Notes from the Road

I'm in Boulder -- and too busy so far to post much (or at all) -- but I wanted to throw something up, if only to assure the two or three people who check this site don't think it's abandoned. A few notes from the road trip out:

--Podcasts are my new favorite invention, and the primary reason I made it to Boulder with my sanity intact. Funny, engaging and informative segments from the likes of ESPN, NPR, and The Onion was all I needed -- very little music (though I had a bunch at the ready) and local radio were almost completely unnecessary.

--As I crossed into Nevada, an automatic camera snapped my photo, like the traffic cameras positioned all over LA to catch people who run red lights. This brought back the unpleasant memories of the cameras catching me running the a red light near my house -- twice.

--The next thing I came to, just across the Nevada border, were the state line casinos -- including "Terrible's Casino and Resort". At first, I thought this was a terrible name for a casino (pun intended), but as I was telling my third friend about it, I realized it might just be terrible like a fox. Or something.

--Utah is filled with extremely polite folks, though possibly inbred.

-- Colorado is even more beautiful than I remember. Seeing the sky, I wonder why it looks so blue. Why the clouds seem so white, and puffy, and perfect. Don't they have blue skies in LA? Aren't there clouds? The answer is that LA does indeed have them, but us residents there are forced to view them through a screen door of smog which dulls them to our senses. Here, everything is crisp and clear, and larger than life -- as if being seen for the very first time.

--The people in Boulder are also a huge improvement over LA people, although the same thing could be said for pond scum, so take that for what it's worth. People smile, everybody you pass on the street says, "Hi", and every time you go out to a bar or restaurant you end up striking up a conversation with someone. I don't know if Colorado holds a better life for me, but I know it's a more pleasant life.

I hope to get up a post on the Oscar noms soon, and maybe even one on 'Slumdog Millionaire', which I finally saw, and how it figures into my Top 10 list. But this blog is lower on my list priorities than it has been recently, what with the screenwriting, a new job, a new home (maybe?), and seeing old friends on the agenda. So we'll see. I know you're waiting with baited breath.

Link Dump

So, I mentioned in my Top 10 list of movies from '08 that I hadn't yet seen 'Slumdog Millionaire'. It's quickly ascended to the top of the Oscar candidates, but I haven't even tried to see it, because I've heard a couple of takes on it, and am pretty sure I'd hate it. I know, everybody's raving about it -- it's the feel-good, heartwarming, tear-jerking, blah, blah, blah -- but from the sound of the plot, and a description of the storytelling techniques, I knew it wasn't my cup of tea. That's why I didn't feel bad making my Top 10 list without seeing the movie likely to walk away with "Best Picture".

That original take was only solidified when I read Film Drunk's review today, which basically says everything I'd heard, imagined, and feared about the movie. It outlines some specific issues I already had with the movie, the general feeling of absurdity, cliche, and self-satisfaction I expected, and even a couple more weaknesses I hadn't heard of/imagined. I'll probably see the movie eventually -- I'll be in Boulder soon, without much to do, and have already seen all the good movies coming out across the country this month -- but more out of morbid curiosity than eagerness.

Today, Film Drunk also posted review of 'The Wrestler, making me feel bad I didn't call it the best film of the year, which it just might be. Every time I read another review of it, I'm again amazed to think about how great Mickey Rourke's performance was. If he doesn't win the Oscar, I hope he puts whoever does in a Figure Four Leglock a la Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.

While were talking about movies and dropping links, here's Rotten Tomatoes' Top 10 Sci-Fi Flicks for the Thinking Man. Some good ones on this list, including a couple you don't hear talked about much -- 'Gattaca' and 'Primer' -- along with the more usual suspects -- 'Children of Men' and 'Blade Runner'.

Lastly, I'm headed off to Boulder early next week, so the posting may not be too regular for a while. We'll see how it goes, but I'll be juggling a job, the completion of the script I'm working on, and my football column (at least through the Super Bowl), all while staying at a friend's place, so it could be spotty at best. Then again, I may have to get online to rant about driving cross-country (well, halfway across anyway), or living in snow, or how nice the people outside of LA are, so you never know.

