Today I’d thought to take Dana to Point Reyes to watch whales migrating, but I decided to put that off two weeks when I saw a chart that indicated the migratory peak would be then.

With that postponed, Dana suggested that we go see the 1972 film “What’s Up, Doc?” as part of the Peter Bogdanovich retrospective going on at the Castro Theater. Friday night Dana saw “The Last Picture Show” and both Bogdanovich and Cybil Shepherd appeared on stage to talk about it.

So, we go to the theater, and take what are becoming our regular seats in the second to the last row—because those seats are on a riser and no matter who sits in front of you, you can always see the screen. Before the movie, Bogdanovich appears on stage and tells some stories about making it. Afterwards, the lights go down and they start running trailers of other Bogdanovich films.

And then, Mr., Director takes his seat—in the back row—directly behind us! Literally, he was in the seat right behind Dana. It’s funny to watch a movie and know the director is breathing down your neck. Fortunately, it’s a great, funny, charming movie, so there was plenty to laugh at. And, heck, it was funny to hear which parts the director himself laughed at.

If you’ve never seen the film, rent it. It’s a terrific homage to screwball comedies of the 30s, with sharp writing, spot-on acting (including the Hollywood debut of Madeline Kahn, who steals the show out from under Barbra Streisand’s...nose), and an amazing and hilarious chase scene that’s an homage old silent film comedies. Imagine big Harold Lloyd stunts done amongst San Francisco’s hills....you get the idea.

Oh, and it ends with Bugs Bunny. How can you go wrong?

Posted by molyneaux at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Monday, 10 March 2008 1:42 AM PST

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I don't get it.

A friend of mine just sent an email telling me that Dungeons and Dragon creator Gary Gygax has died.  He wrote:

"Guess he didn't make that savings<sic> roll.   Bummer."

I clicked on a link about him, and saw all these people saying how they were all choked up and how words failed them...

...all about a man who most of them never met.

It's like the whole Heath Ledger thing. I don't get that either.

What affects me? The loss of people I know...whom I've spent time with, whom are real people, not just a name in the paper, or roles played on screen.

It's sad for the people who knew them loved them. It's perhaps sad that we won't see more of their work. But why do I suspect that 99% of these people who profess being upset by such news will pass on the news to others via email and then go back to whatever they were doing, unaffected?

Maybe I'm just bugged that people make a big deal out of the suffering and passing of celebrities and not give a thought to other suffering all around them... Sad.

 

Posted by molyneaux at 2:09 PM PST

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When I helped make Secret Identity Crisis in Portland, OR last summer, I didn't have a chance to stay and see any of the screenings of our of the other films in the 48 Hour Film Project, especially to see how other people handled the Superhero genre we drew.

Well, stupid me, it never previously occured to me to look on the web to see if any of those filmmakers posted their work. Today I went "duh" and started searching YouTube. I found tons of 48HFP films listed, but was able to quickly narrow it down by searching for "48 Hour Film Project Portland 2007".

I then tried looking specifically for Superhero genre films. Only one from Portland was there (The Passing), but there were a total of 17 2007 Superhero shorts from various cities.

I watched them all (click here to see the full list).

If you're interested in checking out the films on YouTube, here's my ratings:

KnightFall *** (Houston) Interesting idea, but the execution was flat. The first of a lot of people sitting around and talking films.

Superheroes *** (L.A.) A married superhero couple sitting in bed and discussing how they've fallen out of the limelight.

Captain Buffalo ** (Buffalo) Son of a superhero, who inherited the jero identity, drives around in his Secret Identity and talks about not being a hero and about the city of Buffalo.  Blah.

Icarus ** (Minneapolis) I appreciate that these things are made fast, but for Pete's sake, don't use an unaltered iPod as some powerful mystery device. Any plastic box with a button glued on it would be better. Slow. Tedious. And for God's sake, stop crossing "the line" (a cinematographic rule).

Liberal Man: The Suitcase of Destiny **** (Denver) One of the two best ones. A cute idea about an ultra lefty superhero pitted against extreme right baddie "Neo-Connie". Bad supersuit.

Truth Be Told ** (Providence) A weak idea badly done. The villain is a plagiarist...well, someone who sells knock offs of Harry Potter. A few funny ideas, but otherwise flat.

SuperherOs *** (L.A.) A guy gets a superpower as a prize in a cereal box. It's an idea that deserved better execution than it got.

The Passing ** (Portland, OR, and ergo had to use the same elements we did.) Murky both visually and plot-wise. I almost didn't get what happened at the end because the way it was shot I wasn't quote sure what happened. I rewound it 30 seconds and then I got it.

