Lethal Weapon

As always, when I'm not writing or editing, I am surfing the web for remnants of my childhood. I stumbled upon the Lethal Weapon 4 trailer, which of course requires me to blog about the Lethal Weapon series.

The Lethal Weapon series was one of my biggest influences. 1 and 2 were huge to me. 3 was a bonus, and in the late 90's when 4 came out, it seemed like it was the last glimpse of all that old school 80's fun. It was really the last time I saw that kind of magic on the big screen. It was such a great combination of action, comedy, and drama. The end of Lethal Weapon 2 always makes me tear up.

Lethal Weapon was chock full of greatness. It all started with Shane Black's amazing screenplay for Lethal Weapon 1. The chemistry between Gibson and Glover, the snappy dialogue, the wisecracks, Donner's great action direction. Can't think of too many movies lately that make me feel the way the Lethal Weapon series made me feel. 4 was my least favorite, but it was still very much a Lethal Weapon movie with every bit of charm and charisma that I miss so much in movies today.

This trailer really captured that feel, that magic, and that fun. Plus I love Chris Rock and Jet Li.



I have to say though, at the time I was very much into John Woo and Hong Kong cinema, which had an overall different vibe than movies like Die Hard or Lethal Weapon. Specifically I was in love with the gun cross. If you were a fan of action and gun play, you were like me and you absolutely loved the gun cross, a staple used in so many John Woo movies.

So when Lethal Weapon 4 came out and I watched the scene posted below, I totally freaked out. It was absolutely amazing to see director Richard Donner put in a Hong Kong action move in a scene with two of my favorite action characters, Riggs and Murtaugh, against Jet Li as well. Honestly the best part of the movie for me. I still watch it in awe. It's like my worlds collided and I was quite happy with the impact.



The above clip also features that final fight between Jet, Riggs, and Murtaugh. Great scene, very well done. I always complained that Riggs was downplayed quite abit in his fighting ability in this. He's Special Forces, he used some great moves in the first movie against Gary Busey, so I was a little disappointed watching him throw wide swings and not being able to keep up with Li's character, but I digress.

After the fight scene, we see a great example of the kind of empathy and drama that Lethal Weapon gives you. Riggs drowning, Murtaugh searching for him, eventually saving his life. The score by the always amazing Michael Kamen always helps (I could and probably will do an entire blog on Michael Kamen alone). But the Lethal Weapon series in general is a great example of that unique complexity I love so much. So many people can easily throw this series in the buddy cop, mindless action category. The truth is amidst the action and shootouts, there were real characters here that we root for and care for. Riggs and Murtaugh had a connection, they had heart.

In a movie that could easily have been one action set piece after another, we actually find great humor, some solid dramatic feeling, and a unique charisma. It's action with heart and soul. And that's the kind of stories I want to tell. Those are the kinds of stories and movies I lean towards. Again I have to go back to my usual examples. Back To The Future is more than just a comedy. The Iron Giant is so much more than a cartoon. The Goonies is so much more than just a kids adventure. The Abyss is more than just some underwater scifi flick. These movies pay respect to the categories they are filed under, but when you watch them, when you experience them, there are deeper layers there to experience.

If you go back and really watch the Lethal Weapon series, you may be surprised to find some real heart warming drama in what you'd think was just an action movie. It's something more than what it seems.

And that's what I'm trying to make. Something much more than what it seems.

I remember when the poster for Lethal Weapon 2 came out. Even Warner Brothers Marketing knew to acknowledge that special magic that Lethal Weapon had. They even put it on the poster.



I want that kind of magic in my movies.

Smile Pretty and Watch Your Back

Forgive the title of this blog post. I don't think it actually has anything to do with anything in this posting. It's lyrics from an Ani Difranco song, which I was just listening to. I would've used other lyrics had I actually been listening to music that had lyrics, but the majority of my shuffle is movie scores. Hey, it's what happens when I'm writing. I just happen to throw in some Ani Difranco, also some Nine Inch Nails, Tupac, and Billy Joel, but Ani seems to be the one that pops up the most.

The script for Bobby's Closet is complete. Has been for a few weeks now. The business plan is also complete. So what are the next steps? Here we go:

- Explain to everyone what Bobby's Closet is.
I've started work on the official site that will help explain the concept and plot. Feel free to check it out here http://www.bobbysclosetmovie.com The site is very preliminary, not much on it, but I hope to have more art, vlogs, and blogs up very soon.

Here's the basic plot in case you're just that lazy to click the above link.
PLOT: There is an ancient box that contains mystical powers. Powers to open doorways to other dimensions, and bring to life anything that is not within our reality. When this box is placed inside a closet containing sci-fi and horror movie memorabilia, movie monsters begin to come to life and enter the real world, threatening our reality. Using Sci-Fi Movie weapons and their movie trivia know how, it's up to 2 Movie Geeks and 1 Female Vampire Hunter to stop the monsters, and close the box inside Bobby's Closet.

