Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan. I want to be able to write something worth it’s wait as a tribute to a man’s work, that I feel and admire. But I found myself struggling to write something inspirational and poetic to go along with how I feel when I listen to this man’s music and I found it near impossible to tell you, someone who either has or hasn’t listened, no experienced the music of a man who is just as important to music as Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and wouldn’t be the same with out him. Out of all the people who I fallow in “art”, Bob Dylan is one of the few I’d shake his hand and just sit down, and have a cup of coffee with him and talk about nothing. There are a few of them, and he’s definitely on the list. So this post maybe short, but I’d advice to go to you-tube and look up some Dylan, or download his stuff, or by an album or I-tunes the hell out of him. Because like it or not, his work will stand in the light of music for decades to come. Here’s to Bobby D, and the millions of people you've inspired, can't wait till I actually have that cup of joe with ya'.

- A.

Superheros

I was going to write a rant about comic books, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I find to many things in common with the people who are working on comic books to say anything negative about any of them, they all deserve anyone’s respect. Because it’s not about fame (for some it is) and it’s not about fortune (for some it is) and it’s not about authorship or owning what you create (for some it is), it’s about writing about your childhood hero’s, the ones you dreamt about when you where 4 to 29. With out the superhero, there would be no American comics today, that’s a bold statement, but it’s true.

Comic books, when they picked up speed before the superhero came along, where crime, horror, romance, fantasy and science fiction, all pulp magazines, which are fantastic in they’re own right, but they didn’t have the bang to capture thousands upon thousands of children’s hearts and imaginations, Like Batman does or Superman, or even Spider-Man. With out the superhero, they’re would be no need for the anti-superhero comics like the titles released under Vertigo. With out the superhero there would be no indie comics, trying to make it on they’re own.

So some of us may dislike the 12 different Batman titles, but you know what, with out it, you wouldn’t be here reading comic books like Love and Rockets or Walking Dead or V for Vendetta or Any comic books currently, in America.

Japan, France and Italian comics, it’s hard to say whether or not the superhero had any influence or impact on the early comics that gave way for they’re “classics”. But there is an influence of the superhero over there now. And where do the superhero come from you might wonder? The Greek and Roman god mythos, or at least in part, is where they come from. There are whole studies on the superhero and comic books, which have been done for ages and ages.

So do I have anything against the superhero? No, would I much rather read something not about someone saving the earth or humanity from an alien named Brainiac, yes. So it comes down to personal opinion, much like film, art, music and heck, even religion goes, it’s all personal opinion. So do I care what comics you read? No, do I care that you read comics? Hell-yes I do. And am damn happy to hear it too.

(And I’ve read superhero comics, even owning some of my own. But thank the ___ for people who like to push the limits of even a alien in red and blue spandex. And I own a lot of Batman paraphernalia, including films and cartoons, so who am I to bitch about it. Ha!)

Dead Kennedys

The year is 1980, month is September, the band is the Dead Kennedys, the album is Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables. The outcome is : One of the greatest hardcore punk albums if not one of the greatest punk albums. It’s a half an hour plus trip of power that puts even some of the most brutal metal acts to shame. And to this day still holds it’s own weight with or against some of the current line of “punk”. And is one of my favorite albums. Now, what am I getting to? Nothing. I am boasting about a band that I feel is one of the better aspects to a genre as varied as the people who listen to it.

I’ve been into “punk” for some time now, it started with one of the more mainstream bands, the offspring back when Americana came out, and they’re most known song “Pretty Fly for a White Guy” became a novelty. I never looked much into punk until I started studying music more thoroughly. Which it is very safe to say with out “punk” there would be no Metallica or Slayer. But punk’s influence would continue past the 80’s thrash metal acts into current music.

It’s a powerful genre that now takes up 20 some odd present of music today, turn on the radio to almost any “rock” station minus the oldies and soft rock, but you’ll inevitably hear a “punk” song or a so called “punk” song by whom ever. It’s no surprise that like everything else in music, where ever you are, it is very drawn out. Punk once was something to be scared of and have caution around, now it’s cute to have your 5 year olds in would-be Mohawks and little artificial leather jackets with The Ramones or Sex Pistols logos covering the back of the jacket. You have to think to yourself “Does that kid really listen to songs like Pretty Vacant or Chain Saw”, and you know the question is no, and probably the same goes for dear mommy or daddy who fixes they’re kid up to look like Sid Vicious mated with Kate Moss and out popped a little punker.

Now I may sound bitter, but I’m not. Funny, don’t you think? Hmm. My rant has run dry for the moment. Oh well. I am thinking of writing another review sometime soon. Never know when though. Oh, another thing, I’ve been meaning to read Ghost World, hopefully soon, I’ll get my sticky fingers all over it. also, I had a meeting today with people about my up coming film, I’ve found a replacement for the member who left, I hope.

... May not be continued. Ha.

Blank Generation

Even Flow (4) - Nothing Specific.

I joined Twitter, I feel dirty for doing so. I like the idea of randomly posting nothing important on it. A bit of random nothingness seems to be quite entertaining. Even more so when someone might actually read it.