Right now, the biggest issue is that I can't find my favorite album -- Radiohead's 'The Bends' -- for the road trip. I've uploaded all my other CD's to iTunes (finally joining the 21st century), but can't find it anywhere. Was it stolen? Lost? Taken by CD fairies? Did I loan it to someone? I can't make it 1,000 miles on the open road without it, so if I lent it to you, this is the time to return it. My sanity is at stake.

That's it for now. See you when I see you.

Random List: 10 Best Movies of 2008

Here's my Top 10 films, with a caveat: I have yet to see 'Slumdog Millionaire' which people are raving about (don't you love it when people say that?), and which won a bunch of Golden Globes last night.

1. The Dark Knight -- I'm a traditionalist, and I have to admit, I had a hard time putting this movie in the #1 spot because I don't think of a comic book movie that way. But it was the most fun I had at the movies this year, and there's certainly something to be said for that. Another thing: I loved each of the the movies which follow, but no film this year made me feel like "Best Picture", so why not go with the movie everyone loved? Especially when it had great acting by past Oscar winners and nominees alike (topped by Heath Ledger), was directed by one of the world's best directors (Christopher Nolan), and made some of the best commentary on modern existence, all within what was heretofore a limited, predictable genre. And to think, we thought Tim Burton's 'Batman' -- and Jack Nicholson's The Joker -- was cutting edge 20 years ago.

2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -- The visual masterpiece of the year, David Fincher's dark fairy tale about life and death resonated more with me than any other film this year. The only thing that kept it from the top spot is the fact that it didn't raise the pulse, or have me on the edge of my seat, as much as it had me watching in respectful wonder. Great acting, great effects, well-crafted story. One of those Hall of Very Good rather than Hall of Fame types. (My review)

3. The Wrestler -- This was right up there my favorite recent movie-watching experiences. Mickey Rourke's performance (already Golden Globe-winning), was one of the very best in awhile -- a harmonic convergence of actor and character. Directed with remarkable restraint by Darren Aronofsky, the film is a ballad to a man past his prime who's too set in his way to change for the better now. It's funny, real, and heartbreaking. (My review)

4. In Bruges -- The best surprise of the year. A little film with not much fanfare, which delivered laughs, action, and a surprising amount of heart. Colin Farrell is great (he also took home a Golden Globe), as is Brendan Gleeson -- both capturing the humanity with the hitmen they play. The lyrical style employed here by Martin McDonagh, who wrote and directed, is irresistible, and draws you into this light-hearted world of murder-for-hire.

5. Synecdoche, NY -- Most people were too confused by this movie to like it. I wasn't surprised. It isn't for everybody. In fact, this film is only for a thin slice of filmgoers -- ones who like to think a lot, don't mind excessive symbolism and metaphors, or a meandering storyline. It is even more specifically for artists, and especially for writers -- about the creative process, how it affects your life, and how your life affects it. If that sounds boring to you, you're not alone, but for me it was one of the unique pleasures of the year. (My review)

6. The Visitor -- Richard Jenkins' performance as the lead is as good as anyone's this year -- much more subtle than Mickey Rourke's, and not quite as entertaining, but just as solid. A small story about big ideas -- freedom, immigrants, America, love, and the healing power of music. Jenkins allows his character to change greatly over the course of the movie without ever making major changes to his performance. Just the subtle way he allows his body to slowly un-tense as he becomes more comfortable with his new friends and musical instrument speaks volumes.

7. Tropic Thunder -- Not many comedies make this list -- I see it more for achievements, rather than entertainment. But the funniest movie of the year had a couple of the year's best performances -- Robert Downey, Jr., Tom Cruise -- and some of the best sequences -- when the cast is first released into the jungle, when Stiller is captured by Red Dragon, the Asian drug-running gang, when Jack Black's character runs out of heroin. It had a great concept, great cast, and great execution. When you have all that, you can make this list -- even if you're a studio comedy.