- Preliminary Casting.
We've got all three principal parts cast. Chris Plouffe will be playing JERRY. Brandon White will be playing AL. I actually wrote both parts with them in mind. I've gotten to know their skills and talents working with them on Monster Cops. We've had a few readings and they've been nailing them. I think I've made some wise choices in casting so far. I also wrote the part of psycho killer LAWRENCE POTTER for Richard Gaither. Gotten to know him working on Monster Cops as well, I know he is more than up to the task. I most recently cast our female lead. April Crum will be playing the vampire huntress JADE. She did an amazing job in her audition, she really nailed the lines and some of the fight choreography. Excellent job on her part. This movie is going to be quite fight heavy, and her previous martial arts experience is a plus.

We'll be doing more preliminary casting soon. I hope to have the majority of the movie cast before we even get complete funding in place.

- Get going on the Concept Art.
Both Brandon White and April Crum are skilled artists. I'm having them work up some concept art to help display the look and feel of this movie. We need to convey how this movie combines fantasy elements with horror elements. Show off the look of the Vampire Hunter Jade, what Bobby's Closet looks like, and really show off what alot of these futuristic military weapons will look like in some of these battle scenes.

Raise The Money!
The full business plan is complete and so is the script. We are about to start really seeking out sponsors and investors as well as begin crowd sourcing. And by crowd sourcing I mean offering up presales and perks to those willing to pay. For example for 40 dollars not only will you be one of the first to get a DVD copy of the movie, you'll also get a credit in the film, access to free merchandise (shirts, posters, etc.), and you'll have a chance to win prizes and props from the movie. We'll come up with other perks as well, but crowd sourcing is a newer and great way for alot of indies to get the funding they need. The full budget that needs to be raised is $50,000.00. Let's hope this works out for us (fingers crossed).

I hope to have a full budget in the next few months. It would be great to get started in October. Nothing like shooting a horror movie in October. I'm fully prepared to wait as long as it takes to get the money together, but we'll do what we can to get it together and shoot this thing soon.

There's actually another feature film that I am currently writing. The name of that one is VICTIMS. It's a bit more in the Horror Genre, but does include quite a bit of thrills, action and humor. The budget for that one is not quite as large as Bobby's Closet. So it's a possibilty we could shoot that one first. We'll see what happens. I'll work on that script as I prep for Bobbby's Closet and raise the necessary funds.

I posted on the Monster Cops blog about the delay on those episodes since I am working on The Victims script and fundraising for Bobby's Closet. But I do hope to have a Monster Cops episode and a few webisodes up before Halloween. I've actually gotten quite a few messages about MC, and I am flattered and happy to know so many people are paying attention to Monster Cops. Thank you all so much.

I know I've been posting about these upcoming Vlogs, but I've even been too busy to do that. But I know I've got one coming up soon. Thanks to everyone for their support and all of their questions.

Wish me luck on fundraising. More on that later.

A full cast list will be posted soon for either feature, but if anyone is interested in auditioning and you're accessible to the Winston Salem area of NC, please email me your headshot, resume, and any links to videos of your work.

Holy crap, I forgot I put some Cheap Trick in this shuffle, sweet.

Sorry, here's my email: pumpkinking13 @ msn . com

Much more later.

- P

Todays lesson, napkins are important and never underestimate the power of the audience.

No one said this was going to be easy.

The Mystery Box

I saw this a while back and I've actually watched it several times since then. J.J. Abrams speaking a TED (Technology, Entertainement, and Design). Alot of what he says here I believe in. Great presentation, and what a great story about the Mystery Boxes. This made alot of sense to me when I first saw it, but very much so now, since I seem to be working very closely with a Mystery Box myself.

Directed by John Hughes

Amazing Video Tribute created by Paul Proulx.

Really captures Hughes brilliance as a writer and a director.

John Hughes

I really can't believe it. You were a big influence on me and so many others. Your movies helped me through some tough times, and pretty much helped define the 80's. Without your work I would be nothing. I learned alot about comedy, about pathos, and certainly about life, all through your writing, directing, and producing.

Thank you for making movies that made me want to make movies.

Thank you John Hughes.

John Hughes dies age 59.

 

 
 

  

 

  

  

Don't You (Forget About Me)

This one's for John Hughes. You made my teenage years so much cooler, and the 80's one of the greatest decades ever. I won't forget. I promise.

Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)

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Magic

First off I'd like to congratulate April Crum. She is officially cast as the VAMPIRE HUNTER JADE in the feature film Bobby's Closet. She is also a very talented artist, and we'll be utilizing her talents in that regard as well. This movie is going to require alot of artwork, fake movie posters, faux comic books, etc.

I'm quite anxious to talk about Bobby's Closet. Many people have messaged me about it. I know I haven't explained too much about the plot, and I'm glad so many of you are curious to know what this feature is about, and what it is I've been writing. I'm working on a VLOG that I hope to finish soon.

