He's Just Not That Into You

I've been feeling pretty good the last few days. I've been running everyday so that just makes me feel really good. I like getting back in shape. Before, I was too lazy to do it but the park is right next to where I work, so it's on the way home which is great! I've been out in the sun everyday tanning. I figure summer is over in a month, so it's best to try to get the most color than I can. I guess, I'm just trying to feel less lazy and more productive about myself. Nothing wrong about that. I already feel better than I did this whole summer. Not to mention, it makes me more tired at night so I sleep better. Unlike my mom who tries to wake me up at 3:30 in the morning because she can't sleep. Who does that?!

Tomorrow is my Grandpa's 75 birthday and we're going out to dinner. I guess it's a big deal to be alive 75 years. I'm currently in the middle of On Golden Pond with Katherine Hepburn and shes about that old in it. It's basically about Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda being old. It's very interesting, but also sad because I'm so use to seeing them when they were my age even. But, they're still amazing actors in their respective parts. I'm about an hour into it, but I really like it so far.

This weekend, I'm either going to the beach or hitting up Philadelphia. I'm not sure which yet, but either one sounds excellent to me. On one hand, I wanna go to Philly and see my house but on the other hand, it's the beach - who could pass that up? I just hope something really fun happens.

I just finished the book - He's Just Not That Into You. Normally I wouldn't read self help books just because I don't really find them all that interested and I'm already picky about what I read. I decided to check this one out because my girl - Jennifer Aniston is going to be in the movie based off the book next Feb. I have no idea how they made a movie about it because it doesn't have one bit of narrative in the whole thing. Still, it was a funny and insightful book about men and what you should expect when you are dating them. It was basically a "who not to date" book. Basically, until that perfect guy comes that treats me like the fantastic woman I am - I should be a lesbian. I'm sure though if everyone who ever read the book decided not to date men anymore, we'd just have a "She's Just Not That Into You" book as well. I think it makes no difference who you are dating though as far as that goes. Dating is hard.

And I'm afraid to sleep because of what haunts me such as living with the uncertainties.

I feel like I should be talking about what's going on with me. Lately I've just been rambling about movies or other non related topics of myself. Perhaps, I'm trying to avoid figuring out what's going on with "me" - whoever that may or may not be.

So Summer is slowing down. It honestly felt like that since I came back from California. Ironically, that's all I can think about going back to now. I have no idea how I'm going to do it, but I need to. It's just one of those small things that feels like you are finally making the right decision. Still, that's a long way off. I think about it a lot, but then I wonder who will come with me and who I'll leave behind. Obviously I can't take people with me who don't want to go but I have my own dreams and I'd be selfish to ask anyone I love to change their plans. I make plans with certain people. Some people I can't imagine my life without and I'm still living without them. I think about where people are often. I wonder and I miss them. I wonder what they're doing, what they're life is like. How'd we would be if we still saw each other. So many people pass right on through and I guess I'm expected more to do the same. Hopefully somewhere I'll satisfy the right balance.

I've been stressing about living in Philadelphia recently. Mainly because I went from one house to having a water leaking/mold problem to now trying to get another house. I'm signing the lease today and hopefully that will be the last I'll worry about. I want to go down to Philadelphia next week and start to settle a bit in and try to think about enjoying the city. Hopefully I can take advantage to what the city has to offer. I know in a month from now, I'll be completely on my own. I mean, I'll still be in school but I won't be in a dorm room. Everyone I know is either 21 or older or on the verge soon. I have no idea what to expect with my wild days from now. In fact, I have no idea what to expect from today. I'm suppose to go clubbing tonight. It's approaching fast. Still, I'm excited about school and seeing my friends and what crazy nonsense I'm going to get myself into, who I'll see often to share it with and what kinds of projects and knowledge I'll gain from the next few months. I'm doing some producing and screenwriting in the fall so I can't wait for that.

I'm working on a screenplay right now. What I'll reveal about it is that it's a real life story based on some of my high school events. It's very strange to have to make yourself recall and revisit memories and photographs. Times that I recall were bad, I almost no longer recall as bad because of how it made me as a person and how I reflect on it now. I miss almost everything from High School. I hope that when I finish this, I'll be able to have some closure on the subject. It's also very strange to depict people from your memory. Obviously this being based on a real story from High School - I'm taking from other people I actually know. It feels sort of wrong writing about people you know - especially people you don't see anymore because I wonder if anyone would read or see what I wrote, how'd they take it. It's a very strange thing but I'm just trying to get out what I experienced. I'm not trying to tell anyone elses story but that's what you end up doing. But no one else is out there writing their life and if they ever choose to do that, then I would support whatever they had to say about me. Each person has a chance to tell their sides of things. I suppose that's what I do on this blog - tell my sides to things.

