list TheWorkingDead's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ TheWorkingDead's Recent Activity - Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg TheWorkingDead's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 Spout Group:Spout Customer Care - Get answers to your questions here! http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Customer_Care/420/default.aspx Group Name: Spout Customer Care - Get answers to your questions here!
Group Description:

Have a general question? Need help with some thing on the site? Have a bug you would like to report? Well then, you have come to the right place. No matter what you are having trouble with, we would like to help you find a solution. And maybe, through your own experience with the site, you will want to help other users too. That's what communities are all about. 


Created: 8/1/2007
Number of Members: 79
Number of discussion posts: 513
]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:47:00 GMTSpout Customer CareWed, 01 Aug 2007 09:06:04 GMT790513Group Spout Group:HORROR MOVIES 101 - FOR ALL WHO LOVE HORROR MOVIES http://www.spout.com/groups/HORROR_MOVIES_101/222/default.aspx Group Name: HORROR MOVIES 101 - FOR ALL WHO LOVE HORROR MOVIES
Group Description:    " I bid you welcome...  Enter freely and of your own will..."
Created: 12/17/2006
Number of Members: 414
Number of Lists: 6
Number of discussion posts: 2333
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:53:17 GMTHORROR MOVIES 101Sun, 17 Dec 2006 01:20:09 GMT41462333Group Spout Group:foureyedmonsters - Talk to Susan & Arin about the movie and those addictive podcasts. http://www.spout.com/groups/foureyedmonsters/338/endorsed.aspx Group Name: foureyedmonsters - Talk to Susan & Arin about the movie and those addictive podcasts.
Created: 6/4/2007
Number of Members: 322
Number of discussion posts: 56
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:42:31 GMTfoureyedmonstersMon, 04 Jun 2007 15:28:43 GMT322056Group Spout Group:Weekly Theme - "Fighting off boredom with the Iron Fist of Variety" http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/625/default.aspx Group Name: Weekly Theme - "Fighting off boredom with the Iron Fist of Variety"
Created: 6/30/2008
Number of Members: 52
Number of Lists: 12
Number of discussion posts: 701
]]>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:20:23 GMTWeekly ThemeMon, 30 Jun 2008 15:13:45 GMT5212701Group Spout Group:Spout Mavens - Spout's best movie reviewers. Membership is limited. http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Mavens/366/default.aspx Group Name: Spout Mavens - Spout's best movie reviewers. Membership is limited.
Group Description:

A group of Spout's best reviewers.
Read the requirements.


Created: 6/20/2007
Number of Members: 36
Number of Lists: 9
Number of discussion posts: 451
]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:10:52 GMTSpout MavensWed, 20 Jun 2007 10:13:29 GMT369451Group Spout Group:missing a film - we'll help you find a film http://www.spout.com/groups/missing_a_film/263/default.aspx Group Name: missing a film - we'll help you find a film
Created: 3/5/2007
Number of Members: 131
Number of Lists: 1
Number of discussion posts: 234
]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:30:05 GMTmissing a filmMon, 05 Mar 2007 16:37:43 GMT1311234Group Spout Group:Friends of Foreign Flicks - Discussions of all films not American. http://www.spout.com/groups/Friends_of_Foreign_Flicks/591/default.aspx Group Name: Friends of Foreign Flicks - Discussions of all films not American.
Group Description:

At some point you just want more than what's right in front of you.


Created: 4/24/2008
Number of Members: 30
Number of Lists: 1
Number of discussion posts: 92
]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:05:26 GMTFriends of Foreign FlicksThu, 24 Apr 2008 11:44:11 GMT30192Group Spout Group:The Documentary - A place to talk about the much overlooked genre of the Documentary. http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Documentary/79/default.aspx Group Name: The Documentary - A place to talk about the much overlooked genre of the Documentary.
Created: 4/2/2006
Number of Members: 49
Number of Lists: 4
Number of discussion posts: 53
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:05:39 GMTThe DocumentarySun, 02 Apr 2006 00:58:55 GMT49453Group Spout Group:Sound on Sight - Podcasts, movie reviews, interviews, news and more. http://www.spout.com/groups/Sound_on_Sight/529/default.aspx Group Name: Sound on Sight - Podcasts, movie reviews, interviews, news and more.
Group Description:

Sound on Sight proudly brings you two podcasts each week. Voted best podcast in 2008, these hard working hosts cover everything from mainstream Hollywood films to noir, horror, science fiction, cult cinema, documentary film making and more. Look out for a new show added every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

http://www.soundonsight.org/

 

 


Created: 1/6/2008
Number of Members: 104
Number of discussion posts: 150
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:03:03 GMTSound on SightSun, 06 Jan 2008 21:24:34 GMT1040150Group Spout Group:Worst Movie Ever - The Group is dedicated to uncovering the bombs, so you don't have too. http://www.spout.com/groups/Worst_Movie_Ever/104/default.aspx Group Name: Worst Movie Ever - The Group is dedicated to uncovering the bombs, so you don't have too.
Created: 5/5/2006
Number of Members: 200
Number of Lists: 10
Number of discussion posts: 412
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:43:26 GMTWorst Movie EverFri, 05 May 2006 20:20:45 GMT20010412Group Spout Group:Movie Polls - Vote in weekly polls and discuss http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/657/default.aspx Group Name: Movie Polls - Vote in weekly polls and discuss
Group Description:

Each week I will post a new poll.  Please vote in the poll and reply to the discussion thread to discuss the question.  Please do not vote more than once.


Created: 11/25/2008
Number of Members: 66
Number of discussion posts: 414
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:42:29 GMTMovie PollsTue, 25 Nov 2008 16:54:38 GMT660414Group Spout Group:Zombie Obsession - Zombie Lovers, Unite! http://www.spout.com/groups/Zombie_Obsession/329/default.aspx Group Name: Zombie Obsession - Zombie Lovers, Unite!
Group Description:

Join us to discuss your favorite or most horrifying Zombie Movies or just your most memorable Zombie Moments.  From Funny to Scary to Gory to Bizarre...

 


Created: 5/28/2007
Number of Members: 104
Number of Lists: 1
Number of discussion posts: 594
]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:29:56 GMTZombie ObsessionMon, 28 May 2007 02:04:45 GMT1041594Group Spout Group:A World of MSTies - Thank You, Won't We? http://www.spout.com/groups/A_World_of_MSTies/590/default.aspx Group Name: A World of MSTies - Thank You, Won't We?
Group Description:

Glorify the best show ever (MST3K) with wit, wisdom and downright wackiness!


Created: 4/23/2008
Number of Members: 10
Number of Lists: 2
Number of discussion posts: 23
]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:25:25 GMTA World of MSTiesWed, 23 Apr 2008 20:21:48 GMT10223Group Spout Group:It's a Wonderful Night for Oscar! - Devoted to everything nominated or snubbed by the Academy of Golden Guys http://www.spout.com/groups/It_s_a_Wonderful_Night_for_Oscar/46/default.aspx Group Name: It's a Wonderful Night for Oscar! - Devoted to everything nominated or snubbed by the Academy of Golden Guys
Group Description: Year after year, movie lovers and non movie lovers alike discuss ad nauseum the fate of films nominated for the utmost honor, the Academy Award. Some people watch it for the fashion. Some people watch for the haute couture. Some people watch for their fill of celebrity sightings. If you are a member of this group, you love everything about the Super Bowl of movies, especially the movies themselves! You love to make predictions, guess at the politics, discuss and dissect who should have been nominated and who should have won...or, you're just an avid movie lover that likes to pay attention. Come join the group!
Created: 3/4/2006
Number of Members: 41
Number of Lists: 58
Number of discussion posts: 226
]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:11:33 GMTIt's a Wonderful Night for Oscar!Sat, 04 Mar 2006 15:24:32 GMT4158226Group Spout Group:Movie Marathons http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Marathons/693/default.aspx Group Name: Movie Marathons
Group Description:

This is a group for members to start and organize movie marathons. Its primary purpose is to get more people exposed to more film. And to watch these films and discuss them as a group.

