Cheap Art, Irresponsibly Hung.

Watching...

2010-01-13T22:07:00.000-08:00

I watched the following films during my holiday vacation in Baltimore.

War Child – Imagine being six years old and handed a loaded AK-47. You are then instructed to kill the very families who helped raise you.

War Child is a documentary about a former Sudanese war child and his escape to freedom. This film chronicles his journey from boy soldier to globally recognized musician – a lifestyle choice aimed to raise awareness for change. More specifically, advocating for education.

Bonnie and Clyde – Bonnie and Clyde is an American classic; a timeless tale of a predominantly asexual criminal relationship. The plot is far from groundbreaking, but the dynamic of personalities makes this film. Consider it the Raging Bull of the western genre.

Avatar – Avatar is, without a doubt, the Star Wars of today’s generation. It is visually stunning, technologically groundbreaking, and yet strikingly cliché. The epic plot is a composite of countless films, spanning many generations and many genres. And despite being absurdly predictable the audience remains actively engaged for duration of the film. We have James Cameron’s commitment to perfection to thank for this.

Watching...

2009-11-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

Bride Wars.

(Yeah, I watched it. So what.)

Before I begin, let me say the following: It was not my intention to watch Bride Wars. I don't consider it to be a good movie. But I watched it anyway. Why?

Because I believe it worked successfully as a movie . What do I mean by "worked successfully"? Well, look at the numbers. There's a reason why it grossed over $115 million worldwide and it only cost $30 million to produce. I explain below with my top three reasons of "Why this film works."

1) Clear Title: Bride Wars. By reading the title we know what the entire movie is about. We don't know why the brides battle, but we know they battle and we're immediately enticed to find out. Not to mention, the word "Bride" generally attracts the female demographic, while "War" attracts the male demographic.

"Ok, you have my attention..."

2) Wedding Theme: Again, the definitive title is also suggestive of the theme - weddings. People are always getting married, which means that a very large consumer demographic can relate (in one way or another) to the notion of a wedding. Don't believe me? Think about the success of these films: My Best Friend's Wedding, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, or even Wedding Crashers. Weddings are popular. Weddings attract an audience. And people will always pay to watch stories about weddings.

Now that the title has hooked us, what keeps us watching?

3) Structure: The story, though predictable, follows a structure well suited for the story, as two, life-long best friends are pitted against one another on their shared wedding days.

The structure (as diagrammed below) demonstrates how these two best friends (A and B) actually grow closer as they progress through their individual Bride War experiences.

Act 1 defines the pre-existing relationship. Life is perfect. However, this movie isn't worth watching unless we have a conflict, which is what the vertical line symbolizes. The perfect-world fantasy is over - both parties have hit a brick wall and will venture in separate directions.

Act 2 explores the "War." What will these characters do to get a leg up over the competition? As the conflict escalates the plot thickens. Stakes are raised and vicious truths are revealed. A simple question is asked, "Would my best friend really do this to me?"

Act 3 finds resolution. They've been best friends and they're meant to remain best friends. Once they set their differences aside they'll find themselves closer than they were before. Resolution.

Combine these three examples of "Why this film works" with the star power of Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, and Candace Bergen and you have a basic recipe for success (relatively speaking). But this is only a small portion of making movies. There are still countless variables (writing, directing, production value) that require professional attention in order to help contribute to this films' success.

As I said, these are my top three arguments for how and why this film worked. I liked the simple structure, but I wasn't keen on the story.

Author's Note:

If you're interested in screen writing - watch movies. The more movies you watch, the more you'll understand story structure. You'll come to understand the structures you like and the structures you don't like. As your taste for movies becomes more distinguished, write (authentically) to match your structure.

Watching...

2009-11-04T20:02:00.001-08:00

Volver.

Beautiful colors, unique perspectives (both in terms of camera angles and storytelling), but I felt the story was lacking. The director, Pedro Almodóvar, did however paint Penelope Cruz in stunningly beautiful light - accentuating her natural, voluptuous body, and thick Spanish accent. A film worth watching for an appreciation of foreign.

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco.

Don't hate me for what I'm about to say, but...I didn't like this film. No fault to Wilco, but rather the director, Sam Jones.

Now, I'm no documentary expert, but this "documentary" felt staged and arrogant. I appreciate Wilco's music, not all of it, but most of it. I can sympathize with Jeff Tweedy's character and the struggle of recording an album, but the intentions of the film felt disingenuous and aimless, which unfortunately leaves a bitter taste in my mouth towards Wilco.

However, what bugs me the most is the following:
What I blieve to be the meat of the story isn't stated until 50 minutes into the film. David Frickle, senior editor for Rolling Stone, comments, "We live in a culture in which we expect everything to happen [snaps fingers] like that." He makes a very a simple, yet accurate statement. And when placed in the context of this film, he's making an incredibly large statement. Up to this point in the film, we've seen how much time is invested in producing/recording/creating an album, but that's only one half of the album experience. The other half is the listening experience - and some albums require more time for listening than others. In this case, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.

Frickle is suggesting that a vast majority of our culture is conditioned to respond with an immediate like, or dislike reaction. And just as a fine wine ripens with time, so too can an album. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to invest the time for an album to ripen, which is what can hurt album sales - and record label executives understand that. It's part of their job shape a creative vision for public consumption. So, when an artist creates a product that isn't readily accessible, executives begin to worry. The artist's product can be genius, but if it can't be marketed, it won't sell. And if it doesn't sell, then that genius is lost.

For me, this conflict should be the meat of the film. How do cultural expectations define an artist's final product? As an artist, when do you fight for what you believe and when do you surrender? These are questions I want to see explored. They should be at the forefront of the film, not a mere after thought.

How would I have made the film differently?
Similar to writing a college essay, I would have clearly defined my thesis at the top of the film - My audience now understands why they're watching (aside from just being about Wilco). The body of the film would explore my questions in greater detail - connecting Wilco's unique situation with traditional record label practice. The conclusion would summize my findings. Something along the lines of, "This is how the business works, this is what Wilco accomplished, and this is how they were able to defy the business model and achieve what they did."

But, I didn't make the film. Sam Jones did. And I respect him for doing it. However, I believe he fell short of the potential in the story.

Watching...

2009-09-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

Pan's Labyrinth.

The first time I saw Pan's Labyrinth was in the theater, the summer I moved to California. The story struck closer to home than I expected - I was fresh off my senior thesis film, And Also The Kings Fall, a story conceptualized and written by a close friend during her semester in Spain. The premise, a young girl explores the epic stories of her dying grandfather's past. A journey that will be sure to leave viewers feeling remorse towards opportunity wasted. Lessons will be learned though; life is precious and shouldn't be wasted, for even the greatest will eventually fall.

Pan's Labyrinth, to me, was a more elaborate senior thesis production with similar values. It expressed tales of life, death, good vs. evil, and all that falls in between. The film is the embodiment of a child's imagination, a fairytale in world stricken with grief. It paints the message that it's OK to dream, in fact, it's encouraged.

