Category Archives: Movies

Watchmen

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Posted the following on a discussion board a little bit ago, and realized I never said anything about Watchmen on the site, so, here’s my extremely brief review.

I saw Watchmen at a screening a couple of weeks back. It’s way better than I expected it to be, and, in fact, I found myself inspired by it. I hadn’t read the graphic novel in at least ten years, and liked the movie so much, I went out and rebought it, and reread it.

It’s different than the book, obviously, but, some of the choices are actually pretty great (the squid never worked for me in the book, and what they came up with instead really makes infinitely more sense.) Overall, there’s considerably more style than substance, but, the material itself is so substantial, that it ends up being okay.

So, yeah, go in with low expectations and be pleasently surprised.

Ah, the non-stop race of life…

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And, in typical blogger fashion, I now apologize for more or less disappearing the past few weeks. The new job is going amazingly well, and should be outright announced in the coming days. I’ve got a podcast over on Word Balloon talking about it, and the huge stack of other projects in the immediate future. That should be posted anytime now.

Otherwise, don’t forget to preorder Cyblade #1 and #2 from Top Cow, The Cleaners #1 from Dark Horse, and to pick up the 1st volume of the Afro Samurai manga from Tor Books.

As for recommended reading, I’m all caught up on Monster, and am currently making my way through Tezuka’s own serial killer/psycho sexual adventure MW, which is a must read for fans of Monster.

Been rewatching Six Feet Under with Christina (it’s her first time) and reminded of just how powerful the show is, and, suprisingly, how much less depressing than I thought it was. We’ve got season one of Mad Men on tap next, and I’m psyched to get started on it, as the pilot was so damn good, and everybody else seems to shit babies they like the rest of it so much.

I’ll try and post a ‘what I’m listening to’ later this week, as the day job has introduced me to some pretty cool new stuff that’s right on the verge, yada yada.

Later gators.

Book Review – Making Movies

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Making Movies Making Movies by Sidney Lumet



My review


rating: 5 of 5 stars
One of my all time favorite ‘theory’ books, mostly because Lumet handles the content from a much more practical stand point then the usual writer. He manages to sum up not just the roles of the director and writer, but, everybody up and down the credit list, and to do it with practical examples, and to clearly define just what film is capable of, and why it so rarely achieves those goals.



I reread this book at least once a year, and every year find myself finding more and more applicable to my work and creative process.


View all my reviews.

Book Reviews – On Directing Film

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On Directing Film On Directing Film by David Mamet



My review


rating: 4 of 5 stars
While suffering a bit from his own inexperience, and his angry young man routine, young Mamet says much current Mamet would agree with. I think that a lot of the really intelligent thoughtful information gets clouded by the “The producers are brainless monkeys and deserve to die!” diatribes.



That being said, he manages to merge a lot of great stuff from a wealth of sources into one short, concise book with a clear line of insight into what directing a film is like. Certainly worth the read, although not necessarily the book’s steep price.


View all my reviews.

Woody Posters

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Woody Posters, originally uploaded by Joshua Hale Fialkov.

My two favorite purchases (other than my Macbook) from the Tax Refund
are the two Woody Posters above.

The Bananas Insert came pre-framed, and the Sleeper half sheet is just
plain awesome.

I’m in heaven, I tell’s ya.

Movies, TV, etc.

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Since getting rid of cable and becoming a shut in, I’ve been watching fewer and fewer New Releases of any kind.  Here’s a few things I’ve watched that are, ahem, new to me.

Be Kind Rewind – I’m not sure what’s wrong with everybody.  The movie is fantastic.  It’s not as good as Eternal Sunshine, obviously, but, it’s still a work of near genius.  The big complaint seems to be how the movie is awkwardly put together.  That’s on purpose.  The movie feels like a story that’s been Sweded.  It’s fucking genius.  It’s got heart, soul, and is funny as fuck.  I’m glad that Gondry is back from the self-indulgent nightmare of Science of Sleep.

Newhart – Season 1 -  Ah Bob.  No better sitcom comedian has ever graced tv.  While not as organic as the 70′s Bob Newhart Show, the ‘new’ Newhart is still fucking amazing.  Of course, it’ll be a season or two before the cast we all remember shows up, but, considering how long it took us to get the first four of TBNS, and this first season, it might be a while.

No Direction Home – I somehow managed to miss this doc when it aired on PBS.  One of those “I’ll watch it eventually” things.  It’s Scorsese Documentary excellence mixed with the longest interview Dylan’s ever given.  It’s masterfully put together, and the archival stuff they found is simply amazing.  Footage of Woody Guthrie playing, Dylan getting booed, and recordings of the early pre-star Dylan tapes… wow.  If you have any interest in folk culture, Dylan, or the 60′s, definitely worth watching.

Torchwood – What a difference a year makes.  Last season (which is linked here) was… okay.  The second half really managed to off set the mediocre first half.  But, it still wasn’t there.  This season… they get it.  The show is purposefully juvenille, filled with ridiculous and unrealistic sexuality that really manages to make the whole thing feel like everybody is being guided by the oversexed aura of Captain Jack.  So, sure, they do weird illogical shit, but, dammit, Captain Jack is there.  I’m REALLY looking forward to the new Season of Doctor Who, simply to see it all tie together.

Lost - What a difference a year makes.  Last season was… okay. (Hey look at me.  I’m reusing the above review!)  Anyways, this season has been exactly what it needed to be.  We’re making huge progress in story and character, and the twists and revelations feel substantial.  I’m glad I stuck around, and this season has made it fairly certain I’m not going anywhere.

The X-Files - So, this is going to be a bit ridiculous.  I never made it through the X-Files before.  I watched Season One when it aired, and my punk rocky teenage self had no use for it.  Consequently, aside from the assorted episodes here and there, I just never got through the whole show.  While working on The Cleaners, and a few other procedural horror type things, I decided it was time.  So, I started from the beginning.  I’m about halfway through the second season, and holy shit… really fantastic.  It’s a little campy, and the stand alone episodes feel like they get in the way of the continuing plot (which unlike most people, I’m actually really into, thus far.)  So, yeah.  Go pick up that giant box set.

So hopefully, I’ll get to see the Oscar movies shortly.  Until then, that’s all I got.

Dress Like Fialkov… Awesome Rocker/Auteur Shirts

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Ingmar Berman

Available for online ordering from L.A.’s Best Video Store, Cinefile.

Y’know, when Christina and I were in there a few weeks ago, I commented how Cinefile is the kind of video store I always dreamed about living around the corner from. Of course, I live on the other side of town (and in L.A. that means a forty five minute or more drive), but, still, it rocks pretty damn hard to live so close to a video store that shelves everything by director.

Click the pic for the direct link to the online store.