Current Tunes: Around the Horn on TV
I’m at the beach for a week and a half. We arrived without incident last night to our condo, which is very much like heaven, but with a refrigerator and three bedrooms. It’s insanely beautiful here. I can’t wait to go find a dirty, rundown dive to drink away my sorrows at in the next couple of days. Of course, just carrying down a bottle of rum to the beach and sitting in a chair drinking there, watching waves roll in is just as appealing.
I’m especially encouraged by our porch/balcony thing. There’s a comfy little desk outside with respectable chairs, and I intend on spending more than one day sitting at the desk, just relaxing and writing.
Most important goal while I’m here, however: Go the entire duration without receiving sunburn. ESPECIALLY on my shoulders or legs.
I’m undecided though as to whether or not I will post for the remainder of this week. The logic is to spend time writing things of a non-blog nature, and diverting creative power and time into the blog might be counterproductive. So, if this stays quiet for a while you’ll know why.
26 June 2009
24 June 2009
And I Want to Make a Career Being One of These People??
Current Tunes: There’s no music for my current mood but The Acacia Strain
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” took a chance on something, and at least for my money I think it was the right call. They blew the doors of the place, without any regard for who might be on the other side of them. Bay delivered, I’ll give him that. After seeing this movie, I completely understand why he wants a break from the “Transformers” franchise. From the looks of it, he probably very nearly killed himself in the process of making this movie.
It was a flawed picture, I will make no claims that say otherwise. But what the picture did right far outweighs its mistakes, and I think critics can’t or won’t concede to that fact. Yes, it is a fact. For that matter, find me a truly flawless film and I’ll give you 50 bucks.
Plenty of reviews have made mention of the hollow, uninspired acting and they’re right, the acting from the human characters wasn’t exactly up to par. But that’s perfectly ok, because something I imagine most critics don’t get about “Transformers” is that the story was never, ever, ever about human beings and isn’t supposed to be. Hell, if anything having human characters with any sort of character development at all is actually a negative quality, when you look at it in this light. One critic, Nell Minow, actually made the claim that “when the robots give a better performance than the humans, we have a problem.” I think she’s thinking a little backwards. Not only do I prefer this paradigm for “Transformers,” I think I would remind Mrs. Minow that a future where computers can out-act human beings may not be far off at all, When that world finally comes to fruition, and it will, this film might possibly be considered revolutionary.
But never mind that, I can understand why critics would be dismayed by that idea. What absolutely boggles my mind is how so many critics are referring to “RotF” as “boring” or “dull.” Are you serious? I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Hell, even knowing how long it was, I would have taken another half hour! This movie was pure, unashamed fun. What kind of bleak, humorless world do you live in where this movie is boring? Maybe most of you critics just need to grow a larger attention span. Not everyone wants to make movies about the mentally handicapped and World War II, for fuck’s sake. And perhaps more important economically, not everyone wants to see those kind of movies either. Crude humor abounded, no doubt, but a few bad apples don’t spoil the overall very funny script, anchored by the welcome return of Sam’s parents from the first film. I also don't accept the idea that the film had no plot. The film had enough of a plot to hold the action together, and that's absolutely all that was required. Even acknowledging the frivolity of the plot, it kept my attention rather well. I especially loved the early concept of the Autobots & Special Forces working together to hunt down Decepticons, kinda like "Ghostbusters" but with robots instead. I know, that is awesome!
But here’s the crown jewel for me… One of the most ridiculous insults that’s stemmed from the critics has been a slew of regressive, cliché statements about the film being nothing more than a mindless summer blockbuster popcorn-chewing explosion extravaganza. Which it was. Was it ever trying to be something else? NO!
But know what movie I’d also easily file under this inane description? “Star Trek.” I guarantee you, none of these half-wits could look me in the eye and give me a single good reason why “Star Trek” was a meaningful picture while “RotF” was filth and garbage, as most of them have referred to it as. What a ridiculous crock of nonsense. It’s a disgusting double-standard. What’s even more frustrating for me personally, I’m a huge fan of the “Star Trek” franchise, much more so than “Transformers.” But between the two, the film I was falling asleep during wasn’t “RotF,” it was the one that raped and pillaged a franchise that used to be all about showcasing and discussing important issues for the development and progress of mankind and instead boiled it down into a sanitized, cookie-cutter doppelganger interpretation of its former self.
“Transformers,” as much as I love it, didn’t have that kind of gravity behind it, I’m sorry. It was from the beginning nothing but a vehicle to rake in a little extra cash for Hasbro and help market an already popular, and dare I say, innovative, franchise. But that’s fine, Bay isn’t out to do some kind of high art. Film can be beauty, and it can be distraction. If “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” wasn’t a fun, adventure/action piece for you, well now I realize I’m not really mad at you critics, I just plain feel sorry for you that you’re so entrenched in your own sheep-like bleating mindset that you can’t appreciate a little home-grown American blow-em-up fest.
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” took a chance on something, and at least for my money I think it was the right call. They blew the doors of the place, without any regard for who might be on the other side of them. Bay delivered, I’ll give him that. After seeing this movie, I completely understand why he wants a break from the “Transformers” franchise. From the looks of it, he probably very nearly killed himself in the process of making this movie.
It was a flawed picture, I will make no claims that say otherwise. But what the picture did right far outweighs its mistakes, and I think critics can’t or won’t concede to that fact. Yes, it is a fact. For that matter, find me a truly flawless film and I’ll give you 50 bucks.
Plenty of reviews have made mention of the hollow, uninspired acting and they’re right, the acting from the human characters wasn’t exactly up to par. But that’s perfectly ok, because something I imagine most critics don’t get about “Transformers” is that the story was never, ever, ever about human beings and isn’t supposed to be. Hell, if anything having human characters with any sort of character development at all is actually a negative quality, when you look at it in this light. One critic, Nell Minow, actually made the claim that “when the robots give a better performance than the humans, we have a problem.” I think she’s thinking a little backwards. Not only do I prefer this paradigm for “Transformers,” I think I would remind Mrs. Minow that a future where computers can out-act human beings may not be far off at all, When that world finally comes to fruition, and it will, this film might possibly be considered revolutionary.
But never mind that, I can understand why critics would be dismayed by that idea. What absolutely boggles my mind is how so many critics are referring to “RotF” as “boring” or “dull.” Are you serious? I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Hell, even knowing how long it was, I would have taken another half hour! This movie was pure, unashamed fun. What kind of bleak, humorless world do you live in where this movie is boring? Maybe most of you critics just need to grow a larger attention span. Not everyone wants to make movies about the mentally handicapped and World War II, for fuck’s sake. And perhaps more important economically, not everyone wants to see those kind of movies either. Crude humor abounded, no doubt, but a few bad apples don’t spoil the overall very funny script, anchored by the welcome return of Sam’s parents from the first film. I also don't accept the idea that the film had no plot. The film had enough of a plot to hold the action together, and that's absolutely all that was required. Even acknowledging the frivolity of the plot, it kept my attention rather well. I especially loved the early concept of the Autobots & Special Forces working together to hunt down Decepticons, kinda like "Ghostbusters" but with robots instead. I know, that is awesome!
But here’s the crown jewel for me… One of the most ridiculous insults that’s stemmed from the critics has been a slew of regressive, cliché statements about the film being nothing more than a mindless summer blockbuster popcorn-chewing explosion extravaganza. Which it was. Was it ever trying to be something else? NO!