Beyond finally writing the review for Pan's Labyrinth, tonight represents another first. Tonight, five years after it's completion, I watched And Also The Kings Fall for the first time. Yes, I watched rough cuts during my time at Syracuse. I even attended the final screening for the senior class. However, our film was incomplete. Color was off, sound wasn't in sync, and picture wasn't locked. I was a complete and utter wreck. Friends have heard the stories, some even witnessed my unraveling first hand, but no one can truly understand the pain in which this film caused me. It might sound crazy, but the experience of being in production for this film took me to a mysterious place where heaven and hell collide head on. A mysterious place that I've only heard about from other filmmakers. A mysterious place that drove me to a nervous breakdown, yet a place where my heart secretly aches to return.

My experience with angst, turmoil, and tears during the production of And Also The Kings Fall is what I believe true filmmaking is all about. Call me a glutton for punishment, but I wish to return.

* I encourage each of you to watch the full film. YouTube lists the movie in 7 parts with a run time of approximately 65 minutes. It's long, but worth the journey.

Lastly, I'd like to thank Taryn Gould for the opportunity to experience. Taryn, I'm sorry it's taken me five years to watch the completed film - As I'm sure you can understand, I wasn't emotionally strong enough to revisit. Now that I have though, I wish I could relive the days. Thank you.

BHB in the Media

2009-07-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

I recently had the privilege of skateboarding with Mark Lukach and his brother, Matt, as they passed through Los Angeles for Skating Across America. The project, which profiles a wide variety skateboarders from across the country, was created by Mark and his wife Giulia, to coincide with their cross country road-trip from San Francisco to Delaware and back again.

During their LA visit, Mark, Matt and I skated The Bat Cave, a secret drainage ditch located at the base of the Hollywood Hills. It was the first time any of us had skated this spot. Be sure to check out the full post on Mark's website, but in the meantime the video embed is below:

Skating Across America - Skater Profile on Adam Reynolds from Mark Lukach on Vimeo.

Her Morning Elegance / Oren Lavie

2009-07-17T13:10:00.001-07:00

Very creative.

Johnny Cash God's Gonna Cut You Down

2009-07-14T01:13:00.001-07:00

I'd like to thank my buddy Sean Flannery for sharing this video with me. Fantastic video.

Watching...

2009-07-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah...I've been slacking. If it's any consolation though, I've been reading more. Not just books, but also scripts, television treatments, and college course readers on documentary filmmaking. Truth is, the TV development world has been wearing me thin, even leaving me down at times. But we, as a team, push forward. There's light at the end of the tunnel.

I've been fortunate enough to be studying under the tutelage of an incredibly well-versed team of professionals from USC's prestigious Annenberg School for Communication. Though the documentary world is a vast departure from my undergrad film studies at Syracuse University, the first-hand, educational experience has been unmatched. The work environment is straight forward and very hands on. The best part, I'm learning how to tell stories.

That being said, let me segue into my movie consumption. Here are two of the three films I watched during the month of July. I decided to take a new approach when writing about each film. Rather than limit myself to writing reviews, I've decided to incorporate personal history into the equation. A sign of my investment in this business. Enjoy!

The Sting. A classic. Plain and simple. My Dad bought this movie as a Christmas present for my brother and I a few years back. He insisted it was another film for the Boardhead Brothers 'must see' collection. Truthfully, my brother and I scoffed at the notion. "This old film?" we thought. What we didn't realize was that a good story, no matter the year published (or produced), can withstand the scrutiny of time.

Now, as I revisit The Sting (for the first time in many years) I understand why my Dad insisted we add it to our collection. I can honestly say that, A) I was an asshole for not trusting my Dad and, B) this movie is now one of my all-time favorite movies. Why? Because it's got a kick ass story!

Next is...

Garbage Warrior. I watched this documentary as research for a project we were developing at work. Unfortunately for us, another production company was quicker than we were and was already in the process of turning Michael Reynolds and his work as a Biotecture Engineer into a TV series. Though a difficult truth, it's often the reality of how the television business works. Take it with a grain of salt and move forward.

Business aside though, Garbage Warrior explores the bizarre story of Michael Reynolds - a renegade architect - who turns automobile tires, soda cans, and beer bottles into fully-sustainable, off-the-grid housing. Earthships, as these unique homes are called, are capable of maintaining consistent internal temperatures (roughly 70-75 degrees) despite the vast temperature fluctuation of New Mexico's seasons. In the words of Dan Birman, "Way Cool!"

More information on Michael Reynolds and his Earthship society can be found here.

From Whoopee Cushions to Electronic Fart Machines: Why "The Hangover" Rocked!

2009-06-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

The Hangover [Theatrical Release] by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Very rarely does a comedy have the ability to establish and sustain a consistent caliber of audience laughter for the duration of a film. Typically, these types of films come with high expectations, but are often fluffed with the magic, “Air of Potential.” Shortly after the head hits the pillow and dreams are condensed into reality, our minds wonder, 'What the fuck was that?'

The jokes are exhausted, the writing is lacking, or quite simply, the moral of the story is getting in the way of the comedy! Regardless, the funny is lost and audience expectations are deflated. For lack of a better term, let's call these films 'Whoopee Cushions.'

The Hangover, on the other hand, was far from a Whoopee Cushion. It was the Hansen 222 of electronic fart machines. In other words, the Grey Goose of the vodkas. The fart-kit came with a stealth black speaker (hide-able anywhere) and a WAY COOL remote control to ensure that a good fart-joke opportunity was never missed. Now anyone could, “Fire farts from afar!,” which is exactly what kids did. They took full advantage. They were always on the prowl to make at least one person laugh. The same concept holds true with The Hangover. The film was consistently funny. Every scene had at least one laugh. It might not have been the best laugh, but it was still a laugh. By the end of the film, I found myself, as well as the audience, laughing as hard, if not harder, at every joke than we were at the beginning of the movie. How often does that happen?

Beyond the laughs though, The Hangover exemplified fresh story telling through subtly employed techniques of film-trickery and through the palpable abundance of, “Attention to Detail”; a tone, which accurately depicts the secret to unlocking the ‘code’ of the story. But, what are you waiting on me for?

GO SEE THE MOVIE!!

You’ll LOVE it! Well, maybe not ‘LOVE it,’ but you’re guaranteed to laugh! If not, I’ll happily refund the expense of your ticket.

Enjoy!

Adam

"Teach Me" - Surf Remix

2009-05-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

After a disappointing first attempt with the GoPro Surf Hero a few weeks back, I decided to go for round two this past Saturday in Manhattan Beach, CA. Ensuring that I was equipped with the right batteries this time (Lithium AAA), I called up my buddy Scott and we took to the water.

After nearly 2 hours of surfing, I couldn't wait to get home and look at the footage. Once I did, I was stoked!! So, I took the liberty of editing the material into a music video for my friend Match Zimmerman's song "Teach Me" - or perhaps I should say, Match was kind enough to lend his music to the project. Either way, I feel the audio & video compliment one another incredibly well. So, without further ado, I present to you...