Anyone can start a marathon and marathons can be organized in many different ways to showcase the films of a director, actor, genre, theme etc...

Check the Guidlines and Suggestions discussion for ideas.


Created: 7/22/2009
Number of Members: 15
Number of discussion posts: 22
]]>Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:33:02 GMTMovie MarathonsWed, 22 Jul 2009 01:35:58 GMT15022Group Spout Group:Movies we do not want to see - Try to convince us to see these movies! http://www.spout.com/groups/Movies_we_do_not_want_to_see/70/default.aspx Group Name: Movies we do not want to see - Try to convince us to see these movies!
Group Description: Want to be a member? Send me a message with a list of at least 5 movies that you do not want to see. There are many movies that I do not want to see. I'm not sure if its right of me to decide never to see a movie without seeing it. You know...like when a kid says they hate mushrooms even though they admit never trying them. So maybe this is a good spot for people to display movies they don't think they want to see, and see if anyone can convince us to try them out.
Created: 3/22/2006
Number of Members: 20
Number of Lists: 3
Number of discussion posts: 190
]]>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:31:56 GMTMovies we do not want to seeWed, 22 Mar 2006 14:27:50 GMT203190Group Spout Post: Re:Who Watches the Watchmen? http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Re_Who_Watches_the_Watchmen/512/42842/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 6/28/2009 11:15:01 PM
Body: [quote user="Risselada"] Anyways this was my first graphic novel and it has made me more interested in the medium for sure. Thanks! [/quote] The absurdity of the ending(I'm assuming you mean the catastrophic event) is something that makes sense, in the scheme of Moore's plan with the book, but definitely seems a little tonally off. It's something that I don't quite view as a hindrance, because I think the premise was at fairly adequately explained, although it's easy to miss. Did you read all of the backmatter? The excerpts from Under The Hood and that article about birdwatching? They can be hard to get through, and certainly I skimmed through them the first couple times I read the book, but they have some pretty good background information, concerning Hooded Justice(still only get rumors, he's supposed to be a mystery), the writer of the pirate comic, and in fact details(or at least foreshadows) how Veidt accomplished his world-changing plan. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm a minor superfan of Alan Moore, and would definitely recommend just about everything he's written. I'd probably suggest the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen after this, although it isn't as dark or epic as Watchmen.
]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:15:01 GMTTheWorkingDeadThe Film Library6/28/2009 11:15:01 PM[quote user="Risselada"] Anyways this was my first graphic novel and it has made me more interested in the medium for sure. Thanks! [/quote] The absurdity of the ending(I'm assuming you mean the catastrophic event) is something that makes sense, in the scheme of Moore's plan with the book, but definitely seems a little tonally off. It's something that I don't quite view as a hindrance, because I think the premise was at fairly adequately explained, although it's easy to miss. Did you read all of the backmatter? The excerpts from Under The Hood and that article about birdwatching? They can be hard to get through, and certainly I skimmed through them the first couple times I read the book, but they have some pretty good background information, concerning Hooded Justice(still only get rumors, he's supposed to be a mystery), the writer of the pirate comic, and in fact details(or at least foreshadows) how Veidt accomplished his world-changing plan. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm a minor superfan of Alan Moore, and would definitely recommend just about everything he's written. I'd probably suggest the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen after this, although it isn't as dark or epic as Watchmen. Spout Post: Re:This Is Interesting.. http://www.spout.com/groups/HORROR_MOVIES_101/Re_This_Is_Interesting/222/36672/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: HORROR MOVIES 101
Post Date: 10/26/2008 12:44:49 AM
Body: quote user="seely"] Indeed... I think that its become to really easy to create a successful variation on a theme. Audiences don't seem to mind paying to see something they have seen ten times before in different guise... until people stop watching it, I think we're going to see more of the same. And I agree with your point about technology--there seems to be a trend to make a movie bigger and better rather than more original. Just look at all the unnecessary remakes in theatres now. There's actually a slew of b-flick horor movies being remade slated for release this Halloween. Why? Its cheap, easy and people will watch it. [/quote] Actually, I thought of a pretty good example of using cliches while also subverting them. The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If you go back and watch it, notice how Leatherface enters the frame each time. He always pops up right BEFORE you expect it. Tobe Hooper sets it up so that normally you'd expect a drawn out, tense sequence, maybe a false scare or two, and then throws the scare at you before you can even get properly tense.
]]>Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:44:49 GMTTheWorkingDeadHORROR MOVIES 10110/26/2008 12:44:49 AMquote user="seely"] Indeed... I think that its become to really easy to create a successful variation on a theme. Audiences don't seem to mind paying to see something they have seen ten times before in different guise... until people stop watching it, I think we're going to see more of the same. And I agree with your point about technology--there seems to be a trend to make a movie bigger and better rather than more original. Just look at all the unnecessary remakes in theatres now. There's actually a slew of b-flick horor movies being remade slated for release this Halloween. Why? Its cheap, easy and people will watch it. [/quote] Actually, I thought of a pretty good example of using cliches while also subverting them. The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If you go back and watch it, notice how Leatherface enters the frame each time. He always pops up right BEFORE you expect it. Tobe Hooper sets it up so that normally you'd expect a drawn out, tense sequence, maybe a false scare or two, and then throws the scare at you before you can even get properly tense. Spout Post: Re:This Is Interesting.. http://www.spout.com/groups/HORROR_MOVIES_101/Re_This_Is_Interesting/222/36633/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: HORROR MOVIES 101
Post Date: 10/24/2008 5:04:38 AM
Body: [quote user="seely"] Thats a good list... sparked me to think... what horror movie doesn't play off of tired cliches? Even the really good ones I've seen seem to borrow from age-old horror cliches in some way... [/quote] There's the constant argument about whether or not we've run out of TRULY original ideas, and I think it has some merit. Maybe we have run out, but only for now. We're way overdue for some groundbreaking new genre or form of entertainment. Right now it's the technology that keeps changing, and we keep fitting our entertainment to that technology instead of really changing what the entertainment is. Or maybe I'm just talking out of my ass. Because I dont really mind that horror movies are playing off of those stereotypes. For one, I'm sometimes comforted by a really bad horror movie that hits all those stereotypes and is blissfully clueless as to how unoriginal it is. And for another, it's given way to some really good twists on those cliches. look at Scream for a particularly obvious example. And then, there are things like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which has been remade so many times it's almost the film version of a jazz tune, with each director/writer riffing on the central theme while expanding or altering the scope. I'm actually working on a blog post about this(and Invasion in particular) that will hopefully be up soon, so by then maybe I'll be able to expand a bit more.
]]>Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:04:38 GMTTheWorkingDeadHORROR MOVIES 10110/24/2008 5:04:38 AM[quote user="seely"] Thats a good list... sparked me to think... what horror movie doesn't play off of tired cliches? Even the really good ones I've seen seem to borrow from age-old horror cliches in some way... [/quote] There's the constant argument about whether or not we've run out of TRULY original ideas, and I think it has some merit. Maybe we have run out, but only for now. We're way overdue for some groundbreaking new genre or form of entertainment. Right now it's the technology that keeps changing, and we keep fitting our entertainment to that technology instead of really changing what the entertainment is. Or maybe I'm just talking out of my ass. Because I dont really mind that horror movies are playing off of those stereotypes. For one, I'm sometimes comforted by a really bad horror movie that hits all those stereotypes and is blissfully clueless as to how unoriginal it is. And for another, it's given way to some really good twists on those cliches. look at Scream for a particularly obvious example. And then, there are things like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which has been remade so many times it's almost the film version of a jazz tune, with each director/writer riffing on the central theme while expanding or altering the scope. I'm actually working on a blog post about this(and Invasion in particular) that will hopefully be up soon, so by then maybe I'll be able to expand a bit more. Spout Post: Re:Kurt Vonnegut http://www.spout.com/groups/sci_fi/Re_Kurt_Vonnegut/4/36337/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: sci-fi
