GenCon Indy 2006

Captain Blasto will be hitting GenCon Indy 2006 in just a short few weeks from August 10th till the 13th. GenCon Indy is a national gaming convention that brings in more people/money than the Final Four. There will be tens of thousands there for the weekend event. DVD's of the original extended cut will be on sale for $5.00. We've yet to hear back as to whether we've been accepted into the GenCon film fest. Should know soon.

Also appearing at GenCon will be the national debut of A Great Disturbance, the Star Wars mockumentary. DVD's of this film will also be up for sale, although I'm not sure on the price just yet.

EDIT: Just got word that we HAVE been accepted into the GenCon Indy Film Fest. Captain Blasto will be screening on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. If we win something we'll also screen on Sunday.

More Superman

Yeah, yeah, I know. Superman is so two weeks ago and Pirates is the new deal. But I came across this incredibly accurate review of the film while reading Paul Dini's blog. For those of you who don't know, Paul Dini was one of the writers/creators of Batman: The Animated Series, or what I like to call, The Best Television Show and Most Accurate Representation of Batman Ever Made Hands Down. Here's what ol' Paul has to say:

Eh, it was okay.

Considering the train wreck it could have been it was outstanding, but as it was, to me at least, it was just okay.

Given Superman's history in comics, movies, radio, television and a dozen other places, I was disappointed that the filmmakers looked only as far as the two movies made in the late 70's for their inspiration. But Superman, both as a character and as an entire concept, is much richer than those films. Clark the bumbler, the barely developed Daily Planet staff (besides Lois), the Superman/Clark/Lois triangle, goddamn wacky Lex and his daffy henchmoll du jour, ugh. Enough. You clowns are spending, when all is said and done, 300 million dollars. Show me something I can't get at the video rental store. Screw the fact THE INCREDIBLES is a cartoon, give me a story that's better than that, because animated or not, THE INCREDIBLES is the new gold standard for superhero movies. SUPERMAN RETURNS was in live-action (partially) and it felt like a cartoon, a flat, boring one. THE INCREDIBLES had characters that were compelling, some cool plot twists, great action sequences, and a villain's plot that, while not the most original, actually made sense. Weren't too many of those elements in SUPERMAN RETURNS.

I liked bits and pieces -- Eva Marie Saint, Brandon Routh, the Smallville flashbacks, Superman seen via a security camera foiling a convenience store robbery, the whole saving the plane sequence. Sweet raisins in a bowl of bland oatmeal.

All I can say to that is...ditto.

Pirates 2

Saw the new Pirates movie last night. I enjoyed the first one, but I wasn't bonkers about it like most people. Johnny Depp is good and all, but I don't see the craze that surrounds him. He downright ruined the new Wonka movie.

I left the second one with the same exact feeling as the first: it's a really good movie that borders at the edge of being a great one, and never quite makes it. They've got great characters, inventive scenes/sequences, and created a fun escapist world. But, like the first one, they achieve all that in a bit of a messy screenplay structure.

That being said, the crew/creatures of the Flying Dutchman are absolutely incredible. Davy Jones is one of the best cinema villains to hit the screen in quite a while.

Roads and Weather

Did you ever notice that if two middle aged men are having a conversation nine out of ten times it either about directions or weather? It's either "Oh, you just gotta take I95 up to New Stanton and head west on the Orange Belt," or "The storm's supposed to hit at 4:00, but I felt the wind change about an hour ago."

Why? Why is it that there default conversational topic is either something that's been relatively the same for decades or something that changes hourly?

Hopefully when I hit 45 I won't join the club. I'm betting I'll still be complaining about George Lucas.

Why am I so critical?

My wife hates going to movies with me. Why? Because once the credits roll and she inevitably asks if I liked it, nine out of ten times I reply no. On top of that I respond with 20+ areas where they went wrong, most of which revolves around the script structure. "You don't like ANYTHING," she says. Not true. It's that I LOVE movies that I'm so critical. I know what they CAN be. I feel like I'm showing up at Benihana's and they're handing me a Hoss' filet. Either they've got to make a better steak or I've got to realize I keep accidentally walking into Hoss'.

