Name: joe
E-mail:

"'every beginning must have an end' !!! and the award for stating the frickin obvious goes to.... - I am with you Josh these are not smart movies...."

Dont know why everyone is hatin' on the matrix so much.

Actually the tag line was "everything that has a beginning has an end."
Youre right, in and of itself its rather an obvious statment, but put in context with the events of the films, the statement takes on a deeper meaning. If you have no idea what the context of the quote is why bother making judgements?

The tag is a reference not only to the last film in the trilogy "Revolutions", but to Nietzches eternal recurrence regarding life. Basically if you had to live this life, this exact moment that youre reading this, again and again and again, if you had that knowledge and choice would you still choose to do it? Nietzche says go for the ones where the answer is: I would.

When Agent Smith continually beats on Neo at the end of the trilogy, Neos demise imminent, he asks "why Mr. Anderson, why do you insist on fighting."

Why if you will grow old, loose loved ones, become sick and finally die do you insist on struggling, fighting? Neo answers: because he chooses to. This is the classic dilemma of man: how does he reconcile the fact that he is a moral, choosing being in a wholly deterministic universe of spinning planets, and gravity and physics.

The matrix at least tries to tackle these topics. If you guys think they failed, cool. I think they largely succeeded.

Different strokes for different folks. I miraculously made it all the way through the first "Matrix" film, which I thought was crap, then I made it perhaps a third of the way through the second one, which was unwatchable. And I hear the third is worse. But there simply can't be anything good in an unwatchable movie. Also, Keanu Reeves is an incredible bore.

Josh

Name: Question
E-mail: ernstyanning@hotmail.com

<<And whatever happened to Allen Garfield Goorwitz? He used to be ubiquitous.>>

Dunno. He had a small part in THE MAJESTIC. CRY UNCLE was just a goofy X-Rated sex comedy anyways. I'm shocked John G. Advilson made it between JOE and ROCKY but it beats A DIRTY SHAME by a mile. I loved THE LION IN WINTER by the way.

Bruce Campbell said in an interview that his favorite film is THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI and that William Holden is his favorite actor, then he stated that he didn't give a rat's ass about LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. Have you two ever had an arguement over that movie (or any other)?

How goes THE HORRIBLENESS? Are you going to be producing that film if its funded? I'm not really interested in ALIEN APOCALYPSE but I liked RUNNING TIME and IF I HAD A HAMMER where you had control. Is that what THE HORRIBLENESS is going to be or is it going to be another ALIEN APOCALYPSE?

You also said that you tried Sly Stallone for DEVIL DOGS... what about Al Pacino?

I didn't try Stallone, the executive producer of AA did. But I have no doubt the script never got to him personally. Al Pacino isn't right for the part, not that I could get to him anyway. Meanwhile, Bruce has his opinions and I have mine, and yes, we have argued about many movies. But Bruce and I saw a screening of "Kwai" about 25 years ago, with a gorgeous Cinemascope print, and we had such a great time that and were so blown away by the film (which I had seen several times before, but Bruce had never seen), that I think he never got over the possibilities that "Kwai" presented for where motion pictures could go. On some level, neither have I. Regarding "The Horribleness," should it all work out it will be an independent production with Bruce as producer, so it will be more like "Lunatics" than AA.

Josh

Name: August
E-mail: joxerfan@hotmail.com

Dear Josh,

Loved your most recent essay - it really captures the excitement that only a little kid can have, and it puts into perspective any of your more recent reviews where you might observe that some Spielberg or Michael Bay film sucks, and someone writes in, outraged, convinced that you don't know what you're talking about. Nice touching tribute to your friend as well. Fascinating how you've turned up as a fictional character several times now, both in his book, and (sort of) in "Indian Summer" (which I saw years ago, long before I'd ever heard of you, so I need to catch that again.)

Was also amused by the discussion of the fortune-cookie, Yoda-ish wisdom of "The Matrix." There's a great bit from Ben Stiller in "Mystery Men," where he is complaining about Wes Studi's predictable "wisdom" -

Stiller: Okay, am I the only one who finds these sayings just a little bit formulaic? "If you want to push something down, you have to pull it up. If you want to go left, you have to go right." It's...

