Stay True To Your Roots Actors

I went to a sneak peek of the new Dwayne "Don't Call Me Rock" Johnson movie "Faster" last night.  Decent movie, nothing spectacular new but a entertaining r-rated action movie.  What I enjoyed the most was seeing The Rock as a badass again killing people, swearing and just being The Rock.  He's back and bigger than ever in this movie.  I thought he'd lost it after all these Disney family movies he'd been putting out.  The last time I saw him, he'd lost a ton of weight and just wasn't the same guy as he once was.  Well, he's back and his neck muscles alone in this movie are bigger than my thighs.  It was refreshing to see him back in an r-rated movie and it led me to thinking, why do so many actors stray from what they are good at?

Maybe it's me but Eddie Murphy should not be making kid movies and Vin Diesel and The Rock should be killing people in action movies and not dancing around in Disney family movies looking for a quick buck.  I really don't mind straying once in awhile but when you start doing movie after movie in a genre you really shouldn't be in, I start to get pissed.  As far as I'm concerned Eddie Murphy is a lost cause.  Unless he gets out there and does two or three r-rated comedies and a stand-up routine I will most likely not ever see one of his movies again.  It's gotten that bad.  I thought The Rock had chosen the same path when he made The Game Plan then followed that up with Tooth Fairy.  When I heard that a Tooth Fairy 2 was in the works I all but gave up on him.  Then last night happened and I still have some faith.

Now don't get me wrong, sometimes a cross-over to a family comedy or a straight comedy works.  Look at Arnold Schwarzenegger and his roles in Kindergarten Cop and Twins.  Those movies worked but then again, he always went back to his action roots and made badass r-rated movies.  I don't mind a cross-over movie if you go back to your roots and all but sometimes actors just don't come back.  Maybe it's me, but you have to kick a little ass and make a raunchy r-rated comedy and stay true to your acting roots to get my respect and money.

Aspiring Screenwriter's Rant

I’m not sure I’ve mentioned it before on this site but I’m an aspiring screenwriter.  I’ve been writing screenplays with a friend for about two to three years now.  We have three completed and are now revising them so we can try and get some industry folks to read them and give us money for them.  Right now, I view this as more of a hobby than anything, because I’m not going to quit my job, move to Hollywood and pursue a screenwriter’s career.  Instead I’m writing at my leisure and if my “big break” happens, great.  My problem is why is it so hard to get someone to at least read my screenplays?  With all the crap that gets made nowadays and the unoriginality in the movie business, why wouldn’t studio producers and executives read more amateur screenwriters?  Maybe it’s me but if the people that wrote Strange Wilderness and all the latest crappy spoof movies get a chance, how come I can’t?

I’m not saying I’m a better writer than the people that write crappy movies, I’m just saying I can probably write a better movie than Strange Wilderness or Grown Ups.  It just seems like you have to know someone to get your screenplay looked at or produced.  My partner and I have really good ideas and are fine tuning our craft as we speak but are we doing it for nothing?  Is it just a waste of my time?  I guess since it’s something I enjoy and I’m not banking on it for income that it will never be a waste of time.  I just hope that my ideas one day are at least read.  If they’re crap, great, tell me, but how do I really know?

Maybe it is me.  Maybe I’m not doing enough.  After the new revisions and final drafts in the next couple of months, I think I’ll enter some contests.  Most contests read every script and provide feedback.  With the feedback I can at least see if my writing is any good and if I should continue this as a hobby or get more involved.  This will at least give me some honest feedback and get some reads on my scripts.  I can’t even get my own wife to read them.  I’ve had a couple friends read them but are they really giving me honest feedback?  I doubt it.  And truthfully, how could they give honest feedback, they’re not fine tuned writers or producers.  What do they know?

I guess this is just a frustration rant but it really irks me when I go to the movies and see trailers for crap like Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Tooth Fairy, Spy Next Door, Cop Out, The Bounty Hunter, and The Back-Up Plan.  Though I’ve never seen these movies, the reviews and box office haul indicates they just aren’t very good.  Maybe it’s me but give some aspiring and amateur screenwriters a chance.  We have some great ideas and could really help Hollywood right now.

Happy Birthday Pete!

