Memo to Human Resources

11:55:12 PM EDT
Feeling Happy
Hearing watching Alias Well, that was fun...  I spent this evening doing exactly what I enjoy most -- myself and 5 friends went out to the park and played around a bit, then walked down to Ramsey's and had dinner and some good conversation. Makes me feel active, like I'm actually doing something, even if it is just hanging out with the same friends who are usually over here in some combination. There wasn't huge amounts of liquor, so nobody got stupid or had to be babysat. Wish nights like this would happen more often so I don't get stuck hanging out with my friends, getting drunk off my ass and playing video games -- not that that doesn't have its own charms...  whee!

House of Wax
* *

In House of Wax, a group of nondescript, traitless and reasonably attractive college students find themselves camping on the side of the road on the way to an important football game. However, when they awake the next day, their car has been tampered with and they're unable to get anywhere near the big game. Luckily (at least they think so at first), there's a small nearby town where they may be able to get a new fan belt and continue their journey. When they get there, they find that the town is all but abandoned save mysterious figures that populate the House of Wax. Night falls (by my count, at about 4:30 in the afternoon. oops!) and the kids are now being hunted down one by one.

For a horror movie, there is a considerable lack of scares and a lot of needless gore (don't get me wrong, I consider the latter to be in the film's favor). The film really runs hot and cold -- for every interesting piece of torture against our heroes, there's an uninspired death right around the corner. It's like the filmmakers had a few ideas, but still had a few characters left to kill. The ending sequence is the film's best, but it lacks gravitas due to the cardboard characters. Even though the film is completely different than Vincent Price's 1953 film, it still has almost nothing new to offer.


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11:36:19 PM EDT
Hearing The Daily Show I have a hard time deciding if I'm too picky about girls, just normal, or just unlucky. Probably a combination of all three.

I know a lot of guys who won't look at a girl twice if she's not model caliber, which I find plain ridiculous. But, on the other hand, being single for, what, 2.5 years now? I also start to tend towards the physical. I mean, if you're just window shopping, what are you going to notice?

Just like any guy, I'm sure my ideal for a woman falls a little on the unobtainable side (basically, add about 20 pounds to Katie Holmes and you have my ideal). Sorry, girls, it's something that's been ingrained in me. Blame the media. I kinda feel bad about it, I'm not sure why.

But I know I'm not as bad as some. One guy I know actually said when we were talking about the ideal female, "well, first, she has to be blonde. If she doesn't have greats legs, she's out..." He went on, but, ugh... He put almost no emphasis on intelligence and wit... Which, really, neither have I in this post.

That's why I'm so insecure on this issue. I don't wanna be "typical guy," but I think I might be more than I'd like to admit...

and now a movie review!

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe
* * *
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy thinks it has lofty goals. In fact, the main characters are actually searching for the meaning of life. However, anyone expecting a serious movie should turn right around and go home. This movie exists wholly as vehicle for its own whimsy and cuteness. For some, like me, this will be enough to get you through the film, but for others who want something more structured and less eccentric, they may want to wait until Revenge of the Sith opens later this month.

The movie introduces us to Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman, a brilliant casting choice), quite possibly the most average man on Earth. He won't be for long, though -- on Earth, that is. It seems that our planet is in the way of the construction of an intergalactic highway so it simply must be destroyed. Humanity doesn't stand much of a chance, as just as soon as the aliens make their presence known, it's mere moments before everything is turned into space debris.

Luckily for Arthur, his best friend, Ford Prefect (Mos Def), actually happens to be an alien himself and is able to catch the two a ride on a passing ship. They may have escaped certain death, but they're still in trouble. They're on a ship run by those who destroyed the Earth, the terrible Vogons (mostly considered terrible because of their poetry).