"Teach Me" - Surf Remix

Enjoy!

Match Zimmerman "Teach Me"
www.matchzimmerman.com

Directed by Adam Reynolds
Produced by Boardhead Brothers
www.boardheadbrothers.com

As a special bonus, "Teach Me" is available for download (for free) by clicking here. Compliments of Match Zimmerman.

Revisiting Bright Eyes

2009-05-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

Digital Ash in a Digital Urn by Bright Eyes

Disguised behind catchy digital beats are spoken words of angst and self-struggle. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is a vast departure from the traditional Bright Eyes melodramatic, country-twang albums we've come to know and love. Despite this departure though, Conor Oberst has remained consistent with the delivery of poetically crafted lyrical versus, not only reflecting his personal battles against inner demons and public misconceptions, but also his determination for self-reconciliation. Just as the album title suggests, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn represents a darker truth masked by the façade of new-age positivity and persistence. Oberst writes,

There is no right way or wrong way, you just have to live
And so I do what I do, and at least I exist
What could mean more than this?*

His words lend a simple truth to those who choose to listen, a truth, which suggests an appreciation for life.

* Lyrics from Bright Eyes - “Hit the Switch”

Surfing in HD Slow Motion

2009-05-12T12:57:00.000-07:00

Compliments of BBC.

Dirty Laundry - A Short Film by Andrew Reynolds

2009-05-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

Congrats to my brother, Andrew Reynolds for completing his student film!

Andrew is a sophomore filmmaker at Temple University in Philadelphia. "Dirty Laundry" was filmed as an extension for an original assignment, a 16 mm silent film, which was also entitled "Dirty Laundry."

Andrew's words: "My final film for Filmmaking. Shot on Bolex Rx5 with Black and White reversal 7266 Tri-x and 7265 Plus-X. All foley sound recorded with Marrantz solid-state recorder ME-80 shot-gun microphone. Thanks to everyone who helped out."

Below is the original assignment:

Andrew's words: "A 16mm Silent film, interior lighting project, foley sound to come."

Despite my family bias, I firmly believe that Andrew's progression as a young filmmaker is clearly evident - as exemplified by these two pieces of work, a before and after, if you will. In his later work, Andrew employs advanced visual and auditory techniques, which demonstrate an acute understanding of the process through which a filmmaker successfully creates the illusion of story through the medium of film.

Looking forward to seeing and sharing more of Andrew's work as he progresses.

Watching...

2009-05-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

The Big Lebowski.

I revisited The Big Lebowski this weekend for the um-teenth time, once again, confirming it as my all time favorite movie. The cast is incredible, the plot is ridiculous, and the subtleties are hilarious. The Coen brothers rock!

Words I Like.

2009-05-02T11:02:00.001-07:00

"being beyond what is normal or expected" - say's your grandmother.

- Uncanny

At a the Mayor's Ball, an intoxicated woman clammers to a sobered couple, "Let's just say he's, 'Wise in practical affairs'" - To which her husband promptly replies, "We should get going."

- Sly

Mark was constantly being laughed at, as his boss insisted that he take time each day to utter successive chirping noises in attempt to ward off the pigeons.

- Twitter

GoPro Surf Hero FAIL!

2009-04-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

Once again, failing to thoroughly read directions has cost me precious material.

Undoubtedly, one of my biggest character flaws is that I hate reading instructions. It’s bitten me in the ass before, and it'll, more than likely, continue to bite me in the ass in the future. That is, unless I start to address the problem.

In this particular instance it was a Friday night and I was gearing up to use my new GoPro Surf Hero camera (a miniature waterproof video camera) for the first time. With fresh batteries installed, I proudly mounted the camera at the nose of one of my surfboards. I had checked the surf report earlier that day, and knew that Saturday’s dawn patrol was going to be epic – Surfline forecasted a solid SW swell along the SoCal coast. Fair – Good conditions. 4 – 5 foot swells, with a timely period and a rising tide. In other words, at the right break, set waves would flaunt faces from 4 to 8 feet, not bad for the first time back in the water since February. I couldn't wait.

I set my alarm for 4:45am, awoke promptly, and was out the door by 5:15am. The drive to Secret Spot was uneventful, in fact, it was actually quite peaceful. I arrived at 6am and snapped this picture. The sun was rising, the waves were pumping and I couldn't wait to hit the water. I suited up in my 4/3, made the trek down the cliffs, and embraced what was unfolding before my eyes.

I pressed record and paddled out into the lineup. I got what I thought to be some pretty awesome footage. However, when I returned home later that day, I was greatly disappointed with my results. Long story short, the GoPro Surf Hero was a FAIL. Apparently you're supposed to use Lithium batteries and not Alkaline, as Alkaline apparently drops voltage in cold temperatures. But of course, not having read the directions, I didn't know this simple fact.

How does this translate? Simply; User Error. Let's just say that my camera kept shorting out and shutting off while I was in the water. The longest water clip I got was about 3 seconds in duration. The only real footage I scored was me paddling out. With remorse, all I can say is "Groovy." Guess you'll have to wait until my next surf to see how the camera really works. Sorry to disappoint. Oh, and yes, I bought Lithium batteries.

Watching...

2009-04-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

Grizzly Man

Fascinating on so many levels.

Truthfully, I don't even know where to begin. As a documentary, the film was well structured with a compelling story arc, and prooved to be well deserving of it's acclaim. As an adventure into the Alaskan wilderness, the film brought us candid video footage that few filmmakers could ever dream of capturing. Timothy Treadwell's home videos serve as hard proof that humans and wild animals can coexist, all the while forming authentic bonds of companionship. But most interestingly was the psychological profile nonfiction director Werner Herzog constructed of Treadwell; a man with a mysterious rhyme and reason for living life. Treadwell's home videos spoke largely of the man's personality, but it was Herzog who crafted Treadwell's raw footage into a compelling storyline, an unpresumptuous representation of one man's life as he chose to live it; with grizzly bears.

"You Non-Contributing Zero"

2009-04-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

Technology getting you down?
This clip from Conan will cheer you up:

Watching...

2009-04-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

Transsiberian.

Flaws, cliches, and poor acting. Not only was this film incredibly predictable, but it was also tacky. The script could have stood for more revisions and the casting department could have cast a wider net over the talent pool. Frankly, I don't understand how this movie made anyone's list for "Top 10 Movies of 2008," but apparently it did. Don't get me wrong, the director, Brad Anderson, has done some incredible work in the past (ie The Wire - Season 1 & Homicide: Life on the Street - Season 7), but Transsiberian was both literally and figuratively a train wreck.

Have You Ever Dreamt of Flying?

2009-04-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Continuing the trend of extreme/alternative sport videos, I wanted to share a video that was shown to me last night by a friend of mine. The sport is called Wingsuit Flying and it incorporates base jumping, free falling, parachuting, and hang gliding into a single suit; the wingsuit.

These guys can hit speeds of up to 100 mph!