I was listening to Richard Hell and the Voidoids - Blank Generation. It’s a fantastic album, it’s characteristics have been adopted by many punk bands since it’s release. It was a great buy on my part. I think I should write another review of some random album again, giving me something to do would be awesome, so why not.

Currently, I am in the middle of casting changes for my film. It’s become a bit of a trouble, but I am sure I’ll have it pinned down in no time.

I killed a paper wasp today, it was inside the office, am I proud of killing one of these peaceful creatures ?$#^ yes I am. It can stay outside of my house, but once it enters, it’s thorax is grass.

I wrote a lot today, nothing too important.

Read a lot, was insulted by the idea of “Generation Y” and that I may be apart of it. Which I reject completely.

I was recently, at the I AM fest, which I was only there for about a 30 minutes, then walked to Reckless Records, which is a straight shot down the street from the congress theater. I love that place, just sad that it is about a hour or so away in perfect traffic from where I sit now. Oh Well, but I will be there again, eventually.

… I really have nothing interesting to talk about.

… Hmm.

Dyslexia.

Do you read comic books? I do, they’re a very important part to our culture, and what do people think when I say comic books, is usually Spider-Man, or Archie, or Maybe even the comic strips in the funnies section of your paper. And no, I don’t mean those, I mean real comic books. Like Sandman, Love and Rockets, 100 Bullets, Doom Patrol, V for Vandetta, The Dark Knight Returns, Concrete, The White Lama, Black Jack, Dawn, Queen & Country, Cerebus the Aardvark, or Strangers In Paradise.

I am talking about comic books, right now, because of one thing, If it wasn’t for comic books, I never would of learned how to read. Now given that I do have dyslexia and I didn’t learn how to read till I was about 12 to 13. Back then, I had always loved comic books, they where amazing source of art to stare at even if I couldn’t read the words. Back then, Image was still on top of the game, Marvel was loosing money, DC was floundering, and Oni and Dark Horse, where strong but still respectably tiny.

So when I had found the internet store for comics called “Next Planet Over”, I oozed with delight. And I don’t remember if I had picked the series or if my mom did, but regardless, I ended up with the series called Danger Girl. Danger Girl was a series created by J. Scott Campbell and Andy Hartnell, this series back then was a key stone to my love of not only looking at comics but reading them. And It just hit that I had to read them. I had to. So I made myself. It took a while I am sure, since I am working off of memory, I can’t really get down most of the details but it worked. I ended up reading them, all three of the collected books I had got.

And lets be honest, it was the women of “Danger Girl” who pulled me into reading it, I am not going to cop out and say “Oh, I was young, into bright colors and I had nothing else to read”, which is bull. They where hot, I liked hot women back then, still do, and it was 2 plus 2 equals 4 for me.

Moving on. After danger girl, I had gotten into other comic books back then, which now I look at and ask myself “why would you ever read (or try to read) such a thing like this”. And that’s true, I’d see something “cool” looking and I’d pick it up and try to read it. It was like brand new to me and I had to be all over the place. But back then, like many young male boys, I had to get the flashy, new comics, like Spawn or other Image titles. Back then, it was always about Image.

Now, that I had more comics, I read them, a lot. Or tried to, still being new to the whole reading thing, I am glad, that I picked the flashy ones, because they pulled my attention, even if I couldn’t read some of the words still. Around this time, I was getting into music also, Metallica’s Load and Reload played a big part in my life back then, and ^&*%^ you if you hate those albums, I love them.

But back to the dyslexia, I still suffer from it, or gain from it, depending on how you look at it... There are 101 different theories to why anyone person could have dyslexia. Dyslexia can almost cripple a kid who doesn’t have the support of his or her family or themselves. If my mother didn’t believe in me, I probably wouldn’t be where I am, if my father wasn’t who he is, I probably wouldn’t be where I am, if I wasn’t who I wanted to be, I wouldn’t be who I wanted to be. Having dyslexia didn’t cripple me, I never let it "cripple" me or inhibit me from learning or reading. And that’s a very important lesson I had to learn for myself.

And when you think about the people who’s had dyslexia before you, it’s kind of amazing, I won’t list every one, because not every one knows everyone who has dyslexia.

Edward James Olmos, Orlando Bloom, Erin Brockovich, Tom Cruise, Anthony Hopkins, Jay Leno, Ozzy Osbourne, Guy Richie, Billy Bob Thornton, Kiera Knightley, Sylvester Stallone, Joss Stone, Andy Warhol, John Lennon, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Albert Einstein, Robin Williams, Tomas Edison, Nelson Rockefeller. Leonardo Da Vinci.

That says a lot about people with Dyslexia and should put power to those who feel they won’t amount to anything because of Dyslexia. Even Nelson Rockefeller put it perfectly in a quote of his.

“I was one of the 'puzzle children' myself -- a dyslexic . . . And I still have a hard time reading today. Accept the fact that you have a problem. Refuse to feel sorry for yourself. You have a challenge; never quit!” - Nelson Rockefeller.

I don’t know about you but that says it all right there.

So, to conclude, I’ll say I now read novels of legendary stature like Naked Lunch and The Inferno and On the Road and that I’ve moved on to better comic books. Ha.

