Decisions were made today about when to release Fuzzyface, as well as the parody rights when involving copyrighted or trademarked characters such as the Muppets. I have done a little research on parody and its use in the market against copyrighted materials. It looks as though we should be ok.
The decision made today was to release Fuzzyface: The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre at Phoenix Cactus ComiCon 2010. We can get press for it, as well as buy ad space for the release in the Phoenix Con program. This will also allow for more time in the printing and bindery process. Henry Barajas, who is getting into creating comics and is into the local comic scene here in Tucson is set to write the intro for the graphic novel. He got to see the work in progress and says that it looks like my, "best work to date." I take this an incredibly good sign, since Venus and Mike Moran have both stated the same. I too have looked at my storytelling abilities and also the overall quality of the work. My line style is still the same, but as Henry pointed out, he would like to see more shading and detail. When he saw the work he relayed that this is what he was talking about. He thinks the story is hilarious and says he can't wait for it to be finished. Venus is super excited as this is her second piece of published work through Anti-Hero Brand Press. Her earlier work is the second issue of The Book of Grrry, which was titled G2. Although somewhat nervous about others reading her work, Venus expressed somewhat of a relief in having this accomplishment come to fruition. She sighted that since the story in G2 and this story Fuzzyface were not based upon her own characters, she had an easier time in letting them become known by the public. Venus is also excited at the possibility of sitting in on an hour here or there for signing at Phoenix ComiCon. At the Memorial Day Weekend comic con, Venus will be the proud mother of a two month old baby girl. So she is uncertain as to her availability. I told her not to worry, as if she is not able to make it, I will bombard her with plenty of opportunities to sign as many copies of the graphic novel as possible before Mike Moran and I trek up to Phoenix. But I want her to be able to be there, should the web tv show she works on be covering the event.
The book itself has reached page 27 of the pencils. I have actually, and finally reached the halfway point for the artwork. I have a list of artists wanting and in the process of creating pin-ups for Fuzzyface, and a new creator in Henry, revving up to write the intro. Henry says he is psyched and looking forward to it. And I told the gang that I would be announcing preorders soon, online so that people wanting a copy could guarantee a first print for a lower cost than the still to be decided upon retail price. Talks are in for a price tag of either 12 or 15 dollars for the graphic novel, but that will include all the extras, such as the script, the layout pages, pin-ups and a sceduled running commentary/conversation between Venus and myself. As well as other possible extras to be decided upon and announced.
Then there is the question of printing and bindery. I would like to have the novel perfect bound like is traditional in the comic book industry. It is also pretty standard with comic shops too. As James Sime, owner of Isotope Comic Book Lounge in San Francisco told me he was worried that a spiral bound trade or graphic novel could and potentially would damage existing stock on his shelves. And that he would be more than happy to take collected works so long as they were perfect bound. There is a good option here in Tucson, with a locally owned and operated bindery called, Tucson Complete Bindery. They work pretty fast, as long as you have planned enough time for yourself and they are willing to do small, medium or very large jobs. Their prices are also very reasonable, as well as I do like to work with local businesses. My preferred printer, although not local is top quality at what they do, as well as able to work on a tight deadline.
So things are shaping up nicely with the book. As this past week, I got almost three whole pages done in one 24 hour period. From Sunday night when I was at work doing n overnight, till when I almost collapsed at Safehouse Monday night, I had completed pages 24, 25 and two thirds of page 26 AS WELL AS a pin-up for a collected edition to be called "Get That Chicken" a webcomic by Denny Riccelli. I have to get the pin-up scanned and then emailed to him, as my large format scanner is still being a pain in my ass and not working. But a lot of work has gone into Fuzzyface. And it is a labor of love. I am happy with page rate and the physical results I am seeing with this project. And in addition to a few other people's opinions, I too feel like this is my best work to date.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
lyrics to "Who Knew" as sung by P!NK
You took my hand, you showed me how
You promised me you'd be around
Uh huh, that's right
I took your words and I believed
In everything you said to me
Yeah huh, that's right
If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
?Cause they're all wrong
I know better
?Cause you said forever
And ever, who knew?
