"The Big Bang Theory"

A funny-enough sitcom with a secret weapon. Jim Parsons and company do a good job as the four nerds/geeks/geniuses - especially Parsons as the fussy, maddening Sheldon. But, Kaley Cuoco, as their next door neighbor, Penny, is the funniest "straight man" in a long time. She may not get a lot of straight-up punchlines, but her expressions, reactions and comic timing are perfect and priceless

"Gary Unmarried"

A very solid sitcom that doesn't try to re-invent the wheel, instead tries to be a very solid sitcom, and it succeeds.

Jay Mohr is funny. As are the kids (don't feel like IMDB-ing their names. No offense to the actors. They're good. I'm just lazy.)
The clean-up hitter, though, is Paula Marshall. I've been a big fan for many years. (At one time I had every episode of "Chicago Sons" recorded on VHS. In your FACE.)

Even though TV critics likened her to a "Show Killer," since all of her shows get canceled within or after one season, I still watched every single one. Paula has always been a very gifted comedienne. (Is that spelled right? I don't feel like Merriam-Webster-ing it. No offense to the word. It's good. I'm just lazy.) She's just never found her showcase show. Paula has finally found her role.

"Movin' On Up"

"To that de-luxe apartment in the sky..."

Is it just me or is this song really about dying? "Moving on up" (dying) "...to that deluxe apartment in the sky" (Heaven.)

I think I'm onto something. (Not ON something.)

Anyway, I'm in the process of moving into a brand, spanking new house, courtesy of my awesome and industrious parents. (Now, if I can lock down a mortgage under 5%, which I will. Sweet.)

Mostly, thank you to a very generous and very gracious God, Who felt it was time I became a homeowner, and in a brand new place, no less. All of this sort of...happened. When great things sort of "happen," it's because of Him. They call great things "falling into your lap" for a reason. It's because they come from above and your lap is where they land.

I'm truly, truly blessed.

Music and Dinner: Highwater Rising, Shake and Bake Pork Chops And Asian Horror Remakes

Movies: I've designated tonight as Catching Up On Asian Horror Remakes That I Haven't Seen - a double bill of "ONE MISSED CALL" and "SHUTTER." Both original movies are slightly overrated. They feel like horror programmers - formula movies usually released early in the year, and PG-13, that stick strictly genre rules, offering nothing new. They're comfort food, which isn't a bad thing. I usually enjoy these flicks, because they are comfort food. Not everything has to be "groundbreaking."

The original "ONE MISSED CALL" and "SHUTTER" are effective enough exercises, though, to count them as wins. The "ONE MISSED CALL" remake has Ed Burns (who I will defend until I die) and the cute-as-a-button Shannyn Sossamon (who I will love until I die.) "SHUTTER" features the underrated Joshua Jackson.

Dinner: Shake n' Bake pork chops, homemade Mac n' Cheese, veggies.

Music: Highwater Rising, "The In Between." Sort of Coldplay, less "Cold" more "play." LOVE: "Coming Undone," "Wasted Days," "Life In Three Parts," "Can't Wait Around, and "Kissing Tree."

"The Wrestler": Beauty And The Beast

2009 is off to a great start for older actors. First, Clint Eastwood in the perfect role for Clint Eastwood at age 79, "GRAN TORINO." (Say it with me, "Get off my lawn.") Then, Liam Neeson, an unlikely choice at first, totally breaking bad as a C.I.A. dad gone mad (apparently, I'm Dr. Seuss now) in "TAKEN."

Now, it's Mickey Rourke in "THE WRESTLER," as an ailing, once-famous pro wrestler with a daughter who hates him and a stripper for a best friend (played wonderfully by Marisa Tomei), who has been relegated to nostalgia matches in high school gyms. Most indie dramas are either unwatchable "slices of life," (read: no story, a lot of pointless conversations), or how violent criminals are really people, too. Darren Aronofsky's movie is about real people in relatable situations. It's Beauty And The Beast. "A broken-down piece of meat" (as Ram refers to himself in the movie) and the exotic-dancer-only-doing-it-for-her-kid who loves him. "THE WRESTLER" is heart-warming, then heart-breaking, heart-warming again, finally heart-breaking (or heart-warming, depending on how you interpret the ending.) Every actor has that one role they were born to play and its their crowning achievement. This is Mickey Rourke's.

"BEYOND THE GATES"

The best film I've seen since "INTO THE WILD." A Catholic priest and his young, school teacher friend living and serving in Rwanda right before the mass genocide in 1994. The violence is graphic, stomach-churning and realistic. This is also one of the most emotionally realistic movies I've seen. John Hurt, facing the coming massacre, unlike most Movie Priests, doesn't want to bravely stay behind with the townspeople and heroically martyr himself. At the same time, his duty as a Catholic priest, and conviction as a Christian, are persuading him to do just that. Surprisingly, there's a profound theological moment when Hurt declares, in the midst of the machete dismemberments and butchery, that he's never felt God's love and presence so strongly and tangibly. The idea that in the face of true evil, God will reveal His. An exceptional movie.