8. Milk -- A well-told story, a great performance, and superior supporting cast make this one of the best films of the year. The timeliness of the subject matter didn't hurt, nor did the straight-forward yet loving directorial job by Gus Van Sant, but most of this film's success can be attributed to Sean Penn's performance. It was vivid and colorful, but not over-the-top, or cliche. (My review)

9. Frost/Nixon -- Like 'Milk', this film told a fairly well-known political story in a period piece format, but spends less time examining what happened than why things happened. It introduces us to the personalities and peccadillos behind the great (or not-so-great) men, and allows us to understand the men who shaped the events of their time. I think some more chances could've been taken, but you don't see Ron Howard movies for cutting edge tricks and chance-taking, you see it for well-crafted, populist entertainment. That's exactly what this is. (My review)

10. The Promotion -- Quite possibly, the most underrated movie of the year. Great performances by Sean William Scott and especially John C. Reilly make this film's unpredictable storyline -- is he the hero, and he the villain, or the other way around? -- work, and keeps you rooting for both characters, even though they are usually at each other's throats. That's no small feet. Neither is keeping us guessing how the story will end, which is a rarity when you watch as many movies as I do. Nor making us laugh consistently all the way through, or filling the supporting cast with solid actors giving quirky, funny performances -- Jenna Fisher, Lily Taylor, Gil Bellows.

Near misses: Gran Torino, Defiance, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'.

Random List: 10 Best TV Shows of 2008

Okay, here they are , my long-awaited Top 10 list of the best shows in '08:

1. The Wire -- Goodnight, sweet television drama. What more can I say about this show that hasn't already been said? If you watched it, you already know how good it is, and don't need to listen to me. If you didn't watch it, then you're a moron. But a lucky moron -- you still have the chance to see each and every show for the very first time. I advise strongly for you to do so.

2. 30 Rock -- The funniest show of TV got funnier in '08. It features everybody's favorite Emmy winner Tina Fey, and added flashy guest stars just about every week, but it was the regular supporting characters which usually stole the show. Limited to small rules, Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Jack McBrayer, and Jane Krakowski are all still among the best comedic performers anywhere on TV.

3. Dexter -- Already a great show, Dexter ramped up it's quality even further in '08. It started with a careless Dexter killing an honest man, ands with him cleaning up the streets from a monster he made. The Addition of Jimmy Smits as Dexter's partner in crime was a master-stroke, and allowed the show to stretch its limits. Dexter found himself playing good cop for once, showing us he does know the difference between the bad guys, and the really bad guys.

4. Breaking Bad -- The best new show on TV in '08. It starts with an almost unbelievable premise -- a husband, father, and high school science teacher becomes a meth cooker -- and explains how believable, and real it can really be. It's also cool, and dramatic, and very, very funny. Also: well-acted -- Bryan Cranston already won an Emmy for lead actor.

5. Mad Men -- The first season showed us it was one of the best shows on TV. The second season showed us it has a chance to be one of the best shows ever. It took until the second season for creator Matthew Weiner to really show that meandering, mysterious storytelling that made his alma mater, The Sopranos', such a masterpiece. I can't wait for season three.

6. The Shield -- For most of the show, it was a sleazy good time, a fun ride through the bad part of town, punctuated by tense, surreal moments of high drama. In its final season, it was all tension. By the end, there wasn't a drop of fun to be had for miles. But that was how it had to be. Laughing and joking while breaking laws and making enemies, as Vic Mackey did, can't last forever. The show opened with Vic enjoying a friendly barbecue with his team before ganging up with one to kill another. We knew then he was bad, but he charmed us -- and everybody else -- for a good while. In the end, there was no more fooling, but Vic, the ultimate survivor, was still around.

7. The Closer -- The best procedural on TV. All others above on this list have to entertain, but are not forced to play by the restrictive rules of having to be framed by a crime -- it starts with a murder, and ends with an arrest almost without fail. But all the characters are so real and entertaining -- especially Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson -- and the dialogue is so well-written, it never feels like a cookie-cutter, as so many others do.

8. House -- The show got back to regular business -- set cast, no more "competition" -- and never missed a beat. The subplot with House's best friend Wilson giving up on their friendship was a welcome change from Wilson usual uber-patience with him. The supporting characters have all taken a back seat as most of the personal storylines revolve around House, but that's probably for the best.

9. Lost -- Every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in. There's simply been too much time, energy and attention devoted to this show for me to not care about what happens. I've been doubting they will ever come up with an over-arching story which will explain away everything that's happened so far, but I'm still enjoying the ride.

