The Week Ahead 6.20.16

Monday

Space Cops editing continues ad infinitum. Progress, progress, progress.

Tuesday

Right on schedule, there's a new episode of Talk Hard. The fires of musical passion are unleashed as we wrap up our thoughts on HAIM and Crowded House. And while you're listening to that one, we'll be putting the finishing touches on a Father's Day episode.

PLUS, if the weather cooperates, we'll be filming the final shots for that Todd Sheene helmed short film that got rained out last week.

Friday

The Father's Day episode of Talk Hard arrives. It may have made sense to debut this on Father's Day weekend rather than record it on Father's Day weekend. We will adjust accordingly for future endeavors. You aren't dealing with dummies here.

Random Film Thoughts #5

Sam Neill is under-utilized.

The first time I noticed Sam Neill, he was in The Hunt for Red October. I've liked him ever since. If I need a voice of reason... If I need a comforting, intelligent father/authority figure... I'm going to Sam Neill. His voice makes me feel safer than Christmas ham at Mel Brooks' house.

Go look at his filmography, though. Check out all the junk he's been in since Jurassic Park. What have casting directors been doing for the last twenty years? You go from the lead in one of Spielberg's biggest films to those Merlin TV movies?

If you'd like to see something new from Mr. Neill, basically avoid all that garbage and be on the lookout for a little New Zealand film called Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I hear good things. Between Sam, Taika Waititi, Jemaine & Brett, and Rhys Darby, at this point I basically want to be a Kiwi.

In cinemas in New Zealand from 31 March 2016. Book at http://wilderpeople.com The new film from the director of BOY, EAGLE VS SHARK and WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, Taika Waititi unleashes HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE after rave reviews at Sundance 2016: "Comic Dynamite" - Guardian "Hilarious, I think I might be in love with it" - Crave.

Street Scene

Street Scene is a cool store, owned by great ladies that let us hang out with them for a few days. 2575 Regency Rd Lexington, KY

You wouldn't know this because we've never talked about it, but several years ago we put together a little project to shop as a reality show. Not surprisingly, it picked up heat in la la land thanks solely to the irresistible personalities on screen. 

Long story short, our producer connection actually had too much success with the other shows he was pitching (selling several of them) and didn't have time to follow through on this one. C'est la vie. My only regret is that we didn't get to share these wonderful ladies with the rest of the world. But, seeing what reality TV does to people, part of me is thankful this one was a near miss.

I love them. I love what they do. And it would have been great to experience more time with that crew. So, give them some love online and with your feet walking through their door.

The Week Ahead 6.14.16

Well, hello there. How are things? Been at the pool I see. Hey... just wanted to drop a quick post to let you know we've got a lot in store for you this week.

Monday

10am - A brand new/very old short film that only a few people have seen. It's one of my favorite things I've gotten to work on over the years. Such a tease.

Tuesday

A new episode of Talk Hard and you don't want to miss it. Surprisingly, we dive into music and I'll just say a lot of outrageous claims are made. Maybe the most entertaining podcast we've done so far.

Wednesday

We might be shooting a little something in Kentucky's favorite small town if the weather and several other factors cooperate. We're finishing up photography on a Todd Sheene joint (which means it must be in the horror realm).

Thursday

Even more Talk Hard? I believe so, but we shall see. Here's a teaser: Are there any actors or directors that you'll buy a ticket for no matter what? How about actors or directors that you'll avoid at all costs?

Filmmaking: ScriptBlast

On occasion, we do actually talk filmmaking here and try to share tips or resources that we run into. So, let's make today one of those occasions. 

Hudson Phillips may be the nicest dude in indie film. We met him at Rivers Edge International Film Fest 2013 and have made an effort to stay in touch. For some reason he reciprocates. On top of being a nice guy, he's also a very talented writer and filmmaker, award-winning, blah blah blah all that stuff. Well, now he's sharing those skills with the rest of us...

ScriptBlast is a resource for writers. A free resource. With free e-courses. (Don't ask me how that works in this day and age because I don't know.) But the coolest thing about ScriptBlast is that it's built on community. You have questions, you want to bounce thoughts off of fellow writers (including Hudson himself)? You can do that. All day long. And that's free too. When you sign up for the other free stuff, you get access to a private Facebook group. Basically everyday you're going to get some new inspiration (see above) or advice from iconic writers and filmmakers.

I look forward to those doses of guidance and I have a hunch you will too if writing is your thing.

Allen Stares at Thrift Store Paintings

One man. Five paintings. All the feelings.