Oak Pine Willows Superhero Rehabilitation Center ** (unknown city) A nice idea, but it's just people standing around, talking. And can't anyone make a halfway decent supersuit?

Clever Girl v2.0 * (St. Louis) I hated this one. It's clumsy, and there's this weird and pace-wrecking use of cominc book style cards. Someone discovered PhotoShop...

Farm Force! *** (Boston) This was made with a  bunch of school kids. It's dumb as a box of rocks, but at least it was cute and has a sense of humor.

SideKick *** (San Diego) A guy who's father dies by a spoon (don't ask) applies to be a superhero sidekick. The interview process is the best bit.

Simply Amazing **** (Asheville) The best one of this lot. The family of an aged superhero wants him to hang up the cape, but he doesn't know what else to do. Does he still have it? One good (probably rented) costume.

We Could Be Heroes *** (Boston) Villains attend a seminar to try to become heroes. A good idea, but the script lacks punch. Oh, at least we FINALLY see some costumes!

Fallout ** (San Jose) A super-deed goes whong and the superhero corporation has to do damage control. More people sitting around a desk.

The Visionary ** (St. Louis)  This one had promise, but it's just bogged down by weak performances.

Saving Angela * (Buffalo) Seriously, I get what they're trying to do, but the way it's done it just comes across as someone trying to make an art film without any idea of what they're doing. Maybe there's symbolism here I'm missing... I doubt it.

Ego aside, I think our film is better than practically every one of the ones I saw, in terms of tempo, story and overall production value. Wish I could see more!

Posted by molyneaux at 10:03 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 May 2009 10:32 PM PDT

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Dana's never seen Blade Runner.

Not in any incarnation.

I got the new remastered "Final Cut" of the film just before Christmas, but when I saw it was going to be playing at the Castro, I figured that was the place to introduced Dana to it.

So, we went tonight. And I *finally* remembered to use a present Sherri got for me year before, a pass good for two tickets and snacks at the Castro. I was afraid it was so old it had expired!  I always forgot it. Thanks, Sherri!

After a pre-movie cocktail, we headed for the line and found...a line. A lot of people had turned out.  Luckily, the seats Dana wanted weren't taken—at the back, on the riser which puts you high enough above the other seats that no person's big hair, hat or height is going to block your view.

The film got started and at first people cheered the obvious credits. Then some people cheeered less obvious credits. And then some wags decided to "woo hoo" minor credits. Ironically, no one cheered the Production Designer or the Cinematographer. Philistines...

I'm not going to do a full blown review the film here except to say I didn't like it much in it's original 1982 incarnation, and found myself becoming more enamored of it with the early 90s Director's Cut which wasn't. I like the Final Cut best, albeit it's only slightly different from the Director's Cut.

Dana liked the movie, but I can tell he didn't love it. And that's what I always expect. Blade Runner's a difficult movie. It rewards repeat viewings because you see stuff you didn't before. Didn't see that unicorn in Sebastian's apartment the first time. Tyrell's office and apartments are festooned with symbols of birds. Leon has a collection of photos, Deckard's piano's littered with them. It adds up the more you watch it.

I maintain that it's a film that works in spite of itself. It missteps all over the place. There are continuity errors galore, and things that just don't make sense, but what works is so strong that it manages to make the other issues seem trivial. It's also a smart movie...it doesn't explain everything. You're left to decide for yourself what various things mean. And this isn't necessarily sloppiness...it's just the filmmakers realized where explanation didn't matter and left it out, leaving it up to you to figure out why.

But it's got some of my favorite movie lines of all time, like: "All those moments will be lost. Like tears in rain."

And how can you top this capper? 

"It's too bad she won't live. But then again, who does?"

Posted by molyneaux at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Wednesday, 20 May 2009 1:25 AM PDT

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Every year I draw a custome birthday card for an old friend. This one took eight hours from start to finish...most of that time "painting" it on the computer. It beats Hallmark!

I'm rather anti-Valentines Day, as it's another marketing gimmick designed to make you spend money, so I'd prewarned Dana I'd treat it pretty much like another day. I told him he could be my Valentine earlier, but it wasn't going to be about the 14th.

I met him for lunch today, and while I don't "do" Valentines, I did have an Apple branded notebook for him, so I gave it to him. He, on the other hand, acted on the day, gave me a card, and asked me if I'd go with him to Vegas next week for a field trip to meet some of his friends. He even got me a plane ticket!  Awwww.