10. Friday Night Lights -- This season's best episode may have been the first of 2009 -- and there's still next week's season finale to go -- but the groundwork was laid in '08 when the show's third season found the same groove they had in the first. In was major bounce-back year for the show, which went of the tracks in season two by trying to sex up the show too much in an attempt to raise mediocre ratings. In doing so, they lost their positive word-of-mouth from fans and critics, and were essentially cancelled by NBC. But DirecTV swept in to save the day, airing the show on their Channel 101. The season was such a success, NBC wants them back -- they'll be airing all of season three starting in two weeks.

Always Skype & stay off the pipe

I'm entering the final preparations before leaving for Boulder, and getting a little queasy/antsy like I always do before a big change in my life. One thing that has eased my worries, however, is the fact I've been successfully writing over the Internet for a couple of months now, and it hasn't changed a thing about our process. Well, except for make it much, much easier. No more commutes, no more parking, no not having the food or drink I might want handy, no more trying to find a comfortable place to sit which didn't hurt my cranky back.

Now I just get into my most comfortable position/clothes/beverage-wise and write -- my partner in the corner of my screen looking back at me. We can talk -- it works with speaker, headphones, or no attachment -- and both work at the same time. Sometimes, we use this to get two scenes done at once. We use Skype, which is absolutely free when we use it between computers (they charge you if you call a phone). The set-up is also free and takes about five minutes total. My writing partner, Barry, uses it to talk to his sister. While I'm in Boulder next month giving my new J-O-B a test drive to make sure I like it well enough, my wife and I can use it -- if she gets her hands on a webcam, that is.

The service is great -- good picture and sound, streaming without much if any delay (this PC setup is different than my Mac, but it gives you the idea). We had a few glitches early, like getting kicked off now and again, freezing up, and losing the picture, some of that may have been due to with WiFi or computer issues. Either way, the problems have all but disappeared recently. Sometimes work for more than four hours without any interruption.

Because one of us always had to drive 20-30 minutes each way to the other's place, we can now add that time to our sessions and not lose any quality time with our significant others -- my wife often walks throughor joins in the conversation for a moment. And we're always just a few step away from our own bathroom when nature calls. There's not forgetting of materials, or cords for computers, etc. In the old days, if one of us was sick at all the other wouldn't want to go over -- no problem now.

So that makes me fel better about going to Colorado. I still have that odd nagging thought that I'll lose touch with my contacts and won't have anybody to send a script to, or that I'll lose the will to write, or something bad I can't even think of (Joaquin Andujar said his favorite word in baseball was "youneverknow"), but I know I've been thinking about this too long not to give it a shot. At least now, I know I won't stop writing because the long distance process made it too difficult. Because of Skype, it might actually make it easier.

This has not been a paid endorsement, but if the good folks at Skype want to pay me for my spokemanship, I'd like them to know that I am currently listening to offers.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: So, because of other demands, I haven't yet gotten to my Top 10 lists. I have the lists, just haven't written the, you know, actual post about them yet. I know, you can't wait. All three of you. But I promised them this week, and dammit, that's what I'm going to deliver. Check back later.

Random Video: Motivational Movie Moments

I'll be back soon -- tomorrow, most likely -- with my first year-end Top 10 list. Until then, here's a mash-up of clips of inspirational speeches from 40 different movies crammed into a 2 minute video:

Movie Review: 'The Wrestler'

This is the part where I act like an authority on entertainment, and criticize the work of professionals who are, without exception, more successful than I in the industry in which we both work. Some people would say this is proof I have "balls", or "chutzpah" in Jewspeak. Others would say it's proof I'm a "douchebag". To catch up on any old reviews, you can find the link on the right hand side of the page, or just click here.

’The Wrestler’ is one of those films which, when they end, leave you sitting in silence, unable to completely digest what you’ve just seen. If you see it with somebody, you may just sit there as the credits roll, not gathering your things, not making any move to go. That’s the kind of film this is.

