iGone

It really sucks that the iGoogle homescreen is being discontinued on Nov 1st. I've somewhat migrated to other newsreaders like Taptu and Pulse but I like the no-frills text feeds on iGoogle - it lets me scan the moment's news and jump to any article. I guess I'm just used to the iGoogle layout. Nothing tragic, just a bum-dinger. 

Divide and Conquer

THE DIVIDE was surprisingly simple and good. Great performances and decent tension built on locking strangers in a room. Reminded me of BLINDNESS and even THE MYST. I did want to know more about the disaster that ravaged the world and what the "men in white" were all about. A Jeff Mizushimarecommendation.

The Divide (2011)

www.imdb.com

Directed by Xavier Gens. With Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance. Survivors of a nuclear attack are grouped together for 

SKY pen

Livescribe finally made their smartpen wireless! And they named it with my initials, the SKY pen - which incidentally is exactly what I named my current Echo smartpen. And no I'm not the geek freak that names all his gadgets, the Echo requires a user name to sync with your computer. Yeesh!

Livescribe :: Never Miss A Word

www.livescribe.com

Livescribe paper-based computing platform includes a smartpen, dot paper and software applications that changes the way people capture, use and share audio and visual information with pen and paper.

The Last FEAST

FEAST 3 was better than the 2nd only because it had more WTF moments that kept me snickering. But I'll have to agree that the original FEAST is by far the best.

Feast III: The Happy Finish (Video 2009)

www.imdb.com

Directed by John Gulager. With Jenny Wade, Martin Klebba, Carl Anthony Payne II, Juan Longoria García. The survivors are saved by the mysterious prophet, 

Silent House holds

SILENT HOUSE had some decent scares and had a good start hiding it's transitions as it simulated one continuous 1.5 hour camera take. Midway the transitions became a little noticeable and the scare gags didn't seem to pay off. The plot ended up being too simplistic (or maybe under developed) for all its elaborate setup. That said the DP did a great job making the Canon 5D2 footage look good considering the camera moves all over the place and in all manner of lighting conditions.

Silent House (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1767382/

Directed by Chris Kentis, Laura Lau. With Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens, Julia Taylor Ross. Trapped inside her family's lakeside retreat, a young woman finds she is unable to contact the outside world as events become increasingly ominous in and around the house.

Next Script

So now that money talks to finance my last pitch have fizzled I'm back to the decision to either continue and just finish the script despite struggling with tuning the plot or shift gears and write the script I've actually been wanting to write (I'll probably not want to write it so much once I actually start writing it but that is the nature of the beast). The decision came up because there are certain people that have been waiting a while for this script, though they don't necessarily have the means to get the film financed they certainly have the enthusiasm to give it some forward momentum. Time is waisting and this year will end soon. Assuming I finish this script this year, I'd be still on track with my 1 year 1 feature script minimum (I think). Regardless it's important to get something done and I'm giving myself until next February to finish this next one. It's an action-comedy and may be a little eccentric to attract initial financing but I think it's a fairly interesting concept that can blossom into something unique and fun. But it doesn't exist until it's written so I've got my work cut out for me. It'd be even nicer if I can get both scripts done but things change and my mood shifts so we'll have to hope and pray that I can find my muse.

Game of Professors

So for those of you who were writing a script based on, or inspired by, the rise and fall of our CSULB film program, here's your lead into the 3rd act with the showdown coming next winter.

Film professor appeals possible termination

www.daily49er.com

Brian Lane drops his suit against the CSU but continues his fight with the university.

Two become one

Damnit! Spent almost a year developing a script and it only occurs to me now that I should merge it with another concept I've been wanting to write. I feel like I've been spinning my wheels but then again it now seems to make sense.

Loop it in LOOPER

I've been a Rian Johnson fan since BRICK and share his affinity for the writings of Dashiell Hammett (along with the Coen Bros.). Have yet to see LOOPER but being able to have the film commentary on hand is an interesting dimension and a much appreciated bonus.

Looper Theatrical Commentary Track

soundcloud.com

A commentary track for Looper by writer/director Rian Johnson. This was made to be listened to on an ipod while watching Looper in the cinema, a...

You mock the horror genre, don't you?

We need to sit down and have a serious talk - CABIN IN THE WOODS was a bit disappointing. It entertained, but I think it was geared more towards a gamer crowd rather than a horror cinema crowd. It's ok that you led me on, it's an OK movie. But it just sucks balls as a horror movie.

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

www.imdb.com

Directed by Drew Goddard. With Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz. Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained