Del on The Lost Boys

Although the flick's name conjures up images of a motley crew of young adventurers from Never land, those friendly faces are not who director James Jeremias had in mind when he wrote the story of The Lost Boys. The 'lost boys' in this story are a gang of vampires, who come out in the evening to hang with other teenagers then in the night they feed on the citizens of Santa Carla. They never grow up, they never die, and they are the coolest cats in town. The newest inhabitants of the town are a family from Phoenix, two sons and a mother have moved in and Michael, the older son, has fallen in love with the lead vampire's girl. A story of fitting in and fighting the powers, The Lost Boys was a shot in the arm for vampire flicks in the late 1980s.

Joel Shumacher directed the film, and he brought in some innovative videography to portray the vampires. When they were flying, you got a camera view sometimes in front of them and sometimes behind them, which gave you the feeling of riding with them or being carried away by them. The deaths of each of the vampires was different and dramatic to say the least, from being dissolved through the whole houses water pipes by holy water to death by stereo. The lead acting was good although there is little to say for the vampires that followed David. There was good plot device used for the finale and some of the dialogue was good. The most distracting detail about the movie was the change in style from then to now. Looking back, these guys were probably the height of fashion in their time although now they look a little tacky. Aside from that, there was bold cinematography used for its time and the portrayal of vampires is very exciting and scary.

Here is the beat sheet for The Lost Boys:

1. Opening Image (1): The family sees the sunny front of the sign welcoming them to Santa Clara contrasted with the back of the sign which says in red letters, 'Welcome to the murder capital of the world'.

2. Theme Stated (5): Never Grow Up

3. Set-Up (1-10): Michael, Sam, and their mother move to Santa Clara. The family goes to the boardwalk that night and they each meet their friends.

4. Catalyst (12): Michael follows starr while at a concert and realizes she is the girl of david

5. Debate (12-25): David challenges Michael to race him to the top of the cliff.

6. Break into Two (25) Michael drinks the blood.

7. B Story (30): The mother meets Max in the movie store and he gives her a job which leads them into a relationship.

8. Fun and Games (30-55): People are being killed all over.

9. Midpoint (55): Michael finds out the dirty side of being a vampire.

10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75): Finds out Starr is a vampire, and the they try to kill the vampires to return to normal but all they do is upset them.

11. All Is Lost (75): Michael’s brother cant convince his mom that there are vampires.

12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85): They are locked in the house waiting for the vampires to come.

13. Break into Three (85): They prepare to fight the vampires

14. Finale (85-110): They kill all the halfpires and have to fight the main vampire. They find out that Max is the head vampire.

15. Final Image (110): The grandpa says that the one thing I never could stand about santa clara “ all the vampires” Showing that he sees Santa Clara as it truly is.

Del on life and the Deadliest Warrior

Yesterday was one of those red-letter days in my public school career where I am at home enriching my life whilst my peers and classmates are toiling away at government institutions to earn their freedom from intellectual oppression. Actually, my school took our third annual trip to the Texas Renaissance Festival so I, being suddenly afflicted with a mysterious one-day illness, stayed home with Mac. Our activities of the day included watching portions of various movies, eating inordinate amounts of our famous bean and cheese dip (I can give you the recipe) and otherwise experiencing the R&R we so richly deserve. All in all, I think Mac will agree with me that the day was seized.

The glorious day was just beginning to really pick up when we were called upon by our mutual best friend (who we will simply call Tres) to watch with him what he has described as "the greatest show ever to pump testosterone into the veins of teenage males." The show Tres was extolling is none other than "The Deadliest Warrior", a SPIKE channel TV show which pits famous warriors in history against each other using virtual battles to decide the winner.

The particular episode we watched pitted the Japanese gangsters, the Yakuza, against the well-known Sicilian Mafia of the prohibition era US. The idea of the show is to bring in specialists in each style of fighting, give them the weapons and tools of their warriors, and use sensors and dummies to test the destructive power of each weapon in the hands of professionals. The data and observations are then fed into a computer which calculates 1000 battles and shows how many each side won and lost, with the final result being choreographed and played out by professional actors.

The concept is a tantalizing one for anyone with a vivid imagination. Imagine pitting ninjas versus Spartans or pirates versus knights. It puts the thousands hypothetical discussions of middle and high school boys everywhere into real-world situations. Not to mention that every dummy that is smashed, bashed, or blown to bits is filled with synthetic blood for a near-realistic gore factor.

