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October 31, 2007
Brian online
Our sometime webmaster gets a few good perks out of owning Disney stock.Posted by LYT at 1:27 PM | Comments (0)
October 30, 2007
Meanwhile...
Pretty much all my blogging this week will be at OC Weekly, where I'm covering a local film festival. Come over and read about movies you've never heard of, and maybe never will!Posted by LYT at 11:40 AM | Comments (2)
October 27, 2007
More with Joe
I know not every reader here follows the OC Weekly blog, but if you want more Joe Rogan quotes, you got 'em.Posted by LYT at 2:29 AM | Comments (0)
October 26, 2007
A Saw Point
I just sat through eight straight hours of SAW movies on the big screen. The first three are still a blast, though I find part two holds up the least well, as it’s narratively unbalanced – all the SAW movies have a split storyline that alternates between the primary trap/victims, and whatever Jigsaw’s doing, and in part 2, the primary trap victims simply aren’t anywhere near as interesting as Tobin Bell’s head-games with Donnie Wahlberg, whereas parts 1 and 3 strike a good medium.
And then there’s part 4. I’m gonna try to be non-spoilery about it, but if you’re a fan of the series who wants to go in cold, here’s all you need to know: parts of it are good, and the rest really feels like cynical photocopying. Fans should see it just for the Tobin Bell scenes, but non-fans are going to be totally confused and won’t care enough to pay the plot the attention it sorta deserves in order to be comprehensible.
It didn’t seem like too bad an idea in SAW 2 for Jigsaw (Bell) to be succeeded by Amanda (Shawnee Smith); but both of them were killed off in part 3, and it’s surely not too great a spoiler to say that someone ends up being a successor in 4. Unfortunately, none of the new cast members or returning minor players now in major roles are anywhere near as interesting as Bell, Smith, Michael Emerson in part one, or even Bahar Soomekh in part 3. Lyriq Bent, in his third go-round as SWAT officer Rigg, isn’t bad, but the rest of part 4’s cast are a bunch of generic actors who really don’t have much character.
As for the story, it’s starting to get ridiculous. Wow, Jigsaw had yet another accomplice who has never been mentioned up until just now? Whoopee. And the script seems so calculated, like some executive sat down and said, “Hey, you know that brain surgery bit in 3? Let’s do better, and have a full-on autopsy! You know how we always confuse people at the end with storylines that seem to be happening concurrently but really aren’t? Let’s do that with three different strands this time instead of two! And hey, how about we explain every minor detail we didn’t get to before, like why there’s a pig mask, and why Jigsaw got the way he is, because the cancer/car crash thing just wasn’t clear enough.”
That said, the Jigsaw flashbacks, which could have been insufferable, and actually aren’t that interesting in terms of information given, are made compelling by Bell, who, despite what the marketing people seem to think, is the main reason the sequels have been so appealing. His serious Method acting really pays off here, keeping the character consistent even as the movies overload on suddenly discovered new plot points.
You can tell there’s a lack of real thought here from the first trap, in which a man with his eyes sewn shut is chained to a man with his mouth sewn shut. Eventually, we learn the identity of the latter, but not the former; nor do we learn why this trap is appropriate “ironic punishment” for them. Worse, while in the trap, they fight each other with edged weapons; how about busting open the stitches so you can communicate, guys?
The main storyline, in which Rigg is put through some of Jigsaw’s post-mortem tests in order to mold him into a new apprentice, has potential at first, but things culminate in utter incoherence, as you try to figure out which of the new characters you don’t care about is operating in which time-frame. Director Darren Lynn Bousman, who made this movie primarily as an obligation so that Lionsgate would fund his horror-rock-opera REPO, really seems to be going through the motions – this being his third without respite, it’s easy to understand how he may have burned out. If the franchise is to continue, it needs an influx of new blood in front of and behind the camera. Jigsaw’s story is fine as is, and needs no more explaining. His new successor is lame. Get some good new actors, and branch things off in a new direction.
Oh, and for the fanboys who wonder – Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes) does not appear in part 4. Angus Macfadyen does, but the storyline involving his character’s daughter is only hinted at, never followed up on.
SAW fans – you will want to see this, even though parts will disappoint. Non-fans – you’re not gonna get it. Watch the first three instead.
Posted by LYT at 2:32 AM | Comments (14)
October 25, 2007
Lots of stuff to read
Big issue of the OCW for me today...
First, Joe Rogan.
