We are about to hit the road and head to H’s parents’ house to celebrate Christmas. Naturally, we’re taking a few gifts.
And yes, even though I didn’t ask for anything, one or two of these are for me. Have a great Christmas everyone.
Happy Holidays
Posted on December 22, 2012
Yes, it’s that time of year again. The holidays are upon us. Because I’m a certain type of person, I’m going to go ahead and wish you all a Merry Christmas.
I occasionally use the more PC “Happy Holidays,” (like in the title of this post) but I just don’t feel like it this time. So there we are. That said, if you choose to use it, feel free. I won’t hold it against you.
I hope you have a great couple of days, spend quality time with those you love and get everything you asked for from Santa. If you’re still on the fence about what to get me, or even trying to decide if you’re going to get me anything at all, I’ve already taken the liberty of spelling it all out for you.
I like to make things as simple as possible . . . for all of us.
The Live-Action ‘Star Blazers’ Movie Is In the Wild(Star)
Posted on December 20, 2012
When I was a kid, I used to watch an animated TV show called Star Blazers in the morning before going to school. It was a great show and I really enjoyed it. Well, it was great to me at the time anyway.
Later, I learned it was actually called Space Cruiser Yamato in Japan (the Star Blazers title attached to it in the States to capitalize on the popularity of Star Wars no doubt) and in the years since I first watched, it has become quite popular in Japan and spawned several animated movies and seasons of TV.
More recently, they made a live-action version of the series. I posted a trailer for it awhile back. It was released last year in Japan and has now found its way online.
It’s also available on DVD and Blu-ray, if you can find it. I managed to order a copy from Amazon. We’ll see if it actually arrives.
Until then, there’s always YouTube (or the eventual American remake supposedly being written by Chris McQuarrie).
Enjoy. I did.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iissssJnq4M?rel=0]
No Good Trailers Today, Some Writing Tips Instead
Posted on December 18, 2012
Yep, that’s right. No good movie trailers were released today. Or, at least not for movies I’m interested in. So there.
On the other hand, I did get a lot of writing done, so today wasn’t a total loss. In fact, I think I’ve finally figured out some problems with a script I’m working on, which is always a good feeling. Of course, fixing some problems can often lead to finding others . . . And so it goes.
Speaking of writing, screenwriter (among his movies is Big Fish, one of my personal favs) and snazzy iOS app developer John August has a great podcast (co-hosted by Craig Mazin) for all you aspiring screenwriters out there. I’m sure I’m late to the party on this and you’ve all been into the podcast from the beginning, but I’ve listened to almost all of the episodes now and I’ve learned a great deal.
Yes, I can still learn. So can you. Come on, you can do it.
Mr. August offers a lot of other advice at his website as well as several examples of his writing work for your reading pleasure. It’s a great resource and one I recommend highly.
I’m not alone in this, of course, but I’ve always believed one of the best ways to learn to write something like a screenplay is to read a lot of scripts. It helps to read good ones, too, as Mr. August’s are. No, that’s not brown nosing. They’re just very good and I don’t mind saying it.
In truth, I’m a big fan of reading in general. I guess if you’re reading this, you probably are too.
And Now, the Bigger and Better Trailer for ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’
Posted on December 17, 2012A few days ago, we got a good look at the next Star Trek movie. And now, we get an even better one. Yes, I still think this movies looks great. Yes, I’m still looking forward to seeing it.
And yes, I’m going to keep putting cool trailers up here whenever I feel like it. So there.
Enjoy.
[blip.tv http://blip.tv/play/hJh3g4u5UAA?p=1 width=”500″ height=”301″]
I Could Use a Laugh, How About You?
Posted on December 15, 2012This made me laugh. Enjoy your weekend.
Saul Bass’ Poster Designs for Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’ Are Way Cool
Posted on December 13, 2012
I’m a big fan of director Stanley Kubrick and, in particular, his movie The Shining. I’m also a big fan of designer/genius Saul Bass.
So, when these things intersect, as they do with Bass’s poster designs for Kubrick’s classic movie, I take notice. When I take notice, I feel obligated to bring it to your attention. You’re welcome.
If you happy to live in the LA area (or don’t mind a little drive), you can see these posters, and more, at the Kubrick exhibit at the LACMA. Or, you can take a look at the one above and quite a few more right here.
Impressive indeed.
One More Trailer for Today: Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Pacific Rim’
Posted on December 12, 2012
If you ask people like my friend Rick Marshall, an extremely knowledgeable real geek if there ever was one, this is going to be the best movie of 2013. I’m talking, of course, about Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim.
Some points in the movie’s favor: It features giant robots fighting giant monsters. Do I need to go on? Okay, it’s also co-written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro, a guy who’s movies I’ve liked almost all of. YMMV.
Plus, it has a cool cast including two, count ’em, two guys from Sons of Anarchy (Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman), the under-appreciated Idris Elba and Charlie Day from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Is that a cast, or what?
All of this leads me to the trailer which, at first glance, is pretty damn cool. Is it going to be the best movie of 2013? Maybe.
Did I mention the giant robots fighting the giant monsters?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vKz7WnU83E?rel=0&w=500&h=281]
And Here’s a Trailer for a Movie I’m Not So Sure About
Posted on December 12, 2012
Yes, it’s been a week of trailers so far and today is no exception. This time it’s the new one for G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
See, I don’t always put up trailers for movies I think are going to be awesome. This is one I’m definitely not sure about.
Although, it does have Bruce Willis . . . and Adrianne Palicki, which is both cool and easy on the eyes. I’ll let you figure out which is which (For me, at least. You may feel the opposite).
Either way, enjoy (Or not). Also, apologies for the auto-play and having to put this one after the break. Blame Yahoo.
The New ‘Man of Steel’ Trailer Looks Pretty Awesome
Posted on December 11, 2012Here’s Zack Snyder’s version of Superman. I think it looks pretty good. What say you?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6atne6y2phI?rel=0&w=500&h=281]