Saturday, December 22, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
MERRY XMAS TO ONE AND ALL!
I'm hitting the road tomorrow. Destination Oklahoma City!
Consider this your Christmas Card (you know I usually don't send them)! xoxoxo
Consider this your Christmas Card (you know I usually don't send them)! xoxoxo
MISMO -- IT'S A WRAP!
The filming of Mismo wrapped on Sunday, December 16th with the final shot being Bella’s (Diane Rooney) blood curdling scream. Diane told us she’d been practicing, but we still weren’t prepared for the sheer volume that meant we had to do a second take and sent San Rafael residents blocks away to their phones to report bloody murder! The cops pulled up just as we were popping the bubbly. Thankfully, they didn’t bust us for drinking in public.
Production of Mismo began on May 5th on location at Jim Heron’s studio, which was where our art gallery owner Rene (Larry Feurzeig) became intrigued with our aspiring artist Mitch’s (Jeffery Davis) “nudes...” This gives Larry the dubious honor of being the only cast member to have been on both the first and last day of filming.
Back in May, we knew we were going to shoot a feature film but Gino and I thought we’d do it deconstructive style i.e. shoot a series of shorts that we would re-cut to tell parallel storylines in a full-length film (and this from a woman who’s been writing screenplays for over 10 years). We quickly realized this approach was not going to work (funny how actors want to read a script!) and sat down to write the screenplay, which must be a record in of itself. On June 17th, exactly six months ago yesterday, we had a full cast table reading.
Since then we have shot in 43 locations including Café Flavia, Forbes Island Restaurant, Ginger Rubio Hair Salon, Plumpjack Wine Store, the Inner Mission Beer Parlor, Borderlands Books, and, possibly our most notorious, the privately owned Culebra Terrace (courtesy of Pierre Bleuse) where the neighbors were convinced we were shooting porn. What with the stranger from the bar’s pants around his knees (played by Frank Vera) and Toni’s legs (Lee Kuhn) hanging out the door, you can’t really blame them.
We have scorched under the Tracy sun while trying to get a gag at the side of the freeway where Rachel (Samantha Warnick) gets splashed by coffee thrown from a passing car; almost frozen atop the lighthouse at Forbes Island where Toni and Mitch take in the 360 degree panorama of the San Francisco Bay under a brilliant full moon; gotten extremely damp on a Chinatown Rooftop that was scripted to be a glorious sunny day; and, of course, raced against the fading sun as ex-con Diego (Ramon Bustos) fled from the scene, blood on his hands, towards his ironic fate (no spoilers here!).
We have borrowed from the best with Jorge (Peter Black) quoting Shakespeare and channeling Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee William’s Pulitzer winning play, A Streetcar Named Desire, opposite Rachel’s (Samantha Warnick) Blanche Dubois.
We have been moved by our cast’s -- Jeffery Davis, Lee Kuhn, Caroline Kuntz, Peter Black, Samantha Warnick, Diane Rooney, Ramon Bustos, Glen Caspillo, Marcos Monzon, Larry Feurzeig — amazing talents and braveness to simply ‘get real’. Our supporting cast is just as stellar with special thanks to Anthony Lymon, Sky Tallone, Michele Weber, Scott Free, Skip Emerson, Robert Love, Michael Petrie, Reno Ursal, Robbie Evans, Florentino Gonzales, Hattie Mullaly, Frank Vera, (and now I feel like I’m at the Academy Awards, terrified I’m forgetting someone!). Thanks also to our extras who added richness and color to our backgrounds. As they say, we’ve laughed, we’ve cried. When this movie hits your local theater, be ready for one heck of a rollercoaster ride!
Thanks to our brilliant crew and loyal and dedicated P.A.s and all of you who came through with locations, without which there would be no Mismo.
Now, we’re off into the editing suite. A trailer will be forthcoming as well as the wrap party in February, so stay tuned and don’t forget to spread the word and have everyone you know sign up at www.mismothemovie.com for updates (a full website is also in the works).
Production of Mismo began on May 5th on location at Jim Heron’s studio, which was where our art gallery owner Rene (Larry Feurzeig) became intrigued with our aspiring artist Mitch’s (Jeffery Davis) “nudes...” This gives Larry the dubious honor of being the only cast member to have been on both the first and last day of filming.
Back in May, we knew we were going to shoot a feature film but Gino and I thought we’d do it deconstructive style i.e. shoot a series of shorts that we would re-cut to tell parallel storylines in a full-length film (and this from a woman who’s been writing screenplays for over 10 years). We quickly realized this approach was not going to work (funny how actors want to read a script!) and sat down to write the screenplay, which must be a record in of itself. On June 17th, exactly six months ago yesterday, we had a full cast table reading.
Since then we have shot in 43 locations including Café Flavia, Forbes Island Restaurant, Ginger Rubio Hair Salon, Plumpjack Wine Store, the Inner Mission Beer Parlor, Borderlands Books, and, possibly our most notorious, the privately owned Culebra Terrace (courtesy of Pierre Bleuse) where the neighbors were convinced we were shooting porn. What with the stranger from the bar’s pants around his knees (played by Frank Vera) and Toni’s legs (Lee Kuhn) hanging out the door, you can’t really blame them.
We have scorched under the Tracy sun while trying to get a gag at the side of the freeway where Rachel (Samantha Warnick) gets splashed by coffee thrown from a passing car; almost frozen atop the lighthouse at Forbes Island where Toni and Mitch take in the 360 degree panorama of the San Francisco Bay under a brilliant full moon; gotten extremely damp on a Chinatown Rooftop that was scripted to be a glorious sunny day; and, of course, raced against the fading sun as ex-con Diego (Ramon Bustos) fled from the scene, blood on his hands, towards his ironic fate (no spoilers here!).
We have borrowed from the best with Jorge (Peter Black) quoting Shakespeare and channeling Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee William’s Pulitzer winning play, A Streetcar Named Desire, opposite Rachel’s (Samantha Warnick) Blanche Dubois.
We have been moved by our cast’s -- Jeffery Davis, Lee Kuhn, Caroline Kuntz, Peter Black, Samantha Warnick, Diane Rooney, Ramon Bustos, Glen Caspillo, Marcos Monzon, Larry Feurzeig — amazing talents and braveness to simply ‘get real’. Our supporting cast is just as stellar with special thanks to Anthony Lymon, Sky Tallone, Michele Weber, Scott Free, Skip Emerson, Robert Love, Michael Petrie, Reno Ursal, Robbie Evans, Florentino Gonzales, Hattie Mullaly, Frank Vera, (and now I feel like I’m at the Academy Awards, terrified I’m forgetting someone!). Thanks also to our extras who added richness and color to our backgrounds. As they say, we’ve laughed, we’ve cried. When this movie hits your local theater, be ready for one heck of a rollercoaster ride!
Thanks to our brilliant crew and loyal and dedicated P.A.s and all of you who came through with locations, without which there would be no Mismo.
Now, we’re off into the editing suite. A trailer will be forthcoming as well as the wrap party in February, so stay tuned and don’t forget to spread the word and have everyone you know sign up at www.mismothemovie.com for updates (a full website is also in the works).
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Scotland vs. Italy
Ugh... it's playing at my local sportsbar, Kezar at 10:00 am and I won't be able to watch the game because I'll be in Pt. Richmond filming... GO SCOTLAND!!!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
GLAMOUR FOR KARMA
Don't miss the most glamorous event ramping up to the holiday season ~ on National Philanthropy Day, no less.
For full details click on over to http://www.calmodern.com/glamour.html and give your karma a boost!
For full details click on over to http://www.calmodern.com/glamour.html and give your karma a boost!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Moorings... Aberdeen, Scotland
This one's for Steve... in memory of all the good times:)
Can't believe the place hasn't changed in, oh, ummmm, 33 years?!!!
xoxo
Can't believe the place hasn't changed in, oh, ummmm, 33 years?!!!
xoxo
Monday, September 17, 2007
3:10 to Yuma
I've heard critics say the cinematography ruined this film, but I couldn't see a damn thing wrong with it other than there wasn't enough Russ screen time. Sure, he was the bad boy, but so charismatic we wanted to see more of him, especially without the hat shading his eyes! Seems to me though that the real star is Christian Bale, who is brilliant and I'm sure will be up for an AA. Ben Foster was the eponymous bad guy -- who you wanted to see get his comeuppance -- he'll get a nod from the Academy too, but that might be stolen by Logan Lerman. What can I say, every supporting character was fabulous... This is a great yarn (naturally, it is Elmore Leonard afterall) and I'll be watching it again and again... Screw those naysayers!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Craig Ferguson...
I was on the phone with Miss Hattie Belle yesterday afternoon and casually clicking online when I saw that Craig was playing at Cobb's Comedy Club on September 14th i.e. that night. Since Hattie had intended to take me to see him for my b'dy and he canceled his shows, she jumped on the phone and voila... two tix to see the Scotsman at the late night performance... We got great seats and the warm up comedian (sorry I don't recall his name) had us in stitches... My god he was hilarious, which is more than I can say for Craig. I couldn't believe that he was still cracking the same jokes from two years ago... wasn't funny then, and it wasn't funny last night. Okay, not to be totally mean... there were a few moments. Sorry Craig, still love you on tv but you have to get new material... and stop reminding us how big your dick is... despite what you say, it's really no excuse for the slovenly attire.
Tomorrow is 3:10 to Yuma... let's see how our man Russ does on the big screen.
Tomorrow is 3:10 to Yuma... let's see how our man Russ does on the big screen.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Song of the Day...
This one is for Stevie M in London... xoxoxo
You have to click for the surprise
xoxoxo
You have to click for the surprise
xoxoxo
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Back on the scene!
With Gino and Danny out of town, I have a minute to come up for air and resume some semblance of a personal life, and now that the French man is out of the picture, it’s out on the town again!!
Tuesday night was the Madrone catching up with Kish and that was fun, though I don't think think there was anyone older than 30 there other than myself.
Last night was a 7x7 restaurant opening. Certain that it was going to be a mob scene of 20 somethings, CT and I decided to take our time getting there by walking ~ at least we’d have gotten some exercise if the rest of the night was a bomb… not so!
Palmetto, on Union Street, is fabulous! They had a good looking group of people loaded with age appropriate men… and, naturally, some not so age appropriate, but I don’t play with those any more. First, the restaurant: elegant space with a spacious bar, tended by handsome bartenders pouring some yummy cherry cosmo concoction. The food, passed around, was plentiful and delicious. My favorites were the dates wrapped in bacon, sinful but delicious! Then they had a whole load of other nibbles, every one of which was yummy. The crowd was never a mob scene and because it was older than the average 7x7 freebie, people actually talked to one another! CT was on exceptional form, chatting up a storm and though we never moved from our spot a bevy of eligible bachelors swam our way… and so the night swam by… We left with two adorable, funny guys and, having had lots to whet our appetites, we went to Betel Nut (one of my all-time faves) for dinner.
After dinner, which was about midnight by then (on a school night!), we realized that no one had driven so it was up the hill we went… and not a groan to be heard! Well, that was last night. Today, my head hurts… Tonight it’s the movies with Hattie…
p.s. I highly recommend Palmetto!
Tuesday night was the Madrone catching up with Kish and that was fun, though I don't think think there was anyone older than 30 there other than myself.
Last night was a 7x7 restaurant opening. Certain that it was going to be a mob scene of 20 somethings, CT and I decided to take our time getting there by walking ~ at least we’d have gotten some exercise if the rest of the night was a bomb… not so!
Palmetto, on Union Street, is fabulous! They had a good looking group of people loaded with age appropriate men… and, naturally, some not so age appropriate, but I don’t play with those any more. First, the restaurant: elegant space with a spacious bar, tended by handsome bartenders pouring some yummy cherry cosmo concoction. The food, passed around, was plentiful and delicious. My favorites were the dates wrapped in bacon, sinful but delicious! Then they had a whole load of other nibbles, every one of which was yummy. The crowd was never a mob scene and because it was older than the average 7x7 freebie, people actually talked to one another! CT was on exceptional form, chatting up a storm and though we never moved from our spot a bevy of eligible bachelors swam our way… and so the night swam by… We left with two adorable, funny guys and, having had lots to whet our appetites, we went to Betel Nut (one of my all-time faves) for dinner.
After dinner, which was about midnight by then (on a school night!), we realized that no one had driven so it was up the hill we went… and not a groan to be heard! Well, that was last night. Today, my head hurts… Tonight it’s the movies with Hattie…
p.s. I highly recommend Palmetto!