Remember when we were such fools
And so convinced and just too cool
Oh no, no no
I wish I could touch you again
I wish I could still call you a friend
I'd give anything
When someone said count your blessings now
For they're long gone
I guess I just didn't know how
I was all wrong
But they knew better
Still you said forever and ever
Who knew? Yeah yeah
I'll keep you locked in my head
Until we meet again
Until we, until we meet again
And I won't forget you my friend
What happened?
If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
?Cause they're all wrong
And that last kiss I'll cherish
Until we meet again
And time makes it harder
I wish I could remember
But I keep your memory
You visit me in my sleep
My darling, who knew?
My darling
My darling, who knew?
My darling I miss you
My darling, who knew?
Who knew?
when she sang this song as the second on her playlist for the Funhouse concert in Phx back in August, I started to lose it. The words made me remember my best friend who since 2008 is no longer with me. I love you Cypress, the one and original Bubba
You promised me you'd be around
Uh huh, that's right
I took your words and I believed
In everything you said to me
Yeah huh, that's right
If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
?Cause they're all wrong
I know better
?Cause you said forever
And ever, who knew?
Remember when we were such fools
And so convinced and just too cool
Oh no, no no
I wish I could touch you again
I wish I could still call you a friend
I'd give anything
When someone said count your blessings now
For they're long gone
I guess I just didn't know how
I was all wrong
But they knew better
Still you said forever and ever
Who knew? Yeah yeah
I'll keep you locked in my head
Until we meet again
Until we, until we meet again
And I won't forget you my friend
What happened?
If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
?Cause they're all wrong
And that last kiss I'll cherish
Until we meet again
And time makes it harder
I wish I could remember
But I keep your memory
You visit me in my sleep
My darling, who knew?
My darling
My darling, who knew?
My darling I miss you
My darling, who knew?
Who knew?
when she sang this song as the second on her playlist for the Funhouse concert in Phx back in August, I started to lose it. The words made me remember my best friend who since 2008 is no longer with me. I love you Cypress, the one and original Bubba
Fuck the FCC!
Recently the FCC or Federal Communication Cunts issued a communicae from the front. In it they stated, and I am paraphrasing, that one who blogs and includes information or reviews about products, merchandise or services should, in their vernacular, state if said blogger is receiving payment for what is being said. So, the Fuckin' Crooked Commission wants bloggers to take responsibility for how their words may be interpreted. Now, I am sorta new to this whole blogging thing, I've only been doing it for a few years and I've been doing it semi seriously for less than that, but what about mother fuckin' celebrities who boast about brand name products, who are seen wearing brand name designer labels, that they got for fucking free at Sachs Fifth Avenue, you know cause they're famous, don't take responsibility for shit. Not words they say, not their fucking actions. Unless you count the top 20 celebs who give the most as reviewed by E! or some such network, which also doesn't seem to take responsibility for their shitty programming. I just wanna know why John Q Public has to take responsibility for shit that we type. It's called free speech Adolf! Jesus fucking christ, I swear the next mother fucking government entity that starts to trample on my rights, is gonna get my proverbial size 10 1/2 up their tail pipe. This shit is getting ridiculous. I mean middle aged women who fuck with the minds of prepubescent teenage girls causing them to commit suicide aren't being held accountable for shit. That's a free speech process of fucking with someone, why should I have to say, "I heartily endorse the 32Gig ipod Touch but not the 64Gig ipod Touch, cause that's just too much damn hard drive space. Oh and by the way I am being paid to make this statement." Like people are gonna be totally taken back if they find out "gasp" that someone has been paid to make a statement.
And in closing, my court ordered prayers go out to all the families who were taken back by my statements lauding certain products from an unnamed blog.
And in closing, my court ordered prayers go out to all the families who were taken back by my statements lauding certain products from an unnamed blog.
The Boondocks Season 1; A Hardcore Review
Into it holds the idea that we should be fair and balanced and be "nice" and not be damning of a product or its creators. I say this. It would not be truth if I only reviewed things I liked or always in a favorable way. In fact the reviews where I have panned something have brought me the most kudos from readers. And quite simply, if you do not like things to be reviewed fairly and in an editorial manner... DON'T FUCKING READ MY REVIEWS! In fact if that's how you feel you should probably never read anything I write... EVAR!
