The Spotlight Nebraska Film Festival is coming!

They had a little press conference this week. Here's the blurb from KNEB:

Gering Native & Spouse To Premiere First Production At Midwest Film Festival
A Gering native and her husband will premiere their first production during the Midwest Theatre's 2006 Film Festival October 12th through the 14th. Steve and Andrea Mudd, formerly Andrea Myers, will be showing the political suspense film "Seclusion," filmed near Breckenridge, Colorado last summer.

The film is the story of a Congressman who has an affair with his beautiful advisor while renting a secluded cabin to work on a political speech, and what ensues when she disappears the next morning as the Congressman's wife and the assistant's husband arrive. Film Festival spokesperson Willa Kosman says she's excited about having the Mudd's first production premiere Saturday evening.

The Mudd's workshop Saturday, titled "Filmmaking on a Dime," will track the successes and tribulations of their film-making experience. The festival will also include workshops and presentations by special effects producer Helen Ostenberg Elswit, whose grandfather built the theatre, respected screenwriter Lew Hunter, and award winning photographer Joel Sartore. Premiere passes are being sold for $125 apiece. Individual event tickets will be sold at $5 apiece starting September 15th.

That's Festival Director Willa Cosman in the photo! Rock on, Willa.

Visit the festival website: Spotlight Nebraska Film Festival

Hmmmm.....

So, if you've been paying attention, you'll know I've become yet
another, late adopting myspace geek. And not I can't even remember
my stupid blogger password so I have to email this one in...

www.myspace.com/seclusionthemovie

This handsome man is Mr. Haylar Garcia. He is the editor of Seclusion. You can visit one of his websites at www.taoengine.com. You could try and visit his myspace page, but you won't really find him there too often. With the exception of my lovely wife Andrea, Haylar has taken more abuse working on the film Seclusion than anyone else. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

My latest slap in Haylar's face was excluding a mention of him on the DVD commentary of Seclusion. I was unscripted and flying by the seat of my pants when I did the commentary. For those of you so lucky as to listen to the DVD commentary on Seclusion, you'll hear me mention many things. Mostly raccoons. And Bartek. You should have heard me mention Haylar. Of everyone on the cast and crew, I would vote Haylar "Most Likely to Succeed." His talent and energy know no bounds. He has a little documentary coming out: Do it for Johnny. It's a love story about Johnny Depp. And guitars. And guns. When you have the opportunity to see it, do.

Thank you, Haylar, for making Seclusion what it is.

Watch the season finale of 24 and watch HUFF!

In Monday's season finale of 24, Christopher Stapleton, star of the feature film Seclusion, will be appearing as Secret Service Agent Clark. From my understanding he will appear in the climax of the show.

And while you're at it, set your Tivo and watch HUFF on Showtime on Sunday, June 4th 10pm Pacific, 9pm Central. Missy Crider, also the star of the feature film Seclusion, will be appearing in an episode called "Tapping the Squid." Previously, she appeared in an episode called "A Cornfield Grows in LA." Catch it in reruns if you can...

Rock on...

Special thanks and apologies to Pat Angello. Mr. Angello is not only the only regular reader of Threat Watch who comments on it, he may be the only reader. He also was kind enough to let my son and I use his Avalanche tickets today as the Avs crushed the Calgary Flames. I must apologize, however, as he is a Cherry Creek High School alumnus and, well, if you read my last post, you know how I feel about that dark time in Patrick's life.

I can talk smack because the Mullen Mustangs handily defeated Cherry Creek to win the 5A state title. That same evening, my Wyoming Cowboys fought hard, but ultimately failed against the heavily-favored and NCAA-bound SDSU Aztecs.

In other good news, I have apparently been named to the unofficial Top Ten Hottest Dads list at Wilder Elementary. Sweeeeeeeet! All my campaigning finally paid off!

Hoops baby

The madness has begun.  For those of you keeping score at home, the Mullen High School Girl’s Basketball Team will be playing for the Colorado State 4A Championship Game tonight.  I’ll be there.

 

Last night, I had the pleasure of watching the Mullen High School Boy’s Basketball team frustrate the Smoky Hill High School team and earn a berth in the 5A Championship Game on Saturday.  This game has a special meaning to me as the Mullen team has three kids on it that I coached a few years back when they were in Junior High at St. Mary’s of Littleton.  The best part of it is that we weren’t even considered the best team at St. Mary’s.  All of the “good” players were on another team.  These guys stuck with it and are now playing with the best in the state.  That rocks.  Mullen also has 6’ 11’’ Providence-bound giant Ray Hall on their team who just dominates the floor.  Even with a rough night offensively and with rebounds, Ray owned the floor dictating where Smoky Hill could and could not shoot.

 

The best part about the championship for the Mullen boys is their opponent:  Cherry Creek.  I have this deep, irrational, hatred for Cherry Creek.  We have friends who probably going to end up sending their kids to Creek.  I hate that.  There is no other entity in the world that arouses such uncharacteristic emotions in me.  Dam the Creek.  Go Mustangs!