Post Date: 10/15/2008 3:06:36 AM
Body: [quote user="Risselada"] [quote user="SkyPilot"] [quote user="Risselada"] It wasn't a brilliant example of the kind of expert meta narrative that I crave... [/quote] What are some examples? [/quote] I'm not sure if I've read any really good examples. Any suggestions? [/quote] I can't believe I missed these in my last response. In Kurt Vonnegut's Timequake, he introduces a few recurring characters(most notably Kilgore Trout), and is written in the first person by Vonnegut himself. He's the main character in the book, where the universe hiccups, and everyone has to repeat the past 10 years of their lives. They have to do everything the same, completely aware of what will happen because of their choices, but unable to stop it. And also, Stephen King's Dark Tower series eventually introduces King himself as a very important part of the story.
]]>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:06:36 GMTTheWorkingDeadsci-fi10/15/2008 3:06:36 AM[quote user="Risselada"] [quote user="SkyPilot"] [quote user="Risselada"] It wasn't a brilliant example of the kind of expert meta narrative that I crave... [/quote] What are some examples? [/quote] I'm not sure if I've read any really good examples. Any suggestions? [/quote] I can't believe I missed these in my last response. In Kurt Vonnegut's Timequake, he introduces a few recurring characters(most notably Kilgore Trout), and is written in the first person by Vonnegut himself. He's the main character in the book, where the universe hiccups, and everyone has to repeat the past 10 years of their lives. They have to do everything the same, completely aware of what will happen because of their choices, but unable to stop it. And also, Stephen King's Dark Tower series eventually introduces King himself as a very important part of the story. Spout Post: Re:This WILL be a movie... http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Re_This_WILL_be_a_movie/512/36336/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 10/15/2008 3:00:15 AM
Body: [quote user="TheWorkingDead"] An almost impossible to film book, but has the possibility of being very cool, is The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman. After the discovery of wormholes, which brought upon almost light speed travel, humanity discovers a race of aliens and enters a war with them. At such speeds, the human soldiers that get drafted may experience only 2 years of combat, but come home to an earth centuries past when they were born. Basically a metaphor for the Vietnam war(it was written in the 70s), the book is full of cool techno-babble, sociological musings and, maybe least expected, some emotion. Really, a book I can't recommend enough to anyone who is reading. [/quote] I guess all it needed was an endorsement from Me, The Working Dead. Approximately two weeks after saying that The Forever War should be a movie, Variety announces that Fox 2000 has acquired the rights to the book, and has Ridley Scott attached to direct. Ridley Scott has had some misses, but his two sci-fi films are stone-cold classics. Of course, Ridley Scott had first intended The Forever War to be his followup to Blade Runner, but I'm gonna go ahead and take credit for this anyway. There's no date yet for filming to start, although they plan on starting the script immediately while Scott goes off to film another movie first. So you have time, go out and read this book. Seriously, it's excellent.
]]>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:00:15 GMTTheWorkingDeadThe Film Library10/15/2008 3:00:15 AM[quote user="TheWorkingDead"] An almost impossible to film book, but has the possibility of being very cool, is The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman. After the discovery of wormholes, which brought upon almost light speed travel, humanity discovers a race of aliens and enters a war with them. At such speeds, the human soldiers that get drafted may experience only 2 years of combat, but come home to an earth centuries past when they were born. Basically a metaphor for the Vietnam war(it was written in the 70s), the book is full of cool techno-babble, sociological musings and, maybe least expected, some emotion. Really, a book I can't recommend enough to anyone who is reading. [/quote] I guess all it needed was an endorsement from Me, The Working Dead. Approximately two weeks after saying that The Forever War should be a movie, Variety announces that Fox 2000 has acquired the rights to the book, and has Ridley Scott attached to direct. Ridley Scott has had some misses, but his two sci-fi films are stone-cold classics. Of course, Ridley Scott had first intended The Forever War to be his followup to Blade Runner, but I'm gonna go ahead and take credit for this anyway. There's no date yet for filming to start, although they plan on starting the script immediately while Scott goes off to film another movie first. So you have time, go out and read this book. Seriously, it's excellent. Spout Post: Spout Mavens Review #13(Part Two): Gowanus, Brooklyn http://www.spout.com/blogs/theworkingdead/archive/2008/10/12/36238.aspx Post By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: TheWorkingDead Blog
Post Date: 10/12/2008 11:24:42 PM
Body: It's going to be almost impossible for me to really, fairly review Gowanus, Brooklyn. As a short film, a visual short story with beginning, middle and end, it's a horrible failure. And yet it's also a complete success, as a compelling piece of drama, a showcase for some good acting on the half of some previously unknown talent, and as a glimpse into the abilities of a talented young filmmaker trying to show the world what he can do. I'm sorry, that last bit might seem hyperbolic, but it's also true, and it needs to be noted because of the success he has with his attempts. Director Ryan Fleck intended this film as the feature-length it would eventually become, 'Half Nelson', and filmed a 25 minute short film/segment to drum up interest and financing. That he eventually succeeded, to critical acclaim, needs to be considered before judging the merits of this film alone.Stranded at school when her brother fails to pick her up, Drey heads back inside to use the gym's restroom facilities, where she finds one of her teachers, Mr. Dunne, getting high in one of the stalls. She immediately asks him for a ride home. There are brief glimpses of a relationship that may build between the two, wary friendship or outright dependence, but that isn't the focus of this short. Drey seems well adjusted, but sullen, quiet, and lonely, and is obviously disconnected from all aspects of her life. Her mother seems loving, but absent most of the time due to work. Her brother, likewise, seems close to her, but he's older and part of a different world. She has friends at school, but while they chatter and laugh, she seems more interested in clusters of older children hanging out on the street corner. That probably explains why she grasps onto Mr. Dunne; she has something on him, proof of the fallibility of adults, and it brings him down closer to her level. Their both out of place in their own lives, and hiding something from the world. We don't see much of Mr. Dunne, but his misery is clear enough. It's there in his drug problem(always the cinematic sign of misery), and the extended pause he takes after getting into his car before he drives away.We get a flurry of possible conflicts in this short film, and none of them are anywhere near resolution. Drey's mother has her own sadness and seems to be preoccupied with some horrible thoughts, Drey's brother is apparently involved in some not-quite-legal activities, and of course there's Mr. Dunne and his drug problem, and Drey herself and her alienation. Most of these conflicts aren't directly addressed, but are conveyed by lingering camera takes, and some meaningful glances.A word should be said about the acting. I actually really like low-budget films and their non-actors. There's something appealing and even emotionally affecting about the sometimes stilted or borderline flat delivery. I like it's rhythm, and it's awkwardness. Not to say that any of that appears here. With the possible exception of the important Mr. Dunne, every single person appearing on screen seems to not even be acting, but to be living these events out. Every one of them is utterly convincing. I don't mean to say that Mr. Dunne, played by Matt Kerr, is a bad actor, but he doesn't seem a perfect fit for a role that should be much more magnetic and, yes, charismatic.So there, a quick overview of a fantastic short film that should really only serve as a companion piece to a larger work. I find it very encouraging that Ryan Fleck was able to get his feature film made from this short, and look forward to seeing how everything plays out. There are many predictable ways in which this story could go, which we can call the 'after school special' approach, but judging from the work on display here, I don't have much fear about that.Final Analysis: Would I pay money for a feature film directed by Ryan Fleck(and co-written by Anna Boden, can't forget her)? If it weren't already obvious, I plan on doing so later this week.