Sorry for the double post today especially after that long one about Michael Jackson but today is my son’s sixth birthday and I believe it deserves a post.  I really can’t believe that he’s six years old.  It just doesn’t seem that long ago we were bringing him home from the hospital or seeing him take his first steps or hearing him talk for the first time.  Time really flies because he’s like a little man now.  We can rough house, have an intelligent conversation and do things together that I do with my friends (video games, movies, etc.).  I view him as my son but also as my best friend.

I remember his first birthday I wrote him a letter that we put in his 1^st year time capsule.  Basically it was a letter on the first year of his life and something he could read just in case I wasn’t there with him.  I planned on doing it every year but haven’t since.  I know, bad dad right?  I did try but really didn’t know what to say.  It’s hard to come up with advice and yearly recaps on the spot.  I guess I should have tried harder but instead I’ll just have to keep myself alive to tell him all the advice and knowledge I have in me.  Maybe this blog will be around for awhile and one day he’ll be able to read all the posts and get a sense of what I am all about.

Either way, it’s been a very interesting and great six years.  He’s a great kid and I couldn’t ask for anything more.  Happy Birthday Pete!

Maybe it’s me but having a son makes you soft.  I would have never written this stuff six years ago.  Ha, ha, ha.

The Death and Rise of Michael Jackson

On my day off yesterday I took my six year old son to see the new movie, “Megamind: and was very surprised at the ending of the movie.  As usual in these animated movies, the ending usually has the main characters dancing to a popular song that continues during the credits.  Well imagine my surprise when they had “Bad” by Michael Jackson playing to finalize the film.  While it was totally fitting to the movie it’s something that just would not have happened three to four years ago.  When Michael Jackson was alive the last years of his life we didn’t hear a lot of his songs in movies, let alone a kid’s movie.  It seems with his death people have started loving Michael again.  Maybe it’s me but the best thing that could have happened to Michael Jackson was to die before his time in a dramatic fashion.

I’ve always been a huge Michael Jackson fan.  It probably has something to do with me growing up in the 1980’s when he was officially blowing up.  I stayed a fan through all the nonsense in the man’s life but the general public gave up on him in the late 90’s (at least in the United States).  After the first child molestation charges, people formed their own opinions and stopped caring about him.  Most people assumed he was guilty because he paid the kid off for it all to go away but is that the case?  I recently read several books on Michael (can you believe how many have come out in the short time he’s passed?) and almost every book I’ve read says that he wanted to fight the charges back in 1994.  His lawyers and wife at the time (Lisa Marie Pressley) thought it’d be better just to pay the kid off and let this thing pass.  While it did pass it didn’t paint the best picture of him, people viewed him as a pedophile.

I was a little skeptical too at the time but deep down I just couldn’t believe it.  That’s why when it happened again later in his life and charges were brought against him and we saw the court trial I was happy to see that he was innocent.  This leads me to believe that he wasn’t guilty back in the day either.  The cases were very similar and I really truly believe that the people after him were simply after some cash and saw an opportunity because of the lifestyle he chose to live.  The man was a big kid and liked to surround himself with children.  He was an easy target and because of his fame people tried to take advantage of that.  While it’s a little strange to surround yourself with children the man had a really messed up childhood and I think deep down considered himself to be just a big child.  With this crazy paparazzi world, people were quick to form their own opinions without the full knowledge of the situation and though he was proven innocent in the court of law, people still believe he was guilty and the “pedophile” claim stuck with him until his death.

A full year and a half later though, it seems all has been forgotten or at least has went to the background.  People are finally enjoying his music again and a whole new generation now has the chance to experience his music and life.  My six year old son who’s way too young to remember Michael’s good days loves his music and videos.  Michael’s popularity is as big as it was in his heyday of the 1980’s and he’s been dead for a year and a half.  Maybe if the general public didn’t form their opinions on tabloid stories and accusations of money hungry parents he’d still be here right now.  I’m not saying that these allegations and bad press led to his death but I’m sure it didn’t help.  The amount of stress the man had to deal with had to be enormous.  Maybe it’s me but Michael Jackson dying was the best thing to “revive” his career.

On a side note, Megamind wasn’t half bad.  I’d give it a 7/10 and for a kid’s movie it kept me thoroughly entertained.  See the 3-D version though as it was really cool.  The story was pretty good and the voice talent they assembled was really good.  The ending was the worst part but for an animated kid’s movie you can do a lot worse.

Thank you Veterans!