Monday, August 27, 2007
David Bowie-labyrinth: dance magic video
I've loved David Bowie for going on 40 years. I saw him live at the town hall in my home town, Aberdeen, Scotland, when I was 15... who could ever forget Ziggy Stardust seen from the second front row? He's as awesome as ever...
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
F**k...
has always been my favorite word... listen to this and you'll learn why ~
Hi-f**king-larious!
Hi-f**king-larious!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Phillipine Prison Inmates do "Thriller"
Sheer brilliance... The prisons in the Philippines are more humane than what we have in this supposed 'Free World'!
Suppositori Spelling does Sinead O Connor
I wrote a screenplay for Spaz... entered it into a contest... Bummer, they were too shortsighted to make me win:(
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Drama.... In the Real World!
Yikes! What a fabulous weekend… full of trepidation and satisfaction to match!
On Friday night, having finished the last of my prop and wardrobe shopping, I was now catering in my kitchen, preparing to feed our cast and crew for the weekend… never veering too far from my email, I was astounded by last minute responses to be ‘extras’ and, last, though not least, for PAs. And who would have guessed… the cavalry arrived in the form of Jim Breen. A local filmmaker and one-man lobby band for no/lo budget filmmakers in the Bay area, he was willing to step in (via Bart to Hayward) and act as 1st AD for the weekend… and, trust me, I don’t give up that role easily! Phew! With the added help of two new crew (recruited from Craig’s List, sight unseen), Mario and Miranda (conscientious and keen to work), we pulled off an amazing full Saturday, where blood, death, and retribution were the mis en scene of the day.
Sunday rolled around with not much sleep, thanks to the full-moon 2:00 am revelers and their counterparts, the cheerleaders of San Francisco’s annual marathon, hooting and holler at 7:00 am. When a pillow over my ears and Buddhist chants from my bedroom boombox hadn’t drowned them out, two hours later I arose… to respond to emails and phone calls while packing the food for the day…
And what a day it was… every shot taken with room to breathe… and eat nonetheless!
By the time Gino and I got back into the city, we were both hungry and, perhaps more so, needing to unwind… at my local noodle bar, the Citrus Club. Fed and somewhat relaxed from the grueling schedule, we walked down the street at which point… S**t! I locked myself out.
Luckily, a friendly neighbor was exiting as I arrived at my front door so I gained entrance to my building. No problem, I thought, I’ve broken into my own apartment before with a credit card (actually a library card, even though it took a while). Thirty frustrated minutes later, I called up the French man to see if he’d be gallant enough to rescue me for the night, until I could get to my property management company for a key in the morning. No such luck. Okay… no shining knight to the rescue! What next? I knocked on my neighbors door and asked if I could climb through their window onto the fire escape, just in case I had left the anti-theft snib on my kitchen window undone. No such luck…
Downstairs, I knocked on my building manager’s door. Naturally, he doesn’t have keys to the apartments… What to do? After much discussion and comparison of his kitchen window versus mine, he handed me a small hammer. “You have to break the glass,” he said. “Break the glass?” “That’s what I did when I was locked out,” and he showed me the small empty pane to prove it. Okay! If the building manager said it was the thing to do… Up the stairs I went to again knock on my neighbor’s door. Wielding the hammer, I told them my plan. “Perry told you to do that?” Yep!
So there I was totally exhausted, climbing out their window onto the fire escape to break and enter my own apartment!
I tell you, you don’t have to look far to find true drama☺ But just to show you what goes down on set and you will soon see on the big screen, here's a couple of shots from our Saturday shoot... I'll leave you to fill in the blanks on what really happens in the movie...
On Friday night, having finished the last of my prop and wardrobe shopping, I was now catering in my kitchen, preparing to feed our cast and crew for the weekend… never veering too far from my email, I was astounded by last minute responses to be ‘extras’ and, last, though not least, for PAs. And who would have guessed… the cavalry arrived in the form of Jim Breen. A local filmmaker and one-man lobby band for no/lo budget filmmakers in the Bay area, he was willing to step in (via Bart to Hayward) and act as 1st AD for the weekend… and, trust me, I don’t give up that role easily! Phew! With the added help of two new crew (recruited from Craig’s List, sight unseen), Mario and Miranda (conscientious and keen to work), we pulled off an amazing full Saturday, where blood, death, and retribution were the mis en scene of the day.
