The Week Ahead 7.17.16

Tuesday

Prepare yourself! We have a piping hot review (and possible flogging) of the new Ghostbusters on the Talk Hard podcast.

Wednesday

Indie Wednesday returns! If you followed the old blog, you'll remember that we used Wednesdays to showcase a new short film every week (almost) and now we're back at it. On Talk Hard, we've discussed how difficult it is just to get eyeballs on your work. So, we're going to generate a few extra views for some indie filmmakers while being your personal short film curators; plucking one out of the internet muck for your weekly enjoyment.

I believe we'll also be recording more episodes of Talk Hard; live and in person this time.

Friday

Another new episode of Talk Hard and this one is an epic installment of our usual movie banter.

Beyond the Show - Talk Hard 10

Well, there they are. Our spirit animals. Or what we look like on the inside. Or something. On the show, I posed the question:  If you could look like one actor in his prime for six months of your life, who would it be? Allen picked Burt Reynolds circa 1972 (Deliverance). Todd went with Warren Beatty ca. 1971 (Dollars). And I had to go Redford ca. 1977 (A Bridge Too Far). So, ladies... who made the right call?

So, ladies... Who are you going with?

— The WSF Guys (@WalkSoftlyFilms) July 15, 2016

The Greatest Story in Comics

At the end of the show, I told you about Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph & Torment, written by Roger Stern and illustrated by Mike Mignola. It's the greatest story I've ever read in comics (and I've read a lot), so let me tell you why.

The Story

The whole thing is based on an in-canon premise that goes all the way back to Astonishing Tales #4 by Gerry Conway and Gene Colan. Every Midsummer’s Eve, Doctor Doom attempts to rescue his mother’s soul from Hell and each year the struggle ends in a stalemate.

Through a clever and intricate first act, Doom  wins a favor from Dr. Strange that he's obligated to fulfill. Doom will use that favor in a carefully crafted plan to win back his mother’s soul once and for all. Dr. Strange and Dr. Doom versus Hell. Science and sorcery and all the weirdness that comes along with them. And, just like Strange, you're left waiting for the other shoe to drop; keeping one eye on Doom and questioning his true intent.

The Characters

Triumph and Torment also probably stands as the greatest telling of both Dr. Doom and Dr. Strange's origin stories. The parallels it draws between the two and the way it intertwines their fates is spellbinding (if you will) and makes both more intriguing. And although Dr. Strange gets top-billing, make no mistake, this is Victor Von Doom's story. Stan Lee was always of the opinion that, although the character was megalomaniacal, he was also honorable and noble. Stern picks up where Conway/Colan left off and presents the best characterization I've seen of Doom to date. For the first time, I saw what Stan saw. Dr. Doom's sense of honor and nobility makes perfect sense and his megalomania is born from unwavering belief that he can provide a better way, a better life, for everyone on Earth. This is the perfect version of Doom. In the hands of lesser writers he has always been one note, bent on world domination simply for the sake of it. This is what drives me insane when I watch Fantastic Four movies. He is unquestionably the greatest villain in comics when you allow him his depth and complexities, yet he's been utterly wasted on screen.

The Art

You may or may not know him as the creator of Hellboy, but this was Mike Mignola becoming Mike Mignola. You can see his unmistakable style taking form. The same book that became my favorite story and made Dr. Doom my favorite character, also gave me my favorite artist. Mignola captures what no one else can and needs less to do it. He's almost an impressionist. Combine his pencil work with paint and inks by Mark Badger and the book is gorgeous. It makes for an interesting combo because Mignola almost always inks his own pencils and Badger's line work is distinctively thinner, his blacks noticeably less prominent.

The Movie

In closing, I'll say this. Triumph & Torment is the best superhero movie that will never be made. It is perfectly structured for the screen and the spectacle would be incredible. To think about Cumberbatch playing out the story opposite this Doom gives me chills. Unfortunately, Dr. Doom will continue to be trapped with the incompetent ninnies at Fox for the foreseeable future.