Well, I promised you more content. Today, you get the online premiere of our newest short film. Tomorrow it's a new episode of Talk Hard. Things are looking up. Enjoy.

I don't know how much info I can give you on this. We thought it would be funny if Allen stared at second-art, so...

Random Film Thoughts #4

Richard Curtis' About Time script is a piece of perfection. Every line, every character, every beat in a fantastic arc. If you've haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and put it on repeat this weekend.

A NEW ERA

We've been on radio silence around here for a few months, but I'm happy to bring word that we've reemerged like a phoenix, incinerating your boredom and bearing gifts of entertainment. A new site, a new podcast, new short films, new episodes... Let's get into it.

Talk Hard

One of the things we wanted to do in 2016 is start cranking out a lot more content. As we saw it, the best way to do that on a regular basis was with a Walk Softly podcast. Hence, Talk Hard was born to bring light into your day to day. Subscribe, subscribe, subscribe.

Allen is the captain of this ship and we've got a lot planned for the pod. Obviously, we'll be talking movies and some TV, making some lists, playing some games, maybe doing some interviews. You never know exactly what you'll hear, but the one thing I can guarantee after being in on the planning is that you will be entertained.

Our first episode is up and ready for your consumption. It is nothing but the most thorough breakdown and review of Captain America: Civil War you're going to hear. Pull up a chair and let's talk about it. Now, there are some hiccups, it is our first attempt after all. So, cut us some slack and enjoy. You can subscribe and listen on iTunes or even listen to it right here on the Talk Hard page.

Space Cops

That's right. This is happening. No less than eight new episodes are on their way. The editing process is in progress and not stopping until the first episode is released this summer. A new episode will follow every week, which means 2016 is going to be the summer of Don, Jonny, and the Chief.

Short Films

We also have a handful of short films that haven't made their online debut, so you can look forward to seeing those in the coming days as well.

New Site

You're here, so you can tell it's new, but the site is also a work in progress. In the next few days, we'll be adding extra features and pages including a short films page, a Space Cops page, more of our archived posts from the last site, and even a page where we will shamelessly try to sell you our gear. Space Cops t-shirts anyone?

Like I said, it's a productive season around these parts, so make a habit of visiting the site because we plan to be posting on the regular.

River's Edge 2015

Long time, no see? Well, we're still alive. In fact, as alive as we'll be all year. Why, you ask? Because, today we head West once again, toward our favorite home away from home. That magical place full of sandwiches and pounds of pizza and indie films, Paducah, KY.

Our newest short, Allen Stares at Thrift Store Paintings makes its world premiere this weekend at the River's Edge International Film Fest. If you're wondering what the film is about, read the title one more time.

Anyway, keep your eye out for updates on the Twitters and Instagrams and possibly even Periscope all weekend. We'll make our best attempt to entertain during any moments when we aren't eating.

REVIEW: Mad Max: Fury Road

As I get older, the passage of time becomes more and more obscene. We're halfway through 2015 already? Okay. Of course we are. Speaking of post-apocalyptic wastelands... I saw Mad Max: Fury Road this weekend and, as I walked out, one word came to mind: spectacle. Which is funny, because it's the same word my friend used to describe it to me this morning.

Fury Road is spectacle on a scale we have very rarely seen. It is the original Mad Max series writ large, with any limitations of budget and technology completely wiped away. When a masterful artist has a strong vision, this is the product you get.

Oddly enough, I would compare the film to an Old Hollywood epic. No expense spared, a cast of hundreds, 95% of effects and stunts appeared to be practical rather than CG (greatly appreciated and it made the movie). Hopefully the industry at large noticed just how great the practical effects payoff can be. At times, the soundtrack even dipped into a classic 1930's score (when our mutated, flame-throwing guitar player wasn't providing thrash metal).

And what can you say about the Production Design? INCREDIBLE. Design is alive and well in George Miller's film and it should win every award known to man in the category. No detail is ignored, no matter how small. And while the blueprint may have been sketched in previous Mad Max movies, the possibilities have never been fully realized until now. There are some amazing artists and imaginations at work here and their work is a joy to see.

Another thought I had as I watched was how unique Tom Hardy is. I think he approaches his craft unlike anyone working right now. He reminds me of Brando, searching out the essence of a character. The portrait he drew with a sparsity of performance is kind of amazing. By sparsity I don't mean insufficient in any way. I mean Hardy makes every morsel count. He was unafraid to play Max close to the vest rather than over the top.

No one will walk away from Fury Road thinking this was the greatest story ever told, but most will likely believe it was one of the most amazing things they've seen on screen.