Their journey eventually takes them to join forces with the President of the Galaxy (Sam Rockwell) and his girlfriend, the last human woman alive, Trillian (Zooey Deschanel). The group sets out to find the the Ultimate Answer to life, the universe, and everything. Actually, let me correct myself -- they already have the answer ("42"), they now need to backtrack a bit and find the Ultimate Question.

One aspect of Hitchhiker's that should be applauded is the decision to largely avoid computer animation for the aliens. The Jim Henson Creature Shop did an excellent job building these critters, especially everyone favorite depressed robot, Marvin. It's just so much more convincing than cartoonish worlds that populate every inch of the screen in the Star Wars films. These monsters have personality that
can be seen when you look at the fine craftsmanship that obviously went into their production.

The film has a quirky sense of humor which may end up making the movie a tad esoteric, but I don't think that one must be a devoted to fan of the Douglas Adams book series in order to like this film. The key to enjoying this story is to recognize just how much it enjoys itself.

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8:23:51 AM EDT
Hearing Glad -- Nellie McKay So, I basically just got back from an all night shoot at the video store. We were finished at 6:30 am, which was awesome, mostly because the last time we shot at the video store, I didn't get out of there until 11 am. Our main actor, Adam, is pretty much finished (still has a couple of pick-ups, but without any dialogue, and, of course, our ADR day). The female lead, Anna, only has one more scene to shoot, a really easy scene that won't take more than an hour or so to shoot (at least I hape. Our director is quite particular).

So, pretty much everything for the main feature is contained there. However, on the 14th, we shoot for our very last day of principle photography. This will be a long, stressful day. Mostly because I get to direct this sequence that, at this point, has not been completely written or storyboarded. It's kinda minor, but it's still lots of pressure. The actress for this part is cast, but I've never met her. No pressure, right? I mean, the stuff I'm shooting only *opens* the movie... I'm both really excited and really scared...

We've been talking a lot about local filmmakers. we've seen some really crappy local movies (Zombie Planet [which has made $500,000 on NetFlix {note to self: Include "zombie" in our next movie title}], Shadow's Light), but investors seems to be interested. $75,000-$100,000? Our short film is soooo much better... Certainly we can get some bucks for the next one...

As for the rest of the weeked, I spent most of my time buying things I already have. I bought an MST3K set that had one movie I already own (but I had to have Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, even if it came with Manos, the movie I already had). Also bought the speial edition of Nellie McKay's album. The flip side of the new CD is a DVD. It came with 4 new songs. I like them all, but one is just amazing. "Glad" has made an amazing album even better. I highly recommend Miss McKay's album in whatever version you can find it in.

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5:40:51 AM EDT
Hearing Anna Nalick -- Breathe (2 am) Previous to now, I never gave much credence to the idea of guilty pleasures. I mean, you like what you like, right? But I think I've finally come to a point where I understand it. I mean, I hate American Idol (well, I like the part where people make asses of themselves), but I'm enjoying some of the stuff Kelly Clarkson does... It's catchy, the musicians obviously know what they're doing and that's all that matters, right? It's soooooo uncool to like Kelly, but, dammit, I can't stop myself. Really, I'm "cool," my cd collection is mostly comprised of groups you've never heard of... That's gotta count for something, right?

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7:22:42 PM EDT
Hearing Better Things -- Fountains of Wayne So, I get to work on friday what's in my mailbox?  well, it seems that the lead supervisors all voted for me as associate of the the week...  I was totally "enh, whatever" about it until I found out it comes with a $35  (net, not gross) bonus.  Then I was like "yay me!"  Then for the rest of my 8 hours there, I did, oh, maybe 2 hours of work?  Suckers!  I'm pretty good at the whole "look like you're working" thing, though it's not always my choice, sometimes my tools to do my job just don't work.  I feel like all I pretty much do are the besic requirements for whatever job I have, but I'm finding more and more that many people just half ass their jobs.  Fine by me, makes me look better.