Please, visit these sites for further information about Dyslexia.

www.dyslexia.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyslexia

http://www.dyslexia.org/

And if you know someone who has Dyslexia, do yourself a favor, never, ever give up on them. Empower them with all that you have, it will be 100 times worth it, if not for you, but for them.

Thanks!

(PS, while writing this, I constantly miss spelled Dyslexia, about 66 times.)

Dylan Dog.

Even Flow (2). Dylan Dog, Rubert Everett, and Pearl Jam.

Currently, I am reading The Dylan Dog Case Files, which is quite an amazing comic book, I had never head of Dylan Dog till earlier this year, when I had got my hands on Cemetery Man, a cult classic horror film, which is one of my favorites, now I have to admit I am confused over who “Francesco Dellamorte” to Dylan Dog… Though I’ve read that he is a “Alter-Ego” to Dylan Dog, and as well as a completely different character all together in the universe of Dylan Dog.

Anyway, the film captured my ever steady need for “amazing horror films”, not just good or so-so, but good, classic, defining, the cream of the ooze so to speak. And Cemetery Man (Dellamorte Dellamore) was on the list and I came across it by mistake and I actually had to convince myself to buy it, along with that I had picked up Gozu, which also ended up being one of my favorite horror films as well as favorite films in general.

So Curious about Cemetery Man, I watched the special features (Making of and such) and found out that it was loosely based off of a comic book, this peaked my interest meter a bit and I looked it up, and I had found out that Dylan Dog is one of the biggest Italian comic books, with “More then one million copies per month printed” and huge critical and pubic reaction. So, no %*$@ I wanted to read it. But the problem came when trying to find it.

Much like everything in life that I crave for, I have to hunt it down like a wild animal, so I hit the usual websites and as usual, I came up dry - which didn’t surprise me. I had found out that most of the English Dylan Dog comics have been long out of print and are now collectors items. Which again, didn’t surprise me. So I put my “want” to find the comic aside and focused on other productive things, like not looking for it.

So a few days ago, randomly looking though various whatever, I had came across the Dark Horse website, a site I like to keep in my pocket, since they are one of the best comic publishers to date. And I come to find the words “The Dylan Dog Case Files” which instantly catches my eye and I come to find that they released an English volume with 600 pages plus worth of Dylan Dog, needless to say, I found it.

And now, it’s one of the best Euro comics I’ve read, and maybe one of the best comics I own period. But yes… Moving on…

Currently, I don’t know. That’s basically my mind state at the moment. A whole lot of “blah” within my brain.

Although exciting news, I had found out that Devil’s Due Publishing will be re-releasing Humanoid Comics, meaning that good out of print Euro comics will be back in the states and hopefully be re-releasing The Incal, among others! This makes me a happy panda.

And Pearl Jam’s new album will be released this year, so double whoot.

Hmm, I’ve lost any direction as to where I wanted to go with this… I guess that’s why it’s called “Lucid Flow” or now I should say Even Flow. I was told that no one would search LUCID FLOW and I am sure their right, so I changed it to the overly hyped single from Pearl Jam’s TEN, so I hope I am not hitting some… copy-right infringement thing. I didn’t mean to. I blame marketing. DAMN YOU MARKETING! Your such a cold and cruel lover!

… So how about them cubs. (rhetorical question.)

- A

Post Punk, Film, Problems.

I don’t know what to write about, being a “writer” in general has it’s good qualities and it’s horrible bits. Writers block is one of them, but there isn’t really anything stopping me from writing. So it’s not a block. And I can write a bunch of random things for various projects, just nothing for the Blog.

This is just a stream of lucid thought… basically, writing what comes to mind or finger tips in this case.

Currently, I am infatuated with post-punk music, I find it to be artistically gratifying. So far the bands on my radar are as fallowed…

Joy Division. Sonic Youth. The Cure. Bauhaus. Public Image LTD. Siouxsie and the Banshees. Fugazi. Husker Du. Killing Joke. Echo and the Bunnymen. Love and Rockets. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Swans. The Sisters of Mercy.

Interestingly enough, that some of these bands, like Bauhaus and the Cure, I have been involved with for quite some time (meaning I’ve owned albums for years, rather then months). And some bands like Siouxsie, Joy, Husker, and Echo - I responded poorly too. I felt that the music lacked anything I was looking for at the time I first heard them. And about … 9 months ago, I started looking into they’re work again and now I can’t get enough of it.

Only problem is, is that so few stores / resale-shops carry these bands, which causes problems for me, because I am a cheap bastard and usually buy used, or less then retail, but more used then anything else. Anyway, I am usually rarely unable to find 90% of the bands I listed above, which seriously bothers me. But then again, who ever owns these albums must love them enough to not let them slip through they’re fingers, but still aches since I barely am able to get my hands on any of it, with out taking out a 9 loan on 5 houses I don’t own. (in other words, some of these albums coast a arm and a ^*%*($ leg. It’s %$(*% but what am I going to do about it.

Anyway, aside from my love for an amazing music genre…

Currently I am working on two small film projects, one is a short “horror” story and the other is a music video for practice. Both of which are going along smoothly. The short film already has a cast, hair and make-up. So hopefully I’ll be working on that in a psychical form soon.