Sunday rolled around with not much sleep, thanks to the full-moon 2:00 am revelers and their counterparts, the cheerleaders of San Francisco’s annual marathon, hooting and holler at 7:00 am. When a pillow over my ears and Buddhist chants from my bedroom boombox hadn’t drowned them out, two hours later I arose… to respond to emails and phone calls while packing the food for the day…
And what a day it was… every shot taken with room to breathe… and eat nonetheless!
By the time Gino and I got back into the city, we were both hungry and, perhaps more so, needing to unwind… at my local noodle bar, the Citrus Club. Fed and somewhat relaxed from the grueling schedule, we walked down the street at which point… S**t! I locked myself out.
Luckily, a friendly neighbor was exiting as I arrived at my front door so I gained entrance to my building. No problem, I thought, I’ve broken into my own apartment before with a credit card (actually a library card, even though it took a while). Thirty frustrated minutes later, I called up the French man to see if he’d be gallant enough to rescue me for the night, until I could get to my property management company for a key in the morning. No such luck. Okay… no shining knight to the rescue! What next? I knocked on my neighbors door and asked if I could climb through their window onto the fire escape, just in case I had left the anti-theft snib on my kitchen window undone. No such luck…
Downstairs, I knocked on my building manager’s door. Naturally, he doesn’t have keys to the apartments… What to do? After much discussion and comparison of his kitchen window versus mine, he handed me a small hammer. “You have to break the glass,” he said. “Break the glass?” “That’s what I did when I was locked out,” and he showed me the small empty pane to prove it. Okay! If the building manager said it was the thing to do… Up the stairs I went to again knock on my neighbor’s door. Wielding the hammer, I told them my plan. “Perry told you to do that?” Yep!
So there I was totally exhausted, climbing out their window onto the fire escape to break and enter my own apartment!
I tell you, you don’t have to look far to find true drama☺ But just to show you what goes down on set and you will soon see on the big screen, here's a couple of shots from our Saturday shoot... I'll leave you to fill in the blanks on what really happens in the movie...
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Northern Italy in October...
While I'm on the subject of James Dalessandro, I thought I'd mention that he also speaks fluent Italian, is a wine connoisseur, gourmet chef, Italian opera and history buff.
Who, then, to better guide and entertain you as you tour Italy’s stunning landscapes from Cinque Terre on the Ligurian Riviera, to the historic cities of Siena and Florence in Tuscany, and beautiful Lake Maggiore in the north?
The trip is in early October so there's still time to make your reservation and see Italy after the tourons have left and while the weather is still beautiful.
Full details http://www.1906earthquake.com/italy2007/index.html
Who, then, to better guide and entertain you as you tour Italy’s stunning landscapes from Cinque Terre on the Ligurian Riviera, to the historic cities of Siena and Florence in Tuscany, and beautiful Lake Maggiore in the north?
The trip is in early October so there's still time to make your reservation and see Italy after the tourons have left and while the weather is still beautiful.
Full details http://www.1906earthquake.com/italy2007/index.html
SCREENWRITING AS A PRO
"James Dalessandro is one of the 4 or 5 best screenwriting teachers in the world."
-- Lew Hunter, 3 time Emmy nominee, Dean, UCLA Grad program.
And it's not only Lew Hunter's opinion, but mine too. James has four books published, 20 feature film and television scripts, optioned and a best selling novel and screenplay 1906 currently in production at Warner Brothers.
Over nine Tuesday evenings, he covers everything from structure to dialogue, character development, scene study, pitching and selling, in the Bay Area's longest running screenwriting class. Alums have won major film festival awards, prestigious contests, and produced successful films.
The class kicks off on July 24th at San Francisco's Fort Mason Center.
It's fun, fast paced and inspiring; and at $345 for nine weeks... affordable. But don't take my word for it, email or call James at RIMBAUD40@aol.com or call 415 699-5561.
You can also read more at www.1906earthquake.com/screenwriting.html
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Happy F**king Fourth!
Though not technically fireworks, it is a light show in the sky... in a place that I will always consider heaven... where I had my own independence day (in a spiritual kinda' way)!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Last Tango in Paris...