Anyway, I'm full of inspiration and hope and nostalgic at this point. Not too shabby for me I suppose.

You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

I wrote this review Friday night.


Its hour 36 since I’ve had a full night’s sleep and I’ve only had two hours of sleep since I’ve seen The Dark Knight. I went to the midnight screening. I got home around 4 in the morning only to have to get up at 6 and be in the city the morning. I have a heart monitor on, I had tests done, I went to work and I spend four long hours at a family member’s dinner party. Needless to say, the only thing left on my mind still is The Dark Knight – that is when I allow myself to focus.

Right now, I’m not even sure how I’m still functioning with 2 hours of sleep out of 36 and with eight wires hooked up to my chest. My head feels sort of like how the guy must have felt when the Joker showed him his “magic trick”. If you’ve seen The Dark Knight, you know what I’m talking about

Forget everything you’ve seen about the Dark Knight up until now. Ignore every trailer, clip or soundbite. Don’t even think about looking at the movie poster. Forget you even think you know what a Batman movie looks like or how you would never imagine a perfect one would be. The reason I tell you to just toss away those expectations is that you can’t even prepare. They will exceed them all. You may think you know how great this movie is, but you can’t possibly unless you witnessed it yourself.

I suppose that’s a conundrum for the review. How can you take this review seriously if I’m telling you to forget it? Well, it doesn’t matter if you read this, forget it after word because you have to see it for yourself. You have to see the Joker and what he’s all about.

First of all, Heath Ledger – wow. I mean, like I said, you can’t even imagine. I’ve seen the film and I still can’t wrap my head around how good he is. How many special moments there are in the film with him. Every second of the Joker is good. I’m pretty sure that every single take that Nolan did with Ledger as the Joker is perfect. I mean, I could’ve watched the same one scene with the Joker in it and it would’ve been mesmerizing. That’s it folks. Boys and Girls. One and all. You don’t need to look any further for a better performance out of a batman film, out of a single actor.

Aaron Eckhart is pitch perfect as Harvey Dent. I mean, this is a Harvey Dent film above even Joker or Batman. He’s the good face of Gotham, soon to be the real hero of the city. He’s the white knight, looking to change the wave of crime. He’s one step forward in a city that is corrupt and perhaps, one day, with him, you no longer need a batman. Dent’s an obviously complicated character. I heard one person say that Joker had no character depth. I wouldn’t agree but I would say that Nolan’s take on the Joker is more of a character study. The real change and heart of the story is Dent. The take on Two-Face is almost very bit as good as the Joker. He’s torn, he’s vengeful. He has his reasons, but the tragedy is that you feel for him. When he’s Two Face he’s just as manic and evil as Joker but at least he follows his own rules (the Joker has none) – the single flip of a coin proves he’s letting fate and chance choose for him. He’s no longer willing to accept any responsibility on his own. My only problem I had with Two Face is that I wish we had more time with him. It’s Harvey Dent’s movie so I wish we would’ve saved Two Face for a better half of a third movie.

Batman is sandwiched between two of the greatest villains in the history of comic books. This is a villain’s movie as much as the first movie was a Batman movie. Certainly, we get some great scenes with Bruce Wayne and some great action with Batman. The Dark Knight is more about Gotham than above all else. Bruce Wayne struggles with his symbol (like the first film) because now he has created something better than Bruce Wayne, bigger than Batman but something that affects the entire city. The first movie was a set up but this is the real movie Nolan wanted to make. He had to set up Batman’s character so he could fully develop how others are affected by it. It’s no longer Batman’s movie and Batman no longer belongs to Bruce Wayne – but for everyone. That’s what makes Batman’s character so good in this (and Bruce Wayne’s struggle realizes this). Batman has to be bigger than himself. He’s created chaos and he has to live with it.

The film is rather long and at one point I said it felt like three films put together with all that had happened. I still can’t believe that was all one film. It feels as long as it is, but that’s only because it carries so much weight. Nolan could have easily dragged it out but to make it stand on it’s own is every bit as perfect. This will be the Godfather 2 of comic book movies. I mean, there is nothing else that will compare. My one biggest concern is the “set up” for a sequel. It’s not nearly as clear as the ending of Begins. Nolan could easily stop right here and it wouldn’t matter. I don’t see him even finding a story as grand as this one. The ending writes a challenge. Something that I can’t imagine how one would tackle it but also intriguing to see where he could go. I have no idea what’s in store for the future of it.

The Dark Knight is one film that should be studied when making a modern film of any kind. Heath Ledger’s should have his name engraved into statues by this time next year and Nolan should be applauded by all as telling one of the best stories this decade as ever seen in a movie. All I know is that The Dark Knight not only leaves me feeling good about Batman, summer, comic books, action sequences, story telling, performances and directing - but about all movies of any kind in general. It's an incredible feeling when you walk out of something that reinvigorates what you love.