Studi: Your temper is very quick, my friend. But until you learn to master your rage...

Stiller: ...your rage will become your master? That's what you were going to say. Right? Right?

Studi, after long pause: Not necessarily.

BTW, I know "Serenity" isn't high on your priority list, but I did come across a fascinating quote from Joss Whedon:

"We'd like to shake up the Hollywood paradigm of first weekend, big name, get-'em-in-quick, shock-and-awe marketing and go back to the era of making a smaller movie where you believe in the story. There have been some decent summer movies recently but, by and large, they've been pretty soulless. If you're dealing with a smaller budget and focusing on the people instead of what you can afford to do with CGI, it's much more exciting."

So it would appear that his heart is in the right place, whether or not he's able to actually follow though.

Hoping the AA dvd sales shoot through the roof.

Regards,

August

PS - I noticed that AA's 4th airing on Sci-Fi in the 7 PM slot a few weeks back actually beat "Screaming Brain" in the ratings, with almost a million viewers, which is pretty decent for a rerun.

Apparently, AA is performing to 117% of their projections, and "Brain" is doing 107%. Meanwhile, I don't think Yoda or "The Matrix" make it to the intelligence level of Charlie Chan, who was always spewing bits of wisdom like that, "Thousand mile journey begins with first step." Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed my essay.

Josh

Name: koi
E-mail: korisachiko.hawwirr.com2@

Dear Josh:

your stuuped

No, you're stuuped.

Josh

Name: Tom
E-mail: bellyoptopus@yahoo.com

Dear Josh:

I received my DVD's of "Alien Apocalypse" and "The Man with the Screaming Brain" yesterday, and watched "AA" last night with the commentary. I enjoyed the commentary very much, especially yours and Bruce's impressions of life after communism in Bulgaria. I gotta good laugh out of the storyboards too.

Cheers,

Tom

What about my storyboards made you laugh? My lack of ability at drawing?

Josh

Name: Jon Cross
E-mail: gimmesugar@hotmail.com

Dear Josh

LOL yes a film where Bruce battles another inner self, in other words the scene in ED2 with the possessed hand only with milk and root vegetables?!?

Also, do you know of any other English fans you and your filmy friends hae that hound you like this on a regular basis?

Jon

Not off hand, but there have certainly been plenty of Brits who have visited here over the course of time. As well as Aussies and Kiwis, and Greek truck drivers.

Josh

Name: Andrew Morin
E-mail: andrewjmorin@hotmail.com

Dear Josh:

Wow, the compilation of this was clearly a lot of effort. I'm thankful for it: thanks for making it so freely available.

If you have a few moments...I'm starting on a Star Wars short film (on DV) that I want to use to pitch a Novel/TV Serial to the Lucasfilm people. I've studied the other films (who hasn't) but I can't figure out the focal lengths and such to get the "authentic" star wars look.

The focal lengths change every shot, just like all movies.

Josh

Name: Danielle
E-mail: shw9w1@hotmail.com

Dear Josh:

Thank you very much for the warning regarding Topanga Canyon and the driving aggravation that living there would entail. Your dose of reality has saved me from spending too much time pipe-dreaming. Anyway, if one is going to move to a place like L.A., I suppose it's best to make a firm commitment to the bad as well as the good, instead of leading a half-hearted, tentative existence. Achieving success is difficult enough without a self-sabotaging attitude. Perhaps Griffith Park will provide sufficient escape opportunities.

You could live in Beachwood Canyon, which is right in town (it's the neighborhood under the Hollywood sign), it's a hip neighborhood, and it's not insanely expensive. Or find a hideaway somewhere in the San Fernando Valley, as 4 million others have. But you're right, if you're going to go there and attempt to scale the walls of the fortress, you should make it as painless as possible once you're there.

Josh

Name: Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

Gray parts of life I can understand. I'm not completely black or white myself. I believe in happy mediums and give-and-take kinda things. It's just kinda strange to me that you so adamantly say something is bad and then later say "unless of course..."

Also, I read your post saying they aren't doing ED4, which I don't think is true. Unless Bruce Campbell's page has been updated, he says that basically they all want to do it, and plan to do it, they're just waiting on Sam Raimi and his Spider-man commitment. Which actually brings me to another question.

