Friday, June 30, 2006

The Earth Moved


I had a spiritual experience last night, and I hardly know how to talk about it. Every time I think of it I get frissons.

Saw the Blue Velvet anniversay screening and heard Mr. Lynch speak. At my favorite theatre no less, the quaint Crest in Westwood. The kind with a curtain that closes before the movie, and has a twinkly light show on the walls during previews.

Now, this is a really big deal. In the entire six years I've lived in LA, I've never seen that David Lynch was speaking anywhere. He's quite the eccentric recluse.

I went with my friend Carrie, and I was excited, but it wasn't until I sat down in the comfy red velvet seats that I realized how special this evening was to be to me.

I would have to say that Twin Peaks/Blue Velvet (for me they are the same, a la Elseworlds) is the single biggest artistic influence on me. Beyond giving me pure pleasure and enrapturing my imagination, they made me feel "gotten" in that rare way we only experience a few times in our lifetime, usually during an intense conversation at 3 am in a dorm room. It should have occurred to me as logical that I would thus get and be gotten by the author.

The Q & A started, and David Lynch was quizzed rather antagonistically about his artistic process. Now I've never been a "fan" of filmmakers. I don't stalk them or read about all their processes or emulate their styles. I guess I've always thought of them as compatriots rather than idols. So while you would think I would know all about Mr. Lynch, it was actually an amazing discovery to hear him speak (in that fabulous, whiny "Gordon" voice). And beyond being incredibly, charmingly cumdeonly and eccentric and funny, he said he always starts a movie/screenplay with exploring an IDEA. And that that idea attracts other ideas like bait, and he follows where they swim.

As much as I've enjoyed the last two years of bonding with and learning from fellow screenwriters, whenever they ask me to pitch them my stories and I start with a philosophical discussion of "Well, I wanted to explore this IDEA..." their eyes glaze over. I completely lose them. The professors were even less sympatico to what I was trying to describe about my creative process. I realized quickly that I was some oddball in the writing community, and just shut up about my how and why. Which is unfortunately, the part I'm passionate about. And that this process doesn't allow me to outline...I'm lucky I haven't been stoned to death or driven to the outskirts of town and rolled out into the tumbleweeds.

So during the Q & A, when I already thought I'd died and gone to heaven, Mr. Lynch started describing all movies only in terms of MOODS. Holy crap. Someone else feels movies and writing the way I do? Imagine me hearing DAVID LYNCH describe exactly my process and passion. Unreal. Finally, I feel like a real filmmaker and not a fraud.

AND THEN he said he's shooting his newest creation, Inland Empire, on MY CAMERA: the Sony PD150. He called the bad quality of it "terrible and beautiful".

Wow. So I have no excuses left. I even own the camera he's using. I could pick it up at any moment of the day and just start shooting bits.

(By the way, all he'll say about IE is that you'll see Laura Dern's talent and that it's about "a woman in trouble." Freaking hysterical. Is there a film of his that can't be described with that line? He got really moody and pissy when the moderator pushed him for more. Love him. Also loved him for his reverant tone and words about the "great Isabella Rossellini" and her father, an idol of his as a student filmmaker. If only everyone spoke so thoughtfully of their ex-lovers.)

Seeing Blue Velvet in a theatre with an appreciative audience was phenomonal. Has to be one of the funniest, coolest, most original films ever made. So quotable. Kyle's character Jeffrey is so insouciant, just like Mr. Lynch. I've always thought of Blue Velvet as Nancy Drew losing her virginity through gang rape, and then finding redemption as a nun. Mr. Lynch described its mood as Russian, with a little American. When pressed on what he would tell a first-time audience, he said to enjoy flying into the screen, into a beautiful dream.

It's funny, DL said some of his favorite directors were Fellini, Hitchcock, Wilder (he wants to live always inside the mood of Sunset Boulevard), but I always see a dollop of Roeg in DL's work. If you ever get a chance, go see BV with a great audience.



What an amazing night. But alas, no picture taken with David Lynch...his Q & A (really just a Q) was before the movie, and quite short. He exited quickly, and then it was dark.

Go to the jump for a little velvet...

How Cute Are We?


Just got emailed a photo from fellow Feedback member/scribosphere blogger Heidi.

If anyone else has photos, please send them along! :)

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

God Willing, I Don't Have an Egg Left

Oy, Kathy Griffin makes me laugh and laugh. This week's episode:

"I don't like children. I think they're selfish. If I accidentally got pregnant, I would definitely have the baby and then give it to Jessica. (Kathy's personal assistant)."

"A lot of women must want to give them back. I can't believe my mom kept me."

