Tuesday, October 31, 2006
And We Wonder Why They Hate Us
Could it be because we moan and complain about stupid crap and completely miss the point?
Stuff like this pisses me off to no end. No wonder there's a new extremist movement of atheism brewing.
When will we as Christians stop getting flustered over the details and start to pay attention to the big picture? I mean, come on. "There's no reason for it being read." Are you blind? Did you bother to actually read it or did you just browse through looking for things that might go against your personal sense of morality?
The irony gives me a headache. Of all the books...
Stuff like this pisses me off to no end. No wonder there's a new extremist movement of atheism brewing.
When will we as Christians stop getting flustered over the details and start to pay attention to the big picture? I mean, come on. "There's no reason for it being read." Are you blind? Did you bother to actually read it or did you just browse through looking for things that might go against your personal sense of morality?
The irony gives me a headache. Of all the books...
# posted by Andrew Johnson : 10/31/2006 10:29:00 PM 
Bring On The Sleepless Nights
Election is a funny high school comedy. I still can't believe Reese Witherspoon now has an Oscar.
Chocolat is good. Souwa loved it.
The Man With Two Brains is all right. Steve Martin still look like my dad.
Saw 3 is okay, but the worst of the series so far. Too much gore, not enough story development. The script was written in about a week, and it shows. I have no idea how they're going to get two more movies out of this franchise, as is the plan.
---
This week is going to be busy. I'm in the process of finishing up my application for a Study Abroad scholarship. I have my usual homework, plus a Biology test this Thursday. And to top it all off, I have to have finished my 20-page Ecorealism paper on Jonestown by this Friday. Then I have to present it on Sunday. Not cool. I'm going to watch The Shining tonight since it's Halloween, but I don't anticipate a whole lot of relaxation for the rest of the week. Sleep, it was nice knowing you.
---
I celebrated my birthday this past weekend. It's hard to believe that on Sunday I'll be starting a new first digit, age-wise. The teenage years are gone. It's time for the twentysomethings, and all the emotional crises and confusion and big life events that have to happen before thirties (which are just dull) roll around.
---
I finished A New Kind of Christian. Now I have a lot to think about. Must. Read. Other. Books.
---
A certain someone got me an iPod for my birthday. Said someone read my mind and knew I was a few years behind in realizing I wanted one.
---
Happy Halloween!
Quote of Da Moment:
"The only time we doctors should accept death is when it's caused by our own incompetence."
--The Man With Two Brains
Chocolat is good. Souwa loved it.
The Man With Two Brains is all right. Steve Martin still look like my dad.
Saw 3 is okay, but the worst of the series so far. Too much gore, not enough story development. The script was written in about a week, and it shows. I have no idea how they're going to get two more movies out of this franchise, as is the plan.
---
This week is going to be busy. I'm in the process of finishing up my application for a Study Abroad scholarship. I have my usual homework, plus a Biology test this Thursday. And to top it all off, I have to have finished my 20-page Ecorealism paper on Jonestown by this Friday. Then I have to present it on Sunday. Not cool. I'm going to watch The Shining tonight since it's Halloween, but I don't anticipate a whole lot of relaxation for the rest of the week. Sleep, it was nice knowing you.
---
I celebrated my birthday this past weekend. It's hard to believe that on Sunday I'll be starting a new first digit, age-wise. The teenage years are gone. It's time for the twentysomethings, and all the emotional crises and confusion and big life events that have to happen before thirties (which are just dull) roll around.
---
I finished A New Kind of Christian. Now I have a lot to think about. Must. Read. Other. Books.
---
A certain someone got me an iPod for my birthday. Said someone read my mind and knew I was a few years behind in realizing I wanted one.
---
Happy Halloween!
Quote of Da Moment:
"The only time we doctors should accept death is when it's caused by our own incompetence."
--The Man With Two Brains
# posted by Andrew Johnson : 10/31/2006 02:32:00 PM
Monday, October 23, 2006
Happy Two Years, Babe!