Since you had something to do with all the other Evil Dead movies, will you have any part in the production of the remake or ED4 (if/when they get around to making it)? Even just as a shimp or something.

Perhaps just as a shimp, but I think you're misreading Bruce's website. They've all agreed to remake, not a 4th film.

Josh

Name: Angel
E-mail: aespar2@depaul.ed

Dear Josh,

I just wanted to let you know that I found your essay, 'Confessions of a Film Geek' wholly uplifting while still somber at points. What's it like knowing you were probably the only "hippie" that saw 'Patton' five times theatrically? You had to have confused an usher somewhere. Also,have you seen The Alfred Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection that Universal has just released? It contains, Saboteur (1942), Shadow of a Doubt (1943), Rope (1948), Rear Window (1954), The Trouble With Harry (1955), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963), Marnie (1964), Torn Curtain (1966), Topaz (1969), Frenzy (1972), Family Plot (1976). You can get it on Amazon for $83.99. Compared to how much this collection would have warranted previously, it's a steal. Now to the mailbox to see if Universal or Amazon has sent me my check yet.

Sincerely,
Angel

I'm glad you liked it. I actually saw three of those Hitchcock films on their original theatrical releases, "Topaz," "Frenzy," and "Family Plot." I was seriously disappointed with "Topaz" and "Family Plot," but thank goodness I was allowed to see one terrific new Hitchcock film. I remember coming out of the theater after "Frenzy," I was 14 and with my whole family, and thinking to myself, "Now that's a movie! That guy knows what he's doing. Movies are cool!"

Josh

Name: stacey H
E-mail: staci_3088@hotmail.com

Whoops, sorry Josh, when i referred to 'us female directors' i didn't mean 'us' as in you, i meant as in me and all other female directors! Just wanted to clear that up! <sheepish grin>
stacey

I wasn't confused.

Josh

Name: stacey H
E-mail: staci_3088@hotmail.com

Hey Josh,

I was wondering what you thought of Barbra Streisand as a director and or actress? Did you ever see Yentle? She's refered to a lot when talking about female directors. Do you think us female directors have to thank her for her step in directing? Just wandering your view!
Stacey

I love Barbra's voice. I think she's a pretty good actress, too. Sadly, though, "Yentl" is a crappy movie, and I was personally unimpressed with the direction. I recently saw Barbra on "Inside the Actor's Studio," and I thought she was charming, funny and bright. It finally got to "Yentel," and James Lipton gives it his big build-up, "And then her directing career began with . . . 'Yentl'. . ." and it cuts to a wide shot of Barbra dressed as a boy, lying on a bed singing "Papa, can you hear me," which sounds suspiciously like "Tommy, can you hear me," and as the camera begins to move forward the boom shadow goes across the wall at the top of the frame. I ran it back a few times.

Josh

Name: Jon Cross
E-mail: gimmesugar@hotmail.com

Dear Josh,

Should receive Alien Apocolypse anyday now and I can't wait! I was wandering if you have seen Bruce's first feature directing gig 'Man with a Screaming brain' (I mean of course you have but there IS a question coming and it isn't some debate on whether the Matrix is smart or not!!) I wandered did you give him any tips? watch any of the shooting (as it was back to back after AA finished shooting in Bulgaria - according to Bruce) and overall what did you think of the film, has the chin done us proud?

all the best

Jon


p.s.
The Matrix, pro noun, noun. A film, visually full and exciting at first glance, spectacularly bad on repeat viewings. The whole thing might as well be advertising hair cream or the new dior range of sunglasses or some sych hooey. Chocked full with people staring meaningfully at the camera and spouting teenage girl philosophy in an attempt to cover up the obvious plot, the lack of ideas, the acting talent and the style over substance approach. I mean one of the quotes in the 3rd one was 'every beginning must have an end' !!! and the award for stating the frickin obvious goes to.... - I am with you Josh these are not smart movies....