The directors obviously focus more on the special effects and choreography than they do on the dialogue. There is enough wit passed between rival warriors to suggest scripting, but the comebacks are so weak that I hope for their sake that it is improvised. This is excusable of the brutes the show brings in to demonstrate weaponry, but when the medical professional they have on staff reviews a dummy who's head is cleaved in two and his only remark is, "You can see by the fracturing of the spine here, this guy is dead", I tend to think they just keep him around because of his overwhelming grasp of the obvious.

In all honesty "The Deadliest Warrior" is a very well-made show which combines imagination with hard fact and special effects with genuine observation. I find it to be both highly entertaining and informative at the same time.

Del on Psycho

Heebie-jeebies! You can expect to jump out of your skin multiple times if you watch Psycho. It follows the story of Marion Crane, who steals $40,000 from her boss in order to settle down with her lover who is going through an expensive divorce. While she is on the run she stops to rest at the Bates motel. The proprietor, Norman Bates, seems nice enough but his 'mother' comes in and kills Marion in one of the most famous and widely used scenes in the genre, the shower scene. Several people come to investigate, which leads to another murder and a look into the mind of Norman Bates, a scary place.

Alfred Hitchcock's psychotic thriller was the first of its kind ever to hit the big screen. It portrays the events surrounding the murder of Marion Crane at the Bates motel. But Psycho is more than the story of a disturbed motel manager, Norman Bates, or even of Marion Crane, but is meant to be a case study in the psyche each person in society. The opening scene shows a city, arbitrarily dated and placed, which pans in to focus on a random building, then a random window in that building. This gives the audience the feel that the story could take place in a day in the life of any in the audience. Hitchcock's genius is that he writes broad enough portrayals in the main characters that almost everyone can relate to at least one person affected in the story. Along with good use of lighting and shadow as well as Anthony Perkins' superb acting as Norman Bates, Psycho is hailed as Alfred Hitchcock's greatest work.

Here is the beat sheet that breaks down the story.

THE BLAKE SNYDER BEAT SHEET

PROJECT TITLE: Alfred Hitchcock’s PSYCHO

1. Opening Image (1): Panning from the city into the building, then the window where Marion and Sam are. Showing that the story could be based on anyone.

2. Theme Stated (5): It could happen to anyone. This could be anyone’s story.

3. Set-Up (1-10):Events leading up to when Marion runs away and when she is at the Bates motel.

4. Catalyst (12): Marion steals the $40,000.

5. Debate (12-25): As Marion is driving she hears the voices in her head of people finding out what she has done.

6. Break into Two (25): Marion gets off the road and winds up at the Bates motel.

7. B Story (30): The story of Norman Bates and his ‘mother’.

8. Fun and Games (30-55): ‘Mother’ kills Marion and Norman hides her car in the swamp.

9. Midpoint (55): The PI, Sam, and Lila go to find Marion.

10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75): The PI goes to talk to Norman and doesn’t find anything.

All Is Lost (75): PI comes back after leaving and is killed by ‘mother’.

12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85): Norman Bates is watching the PI’s car sink into the swamp.

13. Break into Three (85): Sam and Lila go to the Bates motel to get some answers, and Lila goes to the house to talk to mother.

14. Finale (85-110): Sam stops Norman (as ‘mother’) from killing Lila.

15. Final Image (110): ‘Mother’ is saying to herself that she won’t kill the fly buzzing around her. Trying to show how she “wouldn’t hurt a fly”. She’s just like anyone else.

Flick Daddys on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Halloween)

Although I have not seen any other Buffy episodes besides Halloween. I get the feeling that this is a top notch show. The episode is well written with very good acting and action.

From what I have read Joss Whedon the writer and director includes metaphors in all of his episodes. The Halloween episode is no exception. The episode is set during Halloween when the main characters get forced into walking kids around during Halloween. The characters have to wear costumes and the main character says that this is the one night you can become who you are not. This statement becomes all too real when Ethan the bad guy casts a spell that turns you into who you dress as. Eventually the characters turn back into themselves and realize how nice it is to just be yourself. This is most evident when Buffy talks to the guy she likes and he tells her that he likes her just the way she is and not as the person she was pretending to be. This can all be boiled down to be happy with who you are.

If this episode is any reflection of the rest of the episodes I would recommend you watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Night of the Living Dead Beat Sheet * Spoiler Alert *

Here is the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet on the Flick:Night of the Living Dead

1. Opening Image (1):Barbara and her brother don’t recognize the zombie as a zombie.

2. Theme Stated (5): “They’re coming to get you, Barbara.”

3. Set-Up (1-10):Barbara and her brother are in the cemetery visiting their dad.

Catalyst (12):Flesh eating ghouls come.

