Happy Birthday to That Guy Peter Dinklage. In the industry, he's beaten Danny Devito and Tony Cox for front runner status for any role requiring a short guy (Elf, Underdog, Prince Caspian) Fortunately, he's carefully cultivated a career that asks for more than a lack of height (The Station Agent, Death at a Funeral, Penelope). He got a heck of a gift with his debut film role: here's his rant in "Living in Oblivion."
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
June 9
I'm working a twofer in here: first, let's throw out a Happy Birthday to Johnny Depp, who is probably the best paid character actor today. Between his collaborations with Tim Burton and his turn as Captain Jack Sparrow, he's making A-list money while being allowed to play unpredictable roles, which is an anomaly. Million-dollar actors don't get millions of dollars to deliver unpredictable product. You know who Ben Stiller's character is the moment you see his face in a movie; same with Will Smith or Robin Williams. The further the actor wanders away from that type, the more confused the audience tends to get. Johnny Depp appears to be that exception; he's developed his taste and talent over the years that enough moviegoers trust wherever he's taking them. Plus, he's got genetics on his side.
Here's one fan's top 20 Depp movies list:
While I'm at it, let's throw in a trailer for a Johnny Depp movie, directed by fellow birthday boy David Koepp (I think that rhymes!):
While I'm at it, let me shine a light on Mr Koepp, the guy I wanted to feature today. He's not a movie star, I know - he's just written some big movies (the Jurassic Park films, the first entries in the Spiderman and Mission Impossible franchises, Angels and Demons, Panic Room, Carlito's Way,...) I'm in a scriptwriting mode this month, so I'm really digesting stuff like these tidbits Koepp offers about the process.
If you've made it this far, you're probably a writer, too. So I'll tell you what I'd want someone to tell me - get back to staring at that page!
Here's one fan's top 20 Depp movies list:
While I'm at it, let's throw in a trailer for a Johnny Depp movie, directed by fellow birthday boy David Koepp (I think that rhymes!):
While I'm at it, let me shine a light on Mr Koepp, the guy I wanted to feature today. He's not a movie star, I know - he's just written some big movies (the Jurassic Park films, the first entries in the Spiderman and Mission Impossible franchises, Angels and Demons, Panic Room, Carlito's Way,...) I'm in a scriptwriting mode this month, so I'm really digesting stuff like these tidbits Koepp offers about the process.
If you've made it this far, you're probably a writer, too. So I'll tell you what I'd want someone to tell me - get back to staring at that page!
Monday, June 7, 2010
June 7
Today's another discovery for me: Harry Crews. He's a writer in the Southern Gothic style, and the impression I receive of him is that he is at least as interesting as his own characters. He has an e.e.cummings quote tattooed on his right arm; probably the most effective testimony of his literary roots. I'm hunting up his books now (half of them are out of print since the 70's, and only one of them so far is a movie: The Hawk is Dying.) I'm also hunting up Flannery O'Conner, who he frequently cites, and who may be responsible for the way I write as well (another story for another time.)
I wouldn't post a writer here unless I had some visual aid to attest: here's the first part of 'The Rough South of Harry Crews', a documentary about the man and the world his stories come from.
It's an interesting watch in general, and as an aspiring writer ('aspiring' seems more descriptive than 'struggling' or 'unpaid'), I find his story particularly stirring.
I have a feeling I will learn a lot by reading him.
I wouldn't post a writer here unless I had some visual aid to attest: here's the first part of 'The Rough South of Harry Crews', a documentary about the man and the world his stories come from.
It's an interesting watch in general, and as an aspiring writer ('aspiring' seems more descriptive than 'struggling' or 'unpaid'), I find his story particularly stirring.
I have a feeling I will learn a lot by reading him.
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 4
I do not have a one-track mind. It just so happens that today's the birthday of Dr Ruth Westheimer, who's kind of the Yoda of sex. Literally, she's a short, funny-talking guru who seems to know everything you ever wanted to know about the powers you have inside you, and beyond. Growing up in the 80's, before I even knew what sex was, I knew who she was. (Something about the 80's really liked people with funny Germanic accents.)