]]>Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:24:42 GMTTheWorkingDeadTheWorkingDead Blog10/12/2008 11:24:42 PMIt's going to be almost impossible for me to really, fairly review Gowanus, Brooklyn. As a short film, a visual short story with beginning, middle and end, it's a horrible failure. And yet it's also a complete success, as a compelling piece of drama, a showcase for some good acting on the half of some previously unknown talent, and as a glimpse into the abilities of a talented young filmmaker trying to show the world what he can do. I'm sorry, that last bit might seem hyperbolic, but it's also true, and it needs to be noted because of the success he has with his attempts. Director Ryan Fleck intended this film as the feature-length it would eventually become, 'Half Nelson', and filmed a 25 minute short film/segment to drum up interest and financing. That he eventually succeeded, to critical acclaim, needs to be considered before judging the merits of this film alone.Stranded at school when her brother fails to pick her up, Drey heads back inside to use the gym's restroom facilities, where she finds one of her teachers, Mr. Dunne, getting high in one of the stalls. She immediately asks him for a ride home. There are brief glimpses of a relationship that may build between the two, wary friendship or outright dependence, but that isn't the focus of this short. Drey seems well adjusted, but sullen, quiet, and lonely, and is obviously disconnected from all aspects of her life. Her mother seems loving, but absent most of the time due to work. Her brother, likewise, seems close to her, but he's older and part of a different world. She has friends at school, but while they chatter and laugh, she seems more interested in clusters of older children hanging out on the street corner. That probably explains why she grasps onto Mr. Dunne; she has something on him, proof of the fallibility of adults, and it brings him down closer to her level. Their both out of place in their own lives, and hiding something from the world. We don't see much of Mr. Dunne, but his misery is clear enough. It's there in his drug problem(always the cinematic sign of misery), and the extended pause he takes after getting into his car before he drives away.We get a flurry of possible conflicts in this short film, and none of them are anywhere near resolution. Drey's mother has her own sadness and seems to be preoccupied with some horrible thoughts, Drey's brother is apparently involved in some not-quite-legal activities, and of course there's Mr. Dunne and his drug problem, and Drey herself and her alienation. Most of these conflicts aren't directly addressed, but are conveyed by lingering camera takes, and some meaningful glances.A word should be said about the acting. I actually really like low-budget films and their non-actors. There's something appealing and even emotionally affecting about the sometimes stilted or borderline flat delivery. I like it's rhythm, and it's awkwardness. Not to say that any of that appears here. With the possible exception of the important Mr. Dunne, every single person appearing on screen seems to not even be acting, but to be living these events out. Every one of them is utterly convincing. I don't mean to say that Mr. Dunne, played by Matt Kerr, is a bad actor, but he doesn't seem a perfect fit for a role that should be much more magnetic and, yes, charismatic.So there, a quick overview of a fantastic short film that should really only serve as a companion piece to a larger work. I find it very encouraging that Ryan Fleck was able to get his feature film made from this short, and look forward to seeing how everything plays out. There are many predictable ways in which this story could go, which we can call the 'after school special' approach, but judging from the work on display here, I don't have much fear about that.Final Analysis: Would I pay money for a feature film directed by Ryan Fleck(and co-written by Anna Boden, can't forget her)? If it weren't already obvious, I plan on doing so later this week. Spout Post: "N" Is Here http://www.spout.com/groups/HORROR_MOVIES_101/_N_Is_Here/222/36074/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: HORROR MOVIES 101
Post Date: 10/8/2008 11:44:54 PM
Body: There's a new Stephen King project available for your viewing pleasure. Nishere.com. I figured anyone here who hasn't seen it yet would like it. I did. I posted some of my thoughts over in my Movie Library group. And yes, that was a shameless plug. What of it?
]]>Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:44:54 GMTTheWorkingDeadHORROR MOVIES 10110/8/2008 11:44:54 PMThere's a new Stephen King project available for your viewing pleasure. Nishere.com. I figured anyone here who hasn't seen it yet would like it. I did. I posted some of my thoughts over in my Movie Library group. And yes, that was a shameless plug. What of it? Spout Post: Stephen King's "N" Is Here http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Stephen_King_s_N_Is_Here/512/36073/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 10/8/2008 11:40:55 PM
Body: Well, technically, N is over here, if you want to follow the link(Nishere.com). Stephen King is an author I've had a kinda tangled relationship with over the years. I used to deny my love of his books, even though I would read every single one, because as an author he's not very subtle or insightful, and he has trouble writing an ending. Usually he just stops writing and throws in some ridiculous Deus Ex Machina. But then, Stephen King is what I grew up reading. I first read It when I was about the age of the characters in that story(the school-age versions, I'm not aging backwards, like Benjamin Button, or Mork). Nowadays I admit it. Stephen King may not be the best author in the world, but he is the author that I feel the closest connection with. Reading a King novel, even a bad one, is comforting. So, N. If you haven't heard of it, it's an original web-series(based on a short story that will be published in his new collection next month), made up of 25 episodes. Originally released weekly in episodes that were usually a minute and a half long. The series is animated, and I use that term loosely. It's basically a bunch of paintings and drawings that are shown in motion, and it works fantastically. The images are much more haunting when seen in slight motion, with idealized sunsets and creepy shadows. There isn't much in the way of horrific monsters, but the feel of this short would have been impossible to recreate with live action. The story is about a psychiatrist and his obsessive compulsive patient, and the reasons behind the man's mental ill health. Some of the elements of "N" will be very familiar to fans of Lovecraft, and King himself admits as much in an interview on the official site, saying he wanted to play the effects of the Cthulhu mythos on an obsessive compulsive. Anyway, the shorts are great, and can be streamed for free on the official site. You can also find some places to pay and buy the entire series, but I'm not going to advertise for anyone(else) here. I'd love to hear what you guys think.
]]>Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:40:55 GMTTheWorkingDeadThe Film Library10/8/2008 11:40:55 PMWell, technically, N is over here, if you want to follow the link(Nishere.com). Stephen King is an author I've had a kinda tangled relationship with over the years. I used to deny my love of his books, even though I would read every single one, because as an author he's not very subtle or insightful, and he has trouble writing an ending. Usually he just stops writing and throws in some ridiculous Deus Ex Machina. But then, Stephen King is what I grew up reading. I first read It when I was about the age of the characters in that story(the school-age versions, I'm not aging backwards, like Benjamin Button, or Mork). Nowadays I admit it. Stephen King may not be the best author in the world, but he is the author that I feel the closest connection with. Reading a King novel, even a bad one, is comforting. So, N. If you haven't heard of it, it's an original web-series(based on a short story that will be published in his new collection next month), made up of 25 episodes. Originally released weekly in episodes that were usually a minute and a half long. The series is animated, and I use that term loosely. It's basically a bunch of paintings and drawings that are shown in motion, and it works fantastically. The images are much more haunting when seen in slight motion, with idealized sunsets and creepy shadows. There isn't much in the way of horrific monsters, but the feel of this short would have been impossible to recreate with live action. The story is about a psychiatrist and his obsessive compulsive patient, and the reasons behind the man's mental ill health. Some of the elements of "N" will be very familiar to fans of Lovecraft, and King himself admits as much in an interview on the official site, saying he wanted to play the effects of the Cthulhu mythos on an obsessive compulsive. Anyway, the shorts are great, and can be streamed for free on the official site. You can also find some places to pay and buy the entire series, but I'm not going to advertise for anyone(else) here. I'd love to hear what you guys think. Spout Post: Re:Shorts! Volume 3 http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Mavens/Re_Shorts_Volume_3/366/35981/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: Spout Mavens
Post Date: 10/7/2008 1:52:44 AM
Body: [quote user="magrebi"]Shorts! - A diverse group of award winning short films showcased at film festivals all over the globe. Featuring some of the best shorts seen at the Aspen ShortsFest, Cannes Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and more... BONUS! Each short includes one or two Film Festival Collection exclusive audio commentaries by the filmmakers. [/quote] My review for the first short film in this collection, Hyper, can be found over here, at my spoutblog.