"I think in a lot of ways, as a stand-up comedian, it still sends a very weird and confusing message,” Rogan says over the phone. “It’s like: Stand-Up Comedian-slash-Cage-Fighting Expert? Like, how does that work? You know, it’s a weird gig. It also definitely makes me far more aware of the contradictions and how important it is to be self-deprecating about it, and to poke fun at myself and how silly it is.”
Second, Justin Lin
Born in Taiwan, but raised in Buena Park from the age of 8, Lin would often come to Hof’s as a special treat after a day of boogie boarding at Huntington Beach. A few things have changed since then. “We were the only Asian-American family. It’s crazy—now I go back there and the skating rink is now the Korean church, it’s like this influx of Asian-Americans. My mom, I remember around ’81, she found an Asian market, and she was so excited. It was two little markets on Bolsa, and now it’s Little Saigon. Just seeing the explosion through the years is unbelievable.”
Finally, Indiefest
Now, jaded cinephiles are probably thinking that Disney + Independent = Miramax, or something like that. Not so. These aren’t corporate indies, nor are they likely to come to your local art house any time soon. Based on the small selection available for preview, these are movies people put together for next to nothing, often shot on video (and not that fancy-pants 24P kind, either), ragged around the edges and featuring obvious actor-types wearing too much makeup and conspicuously generic costumes. But if you can roll with that, there’s some fun to be had.
Many thanks to G for the support and backup over the last two weeks.
Posted by LYT at 4:32 PM | Comments (3)
October 24, 2007
And Fango just keeps it coming!
Today's new WICKED LAKE image is the most brutal so far...but it also contains a SPOILER as to the fate of one of the characters (not mine). If you don't want to have any idea of who dies...don't look.
Posted by LYT at 6:45 PM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2007
Sexy ladies and blood
Love the way Fango's pimping WICKED LAKE.
Click HERE for yet more images -- this time of our leading ladies in red.
Posted by LYT at 6:42 PM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2007
Breaking Wind
Not what you think. The wind here is so off-the-charts insane that it's literally breaking stuff. I'm amazed I haven't lost power, phone, or Internet. I bet my old Hollywood neighborhood has.
Seriously, this is nuts. For those hearing news from a distance, rest assured that I'm not near the fires. Just gusts that batter everything and keep the air full of swirling leaves...for the past three days now, constantly. It's weird to have it howl and shriek and yet not be cold at all; such are the breezes named for my current hometown.
It also makes me want to stay in bed all day.
Posted by LYT at 5:39 PM | Comments (8)
October 21, 2007
FIRST TRAILER - "Walkin' My Baby Back Home"
Most of my readers will probably think of this as the sister molestation movie...but there's a lot more to it than just my scene.
Posted by LYT at 3:42 PM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2007
Save Wally George's Legacy!
Wally fans young and old, please read this.Posted by LYT at 11:05 PM | Comments (3)
October 15, 2007
More from Fango on WICKED LAKE
To check out some new pictures and a post-production update, go here.
One of the actors in the last picture seems to be misidentified...but maybe he wants a pseudonym, so far be it for me to spill the beans if so.
Posted by LYT at 7:48 PM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2007
Never Forget...
...that we have a Message Board on this site.
I know most of us have, but a certain family member is trying to revive it, and I say we help him.
It's perfect for those who may want to discuss things with fellow readers that aren't necessarily related to any post by me.
Posted by LYT at 1:37 AM | Comments (4)
October 12, 2007
I have the cover story of this week's OC Weekly
It's about Rob Liefeld. Check out the cover he drew for us:
The story is HERE
And if you like it, there's a bonus online-only supplemental article HERE, where he talks smack about Alan Moore.
Posted by LYT at 2:38 AM | Comments (1)
October 10, 2007
Attention LA horror fans!
Screamfest begins on Friday at the Mann Chinese in Hollywood, and I have the lowdown on most of the movies showing in this week's LA Weekly.
I'm stuck down here, and can't go as often as I'd like. But if you've never seen Friday the 13th part 3 in 3-D on the big screen, you must.
I don't have any friends' work to plug at the fest this year -- aside from the festival organizers themselves, who are hardcore aficionados of this kind of cinema. They do good work. Support them if you can, not out of obligation but because it's so much bloody fun.
And hey, maybe next year they'll be showing our movie.
