A Review of Birdman, and a Selfie (So To Speak)

Hello! Dave the Somber, checking in tonight... I have a lot of ground to cover...

OK, so, my initial plan, vis-a-vis the BTI premiere, was to wait (this final, excruciatingly slow week!) until the event occurred (tomorrow night, 3/14/15), take lots of photos and come in here, writing a lengthy, detailed description of the (hopefully awesome) events of the evening...

Instead, here I am, the "night before", coming in here to write...

Why the change in blogging plans? Mostly it has to do with a combination of nerves, and the fact that I saw Birdman last night, and I really must talk about it all. Birdman is the best movie I've seen in decades... I've given two "10" scores to films that I can recall in recent history... first, to Batman Begins, and secondly to Inception (both Christopher Nolan films)... As I left Birdman, mentally handing it the easiest 10 ever, I reflected upon the movie on the drive home, and by the time I arrived home, I had elevated my rating to "masterpiece", which I do not do lightly...

Granted, different folks resonate on different levels, as far as what appeals to them, in a cinematic-experience sense. The only other person I know of that saw this film said it was weird, but enjoyable, and that she liked Whiplash better. I have yet to see Whiplash (I will, ultimately, since I'm dying to see JK Simmon's performance), so I don't know yet how they can compare. What I can tell you is that Birdman worked for me on so many levels, it staggers my mind.

Cinematography: Visually, the film is unprecedented. The movie is filmed seamlessly, as though it was all shot in one continuous shot, moving in and around a little theater on Broadway in NYC, out doors, into windows, up in the air, circling, sliding down hallways, following one character or another as they prepare to put on a play. It's unlike anything I've ever seen before, visually.

Acting: I can see why practically everyone on the cast was nominated for Oscars. Michael Keaton was magnificent, period. But amazingly, he was not alone. I have never seen Edward Norton this good, anywhere else. I've always liked him, in general, but since Primal Fear I thought of him as serviceable... (this will lead me to another point later in this long post)... he was so good in Birdman, it's scary. Naomi Watts is always great, always... and this is not an exception. She shines. And every single time Emma Stone was on screen, she was riveting. That girl can act her butt off. Zach Galifianakis was perfect. Everybody was perfect.

There are a pair of rooftop scenes with Emma Stone and Edward Norton that are among the very best things I've ever seen in film.

Script: The dialog in this film is everything I strive for when writing dialog myself. It is so rich and multi-layered, I was constantly amazed. And so many incredible monologues, so wonderfully delivered, it was an acting clinic. I seriously envy the cast members that got to deliver such well-crafted words...

Themes: As stellar as everything else I've mentioned so far was to me, this is where the film resonated so strongly with me on so many levels. Wanting to be loved and accepted by others. Trying to find a sense of self worth. Why certain people seem to have power over the way we feel about ourselves, as people and as artists. What do we really want? From life, from family, from careers, from strangers, from ourselves? Is it ever too late to reinvent ourselves? Is there anything wrong with what we are/used to be? Why do actors act? Is there really that large a difference between celebrity and artistry? A movie blockbuster actor and a Off-Broadway theater stage dweller?

It digs into the reasons why creative people feel compelled to create. It wrestles with the definition and application of truth. It touches on things that I have chewed on my entire life, and even approaching a few I've never even considered before. And it adds an element of the fantastical that takes it to a still-higher level.

This is going somewhere...

So, in light of the BTI premiere tomorrow night, as you can imagine, it's given me tons to think about. Frankly, up until last night, the impending premiere wasn't really ruffling me. I was planning on just going, enjoying the night as it unfolded, and just rolling with it. In a way, I still plan on doing that. Yet last night, in the middle of the night, maybe 4am or so, I woke up, wide awake, staring at the ceiling, trying to shake off a wave of panic that was washing over me. Things always seem so weighty in the middle of the night, don't they?

Symbols have increased in importance in my mind the past few years -- and the premiere represents something big in my life, as an individual, as an artist, and a human being... whether it ends up being a big moment in my life and career or not, I don't know yet... but at the moment, right now, it represents what could be a huge turning point in my life. A definite peg upon which I may be able to hang a new stretch of the life tapestry which I'm weaving. Corny, yes, but true (to me) nonetheless. I'm putting myself out there for evaluation in ways I've never done before. I've poured myself into this project for a long time, and tomorrow it shines.