I am going to remind everyone who reads these reviews that the grading system I use is this: instead of thumbs up or stars, I rate on hardcore moments in pro wrestling history. The more hardcore the event, match, promo or moment the more I liked the book, comic, movie or video game I am reviewing. The less hardcore the moment, the more I disliked it. An example would be anything related to Hulk Hogan would be highly NOT recommended. Onto the review...
On to the very first Hardcore Review in quite some time and the first here on my new blog. I have to say I have read handfuls of the comic strip of the Boondocks. Aaron McGruder is one intelligent guy. His takes on how pop culture reflects life, and some of the absurdities that race plays in the way we view things and act out ourselves. Huey Freeman is a ten year old revolutionary with ideals on changing suburbia and the world at large. His younger brother Riley is a foul mouthed, gangsta wannabe with visions of living like Tony Montana in Scarface. Their grandfather, Robert has his own ideas, about hooking up with a young cutie.
Huey spends his days finding new ways to run a foul of the ideas of what a ten year old black kid in suburbia is supposed to be. From conducting experiments on how black television can affect you physically to standing on a soap box spouting about how the government is lying to the public, to running an escape plan for a man wrongfully accused and sentenced for murder. Riley spends his time hanging with equally juvenile friends Ed Wunsler III and Gin Rummy, who get into all sorts of trouble regarding the attempted kidnapping of Oprah to "fighting terrorism" at a gas station convenience store they frequent in order to rob it. While Grandad "Bitches" Freeman gets his ride, "Dorothy" pimped by Xzibit to dating a ho named Crystal, like the champagne.
Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King Junior WASN'T assassinated? He was shot, but then slipped into a forty year long coma. He woke just in time to condemn the United States' war on terror following the 9/11 attacks, to become the most hated man in America. Were you aware that there's a disease that makes the pigment in your skin darker? And that Michael Jackson was the lucky son of a bitch who didn't get it. And did you know that rich white men can pretty much do whatever they want in America? Including robbing their family owned banks. Kidnap celebrities AND open fire on an "armed" terrorist who's been quietly working in a convenience store for years.... in front of a cop! This series is quality from top to bottom. Every character is beautifully crafted and every story is amazing thought out.
The Boondocks is triumphant in so many different ways. Aaron McGruder is possibly the most intelligent syndicated cartoonist in history. The Boondocks did to late night cartoon time slots what Tommy Dream did to elevate the feud with Raven at ECW's Heatwave 1995. After Stevie Richards was soundly trounced and bloodied by Luna Vachon, Tommy handcuffed Raven to the cage surrounding the ring, in essence crucifying him before delivering the most heinous chair shot in the history of wrestling, "the chair shot heard round the world."
I am going to remind everyone who reads these reviews that the grading system I use is this: instead of thumbs up or stars, I rate on hardcore moments in pro wrestling history. The more hardcore the event, match, promo or moment the more I liked the book, comic, movie or video game I am reviewing. The less hardcore the moment, the more I disliked it. An example would be anything related to Hulk Hogan would be highly NOT recommended. Onto the review...
On to the very first Hardcore Review in quite some time and the first here on my new blog. I have to say I have read handfuls of the comic strip of the Boondocks. Aaron McGruder is one intelligent guy. His takes on how pop culture reflects life, and some of the absurdities that race plays in the way we view things and act out ourselves. Huey Freeman is a ten year old revolutionary with ideals on changing suburbia and the world at large. His younger brother Riley is a foul mouthed, gangsta wannabe with visions of living like Tony Montana in Scarface. Their grandfather, Robert has his own ideas, about hooking up with a young cutie.