Posted by LYT at 9:45 PM | Comments (0)
Famous Family
Check out the latest great press my uncle Mike's restaurant has been getting. And be sure to check out all the photos, including the slideshow, which features among other things the work of art that my former WWF figure collection has become.Posted by LYT at 12:38 AM | Comments (2)
October 9, 2007
Bummin' Out...
Maybe I should just never get my hopes up; fate always seems to fuck with me when I do. And I really thought it felt right, too...Posted by LYT at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
October 8, 2007
Final Wicked Lake set pics
I know I'm late as hell. And I didn't get as many as I'd have liked in Ruidoso, because I was busy actually acting an' shit. But I hope you'll dig what I do have.
Protecting my balls from grievous fake harm
Heapin' helpin' of El Paso bar-b-q
Farewell, HoJo!
Dildo on the streets of El Paso
The Inn of the Mountain Gods, Ruidoso, NM
Too bad we didn't actually stay in that cool-azz building, but rather the one in back, where the phones and lights didn't all work and the ice machines were busted.
Not that I'm complaining too much -- the view was nice. But we all had to have room-mates, and getting reassigned at 4:30 a.m. was no fun. Note that what you see here is not the actual Wicked lake -- I never got to see that one, since it mostly involved skinny-dipping scenes that we weren't allowed to watch.
Dead turkey hanging from the ceiling of the sports bar
Lucky lucks into $20 on the penny slot machine (deceptive name, that, since it doesn't take coins)
Chris Sivertson (right) with line producer Csaba Bereczky
This sign should have been incorporated into the movie. I don't think it was. Real sign, just posted at the side of the lake at the hotel.
Couple more pics at my Buzznet site; better ones to come when the movie opens!
Posted by LYT at 1:23 AM | Comments (1)
October 6, 2007
Fango dips in the Lake
Fangoria.com has some great photos from the set of WICKED LAKE...they reveal a whole lot more than I would have. Interesting that they mention almost everyone but me, since I talked to their interviewer too...but such is the price of smaller roles, I guess.Posted by LYT at 12:51 AM | Comments (3)
October 5, 2007
I found this amusing
On Facebook, it lists the top 5 books among people in the Orange County, CA, network. They are: 1. Harry Potter 2. The Bible 3. Catcher In The Rye 4. Angels And Demons 5. 1984Posted by LYT at 7:16 PM | Comments (2)
October 3, 2007
My Grandfather's Column
The Word of the Lord
In our Church, as in many others, we are bidden, after reading a passage from the Bible, to say:"This is the Word of the Lord". I vividly remember a gathering of clergy at a worship service in which some rather odd bit of our Old Testament was read; it might have been part of the 22nd chapter of the book Numbers, which tells the story of Balak and Balaam. In this lovely tale Balaam's donkey tries to stop him from going on a journey of which God disapproves in spite of having authorised it himself. When Balaam starts beating his ass, the animal takes to talking back and a conversation between man and beast goes on until Balaam's eyes are opened and he sees an angel standing in his way with a drawn sword in his hand.
As required by the published form of service the reader finished his piece by saying:"This is the Word of the Lord"; whereupon the great majority of the congregation, instead of giving the proper response: "Thanks be to God", burst out laughing. This delighted me for it seemed to me a completely appropriate reaction.
It is not that myths such as this fascinating one about the talking donkey are of no value but the amazing truth is that lots of Christians, Muslims and Jews imagine that what we have here is historical fact. I think it was the brilliant Karen Armstrong who pointed out that before the 19th century nobody thought stories such as these were supposed to be historical documents, which had to be accepted as literal fact.
So how are we meant to understand this phrase:"This is the Word of the Lord"? I can truthfully affirm that there is something God can teach us through such stories, so that I can say to myself: "The Lord can tell me something through this myth"; but what I cannot in conscience do is to understand it literally as if I believed the story to be historical truth. Personally I'd much rather we dropped the phrase altogether since I'm sure it is misleading many people into believing that the Church actually teaches that the myths in the Scriptures are to be accepted as facts, which was never the intention of their composers. When I was newly ordained we never had to bother about that phrase, for the required conclusion to any reading of Scripture was, if anything: "Here endeth the lesson." I don't often prefer the old ways to the new but in this case I certainly do. "Here ends the lesson" is good enough for me.
-Peter Graham
Posted by LYT at 10:48 AM | Comments (6)
October 1, 2007
spoiler?
The following photo was left in my myspace comments, so I figure it's probably okay to share...
Posted by LYT at 10:14 PM | Comments (0)