]]>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:52:44 GMTTheWorkingDeadSpout Mavens10/7/2008 1:52:44 AM[quote user="magrebi"]Shorts! - A diverse group of award winning short films showcased at film festivals all over the globe. Featuring some of the best shorts seen at the Aspen ShortsFest, Cannes Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and more... BONUS! Each short includes one or two Film Festival Collection exclusive audio commentaries by the filmmakers. [/quote] My review for the first short film in this collection, Hyper, can be found over here, at my spoutblog. Spout Post: Spout Review #13(Part One): Hyper(From Shorts! Volume 3) http://www.spout.com/blogs/theworkingdead/archive/2008/10/7/35980.aspx Post By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: TheWorkingDead Blog
Post Date: 10/7/2008 1:36:19 AM
Body: The disc I'm reviewing this time is a collection of short films, 13 to be exact. I didn't plan on writing individual reviews for each film, and I still don't. My friend and fellow Spout Maven Rik did that far more impressively than I could hope to do here. I'm leaving it up in the air right now, some posts may have only one short film, others may include a few, or I may just burn through the final dozen in the next post(that last one is highly unlikely). I do plan on treating each of these shorts as an individual film, however, and will be taking time to review all of the special features they may have(each includes at least one commentary). To many of these filmmakers, this short film they've produced represents just as much passion, sweat and ingenuity as a feature length film, and maybe more of that stuff than many features. I've also decided that the best way of reviewing these films, the best criteria, is a single question I'll ask myself at the end of every viewing; would I pay to see a movie directed by this artist? I'll answer the question for the first of these shorts, Hyper, in the following paragraphs. Like the Ace, the subject of the fake documentary that is Hyper, and Rik, who suggested this disc to me, I move at a personal speed that is noticeably higher than that of the rest of the world. Part of that is my height, longer legs and longer strides, but most of it is motion. I fidget a bit, I pace constantly when I'm required to be on the phone, and I've somewhat mastered the ability to weave in and out of clusters of shoppers at the mall. And yes, this brings with it a level of frustration. Constantly slowing down to the speed of the people I'm with, or facing the terror of a packed mall where I'll have my own personal rhythm interrupted by some teenager who decides they don't need to see what's going on behind them before they stop short to stare at something in the window. That stuff can sometimes be annoying. I sympathize with Ace. But there is where the similarities end.I may move at a faster than average clip when walking, and may experience mild annoyance when that clip is interrupted, but in general I am not worried about time. It does not appear logical to me to live your life watching the clock, or constantly measure time in a series of positive or negative blocks. In my life, as anyone reading my infrequent blog can attest, I am not averse to stopping to smell the roses, as it were. But Ace, well, Ace is a bit more extreme. Every moment of his life is lived in fast forward, counting every minute and adding or subtracting to some vague, unmentioned total. Working out while riding the train to work gains him an hour, while spending time with the girlfriend loses him 15 minutes. I'm not sure what he's keeping track for, or what he's doing with the total, but it completely consumes his life..I guess that would be the biggest question: Why? What is Ace hoping to accomplish? What is he going to do with all that extra time? It's not as if it sits somewhere, accruing interest until some magical day when he retires. And besides, Ace seems to have no real goal or desire to be anything other than a courier, which he already is. He obviously doesn't want a family one day, as private time with a magazine in a public restroom seems more than enough domestic satisfaction. Sure, the point may be that all of Ace's tips for faster living are, in fact, pointless. That in the end Ace winds up stuck in his own rut, alone and never at rest. But I'm still unsure as to why this man would feel so compelled. By the time I made it through this film for a third time, watching Ace gave me the sort of annoyance I normally reserve for those people who use wheelchairs but push themselves around with their feet. Final analasis, would I pay to see a feature length film directed by Michael Canzoniero and Marco Ricci? Well, I wouldn't avoid it. I know that sounds like faint praise, but it's hard to judge from this short. Hyper was quick and fun and mildly stylized, but there was nothing to it to set it apart. Nothing in the film gave any idea about the philosophies, ideas or style of the talent behind the camera. So yes, if the subject matter of the film appealed to me, I'd love to see more from these guys.
]]>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:36:19 GMTTheWorkingDeadTheWorkingDead Blog10/7/2008 1:36:19 AMThe disc I'm reviewing this time is a collection of short films, 13 to be exact. I didn't plan on writing individual reviews for each film, and I still don't. My friend and fellow Spout Maven Rik did that far more impressively than I could hope to do here. I'm leaving it up in the air right now, some posts may have only one short film, others may include a few, or I may just burn through the final dozen in the next post(that last one is highly unlikely). I do plan on treating each of these shorts as an individual film, however, and will be taking time to review all of the special features they may have(each includes at least one commentary). To many of these filmmakers, this short film they've produced represents just as much passion, sweat and ingenuity as a feature length film, and maybe more of that stuff than many features. I've also decided that the best way of reviewing these films, the best criteria, is a single question I'll ask myself at the end of every viewing; would I pay to see a movie directed by this artist? I'll answer the question for the first of these shorts, Hyper, in the following paragraphs. Like the Ace, the subject of the fake documentary that is Hyper, and Rik, who suggested this disc to me, I move at a personal speed that is noticeably higher than that of the rest of the world. Part of that is my height, longer legs and longer strides, but most of it is motion. I fidget a bit, I pace constantly when I'm required to be on the phone, and I've somewhat mastered the ability to weave in and out of clusters of shoppers at the mall. And yes, this brings with it a level of frustration. Constantly slowing down to the speed of the people I'm with, or facing the terror of a packed mall where I'll have my own personal rhythm interrupted by some teenager who decides they don't need to see what's going on behind them before they stop short to stare at something in the window. That stuff can sometimes be annoying. I sympathize with Ace. But there is where the similarities end.I may move at a faster than average clip when walking, and may experience mild annoyance when that clip is interrupted, but in general I am not worried about time. It does not appear logical to me to live your life watching the clock, or constantly measure time in a series of positive or negative blocks. In my life, as anyone reading my infrequent blog can attest, I am not averse to stopping to smell the roses, as it were. But Ace, well, Ace is a bit more extreme. Every moment of his life is lived in fast forward, counting every minute and adding or subtracting to some vague, unmentioned total. Working out while riding the train to work gains him an hour, while spending time with the girlfriend loses him 15 minutes. I'm not sure what he's keeping track for, or what he's doing with the total, but it completely consumes his life..I guess that would be the biggest question: Why? What is Ace hoping to accomplish? What is he going to do with all that extra time? It's not as if it sits somewhere, accruing interest until some magical day when he retires. And besides, Ace seems to have no real goal or desire to be anything other than a courier, which he already is. He obviously doesn't want a family one day, as private time with a magazine in a public restroom seems more than enough domestic satisfaction. Sure, the point may be that all of Ace's tips for faster living are, in fact, pointless. That in the end Ace winds up stuck in his own rut, alone and never at rest. But I'm still unsure as to why this man would feel so compelled. By the time I made it through this film for a third time, watching Ace gave me the sort of annoyance I normally reserve for those people who use wheelchairs but push themselves around with their feet. Final analasis, would I pay to see a feature length film directed by Michael Canzoniero and Marco Ricci? Well, I wouldn't avoid it. I know that sounds like faint praise, but it's hard to judge from this short. Hyper was quick and fun and mildly stylized, but there was nothing to it to set it apart. Nothing in the film gave any idea about the philosophies, ideas or style of the talent behind the camera. So yes, if the subject matter of the film appealed to me, I'd love to see more from these guys. Spout Post: Anime-niacs http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Anime_niacs/512/35884/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 10/3/2008 11:36:11 PM
