Tuesday, June 12, 2007

3AM, Dating and Loneliness

I spend most of my time focusing on what I'm doing. Getting absorbed in activity. Some good things have been happening in my life. There are some nibbles from companies on my scripts and movie. I've been dating, which is (mostly) a good thing. I'm starting a job (in late June) that promises a nice steady paycheck and a little less responsibility. By the time I'm done I'll be ready and willing to get back into indie-land. And my divorce is finalized.

But this past couple of days, especially late at night, I've been refocusing on what I'm feeling and thinking. My birthday is coming up - that always brings it out in me. Two years ago on my 35th birthday I realized my life wasn't going where I wanted it to go, and I started making some changes - the ones that have led me here. Now that I'm two years into the project, I'm wondering what I've glossed over, or haven't taken care of, or am doing well at. The success I want still eludes me, but I feel like it's closer each day. And I'm blessed (if an atheist can be blessed) with love from friends, family, and fellow travelers in the film life.

MOVIES

This is the season of sequels. Hollywood Studios have tossed in the towel - they just want to manufacture more of the same crap. I happen to like crap sometimes - I loved "Casino Royale" and even got into "Mission Impossible 3." But this year seems kinda silly.

But whatever. The more I know about film history, the less important a summer like this seems - Hollywood and the film business in general has been going through waves of artistically conservative and liberal tendencies since it started. Even in the middle of all the sequels, some things stand out:

Bug. This genuinely creeply psychological thriller (it's not a horror movie) will get under your skin and stay there. William Friedkin shows that he's still got it, Ashley Judd is terrific and very sympathetic, and the rest of the cast is great.

Waitress. This is an honest, beautiful, funny and sad movie all at once. I don't want to say too much.

Knocked Up. Funny as hell. But also deeper - it's about growing up and taking responsibility for your life.

Day Watch. This is a sequel about Russian vampires (who also have other abilities) and are locked in a power struggle between the light ones and dark ones. Lest you think this is a retread of "Underworld" let me assure you that it's about a billion times smarter, more original, more fun, and more emotionally honest.

Oh, and go see Trees Lounge and Dead Like Me on DVD. Great stuff. More on them later.

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