Playing for Keeps

I have been neglecting this blog for some time as work and other family issues have taken precidence but I hope to at least talk briefly on a regular basis now on the movies i have seen if not talking about any movies I am currently working on (which hopefully will be soon).

I do not usually take the time to talk about movies I dont like, but I just had to in this case.  The movie Playing for keeps is one of the first movies I have seen in a very long time.  The biggest problem with this movie isnt just that the writing, concept and overall story is bad, its that every single character in this movie is unlikable.

Gerard Butler is a guy that is so likeable that in 300 that even as he lusts for war, and kills countless persian warriors his speeches to his fellow Spartans have the inspiring qualities of a young Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.  

They actually manage to make a dead beat dad out of this guy, and treat the basics of being a parent as if its some rare discovery that eludes him because he is some sort of simpleton.  

Jessica Biel is cold, one dimensional, and after many years of being apart we are to believe that her lack of emotion and personality has some how beckoned an unlikable Gerard Butler like the sirens song.

The boy, who plays the son is actually a decent actor, but his character is so awful as well, that I actually found myself hating this kid.  He whines, he shuts down, he tries to quit soccer creating an obstacle for the father to overcome which he basically does after telling him “look your old man is a great soccer, so you should be too”

Uma Thurman and Dennis Quaid show up as reprehensible and utterly boring plot devices that add absolutely nothing and are both just as mysteriously and boringly present as the main characters.

Catherine Zeta Jones serves no purpose.

The only character you dont hate, is the fiancee of Jessica Biel who gets dumped after being a supportive partner and father to this kid, dumped seemingly on a whim because every person in this movie is a self serving characature so thin they may as well have used life size card board cutouts of actors on screen instead of the actual actors.  It would have made little difference.

If you were on the fence about this movie, do not see it.

More draw something

Draw something works

A few of my draw something pics.

Break

Short Film of the Week: Day Labor

I really enjoyed this original, and compelling short film that is both funny, and at the same time conveys a meaningful commentary on day laborers, outsourcing and the workforce in general.  Give it a look.

http://vimeo.com/33184314

The director writes

A tale of bike messengers, day labors, and outsourcing gone wild. 

Winner of Best Short at Seattle True Independent Film Festival 

Winner of Best Foreign Language Film at Snohomish Carnegie International Film Festival

Short film of the week: Shadow

Caught this beatifully shot short film over at dvxuser and it manages to quickly grab you with its visual style and ambiance.

Director Francis Laliberte says of the film
“Rob smudges to cleanse his mind and soul and it leads to something much more. He must confront the shadow of his past.”

Check it out.

http://vimeo.com/29665474

Dropped: a jonE5 film

Dropped: A short film i wrote and directed earlier this year.

The story of Robby a student who drops out of College, and meets a girl he jokingly tells he is a professor. When Sara takes the joke to be serious, how far will Robby take it to impress her?

Shot with the Canon 60D and T2i + tamron 17-50mm 2.8. Various Led lite panels were used, sound recorded to zoom h4n and rode videomic. Audio is still being tweaked.
http://vimeo.com/22315359

Please give me any feedback you can.

Thanks,

jon

Artist at work: Om1kron

Long time colleague and brilliant Artist Om1kron is doing what he usually does which is create some of the most brilliant looking artwork anywhere on the web. For all us lay people who’s only creative artistic outlet is doodling on napkins while waiting for our Big Macs to be ready at McDonalds, and wondering why doesnt our art look as good? This time , what he has so graciously decided to do is to film a video of him completing an outstanding picture of our childhood favorite the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Wayne, combines catchy electronic beats with colorful and informative commentary as to exactly what and why he is doing each step as he carefully colors each bit using his wacom tablet. It is truly mesmerizing to watch, so if you ever liked to watch Commander Mark as a kid or just love to see art in progress then sit back and watch a master work

part 1

Local Short Film: Bar Room Blitz

Local Houston writer/director Chuck Norfolk has recently debuted his action Film Bar Room Blitz online. Great to see that the indie community has not forgotten about this genre, and this great example takes me back to the glory action days of the 80’s and 90’s. Give it a look.

A married couple open a bar on the wrong side of the tracks and come under attack by a group of blood thirsty thugs…luckily

Short film of the week: The Think Tank

Came across this unique short film and was amazed. I don’t want to ruin much of the plot, so just check it out.

Written and directed by Peter Calloway. Produced by Jon Deiner. Starring Matthew Rhys.

Short film of the Week: Stop

Caught this over at cinema5D. Mikel J. Wisler creates a short but solid sci-fi short film. It keeps you intrigued and has some interesting shots throughout. The writer director describes the film as …

One scientist’s experiments are about to take an unexpected turn.

Take a look.

http://vimeo.com/24355900