LOL. Yes, every beginning must have an end. That's the kind of shit Yoda says backward. I didn't see any of the shooting of "Brain." As soon as I finished shooting -- I'd already been there for 8 weeks and I had a severe cold -- I split. Bruce had already directed quite a few Hercules eps, so he completely had it together and didn't need any advice from me. He was also smart enough to have me go first, get the crew up and running, then he used almost the whole cast of AA again in his film. I thought "Brain" was all right, and clearly directed by someone who knows what they're doing. For me, though, I wish the whole film was him fighting with his brain, pouring milk on his head.

Josh

Name: Matt David T.
E-mail: msturnbull@comcast.net

Hello again Dear Josh -

Quick question today: How do you deal with disappointment? My game-into-movie deal fell through, so I'm once again back to just producing video-games for a living and writing screenplays and TV pilots/set-ups I'll never sell.

It's tough, because it sucked up a whole bunch of my time. And I've discovered as I progress through what I'll someday look back upon as my prime, that time is finite.

How does one deal with that?

Big questions. It somehow reminds me of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," when Alice and her 10 year-old son leave and are on the road driving along in silence. He suddenly blurts out, "Life is short." She looks at him and says, "So are you, shut up." I have a quote in "My Favorite Quotes" that goes something like, "How you deal with adversity is your measure as a man." My answer is that you just keep pushing ahead. If they didn't like Script #32, too bad, I'm already onto Script #33.

Josh

Name: Brandon Phillips
E-mail: mrb8694@aol.com

Dear Josh:

North By Nothwest sounds like a plan to me. scince i did not make the criterea clear how about we do it this way, what would be
two other movies that would play well with NBN, by a differant director for a compair and contrast of sorts thanks again. and i think its just awsome that you actually answered the question...tahnk you again

I suggest "Charade" as the second half of the double-bill, which also stars Cary Grant, and is a Hitchcock-like story, but was directed by Stanley Donen (BTW, Sam Raimi's agent is Josh Donen, Stanley's son). I think those two films are plenty for one night's entertainment, plus discussion.

Josh

Name: Eric Rosenthal
E-mail: eric30202002@yahoo.com

Hi Josh,

Great essay! (I'm referring to "Confessions of a Movie Geek") Will it make it into your book? In case you and your readers didn't know, "Thou Shalt Not Kill Except..." is now on Netflix.
Also I have a suggestion for your webmaster on the archive; as each Q and A is archived maybe you could put the date of archival on it. (Hey, we readers pay good money for this site!)
Best Wishes,

Eric

It won't be in the filmmaking book, but it will be in my upcoming collection of essays, entitled "Rushes," which will hopefully be published at some point next year. Isn't that funny, I was with Netflix for four years, then as soon as I leave they get one of my movies.

Josh

[Dear Eric: That is a great idea that I wish someone had thought of seven years ago when we first started achiving these Q&A pages. Alas, the exact dates are lost to the sands of time. Think of it as a challenge! The general time frame can be inferred from clues within the achived pages. -webmaster]

Name: rob
E-mail: habejr@mac.com

Dear Josh,

Two quickies: First, do you thing living in or near LA is completely necessary to a starting filmmkaer's success?

And second, What are your thoughts on the ghosthouse pictures films? I'm really not too fond of them... which is dissapointing as i'm a big raimi fan...

I have a friend who is an actor, and she's a done a fair amount of acting work here in Detroit, as well as having lived in NYC a couple of times. She has decided to now give acting the big, big push, and asked my advice. I said she had to go to L.A., that's where all the work is. She said, "But you hate L.A." I said, "Uh-huh, but that's where all the work is." If you want to work in a specific business, then you go where it's located. Meanwhile, I just watched the first 15 minutes of "The Grudge" and bailed. I haven't seen "Boogeyman."

Josh

Name: Question
E-mail: ernstyanning@hotmail.com

Dear Josh,

I'm watching THE LION AND THE WINTER right now, I find it hard to believe that two people could break up over this film. Is this supposed to be some kind of sequel or follow-up to BECKET, they mention Becket in the film and Peter O'Toole is playing the same role ("But what about the children I bore you?" "I DON'T LIKE MY CHILDREN!"). What exactly did your ex-girlfriend not understand about this film?