Outside of that, I’ve been in and out of the gloom and doom mood, I am starting to feel like my emotions or rather my mind, can make up what it wants from me. I am really tried of this rollercoaster ride with how I feel. And I’d detail about those things but I am 5 steps away from turning into one of those “I am going to write in my blog and then send it to 56 people, to let them know how horrible I feel” people. Those people aggravate me.

Currently playing is Dead Souls, a 4:56 minute masterpiece of post-punk.

Oddly enough with Post-Punk, comes a familiar term “goth”. “Goth” is so… obscured that I am not even sure what it means aside from the historical meanings and the literary genres. It use to be a “trend” now made into a sort of “Movement” and even “Goth” has like 16 subgenres of “goth”.

When I was about 13, I use to think of myself as a “goth”, because I couldn’t or didn’t want to define myself as just “me”. I wanted to put myself into a suit that never fit me. I always had to label myself. Now I look back and think about how much of a dork I was… Still Am.

But yes, I feel obsolete and confused about various things, almost unsure about certain things, but none of it comes to me or my own self, which is reassuring but to what extent… that is a question for another day and an answer is far from being near me.

Anyway… I am not sure of what else to say, … aside from …. Sister Ray by Joy Division, is fantastic.

The Naked Truth is Out!

Naked Truth.

Well, I recently finished and uploaded the shoot of Jane and Charli to Deviant Art, the edits came out beautifully if you ask me. But then again, I spent a few weeks working on them.

But anyway, here is a sample of the shoot, and the link is preacher-man-x.deviantart.com/gallery

Go and check it out!

(Also, I will be uploading my 8th film online and soon to be starting on a new one to fallow it up with. Yay for me.)

- A.

Punk Film - A Open Ended Essay.

The two words Punk and Film are a sharp object when combined together. Reason being is that people try to define it by the way the a filmmaker approaches filmmaking and where that maybe true in some cases, I think it’s only part of the case. Some people could say that a Punk Film is about punks, which could also be taken as true and seen only as that. But it’s deeper then that.

First off - Punk means a lot of things to a lot of different people with different opinions, anywhere from you’re a-typical-punk-stereo-type to your “I don’t give a shit how I dress” punks to your local hot-topic-punks to your “I’m more punk then you” types to the elitist punks.

It’s a mess of people who have ideals and they’re not to be f--ked with and understandable so because who wants to untangle that mess of theories, possibilities, and life-styles.

Second off - who is anyone to say what is or isn’t punk, especially when it comes to film.

What I am getting at is that there is a feel to a film that makes it punk. Now I am sure your thinking “if it looks, sounds and acts like a punk, then it’s punk.” and that’s true. Now how do you know what a punk is? Is he the guy with a mow-hawk over in the corner with 55 piercings in his face with the leather and spikes? Or is it the guy in the polo shirt, blue jeans and the combed back hair and dirty sneakers? I’d go with the polo shirt kid simply because of the diversity of the music, yes, diversity.

Now with that being said there are a list of “Punk” films, from 1977’s Jubilee to 1999’s SLC punk. Now those films are with out a doubt “Punk” films, since A: probably made by people who love and respect punk music, and B: because the characters in them are “punks” and there is also music in the films that is also Punk.

But again, not what I am trying to get at. There are films that fit the “Punk Film” term due to feel, look, sound and so on.

My first example is Martin Scorsese’s 1976 masterpiece Taxi Driver. Now you may think - “how is that punk? Because he shaves his head?”. No, absolutely not why. Actually that couldn’t be further from the point I am working at. The film, the character of Travis Bickle and the whole feel to the film is not only very troubling and alienated but it also very punk. Watching Taxi Driver reminds me of Black Flag, a 1980’s american hardcore band, not the insect killer.

Now, anyone can get any vibe from any movie that want to get a vibe from. If I went into Taxi Driver looking for religious symbolism, I am sure I could find it.

Second example is Ridley Scott’s 1982 magnum opus Blade Runner. “How is that Punk, because Roy Batty is so rebellious?” Nope, Again because of the feel, the atmosphere and about a ton more reasons. Blade Runner is even apart of a film genre called Cyber Punk, much like the first Matrix film is and so is 1998’s PI by director Darren Aronofsky, which is also a Cyber Punk film.

Same could be said for 1979’s Alien, 1981’s Escape from New York, 1983’s Videodrome, 1987’s Robocop, 1989’s Tetsuo : The Iron Man, 1995’s The City of Lost Children, Hackers and Strange Days. All prime examples of “Punk” films but they’re “Cyber Punk” none the less.

But again, back the subject - Punk Film is a real thing outside of the “archetype” films which is widely known about - if you look you’ll find more that fit into the idea of “Punk”.

Hmm, I am surprised that this didn’t have a better ending. Just goes to show that I can’t write for s---t! Haha! 

Cameron Crowe, The Albums?