I kept thinking about ’The Wrestler’ long after it was over. Not so much the film, but the character -- has-been 80’s wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson, personified by Mickey Rourke. And I do mean “personified”, because while Rourke is acting here -- and acting beautifully -- rather than merely playing himself, we can’t deny the obvious. We can’t deny that we think of Robinson and Rourke as one and the same at times during the film. How could we not?

When Randy talks about being on top, and losing it, but not wanting to give up, how can we not imagine that the “sense memory” Rourke, an old school method actor, is using probably has to do with his film career? And in a very dramatic late speech, Rourke could clearly be seen as talking about himself when he talks about why he doesn’t quit wrestling.

But none of this should take away from Rourke’s performance. On the contrary, it adds to the viewer’s enjoyment. And Rourke is clearly working hard here. His body is pumped up to larger than life proportions, making him look the part. And he does his thing in the ring, taking the kind of punishment for his performance most wrestlers have to endure. But Randy has to endure a much heavier price than most wrestler’s.

After a long career, his body and broken and bent, and he requires numerous pills just to keep going. To make matters worse, he’s forced to take some job which require him to take ridiculous amount of punishment. I won’t spoil it here, but let’s just say a staple gun is involved. But Rourke balances this tough, battered exterior with a tender, playful (but also battered) interior. He love to play with the kids in his trailer park, he clearly have a lot of love for his fellow wrestlers. He’s sad, destitute, and damaged, but he has an easy smile, and a playful heart.

Caring is a sneaky little thread throughout ’The Wrestler’. You see it, most surprisingly -- and refreshingly -- between the wrestlers. They obvious have a lot of empathy and respect for each other, playfully choreographing their match and act as enemies in the ring. You see it in Randy’s need for a romantic connection with Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), a stripper who, despite their close relationship, charges him for lap dances. You see it is Randy’s need to ask for forgiveness from his daughter Stephanie (Rachel Evan Wood) for a lifetime of neglect. And you see it between Randy and his fans -- the one relationship Randy hasn’t let whither.

The film doesn’t look or feel like it was drafted by uber-talented director, Darren Aronofsky. His previous work has been much more stylish and impressive visually -- with the possible drawback of being a bit showy. This film is like the Bruce Springsteen song which plays over it’s closing credits -- gritty, bare bones, and straight-forward. It looks like someone’s first film more than a slick Hollywood director, but in a good, purposeful way.

As a matter of fact, Aronofsky reportedly could have had a lot more money for the budget had he accepted Nicholas cage as his star. But Aronofsky fought for Rourke, and I think him for it. Rather than a polished “Look Oscars, vote for this!” feel, it has the soul of a sleeper. Part of that comes from the great script by Robert Siegel. It’s never too melodramatic, but also makes its point. It doesn’t have a big Hollywood ending, nor should it. It tells its story the only way it seeming could. It seems perfect in its smallness.

The cast is also perfect. Marisa Tomei has just the right mix of sweetness and savvy. She likes this big lug, but she wouldn’t be opposed to working him for some cash. She’s almost as desperate as he is, and in just as unforgiving a dead-end profession -- both are made for the young, and they aren’t young anymore. Their situations and relationship seems so real, it’s a little painful to watch. Rachel Evan Wood is able to convey a lifetime of hurt in a short period of time, and turns a small role into a memorable one.

Randy wants to go straight, but there’s something people say about that involving an old dog and some new tricks. Randy’s been trained to live his life a certain way -- an uncompromising way -- and it’s too late to change now. He presents an interesting dichotomy in hos working life -- he wants the respect of having his chosen name on his name tag, but doesn’t want to be recognized for who he is. He’s sorry for a lot of things, but never feels sorry for himself. He just wants to make it through another day, and maybe find someone he cares about to care about him -- just like the rest of us.

’The Wrestler’ is a great film in the tradition of dramas about working class heroes, like ’Rocky’ and ’On the Waterfront’. It may not be a classic, but will earn raves for Rourke, and I’d be shocked if he wasn’t nominated for an Oscar. If I had my way, he’d win.

Using the age-old Hollywood scale of judgment -- HIGHLY RECOMMEND/RECOMMEND/CONSIDER/PASS (circle one) -- I rate 'The Wrestler':

HIGHLY RECOMMEND