You can't even see Brando's face, yet you feel his pain... This one's for Peter:)
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Thursday, June 21, 2007
Bright Eyes...
And the hit tunes just keep coming... *love* this song!
Hot Knives
It doesn't hurt that the lead singer is easy on the eyes...
Hot Knives
It doesn't hurt that the lead singer is easy on the eyes...
La Vie en Rose...
Can't wait to see this tonight... will let you know how it is!
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Sizzzzzzling..... ouch!
If you caught Craig last night, then you saw Enrique performing live... OMG ~ is he not the sexiest man on the planet?!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Song of the Day...
Haven't played a song of the day in a long time... so I guess this is more like Song of the Season.
Anyway, since Amy first played it to me last week (over and over and over again...) I can't stop playing it.
Oh, it feels great to be 50!
Enjoy... and don't get addicted: The Story
Anyway, since Amy first played it to me last week (over and over and over again...) I can't stop playing it.
Oh, it feels great to be 50!
Enjoy... and don't get addicted: The Story
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Mismo ~ our first day on set...
That's Danny B, our DP, in the foreground with Dr. Gino Dante Borges and me checking out framing on the monitor...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Mr. Anthony ~ Natural Beauty is an Oxymoron...
I've been hiding this for so long, with no good reason... thought I might as well upload it to boobtube and post it on my own site...
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Paris Je t'aime...
If you love Paris as much as I do, this is a must-see movie. If you're a filmmaker, like I am, this is a must-see movie... learn how to make a short from some of the top directors in the biz.
Otherwise, if you have a hot French man to hold your hand in the back row, this is a must see movie!
Otherwise, if you have a hot French man to hold your hand in the back row, this is a must see movie!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Coming soon to a theater near you... MISMO
For the uninitiated the following is a photograph of the master scenes in a screenplay, specifically the screenplay for MISMO, the movie I am writing and producing... When the last one is off the wall, the movie is in the can!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
From the folks at Paint it Purple...
What: Paint it Purple Happy Hour
Who: San Francisco Relay For Life
Where: R Bar on Sutter at Polk
When: Wed, May 30, 2007, from 6:30-9:30pm
Cost: $10 donation, 100% of proceeds go to American Cancer Society
Why:
$1 Budweiser/Bud Light
$3 shots
Door prizes every half-hour
Raffles
Amazing bartenders
Possible Tamale Lady sightings
Warm fuzzy feelings for doing a great thing!
Relay for Life is an overnight event benefiting the American Cancer Society. Relay is the largest grassroots fundraiser in the world, run entirely by local volunteers, and is San Francisco's opportunity to honor loved ones, celebrate hope, and camp under the Golden Gate Bridge.
www.paintitpurple.org
Who: San Francisco Relay For Life
Where: R Bar on Sutter at Polk
When: Wed, May 30, 2007, from 6:30-9:30pm
Cost: $10 donation, 100% of proceeds go to American Cancer Society
Why:
$1 Budweiser/Bud Light
$3 shots
Door prizes every half-hour
Raffles
Amazing bartenders
Possible Tamale Lady sightings
Warm fuzzy feelings for doing a great thing!
Relay for Life is an overnight event benefiting the American Cancer Society. Relay is the largest grassroots fundraiser in the world, run entirely by local volunteers, and is San Francisco's opportunity to honor loved ones, celebrate hope, and camp under the Golden Gate Bridge.
www.paintitpurple.org
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Day Dreamin' in Sunny San Francisco
I recently went for a snap-happy walk... taking in the sun and the visual delights that my 'hood has to offer (thank you to all the artists for providing such a rich palette). I threw my shots together with a couple taken later that night... set them to a couple of tunes... and click here for the results if you have patience..., otherwise, click here for the more compact version.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Point Richmond to San Francisco...
I spent Sunday afternoon in Point Richmond ~ "Point Richmond?" I hear you ask... Yes. A charming hamlet off the beaten path that has a community theater (the Masquers) supported by a committed and very talented crew. It was a delightful way to pass a Sunday afternoon, so much so that I may become a musical fan yet! And the drive home was... well you can see for yourself
Monday, April 23, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Tarantino on Craig
I envy the man's creative talent ~ and I was even liking his conversation with Craig ~ but did he have to go and ruin it by showing a clip from Death Proof that featured his bad acting?! We didn't even get the benefit of seeing Rose McGowan's face! What an ego... kinda' sad, makes you wonder what kind of car he drives;)
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Non-denominational Easter in the City
And what a fine Easter it was... given that I grew up in a non-religious family, other than the obligatory chocolate egg filled with Cadbury chocolates...