Inspired Bicycles - Danny MacAskill

2009-04-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

I grew up watching skate films and surf videos, never bicycle videos. Looks like I missed out on a genre of extreme sports I never knew existed. I especially like his off-the-tree back flip 3 minutes into the video. Thank you, Match, for bringing this to my attention.

Excellent Advertising

2009-04-17T16:40:00.001-07:00

Read each billboard carefully. Simple, yet effective.

In case you can't read the text, the Audi billboard says "Your move, BMW"
BMW responds, "Checkmate"

The Secret Machine Trailer

2009-04-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

Last night, while riding in my friend's car, I listened to a band call The Knife for what I thought to be the first time. That was, until I heard the following song, "Silent Shout." After racking my brain for a few minutes I finally realized how I knew the song, despite never having heard of the band; Globe's The Secret Machine. "Silent Shout" was used for the film's trailer, and oddly enough, is what led me to buy the DVD. That, and the fact that the surfing footage is absolutely ridiculous!

Anyway, here's the official The Knife - "Silent Shout" music video, as well as Globe's The Secret Machine trailer, which is one of my favorite surf films. Enjoy!

Another Gem from Australia.

2009-04-07T00:05:00.000-07:00

After a week without shaving, I decided it was time to clean things up.

Match and I were heading to Byron Bay for a weekend surf adventure. To get in the spirit of things, I opted to craft what I consider to be, the best facial hair I've ever worn. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you...

WAVECIAL HAIR!

Australia's Most "Perfect" Wave

2009-04-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I posted a message on Twitter about Snapper Rocks, a world renowned surf break located on Australia's Gold Coast. The Twitter message was in response to a Surfline.com feature about the Gold Coast Cyclone Swell (viewable here), Cyclone Jasper, and I commented on the intensity of the waves, which from the pictures, appear life threateningly perfect.

Below is a picture I took from Snapper Rocks, when I surfed the break nearly four years ago. Not nearly as large, but still perfectly shaped. I couldn't have asked for more perfect conditions. Well, actually that's not true. Had there been 200 less people in the lineup, things would have been perfect. But this was pretty damn close.

Enjoy!

2009-04-03T01:02:00.000-07:00

What road are you on?

Jeannie Lynn Paske's "The Obsolete World"

2009-04-02T00:11:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from The Obsolete World:

There is a world tucked away behind this one.

An old world made up of endless fields,

distant hills and timeworn cliffs.

A place where the sun is always setting.

A land in which extinct

slow-moving monsters and

elegant gentle-faced creatures

of all shapes and sizes reside.

Delicately balancing their hope with despair.

Reminiscent of long departed dreams

and uncollected thoughts.

Time stands still here

so as to let the residents gaze

in solitude

upon the vast

richly textured skies.

Forever in search of a place

to better sit and watch

their world pass them by.

The beginning of Emma.

2009-04-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

I return to the Eluvium album; an authentic source of superfluous inspiration. On the surface, the track listings provoke as much curiosity as the cover art; suggestive of transient existentialism.

An Accidental memory
Genius and Thieves
Perfect Neglect In a Field of Statues
Nepenthe*
In a Sense
The Well-Meaning Professor
An Accidental Memory In the Case of Death

Deeper, within the music, I experience the fortitude we so commonly seek, yet seldom maintain when faced with our daily struggles.

I am invincible because I am at peace.

Emma.

An Accidental Memory in the Case of Death by Eluvium.

* Nepenthe - something capable of causing oblivion of grief or suffering

GoPro Surf HERO

2009-03-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine turned me onto the following video this afternoon:

El hombre y la tabla - The man and the surfboard.
by surfilmfestibal7

Being an avid surfer, I was immediately drawn to the video, especially when I discovered that it was shot with an affordable, compact, waterproof, digital camera; the GoPro Surf HERO. After further investigation (www.goprocamera.com) I decided to pick one up for myself. The camera is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, April 2nd (coincidentally my best friend's 25th birthday - Happy Birthday). I'll keep everyone updated with test footage and reviews of the camera.

Can't wait to score some surf footage!

Watching...

2009-03-29T23:46:00.000-07:00

It's been months of hard work, but Sharon and I finally finished watching the final episodes of Arrested Development last night. Hands down, one of the smartest comedy series I've ever watched. Unfortunately though, I believe the show's uniquely intelligent writing style was one of it's greatest weakness during it's three season reign, as the vast majority of jokes required astute audience members who were actively watching. That being said, I'm looking forward to revisiting the series a few years down the road and discovering all that I missed.

Observations aside, if you haven't yet seen Arrested Development, be sure to pick up a few episodes before the movie comes out. It's hilarious!

Watching...

2009-03-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

The Lives of Others.

A beautiful story of compassion during a time when socialism plagued a divided Berlin. Similar to The Class, this film will resonate with me for quite a while. A must see.

Thank you, P.A. Chodak for the recommendation.

Spike Jonze with another Skate Film

2009-03-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

If you've seen the skate film Yeah Right!, then chances are you're familiar with the brilliant work of director, Spike Jonze.
Yeah Right!

Yeah Right! was the first of it's kind as a skate film, utilizing production techniques such as green screening and concept storyboarding, which resulted in a final product that was utterly mesmerizing. Well, Spike's done it again. Have a look at the "Heaven" section from UNKLE's newest skate video.

Disclaimer: The first few minutes of the video are a tad slow, but the pay-off is well worth it.

Heaven (Fully Flared Intro Video Remix)
Uploaded by UNKLE_UK

Introducing MADtv's Lauren Pritchard

2009-03-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

Lauren Pritchard, the final video in a series of four that I produced for MADtv last fall. Enjoy!

Video 4/4

Written by Lauren Pritchard
Directed by Sean Flannery
Produced by Adam Reynolds

Watching...

2009-03-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

Iron Man. After hearing nothing but rave reviews for this comic book based film, I finally got a chance to sit down with Iron Man and judge for myself. Much to my surprise, I enjoyed it. It wasn't perfect, but it was certainly an enjoyable blockbuster. Robert Downey Jr. not only wrinkled the image of the dry cleaned super hero persona, but also he spiced things up with the sweet tarnish of arrogance, creating a character we would love to hate.

Introducing MADtv's Matt Braunger

2009-03-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

Continuing my weekly tradition, I present to you, Matt Braunger.

Video 3/4.

Written by Matt Braunger
Directed by Sean Flannery
Produced by Adam Reynolds

I've been listening to...

2009-03-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

Here are two fantastic albums that have recently found their way into my music collection thanks to iTunes "Genius."

Young Mountain by This Will Destroy You. Deemed as "Cinematic Rock Music," this album is sure to land a top spot on the Worthy of Repeat Listening playlist. With each pass the music grows more complex and the inspired visions more vivid.

An Accidental Memory in the Case of Death by Eluvium. A half-hour of some of the most beautifully composed piano pieces I've ever heard. I found the listening experience to be blissfully cinematic, opening doors to my imagination, which I never knew existed.