But her work on TV and radio transitioned American sexuality. Before she became part of the pop culture, sex was largely discussed in innuendo, focused primarly on the acquisition of such, and otherwise treated like a dirty secret. Dr Ruth allowed people to listen to, and begin to talk about, all aspects of sexuality in a mature manner.
She's still dispensing advice, on top of simultaneously teaching at Princeton and Yale. Here's a clip she did for a cable channel:
But her work on TV and radio transitioned American sexuality. Before she became part of the pop culture, sex was largely discussed in innuendo, focused primarly on the acquisition of such, and otherwise treated like a dirty secret. Dr Ruth allowed people to listen to, and begin to talk about, all aspects of sexuality in a mature manner.
She's still dispensing advice, on top of simultaneously teaching at Princeton and Yale. Here's a clip she did for a cable channel:
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
May 26
I've wrote about the Iron Chef program before; today is the birthday of my favorite Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto. More than anyone, he embodies the spirit of ingenuity and adventure that Iron Chef purports to be. He first became adept at Keiseki cuisine and sushi preparation, with his own restaurant by age 30. He sold his restaurant to travel to the US, cooking in exclusive restaurants like New York's Nobu, while developing his fusion style.
And it was that style that was a game changer for Iron Chef. The show was sold to audiences as an Olympic-style cooking competition, where French cuisine would take on Chinese style, or Italian would clash with Japanese; the styles were in competition, with the chefs as conduits. But Morimoto's style was so exciting and unpredictable that his competitions inevitably became chef versus chef, particularly when conservative Japanese chefs would challenge Morimoto for the honor of Japanese cuisine.
He's a cast member with the Iron Chef America series, as well as owner of several Morimoto restaurants around the world. Dinner at Morimoto is something on my personal bucket list, somewhere between driving a motorcycle and riding into space.
Here's a demo that the once and future Iron Chef Japanese did at Google:
And it was that style that was a game changer for Iron Chef. The show was sold to audiences as an Olympic-style cooking competition, where French cuisine would take on Chinese style, or Italian would clash with Japanese; the styles were in competition, with the chefs as conduits. But Morimoto's style was so exciting and unpredictable that his competitions inevitably became chef versus chef, particularly when conservative Japanese chefs would challenge Morimoto for the honor of Japanese cuisine.
He's a cast member with the Iron Chef America series, as well as owner of several Morimoto restaurants around the world. Dinner at Morimoto is something on my personal bucket list, somewhere between driving a motorcycle and riding into space.
Here's a demo that the once and future Iron Chef Japanese did at Google:
Saturday, May 15, 2010
May 15
It's amazing what one song can do. Melle Mel was recruited by Grandmaster Flash, a prominent DJ adept at the up-and-coming artform of turntablism, to join his Furious Five in 1978. Their job was to provide entertaining distractions (call and responses, poetic witticisms) to back up the deejay while he spun the records that got the crowds dancing. Shortly after "Rapper's Delight" made the radio charts, Grandmaster Flash's crew began recording tracks themselves.
In 1982, their label released the debut album's title track "The Message" as a single. It slowed the beat down, and put the lyrics front and center. The lyrics, instead of typical "get on the floor" rhymes, dealt with heady subject matter: the crime, poverty, and ills of modern life. Neither Grandmaster Flash nor the rest of the Furious Five were interested in recording the track; it's basically Melle Mel and a studio musician from their label.
The single went platinum in a month. "The Message" signaled rap music's transformation from the next sound on the dance floor into the voice of all disenfranchised, or what one artist would call "the CNN of Black America." "The Message" also shifted the balance of power toward the rapper, and began the deejay's relegation to the rhythm section, the background.
As for Melle Mel, he started his own group a few years later, then solo for another decade. His first Grammy, for his appearance on Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You", would be the first awarded to a rap artist (he would win two more in his career.)