There was a really funny speech in CRY UNCLE. This blackmailed millionaire is giving a speech about power to Detective Allen Garfield. "There are two kinds of people in this world, Mr Masters, those who fuck, and those who get fucked! That's why women never have power. How can you have power when you're getting fucked all the time? And [nameless woman] here never gets anywhere because she's always trying to do both. They always want to be management, never want to take orders from anyone. You're a real ballbuster [nameless woman]." Then later in the hardcore porn negative he being blackmailed with, the man who just gave that speech is taking it up the ass from a woman with a strap-on.

It's not that she didn't understand the film, she didn't know how I would react to the film. I guess that after a month of dating she was still so unsure about who I was, and what I liked, that it made her nervous. And whatever happened to Allen Garfield Goorwitz? He used to be ubiquitous.

Josh

Name: Danielle
E-mail: shw9w1@hotmail.com

Hi Josh.

When you lived in L.A., did you ever consider moving to Topanga Canyon or thereabouts? I've never been, but from what I've read and the photos I've seen, it seems lovely (or, at least a lovelier than Hollywood). I've been considering a move out there, but your "Bailing Out on L.A." article really confirms my fears about the place. I guess I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to live in there without having to deal with so much of its nastiness (and without having to pay heaps of money).

I realize you're not a real estate agent, but I'm hoping you can tell me if I'm being way too hopeful and naive in my search for a refuge within minutes of L.A.

Thanks very much.

Sadly, I think you are being too hopeful and naive, but I thought the same way for a long time (as did Bruce Campbell), and we couldn't make it work. Toganga Canyon is kind of cool, and that's where the Manson family lived for a while, but it's a bitch of a drive getting to and from it. When coming from Hollywood, let's say, you can either drive all the way across the San Fernando Valley on the horrid 101, or you can go out to the coast and cut in, but that takes a long time -- you're talking about an hour either way, if traffic is moving, which it usually isn't. Bruce tried living in Bell Canyon for a few years, which is a more upscale (and not as pretty) variation on Topanga Canyon, but farther north, and you end up spending way too much time stuck in traffic. That becomes your life, which was unacceptable to me and to Bruce. The best thing you can do in L.A., I think, is find a cool place in town, where it's not a nightmare getting to Universal, or West Hollywood, or Los Feliz, the places where you will absolutely be going, then make your house and your yard your castle. After years in Hollywood itself, I finally migrated west to Santa Monica, and it's definitely better being closer to the water because the air is cooler and cleaner. As my buddy from Cleveland who lives in SM said, "If you've come all the way from Cleveland or Detroit, why stop a mile or two short of the water?" He lives on 4th St. which is 4 blocks from the ocean. I was on 28th St., so I actually did stop 2 miles short of the coast, but it's cheaper on that side of SM. But it's ugly.

Josh

Name: John Hunt
E-mail: Chowkidar@aol.com

Josh,

I think the relationship you had with Rick is a very rare thing. The story you tell of the two of you meeting and the relationship you developed is quite touching.

Forgive me for noting that it is also a story which would translate well to film, having a beginning, an impetus and a resolution. I could see where it might be a difficult subject, but in film you could celebrate Rick's life, his passion for movies and, in that context (editorially), the loss to us all that Hollywood's decline represents. It appears Rick was a powerful personality and upon what could one better base a story? I wouldn't presume to say that you *should* commit your relationship to film, but you could do so and it could be magnificent.

John

I am a character in his book, aptly named Josh. I love the fact that his book is 100% true, and he didn't even change anyone's names, but it's called a novel and it's kept in fiction. Perhaps Rick's and my relationship would make a good movie, I don't know. The best I've been able to do is to tell his and my story in bits and pieces, like this hunk in "Confessions," and there's another hunk in the essay, "The Oscars: What Could've Won; What Should've Won." Of course, someone could always film his book.