All in all, both of these albums have been fantastic additions to my music collection. They've inspired my writing, influenced my outlook on life, and broadened my perspective on change, at a time in my life when change was needed.

If the bridge is burnt, build a rope swing. Nothing is too far from reach.

Introducing MADtv's Erica Ash

2009-03-06T00:35:00.000-08:00

Erica Ash is the second video in the series of four that I produced for MADtv. Enjoy!

Video 2/4.

Written by Erica Ash
Directed by Sean Flannery
Produced by Adam Reynolds

Jim Beam's "The Remake" Video Contest

2009-03-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

Check out Zach Steel and Adam Nee in "The Happy Accident," and be sure to VOTE for it! Zach and Adam are two close friends of mine, both of whom very funny and talented comedians.

Check it out!

Watching...

2009-03-01T22:52:00.000-08:00

The Class. It's been nearly two weeks since I saw this film in theaters and I must admit, it's still firmly resonating in my mind. The Class was hands down, one of the best films I've seen in months. Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar, this unique drama/documentary hybrid film examines the French education system, addressing such issues as educational discipline, racism, and nationalism within the inner-city public school systems. Expect nothing more than a harsh dose of realism, a true wake up call, alarming us that the education system is flawed.

Watching...

2009-03-01T22:34:00.000-08:00

My Kid Could Paint That. This particularly unique documentary explores the truth behind an adorable four-year-old painter's rise to fame and the controversy of authenticity surrounding her work, as sparked by a 60 Minutes news report. Beyond the art, this documentary raises important social questions regarding child exploitation and family values.

Introducing MADtv's Eric Price

2009-02-27T10:02:00.000-08:00

Back in August, I had the exclusive privilege of working with MADtv's newest cast members to create "Introductory Videos." Eric Price is the first video in the series of four. Enjoy!

Video 1/4

Written by Eric Price
Directed by Sean Flannery
Produced by Adam Reynolds

Gnarly Surf Report from the LA Times

2009-02-26T11:13:00.000-08:00

Item removed due to "Auto play" feature.

Mighty Putty fixes EVERYTHING!

2009-02-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

My friend Charles informed me of the following Mighty Putty parody. Check it out:

Watching...

2009-02-20T23:53:00.000-08:00

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. A witty and quirky romantic dramedy embodying all that is Woody Allen, in other words sex. Vicky Christina Barcelona flirts with the temptation of pursuing lustful relationships at the expense of maintaining cautionary love. This film offers social commentary on a wide range of complex sexual relationships from stale marriage to forbidden love to hot and heavy threesomes. But most importantly though, this movie stars Penelope Cruz, my Hollywood crush whom I had the unexpected privilege of speaking to on the 2007 Oscars red carpet. She melted my heart with the sound of ther disgruntled response, “What? What am I wearing?” as delivered in her beautifully thick spanish accent. Only then did I realize I should be speaking with her publicist and not with her directly. Oops.

Welcome to Heartbreak - A Male's Tale

2009-02-19T01:34:00.000-08:00

I'd been feeling pretty down over the past few months, nothing serious, but definitely a noticeable difference from my usual upbeat, and determined persona.

The only culprit was my acute lack of self regard, more specifically my poor eating habits, frequent nights of sleep deprivation, and extraneous work habits. I'd successfully transformed myself from a chipper, ambitious go-getter into a hollowed out, heartless robot slaving to endless emails and transient projects, all of which at the expense of my individual identity.

But all of that changed Thursday morning thanks to a simple Twitter post. "KaraSenich SkiddyStop post! Kanye West "Welcome to Heartbreak" Video: Kanye just released a video for "Welc.. RT » link to SKIDDY STOP: Kanye West "Welcome to Heartbreak" Video" A video blog followed by a phone call from my best friend wishing to discuss the post.

Although the produced video didn't change my life, it certainly came as a catalyst for change, encouraging me to revisit T.I.'s Paper Trail and Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak. Both albums advocate a lifestyle of persistence, determination, discipline, and accomplishment. However it's not without sacrifice that dreams become realities, and so under the lyrical guidance of countless men and women who've made the journey before me, I take inventory of my supplies and prepare myself for the challenge ahead.

My Grandmother is on Google Maps!

2009-02-17T10:47:00.000-08:00

My mom recently discovered that her mom, my grandmother, was photographed by the Google Street View truck while sweeping the street in front of her house. (For those of you who don't know my grandmother, she's an obsessive compulsive cleaner and sweeping the street isn't an uncommon activity for her.) Anyway, here she is: Gloria Butrico at her finest.

View Larger Map

Watching...

2009-02-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

Add

Shelter. In the spirit of yesterday's surf session, I decided to continue the positive energy by revisiting Shelter, a 16mm surf documentary from Woodshed Films. This beautifully shot film documents such surfers as Rob Machado, Mick Fanning, Jack Johnson, The Malloy Brothers & Kelly Slater as they travel through Australia.

Watching...

2009-02-15T23:29:00.001-08:00

Bra Boys. Unlike a vast majority of the documentaries that I’ve watched, Bra Boys delivered a nostalgic sensation of pride, triumph, and naivety for an Australian surfing community, which can only be attributed to my first hand experiences of surfing with the Bra Boys. Maroubra Beach, home of the Bra Boys, is best known for it’s exquisite selection of diverse waves in the New South Whales territory. However, visiting surfers mustn’t be fooled by the enticing charm of ‘perfect waves,’ as these cherished gems are heavily guarded by fierce, territorial localism. It’s not uncommon for unwelcome surfers to be verbally abused or physically assaulted by enraged, relentless locals, an unfortunate reality I witnessed with my own eyes. Despite the horror stories though, Maroubra is where I chose to settle as an amateur surfer. Day after day, week in and week out, I returned to the waves of Maroubra with increased proficiency and confidence in the sport I so loved. Never once did I personally encounter an altercation, only polite smiles and positive stoke. My civilized respect for the locals won me waves, friends, and many memories. But most importantly, my time at Maroubra taught me the fundamental principle of becoming a great surfer.

In the words of Australian surfer Scott Graham, “It doesn’t matter you’re ability, because the best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun.”

Watching...

2009-02-14T23:29:00.000-08:00

Add

Along Came Polly. Not gonna lie, I love this movie. Despite being cheesy, it's arguably one of my favorites. Why? I'll tell you. In order to appreciate the comedic magic of this movie, one must look past the two most obvious flaws: 1) Ben Stiller's pathetically cliche character type suffering from personal neurosis and 2) Jennifer Aniston's beautiful looks, but mundane acting ability. You see, the greatness of Along Came Polly exists solely in Philip Seymour Hoffman's character, an overweight, egotistical, selfish, has-been actor who's completely out of touch with reality, and that's just the beginning. I'll let you be the judge. Watch it for Philip and let me know what you think. In the meantime, I'll leave you with "I sharted" and "Let it rain."

* Commencing with this "Watching..." post, all future movie related posts on my blog will link to Netflix rather than Amazon.