"Clair (Kathy's 16-year-old niece) is a big disappointment. She's nothing like me. She's caring, nurturing, and she actually wants to cook dinner."


And about her recent trip to Iraq to cheer up the troops:

"There's something so liberating about being an American woman sleeping in Saddam's palace. It was so like I just wanted to vote...I was just like walking around having my period on the floor like 'Fu*k you. Nobody tells me what I can do, I'm an American woman, fu*k you."

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Killing Me Softly

Anyone know why my sidebar appears after all my posts? After reading through every line of code and finding one missing end quote, it's...still broken html.

Help!

Pix From My Parties

Birthdays are a weird thing...while we all die alone, we all entered this world through our moms. My wise, dear friend Valencia was smart enough to know I would need support during this first b-day without Mom, and generously flew down to be with me, causing a chain reaction of me putting a little effort into arranging some entertainment...and voila! Depression avoided.


Thursday night was spent at Bigfoot Lodge, my fav bar. Very kick back, and fantastic music. We made it until midnight, when I turned Jesus's age, and even had some b-day cake to celebrate.

Friday night was 80s dancing at Ruby, and it was SUCH A BLAST! Hard to name a favorite moment, but it was probably either Rock Lobster or Valencia and me in the hip hop room fending men off after I did an S-Factor hip move. Aftewards Brenda, Anna, Dave, and Valencia led me down to Mel's where we were served after hours by one of the rudest waiters ever, who looked quite a bit like Kirk Cameron.

Saturday was pjs/hangover day (I'm old, remember?) until we got dressed and made it up the Hollywood Hill to Mark's party. Amazing food and met some nice people.

Sunday was Cheebo brunch, taking Valencia to the airport :( open house, afternoon drinks at Venice boardwalk with Sarah to say goodbye to Dannie and Warren :( where Hero was a huuuge hit on the boardwalk (What IS it? Is that ALIVE?), then home to host movie night: Shaun of the Dead. We enjoyed cheese fondue, b-day cupcakes from Joan's on Third (thank you Ellie!) and once again picked a deadly word to drink to: "Ed" (Shaun's roommate).

There was a strong showing over b-day weekend from the Scibosphere, Feedback LA, Flash Forward and the Miracle Mile Posse.

Thanks to all for taking my mind off aging, and helping me usher in my first b-day without Mom...she was missed, but we all told some great stories about her. V. funny. And best of all, you all made me feel very special and not at all alone. Thanks.

If you're interested, there are some Pix here.

THE GILMORE GIRLS

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Update

Still hung over. One of my best friends flew down from San Jose for the weekend. We're going to stumble down to brunch at Cheebo, come back and put up my pole for a little while, and then I have to take her to the airport. :(

Had such a wonderful b-day weekend. Thanks to all!

Heidi's screenplay reading is this Wednesday. If you're an Angel, please come out: Feedback LA

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Happy Birthday

Yeah yeah yeah, it's my b-day tomorrow. So nice, we're celebrating twice.

Know what I think about it all?



I want to know who's servicing me for my b-day. I'm in my prime baby, I've got needs.

Blow out this candle.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Word to the Wise


Banana Republic's massive clearance sale starts in a few days. If you're savvy, you'll go to their store or website NOW while what you covet is in stock...buy it, and within 14 DAYS get a price adjustment.

Voila. How the safari-shoppers bag their lion. Shhhh. Didn't hear it from me.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Disappointing


Ah, typical. Just found a new guilty pleasure, and it's already been cancelled. Thanks, BBC. Well, watch Hex while you can. Thursday nights, BBC America.

Mazel Tov!


Kudos to fellow blogger Lynne White for the publication of her book What in the World is a Pogo?

Kicking cancer's ass AND creating an adorable legacy. Yea, Lynne! Go buy it everyone! And if you don't know Lynne's story, be sure to blogroll her and drop her a line. She's an awesome person.

Monday, June 19, 2006

They've Got Toys Back in the City, Vince

Oh geez, how funny was Entourage? I have to remember to make Brenda watch it. We're freaking out about the possibility of living in the Valley, or as Johnny Drama put it, "North of Ventura Boulevard is hell's waiting room."

Little food tip: Trader Joe's has a fabulous frozen mushroom pasta dish for $3.50. Incredibly tasty, and easier to cook than mac and cheese.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Don't Miss This


My friend Nat has an art show closing this week. Be sure to catch it!

Ouch

Post Secret is really loaded today. Read at your own risk.

I didn't pick one to upload, because, well they just didn't have any that said "God, you took the wrong parent. You bastard."