I love ya.
# posted by Andrew Johnson : 10/23/2006 12:41:00 AM
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Life Is Like A Box of Chocolates
There's just so many options, I don't know which to choose.
The past few weeks have been pretty stressful, particularly this last one. I've had midterms, reports, newspaper articles, even a final. I've also been watching a ton of movies, many of them sneak previews. So, I'll quickly get those out of the way before moving on to other things:
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan - This is the best comedy of the year. It will offend you, but you'll be too busy laughing to care. Wait for my review to be published next week, in time for the film's release on November 3.
Jesus Camp - A disturbing, insightful, thought-provoking, and darkly humorous documentary about a charismatic evangelical summer camp in North Dakota that asks whether or not religious groups should be so involved in politics. I admired this film for its even-handedness. You're given both points of view, and then left to look at the camp and make up your own mind. I was surprised how, at many points, I found myself thinking, "There's nothing wrong with this, even though I personally don't like it." Perhaps it's because I was raised somewhat similarly, or know kids who were. It's only when politics enter the mix that I found myself disgusted, and it wasn't so much the fact that politics were present, but that they were being forcefully introduced to a group of children. I mean, really. Can't you wait until the kids are older before dealing with political issues? At what point should ignorance (and sometimes direct lies) be advocated in order to raise one's kids in a Christian home? See this movie. Oh, and be sure to wait through the beginning part of the credits for one of most shockingly hilarious scenes in the film.
Flags of Our Fathers - A fairly good war movie, but one that is certainly flawed. Hopefully Eastwood's other film on the subject, which shows things from the perspective of the Japanese, will be better.
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price - An interesting look at how Wal-Mart treats its employees and destroys the economies of small towns. I only wish more focus had been placed on the corporation's role at a national level.
Why We Fight - An intriguing look the corporate militarization of the United States. Eisenhower would roll over in his grave.
L.A. Story - A delightfully funny Steve Martin film. I really enjoyed it. You can definitely tell it's a Martin film, though, with the perfect amount of quirky randomness and semi-deep ideas. As usual, I ended the movie feeling like I was watching my dad. There's just something about him. Maybe it's the hair.
Roxanne - Another Steve Martin film, this one not as good as the previous. Still funny, with an excellent concept that just doesn't quite feel as good as it could have been.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - I loved this movie. See it now, thank me later.
Best in Show - A pretty funny mockumentary by Christopher Guest. Made me want to see more of his work.
Out of Sight - A so-so action film by Steven Soderbergh. Perhaps J. Lo has acting talent after all.
The Prestige - A pretty good movie. Not fantastic, but good. I like movies about magic. I couldn't help but be reminded of Primer, which is a connection I by no means was expecting to make.
Hard Candy - Freaky. Not a date movie. I only wish the main character was developed more; as it is, I was left thinking, "Okay, but why the heck is she doing this?"
----
I have a 20-page paper to write for my Ecorealism class that is stressing me out. The teacher has been intentionally vague on what exactly we're supposed to write about, since we're supposed to conduct our own research and arrive at our own conclusions. In other words, we're supposed to come up with something original. I don't mind that, it's just tough to write something of Extended Essay length when you don't really know what he's looking for. I'm writing mine on Peoples Temple, which has been a topic of interest to me ever since I saw this film at Full Frame last year. So far he seems pretty pleased with the work I've done - let's hope it stays that way.
----
Forgot to mention last post that I had three articles published in a week. It's a bit late now, but here's two of them. The third (review of School For Scoundrels) wasn't published online, for whatever reason. I'll sum it up for you: it's a mediocre film.
Clicke and Clickie.
----
I am most of the way through A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren. I highly recommend it. I'm not quite sure I agree with everything he implies, but it certainly is thought-provoking. I'm wondering just how much of my worldview has been influenced by the simple fact that I live in the Modern age, and to what extent that's a good/bad thing. Ponder this further I must.
