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

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.

MAD MEN'S FINAL EPISODE

Well, it's the end of an era. Mad Men came to the end of its seven season run last night. In some minds, the finale cemented the show's legacy; in others, it disappointed. That's no surprise. Constructing the final episode of a great series seems to be one of the most daunting and difficult tasks in television. Let's face it, every fan of these shows has already written their own ending, all different, and you can't please everyone. The only finale I can think of that is discussed with universal approval and high regard is the Mary Tyler Moore Show and honestly I've never seen it. The best that show-runners like Matthew Weiner can do is to stay true to their characters, gently guiding them across the finish line. There is so much pressure to knock it out of the park while also providing closure, I'm sure there is an abundance of second-guessing and hand wringing that goes on during the writing process. It seems that final episodes often "try too hard." The Seinfeld finale probably fit that description. Certainly one of the greatest comedy series ever, its finale was hated by almost everyone. So what about Mad Men's series finale...?

The ending wasn't perfect, but it was fitting.

The penultimate moment; the one Weiner had been working toward for nearly a decade, occurred in the series' final sixty seconds. Reaching that moment necessitated having your lead character on the opposite side of the country and separated from all the other characters for the entirety of the episode. Not ideal. But, the more time I have to consider it, the more satisfied I think I'll be. It is what it is and, most importantly, the greatness of this series does not rest on one episode. The final half-season alone provided a multitude of perfect moments and at least four masterpiece episodes. Due to this being a golden-age of television, I can't even necessarily say that Mad Men was the best show on TV this year. But, I can say with 100% certainty that Mad Men is one of the top three dramas of all time.

Random Film Thoughts #1

Superman (1978)

Pa Kent's heart attack may be one of the best death scenes of all time.

The scene is simple, lasts only 13 seconds, and Glenn Ford communicates more subtext and emotion with a couple of glances than most could in a five minute monologue. It is one of the most simply genuine moments I've seen on film.

You can watch it here.

REVIEW: Age of Ultron

My brain is full to overflowing with opinions on Marvel's newest offering. However, I don't like to rip, puff up, or spoil a movie for people who haven't seen it. So, allow me to give you a few spoiler-free thoughts on The Avengers: Age of Ultron.

If you follow us on Twitter, you may have seen my initial reaction after catching the film on Thursday night. The most concise and useful bit of information I can give you is that I'm looking forward to seeing it again and soon. That means I fully endorse the film for your watching pleasure. Your hard-earned entertainment dollar will absolutely be well spent. The film isn't perfect but it is definitely fun. So, let's talk about what you'll like...

The Humor

It's "on point" as the kids would have said 5-10 years ago. Age of Ultron is loaded with jokes and nearly every one of them hits its mark with a handful that absolutely crush. And the jokes come from every direction, not just Iron Man. Thor, Hawkeye, and even Ultron are in on the act. It's nice to see them take full advantage of the material Thor provides as the oddest-man-out in the room, rather than ignoring that he is a Norse demigod from an other-dimensional planetoid.

Nerrrds

The nerds are going to love it because this thing is DENSE with plot seeds for the future and tons of Marvel easter eggs. But, at no point did it all feel distracting. The movie is definitely packed to the gills but I can't recall thinking they tried to do too much. Lots of supporting characters from the various franchises make small appearances, but they never feel like cheap cameos. It makes sense for them to be there. They actually serve the story and blend right in. The film takes for granted that we already know these people and moves on. There is no re-introduction which is actually kind of cool, keeps things moving, and adds to the mystique of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that they've built.

It Works

Well enough, anyway. At no point during the film did I question the logic of what was going on and, looking back at it, that is almost unfathomable. There are so many moving pieces in Age of Ultron, for it all to fit together and make sense is a huge credit to Joss and any other writers who worked on it. You want a storyline to seem natural and inevitable by the time you reach the end and that's what we get here. Plus, as always with Marvel, things are wrapped up nicely. The ending feels like an ending. Despite the fact that we know everything that's yet to come (and the movie doesn't hide from that) we still close another chapter and feel completely satisfied.

So what doesn't work? Well I'm not going to tell you. Go see the movie. Enjoy; without the burden of my opinions or anyone else's. Then we can all sit around and talk about it and analyze it a little too much. Like I said, it does have problems. I would even call one of them inexcusable. But, there is zero doubt in my mind that you are going to have a really good time watching it.

Batman v Superman's News and Notes 4.20.15

Ohhh, Batman v Superman...
Okay, let's jump right into this. I felt the need to share a few quick thoughts on the film's first trailer this morning. First of all, I freely admit that no one has been more... let's call it "skeptical"... than I have about the impending garbage fire this movie seems guaranteed to be.

Now, that being said, the trailer is outstanding. The more I think about it, the more I like it. Zack Snyder, STOP RIGHT NOW. Burn all the film stock and hard drives and let everyone believe this is the movie you made.

The trailer tells us this is a Batman movie with a tight, contained story. It's a high-stakes fight between an aging but indomitable hero - as human as he can possibly be - and an unstoppable demigod who may have lost his ethical compass. Superman is the only villain in this movie and he is a great one; the very best kind - one who believes he's doing the right thing. He could be one of the most compelling and complex villains of the last 30 years. And what is more dangerous than a corrupted Superman? We need 120 minutes of this story and nothing else. That could be truly fantastic.

The problem is, we all know this is not the movie Warner Bros. is making. There is a whole giant mess of a cast that this teaser completely ignores. So, imagine taking the movie you saw in that trailer and figuring out how to shove Aquaman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Lex Luthor into it. Could there possibly be a good way to do that? Uh, no. The greatest minds in film history couldn't figure out a way to make that work.

So, it looks like we may have one of the great what-ifs of geek cinema coming next year. What could have (surprisingly) been an incredible superhero film, possibly one of the best, will be ruined by impatience and overreaching greed. Superman can't be a villain (at least not for more than 15 or 20 minutes), not when you have the DC cinematic universe to build. And you can't take the time to build it organically either. No, you're too far behind the Marvel locomotive. You have to create the entire Justice League in one film. Well, let's see how well that works out...

HOUSEKEEPING

Yes, we are alive and we do have things to show you in the future. Lots of editing is happening and we'll be shooting something new in May. I know the website has suffered but you'll enjoy the stuff we've been working on, so stick with us! And I'll try to check in more often.