Albums you may ask, he does music too? No, well maybe, not sure. Be awesome if he did. But not what I am getting at. His films feel like albums, a bold statement - I know, but I don’t care. His films are important cinema, the kind of cinema that I can believe in. His films are beautiful, deep and touching, their reflections of times past and present, much like a good album, a classic album, an album you can put on a turntable and plug in some clunky headphones, hear the cracks and pops from the vinyl and listen to the album that you’ve listened to hounded times over. His films feel like a summers day afternoon where the wind blows through your hair and you feel that absolute feeling. It’s hard to describe but I am sure everyone knows that feeling. Or I could be wrong but I am getting off track here.

His films, any of them - from Say Anything to Elizabethtown, and probably his future films are like albums. I admire his filmmaking, he’s one of my favorite directors that I rarely talk about, out of all of his films I haven’t seen one that I didn’t love. I am use to talking about David Lynch, David Cronenberg, Terry Gilliam, Kevin Smith, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Stanley Kubrick, Hayao Miyazaki and Park Chan-Wook, but not Crowe and I think I understand why…

I was introduced to his film Jerry Maguire first, though at the time it didn’t sink in or touch me in any specific way at the time, I was relatively young when I had seen it. Around 2000 though, in October I went and saw Almost Famous for my birthday, this film became my favorite movie, I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it since, then I saw Vanilla Sky, then Say Anything, then Elizabethtown, then Singles, then Jerry Maguire again. But I rarely mentioned my admiration towards his films or his filmmaking, which I am regretting more and more. So now is my chance to make up for that. Though there is more then enough reason to talk about his work, simply because it’s amazing.

His films are normal, not in a bad way by any means. Their not strange, experimental, weird or distant. Their every day kind of films about normal every day people who you wish you knew and the ideas of the films aren’t to distant from reality, these things can actually happen. Something most films cannot even claim to have the ability to say, which isn’t bad at all.

His films deal from romance, to life trouble, to surrealism, to fame, to music, to life, to love, to family, to honesty, to his own life. He has a way with cinema that makes you feel like your at home, or in comfy jeans, or whatever your analogy is… Don’t miss out on this man’s talent. And I am sure I am one of many who boast about him, but I figured why not write one more, to add to the list of Crowe lovers.

Someday, whether it be now or 30 years from this very moment I am writing this, his films will be seen as classic films, like they see classic albums like Bob Dylan’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Or the Door’s Strange Days, or Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti.

His next project is unknown at the time, but has the promise of his touch to it. The fallowing project will be a retrospective look at Pearl Jam, which to me is like a nerdgasm. Favorite band = Favorite Director, makes for tasty mixture. I am very excited about it also, not very often you see Pearl Jam doing something like this, especially with how they handle their “Fame”. But understandably so, they have every right to do whatever they please. Anyway, I’ve lost track of what point I was trying to get across other then what I said about his films being more like albums. Well, oh well. Looks like I failed at being a writer. Tough cookies…. Hah.

From 1989’s Say Anything , 1992’s Singles, 1996’s Jerry Maguire, 2000’s Almost Famous, 2001’s Vanilla Sky, and 2005’s Elizabethtown, you should see them all if you can. You won’t regret it, or you will, or you’ll not care either way, all possibilities of course.

What the hell, take a chance and not watch TV shows… rent a soon to be classic like any of his films.

- Andrew.

Define a Cult Film.

Easy, a film - regardless of how it was released or when, or why, that has a strong fallowing for whatever reason. This includes films like Lord of the Rings, which is in essence a cult film, same as Star Wars, or maybe even Terminator. There is no limit to “a cult” film, because any film can have 9 million fans, or just 60 people.

I love them, I love the idea that a film as obscure as Begotten can gain a cult fallowing, even the highly controversial I Spit On your Grave (Day of the Woman), has a cult fallowing. Even television shows have cult followings, just look at the show Daria, a small animated spin-off to Beavis and Butthead, gained a large cult fallowing when it was aired, there are even petitions to get the series officially out on DVD rather then bootlegs. Same with shows like Family Guy, Serenity and Futurama, whom all had such a strong fan appeal to gain either the show back on air, or a film (s) released theatrically or even on DVD.

Now when you hear the word Cult, you might get scared and think to yourself “that’s something to stay away from!” but it really isn’t. Chances are, the films you love the most maybe a cult film, you can never tell how many people will flock to a certain film. So it’s nothing to fear, unless you go digging for cult films and pick up Pink Flamingos or Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which either film could put off some of the outsider film-fans who want to peak into the “seedy” world of cult films.

Some movies like Mystery Men or Billy Madison or even Cinderella (yes, the Disney film) are cult films. And it surprises me that people neglect to see it that way. I think maybe because of the stark contrast between a “mainstream” film and a “underground” film. Both are radically different from each other. And both have their fans but they both have their devotee’s.

So what is the point I am working to? None, it’s 12:21 AM, I am bored - Listening to the Flaming Lips and feeling like writing something I give a damn about. Right now and several minutes ago it is Stanley Kubrick and Cult Films. I think someone, whom ever reads this dribble will get a kick out of the fact that I am stating that any film in this world has the potential to become a cult film, however small or however big it actually is. If there are die-hard fans, then it is a cult film.