Huey spends his days finding new ways to run a foul of the ideas of what a ten year old black kid in suburbia is supposed to be. From conducting experiments on how black television can affect you physically to standing on a soap box spouting about how the government is lying to the public, to running an escape plan for a man wrongfully accused and sentenced for murder. Riley spends his time hanging with equally juvenile friends Ed Wunsler III and Gin Rummy, who get into all sorts of trouble regarding the attempted kidnapping of Oprah to "fighting terrorism" at a gas station convenience store they frequent in order to rob it. While Grandad "Bitches" Freeman gets his ride, "Dorothy" pimped by Xzibit to dating a ho named Crystal, like the champagne.
Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King Junior WASN'T assassinated? He was shot, but then slipped into a forty year long coma. He woke just in time to condemn the United States' war on terror following the 9/11 attacks, to become the most hated man in America. Were you aware that there's a disease that makes the pigment in your skin darker? And that Michael Jackson was the lucky son of a bitch who didn't get it. And did you know that rich white men can pretty much do whatever they want in America? Including robbing their family owned banks. Kidnap celebrities AND open fire on an "armed" terrorist who's been quietly working in a convenience store for years.... in front of a cop! This series is quality from top to bottom. Every character is beautifully crafted and every story is amazing thought out.
The Boondocks is triumphant in so many different ways. Aaron McGruder is possibly the most intelligent syndicated cartoonist in history. The Boondocks did to late night cartoon time slots what Tommy Dream did to elevate the feud with Raven at ECW's Heatwave 1995. After Stevie Richards was soundly trounced and bloodied by Luna Vachon, Tommy handcuffed Raven to the cage surrounding the ring, in essence crucifying him before delivering the most heinous chair shot in the history of wrestling, "the chair shot heard round the world."
Friday, December 4, 2009
Fucking Creationists
Here I am watching the sixth and final season of the Sopranos, and it happens. A fucking Creationist shows up and starts spouting how God created the Earth 6000 years ago. He then goes on to say that "scientists who claim that the Earth is billions of years old, have an agenda." If that's not the coffee calling the kettle black. Creationists say that Evolution is the denial of faith.
Creationists have nothing but an agenda. Their own. The ideas that God is infallible and that only their way matters. That their way is the truth. I'm an Atheist and I'm proud to be one. That being said, I don't go around preaching my gospel. I don't condemn people for believing in God or fucking taking Christ as their savior. That's your fucking business. And I have only this to say about that, "mind your fucking business." Cause if I get approached about my thoughts, my beliefs, I'm gonna fucking snap. The bible, is a nice story. That's what it is, a fucking story. Cause you people take it as the word of God. But one can't hear God. That's an impossibility. To hear God would mean death. No mortal can hear the voice of God. Those that do are hearing the voices in their head. I'm not saying good hasn't come from those that do believe. Quite the opposite in a lot of cases. People who have that kind of faith and do good acts without pushing their agenda have my respect. Those that push their agenda and do no good acts have my disdain, and my contempt. You're fucking carpet baggers. And you should be treated as such.
You want an act of pure faith. That was me having cancer, and never. Not one fucking time, praying or asking for some sort of intervention. You mother fuckers can keep telling me that God spared me and all that shit, but in truth, it was the medical degrees and manners of the doctors, nurses and all those involved. But most of all and especially my will power. I knew I was gonna live. And I knew nothing could keep from living my life. And nothing will. Not cancer. Not depression. Not your God or your savior. You live your way. I'll live mine.
Creationists have nothing but an agenda. Their own. The ideas that God is infallible and that only their way matters. That their way is the truth. I'm an Atheist and I'm proud to be one. That being said, I don't go around preaching my gospel. I don't condemn people for believing in God or fucking taking Christ as their savior. That's your fucking business. And I have only this to say about that, "mind your fucking business." Cause if I get approached about my thoughts, my beliefs, I'm gonna fucking snap. The bible, is a nice story. That's what it is, a fucking story. Cause you people take it as the word of God. But one can't hear God. That's an impossibility. To hear God would mean death. No mortal can hear the voice of God. Those that do are hearing the voices in their head. I'm not saying good hasn't come from those that do believe. Quite the opposite in a lot of cases. People who have that kind of faith and do good acts without pushing their agenda have my respect. Those that push their agenda and do no good acts have my disdain, and my contempt. You're fucking carpet baggers. And you should be treated as such.