If you'd like to read it, it's on the Marvel Comics app for ten bucks and Marvel Unlimited if you have a subscription. Or you could go old school and order up that paper version.

Countach (for Giorgio)

Listen, I've had a deep and undying love for Waylon Jennings since he was just a pair of hands and a voice on The Dukes of Hazzard. I'm actually into his music now more than ever. That longterm love for The Balladeer means I'm going to root for his son in whatever he does. But, still, how does Shooter's new album make any sense on a film blog? Well, I'll tell you.

Countach is dedicated to / inspired by Giorgio Moroder. If you know him, now you get it. Giorgio is the purported inventor of electronic music and creator of some of the most 80s sound tracks that the 80s ever produced. Top Gun... The NeverEnding Story... Over the Top...?! Yeah. Shooter said the album is a love letter to his childhood and we're only a year apart, so his childhood is my childhood (minus the tour bus and Willie and lots of drugs and whatnot).

"Something that I had just written off as the sound of the Eighties, it was all Giorgio. He's the one that made that wave of music happen. It hit me like a freight train."  -Shooter Jennings

Now, I've known for years that Shooter blazes a trail that is all his own in the music business. And when I saw the magnificent album cover for Countach (JUST LOOK AT IT -- IT HAS FALKOR WITH A MACHINE GUN FOR CRIPES SAKE), I knew this one was going to be further "out there" than he'd ever been before. As I listened to it, my first thought was, "Yeah this is weird." and my second thought was, "but it totally works." From what I've seen, that's even the consensus from people who get paid to have thoughts about music. So congratulations, Shooter Jennings.

Ultimately, what this boils down to is how much you want to hear a cover of The NeverEnding Story sung by Brandi Carlile. The answer is very much.

The Week Ahead 7.11.16

Allen has returned from his beach vacation looking like a bronze Adonis and that means it's time to get back to work at WSF HQ.

Tuesday

Talk Hard is back! We hope you enjoyed your week to get caught up on the podcast. Be glad you did, because the newest episode is a rip-roaring ride of good times and machismo. I can promise some details on Al's vacation, but trust me; this episode is going to go places you did not expect and you might like it. Or you might be disturbed. Either way, you'll want to listen.

Wednesday

An album review on a film blog? Sort of. Get over it. You'll understand when you read it.

Weds/Thurs

We'll be recording at least one, and as many as three, episodes of Talk Hard. One of which we hope will be our first interview.

Friday

You may or may not receive your second podcast episode of the week. We have to play these things by ear, you know. You tell us, do you like more than one episode in a week?

Filmmaking Updates

Being that this is an indie film site, some of you might like to keep track of what we're up to behind the camera. So... Henceforth, you can hear detailed stories of every shoot and updates on every production in our Tales From the Field segment on the Talk Hard podcast. We'll also supplement those stories right here on the blog with pictures and whatnot.

Normally, Tales will be a segment on the show when we have something in the works. But this time, it was an entire episode of talk about production on the Todd Sheene joint, Rural Legend. And Allen digs deep into our perceived roles within the group.

So don't be shy, click on over to the Talk Hard page or, better yet, go ahead and subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Random Film Thoughts #6

Willy Wonka's limping entrance and flip is a magic moment and has to be one of the greatest actor-devised scenes in film history.

The Story

After reading the script, Gene Wilder said he would take the role of Willy Wonka under one condition: that he would be allowed to limp, then suddenly somersault in the scene when he first meets the children. When the director asked why, Gene Wilder replied that having Wonka do this meant that "from that time on, no one will know if I'm lying or telling the truth."

So, not just the spectacle of it, but the thought behind it. It's brilliant storytelling and the type that only movies can produce. This is our first glimpse of Wonka. He's a complete mystery, not only to all the characters in the film, but the audience as well. His walk, allowed to play out in full from door to gate, is slow and controlled. His limp plays into many of the rumors we've heard about the chocolatier. And then suddenly, after he loses his cane... a fall, a flip, and the carefully developed tension instantly turns into whimsy. Wonka becomes fascinating from his very first moment.

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.

Street Scene

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?