On a more serious note than usual, just wanted to give a big Thank You to all the veterans out there.  Without you guys we wouldn't be able to enjoy the fruits of freedom, like being able to write whatever I want on a blog site.  So thank you and I will never forget what you have done for us!  If you are reading this blog and see a veteran today (or anyday for that matter) say thank you and appreciate what they've done for our country.

Lights Out!

This past weekend we had my son’s sixth birthday parties, yes parties, as in two.  We had a “kid’s party” where he had all his friends from school and then a family/adult party for those that really don’t have kids or have kids that are too old to enjoy that venue.  I really didn’t want to have two different parties but because of where we were having the “kids” one and the cost involved it was easier to just separate the parties.  Not easier for us but easier for everyone else and more cost effective for me.

Before I get into my major issue with the day I wanted to first say where did the last six years go?  Seriously, I can’t believe my son’s six.  I still remember the first day we brought him home from the hospital and other milestones that don’t seem all that long ago.  But it has been.  It really does go by fast and I’m alright with that.  While the early stuff is important and cool, my son is way more “fun” right now.  We can wrestle around, watch movies, play video games, play sports and play with Nerf guns!  Maybe it’s me but the first few years of a child’s life is more for the mommies than it is for the dads.  He’s a person now and not only can communicate, he can think for himself and participate in relationships that are more involved that just cuddling and changing him.

The only issue we had with the day was the first party for the kid’s.  We had it at a place called Nomad’s in South Windsor, CT.  This place has arcade games, laser tag, bounce houses, bumper cars, small amusement park rides, mini-golf and an indoor play area for children.  It’s like a more grown up Chuck E. Cheese’s.  About Fifteen minutes into our party the entire establishment lost power.  The whole industrial park we were in lost power for some reason that was really never explained to us.  We heard everything from car accident to transformer being faulty.  Whatever the case, the power is out and the emergency lights are on.  Now what?  We have 20 kids, 30 parents and no electricity.  No food, no fun, what do we do?

I do have to give praise to the staff of Nomad’s.  They communicated what was going on (though each one had a different “theory” of why they didn’t have lights) and they did try and keep the kid’s entertained.  They played group games with the children as they tried to figure out if they were going to get the lights back on.  When it was determined they were going to have to close the place, they allowed us to at least have cake and let my son open his presents.

Now, maybe it’s me but when you have a business that solely relies on electricity, I would think you would invest in a back-up generator or two, or three or whatever it takes to run your business just in case you have an issue like this.  I don’t know the whole deal with generators but my brother in law has one that will run his entire house for up to a week if they should lose power.  If they have those available to consumers, they must make ones for commercial use.  What about ones for grocery stores and other place with perishable items?  If I owned an establishment like this I would definitely invest in a bunch of generators.

It didn’t matter in the end I guess.  The kid’s had a blast anyway running around like crazy people in the dark place, they had their cake and my son received his presents.  He really wanted to do laser tag so we’ll bring him back with some friends and let him do that.  I also saved about 600 bucks so that’s not bad either...

Healtcare Costs Complaints.

There’s been something bothering me for awhile now and I just need to vent a little today.  I’m sick and tired of everyone crying about healthcare costs when no one’s really doing anything to try and get in better shape.  Everyone wants lower healthcare rates and better care but what are they doing as individuals to help the cause?  Nothing!  That’s the point.  I sat through a seminar yesterday that showed that about two-thirds of the country is 20% overweight and that almost the whole country is “bigger” than other countries in the world.  Maybe it’s me, but people should stop complaining about healthcare costs and actually do something about it.

The best option to keep healthcare costs down is not a federal controlled medical plan or healthcare reform, it simply comes down to being in better shape.  Instead of complaining and shoving down a Big Mac at lunch, how about you go for a walk or sign up and go to a gym.  Obesity is causing more people to be diabetic and have heart problems.  Guess what?  Those two conditions are very expensive to control and cure.  You know what how to combat these conditions?  Good ole fashioned exercise and a better diet.  Drink in moderation, eat better and get your ass off the couch.

I’m not one to point fingers as I don’t drink in moderation and I could eat better but I also exercise about 8-10 hours a week.  Not that wimpy take a walk exercise either, I’m in the gym on treadmills, elipticals and other machines busting my ass because I know I’m eating and drinking bad.  I don’t necessarily care that you eat or drink like an asshole but how about you get out and exercise off some of the excess you are eating and drinking.  If we could get the population healthier, we could lower medical costs extremely.