I like movies so intensely that I am frustrated by their general lack of quality and creativity. I expect more than they consistently offer. And considering the millions of dollars and hundreds of talented and well paid people behind them, is that expectation out of line? Everyone dislikes bad movies. I dislike mediocre movies.

There's a misconception that film critics and filmmakers don't like anything but old movies. Also not true. It's not that old movies were better, it's just that over the decades the good ones have remained while those mediocre ones have disappeared. You may have liked Scream or The Waterboy, but in 2030 it will be forgotten. The Lord of the Rings won't. When Casablanca was on screens I'm sure it was surrounded by mediocrity too.

The common movie goer defense is, "Well, it was entertaining." Sure, seeing Superman stop a plane from crashing is entertaining. Watching the tripod aliens blow up cars around Tom Cruise is entertaining. But I don't watch movies to just be entertained, comedies being the exception. I have video games and a puppy to do that. I don't pay ten dollars to be entertained for an hour and a half. I go to the movies to be affected, changed. To have questions asked. To face situations I have, haven't, can't, or won't face in my own life.

After any movie where I generally am the only person who disliked the movie I am constantly asked what I was looking for. What was it lacking. There were good actors, there were good scenes, it was funny, the effects were great, etc. What were you looking for? It's incredibly simple. Beyond all the actors, scenes, effects, etc., I want a well told story. Every great film is a story well told. How is a story told well? Here is my opinion, backed by a history of successful films. I write this just so those of you reading this get a better understanding of the reviews I make on here and the films I hope to write.

Ask yourself if your favorite films follow this model. I will also use Captain Blasto in my examples just to illustrate how I try to write, not to compare it to great films.

The film illustrates how the main character typically lives their life. Luke is a down and out farmboy. Rocky is a hitman. Rick is a shady nightclub owner in a seedy little African town. Colin goes unnoticed.

Something happens throwing the characters life out of the normal, either in a positive or negative way. Luke buys R2D2 and C3PO. Rocky gets the call to fight Apollo Creed. Ilsa walks into Rick's Cafe. Colin is scared into doing something by Daryl.

The character seeks to find a solution, reach their goal, obtain the prize. They are opposed by a series of obstacles. Luke and crew are taken into the Death Star and must escape with the Princess and the plans. Rocky trains, opposed by his own feeling of worthlessness. Rick arranges a flight for himself and Ilsa to America behind the backs of her husband, Maj. Strasser, and Capt. Renault. Colin stages robberies as his hero Captain Blasto continually having to avoid both detection and police.

The obstacles change the character, preparing them for their final obstacle. Luke goes from farmboy to fighter pilot. Rocky swaps his lonely life for a relationship with Adrien. Rick begins to shed his selfish ways as he returns to his relationship with Ilsa. Colin, braver and more, becomes noticed as his fictional counterpart.

Equipped with everything they've learned throughout the question, the character faces one final obstacle with everything on the line. Luke flies down the Death Star trench pursued by Darth Vader. Rocky fights Apollo Creed. Rick holds Capt. Renault at gunpoint. Colin stands up to Evan.

The hero either succeeds or fails in their quest. Luke blows up the Death Star. Rocky loses to Apollo but learns his self worth. Rick gives up his tickets for Ilsa and Victor Laszlo. Colin slams Evan.

The total quest changes the character for good. Luke becomes the hero. Rocky becomes a national underdog "champion." Rick is back in the fight. The classroom falls quiet as Colin enters.

The total quest raises a question in our own lives. Would you be willing to jump into a righteous fight if great odds were against you? Would you be able to step out of you hum drum life to attempt something great? Would you sacrifice your own well being for someone you love? Have you sacrificed your dreams for the boring responsiblity of life?

What movies follow this besides the ones I've mentioned? Raiders of the Lost Ark, It's a Wonderful Life, Chinatown, Bridge on the River Kwai, Wizard of Oz, The Incredibles, Gladiator, Braveheart, and Jaws to name a few more.