----
If I was allowed to write/direct/be the coffee boy for any book-to-film adaptation, it would be one of the following:
Fahrenheit 451 - Classic. Thinking about how a skilled director could pull off the Mechanical Hound gives me chills.
The Physiognomy - This is my favorite sci-fi/fantasy book of all time. There's enough action and character development to last three films, which realistically couldn't be done if there were plans to also adapt the other books in the trilogy. Adapting the whole first book into one movie would be extremely difficult. However, if done well, it could easily be one of the greatest cinematic epics of all time. I just love the source material.
The Bible - Okay, not really the whole thing. I just can't remember the exact reference of the story I'd choose: the whole David and Absalom conflict. That whole portion just screams Hollywood masterpiece. You've got huge wars, sex, family drama, spiritual confusion, etc. Can you say Oscar?
The Empire of Ice Cream - My favorite short story, which has been linked to on this blog before. The concept could potentially fuel a full-length film, though naturally changes would have to be made.
----
I am currently getting ready to hammer out a few ideas for my next script. I've got a concept I think might be worth pursuing in greater detail. Even if I don't end up directing it (a budget of more-than-nothing would be required) any time soon, I'd like to at least get a first draft of a script written. All I'll say now is that it's in a genre I haven't even seen a lot of movies in (or arguably, two genres) let alone written anything that would fit within that category. As such, I'm still trying to figure out all the details of how it will all flow together. Who knows, if I manage to actually finish a script, maybe I could save up enough money to get out there and shoot it.
----
Also related to filmmaking, I really need to get more experience behind the camera. I'm considering talking to a couple of friends and seeing if we can't shoot a short film every month, just for fun. Nothing serious, just little 2-3 minute sketches that would be doable with no budget and would allow me to gain more hands-on experience with filming and with Final Cut Pro. It might be fun.
----
I must admit, I was skeptical going into Season 3 of Battleship Galactica. The finale of Season 2 left things at a place vastly different from the overall tone and feel of the series. And although the first few episodes of the new season were good, there seemed to be something missing, some key element that was keeping it from being great. It just didn't feel "Galactica" enough, I suppose.
Thankfully, that has all changed now.
The episode that aired last night was stunning. Simply put, I spent the end credits thinking, "This is what all television aims to be." It was epic. My faith in the show's creators has once again solidified, and I think this has the potential to be the show's best season yet. May I never doubt you again, o lords of Galactica!
----
To fans of Weezer, I present you with Yeah in the Sun. May it brighten your day and bring joy to your hearts.
----
I am considering starting two new blogs. One would solely be for me to post my reviews and thoughts about movies and movie-related news. Since that sort of thing takes up a lot of my posts anyway, it might be good to just go ahead and give them their own place. Plus, it might give me incentive to write more and practice my critiquing.
The other would be a place for me to post all my thoughts/feelings/trials and tribulations in regards to filmmaking, from the initial ideas through the script-writing and production all the way to the final product. Again, this might give me some sort of incentive to do more.
Any thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated.
----
That's all for now. Ta ta!
Quotes of Da Moment:
"Everyone who hates Harry raise your hand!"
--Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
"Forget for this moment the smog and the cars and the restaurant and the skating and remember only this: a kiss may not be the truth, but it is what we wish were true."
--L.A. Story
The past few weeks have been pretty stressful, particularly this last one. I've had midterms, reports, newspaper articles, even a final. I've also been watching a ton of movies, many of them sneak previews. So, I'll quickly get those out of the way before moving on to other things:
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan - This is the best comedy of the year. It will offend you, but you'll be too busy laughing to care. Wait for my review to be published next week, in time for the film's release on November 3.