I Believe in Harvey Dent

So I check my regular movie news updates this morning and I'm just overwhelmed with some damn good news.

First of all, Quentin Tarantino's project Inglorious Bastards is getting off the ground. The guy has only been writing it for years way back even before Kill Bill. I'm obviously super excited for him but the casting rumors are even better - Brad Pitt & Leonardo DiCaprio. I mean the guy is really trying to get the biggest actors he can. I'd just love to see Pitt in a QT film. That would be totally awesome. I want to see where he fits in with his world. I did some digging after reading a review of the script that finally made its rounds to some production heads and found a copy of it. I refuse to read it though. It's super tempting and I have it saved but I want to be suprised. Still. I can't help but think who'd they play.

The new news that made me jump out of my seat and yell like a little girl was Steven Spielberg is teaming up with Diablo Cody (AGAIN). There's no word what the project is, but she's already penned a pilot for him The United States of Tara. Diablo's my girl so I'm just excited for her. I can't wait to see what they two dreamed up together.

I was a bit worried when I found out that my favorite comedy - The Office right now was getting a spinoff for next year. I love The Office. Steve Carrell is the best. Just when I thought the show was starting to go downhill just a bit, they brought the refreshing Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone) on who is a tremendous actress. I mean, does that girl have range or what? The finale was easily one of the best season finales I've ever seen and best episodes of the show. So, they're doing a "spinoff" which is suppose to not even be a spinoff but an extensions. Anyway, the very good Aziz Ansari signed on earlier this summer but now we have Amy Poehler - who never fails to bring a smile to my face. I can't wait. It's already funny!

Good news as well - I got Dark Knight midnight screening tickets. That should be super awesome. The theater already has 3 showings sold out and the 4th one is filling up fast. The paper did an article about how big this is going to be. It also doesn't hurt that the reviews so far as only called it nothing short of a masterpiece. I can't wait for Thursday! Of course, I won't get home until 3 and I gotta be up at 6 so I can be in Philly by 8:30. Then I work, but it will be well worth the lack of sleep!

How does it feel?

I feel like writing. Writing what I have no idea. I feel like I need to feel inspired all over again. I said I was going to spend my summer days working on what I need to say but what if I don't have anything to say or any stories to tell. I feel like I should be out making stories but I got nothing. I don't have any struggles currently. I don't have heartache. I don't have a hint of romance to dream about. I don't have violent thoughts. I don't have much of anything to wonder or ponder I feel like.

Mostly what I've been trying to do is watch films that may inspire or read a few books I can be in awe with. Even listening to a few songs that can bring tears to my eyes. But nope, nothing. Everytime I think I'm inspired by something, something else takes over. My focus isn't good enough right now.

It makes me wonder what's happening with me right now. I'm reading this book - Diary and they say to produce real art - you have to suffer. Well I feel like I've suffered in my day but anymore, I can't help but smile and laugh with free moments.

I need to feel passion. In a way, I want to save someone because I feel like then I'll only save myself from being too empty with no role in the world. I want to sing music. I want to write epics. I want to see beauty. I want to feel love at it's purest. I want to inhale sunlight and exhale darkness. If I'm not contributing, then what am I doing? Nothing.

I certainly don't want to be nothing.

What Goes Around Comes Around You Fake Bitch!

I just wanna say first of all - I'm a deep person. I watch a lot of brilliant films and admire so many filmmakers. I read more books than most people and I watch World News Tonight every night and read the New York Times. I just wanted to put that out there before I discuss the vanity and shallow-ness which is reality television.

I think most reality TV is crap. I think almost anyone can agree with that. With that said, I have a few vices. I can't blame people, because it's so easy to get sucked in. I mean, it might have started with the Real World years and years ago and it's evolved into more than 50 percent of what's on. When we had the writers strike a few months back, we had nothing but reality television in fact. I mean, we could murder the most intellectual filmmakers, artists and writers and television would never die because all you gotta do is put 5 goodlooking crazy people into a room together and we'll watch it.

I have to admit it now, I watched MTV's A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila. Originally I said there was no way I was going to watch it, but a few friends at college on a bored Tuesday night got me into it. Heroes, The Office and Lost weren't on so we ran out of things to do on weekday nights. It was better than getting piss drunk but somehow gave you that same empty feeling.

So, I'm not going to try to rehash the drama. Tila choose Kristy and Kristy rejected her because she was confused. It's hella good reality drama. A woman decides on national television she's in love with another woman, only to be dumped by her. The question at stake is: is it real or is it fake?

At this point, we know that everything is manipulated by producers, editors and even writers. MTV is the king of it. Come on, there's no way Laguna Beach or The Hills were real. The sophisticated camera angles and lighting proved that. Sure, these kids couldn't act for shit but they were "good looking" which is why we watch. So, at this point, you gotta wonder what else are we investing into that's real or fake.