Now, will something like Superman Returns stand up to the decades? Unlikely. Why? What did Superman want? We don't know. What was opposing him from reaching his goal? Nothing. There was conflict, yes, but none of it related to anything other than watching him do neat stuff. How did Superman change as a result of his quest? He didn't. What was the point of watching the movie then? To see Superman do neat stuff. Three hundred and fifty million dollars and twenty eight years later just to see Superman do...neat stuff? Sorry I expect a bit more.

Superman Returns

Is it good? Moderately, yes. There's enough throwbacks to the original films to make me smile. The "rescuing the plane" scene is good. We get to see Superman use all of his power several times. They have a GREAT shot of Superman holding a car above his head in tribute to the cover of Action Comics #1, his first appearance. The effects are quality and CG isn't overused. And yes, Brandon Routh makes a decent Superman and an even better Clark Kent. (Christopher Reeve still retains his title as the definitive Superman/Clark Kent, but Routh never had a chance of stealing that.)

I went into the film hoping it would be amazing. And it started off strong. Great opening text. INCREDIBLE opening credits. Great music. I really felt like I was about to see a GREAT Superman movie. By 3/4 of the way through I realized that wasn't he case. If the credits opened my mind to an A+ movie, the rest of the story worked it down to a C. And keep in mind my love of Superman covers a multitude of sins. Had this been any other superhero that rating would have been much lower.

It had good characters, good actors, good sets, good scenes, and good direction. With all of that why wasn't it a great film? I honestly could sit here and type a 10 page essay on the film, but nobody will read it. In short I'll say it's story structure is an absolute mess. Characters do not have clear goals or desires and do not change as a result of obtaining or missing them. It was a tribute to a great character and a great film, written by either untrained or untalented writers. If you're actually intrested in reading what I believe to be the most accurate review of the film, check here:

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23714

Ebert's review has some good points although it's a bit harsh:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060626/REVIEWS/60606009

It's worth the price of admission. It's really enjoyable and entertaining. Worth buying on DVD as a Superman fan. But if you're like me and want to see a GREAT Superman film. It's already been around for 28 years now.

Pirates Owners Box

Yep, THE owners box. Kevin Mclatchey's owners box. Add it right next to Mann's Theater on the list of places Blasto has taken a bunch of Munhall-ians. Every game I've ever seen has been from the nosebleed $6 seats with peanuts all over the floor. Special thanks for the Williams' for bringing us along with them. And you have NOT heard gospel until you've heard Deniece belt it out.

"'Da Vinci' opening this big just tells you that people do want to go to the movies, they just need the right movie to go," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Sure, they went and saw it, but NOBODY liked. I've heard back from some 20 different people and I hear things such as: "Not a single second of tension in the entire film." "Worst role of Tom Hanks' career." Congrats, you made millions. But so did Ice Age 2 and Final Destination 3.

Yes, people DO want to go to the movies, and yes we do need the right movie, but this wasn't it. Without all the controversy (thank you crazy churches) there wouldn't have been half as many people.

Lesson learned: the next time you have a movie coming out, leak a story that it was written by Satan and make sure your lead actor has a mullet. Even Joe Dirt got the second part right.

I See Tom Hanks More Than My Wife

Seriously, is there any entertainment medium that this boy has NOT been on in the past two weeks? I like Tom Hanks and all, but I've seen his face more times in one week than I've seen my own face. It is dang near impossible to go a single day without seeing him SOMEWHERE. A billboard on a bus, a talk show, a magazine cover, an article on Yahoo, he's everywhere.

I watch Conan, there he is. Good appearance, funny. Very next day he's on Leno. Okay, new jokes, same Da Vinci Code clip, but he feels kind of worn out, like you had a great time with a friend yesterday and they're trying to recapture it again. Very next day I'm listening to "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" on NPR and there he is again. Seriously? Radio? Your promoting on the freakin' radio? There he is on Ellen and then Regis and Kelly followed up with Letterman. Heck I'm half expecting him to show up on Maury claiming he's not the baby's daddy.