Jesus Camp - A disturbing, insightful, thought-provoking, and darkly humorous documentary about a charismatic evangelical summer camp in North Dakota that asks whether or not religious groups should be so involved in politics. I admired this film for its even-handedness. You're given both points of view, and then left to look at the camp and make up your own mind. I was surprised how, at many points, I found myself thinking, "There's nothing wrong with this, even though I personally don't like it." Perhaps it's because I was raised somewhat similarly, or know kids who were. It's only when politics enter the mix that I found myself disgusted, and it wasn't so much the fact that politics were present, but that they were being forcefully introduced to a group of children. I mean, really. Can't you wait until the kids are older before dealing with political issues? At what point should ignorance (and sometimes direct lies) be advocated in order to raise one's kids in a Christian home? See this movie. Oh, and be sure to wait through the beginning part of the credits for one of most shockingly hilarious scenes in the film.
Flags of Our Fathers - A fairly good war movie, but one that is certainly flawed. Hopefully Eastwood's other film on the subject, which shows things from the perspective of the Japanese, will be better.
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price - An interesting look at how Wal-Mart treats its employees and destroys the economies of small towns. I only wish more focus had been placed on the corporation's role at a national level.
Why We Fight - An intriguing look the corporate militarization of the United States. Eisenhower would roll over in his grave.
L.A. Story - A delightfully funny Steve Martin film. I really enjoyed it. You can definitely tell it's a Martin film, though, with the perfect amount of quirky randomness and semi-deep ideas. As usual, I ended the movie feeling like I was watching my dad. There's just something about him. Maybe it's the hair.
Roxanne - Another Steve Martin film, this one not as good as the previous. Still funny, with an excellent concept that just doesn't quite feel as good as it could have been.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - I loved this movie. See it now, thank me later.
Best in Show - A pretty funny mockumentary by Christopher Guest. Made me want to see more of his work.
Out of Sight - A so-so action film by Steven Soderbergh. Perhaps J. Lo has acting talent after all.
The Prestige - A pretty good movie. Not fantastic, but good. I like movies about magic. I couldn't help but be reminded of Primer, which is a connection I by no means was expecting to make.
Hard Candy - Freaky. Not a date movie. I only wish the main character was developed more; as it is, I was left thinking, "Okay, but why the heck is she doing this?"
----
I have a 20-page paper to write for my Ecorealism class that is stressing me out. The teacher has been intentionally vague on what exactly we're supposed to write about, since we're supposed to conduct our own research and arrive at our own conclusions. In other words, we're supposed to come up with something original. I don't mind that, it's just tough to write something of Extended Essay length when you don't really know what he's looking for. I'm writing mine on Peoples Temple, which has been a topic of interest to me ever since I saw this film at Full Frame last year. So far he seems pretty pleased with the work I've done - let's hope it stays that way.
----
Forgot to mention last post that I had three articles published in a week. It's a bit late now, but here's two of them. The third (review of School For Scoundrels) wasn't published online, for whatever reason. I'll sum it up for you: it's a mediocre film.
Clicke and Clickie.
----
I am most of the way through A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren. I highly recommend it. I'm not quite sure I agree with everything he implies, but it certainly is thought-provoking. I'm wondering just how much of my worldview has been influenced by the simple fact that I live in the Modern age, and to what extent that's a good/bad thing. Ponder this further I must.
----
If I was allowed to write/direct/be the coffee boy for any book-to-film adaptation, it would be one of the following:
Fahrenheit 451 - Classic. Thinking about how a skilled director could pull off the Mechanical Hound gives me chills.
The Physiognomy - This is my favorite sci-fi/fantasy book of all time. There's enough action and character development to last three films, which realistically couldn't be done if there were plans to also adapt the other books in the trilogy. Adapting the whole first book into one movie would be extremely difficult. However, if done well, it could easily be one of the greatest cinematic epics of all time. I just love the source material.
The Bible - Okay, not really the whole thing. I just can't remember the exact reference of the story I'd choose: the whole David and Absalom conflict. That whole portion just screams Hollywood masterpiece. You've got huge wars, sex, family drama, spiritual confusion, etc. Can you say Oscar?