Eric Meulman LIVE in LA.

2009-02-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

Eric Meulman (visit his website here) will be performing a FREE CONCERT on Monday, February 16th at Live! on Sunset, a posh clothing boutique in the heart of Sunset Strip, the world famous shopping and music district located in Hollywood, CA.

The performance celebrates Eric's most recent recording session entitled Live in LA, and will be filmed by, and distributed through, Boardhead Brothers media.

Doors to the show will open at 5pm and Eric is scheduled to perform from 6-7pm. The address for Live! on Sunset is below:

8801 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 360-1660

For more information, please contact Adam via email: adam.reynolds@boardheadbrothers.com

Hope to see everyone there!

Watching...

2009-02-13T18:14:00.000-08:00

The Ice Harvest (Widescreen Edition). A failed attempt at a film noir, mobster movie. Needless to say I was very disappointed with this film, despite being highly recommended by a fellow filmmaker friend of mine. My vote: Pass.

Boardhead Brothers congratulates Evan Taubenfeld.

2009-02-13T16:04:00.000-08:00

Boardhead Brothers would like to congratulate Evan Taubenfeld on his new music video! Check it out below:

Cheater of the Year - Lyric Video

Watching...

2009-02-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

The Conversation. Another sick day home from work, and thus another movie. The Conversation is Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece about a paranoid surveillance expert (Gene Hackman) struggling with the moral fabric of his latest detail, when the misinterpretation of a conversation leads to murder.

Ranked as number 195 on IMDB's top 250 movies, this film can be classified as the Raging Bull of spy movies. Actually, that's a stretch, but it does focus on the psychological deterioration of the human psyche.

Watching...

2009-02-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

Man on Wire ~ Philippe Petit. A fascinating documentary of French high-wire artist, Philippe Petit, as he prepared for his illegal high-wire walk between New York's twin towers on August 7th 1974.

Pepsi - Forever Young Commercial

2009-02-08T23:13:00.000-08:00

Great commercial, except for the Bob Dylan/Will.i.am comparison. Thought that was a boldly inaccurate statement.

Drug Deal Gone Bad

2009-02-08T11:05:00.000-08:00

Eric was rudely awoken at 1 am to the sound of an aggressive struggle, a drug deal gone bad, in the hotel room next door. Half asleep and acutely afraid, Eric immediately packed his bags and fled for his car. With less than 3 hours of sleep, he pushed forward until reaching Santa Cruz, CA.

Night 3: Fairfield, CA to Santa Cruz, CA - 100 miles.

View Larger Map

Relentless determination to reach the west coast.

2009-02-07T23:39:00.000-08:00

As Eric closes in on the mighty Pacific, Boardhead Brothers gears up for production. A potential second music video for Eric, as well as a live concert performance are in the talks. Fingers are crossed as details are discussed.

In case you missed it, you can view Eric's premiere music video for Like a Smoke Ring by clicking here.

Day 3: Lamarie, WY to Fairfield, CA - 1025 miles.

View Larger Map

Day 2 - Peru, IL to Lamarie, WY

2009-02-06T21:23:00.000-08:00

Eric's cross country road trip continues. Sticking with I-80, Eric was pulled over for speeding in Iowa but let off with a warning. He's San Francisco bound tomorrow.

Day 2: Peru, IL to Lamarie, WY. 850 miles.

View Larger Map

The College Humor Show

2009-02-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

I received the following email from my friend Dan Gurewitch regarding The College Humor show. Be sure to check it out!

Hi friends (long lost and otherwise),

Many of you may not be aware of this; others may be so aware of this that you want to suffocate me with a pillow. For the last two and a half years I've been a comedy writer & actor at CollegeHumor.com (writing Internet shorts like this & this and acting in absurdist office sketches like this), and we're now fortunate enough to have an upcoming show on MTV. It's called The CollegeHumor Show, and it premieres this Sunday, Feb. 8th at 9:30PM/8:30C. Here's the show's official page.

It's a scripted sitcom (think 30 Rock with 1/100th of the budget and less attractive people) with occasional sketches, starring me and my fellow CH coworkers. While I'm thrilled to be partaking in the silliness on camera, I'm equally or more proud of my contributions as a writer, as I've co-written 5 of the 6 episodes (including "Rival Site," the first to air).

I would love you to watch, and I hope you're able to check it out.

Thanks for your patience with my self-promotion! I hope you are well.

-Dan

-----
dangurewitch.com

Living Vicariously through a Road Tripper

2009-02-05T17:36:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 4th 2009 - I received an email from my cousin, Eric Meulman, that read along the following lines: Adam, I'm driving to San Francisco then down the California coast. I'll see you in a few days. Mind you, Eric lives in Allentown, PA and is currently cellphone less (by choice). He's traveling in his pickup truck with nothing more than a backpack full of clothes, his Martin guitar, and a road atlas. Excited by his seemingly sporadic adventure, I've elected to live vicariously through his travels by updating his progress here on my blog.

Day 1: Allentown, PA to Peru, IL. 700 miles.

View Larger Map

The "WTF Blanket"

2009-02-03T23:40:00.001-08:00

I'm sorry, but this spoof is hilarious.

The Boardhead Brothers Family

2009-02-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

In December 2008, Boardhead Brothers proudly announced musician Eric Meulman as the newest member of the BHB team. Nearly two months later, the celebration continues with the presentation of the first video from Eric's debut with Boardhead Brothers; "Like a Smoke Ring." Enjoy!

Free downloads of "Like a Smoke Ring" are available by clicking here or here.

Watching...

2009-01-30T21:09:00.000-08:00

The Devil Wears Prada (Widescreen Edition). Uncanny are the parallels between the hierarchy of power in the fashion industry and that of the entertainment industry. Fortunate for me though, I've yet to experience such a demanding supervisor. However, should the occasion present itself, I'm confident that I can rise to the challenge and exceed expectations.

As a movie, The Devil Wears Prada was littered with small but noticeable structural holes, which I attribute directly to the lack of novelistic latitude, as discussed in my previous posting.

Surf Party!

2009-01-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

Novelistic Lattitude in TV and Film

2009-01-30T10:27:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine recently sent me the link to a Variety article addressing the evolution of character/story arc in both TV and Film. The final verdict; TV shows, rather than films, provide a stronger foundation for believable character development and elaborate story arcs. While I believe this argument to be true, one must take into account relativity, or the context in which TV shows and movies are developed. Not all TV shows exercise the option for elongated story arcs, simply because the show's premise doesn't fit to the mold. For example, a sketch comedy show like MADtv doesn't have grandeur story arcs, but shows like The Wire, Lost and Mad Men take full advantage of the "novelistic latitude."

The same relativity holds true for film. Movies such as Date Movie or Disaster Movie have minimal character depth, while on the other hand, films like Lost in Translation or American Beauty offer stronger, more developed story arcs and character revelation. In other words, as with TV, a film's substance is largely dependent upon any number of factors, but predominantly the Writer's voice. This being stated, film (typically with a 90-120 minute time limitation) can only accomplish so much, where as a full season of TV (anywhere from 12-24 hours) offers greater latitude for development.