You want an act of pure faith. That was me having cancer, and never. Not one fucking time, praying or asking for some sort of intervention. You mother fuckers can keep telling me that God spared me and all that shit, but in truth, it was the medical degrees and manners of the doctors, nurses and all those involved. But most of all and especially my will power. I knew I was gonna live. And I knew nothing could keep from living my life. And nothing will. Not cancer. Not depression. Not your God or your savior. You live your way. I'll live mine.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Fuzzyface production notes pt. 8
SO as to keep everyone abreast of what has been going on in the world of creating comics, I just finished the pencils for page 23 last night. I began the night as I begin so many Wednesday nights with chicken wings at Rocco's Little Chicago with Venus of Necro. After wards, Venus and I went to Ave Coffee for sketchbook, where she looked at the finished layouts and the finished pages, plus the newly inked cover art for the book. She approves vastly of all the work, and asked a few questions which we sorted through. She is very excited to see this monumental story hit the comic book racks. She is worried about one thing however; that people will feel that this is a slam on Jim Henson. I assured her that we could do away with those worries if she wrote the intro to the book. She's super busy with work and being pregnant right now that she may not be able to meet that deadline. I hit a friend, Henry to possibly write it too. He in interested. And I told him the only things he has to put in there for sure is that this is my attempt to pay tribute to a man who brought light and happiness to so many people. Jim Henson, in my mind is a god. He took a piece of fabric and turned it into a whole universe. Through what is fondly referred to as "Muppetry," Jim Henson made my childhood, and those of so many others a happy thing to remember. His work on such visionary films as Return to Oz, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth paved the way for so many new ideas in the industry. And The Muppet Show was the first and only of its kind. A weekly variety show starring Muppets and their crazy antics. In fact the only thing pissing me off about it at the moment is that Muppets is not a recognized word here on the spell check. Muppet, singular, however is. How odd.
No, Fuzzyface is not a slam on Jim Henson in any way shape or form. I think Venus worries about this because of one particular panel, which shows a tombstone with the name J. Henson on it. I assured her that people wouldn't recognize it that way, however some might. And even without the grave marker some people might feel like we're bashing Henson's legacy anyways. Cause people are like that and they perceive things how they may. I don't blame them or get angry about it, cause I mean people look at me and see pigtails and a sidekick and they think a million things other than hey, "there goes a guy who is one of the best caregivers in Tucson," and that maybe it's just the way I choose to look. People always want to think the worst of things right from the jump. So to those of you who may pick up the GN Fuzzyface, let me assure you now, it is, in no way anything other than a personal tribute to the man and the idea that brought happiness to the world.
No, Fuzzyface is not a slam on Jim Henson in any way shape or form. I think Venus worries about this because of one particular panel, which shows a tombstone with the name J. Henson on it. I assured her that people wouldn't recognize it that way, however some might. And even without the grave marker some people might feel like we're bashing Henson's legacy anyways. Cause people are like that and they perceive things how they may. I don't blame them or get angry about it, cause I mean people look at me and see pigtails and a sidekick and they think a million things other than hey, "there goes a guy who is one of the best caregivers in Tucson," and that maybe it's just the way I choose to look. People always want to think the worst of things right from the jump. So to those of you who may pick up the GN Fuzzyface, let me assure you now, it is, in no way anything other than a personal tribute to the man and the idea that brought happiness to the world.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Top 5 Movies list
Following is a list of my top five favorite movies. Compiling this list is tough for me because there are so many movies I love for so many different reasons. The picks on my list might surprise some, who would take one look at me and pass judgment that I could not enjoy a movie with subtitles or subtext. I find it kind of hilarious that just based on my outward appearance and minimal conversation could help justify these individual's opinions. Especially seeing as they pride themselves on being so knowledgeable about so many different things. One being that they are working on the greatest movie to ever be made. Seeing as how they have been "working" on this project for over a decade, and they seem to think they have expertise on the subject simply because they took courses on film and film making in college, befuddles me. I don't claim to be an expert in animation and I got a degree in that, not just took classes involving it. I decided to do this as a sort of challenge taken from someone, due to my distaste for the IMDB Top 250. Which to me seemed to be more a popularity contest than a listing of the actual top 250 movies in terms of quality. I refuse to apologize for believing that nothing Quentin Tarantino directs should ever be placed on anyone's top anything list other than "Top Overrated Pieces of Shit"
1. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: This 1974 "semi true" movie directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Hooper and Kim Henkel is best viewed on regular dvd, and not bluray. Simply because the bluray makes the picture too clear. And part of the charm and macabre of its appeal is that it's grainy and harsh. This predates Freddy and Jason and even Michael Myers in terms of creating the ultimate believable "heavy" in a horror movie. Leatherface is a guy who can and does feel physical pain and is left with just enough life detail to compel one into feeling some empathy for him, while simultaneously rooting for him to kill the gaggle of hippie scum that have invaded his territory. Cinematographer Daniel Pearl worked with 16mm film and with it weaved an dirty and gritty film closely likened to a snuff film in its frightening realism. My love affair with this film began in 1998 when I first owned it on VHS. I have owned five separate copies of this film, two on tape, two on DVD and one on BluRay. The BluRay adds greatly to the sound and makes the 16mm film super high def. However, I prefer it to be grainy and sometimes hard to see, due to the nature of the story itself. Incidentally Tobe Hooper also scored the movie as well. TCM has spawned a legion of cult fans, three sequels and a revamp with a prequel that adds to the mythos and origin of the greatest slasher who ever lived, Leatherface. This movie has also inspired me to create and do the illustration for my tribute piece Fuzzyface: The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre, which is written by my partner Venus of Necro. The film has also been immortalized on my flesh as I have dedicated skin space to two Texas Chainsaw Massacre tattoos.
2. Amelie: This is possibly the most amazingly filed and written movie I have ever seen. It draws my praise and is as close to perfect as cinema can ever hope to come. There is nothing wrong with this film. All the characterization is perfect. The visuals are stylish and very intriguing. You can watch the movie without reading the subtitles and you will still be amazed at this stupendously written movie. Audrey Tautou is the most likable protagonist in the history of celluloid. She lights up absolutely every scene she is in. The entirety of this film is fun and beautiful. Bruno Delbonnel frames each shot with such clarity and color, that you cannot help but be amazed. This is visually one of the most stunning films I have ever seen, that did not have obvious special effects or CGI involved. This is the purest movie I have ever had the pleasure seeing.
3. Pan's Labyrinth: This stunning visual movie is spawned from the mind of Guillermo del Toro, the man behind the Hellboy films. Del Toro has done so many movies of superb quality, it is hard to pick a favorite. However, Pan's Labyrinth, with it's depth, and relation to fairy tales more in the vein of The Brothers Grimm than Disney is the reason I like it. The visuals in this classic are due to the amazing eye of Guillermo Navarro. Movies like Pan's Labyrinth may fall under the radar to the lowest common denominator, but its depth and passion are not lost on me. I first viewed this film at the behest of a girlfriend. And I am very glad she compelled me to watch it. And while watching this amazing story you are drawn in and you feel as if you are the only one watching, as if it is a story book and you are a child with the covers pulled up over your head, living it with the aide of a flashlight. Del Toro may be more famous and made his proverbial living by doing big budget flicks like Hellboy and Hellboy the Golden Army, and Blade 2, but his passion for his work is obvious in these very personal moments captured on film.
4. Leon: Luc Besson writes and directs this masterpiece of film making about a very simple hitman and the strange relationship he forms with a young girl. Jean Reno stars as Leon, the hitman who has standards. The only rule he lives by "no women, no kids." Reno was born to play Leon. He makes you care for this very sympathetic character. Even though he kills people for a living, you believe because Reno puts passion into Leon. You truly know that all the people who he "hits" are very bad people. Leon unwittingly is the target of the affections of his next door neighbor,
Matilda, played beautifully and above her years in Natalie Portman. This was Portman's first film, and she made you believe she was Matilda, a naive yet wise beyond her years girl. Thierry Abrogast is the Director of Photography, and he shot a beautiful film. From the opening flight over New York into the Macaroni Company, to the final moments of Leon's life, you are drawn into this film. So much so that you can smell the gun powder. The movie has recently been offered on BluRay, and it is truly worthy of high definition. This movie, as do my number 2 and 3 are on the IMDB 250, which is not a surprise given their amazing quality, but it is amazing considering a majority of the tripe that ended up on that list. Rumors have swirled since it hit theatres that Leon would spawn a sequel which would focus on Portman's character, Matilda as a grownup, who takes upon the career of a cleaner.