Part of me wishes I could be on the other side of it, and see how things played out, and plan my next move(s), in both the project and in my career. The other part of me wishes I could hang onto this moment, right now, indefinitely, since it has brought a clarity of mind that I haven't tasted in a long time. I haven't seen a movie in the theater since Guardians of the Galaxy many months ago. It seems a little odd (or does it?) that I would see Birdman, of all movies, in a theater all by myself, two nights before a (possibly) very important night of my life... especially since I've been wrestling with many of the very same issues that were dealt with so beautifully in Birdman. The timing is crazy...

So, yeah... tonight feels surreal. I may be making too big a deal out of it. But right now, this is what I'm soaking in. And, honestly, I feel ridiculously blessed. Tomorrow night may be huge for me, or it may be barely a blip on the radar, enjoyable in passing and then quickly forgotten.... who knows? But for now, the symbolism of it all fills my vision.

And I love the view.

If you read all of this, thank you for humoring me. This was a very self-serving post, but I needed to get it all out of me.

Dave the Self-Serving.

In the Homestretch!

Whoa! Frightful weather out there tonight, eh!

Hello to almost every last one of you! There's one person from whom I am consciously withholding a hello... you know who you are! I withhold a hello from you tonight because you deserve far more than a simple, heartfelt hello! You deserve O so much more! You deserve a hearty handshake and an innocuous ruffle of your hair!

Well, I suppose that would rule out all females, eh? I can't think of a female in my acquaintance who would want her hair innocuously ruffled. Women are particular about their hair, aren't they... especially if they're wearing a wig and I didn't realize it! Then they get angry, right? No one wants her wig ruffled...

What was I talking about?

Oh yeah...

The premiere for Origin: Beyond the Impact is a week away! I'm excited, to say the least. I've seen more of the edited footage, and man, it is even better than I'd hoped it would be. The excitement levels are at an all-time high, on the cast, crew and beyond... as far as when you among the great, swirling, unwashed masses can see the results of our lengthy labors, that will depend in large part upon what happens at the premiere. I better not say any more at this point (even though I *really* want to)... suffice to say, in a week or so, I will update this blog with photographic evidence of the evening, and provide a detailed recap of the (hopefully memorable) events, and we can discuss it more at length at that time.

A black wolf. Not trying to be philosophical or symbolic or anything... I just like the photo.

What else?

Life continues as it has since the beginning of the year, in most respects.

-- I'm still working out with my physical trainer (Vince!) once a week (and threatening emptily to work out additional days in the interim). 

-- I'm still going up to LA on Tuesdays to my acting class at Adler Improv (and threatening emptily to come up Thursdays as well). I've had two of my San Diego friends come up with me the past two Tuesdays to audit the class up there, and they each will be joining the class in the upcoming weeks. The drive up used to be a bit of a dread, but anymore I don't even think about it. 

-- I'm still steadily reading novels. I finished The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter (Rod Duncan) recently, and am trying new titles to see what hooks me. 

-- I'm still saving the world from the hateful zombie scourge, in Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide. Much fun. Knock 'em down and stomp on their heads! Woof woof! 

-- I'm still playing the guitar routinely. I'm getting my callouses back! 

-- I'm still tinkering with my first screenplay, and concurrently coming up with a ridiculous collection of story ideas for movies, books and serials. 

-- I'm still pretending that Tax Day is not looming like an angry thunderhead. Man, what I wouldn't give for money to be a non-issue. Being debt-free must be the most amazing feeling...

And now, 20 minutes of Bill Murray on the David Letterman Show, from last January...



Bill Murray just might be the Greatest of All-Time...

So what else?

Nothing else! Just in a bit of a holding pattern until the premiere. The cool thing is that Jeff (the director & series creator) told me today that the premiere is small potatoes compared to what he has planned for the future... and I have no reason to doubt the man.

Great days ahead, methinks!

Adios for now,

Dave the Indefatigable Goof

Like the Wind, This Too Shall Pass

Well, hello y'all! It is I, Dave the Fake Russian, with another slow meander down the dusty paths of my brain pan...

Foremost in my mind at the moment is, of course, the Beyond the Impact web series (hence the "fake Russian" reference).... we had a marathon day on set on February 15th in downtown San Diego, at a terrific location, where we labored from early morning until almost midnight, getting an impossible amount of filming actually done. Whew, what a day.

It was so much fun! I loved watching the cast and crew make it all happen, almost as much as I enjoyed all the time I got to spend in front of the camera. Man, I really like my character, and I seem to be hitting my stride, which bodes well for future episodes.

Just between you and I, I've seen about 20 minutes or so of the rough cut footage so far... this thing is going to kick serious butt. Man, wait until you see it. My hype level is through the roof right now. Any lingering fears that have been tormenting me have been put to rest. The premiere is going to be so enjoyable... and then shortly thereafter, you will all get to finally see what all the endless fuss has been about. I really hope you all enjoy it.