Someone got a Valentine's smooch, even though I don't observe it.

Posted by molyneaux at 12:01 AM PST

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Saturday

Wow, am I beat.

Sure, there's the little matter of getting to bed at 4 a.m. after the film shoot, but then, exhausted as I am, I have trouble sleeping. Partly it's because it's warm and Dana has the windows open, and the conveniently located but at 5:30 a.m. inconveniently loud MUNI trains are waking me up, and then his upstairs neighbor decides to do step aerobics at 6:45 a.m. Ugh.

We're both tired, but it's the most gorgeous day outside, so we're determined to get out in it. After walking his dog we head across the Golden Gate Bridge to get lunch and see the Point Bonita Lighthouse. Well, that's the idea, but then I start to worry that we'll miss getting to the lighthouse before it closes if we go to Mill Valley for lunch as planned. We decide to put off food, stem hunger with the leftover snack bars from last night's film shoot, and go right for the lighthouse.

Dana loves lighthouses, so taking him there is something I want to do with him. We stop and take a few pictures on the way over, then we reach the end of the road and walk a half mile down to the lighthouse. We see the Farallon Islands peeking through the fog on the horizon, like islands sitting on clouds. Ships and boats big and small and heading in and out of the Golden Gate, and great rolling waves are breaking on the rocks north of the lighthouse. It's picture perfect.

But, are we picture perfect? 

Afterwards, we make our to Mill Valley and, at last, find real food by way of an early dinner. I decide to take Dana to the Buckeye Roadhouse, a great old restaurant ("Duncan Heinz recommends"!) with really good food and cocktails. He has a wedge salad for an appetizer. I have a mojito. I order a very nice filet mignon, and he has the brisket—which I taste and think is amazing. I also get a side of mac and cheese and ham which is nothing like the Kraft variety. We finish everything except that mac and cheese, half of which is to go.

The evening is lazy. Ice cream. Dog walk. DVD. Soup. More DVD. 

We're out cold soon thereafter. Thankfully, we get to sleep in...no dawn aerobics from upstairs!

Sunday 

It's another gorgeous day today (Sunday), and we take advantage of it and seek out a restaurant where we can sit outside. We end up at a street side table at La Méditerraneé and get a brunch for two that's made up of a over half dozen little plates of scrumptiousness; little quiches; cheese and fruit, eggs, pastries with cheese, baklava, etc., accompanied by champagne. Now that's the right way to spend a Sunday!

Ahhhh.

 

Posted by molyneaux at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 May 2009 10:33 PM PDT

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Dana and I were scheduled to be extras two nights this week...Wednesday and Friday. Today we found out that the Wednesday shoot has been cancelled, but the Friday shoot of the candlelight march is still on.

Posted by molyneaux at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 May 2009 10:34 PM PDT

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Mood:  chatty

Dana and I are signed up to be extras for the film "Milk" this week, so today we hit the used clothing stores in the Haight so I could find some appropriately 70s duds. I found a brown corduroy jacket with big labels, an approriate shirt and some old school Converse tennies. I've got jeans that will work.

Afterwards, we wandered over to the Castro to see what the first big night of crowd shooting would be.We wandered over to watch them filming tonight. They were shooting a protest that started in the Castro, and then was led by Harvey Milk to City Hall. It was a BIG shoot, as there were something like 1,500 extras!

It was kind of thrilling, seeing all those people yelling and chanting for equal rights. It's been over 30 years, but we're still not there...something that kinda hits close to home the night before an election.  At the same time, it was like watching a live silent movie because in some takes they needed to get dialogue from the actors, so the crowd had to shut up. As they started "Background" the crowd would start chanting "GAY RIGHTS NOW!" to get in sync, and on the 4th repeat (just after "Action!") they all fell silent and just mouth it again and again. Weird.

Sean Penn looked totally different tonight, as this scene was set some years after the one we saw being shot last week, and he's now clean shaven and short haired.

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/milkmarch.jpg

In the photo linked there you can see Sean Penn in red with the megaphone. Dana and I were standing just off the left side of the picture's edge, against the wall. You only see a tiny portion of the crowd in this photo. The people filled up the intersection and down Castro Street past the Theater (see how pretty the sign is now!).

Stubbly...growing in the beard for a more 70s look. Note the 70s signage!

The set dressing is always kind of fun here. I noticed that they've pulled out the busstop shelters, and they cover the WALK/DON'T WALK lights with unlit artwork that looks like the older style signs. Best of all are the 1970's gas prices they put up on the corner!

