Snake Mountain

The Masters of the Universe characters are so ridiculously fun, colourful, and loveable. Even the villains, pictured here.

Universal Movie Monsters

Three sketches of classic Universal Movie Monsters. Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and The Bride. Wax pencils.

Film Roundup for 2016

Looking back at 2016 there were a lot of great movies, but it could be difficult to find them amidst a sea of sequels, remakes, reboots, and reimaginings. A lot of which are fun, but the films that stand out for me offer something original or different. Here are some of my favourites from 2016.

~ MY FAVOURITES ~

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE – A troublesome boy is adopted into a new family, but soon he and his guardian are on the run from the law, hiding out in the woods. A New Zealand comedy that’s hilarious and original. From the director of What We Do In The Shadows, Taika Waititi. If you like to laugh look no further.

THE WITCH – A period horror film set in settlement times of New England. A family leaves the comfort of their christian community to make their own way, but is plagued by misfortune with the parents unsure of whom, or what is to blame. Atmospheric and tense, with muted colours that only enhance the overwhelming feeling of dread. Best horror film this year by a mile.

ARRIVAL – A cerebral science fiction film. If you’re looking for a science fiction film with ray guns and robots, you should look into Star Wars’ or Star Trek’s entry for the year. This is a serious take on what would happen if aliens landed, and our struggle to communicate with them amidst world politics. Sure to inspire reflection and conversation with anyone you see it with.

HELL OR HIGH WATER – A small  western crime story. Two men are on a bank robbing spree, and the local law enforcement struggle to catch them. Likeable and interesting characters with excellent performances across the board. Sometimes simple works best.

GREEN ROOM – Part thriller, part horror film with slasher elements. A punk rock band plays at a white supremacist bar, and everything goes to hell. The band struggles to escape with there lives, and Patrick Stewart plays the terrifyingly cold leader of these neo-nazis. Not for the faint of heart, but one hell of a ride.

~ HONOURABLE MENTIONS ~

SING STREET – A feel good comedy set in 1980s Ireland. A boy forms a band to impress a girl. The cast is wonderful, and you feel for these kids who are just trying to find their way battling family issues and problems at their catholic school. Great soundtrack and score.

THE NICE GUYS – A crime fiction buddy movie that will make you laugh. Two private investigators attempt to solve a mystery in the seedy world of 1970’s pornography, with a tween in tow? It doesn’t sound like it should be funny, but director Shane Black has the chops to leave you in stitches in any setting.

STAR TREK BEYOND – The crew finally feels like what fans loved from the original series, and is closer to solving problems with their minds, not just their fists (Looking at you Star Trek Into Darkness). Still a big budget action film, so far from the series roots, but we get some nice character moments and bonding. A lot of fun. RIP Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin.

DEADPOOL – This comic adaption deserves a mention for doing something different. The genre has been going strong since 2008’s Iron Man, and it feels formulaic and stale. Deadpool bucks current trends by being raunchy, ultra-violent, and breaking the 4th wall. A rarity in the genre.

That’s my list for the year. Have you seen any of these? Like em, hate em, let me know and have an excellent 2017.

 

Slasher & Horror Fun

Playing with some horror and slasher elements as I’ve been devouring the genre as of late. A couple obvious influences here come from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Poltergeist, and Belgian horror film Cub.

ATTACK OF THE KILLER GOLDFISH

In 1970s New York it is a dark and polluted time for the city, where waste disposal is careless, and frequent. A young girl distraught by her pet goldfish’s death, Goldy, is having a funeral and flushes him into the city’s sewer system. Little does she realize her precious Goldy was Prince of an underwater paradise, taken from his home.

Now with pollution bringing him back to life, the crown Prince returns home to find a very different world that he left so many years before. Where his parents, the King and Queen, along with the kingdoms residents suffer from possible and fantastic mutations and a new awareness that could spell the end for humanity!

Now the cities, and perhaps the world’s, only hope of surviving the rebel Prince and his mutated thugs plot to sink the city are a small group of oceanographers, scientists, and fisherman who see the turning of the tides. But will the Mayor and his cohorts believe this outlandish plot and help the scientists, or leave our rag tag group of heroes to die on their own trying to stop the evil fishes plot?!

Breaking Batman

Breaking Bad is reaching it’s (probably Bloody Awesome!!!) conclusion this weekend. I’m a little sad this TV gem is wrapping up. But thankful it’s not joining the many shows that don’t know when to quit.

Also somewhat recent news that Batman will be in the new Superman film. Could be good. But the team-up I really want to see is Batman vs Heisenberg.

Lou Stalls

This was an entry for the Fredericton 48 Hour Film Festival in 2012. Our team had lots of fun putting this together, as if you couldn’t tell. I was the Assistant Director, and Senior Editor.

It was well received and placed 3rd overall in the local competition. It won awards for Best Screenplay and Best Actress.

Lots of bathroom puns, and Film Noir love went into this.

Sinbad’s Got a Fade

Sinbad was one of the first comedians I ever loved. Great Stage Presence. I have him represented here as I first saw him.

Here’s a clip from one of his first big specials. Also what is up with those pants?

Primal Takeover

I’m a big fan of fiction where animals take over the planet. Some of my favorites are Planet of the Apes, loved the last film, and Kamandi The Last Boy on Earth, an excellent Jack Kirby comic series from the 70’s. I’m using the format of a TV show intro to show my love of these ideas.

All of the animals are illustrations I made with pencils, inks and water-colours. This guy on the right, Polar Brute, is my favorite of the bunch.

My favorite part is definitely the Mount Rushmore scene near the end. It’s quick, but I was so proud when I made that work. I also made the music myself with GarageBand.

I also threw in a quick tribute to one of my all-time favorite filmakers, Alfred Hitchcock. If you’ve ever seen the film Vertigo, it will not be hard to spot.

 

 

I Love Lucy Reboot? Or I Heart Tina Pitch?

I think it’s time we Rebooted I Love Lucy. This show was Awesome, and nothing is sacred now anyway. What the hell. Pay me a Million for this idea. Somebody! Anybody?

And First off this is still in Black n White.

Now Lucy, is actually Tina Faye. She wants to make it big in the movies. She doesn’t Have the chops, but that’s not stopping her. SHe’s clumsy and scheming and says the darndest things.

The  successful musician husband played by Lil’ Wayne. He’s our Ricky. He’s our access to Glitz and Glamour of Hollywood. Taking us on adventures to The Source Awards, Court Rooms, even The White House.

And Fillin’ in for the Mertz, we have John Goodman and Roseane Barr. Hell! We Love them already on that TV show…Whatzahoozitz! Plus I miss Roseanne.

Were gonna get lot’s of the hottest stars making appearances, just like the I Lovy Lucy of the 50’s. Watch for  Samuel L Jackson, Justin Bieber, Betty White, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many more.

If you’re not that familiar with I Lovy Lucy, try my Documentary Short on I Love Lucy & Social Norms below…