But to argue with myself for a moment, A Cult Film is a Cult Film, because it is not mainstream and is underground and is seen as a cult rather then a group or “Fanboys” or whatever you want to call them. Which I agree with also, so basically I just destroyed what I mentioned above. Go figure…

- Andrew.

A Note on Kubrick.

Stanley Kubrick is an Artist. Once a photographer, now a filmmaker, forever seen as a legend, a messiah, a true visionary. Stanley Kubrick… Born in 1928 on July 26th, Passed 1999 March 7th. Now I know there are millions of Kubrick fans, from you’re a typical film fan who indulges in film every so often, to your film-elitist - whom can not breathe without any Kubrick, to your would-be-filmmakers, to people like Steven Spielberg, who was ’friends’ with Kubrick. Every one knows the name and his art, much like everyone knows a painting of De Vinci. His name is household and on many, many peoples favorite lists. From a Clockwork Orange to The Shining, every one knows his name, From Lolita to 2001, every one knows his name, from Spartacus to Dr Strangelove, every knows his name. I was introduced to Kubrick ages ago when I had watched The Shining on a Free HBO day on cable. I never forgot the film, but at the time “STANLEY KUBRICK” never meant anything to me. It was a name, in a list of names who where in a film that I as a young one, was watching. Then some years later, I had heard of A Clockwork Orange, a film that had quite a bit of controversy around it, at this time I had been watching more and more Cult films like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Taxi Driver, Blade Runner, Fight Club, and it was only a natural progression to head into Kubrick land. I had rented it from Blockbuster, I watched it and was lost in it, I had no idea what was going on and it made me feel something only a few films had at that point. It made me feel hopeless and disgusted. I didn’t know what the think and I never went back to it. Eventually, a friend of mine was (and probably still is) obsessed with A Clockwork Orange, she admired the film for her reasons, she had read the book, she had watched the movie, she could quote the book or the film with her eyes closed and out of nowhere. Reluctantly I decided to give the film a second chance and on a whim, I bought it. Now why would I buy a film which disturbed me? I couldn’t tell you, maybe it was the need to show my friend “That, Hey! I’m cool too!” or maybe it was something more real, like I wanted to know why it bothered me. I watched it again, and again, and again, over time It grew on me, much like Taxi Driver did, and Blade Runner. I finally understood most of the film at this time (at the age of 16). Then eventually I would end up owning the book. But I needed more of that feeling, it was like an addiction and still is. I ended up watching the Shining again, and loved it, I ended up watching Full Metal Jacket and loved it, I ended up watching Eyes Wide Shut and loved it, Every movie this man put out was like gold to me at the time. He quickly became one of my favorite directors and had given me a lot of influence in filmmaking and photography which is something I now notice. Stanley Kubrick is an artist and I thank him for disturbing me enough to fall in love with his work. Where ever he is, I hope he is enjoying his solitude. And as for me, I am off to write something else that has nothing to do with anything important. And I don’t need to recommend or even boast about Kubrick, everyone else does and those people have better things to say. Again, thank you for reading.

- Andrew.

Miscellaneous News 002 - Naked Truth Update and other Bananas

Recently, on Monday of march 30th, I had worked with two models on a photoshoot, which turned out to be a very epic shoot by my standards. So now I am working on the edits of the shoot, hopefully I’ve have it done soon to be able to put up the edits on Deviant Art dot com. So I will keep you posted on that, ALSO in other non-me news…

Sam Raimi’s latest film “Drag Me to Hell” has a trailer posted at Apple dot com slash trailers, I suggest you go check it out, because it’s simply nice to see Sam doing something not Spider-Man before he does another Spider-man film.

Also, Where the Wild Things Are, also has a trailer on Apple dot com slash trailers, which you should also check out, so far - just from the trailer, it looks stunningly beautiful and I am eager to watch the film when ever it is released at the cinemas. Score one for Spike!

Side note, I am getting aggravated due to two things. One a Disc Reply closed down, one of the two I frequently go to, I will have a moment of silence for it soon, but It bothers me that when a second home closes down, that I am the only one to shed some tears. Oh well…

ALSO! Dang it! I can never find any freaking Fugazi or Husker Du or even Napalm Death at any resale shops or even bust buy’s or FYE’s…. Sorry, I felt I needed to rant.

- A.

Calculated Chaos - Dillinger Escape Plan : Counting Infinity (Review).

Welcome, before I get heavily into reviewing this album I wanted to give you a little background information as to why I am even trying to review anything. Back around 2004 to 2005ish, I had become bored one day and as well as sick, I had nothing to do at home. I had recently purchased Rage Against The Machine’s The Battle of Los Angeles, their third album and was obsessed with the band at the time. So I sat down and wrote about it, I did this for the next fallowing months for several albums, including Hatebreed, Marilyn Manson, Cypress Hill and Various others over a short time, only so many where actually read. I use to send it out under “Abuse Method News” due my old e-mail Address being Abusemethodeleven. Now, nearly 5 years later, I am writing my first review since that area. And I figured why not try it again, see how it feels and it felt pretty damn good, so I just hope it’s worth reading.

Album Info.

Dillinger Escape Plan, Counting Infinity (first full length album.)

Released on September 28th, 1999.

BAND.