Tila Tequila herself is probably one of the biggest phonies who's name everyone knows. She basicially became famous by being attractive and getting myspace fans. She's considered the first "Internet" celebrity in fact. She's obviously begging for stardom getting her own reality series. The irony in all of this was today on Tila's official myspace page, she changed her name for a short time to "Tila Tequila: Kristy used me for reality tv" Uh, maybe someone needs to catch me up, but isn't Tila using the entire world for her own reality series? In the next week's previews of the reunion Tila calls Kristy a "fake bitch" and all Kristy has to say in return is "What goes around comes around."

So what does it matter? It's all nonsense anyway. Certainly it feels all too convenient for MTV and Tila and the irony of the world - but that's what makes great tv. I was a fan of Kristy and while I do think her confusion came suddenly, it's an understandable feeling for someone right about to take it all on. Tila's reaction of course is heartbreak but if you truly love someone shouldn't you be more caring/forgiving about something rather than be bitter? If love is real couldn't you work at it? Not when there's another few hundred thousand possible for Tila Tequila.

Basicially we love drama. It makes no difference. At first I would have felt bad for Tila because her face seemed as surprised as ours but calling someone a fake bitch when your record isn't spotless seems hypocritial. Yeah it sucks, but get over it. You can't force someone to love you like you seem to like to trick people into doing. Eating pig vagina just isn't going to prove love to someone. The few genuine people on the show - Dani, Brittany & Kristy perhaps don't make memorable tv as Chad, Vanessa, HeygirlHey and Amanda Ireton aka Frankenstein's Monster.

To be honest, I've written entirely too much on the subject already. Reality tv and the "genuine" ness of people is a thin line anymore. I said to my friends today that I could honestly just make my own reality series nowadays with my friends - all playing the key parts you need to do. As far as Tila and her shot at love goes. Next time, maybe it should be a gun shot at love. Like Kristy said, "What goes around Comes Around".

I'm just surprised her giant alien head holding that ego can still fit on that midget body.

A little fight in you, I like that...

As of right now, I'm totally obsessed in my mind with Wall-E. I mean, I'm reading as many reviews as I can, as many comments, hearing great opinions and having fantastic conversations. I can't wait until more people I know have seen it, so I can talk about it with them.

One thing is that I heard many comparisons to Modern Times. I've never seen Modern Times (a crime in itself I know) but I certainly get a bit of City Lights affect (my favorite Chaplin to date). I love the 2001 references. I live for them in fact. There are so many great moments in the film, I don't even know where to start. I definitely feel like I will need to see it again until I can officially compose my thoughts and write a pristine review.

I think the thing that draws me most to the film is how gutsy it is. I mean, it's in a class of it's own as far as how many risks it was willing to take. Yes it's slow. Yes it's silent. Yes there is live action. Yes it's politically correct. Yes it's a nontraditional love story. It's all the above and more but the thing that gets me is that near heartbreaking ending. I mean, woah. Talk about great film making. We haven't seen anything like it since Spielberg's ET. My one thought and almost regret about the film is a wonder about what if it would've went with that devastating finale. Of course, it's Disney and its for kids, so they made it safe. I completely understand that and I can't even hold it against the brilliant film. It's genius all around. But for one second, I think what if Wall-E never would have recognized Eve ever again? What kind of an impact would that have made. I certainly don't think kids would completely understand, but I think about it from a cinematic perspective and I just think how crazy it would've been. Would Eve have just followed Wall-E around heartbroken? I would like to think that even if he hadn't recognized her, he would eventually would've shown a hint of remembering if not completely. Like just that little ounce of hope is all we would've needed it.

These thoughts are just a little bit of what if.

I read a review about The Dark Knight and Hellboy 2 which I'm really looking forward to. It was one of the best reviews I ever read and one thing I want to quote that really got to me. I think it counts for Wall-E as an animation film and what other studios like Disney's animation and Dreamworks could do about it:

"Bottom line: these are films that are built to last. When someone says to me, “It’s just a comic book movie,” these are the films that make that statement pointless. Nothing has to be “just” a comic book movie or “just” a video game movie or “just” a remake or “just” a sequel. Every single time you set out to make a film, you have a chance to say something, a chance to genuinely affect your viewer. You don’t have to aim for “good enough.” Ambition is important, but HANCOCK proves that’s not enough. It’s ambition plus inspiration plus creative chemistry plus a little bit of dumb fucking luck that all come together to make movies like these. But the only reason they accomplish anything is because Christopher Nolan and Guillermo Del Toro and all the remarkable madmen they collaborated with in bringing them to the screen... they all dared to drop the word “just” from their vocabulary. They aimed for art. They aimed for pure enduring cinema.

And, good god, we are richer for it."