Body: So, I know there's already a few anime groups, and I don't want to step on their toes, but it just occured to me that Anime and other Manga-inspired films have been completely ignored by me in this group. I'm not the world's largest anime fan, but I've probably seen more than most. I've also read my share of manga, due to working at a store where I got a 40% discount, and a second night job where I was encouraged to read books all night. So let's say I have a fairly decent grounding in both forms. Right now I'm reintroducing myself to anime, after a few years of not really following the genre. I'm watching Azumanga Daioh, based on the manga of the same name. I've read a couple volumes of the manga, and so far it seems almost word for word accurate to the source material. That's a good thing, actually. The manga(and anime) is a bit unlike what most casual watchers would expect, if they're mostly familiar with the ever popular giant robots, big eyed scantily clad girls, or wacky sci-fi shenanigans. Azumanga Daioh reads like a newspaper comic strip, with basic 3-4 panel strips that add up to a larger, loosely connected story(basically a series of strips will involve the same setting, even if there isn't a plot per se). It's funny, although even when it isn't laugh out loud funny it's warm and enjoyable. The anime carries that feeling of low key, laid back fun, but due to some great timing and voice acting has more than it's share of laugh out loud moments. Anyone else have any favorites?
]]>Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:36:11 GMTTheWorkingDeadThe Film Library10/3/2008 11:36:11 PMSo, I know there's already a few anime groups, and I don't want to step on their toes, but it just occured to me that Anime and other Manga-inspired films have been completely ignored by me in this group. I'm not the world's largest anime fan, but I've probably seen more than most. I've also read my share of manga, due to working at a store where I got a 40% discount, and a second night job where I was encouraged to read books all night. So let's say I have a fairly decent grounding in both forms. Right now I'm reintroducing myself to anime, after a few years of not really following the genre. I'm watching Azumanga Daioh, based on the manga of the same name. I've read a couple volumes of the manga, and so far it seems almost word for word accurate to the source material. That's a good thing, actually. The manga(and anime) is a bit unlike what most casual watchers would expect, if they're mostly familiar with the ever popular giant robots, big eyed scantily clad girls, or wacky sci-fi shenanigans. Azumanga Daioh reads like a newspaper comic strip, with basic 3-4 panel strips that add up to a larger, loosely connected story(basically a series of strips will involve the same setting, even if there isn't a plot per se). It's funny, although even when it isn't laugh out loud funny it's warm and enjoyable. The anime carries that feeling of low key, laid back fun, but due to some great timing and voice acting has more than it's share of laugh out loud moments. Anyone else have any favorites? Spout Post: Re:This SHOULD be a movie... http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Re_This_SHOULD_be_a_movie/512/35652/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 9/28/2008 1:01:54 AM
Body: I'll have to come out as a loser and say that the only stories I've read off of your list are the E.A. Poe stories. It's obvious where my tastes lie. My normal assumption is that all adaptations are going to be inferior, but ocassionally that isn't the case(No Country For Old Men, of course). So, why did I start this group about movies based off of books? Well, because I can't help but read a novel these days and imagine how that film would look up on a big screen somewhere. Plus I tend to find new books more often from a movie I liked than from reviews in a magazine somewhere. So, here's a short list. Oh, Pure and Radiant Heart by Lydia Millet, about Oppenheimer, Fermi and Szilard, at the exact instant the first atomic bomb goes off, finding themselves in modern day Arizona, where they each react negatively to what their invention wrought. It sounds high concept, but it's an incredibly thoughtful, melancholy and hopeful book, full of some incredibly beautiful language. Gentlemen of the Road, by Michael Chabon, is pretty slight, and a very short novella, but if made in a swashbuckling, Robin Hood or Indiana Jones style, it could be incredibly fun. An almost impossible to film book, but has the possibility of being very cool, is The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman. After the discovery of wormholes, which brough upon almost light speed travel, humanity discovers a race of aliens and enters a war with them. At such speeds, the human soldiers that get drafted may experience only 2 years of combat, but come home to an earth centuries past when they were born. Basically a metaphor for the Vietnam war(it was written in the 70s), the book is full of cool techno-babble, sociological musings and, maybe least expected, some emotion. Really, a book I can't recommend enough to anyone who is reading.
]]>Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:01:54 GMTTheWorkingDeadThe Film Library9/28/2008 1:01:54 AMI'll have to come out as a loser and say that the only stories I've read off of your list are the E.A. Poe stories. It's obvious where my tastes lie. My normal assumption is that all adaptations are going to be inferior, but ocassionally that isn't the case(No Country For Old Men, of course). So, why did I start this group about movies based off of books? Well, because I can't help but read a novel these days and imagine how that film would look up on a big screen somewhere. Plus I tend to find new books more often from a movie I liked than from reviews in a magazine somewhere. So, here's a short list. Oh, Pure and Radiant Heart by Lydia Millet, about Oppenheimer, Fermi and Szilard, at the exact instant the first atomic bomb goes off, finding themselves in modern day Arizona, where they each react negatively to what their invention wrought. It sounds high concept, but it's an incredibly thoughtful, melancholy and hopeful book, full of some incredibly beautiful language. Gentlemen of the Road, by Michael Chabon, is pretty slight, and a very short novella, but if made in a swashbuckling, Robin Hood or Indiana Jones style, it could be incredibly fun. An almost impossible to film book, but has the possibility of being very cool, is The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman. After the discovery of wormholes, which brough upon almost light speed travel, humanity discovers a race of aliens and enters a war with them. At such speeds, the human soldiers that get drafted may experience only 2 years of combat, but come home to an earth centuries past when they were born. Basically a metaphor for the Vietnam war(it was written in the 70s), the book is full of cool techno-babble, sociological musings and, maybe least expected, some emotion. Really, a book I can't recommend enough to anyone who is reading. Spout Post: Re:This SHOULD be a movie... http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Re_This_SHOULD_be_a_movie/512/35631/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 9/27/2008 1:43:49 AM
Body: [quote user="SkyPilot"] Some great short stories here, and it got me thinking about those movies Vincent Price made in 60s--movies that tell more than one short story. I wonder if modern audiences would let a movie get away with that. Did any of you see Tales From the Hood? [/quote] Anthology movies have a really hard time of it, and more often than not aren't very successful. For every Creepshow, there's a couple Creepshow 2s. I did see Tales From The Hood, based on the writer/director's work on Fear Of A Black Hat, which I watched almost every weekend of my senior year in high school. A This Is Spinal Tap for rap, and utterly hilarious. But I digress. Tales From The Hood had some good concepts, and a couple creepy/funny scenes, but it felt a little too generic.
]]>Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:43:49 GMTTheWorkingDeadThe Film Library9/27/2008 1:43:49 AM[quote user="SkyPilot"] Some great short stories here, and it got me thinking about those movies Vincent Price made in 60s--movies that tell more than one short story. I wonder if modern audiences would let a movie get away with that. Did any of you see Tales From the Hood? [/quote] Anthology movies have a really hard time of it, and more often than not aren't very successful. For every Creepshow, there's a couple Creepshow 2s. I did see Tales From The Hood, based on the writer/director's work on Fear Of A Black Hat, which I watched almost every weekend of my senior year in high school. A This Is Spinal Tap for rap, and utterly hilarious. But I digress. Tales From The Hood had some good concepts, and a couple creepy/funny scenes, but it felt a little too generic. Spout Post: Re:Kurt Vonnegut http://www.spout.com/groups/sci_fi/Re_Kurt_Vonnegut/4/35629/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: sci-fi
Post Date: 9/27/2008 1:21:00 AM
Body: [quote user="Risselada"] [/quote] I'm not sure if I've read any really good examples. Any suggestions? [/quote] Haruki Murakami delves a bit into that, although probably not as much as you'd want. I would recommend him, though. If you enjoyed Vonnegut at all I think you'll enjoy Murakami. Kafka on the Shore is a good one. Have you read any Bret Easton Ellis? His newest novel, Lunar Park, is his only official horror tale, where he's being haunted by his past creations, most prominently Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. Uhm.... Grant Morrisson, in the run of comics he did for Animal Man, had the character slowly become aware of his position as a comic book character. At the end of the series he actually tracks down where Morrisson lives and confronts him. And a fun, silly one; in one of the final episodes of Eerie, Indiana(the original series in the early 90s), the friend/enemy of the main character finds a script for an episode of Eerie Indiana, and attempts to write the main character off the show. There are more, I know, and probably a lot better ones, but those are the ones I know, and can think of right now.