He and Flash would reunite to accept the band's induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. He even released a children's book, with a CD featuring two songs by Lady Gaga - back in 2006.
"The Message" has become one of the most celebrated and emulated songs in hip hop. The song was inducted in the National Archives in 2002. Not bad for a song that missed the Top 40 in its initial release (#62, 1982).
I'd have also liked to have posted their pre-album recording "Birthday Party", but no luck finding a vid of it. Instead, let's enjoy a national treasure:
In 1982, their label released the debut album's title track "The Message" as a single. It slowed the beat down, and put the lyrics front and center. The lyrics, instead of typical "get on the floor" rhymes, dealt with heady subject matter: the crime, poverty, and ills of modern life. Neither Grandmaster Flash nor the rest of the Furious Five were interested in recording the track; it's basically Melle Mel and a studio musician from their label.
The single went platinum in a month. "The Message" signaled rap music's transformation from the next sound on the dance floor into the voice of all disenfranchised, or what one artist would call "the CNN of Black America." "The Message" also shifted the balance of power toward the rapper, and began the deejay's relegation to the rhythm section, the background.
As for Melle Mel, he started his own group a few years later, then solo for another decade. His first Grammy, for his appearance on Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You", would be the first awarded to a rap artist (he would win two more in his career.)
He and Flash would reunite to accept the band's induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. He even released a children's book, with a CD featuring two songs by Lady Gaga - back in 2006.
"The Message" has become one of the most celebrated and emulated songs in hip hop. The song was inducted in the National Archives in 2002. Not bad for a song that missed the Top 40 in its initial release (#62, 1982).
I'd have also liked to have posted their pre-album recording "Birthday Party", but no luck finding a vid of it. Instead, let's enjoy a national treasure:
Sunday, March 28, 2010
March 28
My prejudice toward country music has taken a few years to fade; most of the time, the music seems like jingles for a way of life I have no interest in. I've found country music that I like in waves: Roy Rogers, Johnny Cash's American Recordings, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"...
And then there's "If You're Going Through Hell...", performed by Rodney Atkins, really the first song I unapologetically admit that I like. Sure, it's a typical industry production: bought from three other songwriters, typical studio production, a music video that could be and probably was the visuals for a hundred other songs... But the lyrics make me want to sing along. Guess it's where I am in my life. How many country songs are built off quotes by Winston Churchill?
True, Corey Hart made "Never Surrender" into a pop song...
And then there's "If You're Going Through Hell...", performed by Rodney Atkins, really the first song I unapologetically admit that I like. Sure, it's a typical industry production: bought from three other songwriters, typical studio production, a music video that could be and probably was the visuals for a hundred other songs... But the lyrics make me want to sing along. Guess it's where I am in my life. How many country songs are built off quotes by Winston Churchill?
True, Corey Hart made "Never Surrender" into a pop song...
Monday, March 22, 2010
March 22
Today's William Shatner day in Trek-dom, but of course, he's much more. He's not just a cop,a negotiator, and a Starship captain; he's a philosopher. Here's a track from his last album, produced by Ben Folds, called "You'll Have Time":
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
March 3
She's gonna be mad.
I asked her to pick somebody for today, to try and get her interested in the blog. Couples are supposed to do things together, right? So I asked her to take a look, and she picked a certain movie director who's done rather well for himself, a director that I've actually had the pleasure of working for (for one day,) a director that has three franchises under his belt.
And that's exactly why I feel like I can't write about him today. I mean, Happy Birthday to George Miller, the director that gave Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, and ME their big break... sure, all the best. But the guy's doing pretty good for himself; I mean, he turned down the Justice League movie, because he'd rather finish Happy Feet 2 and move on to the next Mad Max movie.
Here's an interview with George Miller, offering some words of wisdom that he won while working in Hollywood:
But I feel obligated to feature somebody like Timo Tolkki, a guitarist who recently ended his tenure in the power metal band Stratovarius. He's included in Guitar World's 50 fastest guitarists. Here's a 2004 live performance that should demonstrate why:
Yup. She's gonna be mad.
