back in disbelief. This is no faceless storm trooper from an alien realm. Luke sees himself and must think, “I have met the enemy and he is me.” 1 Mary Henderson (author of Star Wars: The Magic of Myth) wrote, “Darth Vader is not an external evil presence but the shadow side of Luke himself.”

Upon closer look at the guardians of peace and justice in the Star Wars saga, one can see that the Jedi also share a shadow side with Luke Skywalker. It is the Sith who are born from Jedi just like in the myth of Satan being born from God. “The dark side does not spring up out of nowhere. ...they (the Sith) are an offshoot of the Jedi themselves. The Sith are in fact in the Jedi and the Jedi are in the Sith. Count Dooku was not only a fallen Jedi but a former padawan to master Yoda. Anakin was a padawan to Obi Wan before he turned into a Sith. In referring to the way the Jedi are too easily deceived, the movie Attack of the Clones is punctuated by the line, “Only a Jedi could do this.” “When we peel back the mask of evil in our society and in the world, we will find our own face staring back at us.” 3

Luke’s hero’s journey eventually brings him inside the heart of duality and the eternal warfare raging within. Darth Vader wants Luke to kill the Emperor and the Emperor wants Luke to kill Darth Vader. Obi Wan and Yoda want Luke to kill both the Emperor and Vader. It is through witnessing and conquering his shadow side and seeing the never ending war raging on between the Light and Dark Side of the Force, that helps Luke see good and evil must be transcended if his heroes journey is ever to be complete. The means he uses to do this are the same means the Buddha taught over 2,000 years ago. We all understand that love without wisdom can create a kind hearted fool like Jar Jar Binks, while intelligence without compassion can produce a heartless megalomaniac like the Emperor. Through the interdependence of intelligence and love we find wisdom and compassion.

The Lotus Rises

Like Luke, with wisdom and compassion, we, “...cannot look upon the evil of Darth Vader and fail to see the goodness present in him. This does not mean we no longer feel anger or sorrow. (JONATHAN'S NOTE: I can relate to this when it comes to my ex-friend Kayleigh). Feelings rise and fall but we are no longer bound to them like Anakin in Attack of the Clones or Revenge of the Sith. Feelings arise and we are mindful and watch emotions with detachment and they cannot drive us into disastrous acts of slaughter.” 3

“Although hatred, anger, aggression and other mental formations of the dark side are unwholesome, if we are practicing the way that transcends the dark side, they can nonetheless be transformed into wholesome elements.” 3 This is expressed with the symbol of the lotus in Buddhism, which grows from the filth and the decaying matter of a swamp. Star Wars is ultimately an antiwar film and that Luke is a prophetic wisdom hero of peace. The universe is saved from the titans of death by a solitary youth who turns off his light saber and turns on light consciousness. 1 “Luke’s actions show us that ultimately the good side of the force is stronger than the dark side.

The good side is stronger because it includes the dark side.” 3 “While Luke Skywalker best exemplifies the qualities of wisdom and compassion in star wars, it is his father, Anakin who shows us the full range of what it is to be human. ...Anakin goes from sweet kid to an arrogant, temperamental young man, to a monster cloaked in the dark side. In his life, he loved people, at times he hated himself, he sought the approval of his teachers, he selflessly tried to help others, he made mistakes, and he intentionally committed crimes of ignorance and of wickedness. But in the end he finds freedom from the dark side. The lesson of Anakin’s experience teaches us that everyone even the most wicked, has the seed of liberation in his

heart.” 3

FFO is on the Citylife cover! (I'm on it!)

2007-04-26T22:15:07Z

The Cover:

Our Section of the Article:

Green Valley High School alum Steve VanMeter, 24, has had his own share of experiences in costume. An organizer of Frankie's Favorite Obsession and a UNLV college student, VanMeter has been on VH1 in his Eddie costume.

"One thing I thought was great [about the movie] was how multi-generational it is," VanMeter says of his cast's performances at Hamburger Mary's. "There were people who were coming back after 20 years."

And this summer VanMeter, who says he stopped counting how many times he's watched Rocky Horror after 500, will be branching out to do the first "shadow cast" performance of Phantom of the Paradise, part of a three-film cult movie mini-convention of sorts in West Virginia.

"I do love performing," VanMeter says. "That's always a draw. Every time I see [Rocky Horror], I see something different."