 

And to top off the basketball revelry, the Wyoming Cowboys who have been absolutely abysmal this season (13-17 overall, 5-11 in the MWC) upset the Air Force Falcons (24-6, 12-4) to move on to the next round of the MWC tournament on Saturday against Utah.  Go Pokes!  Go March!

Like any good filmphile, I watched and thoroughly enjoyed the Oscars. I love all of the pundits who take so much time to criticize the telecast. What's the freakin' point? I mean, if the Oscars were solely for entertainment value, they'd do a much different show. For one thing, they would get rid of all of those pesky awards. They tend to get in the way of watching the mimes wander around the stage. Who cares if Jon Stewart is or isn't as good as Billy Crystal? I'm not tuning in because of the host. I'm tuning in because of the films. I want to enjoy a celebration of the craft of flim making. Some other random thoughts:

I enjoyed Crash, but didn't feel it was the best pic of the year. I read Ebert's comments and he persuaded me a bit, but I'm still not convinced it was the best pic. By the same token, I'm definitely convinced Brokeback was not the best pic (see previous blogs).

Go Wyoming! If you didn't notice (and you probably didn't because you were taking a leak during this particular commercial break), Wyoming ran a tourism ad during the telecast. Go Wyoming! That is so cool. That is emblematic of Wyoming thinking. Everybody is going to be talking about Brokeback and how beautiful it us. Let's buy advertising to increase tourism. Perhaps this whole Crash/Brokeback controversy is really being stirred by some think tank in Cheyenne...

Twelve. I saw twelve of the feature films nominated for Oscars. I'm proud of that. I think it's the most I've ever seen. I even saw two of the documentary features. Cinderella Man came via Netflix a couple of weeks ago, but I'm still not interested in popping it in. Damn Russell Crowe and his mumbling.

I just saw Capote. Holy cow. I had been pulling for Joaquin, but Hoffman was amazing. Such a prick of a character. So self-centered. Amazing, amazing work. I really enjoyed the film too. It was just what I needed right now. Strangely, I came out with a feeling of... almost love - but more like humanitarianism. Capote was so human. So real. So utterly incapable of dealing with the dark side of the world in a way that resembled what we consider moral turpitude. So much like so many of us.

Pizza Hut at Kipling and Bowles

Just a quick little rant.  We went to eat at the Pizza Hut at Kipling and Bowles and had one of the absolute worst customer experiences we've had in recent memory.  Naturally, I wanted to share it with everyone who might have occasion to go to this particular Pizza Hut.

 

We get there and stand by the "Please wait to be seated sign."  We don't see anyone for a moment or two.  No big deal.  Then across the restaurant - which is not busy - we see a blonde Pizza Hut guy.  He looks over, sees us, then disappears into the kitchen.  OK, fine.  Then a dark-haired Pizza Hut guy come out carrying two pizzas out to the dining area.  We are in his way.  Instead of "Excuse me" or "Hi, excuse me, I'll be right with you" we get "Coming through."  Our kids scramble to get out of his way, but he basically just barrels through carrying these piping hot pans over the heads of my children.  OK, fine, whatever.  I overhear him say to the table, "Sorry about the wait."  Not a good sign, but we're not in a hurry.  He proceeds to walk past us again without acknowledging us.  He grabs something else from the kitchen to take back to the table.  Walks by us again without acknowledging our presence.  Then we see blonde guy again.  He walks out and takes a step toward us looking right at us.  Progress!  But no.  He stops the dark haired guy.  "Hey, you need to take this table."  And he points at us.  The dark-haired guy mumbles something.  Goes back toward the kitchen.  The blonde guy disappears.  One final time the dark-haired guy comes out of the kitchen.  And ignores us again.  So we left.

 

I love minimum wage people who don't know their place in the world.  I expect somebody owns that Pizza Hut.  And I expect that these guys were lucky to get a job there.  Bad mistake.  We eat a lot of pizza.  If I ever see Pizza Hut on some kid's resume that I have occasion to hire, I will think twice.

I don’t know what I’m more surprised by.  The fact the Walk the Line didn’t get nominated for Best Picture or that only 7 of the 12 Enron jurors have college educations.  Skilling and Lay are screwed.

 

Here’s my first pass at Oscar pic picks.  Technical categories excluded.  And other categories I don’t really care about.

 

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE:  Joaquin Phoenix will upset Hoffman.  This is Philip’s first nomination and Joaquin did not win for Gladiator and should have.

 

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:  Clooney won’t win for director or writer, so he should win here.

 

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE:  Reese, no question.  We really don’t want a Desperate Housewife with a penis to win an Oscar.

 

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE:  At least one foreigner must win every year.  This year, it’s Rachel Weisz.

 

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR:  Wallace & Gromit, hands down.  These guys have never lost.

 

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING:  Ang Lee.

 

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:  Murderball.  Everyone will be rooting for the Penguins, but the Academy rarely likes to pick the crowd favorite here.

 

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR:  Brokeback Mountain.  Yawn.

 

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:  Brokeback will win since they will get stiffed in the acting categories.   Although Capote could get the nod here also.