The Decline of Western Theaters

Here's a topic I've been ridiculously interested in for the past few months: the consistent fall in theater attendance. Studios and theater chains are freaking out. Not as many people are going to see movies as much. Why? Well according to the "experts" out in Hollywood, here's the top reasons, in particular order.

1. Cell phones ringing during films
2. Lack of advertising
3. People would rather watch DVD's and iPods
4. Price of tickets
5. Bad movies

Which of course is further evidence that Hollywood is crazy. Cell phones? That's numero uno? Sure, it's annoying, but that doesn't happen enough to make it number one. I can count how many times it's happend to me on one hand. But the biggest joke of them all: lack of advertising. Would you describe movie advertising as "lacking?" I tell you, I just can't get enough of these commercials for that groundbreaking gymnastics movie Stick It and it's hilarious trailer line "It's not called gym-nice-tics." My favorite is when movie advertisements take over whatever web page your on. You thought you were looking up Yahoo and then suddenly Freddy Krueger slashes through the page, "Check out my trailer or I'll cut you in your dreams!" Thanks Freddy, I wasn't in the mood to read FoxTrot today anyways. But if you don't want to see the ad, don't worry, there's that microscopic Close link hidden somewhere on the ad, which of course is much harder to find than Waldo or Bin Laden.

I could be wrong, but the iPod? You're really blaming it on the iPod? Would you rather watch Spider-Man 2 on a theater screen or your iPod. Who's taking that two and half inch screen over theaters? Sure DVD's might take a bit away, but that's only because 1) you don't leave movies in theaters long enough so we probably missed it (see previous post) or 2) you can buy a DVD for the same price as 2 tickets to the theater (and then sell it to Blockbuster if it sucks to make a few bucks back.) Which brings us to the conclusion and CP's Top 5 list of reasons for the demise of theater attendance:

1. Bad movies
2. Bad movies
3. Bad movies
4. Bad movies
5. Price of tickets

Movies are awful ninety percent of the time. Make better movies, we'll pay to see them. Keep making bad movies, then you better lower those ticket prices so we don't feel like we're taking such a gamble. Example: Stealth. Otherwise known as Jamie Foxx's quick paycheck. A robotic fighter jet that turns on it's creators. The only thing I will pay $9.00 to go see that's THAT bad in this town is the Pirates, and that's because the OTHER team might do something exciting. What can a good movie accomplish? Look at the original Star Wars. Most people went and saw that +5 times in the theater. I racked up 15 myself. That's $135 bones for ONE MOVIE. What about the new Star Wars movies? Once. Saw them once, and even that was too much. That's $9 Mr. Lucas. Better movies are more profitable.

But sure Hollywood, keep on pumping out stuff like The Day After Tomorrow, Pink Panther, Final Destination 3, Big Momma's House, and RV. And we'll keep NetFlixing things like Casablanca, Lawrence of Arabia, Chinatown, and Rear Window.

Let Them Sit a While

Everyone's busy. I know my weekends are full. Why is it then that every movie studios feel that if people didn't come and see their movie the first or second weekend it plays that we're NEVER going to go see it? Why do they think we're going to drop EVERYTHING we're doing to go see the freakin' Da Vinci Code? I got my own mysteries to figure out this weekend, which can be solved easily with this code: do the dishes or my wife will yell at me. Quit assuming we go to the movies EVERY WEEKEND. We don't. In fact this weekend I'll be seeing the movie "Cutting the Grass or My Landlord Will Add $25 to My Rent."

Ron Howard's last film, Cinderella Man was an example of this. They released it in the summer amidst War of the Worlds (boo), Batman Begins (boo²), and Star Wars (boo x 10³). Did Cinderella Man look good? Yeah. We're people interested in seeing it? Yep. We're they so interested in seeing it that they were willing to go see it on the exact date you wanted them to? No. We were all at Myrtle Beach that weekend. We wanted to see it when we got back, but it was gone faster than the SV lunchroom snickerdoodles.

If you don't let the movie sit a while then if I go see it and I tell others about it, there's a good chance it won't be there when they follow up on my advice. Was there no lesson learned from My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Word of mouth takes time. Not every film is going to have an opening weekend record breaking spectacle like Star Wars or the first Spider-Man.