Changing the subject to awesome men, Cesar Milan from Dog Whisperer is rocking my world. How great is he? I loved the Lakers episode where he told that little blonde he wants to see a woman rule the world in his lifetime because women know how to look after the pack. What a great guy.


And the fantastic South Park episode from last season, Tsst. Those guys are so freaking brilliant. And of course they love Cesar.


Friday, June 16, 2006

Dr. Who


Marathon tonight on Sci Fi channel. I don't think I'm going to be able to watch next season. I was really only watching for the delightfully insouciant Christopher (AKA my boyfriend). And the new Who...still gives me the creeps after seeing him as a stalker/murderer/rapist in that BBC miniseries. No thanks.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Brilliant


The 4400 had two great lines last night, both said by Berkhoff, their absent-minded professor character:

"Oh, sorry about the clutter. I fired the maid last week. She was always cleaning."

and

"So. Your daughter...what's struggling her?"

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Monday, June 12, 2006

I'm Super, Thanks For Asking



New thought on the tattoo. Really excited. I'm thinking: Fleischer Shield.

It's unique. It's Art Deco. It's got enough black to cover my old tattoo.

No NBA stars have it, and though it's not the most popular tattoo in the world (apparently the silver age version is?!?), it still says "Superman." Plus the colors aren't faggy or fade-prone.

It would definitely have clout with fanboys. Not like I need anymore. But crikey, I don't want to get what EVERYONE has.



Superman Lives script. Oh yes, there will be giant spiders.

"Siegel and Shuster created a piece of American mythology. It was my privilege to be the onscreen custodian of the character in the '70s and '80s. There will be many interpretations of Superman, but the original character created by two teenagers in the '30s will last forever." - Christopher Reeve.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Well, I Royally Effed THAT Up

MIM and Nurse Sis have politely reminded me what I was SUPPOSED to blog about the Madonna concert was how funny it was that she kept commenting on the sad sad performance of LA audience members. As I've griped before, no one dances in LA. They're too cool for school.

And at the Staples Center Saturday night, La Ciccone was pretty peeved no one would dance, sing, or really even stand for her. After cajoling politely, she called us all motherfu**ers, then growled this classic utterance:


"Come on, you stuck-up Los Angeles f***ers!"

At which point the crowd went nuts, and did as she requested...Which I believe was stand and sing the lyric "Time goes by...so slowly" for her Hung Up finale.

Points being:

A. I was right.
B. A community of two recognized that momentous occasion.
C. If you want LA crowds to participate at a rock concert, clearly you must behave as a dominatrix.


The last point is surprisingly not surprising. After all, this is the town people who hate themselves move to to prove that all the people who hated them in high school
WILL BE SORRY SOMEDAY, DAMMIT.

Joyful group response to sadism? Priceless.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

For Nurse Sis


Brenda is dying to have me blog about the Madonna concert last Saturday in LA. We gave each other tickets for our June b-days (neither of us had ever seen her live) and high-tailed it to the Staples Center, our second-fav concert venue for ease of use.

I thought the show was just fabulous. Afterwards we met up with Mark and CC and wished HER a Happy B-day.

I think the part Bren really wants me to blog about happened BEFORE the show. I was standing in a ridiculously long beer line, brewing myself into a foul mood, when someone yelled "LIZ FIES!" (Mr. James Lipton, my fav noise is hearing my full name shouted across a room.)

It was Anita, a super-cool villa-mate from Spain.

Too bizarre. We'd talked about having to go together to concerts in LA, but nothing had materialized yet because of the crappy June lineup and her crazy shooting schedule. (She's a TV producer, yes, for shows you actually watch. Drunk.) But it was great to see Anita there and to introduce her to Brenda, who was stoked to meet her.

The world is getting smaller, and I like it!

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Well, They Royally Effed That Up




For gods' sake. It was the sly sense of humor that made The Wicker Man perhaps the scariest movie ever. Stop remaking cult classics already.
New WICKER MAN trailer. Not recommended.



From Variety regarding the ORIGINAL movie:
The Wicker Man was lensed entirely on location in Scotland and is possessed of a weird and paganistic story. Anthony Shaffer penned the screenplay which, for sheer imagination and near-terror, has seldom been equalled.

From Stomp Tokyo's review: "(Character) Summerisle is frank and unapologetic about his paganism. It was started by his grandfather, who found that the local population responded well to the revivification of the Old Gods. In one telling exchange, (Sgt.) Howie protests that a group of girls are dancing naked over a fire in what is a fertility rite:

Lord Summerisle: They do love their divinity lessons.

Sgt. Howie: But they are... are naked!

Lord Summerisle: Naturally! It's much too dangerous to jump through the fire with your clothes on."


Effing classic.