The original Variety article can be found here.

Watching...

2009-01-26T22:59:00.000-08:00

Slumdog Millionaire [Theatrical Release]. I never thought I'd see the day when the scripted byproduct of a reality television series held the potential for winning an Oscar for Best Picture. Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire offers a controversial glimpse into the slums of Mumbai, India. But don't be fooled, this beautifully photographed film is no structural wasteland. Slumdog recounts the exceptional tale of two orphaned brothers as they journey from poverty to fortune and fame, encountering along the way the devastating truths that define Life.

Be sure to catch this film in the theaters while you still can.

Watching...

2009-01-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I'm ashamed to admit this, but I've had One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in my possession since August 6th 2008. I'm almost certain Netflix suspects the disc being returned will be a newer copy than what they originally mailed me. However, I assure everyone, this is certainly not the case.

Unfortunately, I repeatedly postponed watching this movie for no valid reason, but today, being worn thin from a cold I contracted while in Mammoth, CA last weekend, was the day I jumped the hurdle. Ranked at #8 on IMDB's Top 250 list (as generated by IMDB users), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is well deserving of the propper time and attention as it portrays the mystery and magic of Ken Kesey's original novel, with the added bonus of Jack Nicholson delivering a comical and wildly adolescent performance.

It was worth the wait.

Volcom Capitalizes on Web-Based TV

2009-01-20T16:08:00.000-08:00

Among being a leading clothing provider in the extreme sports market, Volcom has also dominated the adventure sports movie market since 1995. Specializing in surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding films, Volcom has always taken an underground, anti-establishment approach to building a loyal fan base while recruiting professional athletic talent to their sports teams.

Volcom's latest endeavor; the world of web-based reality television. In early January 2009, Volcom launched the first epsiode of what they hope to be a growing sensation, web-based television. The Volcom House Show offers an inside look into the lives and lifestyles of team Volcom surfers living on the North Shore of Hawaii, promising the viewers lots of gnarly waves and beautiful babes.

Check out episode one, HERE.

Baz Luhrmann Reinvents the "Commercial."

2009-01-20T15:43:00.000-08:00

Baz Luhrmann directed the following commercial promoting Australian tourism. At first glance I thought it was another trailer for Nicole Kidman's newest film, Australia. However, I was mistaken. I attribute my misinterpretation to a brilliant marking strategy and an organic directorial vision.

Rising Comedians

2009-01-16T01:12:00.000-08:00

Keep an eye out for Adam Carpenter (Bud Light's Drinkability campaign as seen here) and Zach Steel (of the web series Broad Topics), both of whom are very talented, rising comedians in Los Angeles. These two NYU graduates are delivering a fresh new take on old school comedy. Enjoy!

Part 1/2

Part 2/2

Casting for Spiderman.

2009-01-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

This guy makes my rock climbing adventure from last week look like preschool nap time. Check it out!

Amazing Climber Scales 80 Ft Pyramid - Watch more free videos

While we're on the subject...

2009-01-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

I'll see you're recommendation Match, and raise you a remix. How bout dem apples?

(Explicit Language)

I Stand Corrected.

2009-01-08T20:00:00.001-08:00

After reading my earlier post expressing my distaste for the Beastie Boys, my good friend Match Zimmerman (on Twitter) turned me onto the following video. I must say, I really enjoyed it! Thanks for the recommendation, Match.

Angels do invest, even in this market.

2009-01-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

BBC interview with Angel Investor Chris Sacca. Click here to listen.

Spike, Again.

2009-01-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

Another masterful piece of work by Spike Jonze. This time, it's an ad for Nike.

Spike's take on Sabotage

2009-01-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I've never been a fan of The Beastie Boys, but their video for "Sabotage," which was directed by Spike Jonze, is an instant classic. Spike's vision and execution are truly admirable, and I'm looking forward to experiencing his take on Where The Wild Things Are - My go-to book as a child.

In the meantime, here's "Sabotage."

Party with The Killers.

2009-01-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Day & Age by The Killers. Wanna party?! Plug this bad boy into your car stereo, crank up the volume and rock out!

If that ain't good enough for you, then give this album a listen on a pair of KRK monitors. I guarantee they'll change the way you view music, forever. Don't believe me? Then just ask this guy.

And yes, I said 'view music.'

Watching...

2009-01-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

The Wrestler [Theatrical Release]. Darren Aronofsky's latest film, The Wrestler, offers a brutally honest look into the life of had-been professional wrestler, played by Mickey Rourke. Filled with steroids, gore, strip clubs and unexpected humor, Aronofsky delivers a suspenseful film about reconciling with one's reality.

Check it out!

Is Hollywood Really Recession Proof?

2009-01-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

My friend turned me onto the following weekly podcast, The Business, which offers inside information to some of Hollywood's hottest business news.

Monday's episode discusses Hollywood's 2009 year-to-be. How will the entertainment business fair in the ongoing recession?

Listen Here:

Watching...

2009-01-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

The Holiday. There's a reason this movie was selling in the checkout line at Ralphs. Predictably trite.

Watching...

2009-01-01T23:07:00.000-08:00

Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Special Edition). Strawberries, Champagne and Pretty Woman. A long overdue first experience. Very enjoyable.

Watching...

2008-12-28T20:45:00.000-08:00

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [Theatrical Release]. Go see it, NOW!

The Red Tape of Record Labels

2008-12-27T23:17:00.000-08:00

Evan Taubenfeld (formerly of Avril Lavigne) has released "Cheater of the Year," which is the first single off his upcoming debut album, With a Wink and a Smile.

In June 2008, Boardhead Brothers had the exclusive privilege of collaborating with Evan on a music video for his hit song "The Best Years of Our Lives." The video, which stars both Evan Taubenfeld and comedian Zach Steel, reccounts the tail of a lost love and heartache felt by her ex-boyfriend (Zach Steel).

Despite popular reviews from inside critics, the video remains unreleased. Warner Music has requested that Boardhead Brothers postpones the video release until an official release date has been set for With a Wink and a Smile. Out of respect for Evan's career, Boardhead Brothers has graciously complied.

Until further notice, we wait patiently.

* For more information regarding the exclusive, unreleased music video please contact me at adam.reynolds@boardheadbrothers.com.

Baltimore in a Bar.

2008-12-26T23:21:00.000-08:00

I've returned from an evening of priceless memories celebrated with old friends. Differences aside, holiday spirit filled the air as new memories were made. For a single night, Baltimore, as I know it, was in the bar.

It's been said before, but sometimes the best times are those that come unexpectedly.

Watching...

2008-12-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

Confessions of a Superhero. An incredible documentary about the panhandling superheros of Hollywood Boulevard. A must see.

Watching...

2008-12-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

Two movies on this Christmas evening...

The Big Chill. Well scripted with an incredible character dynamic.

