At the time of his passing, I remember being angry that Tony’s, “handlers,” were allowing him to continue to indulge his various addictions through the looking glass lens a of a TV camera because someone deemed and indeed the audience would support the idea that it was a good TV. After viewing this movie from those who knew him best, the picture is somewhat less murkey. I’m now thinking that he truly only had partners and not, “Handlers,” per se.
By his own words, Bourdain admitted that he was intent on becoming a dope fiend in his early line cook days. Who’s to say that his ultimate final curtain call wasn’t, at least one some level part of his planned trajectory?
He’s still a figure I think about from time to time in the two years since he canceled himself. I fear he may not have found the peace he was looking for but God’s grace is infinite. This I know and Tony was definitely all heart.
Rest in Peace, Tony.
For a truly excellent tribute, check out Roadrunner.
Greg Nicotero, own of KNB EFX Group, the company behind the amazing makeup effects in FTWD & of course TWD
So I rarely talk about TV because I rarely find myself with the time to watch it. This week was a bit of an anomaly where I found myself in the position to DVR 5 or 6 pilots for the new fall TV lineup. I thought I’d take a minute and post my feelings about new shows hitting the air these days.
Fear the Walking Dead
Let’s be honest here. Any real fan of The Walking Dead really has to watch this don’t they? We’re all enthralled by the greatest horror drama on television so it’s only natural that most of us would want to see how it all started. For it’s part FTWD carves it’s own path as more of a slow burn than an action packed walker – fest like it’s predecessor. It stays very true to the old (read “George A Romero”) school zombie mythos which always makes a point to let us know that the zombies are the second most dangerous threat with the real menace coming from the survivors. The character Daniel puts it this way and I think this is clearly foreshadowing of things to come. “Men do these things not because of evil, they do evil because of fear.”
Along with The Walking Dead, I think FTWD really transcends horror into the realm of just very good TV drama. This one is a main stay of my Season Pass manager and I watch it weekly. It’s just not the kind of show I can let ever get a few episodes in arrears. I need to know what’s happening with the characters and that’s the biggest compliment I know how to give it.
Really as soon as I saw the commercial for this one I knew I had to give it a chance. Starring the unbelievably gorgeous Priyanka Chopra. I mean seriously, this lady is so pretty it makes you want to slap your mama! She’s beautiful with one of the most alluring voices I have ever heard cone out of someone’s mouth, but the character she plays on the show “Alex Parrish,” is highly flawed. Far from the wholesome Indian girl one might expect after seeing the preview. The vote’s not in yet on the show’s style. It has a lot of flashbacks and in general I’m not a big fan of that. I think it’s sometimes the result of bad writing. I’ll say this. I am intrigued enough to watch the next episode, but that’s as far as I’ll go for a recommendation, unless you happen to be male and then there’s plenty of reason to watch it.
Priyanka Chopra – Much Prettier than those nasty Kardasians
A former intelligence officer works as a security expert in Las Vegas, but wait there is a twist. He’s caught up in a word where high stakes gamblers, I mean the uber, uber rich bet on crimes and he’s sort of the house’s player. Co starring that tax dodging criminal, Wesly Snipes, who essentially abandoned his best and most profitable role, Blade. Yes, darn it. I am holding a grudge. Well as for the show itself. The premise is utterly laughable but the action well done. If you are a car chase kind of guy who will probably like this show. For me, it’s just too dumb. Don’t think I’ll watch another episode of it. Didn’t hate the pilot just didn’t like it enough to follow it forward. Not when there are shows like Sleepy Hollow and so many others that are just more clever and witty while still being far fetched.
I so wanted this show to be funny. I am huge fan of Sir Patrick Stewart and not just because of Star Trek. I think he’s literally an acting genius. Generally speaking I have loved just about everything I’ve seen him in, that is until now. Blunt Talk is another example of a show that’s just too liberal to the point where it looses the funny. Walter Blunt is just written too far over the top. It tries to be trendy and topical but just seems to last 5 years for me. I will give it maybe another episode or two to see if I can get into it. As of now, not feeling it at all.