FLASHBACK:
Not having a taste for sweets ~ or chocolate ~ weeks after the fact, my brother and sisters would beg me to break into my untouched egg...
CUT TO:
Present day: replace the candy with two glasses of wine, served by Steve, the assiduous bartender at Rose Pistola, while I luxuriate in the company of my friend, Chris, and discuss movies and potential plots, and now you're talking!
The ride home.... who needs chocolate when you have San Francisco!
Enjoy the show (taken with my digital camera ~ all stills, on the ride home) ~ bonus points for guessing the route!
FLASHBACK:
Not having a taste for sweets ~ or chocolate ~ weeks after the fact, my brother and sisters would beg me to break into my untouched egg...
CUT TO:
Present day: replace the candy with two glasses of wine, served by Steve, the assiduous bartender at Rose Pistola, while I luxuriate in the company of my friend, Chris, and discuss movies and potential plots, and now you're talking!
The ride home.... who needs chocolate when you have San Francisco!
Enjoy the show (taken with my digital camera ~ all stills, on the ride home) ~ bonus points for guessing the route!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Get Ye to THE GRINDHOUSE!!
And get prepared for a rockin' rollercoaster of a ride like only Messrs. Rodriguez and Tarantino (with a little help from Mr. Zombie) can supply!
Rodriguez turns on the gore instantly and from there on out it only escalates but even though there are a couple of serious gag-reflex moments, you soon get the hang and just laugh along at the outrageousness of it all. Rose McGowan rocks ~ or should I say go-go's from start to finish and Freddy Rodriguez (the adorable undertaker from Six Feet Under) is, well, adorable.
The pseudo ads between Planet Terror and Death Proof are hilarious and worth foregoing that trip to the bathroom for ~ in fact pee before entering and don't buy no grande slurpies!
Sadly, however ~ SPOILER ALERT ~ in Death Proof , Tarantino's trademark dialogue falls flat and things only pick up in the second half when the action kicks in. I won't spoil it, suffice to say, the end is abrupt and redeems what lacked earlier.
I might also add that Tarantino should stick to directing. His talents as an actor are slim to none and just come as, to put it politely, ego massage.
Overall, however, TWO enthusiastic THUMBS UP!
p.s. I already bought the soundtrack!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Compulsion
Well, we didn't advance into Round 2 of the Scary Cow contest, but our team is tight and we move on undeterred...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
At The Blue Plate with Bruce Lee
How funny is this photograph? Taken with my camera at the Blue Plate last week where Anthony and I indulged ourselves in an orgy of food and wine.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
300... Don't walk. Run to your iMax!
Frank and Anthony were silly enough to think they could simply show up at the iMax on Sunday, buy tix and stroll into the theater... NOT!
So, Monday, we bought tix online and arrived at least an hour before the scheduled 5:20 show time... and, yes, there was already a ticket holder line, which, surprisingly, was not just teenage boys. We, however, scored the primo center seats in the back row.
As the lights dimmed, the anticipation in the theater was palpable. And we were not disappointed.
From start to finish, this movie will grab your eyeballs and have you boggling at its brilliance, as well as captivate you with its story of passion and heroism. The cast is superb ~ who knew there would emerge from Scotland yet another gorgeous hunk in the form of Gerard Butler. And, I loved that Lena Headey, as his beautiful, intelligent and courageous wife, is not Botoxed to death. I won't wax lyrical about the rest of the cast; suffice to say they were all excellent bar none.
Of course, sitting between two homosexual men I couldn't help but be intensely aware of the buff bodies on screen ~ yikes, get yea to the gym! It can't have all been make-up and special effects.
The sound effects, the music, even the blood and gore, were handled so perfectly that, at the end of the movie, we all agreed that we wanted to sit there and watch it over again.
This is one film I'm glad to have contributed to its box office success. Two thumbs way up!
So, Monday, we bought tix online and arrived at least an hour before the scheduled 5:20 show time... and, yes, there was already a ticket holder line, which, surprisingly, was not just teenage boys. We, however, scored the primo center seats in the back row.