The good old days of cheap gas and polluted air!

 

 

Posted by molyneaux at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 May 2009 10:35 PM PDT

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Tonight Dana and I stood in front of Eureka Federal Savings on the Castro Street and watched police brutality across the street. A dozen or so cops started pushing people around in front of the Toad Hall bar, and then things got out of control. Clubs came out, people burst out of bars and ran across the street to fight back. The air was filled with shouting and police whistles. Harvey Milk ran across the street and pulled someone out of the fray.

Right off, if you know this neighborhood, you'll realize that Eurkera Federal Savings and Toad Hall are long gone, and Harvey Milk's been dead for 29 years.

What gives?

Well, as the cops and queers slugged it out, there was a yell of "cut!" and four or five people ran into the fray, bringing it to a halt because the actors, extras and and stuntmen couldn't hear the "cut" over the din of yelling and police whistles.

There was applause, everyone pulled themselves together, and it happened again. And again.

The Gus Van Sant production of "Milk" has arrived in San Francisco. The film is a biopic about Harvey Milk, "the first openly gay man elected to any substantial political office in the history of the planet", according to Time magazine, and how he came to be a political figure, and how he was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone in 1978.

What I witnessed was the filming of a scene set in 1973 when the cops decide to harrass the gays who've been taking over the neighborhood, and it gets out of control.

Speaking of the neighborhood, the reason I saw the filming was because I'd been wandering around the Castro with Dana, checking out all the modifications that the production had been making in preparations for filming. The aforementioned Eureka Savings and Toad Hall bar are long gone, as are Havey Milk's Castro Camera, Double Rainbow ice cream, Aquarius Records. China Court... but they're all back for a fleeting moment, even just as signs and facades. Even the Castro Theater got a face lift couresty of the production and its sign and marquee are now boldly painted and all the neon is reactivated. What with the period cars, period costumes, period trash cans and pay phones...if you stand and look in the right direction it's like a time warp has popped you back 30 years.  Trippy! 

Stuntman and actor confer. Note vintage cars and vintage cops across the street.

As someone who loves film, it's a treat to see how the location is dressed to transform it. In some cases, signs have been repainted, in others, covers have been made to disguise modern entrances. One business has its windows covered in what looks like green contact paper and yellow tape to simulate paint, which will look fine on camera but looks cheap as heck in person! Given how much graphic tape I've used in one of my short film projects, I get a laugh seeing it used in the same way in a Hollywood production.

During the filming we saw several members of the film's cast, including Sean Penn (who plays Milk) and Lucas Grabeel.

Lucas Grabeel in red, and that's Sean Penn with the ponytail and his back to the camera...really!

Dana and I have signed up to be extras on two different production days starting next week. I'm letting my beard and moustache come back in, and stopped shaving my head so that I won't look anachronistic. Now I just have to find some suitably 70s looking clothes...

Posted by molyneaux at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 May 2009 10:36 PM PDT

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A busy and long Saturday. Ran around and had brunch with Jim, then went to stage one of Matt's Bithday March to the Sea and Tommy's (along with Jim and Becky). Jim departs and Becky and I move to stage two of the march at the Buckshot bar where we play too much shuffleboard. Becky later drops me at Dana's, and he and I cab it to La Trappe for stage three. The plan from there is to cab it to or catch a ride to the Clay Theater for a midnight Rocky Horror screening, but by the time we're done at La Trappe it's clear that Matt, his wife, nor his guest are in any shape to drive, so I take the keys and drive them home, collecting my car on the way. I am thanked profusely by Matt and crew, and they stagger into his house, no doubt to drink more.

Dana and I head to the Clay, and after standing in the rain for too long we get situated, and Dana starts worrying that he's forgotten a window open, and further worries that the rain will ruin his hardwood floors, so he grabs and cab and hurries off to check. Mind you, we came to Rocky Horror because he's never seen it with an audience doing the things that a Rocky audience do, and at first I'm afriad he's going to come in so late he'll miss too much of the experience. However, the cast that performs with the film do an intro that is so long that by the time the film starts, Dana is back.

After throwing toilet paper, blowing noisemakers, waving lights, tossing playing cards, and dancing the Time Warp, the theater's a disaster and we're bushed. We get back to his place, get the dog walked, and crawl in bed. Oh, and Dana wants to see Secret Identity Crisis and the Behind the Scenes bit.

It's 4 a.m. by the time we get to sleep. Zzzzzz

Sunday's more leisurely... thank goodness!

Posted by molyneaux at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 May 2009 10:36 PM PDT

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