The end of "Endgame"

I've finished my final draft and handed it in to my manager. After ten years, the basic structure and foundation are still the same. All it needed was a new coat of paint and some minor repairs inside.

The earmark of a good story is it's viability over time. Or, it doesn't seem dated. This one still seems like it was written yesterday.

Since this is the final draft, and I've moved on to other projects, this will be the final post, until it sells. (Good thing, because Google's out of Famke-holding-a-gun pics.) When it gets made, I'll do a full write up of the script. Until then, I hope one day to see a variation of this pic with "Endgame" above it.

Music and Dinner: Teitur, Mary Lou Lord, Pot Pie, South Park And Scrubs

Every night, I cook. (Yes, ladies, a man who can cook. And not just in the kitchen, if you know what I mean. Sometimes I grill.) I always do this to music, thanks to Rhapsody and my massive CD collection.

Tonight's music selection: Teitur "Poetry And Airplanes." Somewhere between David Gray and Robbie Robertson. It's moody, atmospheric and romantic. Fave songs: "One and Only," "Poetry and Airplanes," "Rough Around The Edges."

And, Mary Lou Lord "Got No Shadow." She reminds me somewhat of Susanna Hoff (her solo CD, not with The Bangles.) It's exemplary adult folk rock. "Lights Are Changing" (of course), "She Had You," "Jingle Jangle Morning" and "Two Boats."

Tonight's food: a homemade chicken pot pie variation. A can of cream of cheddar soup. A can of cream of chicken soup. Boneless chicken breasts and a package of chopped broccoli.

Viewing: some South Park dvd's and "Scrubs" on WGN.

Script Updates

My horror comedy "PROM NIGHT OF THE UNDEAD," formerly "NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE KILLERS," is being read by a production comedy. ("Formerly," because another producer wanted a "catchier" title. I ended up agreeing with him, though I still dig "NOTZK.") "PROM NIGHT OF THE UNDEAD" is one part "CLUELESS," another part "DAWN OF THE DEAD" (or any other zombie title. That was just the first one that came to mind. There's a terrible one called "NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIES" where I guess my co-writer and I stole the title and added "KILLERS." There's also "PROM NIGHT," which I just stuck "OF THE UNDEAD" onto the end. I need to get more creative. ) Anyway, I'm an 80's horror and teen comedy junkie. This is an ode to those wonderful, classic movies.

My romantic comedy - yes, you read that right - romantic comedy, "SWEETEST CHANCES," (shut up) is being read by another company. I love the warm whimsy of a Cameron Crowe movies ("warm whimsy?" Who's writing this garbage. Oh, right.) This is an ode to those wonderful, classic movies. (Did I just use that? I don't feel like scrolling up and looking.) I was trying to capture that. I think I did.

Originally, the great Lauren Woodland was interested in "SWEETEST CHANCES." Maybe it will wend its way back to her.

Good things to come.

Bob Mould

I'm listening to the two latest Bob Mould CD's as I write these "buh-logs" today - "Body Of Song" and "District Line." I'm a Sugar-slash-Bob Mould solo Bob Mould fan, not a Husker Du Bob Mould fan. (Only because I'm not that into punk.)

I always thought Sugar was the best band 90's band that you never heard of. (I know ending sentences in a preposition is gramatically incorrect. I don't care. Moving on.) Sugar and, to a lesser extent, Matthew Sweet and Teenage Fanclub, were the masters of the sweet pop on the outside with a crunchy guitar center. (Okay, that was stupid. I don't care. Moving on.) They were The Replacements of the '90's.

My favorite Sugar songs: "The Act We Act," "Hoover Dam," "Man On The Moon," "If I Can't Change Your Mind," "Your Favorite Thing," "Can't Help You Anymore," "Explode And Make Up," and, especially, "Believe What You're Saying."

Bob Mould is the Springsteen/Dylan of the underground. "Poison Years" is one of my favorite songs of all time, by anyone. "Next Time That You Leave" is the perfect summation of what Bob Mould does best. "Old Highs, New Lows, " "Thumbtack," "Deep Karma Canyon" is fabulous, but too short. (Why did you do that incredible chorus only once Bob?)

History will prove Bob Mould to be as influential to the punk and alternative world as his contemporaries were to the mainstream.

"Endgame" CONT'D

I finished the final draft today. That means, I print it out one more time and do a final pass over the weekend at work, making sure it's perfect.

Because of this pursuit of perfection, it's hard to let go of a script. You always think there's a better line of dialogue, or a better way to describe an action. After a while, however, like parents with their children, you have to let it go, hoping that you've done your job correctly.

And I still think Famke Janssen would be fantastic.

"TAKEN"

Wait, I thought this was about Liam Neeson going on an unstoppable rampage after his daughter gets abducted by European sex slave thugs. Unless aliens are posing as European sex slave thugs, in order to abduct people, and Liam Neeson is actually Dakota Fanning.

The real "TAKEN"

Oh, okay. This is the right movie.

This is Liam Neeson in full-Eastwood "Get off my lawn"mode. A very good, lean-and-mean, pull-no-punches actioner.