Look at that. Man, does she know how to be the male gazer instead of the gazee. Own that power. You "merely" cross identify with masculinity, girlfriend. Woof. I can feel my testicles shrinking up into my body.

We're screening the original, uncut, difficult to find in America version this Sunday at movie night. Email me if you're in town and want to come.

You KNOW This Guy is Great in Bed...

Shopping Tips

If your undies are all down to the threadbare-I-only-wear-those-during-my-period state, then it's time to toss them in the circular file and hit my favorite clearance sales.

The newVictoria's Secret IPEX bras are to die for at $25.

And Hanky Panky, the world's most comfortable thong, is on rare sale at shopbop.com These undies are particularly brilliant because they fit sizes 0-14. So unlike bras, you won't have to replace the expensive buggers with every 10-15 pound weight fluctation.





Shout out to Lynne and her mysterious Pogo project! How's it hanging, lady?

I am Jack's Total Lack of Surprise

Man, leave it to those wacky U of Chicago kids.
Good on you. Keep Project Mayhem alive for Mom. God, she loved Fight Club. Maaaybe partly because they done killed Big Bob so good.

Is it just me, or do you have a feeling this Hollywood story analyst can taste colors?

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Geek Out


Re: X3

Listen.

I have NO PROBLEM with them killing characters and removing powers. Great, classic comic storylines, which as we all know can be easily reversed. Jean Grey herself died in X2. And since they killed off Gyrich, how the hell ELSE are they supposed to make a roster switch so that you get to see all your fav characters? Death and Gyrich = Marvel staples.

Now here's what's pissing me off about the X3 continuity griping. (Beyond my normal argument supported by comic critical studies that comics are our greek myths, our legends, and therefore absolutely MUST be elastic in their constant retellings, so chuck your continuity arguments at the Arclight door).

If you're going to effing geek out about the Dark Phoenix storyline not matching the Claremont comic, then for gods' sake do it right, man. The problem isn't that she died in Logan's arms instead of Scott's, etc. etc. etc. This issue truly rivals the character morphing of Kitty Pryde/Rogue and Gwen Stacy/Mary Jane.

So what I object to is that X3's Phoenix character was more based on Chthon (A #185-187)/(WCA #50s)Immortus - influenced Scarlet Witch's story, not Dark Phoenix. I should know, Wanda's my favorite effin' comic character.


From the costume design of Dark Phoenix (morphing Chthon and SW of X-Men Evolution)

to a catatonic witch telepathically elevating a house with teammates trapped inside (hola WCA #50s again), to placement by Magneto's side as favorite pawn, to accidentally killing off her teammates, to the power more resembling Wanda in The Ultimates than the Phoenix Force (destroyer of STARS, not a hundred measly people), to the skin disintegration that is a direct reference to House of M #1's variant cover, and Magneto and X and the telepathic block scene felt MUCH more Genosha/House of M than origin Jean Grey...need I go on?


Oh my stars and garters, am I the only one who has read Byrne and Bendis's Avengers stories? Hand them an effin' water hose and a residual check already. Damn, they must be PISSED. Remember The Avengers? Much ignored and abused effin' FLAGSHIP of the Marvel Universe?

NOW...two legit film gripes? The score and dialogue were completely beneath the quality of the rest of the film. Large subtractions.

Otherwise, a logical and not terrible finish to the trilogy. Some pure moments of childish delight, and some sadness that Ratner doesn't understand nor linger on human emotions, since Stan Lee has always insisted on the soap opera of human emotions being the true Marvel draw.

Will I see it again and illegally copy the DVD? Sure.

Ian was EXTRAORDINARY again. Freaking chills. And Rebecca. Loving Mystique. Ororo should have died. Some really cool nods to the comic storylines, and fantastic visual puns.

I really liked Kelsey as the Beast, but it PAINS me to see Beast without Wonderman. And it was really weird to have Kane walk past Prof. X with no reference to bloodties. Okay, and why bring up Juggernaut's helmet if not to mention it blocks X's telepathy?

Am I a little freaked out they've Frankenstein-cobbled together so many storylines? Assuming Galactus belongs to the Silver Surfer franchise and that they're not touching Kree-Skrull and Shi'ar with a ten foot pole, all they have left to steal from is The Hellfire Club, Savage Land, Apocalypse, and heaven help us, Mr. Sinister...Sure. I'm worried.

Now, m'on cher, bring on Gambit, Bishop and Betsy. And if The Brotherhood comes back, it better include Quicksilver.

Oh yeah, and really?!? MORLOCKS?!? *Shudder*

Holy crap, I just let my geek flag fly. Here come the marriage proposals...