Then we'll crank out the next script, hit Wondercon in Anaheim in early April, and hopefully film the next half in May. It would be amazing if we could get the web series finished in time for Comicon in July.

Man, what a ride it's been! This year promises to be very interesting indeed. Thank you, Lord, for it all.

OK, enough of that for now.

It rained last night.

Yeah, I know, the remainder of the non-San Diego part of the country is locked in battle with varying levels of snow and other cold nastiness and devilry, and I mention a few hours of rain. Well, man, what can I say? Familiarity breeds contempt, true, but then there's the flipside... which would be, what? Unfamiliarity breeds novelty? It rained! I opened the windows and breathed a sigh of relief, as I listened to the rain falling easily and steadily outside my window. May not mean (as) much to you, but to someone that gets as frazzled inside as I routinely do, it is soothing...

In fact, sometimes I cheat and pull up this website, turn on my speakers, and let the sounds of rain soothe me digitally!

Trust me, I need it. For the sake of those around me (the handful that are real and the majority that are invisible!) it's in everyone's best interest that I'm mellow.

I have nothing to complain about, really. I can't say everything's going against me. In fact, for the most part, I seem to have so much going for me right now, it's a bit staggering. Not everything, mind you... financially, things are a bit tight (not good, leading up to Tax Day), and things between Wifey and I are spotty as well... but, hey, with the help of my mom and God (a great team!), I've navigated both battlefields before numerous times... haven't blown my leg off by stepping on a mine yet! As I've said before: Like the Wind, This Too Shall Pass.... in fact, I think I just found the title for this blog post!

I like Jimmy Kimmel... I think he's a genuinely funny guy. Here, this skit combines my admiration for Jimmy Kimmel and my attending acting class...



See Part 2 here...

Funny stuff.

Ah, that reminds me... I watched Keanu Reeves' latest movie called John Wick recently... and I LOVED IT! It was so much fun, and was so wonderfully shot, I enjoyed it all. Plus, it has great Russians in it! Ah, my people! Well, at least I think they were great... I won't know for certain until I get a reply from Jeff's wife Tanya, who is the authority on the legitimacy of Hollywood attempts at portraying Russians. Hey, she has a part in the web series, by the way... in fact, we have a scene together where we trade words (and insults) in Russian. That should be fun to watch! It was fun to work with her, though there admittedly is something intimidating about her...

Here's a cool pic I found recently...

My Eldest Daughter is currently collecting tattoos. And by that, I mean she now has three of them on her person, and is plotting for a fourth. She seems to have acquired the addiction! They look good on her, and she's happy, so that's as far as it goes for me. Still trying to summon the nerve (and the $) to get one myself. I wanted a sort-of shield on my arm, like a family crest or something, with my kids' initials on it, with a pen and sword crossed either below or behind the shield. I've wanted that for years... haven't done it yet, I may never, who knows?

Bah, I'm going to wrap this up and go kill some zombies before bedtime. Super stoked about the BTI premiere. I'll be sure to take lots of photos of the event and update you all, so you can see what you missed!

Adios for now,

Dave the Giddy

Why Did the Zombie Cross the Road?

We have liftoff! A tiny, tiny liftoff!

Hey, it's almost Valentine's Day! You know what that means! MUAHAHAHAHA!!! (*wiggles eyebrows up and down*) Hubba-hubba! Yep, that's right! A nice, romantic dinner followed by Minecraft alone in my office until I collapse into bed in sheer exhaustion well after 2am! YES! Life is good!

You know, I've never really been the romantic type... I try to be, but I fail miserably. I'm just not very good at it. I'm too socially awkward, even within the safe confines of my own home (so to speak). I can't help it! I've lived my whole life (so far) surrounded by an invisible audience that I need to keep entertained at all times, even (especially?) when I'm alone! And it causes weirdness in the real world...

Last night (for example), I was at my acting class up in Hollywood and before class, I was talking to a handful of classmates about this and that. I told them how I used the time on the drive up from San Diego (3+ hours) to learn yet another monologue (I believe that is #21 at this point), this time another one from Hamlet... I was saying how I tried saying the monologue in my regular voice, but it doesn't sound right to me. I need to do it with the Shakespearean/British lilt, etc. One of my classmates said, "Really? Well, let's hear it. Do some for us." It hadn't occurred to me that the conversation might go there, but hey, why not? I dove in. I butchered the first line and immediately forgot the rest of it. I mean, it was GONE from my brain. On the drive up, I learned it backwards and forward, I knew it fully. At the drop of a hat, it was gone.