Ben Weinman, Guitar, Bass, Synth, Producer.

Chris Pennie - Drums, producer.

Dimitri Minakakis - Vox.

Adam Doll - Bass.

Brian Benoit - Guitar.

Other Credits.

(Steve Evetts - Producer, Engineer.)

(Alan Douches - Mastering.)

(Aaron Harris - Assistant.)

(Jason Hellman - Assistant.)

(Matthew F. Jacobson - Executive Producer.)

(Adam Peterson - Graphic Design.)

TRACK LISTING.

1. “Sugar Coated Sour” - 2:24.

2. “43% Burnt” - 4:31

3. “Jim Fear” - 2:22.

4. “#” - 2:41.

5. “Destro’s Secret” - 1:56.

6. “The Running Board” - 3:22.

7. “Clip the Apex… Accept Instruction” - 3:29.

8. “Calculating Infinity” - 2:02.

9. “4th Grade Dropout” - 3.36.

10. “Weekend Sex Change” - 3:12.

11. “Variations on a Cocktail Dress” - 7:56.

Intro.

I’ve studied many forms of “Heavy Metal” over the last how ever many years, not out of need, but rather out of want. I’ve come across a few select bands that really stand out to me as pioneers, one of them is Dillinger Escape Plan, they’re methods nearly defined the very (as of now) loose genre known as Math-Core or Math-Metal. Typically an offshoot of Grindcore and Metal, but now is being realized into a more defined genre. Dillinger along with The Locusts, Converge and many others have put they’re own stamp on “math-metal”. Technically other bands also fit into this genre due to the “calculated chaos” you experience during an album by either Dillinger, Locusts or Converge, but also Meshuggah fits into the genre due to they’re odd and complex time structures. Given Meshuggah belongs more to the Experimental / Progressive tree, but I believe strongly that Math-Metal fit’s under that tree just fine.

The Feel.

Dillinger’ first album sounds raw, planned and organized with a careful ear. They’re not sloppy nor are they Unforgiving with their assault on the ears, the album feels much like 3 to 4 different albums from the same band played together in sequence, with the perfect timing by each. A lot of the sound relays on technical abilities, surprising that some people having claimed this band as industrial metal. As an over all, the album feels complete, masterful and original. Though it isn’t every one’s cup of tea. 

Package.

The packaging is very important to me, I don’t know nor care how important it is to some music fans but I know I am not the only one who likes to open up a booklet and read something interesting, doesn’t have to be lyrics, could be poetry, could be commentary, could be random tidbits of information. Anyway, the packaging is crisp. Simple, yet not to complex, easy on the eyes. Track listing is easy to read, so is the font on the inside of the booklet. The booklet, however is something interesting which I haven’t seen much, the booklet comes with a “slip-sleeve” that only covers most of the book. You can view the image of the album almost in widescreen due to how it is designed. The interior artwork is simple but fits with the rest of the packaging. The booklet contains lyrics for the songs, as well as a message from Adam Doll (band’s bassist), as well as a thank you note. The interior photographs are quite lovely as well. Over all, very simple and perfect to the rest of the album.

Sound.

Is F---king chaos, it’s loud, in your face, messy, obscure and takes so many turns, you could loose yourself in the mixture of what is going on, before you loose your breath, take a minute and relax. This album is a rush to listen to and it’s over before you know it. The guitars, drums, bass, and everything else fits perfectly, nothing is out of place or makes you feel like the band stubbed their toes on anything. Interestingly enough, this is one of three releases with vocalist Dimitri Minakakis, whom departed for various reasons , his screams are fluent with the music and his sound is sour and near violent, but doesn’t seem to change much through out the album, but it’s forgivable due to him being able to keep up with the band. The sound is like a choppy river, and it even has it’s lucid moments, time for you to breath and make sure your still on your feet.  

Final Thoughts.

Overall, I give my recommendation to anyone who wants something fast, brutal and calculated. This album is a masterpiece in a band’s catalog of masterpieces. I think if you want something new or just not mainstream, I suggests picking this up. I’d give it a rating but I dislike ratings to much, I rather just go on and yap about it as long as I can. So I say it’s good, though it’s up to you to find out if it is really your cup of tea!

Related Bands.

Mister Bungle, The Locusts, Converge, Meshuggah, Fantomas, John Zorn’s Naked City.

(if you have an album you want me to review, let me know, I’ll see what I can do, till then, I’ll just review whatever the heck I want to.)

- Andrew.

Naked Truth.

I finished a photoshoot that could only be described as epic. Now I had taken over 2000 photographs, which is a first for me by far. I think the most I had ever taken previous to this day was closer to 600 photos. I crushed my limit by sixty feet. The shoot was with Jane Sommet and Charli, whom both are beautiful in they’re own right. The shoot was grand, fun and exciting in so many ways. I even ended up talking with young model (whom they know) about doing a shoot with me. Which made today even more fun. So hopefully I make the edits for this shoot just as perfect as they deserve to be, I owe it to the models to do so. I will keep everyone updated on it.

Jurassic Park, movie versus novel.