5. The Wrestler: Darren Aronofsky, director of such dark and disturbing films like Pi and Requiem for a Dream directs the story about a past his prime pro wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson who is played by Mickey Rourke. The film is shot by Maryse Alberti, one of the few female DOP's in the business. The first thing I noticed about this film visually is that it seems to be shot in three different ways. The first being more of a "live" documentary type feel. The second being traditonal cinema in scope. The third, which you may or may not expect is that it is shot differently during the actual wrestling portions of the movie. More in the vein of smaller and intimate old school Extreme Championship Wrestling and less in terms of the high budgeted and multibillion dollar funded WWE events. Rourke's career mirrors that of the protagonist. He's a broken down man, who's best years, money and glory are all behind him. Rourke conveys the life of a downtrodden former star in such a compelling way, that you are lead to believe that this movie is not only how a lot of 1980's wrestling main eventers now live, but anyone who once held the spotlight and is no longer marketable to multibillion dollar companies. Marisa Tomei plays an aging stripper, who rebuffs the romantic advances of Randy, compares his life to that of Christ in "Passion of the Christ." Randy is estranged from his daughter who is played Evan Rachel Wood. The story mirrors the telling of Jake "The Snake" Roberts' life in "Beyond the Mat," the 1999 documentary which followed the lives of three career wrestlers. Roberts' relationship with his daughter was well documented and hard to watch. In "The Wrestler" you feel for Woods' character because you know and witness Robinson's inability to let go of any spotlight he may have left to become just Randy Robinson, father. This is a story that is relates to anyone who has held fame or success, and refuses to let go.
1. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: This 1974 "semi true" movie directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Hooper and Kim Henkel is best viewed on regular dvd, and not bluray. Simply because the bluray makes the picture too clear. And part of the charm and macabre of its appeal is that it's grainy and harsh. This predates Freddy and Jason and even Michael Myers in terms of creating the ultimate believable "heavy" in a horror movie. Leatherface is a guy who can and does feel physical pain and is left with just enough life detail to compel one into feeling some empathy for him, while simultaneously rooting for him to kill the gaggle of hippie scum that have invaded his territory. Cinematographer Daniel Pearl worked with 16mm film and with it weaved an dirty and gritty film closely likened to a snuff film in its frightening realism. My love affair with this film began in 1998 when I first owned it on VHS. I have owned five separate copies of this film, two on tape, two on DVD and one on BluRay. The BluRay adds greatly to the sound and makes the 16mm film super high def. However, I prefer it to be grainy and sometimes hard to see, due to the nature of the story itself. Incidentally Tobe Hooper also scored the movie as well. TCM has spawned a legion of cult fans, three sequels and a revamp with a prequel that adds to the mythos and origin of the greatest slasher who ever lived, Leatherface. This movie has also inspired me to create and do the illustration for my tribute piece Fuzzyface: The Agnew Chainsaw Massacre, which is written by my partner Venus of Necro. The film has also been immortalized on my flesh as I have dedicated skin space to two Texas Chainsaw Massacre tattoos.
2. Amelie: This is possibly the most amazingly filed and written movie I have ever seen. It draws my praise and is as close to perfect as cinema can ever hope to come. There is nothing wrong with this film. All the characterization is perfect. The visuals are stylish and very intriguing. You can watch the movie without reading the subtitles and you will still be amazed at this stupendously written movie. Audrey Tautou is the most likable protagonist in the history of celluloid. She lights up absolutely every scene she is in. The entirety of this film is fun and beautiful. Bruno Delbonnel frames each shot with such clarity and color, that you cannot help but be amazed. This is visually one of the most stunning films I have ever seen, that did not have obvious special effects or CGI involved. This is the purest movie I have ever had the pleasure seeing.