But know what movie I’d also easily file under this inane description? “Star Trek.” I guarantee you, none of these half-wits could look me in the eye and give me a single good reason why “Star Trek” was a meaningful picture while “RotF” was filth and garbage, as most of them have referred to it as. What a ridiculous crock of nonsense. It’s a disgusting double-standard. What’s even more frustrating for me personally, I’m a huge fan of the “Star Trek” franchise, much more so than “Transformers.” But between the two, the film I was falling asleep during wasn’t “RotF,” it was the one that raped and pillaged a franchise that used to be all about showcasing and discussing important issues for the development and progress of mankind and instead boiled it down into a sanitized, cookie-cutter doppelganger interpretation of its former self.
“Transformers,” as much as I love it, didn’t have that kind of gravity behind it, I’m sorry. It was from the beginning nothing but a vehicle to rake in a little extra cash for Hasbro and help market an already popular, and dare I say, innovative, franchise. But that’s fine, Bay isn’t out to do some kind of high art. Film can be beauty, and it can be distraction. If “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” wasn’t a fun, adventure/action piece for you, well now I realize I’m not really mad at you critics, I just plain feel sorry for you that you’re so entrenched in your own sheep-like bleating mindset that you can’t appreciate a little home-grown American blow-em-up fest.
23 June 2009
Filler Time
Current Tunes: Narrows – Newly Restored
I got off to such a great start this June and I’ve let it go pretty easily. I can’t find the energy to go work out, not the positive energy anyway. I’ll end up working out, but it won’t be with the enthusiasm I had weeks ago. Instead what’s driving me to do it is more like a desire to punish myself for being so weak-willed and thoughtless. But I’ve got to keep trying.
Classes started yesterday, and as a consequence later this evening I will go in search of textbooks. That’s a real bloody annoying chore, but obtaining the books from libraries instead of actually purchasing them is incredibly cost-effective. That’s a free tip for those of you still out there in college-land.
Then even later, “Transformers: RotF” tonight! Been anticipating this for a while, and it will be oh so nice to see a real summer blockbuster.
I want a job. I want a job right now. I’m willing to accept the idea that perhaps I can work and do school at the same time. So where do I find one? Keep in mind, I’m looking for a job as a writer, not a salesman or grocery-bagger or what have you. I don’t think economies like the one we’re in now are particularly hungry for new writing jobs, but I knew what I was getting into when I chose this profession. I will take my licks.
How much alcohol should I purchase to take with me to Florida? I'm thoroughly in love with the idea of sitting on a porch overlooking the beach and drinking whiskey with my laptop in hand, writing poetry.
I got off to such a great start this June and I’ve let it go pretty easily. I can’t find the energy to go work out, not the positive energy anyway. I’ll end up working out, but it won’t be with the enthusiasm I had weeks ago. Instead what’s driving me to do it is more like a desire to punish myself for being so weak-willed and thoughtless. But I’ve got to keep trying.
Classes started yesterday, and as a consequence later this evening I will go in search of textbooks. That’s a real bloody annoying chore, but obtaining the books from libraries instead of actually purchasing them is incredibly cost-effective. That’s a free tip for those of you still out there in college-land.
Then even later, “Transformers: RotF” tonight! Been anticipating this for a while, and it will be oh so nice to see a real summer blockbuster.
I want a job. I want a job right now. I’m willing to accept the idea that perhaps I can work and do school at the same time. So where do I find one? Keep in mind, I’m looking for a job as a writer, not a salesman or grocery-bagger or what have you. I don’t think economies like the one we’re in now are particularly hungry for new writing jobs, but I knew what I was getting into when I chose this profession. I will take my licks.
How much alcohol should I purchase to take with me to Florida? I'm thoroughly in love with the idea of sitting on a porch overlooking the beach and drinking whiskey with my laptop in hand, writing poetry.
21 June 2009
Period of Rest
Current Tunes: Darkest Hour - Convalescence
So this will be one of my more ironic posts that I can imagine, but nonetheless I’ll be grateful for it. I’m posting from the LAN party at a friend’s house out in Lawrenceville, and I hadn’t particularly planned on posting but the opportunity and inspiration arrived and I was more than willing to open the door.
