Thursday, April 30, 2009

Top Ten - The Fives

I'm staring down the barrel of a 4 day weekend! Gotta love teaching!! I get the usual two days off plus Monday for Labor Day and Tuesday is our 18 week scan including a 3D picture of my little bambino. We're also having a 15 month old girl staying with us (including parents) so that will definately go some way to preparing us for what is ahead. But for now we'll have to settle for the top 5!

Top Ten - The Fives

Movies

Good Will Hunting – Gotta Go See About a girl

This is the script I wish I had written. There’s very little I question about this movie. At one point this my #1 on my list but fortunately I’m a much happier person.

Although Ben and Matt probably peaked at the start they have both continued to have quality careers.

This movie is built around an amazing script and layered with an eminent cast and director. And sprinkled with quotes and one-liners like double burger and step forth silent rogue and receive thy prize, not to mention a couple of stirring monologues.

Songs

Angel Jack Johnson

I've got an angel
She doesn't wear any wings
She wears a heart that can melt my own
She wears a smile that can make me wanna sing
She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything I could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home
She could make angels
I've seen it with my own eyes
You gotta be careful when you've got good love
Cause the angels will just keep on multiplying
But you're so busy changing the world
Just one smile and you can change all of mine
We share the same soul Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
We Share the same soul Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh

We Share the same soul Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh
Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh Umm umm umm uhhhhhhmm

Obviously at this minute I’m very aware of my place in world and what is important to me. This is why this song is in my #5. I knew I would have a Jack Johnson song and there were a few options, Banana Pancakes, Better Together but this earned the right to be here! Just a lovely song to listen to alone and close my eyes. Soft maybe, but I don’t care!

T.V. Series

Arrested development - Never Nude

I know I said the true test of a great series was longevity but 3 seasons of this is better than 50 seasons of Will and Grace. There are heaps of textured characters and tasty scenarios. Between Tobias and all his foibles and George the Magician I can’t pick my favourites. Although I’m looking forward to the movie it’s only if they do it right, otherwise leave it to be the cult it already is! Every episode is tighter than an Eli Manning spiral. Blueman! haha

Books

I am LegendRichard Mathieson

I grew up as a Lindsay boy and that meant a few things. One of them is an eerily similar taste in movies. Omega Man was one of them. Charlton Heston rocked the shit in it, he even was the first to hook up in an interracial ‘love’ scene on celluloid. Then I found out about 15-20 years ago it was based on a novel. I tracked the novel down and this is it!

I bought it, read it and loved it. I dug the atmosphere and loved the shit out of the ending. It was one of the few times when I read the last line and went ‘oh’. It really made me think!! And NO it did not have the syrupy, Hollywood ending of the Will Smith 3star ending. I am Legend means much more in the book as it should. I have a feeling my venerated brother will write a tome one day that has the same reaction. At least I hope so!



Well I hope that didn't disappoint!

Until then I AM going to see about my girl!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

The Carport's up baby!










I have finally done it!!! With some help obviously!! I've laid a slab and now erected the carport. Here are some pics (proof) of my achievement! On a side note Annaliese is 17 weeks pregnant tomorrow, hurray to me!! oh and her!








Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Top Ten - The Sixes

It's been two weeks and this count down isn't getting any easier! However in the last two weeks I've finished the first term for the year, seen my mum for her 60th brithday and travelled to Melbourne with my pregnant wife to see my beloved Kangaroos lose to the Hawks at Etihad Stadium and caught with up my only/best mate from down south Leroy. Okay okay no more delay here are the sixes!!

Top Ten - The Sixes

Movies

Lantana

As someone who has officially called script writing a hobby, this is a script I would have loved to write. It’s a great character study about normal people with normal problems. Cheatings on our partners, being cheated on by our partners, making mistakes and even just to be tempted by mistakes. The casting is sublime, even Glenn Robbins manages to fit in. Vince Colomoso is MY stand out as the every day husband/father who becomes a suspect to murder. If there is any hope for the Aussie Film industry this is it!