They're hiring a new quality supervisor and I think I'd have a pretty good shot at it.  My boss likes my work a lot and suggested it (I'd basically be doing her job, but in a different, but very similar, department).  It's tempting, but it is more responsibility and crap, but then again, I can just delegate to underlings if I get the job, haha.  It's more pay, sorta.  It's salaried instead of hourly, so good by paid overtime when I want it, basically.  Also, I'm also always fearful that it will detract from my social life and that it'd make it harder to meet women.  But then again, I don't have much of a social life and I'm not meeting women anyway.  huh, I'll have to contemplate this whole thing more...

Friday night, Andrew and I edited our short film for hours and hours.  Like most editing, it was very frustrating and ultimately rewarding.  We have about 4 more days of principle photography (including some reshoots) left.  It's really all starting to come together, I can't wait until I can start showing it to people...

Forgot to post this a while back:

Sahara
* * 1/2

Walking in to the theater, I expected Breck Eisner's Sahara to be a dumb, but enjoyable, adventure movie.  Well, I at least I was right about the "dumb" part.  "Enjoyable" only came in fits and spurts.

Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey) belongs to a team of treasure hunters who work with the world's governments to unearth historical artifacts that have been long forgotten.  But his true passion is a treasure that no one else believes even exists:  an armored confederate ship that made the trip across the Atlantic to Africa.  He believes that that it's current resting place is along the Niger River, so when his team just happens to be in the area, he used the chance to go out and find it.

Meanwhile, Eva Rojas (Penelope Cruz) is working for the World Health Organization, try to stop an epidemic of unknown origin.  The government doesn't want this story leaked and will go to extreme measures to stop Who from learning the truth.  Could the impending epidemic be somehow linked to the lost ship?

Yeah, probably, but the story's so convoluted, it doesn't really matter.  There are some very good action scenes in this film and a lot of the comedy works, but the story just tries too hard.  Had it just tried to simplify things, it would have worked much better.


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3:31:53 AM EDT
Hearing The Amazing Race The birth of an inside joke:

My roommate and I are playing tetris and he's really getting his ass kicked and has to start over and try to catch back up.

Chad:  I'm gonna hafta play speed tetris to win this thing!

Me:  huh?  what'd you say?

Chad:  Speed Tetris...

Me:  Oh, ha, I thought you said Steve, like you knew some guy...

Chad:  oh, yeah, actually, um, I do.  This guy, Steve, and he's, like amazing at Tetris.  We all watch him and we're like, "Steve!  You're nuts!"

Me:  Yeah, but you mostly say that because his testicles hang out of his shorts...  "Steve, your nuts!"


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1:46:39 AM EDT So, Saturday night rolls around and, spur of the moment thing, we're holding a party.  about a dozen people show up to cookout on the grill (even though we never got it working and cooked inside, instead) and drink.  Someone noticed the Dance Dance Revolution pad stuffed in the corner, so everyone wanted to play.  I was amazed at how bad everyone was.  So I got to impress everyone with my average skills, which was mindblowing to them, I guess.  They were also really impressed with the 1000 piece photomosaic puzzle I had put together.  I told them that if they knew any girls taht liked guys with good puzzle skills, give me their numbers.  Alas, I ended up with no numbers.  So, I had a better time than saturday, but nothing fascinating.  Today, I went to see a movie:

The Amityville Horror
* * 1/2

Hollywood has once again gone back into their vault and decided to remake an iconic horror film, hoping to revive a long dead franchise. Personally, since this "true story" has been exposed as a hoax, I think that story might be more interesting, but instead we get a retelling of The Amityville Horror courtesy director Andrew Douglas.

When George and Kathy Lutz (Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George) find their dream house in the quiet town of Amityville, they're shocked to find out that the large estate is well within their price range.  George is a contractor, so he knows what a steal they are getting and asks the Realtor what the catch is.  She pauses and apprehensively tells them that just one year prior, a young man went berserk and brutally murdered his whole family.  "Yeah, but houses don't kill people," says an unfazed George, "people kill people."  He's right, on a technicality:  the house tends to make people kill other people.