3. Pan's Labyrinth: This stunning visual movie is spawned from the mind of Guillermo del Toro, the man behind the Hellboy films. Del Toro has done so many movies of superb quality, it is hard to pick a favorite. However, Pan's Labyrinth, with it's depth, and relation to fairy tales more in the vein of The Brothers Grimm than Disney is the reason I like it. The visuals in this classic are due to the amazing eye of Guillermo Navarro. Movies like Pan's Labyrinth may fall under the radar to the lowest common denominator, but its depth and passion are not lost on me. I first viewed this film at the behest of a girlfriend. And I am very glad she compelled me to watch it. And while watching this amazing story you are drawn in and you feel as if you are the only one watching, as if it is a story book and you are a child with the covers pulled up over your head, living it with the aide of a flashlight. Del Toro may be more famous and made his proverbial living by doing big budget flicks like Hellboy and Hellboy the Golden Army, and Blade 2, but his passion for his work is obvious in these very personal moments captured on film.
4. Leon: Luc Besson writes and directs this masterpiece of film making about a very simple hitman and the strange relationship he forms with a young girl. Jean Reno stars as Leon, the hitman who has standards. The only rule he lives by "no women, no kids." Reno was born to play Leon. He makes you care for this very sympathetic character. Even though he kills people for a living, you believe because Reno puts passion into Leon. You truly know that all the people who he "hits" are very bad people. Leon unwittingly is the target of the affections of his next door neighbor,
Matilda, played beautifully and above her years in Natalie Portman. This was Portman's first film, and she made you believe she was Matilda, a naive yet wise beyond her years girl. Thierry Abrogast is the Director of Photography, and he shot a beautiful film. From the opening flight over New York into the Macaroni Company, to the final moments of Leon's life, you are drawn into this film. So much so that you can smell the gun powder. The movie has recently been offered on BluRay, and it is truly worthy of high definition. This movie, as do my number 2 and 3 are on the IMDB 250, which is not a surprise given their amazing quality, but it is amazing considering a majority of the tripe that ended up on that list. Rumors have swirled since it hit theatres that Leon would spawn a sequel which would focus on Portman's character, Matilda as a grownup, who takes upon the career of a cleaner.
5. The Wrestler: Darren Aronofsky, director of such dark and disturbing films like Pi and Requiem for a Dream directs the story about a past his prime pro wrestler, Randy "The Ram" Robinson who is played by Mickey Rourke. The film is shot by Maryse Alberti, one of the few female DOP's in the business. The first thing I noticed about this film visually is that it seems to be shot in three different ways. The first being more of a "live" documentary type feel. The second being traditonal cinema in scope. The third, which you may or may not expect is that it is shot differently during the actual wrestling portions of the movie. More in the vein of smaller and intimate old school Extreme Championship Wrestling and less in terms of the high budgeted and multibillion dollar funded WWE events. Rourke's career mirrors that of the protagonist. He's a broken down man, who's best years, money and glory are all behind him. Rourke conveys the life of a downtrodden former star in such a compelling way, that you are lead to believe that this movie is not only how a lot of 1980's wrestling main eventers now live, but anyone who once held the spotlight and is no longer marketable to multibillion dollar companies. Marisa Tomei plays an aging stripper, who rebuffs the romantic advances of Randy, compares his life to that of Christ in "Passion of the Christ." Randy is estranged from his daughter who is played Evan Rachel Wood. The story mirrors the telling of Jake "The Snake" Roberts' life in "Beyond the Mat," the 1999 documentary which followed the lives of three career wrestlers. Roberts' relationship with his daughter was well documented and hard to watch. In "The Wrestler" you feel for Woods' character because you know and witness Robinson's inability to let go of any spotlight he may have left to become just Randy Robinson, father. This is a story that is relates to anyone who has held fame or success, and refuses to let go.
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