I just watched this interesting, if flawed, episode of ”Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” The main plot revolved around one of the characters (Jake Sisko) being seduced/tempted by a mysterious woman who promised to help him stimulate his creative self and in turn allow him to generate brilliant writing material, all at the cost of his physical health (she was some sort of psionic succubus).
Anyway, the plot wasn’t the point, not precisely. It just dawned on me that I used to be inspired every day, even for the shortest moments that lead to writing something. That doesn’t seem to happen much these days. I can pinpoint several of the causes I think; stress, depression, discontentment, anxiety, restlessness. Unbelievable, otherworldly restlessness.
On another level, it has to do with the title, or concept of the episode, which was called “The Muse.” My usual pattern would be me saying something along these lines: “That’s what I need, a muse.” I won’t be that affirmative about it; but I do think it would be fascinating. I’d like to see what kind of writing I would churn out if I had this magnificent, strange woman to inspire my writing. I’d like to give it a shot, trouble is I don’t have any money or anything else of value to offer in exchange. It’s probably nothing but foolishness either way.
There are physical ways to overcome these things though. In the episode, there’s a quick exchange of dialogue where the succubus/muse woman creates a metaphor where she equates to writing ink on paper for a writer is exactly the same as a fine artist taking paint to canvas. That’s where the irony of this post I referred to earlier comes into play. I should be writing this on paper right now instead of typing it up, in spirit with this idea that I should get back to writing on paper again.
Those days when I wrote all the time, I was writing on paper then. I want to get back to that. Notebooks scribbled in and pages torn out here and there. I want a drawer full of them. They don’t even have to be meaningful writings. Just ink poured out on paper, released from its plastic case pen prison. This is a habit that I can fairly effortlessly adapt. The question will be if I have the memory and patience to make it persist.
So this will be one of my more ironic posts that I can imagine, but nonetheless I’ll be grateful for it. I’m posting from the LAN party at a friend’s house out in Lawrenceville, and I hadn’t particularly planned on posting but the opportunity and inspiration arrived and I was more than willing to open the door.
I just watched this interesting, if flawed, episode of ”Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” The main plot revolved around one of the characters (Jake Sisko) being seduced/tempted by a mysterious woman who promised to help him stimulate his creative self and in turn allow him to generate brilliant writing material, all at the cost of his physical health (she was some sort of psionic succubus).
Anyway, the plot wasn’t the point, not precisely. It just dawned on me that I used to be inspired every day, even for the shortest moments that lead to writing something. That doesn’t seem to happen much these days. I can pinpoint several of the causes I think; stress, depression, discontentment, anxiety, restlessness. Unbelievable, otherworldly restlessness.
On another level, it has to do with the title, or concept of the episode, which was called “The Muse.” My usual pattern would be me saying something along these lines: “That’s what I need, a muse.” I won’t be that affirmative about it; but I do think it would be fascinating. I’d like to see what kind of writing I would churn out if I had this magnificent, strange woman to inspire my writing. I’d like to give it a shot, trouble is I don’t have any money or anything else of value to offer in exchange. It’s probably nothing but foolishness either way.
There are physical ways to overcome these things though. In the episode, there’s a quick exchange of dialogue where the succubus/muse woman creates a metaphor where she equates to writing ink on paper for a writer is exactly the same as a fine artist taking paint to canvas. That’s where the irony of this post I referred to earlier comes into play. I should be writing this on paper right now instead of typing it up, in spirit with this idea that I should get back to writing on paper again.
Those days when I wrote all the time, I was writing on paper then. I want to get back to that. Notebooks scribbled in and pages torn out here and there. I want a drawer full of them. They don’t even have to be meaningful writings. Just ink poured out on paper, released from its plastic case pen prison. This is a habit that I can fairly effortlessly adapt. The question will be if I have the memory and patience to make it persist.
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