I asked her to pick somebody for today, to try and get her interested in the blog. Couples are supposed to do things together, right? So I asked her to take a look, and she picked a certain movie director who's done rather well for himself, a director that I've actually had the pleasure of working for (for one day,) a director that has three franchises under his belt.
And that's exactly why I feel like I can't write about him today. I mean, Happy Birthday to George Miller, the director that gave Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, and ME their big break... sure, all the best. But the guy's doing pretty good for himself; I mean, he turned down the Justice League movie, because he'd rather finish Happy Feet 2 and move on to the next Mad Max movie.
Here's an interview with George Miller, offering some words of wisdom that he won while working in Hollywood:
But I feel obligated to feature somebody like Timo Tolkki, a guitarist who recently ended his tenure in the power metal band Stratovarius. He's included in Guitar World's 50 fastest guitarists. Here's a 2004 live performance that should demonstrate why:
Yup. She's gonna be mad.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
December 21
There are some great birthdays for today, but I've been having girl problems. So, i'm calling on the powers of Paco De Lucia to help me answer some of life's mysteries. Paco, BTW, is an international legend on the guitar. So, of course, the only piece of music the average American's heard is from the soundtrack of a chick flick.
What, you thought Bryan Adams played that?
What, you thought Bryan Adams played that?
Saturday, December 19, 2009
December 20
Today's birthday post belongs to an 80's TV icon. John Hillerman was a ensemble player in 70's films like Chinatown and Blazing Saddles, and TV series like "Love Boat" and "One Day at a Time". Then he got the role that defined his career: British Army Seargent Johnathan Quayle Higgins III, the martini-dry aide de camp to Magnum, P.I.
The show and the Emmy-winning role became so popular that his character ended up wandering into other crime-fighting shows (Murder She Wrote? Did they hook up?) and commercials.
But here's what I never realized until I researched this evening: Hillerman was born and raised in Texas. Yes, I know he's an actor; I'm just used to all these British/Australian actors showing up in Hollywood movies, twanging up their voices just enough to fool me and wonder how Americans still end up in movies. I'm not used to it being the other way around.
I guess it's the power of the mind...
The show and the Emmy-winning role became so popular that his character ended up wandering into other crime-fighting shows (Murder She Wrote? Did they hook up?) and commercials.
But here's what I never realized until I researched this evening: Hillerman was born and raised in Texas. Yes, I know he's an actor; I'm just used to all these British/Australian actors showing up in Hollywood movies, twanging up their voices just enough to fool me and wonder how Americans still end up in movies. I'm not used to it being the other way around.
I guess it's the power of the mind...
Monday, November 9, 2009
November 10
There's plenty of birthdays to celebrate today, but I can't turn down a cool theme. So, for today's "Grindhouse Cinema" birthdays, let's light up the candles for Michael Jai White, mastermind of Black Dynamite, and the Irwin Allen of the 21st Century, Roland Emmerich.
Now I'm sure there are those out there who wonder how somebody so rich and successful deserves a shout-out on this blog. Well, for the fans (and I'm one) I have an excuse to run the 2012 trailer:
And for people who hate Emmerich's movies, here's some nutjob ranting about how racist Emmerich's Godzilla remake was...
Now, let's talk about Michael Jai White. Not only was he in the best Batman movie of all time (The Dark Knight), but he's played the Batman from Hell, the caped avenger known as Spawn. And he's a different type of superhero in Black Dynamite, a nod to such blaxploitation heroes as Shaft, Dolemite, and Jack of Spades.
That was groovy...
Now I'm sure there are those out there who wonder how somebody so rich and successful deserves a shout-out on this blog. Well, for the fans (and I'm one) I have an excuse to run the 2012 trailer:
And for people who hate Emmerich's movies, here's some nutjob ranting about how racist Emmerich's Godzilla remake was...