For the second part of this article I’ll be looking at Rosewood, Blindspot and a few others, just as soon as I have a chance to give that DVR some attention. Two Spies has another 3 weeks of bookings before we get a break from our Americana Tour 2015. Hopefully, then I can catch up on some TV.
Last night October 18th, 2014, I got to attend the world premier screening of Kenny Caperton & John Hasty’s, “Honeyspider.” Having seen the duo’s first collaboration, the short horror film “Judith,” back in 2010, I knew I’d probably appreciate their new project. I did really like the film but before I get into that, let’s talk about the event. Holy Cow, The Gem Theater in Kannapolis, NC is an amazing classic art deco facility from a bygone era. The place is absolutely cavernous once you get inside the screening room. It has an amazing balcony that just seems to go back forever and the sound and projection are top knotch. Read more “The Honeyspider World Premier”
Its Tuesday once more and Monday passed us by before I could post an update. I did manage a decent practice with Brandon on Saturday and we got down the demo for a new song called, “Carried By Angels.” As soon as we can get all 3 guys together at some point I’ll make a quick video of it. Grant had, as he put it “mechanicin” to do on Saturday, so he didn’t come jam with us.
I’ve recently watched just about every program featuring celeb chef, ex drug addict, social commentator and drunkard, Anthony Bourdain available on Netflix. Of his shows, and he’s had 4 or 5, my favorite is “Parts Unknown.” The typical format of the show is the host walking around this or that distant country and sampling the food and booze with a sympathetic host, usually to the point of getting drunk and in some cases passing out. It’s at once funny and sad to see this admitted former crack and cocaine addict disavowing the AA approach to sobriety and being apparently fine with getting stoned and drunk as a recovering crack addict. Of course the fact that he’s probably still using isn’t lost on me. Then he’ll make funny commentary over the video. He’s pretty funny in the moment too, like a liberal comedian. Notice I’m not calling him “Bill Maher-like.” I said he’s funny.
I think he’s a lucky chef who was in the right place and the right time and by some miracle didn’t overdose himself to death. He basically admits as much in the show. Talk about a craggy old, rough looking dude. He’s lucky to be where he is and it seems like he knows it. And for any smokers, take a look at that guys face and THAT is where you are headed. Smoking is not kind to the skin my friends.
Moving right along, when I discovered that I’ll have a lengthy layover in Raleigh town again this coming weekend, I decided to make sure I wasn’t stuck in the car, waiting on check in time again. I reached out to some friends and now have a micro short film project to shoot on Saturday night. Yeah! This one is based on a story by Jason Wheeley and I penned the very short script. I intentionally kept it small and manageable. This will be my first time handling all aspects of lighting, shooting and editing. I’ve ordered some new lights, since this will be shot indoors in simulated moonlight for the most part. It may fall short of any level of quality whatsoever, but I know we will have fun with it and it’ll be great practice. The cast and crew will consist of Jason, Jeremy Mulis and myself, so I know that it will be low key and fun.
Nancee will be back taking another class at a training center up there in her every expanding quest for continuing education. She’s dedicated to giving her customers the best, I’ll grant her that.
I got into the Wells Fargo 3 at 7 am this morning and will be heading off to Rock Hill to return ANVIL to it’s creator for some repairs. It has sucked being deprived of my main work machine for weeks now. Yargh! Read more “Anthony Bourdain is a Pesimistic Druggy Slacker”
After a rather long work week full evenings filled with editing a prepping a co-workers submission for Project Green Light, I was more than ready for a relaxing weekend. I always say that I prefer being busy and that is very true indeed, but this week was about the 3 week in row of almost 50 hours on the clock and even more on project work. At the end of my work day on Friday, I felt overdue for a bit of a break. Actually, Friday night is kind of a blur. I think I did start catching up on some recent movie releases I’d previously missed with a viewing of, The Purge: Anarchy. Read more “Weekend Unplug Required”
What can I say? I love this show. The teaser did absolutely nothing for me but I gave it a chance anyway and I’m certainly glad that I did. I mean, seriously what’s not to love about pirates?