So the happy Lutz family moves into the house and it quickly has an effect on them.  George starts seeing disturbing images (including one that pops up during an intimate moment with his wife, which is quite the mood killer) and starts to get very irritable, especially around hisstepchildren.  The youngest daughter befriends the ghost of a former occupant who uses her influence to force the daughter into some serious misbehaving.  Once the boys learn of the house's history from their stoned babysitter ("I really suck at babysitting" she comments), the house goes all out in trying to rid itself of its occupants.

One of the main problems with the film is that there just isn't an antagonist to root against.  The house is evil just because it's evil, and while there is a lame explanation tacked on, it still doesn't set up any villain that you hope will get defeated in the end.  Despite this, the movie is still able to manage a few creepy scenes, especially one rooftop excursion that's sure to bring out the acrophobic in all of us.

One thing that the film has going for it is that it is rated R, so it's not watered down like so many of today's PG-13 horror movies.  There are no awful performances, and Reynolds hits a stride after a while with his portrayal of the very stressed George.  The production design is fine and it's not ever boring, but overall, one is left with underwhelming feeling.  It's better than a lot of Hollywood's recent forays into horror, but if that's not damning the film with faint praise, I don't know what is.


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1:53:33 AM EDT
Hearing Souveniers, Novelties, Party Tricks -- Weezer Okay, so, like, two weeks ago, the remote control to my TV just gives out.  Won't raise or lower the volume, can't change channels, just a useless piece of plastic.  I've since found a remote that works, but still, the broken remote sits on my desk.  And I realize how silly it is to keep a remote that doesn't work, yet I still never muster up the energy to throw it away.  I think it speaks to my inability to let go.  Or that's just really lazy, you decide...

I went to a party at Brandon's tonight.  It was, um, well, it was a party.  So I wasn't really comfortable being there.  I saw a few people I knew, talked to them and then, after about an hour, decided to leave.  Fascinating story, I know.  I really just don't like parties, and factor in the fact that I knew almost no one and that I wasn't able to get drunk, why bother?

Work is stupid lately.  One of the trainers quit, so they've come to us, the quality assurance team to cover their asses.  So I sometimes have to work insane hours to fit their needs and babysit the training classes.  I was at work until 10 after midnight the other day, which I had hoped would never happen...  Luckily, I got out of babysitting the 7 am class on Friday...  Personally, I think that the girl who stepped down should have to hold the classes until they find a replacement, but, no, they'd rather take me away from my work...  Not that I do much in my job...  If plan it right, I can just listen to ringtones for hours at a time, haha...  I love my job...

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12:55:59 AM EDT
Hearing The Jeep Song - Dresden Dolls Woo!  TMBG show!  No new songs, but it was fun, kinda like the Platonic ideal show, exactly what you'd expect from a TMBG show.  Her's what the played and said:

Older
Experimental Film
(JF:  We've saved the best for first!  Mr Dan Miller on the guitar in the town that that's connected to his soul, Danville!)
Istanbul
Cyclops Rock
(JF:  This next song was written for adults, but has been trapped on a kid's album...)
Alphabet of Nations
Dr Worm
(JF: We want to dedicate this next song to all of the great bourban distilleries in the area.  Everything I say "drink" in this song, I want every guy, and every girl if they're willing, to yell "Drink Drink!" very quickly...)
Drink
(Corn Mo intro music, or rather Freebird.  JF starts singing Freebird, adding lyrics about Corn Mo.  Corn Mo is late to the stage because he has to find his accordian, but finally makes it.
JL:  Okay, Corn Mo, we're playing Freebird, right?
JF:  I really hate that song
JL:  And that's why we're going to play it...)
Particle Man  (bridge:  "If I leave here tomorrow...  No.")
(Outro: Freebird again)
(JF:  I don't know if anybody has flown lately, but does everyone know Nortwest Airlines?  Have you seen what the abbreviate it to now?  NWA.  I guess rap just hasn't quite made it into Seattle yet.)
(Next song starts)
JF:  Shit!
song abruptly stops
JL:  We don't normally say "shit" on stage a lot
JF:  Yeah, that's our code for "stop the song."  I'm ready to go now.  Before I was rudely interrupted by the song starting.  This song is off our next album, Chinese Democracy!)
Fake Believe
(That was off our next album, Chinese Democracy, which will never be released)
Bastard Wants to Hit Me
(JF:  This next song is 37 seconds long
JL:  In fact, the intro should be longer than the actual song
JF:  Yeah!  This is a little song we like to do. [long pause as he stares at his watch] It's from a TV show, does anybody watch TV?)
Boss of me (short)
NYC
Robot Parade
Birdhouse
Damn Good Times
(JF:  The next song feature only red instruments!
JL:  The drums...
JF:  Yeah, the drum machine, it's red on the inside)
Stalk of Wheat
She's an Angel
Clap Your Hands
The Guitar
(JL:  The next song is about a man from TN, your rival state
Audience:  Boooooo!
JF:  John, they don't hate anyone
JL:  I dunno.  I know I hate TN.  I was just hoping to get something started.)
James K Polk
---
Violin (While explaining the wave, the lights are shining on the balcony:  JF:  Why are all you people wearing those shirts with the red?  Are those Corn Mo shirts?
Audience Member:  Napolean Dynamite!
JF:  Oh, okay, I haven't seen that yet.  Is it any good?  I saw Ray on the plane ride down here...  John, have you seen Napolean
JL:  No, I have not.
JF:  I bet you all are like "These guys suck!  They haven't even seen Napolean Dynamite!")
Twisting
Fingertips
Why Does the Sun Shine?

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6:12:40 PM EDT Isn't there something terribly ironic about obese people wearing sports jerseys?  Just a thought I had...  They Might Be Giants tonight!  Whoo hoo!

SIN CITY
* * * *

Sin City is, by far, the best movie of the year so far, and one of the most visually interesting films of all time.  Based on the comic book of the same name, directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller (the creator of the book) have made a vary faithful adaptation, right down to filming the movie as Miller drew it in the book.  It's a celebration of film noir, a genre that has unfortunately been absent from theaters in the past few decades.

The movie focuses of the stories of three men in the city, each with their own problems, which, like any classic film noir, root from dames (there are no women in this picture, they're all dames).  The episodes do have some intersection, but they largely stand alone.

Marv (Mickey Rourke) finds himself framed for murder when he wakes up with the body of a hooker.  He sets out to get revenge on the real killers, as he felt a connection with his paid companion.  When he starts seeing her around town, days after her passing, is Marv going crazy or is there something more sinister at play?

Hartigan (Bruce Willis) is a police officer on the last day of the job and is trying to tie up some loose ends.  A serial killer has been raping and killing little girls, and Hartigan will not stop until the current missing girl is out of harm's way.  It's, simply put, an
uphill battle.

Dwight (Clive Owen) protects his girlfriend (Brittany Murhpy) from her aggressive ex boyfriend (Benicio Del Toro).  The situation escalates when Dwight follows him in to Old Town, a section of the city that's run by gun-toting prostitutes who are preparing for a possible war with the police and the mob.

All of the stories are simple enough, with the nice, occasional twist, but the real star here is the city itself.  Through the use of special effects, Rodriguez has fashioned an amazing world.  Shot mostly in black and white, the occasional splash of color becomes quite striking.  Very few movies reach this level of style, and often the ones that do are animated.  In fact, this movie is more less is a live action cartoon.

Those squeamish with violence should stay away from this film.  Even though it's all highly stylized, many people will find it real enough. Sin City isn't somewhere everyone will want to visit, but those familiar with the territory will find much to keep them entertained.


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