 

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:  Paul Haggis will get the nod for Crash.  In part, because he also won’t win for Director.

I figured out why Brokeback was boring to me.  I had lunch with Teddi Davis today and it dawned on me after talking to her that there was no character arc in the film.  The characters never change/grow/learn/decide anything.  It's over two hours of watching two men live their tangled lives which really aren't so tangled and never really untangle.  That's why they didn't win the SAG awards and that's why they won't win the Oscar.

 

If you haven't read Larry David's op ed piece on Brokeback, you must.  It's hilarious:  http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/02/opinion/eddavid.php

Saw Brokeback Mountain yesterday. I had an expectation that I would be blown away by the beauty of the film. Yada yada yada. I was bored by it. Beautifully acted, beautifully shot. Boring. Like watching two shepherds in a field. Wait...

Anyway, as someone who has spent some time in Wyoming, I feel compelled to defend the state. Brokeback paints a picture of Wyoming as a place where homosexuals are targeted for acts of hatred and violence. Is there some historic record of this I'm not aware of? I mean, other than Matthew Shepherd. (Coincidence with the last name?) I would submit that intolerance is greater in probably every other state. In Wyoming, they value privacy. Wyoming is a state of people who keep to themselves. The expectation is that everyone else should keep to themselves. Wyoming will tolerate anyone as long as they are quiet about what they do. Anyone who makes a spectacle of him or herself and thinks he or she is more important than anyone else is not going to fit in.

Wyoming was the first state to give women the vote. It was also the first state to hang a woman. In Wyoming, everyone is equal. There's a poster you can find up there with a little slogan. A young girl in the 1800s had a diary. In it, the final entry was supposedly: "God bless Wyoming, and keep her free." I can only surmise that the girl was eaten by a bear the next day...

Where are they now...

Here are some updates on what the cast of Seclusion is up to these days as they wait patiently for Seclusion to be released and increase their fame and fortune:

 

Christopher Stapleton is not only starring in a Spike TV pilot with Michael Madsen, he’s one of the writers.  In retrospect, Chris should have shaved his head for our movie and kicked the crap out of somebody…  To see a trailer, visit one of these:

High Bandwidth:  http://www.christopherstapleton.net/upload_user/DeadManTrailerHigh.mov

Medium Bandwidth:  http://www.christopherstapleton.net/upload_user/DeadManTrailerMedium.mov

Low Bandwidth:  http://www.christopherstapleton.net/upload_user/DeadManTrailerLow.mov

 

Jefferson Arca who starred as Mike Donahue (or Mike Richards depending on the draft of the script you read) is now the general manager of a bar.  Lannie’s Clocktower Caberet opens January 27 in the historic D&F Clocktower on the 16th Street Mall here in Denver.  From their website: “Lannie’s is home to Lannie Garrett, Colorado's most versatile chanteuse. This intimate nightclub showcases all of her diverse musical styles, from her swinging Big Band to her hilarious country-western spoof, ‘The Patsy DeCline Show.’”  When you go, tell Jefferson you know me and he’ll give you a free drink.  (You may have to give him $6 to remind him who I am).  Visit http://www.lannies.com for more info.  Oh, and Jefferson is still acting. 

 

The lovely Missy Crider has announced her engagement to Danny Kastner.  Fans of the Apprentice will know Danny as the guy with the guitar from season III.  Best wishes to the happy couple!

Disney loves Pixar

I am so happy that my kids are old enough now that we don't have to see every Disney film that comes out - whether in the theater or on DVD.  In our short tenure, we've had to sit through enough Disney crap.  Other than The Tigger Movie, the Pooh revivals have been disgraceful.  I actually fell asleep during the sequel to Peter Pan.  The straight to DVD stuff has been worse. 

 

The only bright light in animated entertainment has been Pixar.  Down the line, we've enjoyed every single Pixar film.  Now, there are excessive rumors that Pixar and Disney might merge.  Uggg.  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/01/20/BUGLAGQ6FP1.DTL&type=business

 

I hate to say it, but Disney is creatively bankrupt.  There is nothing left.  If Pixar merges with them I fear that they will suck all of their creativity into a morass of dumbed down poppycock.  Just say no, Mr. Jobs.  Please.  For the kids sake.  I understand the desire to get your sequels back.  Disney will probably ruin those.  Find another way.  Don't let your culture be assimilated.

New Year's Resolutions, I have decided, are pointless wastes of time. Not so much because they are quickly abandoned, but because so many people delude themselves into thinking that they are really going to make their life better in the new year. Get over yourself. Your life will not be any better this year just because you will it into being.

Your life will be better if, and only if, you make plans. Make a decision and make a plan. Do something with your life. And quit telling me what you're going to do. Just do it.

The ball has dropped. Another year is upon us. I hope to spend this new year as I spent this year. Taking chances. Spending time with people who take chances. Teaching my kids to take chances.

Find your brilliance.

I've been so overwhelmed this year by the overwhelming support and the generosity of so many of the people in my life. Words can hardly express what I feel. I hope I can return the karma that's been given to me. I hope I can continue the magic.