6. Break into Two (25):Barbara meets the half-man in an abandoned house.

7. B Story (30): They meet the people that were in the cellars

8. Fun and Games (30-55):They plan and fight and board up the house

9. Midpoint (55): They find a tv and get more information about whats happening.

10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75): The go out to get the gas

11. All Is Lost (75):The other couples daughter kills and eats them since she is a ghoul

12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85): The main character kills the parents of the zombie daughter and huddles in the cellar

13. Break into Three (85):The police clear out the zombies and go to the house

14. Finale (85-110): THe police shoot the main character thinking he’s a ghoul.

15. Final Image (110):The police don’t recognize Ben as a human. Contrasting with not recognizing the zombie for what it was at the beginning.

Flickdaddy's on Night of the Living Dead

Mac and Del-


"They're coming to get you, Barbara." Forever this is that ironic phrase branded in the minds of anyone who watched George Romero's original zombie horror, Night of the Living Dead. No movie before it had ever featured zombies as the living dead. In fact nowhere in the movie do you hear them called 'zombies'. Night of the Living Dead is a monster-in-the-house thriller, which has three components: A supernatural monster, a closed environment, and a sin that the monster is punishing characters for.

The supernatural monster is, of course, a zombie. The zombies have come back from the dead to eat and/or scare the pants off of anyone they come across. The closed environment is the farmhouse that the six characters take refuge in. The sin is a little more complicated to describe, though. In the opening scene, Barbara and her brother are visiting their father's grave site and Johnny is telling Barbara that he doesn't go to church anymore. This is the beginning of the disparity between the older generation and the younger. The sin of this movie is that the 1960s youth and young adults were throwing off the traditions of their parents.

Night of the Living Dead was released in 1968, and was directed by George A. Romero. This movie was a low budget movie for the time and so it made it hard for them to get big name actors. In fact for many of the actors this was the only famous movie they made throughout their career. Although it was a low budget black and white film made during the beginnings of color tv, the movie went on to become a cult classic. It is even ranked as one of the scariest movie in history on Bravo. Later when the owners changed the name of the movie they forgot to change the copyright so the movie is now available to watch or download for free.

After this movie was released the director made 5 more Dead movies. There has also been remakes and parodies of Night of the Living Dead. To this day Night of the Living Dead is considered one of the fathers of zombie movies, and has influenced the whole genre of zombie horror.

Blake Synder Beat Sheet

This beat sheet is an outline for most good stories. We took this outline and applied it to our favorite movie.

PROJECT TITLE: O Brother Where Art Thou?

Opening Image (1): The three friends(Everett, Pete and Delmar) are escaping a chain gang.

2. Theme Stated (5): Everett says in regards to who should lead them, “Well Pete, I figured it should be the one with the capacity for abstract thought. But if that ain't the consensus view, then hell, let's put it to a vote.” This shows that Everett will be leading them into to a whole bunch of his cockamamie plans.

3. Set-Up (1-10): The three argue about who should lead and thereby display there personal characteristics, intentionally or not.

4. Catalyst (12): The three decide to go after the treasure before the flood buries it forever.

5. Debate (12-25): Meet Pete’s cousin and are almost caught when he turns them in.

6. Break into Two (25): Steal a car from Pete’s cousin and set out on their journey. Pete and Delmar get baptized.

7. B Story (30): the trio meet Tommy Johnson, a black guitarist who sold his soul to the devil to play the guitar well

8. Fun and Games (30-55): The three meet sirens (Pete disappears), a one-eyed bible sailsman, and a bank robber.

9. Midpoint (55): They meet Everett’s wife and daughters, his wife is fixin to get married.

10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75): The other two meet Pete and help him escape.

11. All Is Lost (75): Everett tells Pete and Delmar that there was never any treasure, they fight.

12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85): They meet Tommy who is captured by the KKK and break him out.

13. Break into Three (85): They pose as the soggy bottom boys and everyone loves them but Everett’s wife still doesn’t take him back without her wedding ring.

14. Finale (85-110): They go to the cabin, get caught by the law and are about to be hanged when water rushes in and covers the whole area. They return to Everett’s wife empty-handed.