As the lights dimmed, the anticipation in the theater was palpable. And we were not disappointed.
From start to finish, this movie will grab your eyeballs and have you boggling at its brilliance, as well as captivate you with its story of passion and heroism. The cast is superb ~ who knew there would emerge from Scotland yet another gorgeous hunk in the form of Gerard Butler. And, I loved that Lena Headey, as his beautiful, intelligent and courageous wife, is not Botoxed to death. I won't wax lyrical about the rest of the cast; suffice to say they were all excellent bar none.
Of course, sitting between two homosexual men I couldn't help but be intensely aware of the buff bodies on screen ~ yikes, get yea to the gym! It can't have all been make-up and special effects.
The sound effects, the music, even the blood and gore, were handled so perfectly that, at the end of the movie, we all agreed that we wanted to sit there and watch it over again.
This is one film I'm glad to have contributed to its box office success. Two thumbs way up!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
James Spader in Drag?
I don’t when I last saw something as brilliant! Maybe it’s why I don’t blog any more. There simply isn’t anything noteworthy to write about… then again, maybe this gray mare is just ramping up for a fabulous New Year!
If you watch this space, you’ll find out;)
If you watch this space, you’ll find out;)
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Happy New Year
Better late than never, right?
I'm writing a screenplay, which pretty much takes up all my creative energy... well, that and I've painted/redecorated my apartment, which involved some heavy lifting for a few days there.
The script is for my film school's contest ~ deadline February 15th ~ theme is Six and the City. I'm hoping I have a winner!!! Keep your fingers crossed:)
Speaking of Sex and the City, it's become my nightly habit to watch it on KRON 4, which usually means that I catch the last of the news and, to the point, the sports wrap-up. What is going on with Gary Radnich? Is he out and out plastered every night? Or does he have dementia? The rest of the team cringe when he babbles on; that's when he's not being cut short. Does anyone know what the deal is there?
Did a movie marathon on New Year's day... saw, in the following order: The Good German, Children of Men, The Good Shepard.
The Good German was definitely the best of the bunch ~ Kate looked gorgeous channeling Deitrich; Clooney was his usual impeccable self.
*Love* Clive Owens, but the film doesn't entirely explain itself and is extremely gloomy.
The Good Shepard, I'll probably watch on DVD when I can rewind to hear every line of dialogue and pause to catch up which guy in a suit is whom ~ good guy, bad guy, Ruskie or not? Angelina, naturally, looked gorgeous; too much she didn't have more of a part. Damon is starting to become a cliche.
I do highly recommend The Painted Veil ~ came out of that film vowing I was going to move to China! I sure hope it gets a nod come Oscar time.
Okay, it's almost time for yoga ~ yeah! I'm getting back in shape.
I'm writing a screenplay, which pretty much takes up all my creative energy... well, that and I've painted/redecorated my apartment, which involved some heavy lifting for a few days there.
The script is for my film school's contest ~ deadline February 15th ~ theme is Six and the City. I'm hoping I have a winner!!! Keep your fingers crossed:)
Speaking of Sex and the City, it's become my nightly habit to watch it on KRON 4, which usually means that I catch the last of the news and, to the point, the sports wrap-up. What is going on with Gary Radnich? Is he out and out plastered every night? Or does he have dementia? The rest of the team cringe when he babbles on; that's when he's not being cut short. Does anyone know what the deal is there?
Did a movie marathon on New Year's day... saw, in the following order: The Good German, Children of Men, The Good Shepard.
The Good German was definitely the best of the bunch ~ Kate looked gorgeous channeling Deitrich; Clooney was his usual impeccable self.
*Love* Clive Owens, but the film doesn't entirely explain itself and is extremely gloomy.
The Good Shepard, I'll probably watch on DVD when I can rewind to hear every line of dialogue and pause to catch up which guy in a suit is whom ~ good guy, bad guy, Ruskie or not? Angelina, naturally, looked gorgeous; too much she didn't have more of a part. Damon is starting to become a cliche.
I do highly recommend The Painted Veil ~ came out of that film vowing I was going to move to China! I sure hope it gets a nod come Oscar time.
Okay, it's almost time for yoga ~ yeah! I'm getting back in shape.
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