Early in March I received an email from the people that run National Novel Writing Month, introducing me to a new challenge – Script Frenzy.  The idea is similar to NaNoWriMo – write a 100-page script during the month of April.  As a movie fanatic, I decided to give it some thought.

With April being an insane month (most weekends booked and the possibility of a move), I initially decided it might be better to wait for next year to attempt this challenge.  However, when it was announced that I could get a copy of the uber-awesome writing program Scrivener for half off if I completed, my unemployed / frugal side decided to give it a try.

Only one problem…I have never written a script before and have no idea what I’m doing.
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Earlier this week, I devised a plan for a film festival that you can participate in from the comfort of your own couch.  I asked for recommendations and received a number via Twitter.  Over the past day I put together a schedule for those who would like to participate.

It’s easy if you want to join the fun.  If you have a way to stream Netflix, simply add these movies to your cue.  At the selected time, start them up and watch them with the rest of us. I’ll be on Twitter (@The_Dean) adding commentary and seeing what you have to say (use #DUFF to join the conversation). Join for some or all of the films.

Here is the list of films and their start times:
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It’s February.  It’s cold and snowy.  You really don’t want to be outside, and have no plans for this weekend.  If only there was something fun to do.

Those were my thoughts last night when I noticed a film I wanted to see – Beer Wars – was available on Netflix streaming service.  While chatting with a friend who is attending the True/False film festival this weekend, I decided that since I was unemployed I would have my own film festival from the comfort of my couch.  I could get a two-week free membership from Netflix and stream some films I wanted to see. Thus the Dean Underground Film Festival was born.

It wasn’t until today I recognized I didn’t need to be the only participant.
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The story of a journalist named Hunter
Who used drugs and drank lots of liquor
Writing made him a celeb.
But now he is dead
Although he inspired a generation of writers.

July 4th — day synonymous with independence and revolution.  A day we remember the rebels that created a new country and basis of government.

It seems fitting that “Gonzo,” a documentary about journalist Hunter S. Thompson opens on Independence Day.  Thompson was a true rebel, reinforcing “new journalism,” and adding his own spin.  Gonzo journalism involves first-person accounts of stories, and mixes in drugs, vulgarity and fictional elements to make standard stories more appealing and interesting.

Like many writers over the past two decades, Thompson is the reason I became interested in journalism and chose to pursue it as a career.   A synopsis of the film provided by Apple Trailers:

From Oscar-wining director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter comes a probing look into the uncanny life of national treasure and gonzo journalism inventor Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. A fast moving, wildly entertaining documentary with an iconic soundtrack, the film addresses the major touchstones in Thompson’s life-his intense and ill fated relationship with the Hell’s Angels, his near-successful bid for the office of sheriff in Aspen in 1970, the notorious story behind the landmark Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his deep involvement in Senator George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign, and much more. Narrated by Johnny Depp.

Watch the trailer:

Christina Ricci,
Kung-fu cars and cool graphics
Make this movie cool

3.5 out of 5 stars

Write your own haiku review in the comments.

Since videotapes and DVD’s became popular, movies have played a more significant role in our lives. After a bad night at the bar, it’s easy to pop in a movie that relates to your current mode or to make you feel better. We each have movies that we relate to different life experiences. As I sit watching one movie from this list, I’ve created short list of some of mine:

“I quit/got fired from my job” – Reality Bites. When you feel a bit bummed about leaving a job (by choice or otherwise), the thought of Winona Rider losing her job, and Ethan Hawke being fired from 14 makes a person feel a bit better for some reason.

“Women make no sense” – High Fidelity. Yes, women are confusing as hell. What better way to celebrate this than by watching a movie where the man is actually the one with a few screws loose (or is completely sane depending on the day)?

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Advertisement surrounds us. We encounter one product placement after another in our daily lives.

When done right, advertisement is an art. Some of the best art from overseas was on display last night at the British Television Advertising Awards at the Monona Terrace.

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Two of my all time favorite science fiction movies will see new life in the coming years – both by the same director.

Joseph Kosinski got his start by making television commercials for Nike, Apple, and Nintendo before moving to Hollywood to starting his directing career.  His first movie will be a remake of “Logan’s Run.”  Many have never seen this forgotten classic (unless I’ve forced them to watch it) about a society where at the age of 30, you are eliminated.

The second classic was announced by Disney, and is a sequel to the nerdcore classic “Tron.”  For anyone that is unfamiliar with this story, Wikipedia provides a great synopsis.  While the new Tron will not be out until 2010, geeks around the world will keep their fingers crossed, hoping Kosinski’s version is as good (or better) then the original.

I finally had a chance to catch Michael Moore’s new film Sicko.  For those unaware, the film is about the health care and insurance industry in the United States.  Moore is a powerful storyteller, and the movie really hit home.  Until about two months ago I was not covered by insurance.  As it stands now, I have Blue Cross catastrophe insurance only.  After watching the movie, I’m starting to think that is a waste of my money.

Needless to say there are two points which the movie alluded to that were not covered nearly enough.
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The Simpson’s movie hits theaters on July 27, and like most movies it will be accompanied by a video game release. While most video games that accompany movies tend to be crap, this one looks different. In an interview about the game, Simpson’s creator Matt Groening reveals:

They (game writers Matt Selman and Matt Warburto) did a send-up of videogames. It’s a videogame about videogames; and I’m in the videogame. I’m a boss that you have to fight at the end of the game. It was really fun recording a million ways of dying, going ‘UGGH, ARGGH, EUURGH!

No release date on the video game from EA. Read more at Eurogamer.

Made the pilgrimage to the theater to check out Fantastic Four earlier today with a friend. The movie itself was not that good. One of the main reasons we wanted to see it was the Silver Surfer, one of the greatest comic book characters of all times. I was disappointed that 90% of the coolest moments involving my favorite character I saw in the first trailer.

What added salt to the wound for me; a poor college student with little extra money to spare seeing a flick in the theater opening day, was the advertising. I don’t mind when Hollywood finds creative ways to plug sponsors in their movie – see Wayne’s World. I also can tolerate product placement, like the Dos Equis beers the characters were drinking. What I can’t stand is when a movie basically becomes a commercial for no apparent reason. Anyone that has seen I Robot knows what I’m talking about, as the first ten minutes of the film are various commercials. Enter the Fantastico-Dodge-Mobile.

In short, don’t waste your money on this film – rent it or illegally download it if you are so inclined. Dodge has already paid for most of it anyway.

Also – is it just me or does  this thing look like a Nintendo 64 console?

Thirty years ago today, one of the most influential films of a generation was released in theaters. Star Wars is still extremely popular today after three decades. Hundreds of books, comics, and fan films have been written around the world that George Lucas created. To honor the birthday of this generational pop-culture phenomenon, I’ve included a link to my short story “Geekend,” which I wrote the day after seeing Revenge of the Sith in the theater. Enjoy.