]]>Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:21:00 GMTTheWorkingDeadsci-fi9/27/2008 1:21:00 AM[quote user="Risselada"] [/quote] I'm not sure if I've read any really good examples. Any suggestions? [/quote] Haruki Murakami delves a bit into that, although probably not as much as you'd want. I would recommend him, though. If you enjoyed Vonnegut at all I think you'll enjoy Murakami. Kafka on the Shore is a good one. Have you read any Bret Easton Ellis? His newest novel, Lunar Park, is his only official horror tale, where he's being haunted by his past creations, most prominently Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. Uhm.... Grant Morrisson, in the run of comics he did for Animal Man, had the character slowly become aware of his position as a comic book character. At the end of the series he actually tracks down where Morrisson lives and confronts him. And a fun, silly one; in one of the final episodes of Eerie, Indiana(the original series in the early 90s), the friend/enemy of the main character finds a script for an episode of Eerie Indiana, and attempts to write the main character off the show. There are more, I know, and probably a lot better ones, but those are the ones I know, and can think of right now. Spout Post: Re:3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever? http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Re_3_10_to_Yuma_Best_adaptation_ever/512/35568/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 9/26/2008 3:15:00 AM
Body: [quote user="seely"] Definately worth making the effort to see it... I've seen it four or five times now and even saw it twice in the theatre--something I NEVER do (mostly because I'm poor), but I just enjoyed it that much. I'd read the story first, perhaps... its pretty short and a good read. [quote user="TheWorkingDead"] I haven't yet seen 3:10, and I have to admit I wasn't even aware that it was a short story first. But you've really piqued my interest, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to see this one, and because I'm like this, I'll probably hunt down the original story, too. Welcome to the group! [/quote] Strangely enough, when a movie based on a book comes out, and I have interest in reading the book, I usually try to watch the movie first. It's something I've been doing over the last few years. If I read a book and love it, then go see the movie, chances are I'll dislike the movie, or at least compare it unfavorably to the book. But if I see the movie, I'll have a blank slate to write my opinion on, and then I have the sure-to-be-superior book to look forward to.
]]>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:15:00 GMTTheWorkingDeadThe Film Library9/26/2008 3:15:00 AM[quote user="seely"] Definately worth making the effort to see it... I've seen it four or five times now and even saw it twice in the theatre--something I NEVER do (mostly because I'm poor), but I just enjoyed it that much. I'd read the story first, perhaps... its pretty short and a good read. [quote user="TheWorkingDead"] I haven't yet seen 3:10, and I have to admit I wasn't even aware that it was a short story first. But you've really piqued my interest, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to see this one, and because I'm like this, I'll probably hunt down the original story, too. Welcome to the group! [/quote] Strangely enough, when a movie based on a book comes out, and I have interest in reading the book, I usually try to watch the movie first. It's something I've been doing over the last few years. If I read a book and love it, then go see the movie, chances are I'll dislike the movie, or at least compare it unfavorably to the book. But if I see the movie, I'll have a blank slate to write my opinion on, and then I have the sure-to-be-superior book to look forward to. Spout Post: Re:3:10 to Yuma: Best adaptation ever? http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Film_Library/Re_3_10_to_Yuma_Best_adaptation_ever/512/35349/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: TheWorkingDead
Post To: The Film Library
Post Date: 9/21/2008 4:01:08 PM
Body: [quote user="seely"] I was a little surprised not to see a thread on this here, but I have to say, I think the latest adaptation of 3:10 to Yuma could be one of the best paper-to-film adaptations, ever. Every role seemed flawlessly cast (and I don't even really like Russell Crowe), and the dialogue was delivered beautifully and accurately. Now, granted 3:10 is a short story, so therefore I think it naturally works better for a 2hrs adaptation than say, 400 pages of Lord of the Rings , which I feel were excellent given their constraints--but definately strayed from the original story in more places than one and sometimes lacked what I felt when I read the original books. I'm not sure quite what it was about 3:10, but it just seemed flawless. I felt as though I were re-reading the story and picturing the scenes in my mind, and not sitting in a theatre watching it on a big screen. Brilliant. Anyone care to agree/disagree? Curious to see what others have to say... [/quote] I haven't yet seen 3:10, and I have to admit I wasn't even aware that it was a short story first. But you've really piqued my interest, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to see this one, and because I'm like this, I'll probably hunt down the original story, too. Welcome to the group!
]]>Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:01:08 GMTTheWorkingDeadThe Film Library9/21/2008 4:01:08 PM[quote user="seely"] I was a little surprised not to see a thread on this here, but I have to say, I think the latest adaptation of 3:10 to Yuma could be one of the best paper-to-film adaptations, ever. Every role seemed flawlessly cast (and I don't even really like Russell Crowe), and the dialogue was delivered beautifully and accurately. Now, granted 3:10 is a short story, so therefore I think it naturally works better for a 2hrs adaptation than say, 400 pages of Lord of the Rings , which I feel were excellent given their constraints--but definately strayed from the original story in more places than one and sometimes lacked what I felt when I read the original books. I'm not sure quite what it was about 3:10, but it just seemed flawless. I felt as though I were re-reading the story and picturing the scenes in my mind, and not sitting in a theatre watching it on a big screen. Brilliant. Anyone care to agree/disagree? Curious to see what others have to say... [/quote] I haven't yet seen 3:10, and I have to admit I wasn't even aware that it was a short story first. But you've really piqued my interest, so I'm going to make a concerted effort to see this one, and because I'm like this, I'll probably hunt down the original story, too. Welcome to the group! Spout Member:The_MOW - Mickey Micklon http://www.spout.com/members/148616/default.aspx Identity: The_MOW
Name: Mickey Micklon
Interests: movies, sci-fi, professional wrestling
Occupation: Unemployed
Location: Salem, NH
Films listed: 369
Number of lists: 4
Number of groups: 2
Blog posts: 372
Blog post views: 11337
Number of times tagged: 25
Member since: 4/4/2009
Last login: 10/13/2009
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTThe_MOWMickey Micklon369Uberlister (>100)Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:50:30 GMTMember Spout Member:horror http://www.spout.com/members/144661/default.aspx Identity: horror
Films listed: 1
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 1/17/2009
Last login: 1/17/2009
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMThorror1Beginner (<10)Sat, 17 Jan 2009 10:27:41 GMTMember Spout Member:butterknife http://www.spout.com/members/127080/default.aspx Identity: butterknife
Films listed: 1
Number of lists: 4
Blog posts: 1
Member since: 4/2/2008
Last login: 4/2/2008
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTbutterknife1Beginner (<10)Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:18:37 GMTMember Spout Member:rnt2630 http://www.spout.com/members/95208/default.aspx Identity: rnt2630
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/13/2007
Last login: 9/13/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTrnt26300Beginner (<10)Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:16:00 GMTMember Spout Member:dsalaski http://www.spout.com/members/94482/default.aspx Identity: dsalaski
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/10/2007
Last login: 9/10/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTdsalaski0Beginner (<10)Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:47:53 GMTMember Spout Member:jennkp http://www.spout.com/members/94443/default.aspx Identity: jennkp
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/10/2007
Last login: 9/10/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTjennkp0Beginner (<10)Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:45:31 GMTMember Spout Member:Don0262 http://www.spout.com/members/94195/default.aspx Identity: Don0262
Films listed: 2
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/9/2007
Last login: 9/9/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTDon02622Beginner (<10)Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:33:14 GMTMember Spout Member:martinluthar http://www.spout.com/members/93901/default.aspx Identity: martinluthar
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/8/2007
Last login: 9/8/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTmartinluthar0Beginner (<10)Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:58:58 GMTMember Spout Member:clwoolfe http://www.spout.com/members/93885/default.aspx Identity: clwoolfe
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/8/2007
Last login: 9/8/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTclwoolfe0Beginner (<10)Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:09:50 GMTMember Spout Member:XtreamDenny http://www.spout.com/members/93661/default.aspx Identity: XtreamDenny