Maybe the government needs to take it one more step with their “healthcare reform” bullshit.  How about allowing people to use funds in Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts to pay for gym membership?  How about incentives for people who stay in a certain weight class or BMI index?  Have a system set up where if you at least try and take care of yourself, join a gym, eat healthy you can get lower premiums.  I know it sounds crazy but people won’t do something if they aren’t pushed to it.  I guarantee you that more people would join a gym or get in better shape if they were eligible to receive incentives to do so.  Let’s make it happen, it’s the only way people are going to change their habits.

Maybe it’s me, but I think I should be the one complaining about you lazy, smoking overweight assholes.  Think about it, because of what you are doing, I have to pay more in healthcare.  It’s not vice-versa.  If anything I’m the one trying to help the cause.  I stay in shape and am constantly trying to keep myself in a weight range that I feel will help me not develop diabetes or a heart condition down the line that will be a catastrophic healthcare cost.  Can I see some help on your side?  Put down the cigarette and drumstick and I’ll see you on the treadmill…

Trick or Treating Age Range...

I was busy yesterday and didn’t get to post so I’m hitting you guys up with a double post.  This one deals with something that was debated quite a bit on Halloween while handing out candy.  What is the cut-off age for trick or treating?  Everyone seems to have different opinions and who’s to say who’s right.  Should there even be a cut-off age?  I think there has to be but what is that age?

Here’s my range; AGE 3 through YOUR AGE AS A FRESHMAN in HIGHSCHOOL.  That seems fair to me.  There’s no reason for infants through Age 2 to be trick or treating.  If your parents have to hold you to go trick or treating, we all know who the candy is for you greedy ass cheap bastards!  We all know that the parents are going to eat that candy.  Every time this happened on Sunday, I tried to fish out the crappiest candy I had in the bucket.  All Dots, tootsie rolls and gum.  Let’s see you’re infant eat that those candies you selfish son of a bitch!  I know what you’re doing and it’s not cool.  Maybe it’s me, but when you have teeth, can walk and are coherent enough to know what is going on, that’s when you should be allowed to start trick or treating.

On the flipside, maybe it’s me but if you’re out of a training bra, sporting a REAL mustache and have already popped a cherry or had your cherry popped, it’s time to put the trick or treat bag down and retire from the scene.  I can’t tell you how many borderline teens I saw trick or treating.  I can see the fun in it but there has to be a time where you say, ok, enough is enough and I need to grow up.  In fact, that is the first step in growing up, putting the trick or treat bag down and handing out candy out is a christening of adulthood.

Is this a good age range?  Let me know what you think?

October 31st? Why?

It occurred to me late Sunday night on my way home from a small trick or treating party at a buddies house that it’s time to change Halloween.  My five year old son was a disaster Monday morning and pretty much all day.  He was so tired that he went to bed at 7:30 and we didn’t hear a peep from him the entire night.  Halloween is a night mostly for kids that are between the ages of 4 and early teens, and the holiday activities have to start at night time so why are we still celebrating this during the week and on Sundays?  Maybe it’s me, but I think it’s time for a change to Halloween.

Halloween should be changed to the last Saturday of October regardless of the date.  This would allow kids to stay up a later and still enjoy the festivities.  They would have a day to rest before going back to school and parents could enjoy themselves a little more as well.  Is there any real date significance to Halloween?  Does it really need to be on the 31^st?  A quick Google search relayed me information that the date has different origins and different stories that are just too much to get into today.  There is no real date significance so why do we stick with the 31^st?

I see the significance of Christmas and New Years but other holidays have set time frames and are given a specific day of the month instead of floating around.  Easter is always changing depending on the lunar schedule but always happens on a Sunday between March 22nd and April 25^th.  Thanksgiving is always on the second to last Thursday of November.  These holidays a lot more significance than Halloween.  Easter has something to do with Jesus, sorry I don’t know exactly what, I don’t follow that fairy tale.  Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have and spending time with families.  I get it, and I like that it’s on a set day instead of a date as it makes planning and enjoying the holiday a lot easier.

So who’s with me?  Let’s make the change.  Someone call President Obama!  You’ll probably find him in between his Letterman appearances and Esquire photo shoot.  It’s time for a change!!!  He’s all about talking about change, this could actually happen, I’ll lead the campaign.  Maybe it’s me, but Halloween should be changed to the last Saturday of October, regardless of the date!