Patience, I'm getting to my point...

So instantly, I wasn't just in front of three classmates... I was also in front of my invisible audience, all looking at me, waiting to see how I would respond. Well, I folded like a paper napkin... I ejected from the conversation, saying, "Whoa. Nevermind. I forgot it. (awkward pause) But I knew it on the drive up!" Then I shrugged and looked at the ground. And then, to add weirdness upon weirdness, I could suddenly imagine what I must look like to people outside of me, and I started shaking my head and mumbling reproofments at myself under my breath. And even as I was doing it, I was thinking, "Dude, stop! They're going to think you're insane!" So I forced myself to stop berating myself, put on a fake smile, glanced up and pretended all was well.

Wow.

Ladies and gentlemen, that's what happens when you spend a couple decades around imaginary people instead of real people. I've kept myself locked away, socially, probably out of fear of getting myself into trouble... I probably shouldn't elaborate on that, in case my wife reads this... anyways, yeah, to avoid any potential problems, I've hid in my office. For too long, it seems.

You know how you can be in a roomful of people, and a good friend is also in there, and someone can say something that reminds you of an inside joke you have with that friend? They say it, you sneak a glance at your friend, your eyes meet at the same moment, and you both start laughing. No one else gets the unspoken connection you two just had, but to the two of you, it was hilarious, right? Well, I do that! Only with my invisible audience! Someone says something that reminds me of something funny... I shoot a glance at a member of my invisible audience, and I laugh... I share an inside joke with the people that understand me best, see? And no one else gets it. They see someone who may or may not be someone to keep an eye on, with the speed dial set for the looney bin...

All that to say, I think I've hamstrung myself socially by living such an isolated existence... it might be too late to change... my classmates last night did that slow nod, slightly-furrowed-brow thing, while saying "riiiight" nice and slow. And I wanted to scream, "Don't worry! I'm the 'safe' kind of weird! You don't need to worry about me!"

*sigh*

And I'm not romantic... that's what I'm trying to say...

So I've finally jumped onto the "Walking Dead" bandwagon. I tried watching it once, many moons ago, and didn't get past episode 2 of season 1. But I tried it again recently, and I'm sufficiently hooked. It's interesting to watch, from a sheer entertainment standpoint, but also from a craft standpoint. Not just acting, but from film-making and story-telling perspectives as well.

One thing bugs me... if the "zombie" virus (or whatever the heck it is) is so easily spread by just being bitten, why do none of the "survivors" worry about bashing zombie heads in, which is usually accompanied by a gratuitous splash of gore, which invariably gets on everyone nearby? Shouldn't they be petrified that if any of that gunk got into their eyes or mouths or a scrape or wound of some kind, then they would catch it? Why only bites? Does zombie saliva need to be involved somehow?

Of course, I also wonder why zombies need to eat. They kill and eat, right? But they're dead. A working circulatory system is needed to digest food and move it through the body, right? No circulating blood, no movement of food. Their stomachs would fill and then stop. Why the need to keep eating? If they just killed for killing's sake, out of uncontrollable zombie rage, that's one thing... but they wouldn't need to eat their kill. But if they killed out of rage and not hunger, then they would simply destroy one another, wouldn't they?

And, of course, they all fire guns without ear protection, even young Carl, and act like it ain't no thing. Shotguns, revolvers, handguns and rifles of every kind, fired right by each other... hello, massive hearing loss! And they get headshot after headshot on moving targets, even while they are sprinting away for their lives...

Whoa, I'm making it sound like I don't dig the show -- I do! It's really good! But, hey, this is the way my brain works...

Yes, everything from romance to social retardation to zombies to Hitler cartoons! This blog is a one-stop shop for weirdness!

Speaking of zombies, I've been playing the heck out of Dead Island lately... even more than minecraft, believe it or not. Zombies are such good bad guys! Almost as good as Nazi's! I'd say, when it comes to video game baddies, it goes: Nazis, Zombies, Aliens, and then supernatural beasties. Anyways, great game. Of course, it has aged in my games library for many moons. Its day has finally come... I hope to play it through to the conclusion.

On the BTI front, one more scheduled day of shooting, and the pilot will be done. I have a lot I'd like to say about the web series, and about other San Diego film projects, but I'm going to keep mum on that for now. Let me just say that the premiere is now set in stone for March 14, and the rough cut footage I've recently seen looks and sounds incredibly good. I'm super excited to see it up on the big screen... going to be a big night.

What else?

Well, I could ramble further about topics of varying levels of humiliation and awkwardness, but I think you've had enough for now...

Adios!

Dave the Dave