The Empire of Ice Cream - My favorite short story, which has been linked to on this blog before. The concept could potentially fuel a full-length film, though naturally changes would have to be made.
----
I am currently getting ready to hammer out a few ideas for my next script. I've got a concept I think might be worth pursuing in greater detail. Even if I don't end up directing it (a budget of more-than-nothing would be required) any time soon, I'd like to at least get a first draft of a script written. All I'll say now is that it's in a genre I haven't even seen a lot of movies in (or arguably, two genres) let alone written anything that would fit within that category. As such, I'm still trying to figure out all the details of how it will all flow together. Who knows, if I manage to actually finish a script, maybe I could save up enough money to get out there and shoot it.
----
Also related to filmmaking, I really need to get more experience behind the camera. I'm considering talking to a couple of friends and seeing if we can't shoot a short film every month, just for fun. Nothing serious, just little 2-3 minute sketches that would be doable with no budget and would allow me to gain more hands-on experience with filming and with Final Cut Pro. It might be fun.
----
I must admit, I was skeptical going into Season 3 of Battleship Galactica. The finale of Season 2 left things at a place vastly different from the overall tone and feel of the series. And although the first few episodes of the new season were good, there seemed to be something missing, some key element that was keeping it from being great. It just didn't feel "Galactica" enough, I suppose.
Thankfully, that has all changed now.
The episode that aired last night was stunning. Simply put, I spent the end credits thinking, "This is what all television aims to be." It was epic. My faith in the show's creators has once again solidified, and I think this has the potential to be the show's best season yet. May I never doubt you again, o lords of Galactica!
----
To fans of Weezer, I present you with Yeah in the Sun. May it brighten your day and bring joy to your hearts.
----
I am considering starting two new blogs. One would solely be for me to post my reviews and thoughts about movies and movie-related news. Since that sort of thing takes up a lot of my posts anyway, it might be good to just go ahead and give them their own place. Plus, it might give me incentive to write more and practice my critiquing.
The other would be a place for me to post all my thoughts/feelings/trials and tribulations in regards to filmmaking, from the initial ideas through the script-writing and production all the way to the final product. Again, this might give me some sort of incentive to do more.
Any thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated.
----
That's all for now. Ta ta!
Quotes of Da Moment:
"Everyone who hates Harry raise your hand!"
--Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
"Forget for this moment the smog and the cars and the restaurant and the skating and remember only this: a kiss may not be the truth, but it is what we wish were true."
--L.A. Story
# posted by Andrew Johnson : 10/22/2006 12:42:00 AM
Monday, October 02, 2006
Watch Out For That First Step
I jumped out of an airplane from 13,500 feet.
WOOHOOOOOOOO!
It was awesome. More like floating than falling, and once the chute opens you just get to sit and enjoy the view. Now I want to get my license so I can go alone and do barrel rolls and flips. Heck yes.
Brick is awesome. It's like a classic noir film with high schoolers. Great dialogue.
Quote of Da Moment:
"Ask any dope rat where their junk sprang and they'll say they scraped it from that who scored it from this who bought it off so and after four or five connections the list always ends with the Pin. But I bet you got every rat in town together and said 'show your hands' if any of them've actually seen the Pin, you'd get a crowd of full pockets."
--Brick
WOOHOOOOOOOO!
It was awesome. More like floating than falling, and once the chute opens you just get to sit and enjoy the view. Now I want to get my license so I can go alone and do barrel rolls and flips. Heck yes.
Brick is awesome. It's like a classic noir film with high schoolers. Great dialogue.
Quote of Da Moment:
"Ask any dope rat where their junk sprang and they'll say they scraped it from that who scored it from this who bought it off so and after four or five connections the list always ends with the Pin. But I bet you got every rat in town together and said 'show your hands' if any of them've actually seen the Pin, you'd get a crowd of full pockets."
--Brick
# posted by Andrew Johnson : 10/02/2006 09:28:00 PM