Songs

Glory DaysBruce Springsteen

Well there's a girl that lives up the block
back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
and have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times,
she says when she feels like crying
she starts laughing thinking about

I have always been a huge fan of this song and as every year passes and I get older and more nostalgic it becomes more pertinent. It has a kick ass beat and lyrics that I have learnt mostly over the years. I have very fond memories of playing this in the lounge room with my dad and brothers really enjoying the moment man!

T.V Series

My wife and kids

5 seasons of solid funny! Damon Wayans is great as the father Michael Kyle and he is supported by an able cast. However this show like ‘Earl’ wouldn’t be the same without the lead creative, Damon. While it was airing I wouldn’t miss an episode and WILL buy the seasons when it’s for sale. I won’t go on too much but suffice to say this ickled my funny bone.

Books

The Wanderers – Richard Price

Yes sure this is one of the few occasions where I saw the movie first but both are fantastic and as far as books go there are only 5 others I rate higher than this one! One thing that I particularly liked about this book was that it wasn’t a novalisation of the movie. There are sub plots not touched on in the movie that are very interesting including a very nasty scene about pre tweens pushing a kid off a roof and Eugene the conquerer nailing a deaf girl that my younger bro and I found very funny.

In other news I am still waiting to hear back from a producer in Brisbane.

I finished reading a novel written by my younger bro Ryan and I loved it. Sure we have the same humour but I truely believe this is a publishable manuscript and would be so happy for him if he lives the dream and makes it a reality.

I have had a breakthrough on my feature length script, it's still a little tighter!

My amazing wife is 16 weeks and 4 days pregnant.

I am also close to completing the carport, finally.

Until then my boys can swim!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Top Ten - The Sevens

Sorting out the sevens from sixes and fives is hard. Yes I will change my mind as time goes by but these are my picks for the Sevens at the moment!

Top Ten - The Sevens

Movies

Fight Club - How much can you know about yourself if you've never been in a fight?

To be honest I wasn’t sure about this movie when I first saw it. Didn’t get it at all. Then the second time I thought it was very good and now it's my lucky SEVEN and the rest is history. Two of the best actors of their generation at the top of their game, directed by one of the best directors in anyones generation at the top of his game was always going to be good. This has it all, stylish, clever and ballsy. It also spurned one of the world’s most powerful publishing houses, see Stinkbrown.

Songs

QuestionRhett Miller

Someday somebody's gonna ask you
A question that you should say yes to
Once in your life
Maybe tonight
I've got a question for you
She'd had no idea
Started to cry
She said in a good way
He took her by the hand
Walked her back home
They took the long way

This is on the Scrubs Season 2 soundtrack. I fell for this track straight away. The melody is sweet and message sweeter. As a happily married man with a baby on the way this is just the song for me at the moment.

T.V. Series

My Name is Earl - Hey crab man!!

Jason Lee, Jason Lee and Jason Lee. Anyone who has known me for the last 10 years knows Jason has been my favourite actor. I’m aware he doesn’t chew up the scenery in a Brad Pitt way but he does command attention. This show was always going to be on my radar and it hasn’t disappointed. Add Ethan Suplee and a well cast ensemble and this show is guaranteed laughs in my book. Another stable for a good T.V Series is the cameos and this show does not disappoint.

Books

Dr NoIan Fleming

I’ve read most of the Bonds and while they are all quality this is by far the best. First of all the baddie Dr. No is original and unique. Very much like the 1st Bond movie. However the kicker (spoiler alert!!!) is that Bond does him in by using Guano. Yep, a huge steaming pile of crap!!! But not before Bond is put through the toughest obstacle course committed to paper. If you read, action, adventure or thriller makes this the Bond for you!!


That's it for the Sevens, next up six (sux for my Kiwi fans). In other news:

I have managed to get a couple of producers to read Ryan and my script Soap. Fingers crossed.

I'm editing Wet Sand my feature length script and hoping to chisel out something resembling a shootable movie. Hallmark movie channel here I come!

I've left the best til last!!! My beautiful wife is 14 and a 1/2 weeks pregnant and I'll take a healthy baby over any of the above!!!

Keep an eye out for the Sixes!!!!

Until then don't drop the soap!