This Vlog will hopefully not only fill you on the plot, but the look and feel I'm going for. In preparation for it, I've been watching and listening to Back To The Future and it's sound track. Although Bobby's Closet could be classified as horror, and does contain monsters, I want it to have that magic that Back To The Future had. Also BTTF had that complex classification. Sure it's a comedy, but there are strong elements of Sci-Fi and suspense. Those last 15 minutes always keep me on the edge of my seat. And boy what a cool ending. Bobby's Closet is also a comedy, with strong elements of sci-fi and horror and adventure that will hopefully keep you on the edge of your seat.

There was that specific feel from a lot of those movies from back then, The Goonies, Close Encounters, Raiders, Ghostbusters, etc. They all had this charm, this essence, this kind of Magic. Movies nowadays are still magical, of course, but back then movies really made me feel like anything was possible. I'm sure it's mainly because I was an impressionable kid, and much of this is about nostalgia. But I think that's what it kind of comes back to. We end up spending much of our adult lives trying to recapture and relive our childhoods. Why? Because I think we miss that feeling we knew before we grew up. That feeling that told us that anything was possible, and magic was real.

I believe that anything is possible. That the happiest, grandest, most magical visions are yet to be experienced. Movies make me feel that way, and I want to make movies that make you feel that way too. That's exactly what I'm going to do with Bobby's Closet.

The Incident

Nothing to see here. Just me obsessing over LOST. Season 5 ended months ago, and I'm going through withdrawals. I'm posting the cold open and the last scenes, just so I have a place to watch them over and over again, as I search for clues and insight into the enigma that is LOST.

January can't come fast enough, if the season does indeed start up by then.





I don't have the heart to post Juliet's end scene. It's so disturbing to me. I really love Juliet. I swear there better be a decent resolution for her.

Good preproduction meeting last night. Now working on Casting sheets and Set and Location sheets. Soooo much work to do for Bobby's Closet.

Back and Forth

I'm secretly a soldier in the Dr. Steel army. Love this song. And Nurse Gen is adorable.

Just wish there were more episodes from this web series, but then again, I'm sure someone else is out there saying the same thing for Monster Cops. Hey, we do what we can with the time and money we've got. When you're a no budget indie, it's always Back and Forth.



DR.STEEL'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Done and done. now at IHOP. later nap. then finish the script. start of business plan.

Im beginning to understand a little better what Monster Cops is and should be.

Up early. standing in line. woo hoo.

Trailer Round Up

A few trailers I saw recently that really impressed me.

I love Patton Oswalt. One of my fav Stand Up Comedians, loved him in King Of Queens, loved him in Ratatouille. Here he takes a dramatic turn in a movie with a great concept.

BIG FAN




Ricky Gervais is fucking brilliant.

THE INVENTION OF LYING





What if everyone in the world were Vampires? Great premise, and it just looks amazing.

DAYBREAKERS

Wisdom

My Wisdom teeth. Never had em taken out. Every few years it seems like they wanna act up and grow, and give me over all pain.

That is what is happening now.

I am finishing up the final draft of Bobby's Closet, I am starting on the business plan, and planning out the full package, working on vlogs for it, and thinking about the official website, all in an effort to create buzz and start raising money to shoot this massive production .... all while I am in agonizing pain.

Ok, not exactly agonizing. When the ibuprofen wears off it's really just a throbbing ache/annoyance. But enough to be distracting. Good thing is, I am so driven to do this project that it's really not stopping me. But it is putting me in a very serious focused state. And also rather grumpy. I already don't want to do anything but work on Bobby's Closet, and now I'm ready to tear into anybody that stands in my way or distracts me. Which I guess is somewhat of a good thing, unless you're in my way and or distracting me.

I've been doing a lot of research as well. Preparing for the full workflow of producing another feature length film. I remember the struggles of working on my first two features. I remember the pains, and I understand much better now, what pains were necessary and what pains could have been avoided. It's the pains you go through that later give you that wisdom. It's that wisdom that I have now that gives me the confidence to do this project. There's a difference between knowing and REALLY knowing. I've been through this process enough times to know what needs to be done. Bobby's Closet will be made, and love it or hate it, the audience will see it.

Here's a video of Harold Ramis talking about Ghostbuster's 3. Not only is there insight into the anticipated sequel, but good old insight in general. There's wisdom in much of his words. Especially when he talks about making something with REAL people, and how some Hollywood movies start to look the same. What I'm trying to do with BOBBY'S CLOSET is to make something real that you can grab on to. To make something that doesn't look or feel like everything else. I'm trying to make something magical, amazing, adventurous, and overall with a true sense of REAL human emotion. Not another fx heavy blur of a project. Something the audience can REALLY connect with.



Thank you Mr. Ramis. Thank you for the Wisdom.

This business plan is kicking my ass today.

They don't teach you crazy in film school. Crazy is exactly what you'll need to pull this off.

Residue Evil Part 2: THE MONSTER

The third and final ad for the Old Spice Everclear assignment.



Monster created by Richard Gaither. Destroyed by Chris Plouffe. The Monster was played by Darin Chamberlin.