In actuality, I have no problem with either the novel or book. In reality, I love both. One being a childhood favorite film of mine. The other being my current favorite book. Now the reason I bring this up, is that this book is truly amazing and so is Michael Crichton writing. His writing in this novel was lightening fast that it was a thrilling experience to read. Normally I sit down with a 400 page novel and finding myself taking a month to read it. This book literally took me a few days. And not due for lack of anything but because the style was so fluent and so beautifully put together that it just was a fun read.

Now being a fan of the film since 1995 when I first saw it, I knew the idea, the story, the characters, the scenes, the feel, and so on. So it was easy for me to get into the book, and it was like a roller coaster ride. And I found myself playing the entire movie in my head while reading the novel. It was stunning what was added to the film and what was left out. Now I am sure that Michael Crichton, David Koepp and Malia Scotch Marmo (unaccredited) had their reasons for not including certain aspects of the novel into the movie. And I am sure those reasons where to do budget, producers, and the fact that Steven Spielberg was directing it, and that it was going to be a block-buster like all of his other films.

Now the film it’s self is a beautiful but slightly loose translation of the book onto celluloid. It deserves all the critical acclaim it’s given. As well as it’s achievements in CGI, special effects and creating some of those most beautiful creatures seen on camera by the late Stan Winston. So it has a lot going for it. I can’t give it enough praise.

And now reading the book, makes me love the movie more, but also makes it a bit harder to watch, because I go “WHY DID THEY CUT THAT!?!” and giggle to myself when a line from the book is put into the film.

So this blog wasn’t really anything besides me gushing about Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and the film translation by Crichton, Koepp, and Spielberg.

So yeah. You could say I recommend it. Ha.

Misc News 001.

So recently I had done a set with Stephanie and Nayely, both of which I have worked with previously. We did a small shoot at Stephanie’s house and it came out relatively well. I enjoy worked with Stephanie and Nayely and I hope to work with them more over this summer.

Go to - 

Preacher-Man-X.Deviantart.com/gallery

- to view the images.

As for the film OLDSKIN, I will be uploading it to Youtube sometime soon, so I can show all of my fans the horrible short I’ve created from sheer boredom.

So hopefully I’ll have that up in the nearing future.

Also, this Monday if things go accordingly I will be doing a photoshoot with two models, one whom I’ve worked with before and a new model who is tagging along. Hopefully this shoot will prove to be grand and wonderful. No doubt in my mind about that.

Also, on Wednesday I will be working with Kitty again on a shoot though I can’t promise anything thus far.

Pixies - 2009.

If there is one thing to be excited about this amazing band are playing live again in 09. They did a reunion tour back in 04 but I wasn’t as knowledge as I am now about their importance to not only american music but myself. So now hopefully they’ll start up another tour that I could possibly go and actually experience. Usually I am not a concert kind of guy but I’d go to see them or even Sonic Youth if they come around, or even Pearl Jam if tickets didn’t cost 6 arms and 3 legs. So out of tribute for my love of the Pixies, here is a video link to a music video that I did NOT make. Ha.

Post Scribe - And the thought of them getting together again and hitting the studio for a new album not only scares me but makes me a very excited fan. Here’s hoping for the best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHhox4_SeHQ

Old School Racing - Once Upon a Time in a Basement.

Slot Car: A Children‘s Toy. Slot Car Racing: A Nationwide Hobby and Sport. My father happens to be a Slot Car Enthusiast and quite the collector. For his last birthday, I decided to do something special for him - Make a short film around his hobby. Thus came my most commercial film to date and the most publicly viewed as well. And with out further a due here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-AnxZgRhw8

Making up for Yesterday.

I decided that since I missed out on posting something yesterday that I would do myself one better and post something today about something though the only thing on my mind doesn’t have anything to do with me but rather about the music I love. For example Grindcore - a genre of punk (yes punk) that I really feel lately. From Brutal Truth to Napalm Death to Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed to Carcass and to even A.C., I just love the sound, the speed, the intensity, the humor and overall the artistic value of most of the grindcore bands I have gotten into. Though I makes me cringe to say “Grindcore” because it makes me feel like one of those “emo kids” talking about their various music tastes that all end in the word “Core”. But anyway, Grind is a genre no one gives enough love to. I think more people should give it a try, even if it isn’t they’re cup of tea. I’ll eventually say more about the subject, knowing me. 

Never Been...

One for boasting about myself or my work, it makes me feel conceded, which is why I guess I was so apprehensive toward doing a blog that people may or may not read. I just figured why not, you know? Anyway, since I started my work as an photographer and would-be filmmaker - I’ve created 58 photoshoots with various models and still counting, and nearly countless image after image of everything else. Also as a filmmaker I’ve recently finished my 8th short film which took about a year to define and 4 cuts later I finally have it to where I can stand watching it. But today I am going to put up myself promotional trailer that I made. So if it sucks, I’m sorry I was still learning.

Welcome to my blog Says the Artist.

So here I am, writing on a blog - a day I didn’t think I ever thought would come but here it is and joy to the world per say. I am an artist whom wishes to show more of the world my art. I will put up various things from short-film to photography and poetry, and who knows maybe just some various items of interest for those who are interested. So I hope I can be a decent Blogger!

- Andrew.