Charlie Wilson's War (Widescreen). Philip Seymour Hoffman was excellent and I loved Mike Nichols' style, which resembled his 1967 masterpiece, The Graduate.

Surfing Is...

2008-12-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

It's impossible to classify surfing under a single identity, as it's a different experience for all of it's participants.

Below are a few examples of how I relate to surfing, which have also doubled as inspiration for my latest project, "Surf Therapy."

From the looks of their new movie trailer, Woodshed Films (Thicker than Water, The September Sessions, Shelter, Etc...) has once again taken surfing and the spirit of outdoor adventure to a meaning new level. Their most recent film, 180 South is scheduled for a 2009 release. Can't wait!

I firmly believe that the best surfer in the lineup, is he/she who is having the most fun. This video embodies that good-natured spirit.

West of Jesus: Surfing, Science, and the Origins of Belief. A miraculous true-story about recovering from Lymes Disease by surfing one's self back to health. A must read for any surf enthusiast. Written by Steven Kotler.

4 great music videos...

2008-12-22T00:49:00.000-08:00

A combination of good music, powerful voice, and creative representation.

Dave Matthews - Gravedigger

U2 - City of Blinding Lights - YouTube wouldn't allow me to embed either of these videos. Booo...

Common - Driving Me Wild

Kanye West - The Good Life

I'm no wine connoisseur, but...

2008-12-22T00:41:00.000-08:00

Trinity Oaks Pinot Noir 2006 750ml

Trinity Oaks tastes cheap, watered down, and dull. The bottle embodies all that is, 'High school house party.'

My vote; Don't.

Expression is an Artform

2008-12-19T10:23:00.000-08:00

Despite hardship, my cousin continues communication through music. Perspective is expressed through his band, Two for the Show and as a solo artist, Eric Meulman.

In June 2008, Eric traveled to Los Angeles to shoot his first music video for the song "Like a Smoke ring." Boardhead Brothers had the exclusive privilege of working with Eric to produce the video in HD.

The video for "Like a Smoke Ring" is currently in post production.

Need more cowbell?

2008-12-19T10:15:00.000-08:00

Then click here.

CollegeHumor on MTV

2008-12-17T20:11:00.000-08:00

Dan Gurewitch, a classmate of mine at Syracuse University, is both a writer and actor on MTV's newest show, The CollegeHumor Show.

Congratulations, Dan!

Who Throws a Shoe?

2008-12-15T11:04:00.000-08:00

During President Bush's most recent trip to Iraq, the following happened...

Graphic Design.

2008-12-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

Life's mathematical.

2008-12-11T22:49:00.000-08:00

I have $3,000*. If I save $400 every month, for the next seven months, I'll have an additional $2,800 to my $3,000 already invested in a high interest, six month CD. But, the holidays are coming and I should really buy gifts for everyone, including myself. What if I save $300 a month, rather than $400? I can afford gifts and still save. Besides, I've worked hard this past year, I deserve to treat myself. Maybe I'll save $200 a month. Yeah, that should cover me. I'll only save an additional $1,400, but it's better than not saving at all. My goal is to have $20,000 by 28. I inherit money at 26, $8,000 to be exact. So, $3,000 plus $1,400 plus $8,000. $12,400. Hmm...What if I invest 50% of my money into the stock market? We're in a recession, it's a great time to buy! Stock prices will bounce back, three to five years is my prediction. It'll be a true test of character, sustaining the strength to think 'long term.' I can do it. Man, I really want a new car, though. Maybe I can buy a new car with the money I make in the stock market. Yeah...now we're talking! Ok, back to reality. I've got $6,200 in a CD (no longer a high interest account) and I've got $6,200 invested in the market. Now what?

Meanwhile...

Your Brother graduates from college, your Mother is diagnosed with osteoporosis, your Father is left longing for a game of catch, and your Girlfriend, alone in bed, secretly mourns the loss of a once blossoming relationship.

How much more of a wakeup call do you need?

* All financial numbers and human scenarios are fictional.

Boy Genius of the Year: Do You Trust This Face?

2008-12-09T19:10:00.001-08:00

GQ article about Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Teenage American Parked at a Traffic Light.

2008-12-09T16:35:00.001-08:00

Tired and tried.
Exercised and exhausted.
An American standard abused and overused.
A victim of society.

Who's to say what's right and what's wrong?

I Left My Wife for Facebook.

2008-12-05T23:37:00.000-08:00

What I found most intriguing about Chuck Klosterman's newest book, was the manner in which character personality was progressively revealed through the detailed exploration of tangential story lines, and what it represents in the context of our global social networks.

In a time when web-based programs like Facebook, Gchat, Twitter, and now PeopleBrowsr, largely dictate how humans digitally interact, I can't help but wonder about the fate of non web-based, human interaction. Starting at birth, its no longer uncommon for children to become socially programed to communicate with others exclusively through technology, simply with the click of a mouse, or the snap of a picture. This of course should come as no surprise. With the advent and rapid evolution of the internet, social connectivity has increased exponentially, but at what expense?

Based in Los Angeles, I regularly communicate with family members in Maryland, college friends scattered throughout the United States, and surfers in Australia, Ireland, and France. Like most humans we generally discuss such broad topics as friends, family, and work (In no particular order). If it weren't for the internet (in conjunction with social networking programs) majority of these conversations would never take place. Technology affords us the luxury of immediate global connection.

But how much is too much?

I recently witnessed a married couple (deduced by the fact that both the male and female party were wearing wedding bands) spend 68% of their restaurant dinner heavily invested in digital conversation, each of which glued to their respective smartphones. Human conversation was at a minimum. Digitally based social connectivity has an apparent tendency to remove us from the here and now. Why conduct a single engaging conversation with someone you love, when you can instantaneously chit chat with ten casual friends? After all, the latter will ultimately help you grow your network of friends!

Chuck Klosterman's newest book proposes the intrinsic value of a single engaging conversation. Though the book doesn't literally follow a single conversation or even explicitly suggests this practice (it examines the 'normal' lives of multiple characters), it does however, explore the concept thematically. Set in a time and a town void of the internet and smartphones, Downtown Owl: A Novel raises a social question relevant to all cyber-communication junkies;

How well can you come to know someone through electronic communication?

The tangential snippets of character back story, as fictitiously painted by Klosterman, allow the reader to gradually deduce a practical understanding for who these characters are and why they exist. As with most well written novels, this practice is not unusual. What's unique though, is the sub-textual message conveyed from the entirety of Klosterman's pages. In other words, Klosterman once again delivers an analysis of pop culture. Which world is better? The present, with instant digital communication and an elaborate network of 'friends,' but growing lack of social intimacy? Or the past, void of technology, but rich with genuine social interaction?

I don't have the answer and I imagine that both sides could be argued with countless counter points. But what I do know is, while its incredibly easy to get lost amidst the endless transmission of 1's and 0's, it's imperative to establish a foundation in reality. Find a love and pay it full attention. Define the boundaries and distinguish between the two. Social networks are here to stay, but genuine relationships are few and far between.