People spend years working on a film and you're only going to give it a week or two to work? Let the films sit a while. I may have been busy the weekend it came out.

New Design Concept

One of the problems we've been experiencing with the poster and DVD cover is that lots of people mistake the movie for a cartoon. That's a fair mistake considering the title. With us coming to the end of our first batch of 1,000 DVD's and a potential new batch in the near future alone with upcoming treatment/press packet covers I've begun to rethink the Blasto design/poster/cover. Here's a rough concept:


What I'd like to do is get some good publicity photos of Colin and Daryl to put on the DVD. So instead of a drawing of Colin or Blasto, it would be a photo. We'll still be sticking with the black, red, and white color scheme. Not only does that tie in well with the opening credits, but it was such a vibrant and stark color scheme that it captured attention.

Now before anyone makes any references to the Star Wars: Episode I teaser poster I'll have you know the idea for this poster is a variation on an old "More to Come" title card from the Tonight Show way back in the Johnny Carson days. I saw it when I was little. It was the image of a boy in pajamas, a towel cape around his neck, with a lamp and an oscilating fan at his feet. The shadow he cast on the wall was that of a muscle bound hero. There were a series of cards like this. A kid with a hat and a hose projected the shadow of a firefighter, and so on. I think that concept captures the entire feel of our movie perfectly. We may not be heroes, but we are the shadow of one.

Newport Report

I didn't even intend to rhyme.

In short it was an amazing festival. The staff were ridiculously supportive, more than I expect from even a small festival, let alone one of this size. Special thanks to Geoff Patino, the Director of Features Programming. We were able to meet some other filmmakers and catch sevearl quality films. The highlight of which has to be the Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation. You have to check that out here.

Our screening went well. The Q&A was fairly brief. The Digibeta transfer looked pretty good, except for shots that contain alot of red and black. We got good feedback on some improvements to make. It seems that every time I get to screen the film at a festival I get a better look at how to make the film a little better. Usually this means trimming a few minutes to speed it up, especially in the early "Colin is a lonely bastard" scenes.

I'll post some more on specific topics, and get some pictures up soon, but for now here's some other films you should keep an eye out for:
Hidden Blade (gotta love samurai films)
Fumi and the Bad Luck Foot (hyterical animated short)
Last Stop for Paul (neat concept, funny as well)

What would you do with $750?

Buy an iPod? A computer? Perhaps a mint on card Beachhead G.I. Joe fig?

What did I buy for $750?

A copy of Captain Blasto on digibeta. That's right BETA. As in "I lost the fight to VHS," only MUCH better quality. The Newport festival only accepts that or film to screen, and I'd be donating blood by the Colteryahn gallon to be able to afford film. So after searching for weeks for the cheapest price, a lil shop in San Francisco takes the Beta cake and my savings account takes the hit.

The Blasto Digital Universe

Gotta love those overdramatic subject titles.

Blasto is slowly taking over the internet.

CaptainBlasto.com
Pictures, video, wallpaper, the ENTIRE soundtrack, press, festival photos, and more.

Captain Blasto on IMDB
That's right, we're officially a movie. Actually it doesn't change a thing, but it's cool.

Captain Blasto on MySpace
Add him to your friends and maybe you'll make the top 8.

The Captain Blasto Stupendous Store
T-shirts, clocks, tile coasters, and even a Fandango light switch cover. What better way could you spend your income tax return?

Newport Beach Film Festival Screening

We officially screen at the Newport Beach Film Festival
Sunday, April 23rd at 12:00pm
If you live in California, you best be orderin' some tickets.

Getting Things Together

Here's the latest info on the Blasto front:

Newport Beach Film Fest
I've been working on getting all the advertising and promotional stuff together for the fest. This includes getting contact info and screeners out to the Orange County press, designing and printing posters, postcards, ads, etc., and getting the film transfered to Digitbeta, since they don't accept DVD as an exhibition format. This film fest is a fairly big one, the largest one we've been accepted to thus far, so we've really got to donate some time and money towards doing it really well.