Now, let's talk about Michael Jai White. Not only was he in the best Batman movie of all time (The Dark Knight), but he's played the Batman from Hell, the caped avenger known as Spawn. And he's a different type of superhero in Black Dynamite, a nod to such blaxploitation heroes as Shaft, Dolemite, and Jack of Spades.
That was groovy...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
september 26
So, Jack LaLanne is 95 today. And he can still kick my ass. The man that made bodybuilding an American obsession is still around today: lifting weights, towing boats with his teeth, and selling juicers that can kick my ass. For his birthday, he wants to swim twenty miles off the coast of California.
Me? I'm going to start with some face exercises...
Christina Milian has a birthday today, but I'm not even sure if she notices; she's too busy living the Dream. So far this month, she had a second wedding with Terius "the-Dream" Nash in Rome, announced her pregnancy, announced the second single and label change for her upcoming album (which also got its title changed to 'Elope,') saw the release of her latest starring role in the newest 'Bring It On' movie... The girl knows synergy.
This is why I don't usually peddle in gossip. I can't tell if Junior Beyonce here isn't using her personal life as a billboard for her latest projects. The word is, she's supposed to get married one more time, in the U.S. Who wants to bet it'll be within three weeks of the street date of her album or her duet with her new husband? Y'know, the hot musician/producer that's now running a record label?
Eh, what am I complaining about? She was cool on 'Smallville.' And I like this song:
Speaking of working couples, Sheri Moon Zombie just saw the release of a second movie with her husband this year. This one's a cartoon, which works out; apparently, she went to school to be a voice artist, before she followed the path that made her Mrs Rob Zombie.
Here's the trailer for "The Haunted World of El Superbeasto," the movie that proves that she's more than just a pretty, blood-spattered face:
Before today, the last I'd heard about Olivia Newton-John was that Dateline NBC episode where they tried to track down her ex-boyfriend that disappeared in the ocean a few years back to duck child support payments. But Olivia Newton-John's past all that now. She got re-married this year, twice: in an Incan spiritual ceremony in Peru, and then a (more?) traditional ceremony back in the US. Now she's touring again and selling herbal drinks with her new husband-
I think she just brought us full circle with everybody today. Cool...
Since the summer's behind us, here's a song from the Olivia Newton John that always comes to my mind:
Okay, time to say goodbye:
Me? I'm going to start with some face exercises...
Christina Milian has a birthday today, but I'm not even sure if she notices; she's too busy living the Dream. So far this month, she had a second wedding with Terius "the-Dream" Nash in Rome, announced her pregnancy, announced the second single and label change for her upcoming album (which also got its title changed to 'Elope,') saw the release of her latest starring role in the newest 'Bring It On' movie... The girl knows synergy.
This is why I don't usually peddle in gossip. I can't tell if Junior Beyonce here isn't using her personal life as a billboard for her latest projects. The word is, she's supposed to get married one more time, in the U.S. Who wants to bet it'll be within three weeks of the street date of her album or her duet with her new husband? Y'know, the hot musician/producer that's now running a record label?
Eh, what am I complaining about? She was cool on 'Smallville.' And I like this song:
Speaking of working couples, Sheri Moon Zombie just saw the release of a second movie with her husband this year. This one's a cartoon, which works out; apparently, she went to school to be a voice artist, before she followed the path that made her Mrs Rob Zombie.
Here's the trailer for "The Haunted World of El Superbeasto," the movie that proves that she's more than just a pretty, blood-spattered face:
Before today, the last I'd heard about Olivia Newton-John was that Dateline NBC episode where they tried to track down her ex-boyfriend that disappeared in the ocean a few years back to duck child support payments. But Olivia Newton-John's past all that now. She got re-married this year, twice: in an Incan spiritual ceremony in Peru, and then a (more?) traditional ceremony back in the US. Now she's touring again and selling herbal drinks with her new husband-
I think she just brought us full circle with everybody today. Cool...
Since the summer's behind us, here's a song from the Olivia Newton John that always comes to my mind:
Okay, time to say goodbye:
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