15. Final Image (110): All his kids are roped together on a string behind him and his wife. (like a chain gang)

Welcome to Macintosh

"This is a mac, it comes from a little company called Apple."
This understatement is the beginning of 'Welcome to Macintosh: the Documentary for the Rest of Us', which details the story from beginning to present of the workings behind one of the most influential corporations in the technological industry, Apple computer. This video was obviously written with the same mindset that permeates the Apple company, making every attempt to do the best job possible aside from what others are doing. Being "trancendently brilliant," as Andy Hertzfeld would say.
One of Apple's marketing managers, Guy Kawasaki, expressed that, "The core of Apple is to change the world." The premise of the documentary is showing how that sentiment is reflected by everyone involved with the company and is evidenced to the world by the ingenuity and love put into every new mac. Many people from my father's generation will remember the statement from the macintosh computer's keynote address, "I would like to deliver this maxim after my first encounter with an IBM computer, 'never trust a computer you can't lift'." But not many know how much work went into every portion of the computer system. Even the opening sound that so characterizes macs nowadays took years to develop.
The account features several important figures as well as chronic mac users to speak of the glories, and problems of designing the mac. With so many positive influences, I was impressed that the documentary team brought in former mac engineer Jim Reekes. Reekes spoke in down-to-earth terms about the designing of the mac system and made outrageous statements. "It's like a sausage factory, you don't want to know how it all goes together." and "Don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain." are two of his most memorable statements, but my favorite interview was when he spoke of himself and his colleagues. "Engineers are retarded. They have some kind of brain damage that allows them to not have social skills so that they could concentrate long enough to write code. But it's a disease. That's why I had to quit."
All of the Apple employees had this attitude of laid-back professionalism. The interviews were well personal and informative, yet interesting. Even when one man John Moltz was only interviewed via web cam, the interest was not lost and it turned out to be a plus. The only complaint I would have with the documentary is one portion when they were interviewing a man who had collected macs for most of his life due to his computer business. Around five minutes was spent touring his numerous garages and storage sheds looking at all of his junk. I know a point was being made but I don't think it was a strong enough statement to warrant such a long section. Other than that I felt the documentary to be wonderfully organized and interesting.
From the first Apple I to the iPhone 'Welcome to Macintosh' walks through, painting a clear picture of the struggles and many triumphs of Apple inc. The feeling and creativity behind Apple is well portrayed through the whole and I am a more confident mac user because I watched this movie.

Del on Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog

Have you ever watched a movie with a laugh a line that also has a good plot and deep meaning. If not, then you have never seen Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog, the greatest web movie ever to destroy the status "which is *not* quo". Dr. Horrible is a wannabe super villain played by Niel Patrick Harris who seeks to commit despicable acts despite his nemesis Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion). Not only does Captain Hammer have super strength and the cheesiest lines this side of Gotham, he also has stolen the heart of Dr. Horrible's long-time laundromat buddy and crush, Penny. It takes all of Dr. Horrible's training (a PhD in 'horribleness') and a few good musical numbers for him to try to defeat Captain Hammer, win Penny's heart, and finally achieve his lifelong dream to be accepted into the evil league of evil.
This Emmy-winning musical will sweep you off your feet and leave you lolling in helpless laughter under Dr. Horrible's power. Directed and funded by Joss Wedon, this forty minute masterpiece was originally crafted for web viewing but is now available on DVD along with extra features. If you enjoy musicals or just darn good writing, Dr. Horrible's Sing-along blog is the flick you'll pick.

Del on District 9

Although I generally enjoy an alien flick, this one left me with more philosophical notions than action thrills. The setting is present-day Johannesburg, South Africa where a mammoth alien mother ship hovers a mile above the city. The invading force of 'prawns' have superior weaponry but apparently are like an ant hive without a queen. These hideous creatures wander aimlessly and seem to have no drive except to procure their next can of cat food. The plot movement begins when an alien control officer is infected by a mysterious alien disease which begins morphing him into a prawn.
This is Sharlto Copley's second acting role and both have the same newscast feel to them. His first role was as a sniper in 'Alive in Joberg', a short film that also displayed the poor living conditions in the Johannesburg area by focusing on an alien underclass. In District 9 he does a good job of showing what a kind and amiable person can turn into when they are influenced by prejudice and fear. His character around the aliens is almost a completely different person from the weak and awkward office worker he plays at the beginning of the film.
The sci-fi genre is often used to make a statement without having to say it and District 9 is strongly speaking out against the repression of black people in the Johannesberg area and all over Africa. The use of aliens as the object of pity makes the statement universal while still giving the strong impression of the squalor in which they live. Published in English, Nyanja (spoken by 15 million people in South Africa), and Afrikaans (spoken throughout Africa), this movie is meant to carry most of its impact to the people it portrays and those who can bring about change in these areas. Despite the intended audience being Africans, Americans will still be moved by the footage of real slums in Johannesburg and will be wowed by Niell Bloomkamp's special effects. I give the film a definite thumbs-up and would suggest watching it more than once to delve into the underlying message.