Rewrite Treatment
After being swamped with work, fest prep, and other stuff, I'm back working on the treatment for the rewrite of Captain Blasto. It's going fairly well and should be finished within a few weeks. What's different? Well, nothing is set in stone but here's some quick ideas: Colin attempts to actually save people before staging robberies. It doesn't go well, which gives him the idea to start faking them. Colin also doesn't know about Captain Blasto at the beginning of the film, he discovers the comic book in the first 15 minutes. Colin also doesn't meet Daryl for the first time until a few minutes in. Whether or not Abbey will still be in it is still up in the air. If you want her to stay, leave a comment. The crew is made up of Daryl's friends, rather than random men they find. The final heist will take place on Halloween night, the perfect symbolism of people dressing up as something they've always wanted to be. Like I said, nothing is set in stone, and I'm sure many more changes will take place, but these are just some of the bigger ideas I can remember.

Updating Website
I've updated the main site with new pictures. The new pics include photos from the Lake County Film Fest and stills from the film.

Merchandise
You know you've always wanted a Captain Blasto t-shirt and poster. Well they are on their way. Keep an eye out for the Blasto store at http://www.captainblasto.com.

First Award

Captain Blasto has recieved it's very first festival award:

Special Jury Award for Visual Design

from the jury of the Lake County Film Festival.

Back Home

We're back home and WHOOPED. Not sure why either. I know you're essentially just sitting, but watching a lot of movies takes it out of you.

This post is just a quick overhead glance at the festival. I'll post with some more detail into specifics soon.

The general info is this: the Lake County Film Festival was an absolute blast. (It was held in the city of Libertyville which is a cross between Ligonier and Munhall, PA, only bigger than both.) Kudos to Nat and the staff for putting together a fest which will be incredibly tough to top. We had a great screening with approximately 60 people (in a room suited for 70 or so.) Although it wasn't our biggest audience, it was hands down our most responsive. Not only did they laugh at jokes no audience has before, they were incredibly supportive, and complimentary during a great Q&A session. They also bought 40 DVD's. They also had a better projector than the one that cost us $750 at Loews Premiere.

We met about a dozen other filmmakers, equally as supportive. The entire atmosphere was incredibly encouraging, contrary to other fests where filmmakers are way too competitive and malicious towards one another. Here's some links to some of their great projects:

Fatboy: The Movie - http://www.fatboythemove.com
A fun documentary about weight loss struggles directed by a clone image of Scott Stevens. This film will certainly get picked up for distribution. It's the only feature length film we had time to see.

Ride of the Mergansers - http://www.rideofthemergansers.com
A short documentary about the birthing of a reclusive North American duck. You will never laugh harder when you see they's little baby ducks drop out of the nest into the lake below.

Genie in a Bottle: Unleashed - http://www.stephentracefilms.com
A short documentary about the atom bombs and the Doomsday Clock filmed by two 13 year old boys. Styled like a PBS kids doc and fairly incredible for their age.

Spin - http://www.doubleedgefilms.com
A DJ that can control time with turntables. Pretty freakin' neat. Played before our Blasto screening.

The Mantis Parable - http://www.themantisparable.com
an incredible CG animated short about a captured caterpillar and praying mantis. Done by many people who will one day work for Pixar or Dreamworks I'm sure.

Smartcard - http://www.oxford-entertainment.com/smartcard/index.html
A "bleak future" short with a heavy critique on credit/debit cards and government information control.

Lemmings - http://www.lemmingsfilm.com
A funny animated short about a Lemming that questions his species mass suicidal tendencies. My only critique is that it's animated in a very childish style, but it's not necessarily appropriate for children.

We saw many more shorts, not all of which have a website to link to. I also recieved several DVD's from filmmakers which I haven't been able to watch yet.

That's the skinny. I'll post more soon.

Lake County

Driving to Illinois for the Lake County Film Fest today with Ashley, Kleiber, and Alan. Hoping for a good weekend and a decent crowd. Wish us luck.