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/7/2007
Last login: 9/7/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTXtreamDenny0Beginner (<10)Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:49:41 GMTMember Spout Member:bofo http://www.spout.com/members/93627/default.aspx Identity: bofo
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/7/2007
Last login: 9/7/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTbofo0Beginner (<10)Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:57:17 GMTMember Spout Member:seanjoneswrexham http://www.spout.com/members/93570/default.aspx Identity: seanjoneswrexham
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/7/2007
Last login: 9/7/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTseanjoneswrexham0Beginner (<10)Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:31:57 GMTMember Spout Member:nny921 http://www.spout.com/members/92277/default.aspx Identity: nny921
Number of lists: 4
Number of groups: 2
Member since: 9/3/2007
Last login: 11/20/2008
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTnny9210Beginner (<10)Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:27:22 GMTMember Spout Member:mr_lol http://www.spout.com/members/92275/default.aspx Identity: mr_lol
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/3/2007
Last login: 9/3/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTmr_lol0Beginner (<10)Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:25:57 GMTMember Spout Member:fire1311 http://www.spout.com/members/91742/default.aspx Identity: fire1311
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 9/1/2007
Last login: 9/1/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTfire13110Beginner (<10)Sat, 01 Sep 2007 21:48:24 GMTMember Spout Member:Argueta http://www.spout.com/members/91469/default.aspx Identity: Argueta
Number of lists: 4
Member since: 8/31/2007
Last login: 8/31/2007
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTArgueta0Beginner (<10)Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:52:15 GMTMember Film:Funny Games http://www.spout.com/films/Funny_Games/288707/default.aspx Title: Funny Games
Year: 2007
Director: Michael Haneke
Times Tagged: 27
Number of Lists: 24
Number of blog posts: 14
Number of discussion threads: 8
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:47:00 GMTFunny Games2007Michael Haneke27Tag Target (>10)241483http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s288707.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Funny_Games/288707/default.aspxFilm Film:The Dark Knight http://www.spout.com/films/The_Dark_Knight/288704/default.aspx Title: The Dark Knight
Year: 2008
Director: Christopher Nolan
Times Tagged: 149
Number of Lists: 98
Number of blog posts: 156
Number of discussion threads: 55
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:13:34 GMTThe Dark Knight2008Christopher Nolan149Tag Target (>10)98156554http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s288704.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Dark_Knight/288704/default.aspxFilm Film:H2 http://www.spout.com/films/H2/397884/default.aspx Title: H2
Year: 2009
Director: Rob Zombie
Number of Lists: 1
Number of blog posts: 1
SpoutRating: 1
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:45:58 GMTH22009Rob Zombie111http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s397884.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/H2/397884/default.aspxFilm Film:Eleanor: First Lady of the World http://www.spout.com/films/Eleanor_First_Lady_of_the_World/10331/default.aspx Title: Eleanor: First Lady of the World
Year: 1982
Director: John Erman
Number of blog posts: 1
]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:47:51 GMTEleanor: First Lady of the World1982John Erman1http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Eleanor_First_Lady_of_the_World/10331/default.aspxFilm Film:Black Test Car http://www.spout.com/films/Black_Test_Car/328181/default.aspx Title: Black Test Car
Year: 1962
Number of Lists: 2
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:01:54 GMTBlack Test Car196224http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u37747stl5z.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Black_Test_Car/328181/default.aspxFilm Film:Dumpster Baby http://www.spout.com/films/Dumpster_Baby/273527/default.aspx Title: Dumpster Baby
Director: James Bickert
Number of Lists: 1
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:53:10 GMTDumpster BabyJames Bickert1http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t76920jjhow.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Dumpster_Baby/273527/default.aspxFilm Film:Rick http://www.spout.com/films/Rick/235722/default.aspx Title: Rick
Year: 2002
Director: Curtiss Clayton
Times Tagged: 1
Number of Lists: 1
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:32:48 GMTRick2002Curtiss Clayton1Slightly Tagged (1-5)12http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t51978e8qnf.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Rick/235722/default.aspxFilm Film:Speed Racer http://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer/297765/default.aspx Title: Speed Racer
Year: 2008
Director: Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Times Tagged: 90
Number of Lists: 16
Number of blog posts: 41
Number of discussion threads: 16
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:21:45 GMTSpeed Racer2008Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski90Tag Target (>10)1641163http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s297765.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer/297765/default.aspxFilm Film:Speed Racer [Anime Series] http://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer_Anime_Series/32330/default.aspx Title: Speed Racer [Anime Series]
Year: 1967
Number of Lists: 1
Number of blog posts: 1
Number of discussion threads: 1
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:20:43 GMTSpeed Racer [Anime Series]19671113http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer_Anime_Series/32330/default.aspxFilm Film:The Raven http://www.spout.com/films/The_Raven/317289/default.aspx Title: The Raven
Year: 2007
Director: Ulli Lommel
Number of blog posts: 2
SpoutRating: 1
]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:13:53 GMTThe Raven2007Ulli Lommel21http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u08974fjkcg.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Raven/317289/default.aspxFilm Film:The Ballad of the Sad Cafe http://www.spout.com/films/The_Ballad_of_the_Sad_Cafe/2239/default.aspx Title: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe
Year: 1991
Director: Simon Callow
Number of blog posts: 2
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:25:24 GMTThe Ballad of the Sad Cafe1991Simon Callow22http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t54643em1b1.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Ballad_of_the_Sad_Cafe/2239/default.aspxFilm Film:New York, New York http://www.spout.com/films/New_York_New_York/24524/default.aspx Title: New York, New York
Year: 1977
Director: Martin Scorsese
Times Tagged: 23
Number of Lists: 12
Number of blog posts: 57
Number of discussion threads: 2
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:22:40 GMTNew York, New York1977Martin Scorsese23Tag Target (>10)125722http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u47828gvtpe.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/New_York_New_York/24524/default.aspxFilm Film:St. Nick http://www.spout.com/films/St_Nick/402616/default.aspx Title: St. Nick
Year: 2009
Director: David Lowery
Times Tagged: 3
Number of Lists: 2
Number of blog posts: 5
SpoutRating: 5
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:01:06 GMTSt. Nick2009David Lowery3Slightly Tagged (1-5)255http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s402616.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/St_Nick/402616/default.aspxFilm Film:We Are the Strange http://www.spout.com/films/We_Are_the_Strange/314016/default.aspx Title: We Are the Strange
Year: 2007
Director: M dot Strange
Number of Lists: 3
Number of blog posts: 3
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:25:52 GMTWe Are the Strange2007M dot Strange334http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s314016.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/We_Are_the_Strange/314016/default.aspxFilm Film:The Sadist http://www.spout.com/films/The_Sadist/29811/default.aspx Title: The Sadist
Year: 1963
Director: James Landis
Number of Lists: 4
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:08:29 GMTThe Sadist1963James Landis43http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t27402rl1sl.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Sadist/29811/default.aspxFilm Film:The Alligator People http://www.spout.com/films/The_Alligator_People/50507/default.aspx Title: The Alligator People
Year: 1959
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Number of Lists: 2
Number of blog posts: 1
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:04:19 GMTThe Alligator People1959Roy Del Ruth212http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t46806zj8ua.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Alligator_People/50507/default.aspxFilm Spout List:Favorite Movies From Books by TheWorkingDead /films/950162/ViewFilmList.aspxFavorite Movies From Books
Description: Some of my personal favorite movies based on books(keep in mind these are only cases where I've read the book as well as seen the movie).


Created: 11/28/2007 11:04:48 AM

]]>Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:45:46 GMTSome of my personal favorite movies based on books(keep in mind these are only cases where I've read the book as well as seen the movie).11/28/2007 11:04:48 AMList