Josh

Name: Brandon Phillips
E-mail: mrb8694@aol.com

Dear Josh:

Hello i am new at this. but i was wondering if you could help me out with a few movie selections. A groupe of freinds and i like to make shorts and things of that nature and at one point have a lagit project. but that is still maney moons a head of us. every saterday night we get together and hold what one would call a movie night. we watch movies to learn movies we watch the good and the bad and the ones that even the pawn shop wont by back, i try to keep the selection to fit certain style or theme and things of that nature. now i have seen a larg number of movies (not as maney as you for i am only 20)but i am dealing with people that are younger than myself (ranging from 16 to 18ish)and they like the majority of the movies that come out today but i do not. ok i am rabling lets try it this way. i was wondering if you could recomend a few movies to show during movie night that kind of fit into a grouping of sorts (like running time with rope) that would hold the attention of my Gofurs (long story) that are indeed in color (we have two epoleptics and b&w doest work well with their heads. i know you say watch and study Bridge Over River Qui but i am not sure it that would float well with my crowd.
thank you very much for taking a few minutes to read this (sorry its long and sorry about the spelling erros my girlfreind and i are working on them same with grammer not that you care...)
thank you again

I'm still not clear about the criteria for this selection, other than the audience will be mainly 16-18. Comparing "Running Time" to "Rope" is pretty specific. How about "North By Northwest"? You can't go wrong with that.

Josh

Name: Jon Cross
E-mail: gimmesugar@hotmail.com

Dear Josh

Thanks for your reply. It would be good if you came to England, maybe not to a convention but London is definately a city you should see
As for assimilating or going your own way, it just seems that there are some Hollywood people who walk to the beat of their own drum (well as much as you can) they tend to make big hollywood stuff to make their money and draw the crowds then dissappear and write and direct their own little film - normally much more interesting.
Would that not be possible with the detroit gang, the Michigan mafia? let them make their money with stuff like Spiderman so they can make the films that they keep saying in interviews they want to make.
Bruce does that to some extent - he does Serving Sara of a Disney Lovebug remake in order to make films like Bubba Hotep or Man with a screaming brain... which is an excellent way of doing things, could you not see yourself doing something like that in order to get a smalelr more personal project off the ground?

all the best

No. I don't function well in that environment, which is why I left. I assure you making Spider-Man movies isn't part-time work for Sam. And he did executive produce "The Grudge" and "Boogeyman," so he keeps his hand in the genre world. But I kind of just do what I do at this point, which is to make my movies, not other people's movies.

Josh

Name: joe
E-mail:

"I thought "The Matrix" was stupid sci-fi. And anyone who doesn't think Harlan Ellison is smart (but thinks "The Matrix" is), probably isn't all that smart themselves."

Yeah Dune the book will probably never be brought to screen correctly.

Regarding the Matrix -- yeah we differ. I think the "anything-thats-new-sucks" perspective can be taken a bit far. I normally agree with you on most topics but the irrationality you display regarding this topic is just...bizarre. Just because the matrix was commericially successful, is a kung-fu action flick, and was made after 1970 doesn't mean its for dummies.

And for someone who shows such knowledge of story structure its puzzling how you could've missed the excellent use of it in the first film especially. And at least comment that it tells a sound story.

Some of the finer points which are dramatized in the matrix trilogy-free will vs. determinism, causality, hints of Nietzche, religious pluralism, etc.-are hardly "stupid" concepts. And if interest in those topics makes me stupid than I'll gladly accept that label.

Ciao.

"The Matrix" films are not smart movies, nor are they good stories. They may have passing references to intelligent concepts, but they're not within an intelligent context. They're nothing but dumb kung-fu movies with random sci-fi concepts dumped in. Nor do I think "anything-that's-new-sucks" necessarily. Within the muck and mire of recent films the occasional rational, decent movies do come out -- "The Human Stain," "Spring Forward," "The Story of the Weeping Camel," -- and I do note them when I see them, but nothing great has come out in a long time. And just because a film is new doesn't give it any more value to me than an old one.

Josh

Name: Sawyer
E-mail:

Howdy, Mr. Becker.

I got a real kick out of "Alien Apocalypse" (damn whoever for cutting out that "fags" line... biggest laugh in the flick, next to "none of your business"). My question is, if Sci-Fi Channel Pictures offered you another movie to direct, one that you didn't write, would you consider taking the job? (I'd prefer they hire you to direct your OWN scripts, of course, but any Becker-directed SF movie is better than none in my book.)

Thanks!

I don't even know if there is such a thing as Sci-Fi Channel Pictures. I made AA for Freshwater Ent. and they had a deal with Sci-Fi. I don't know that Sci-Fi produces any of those original movies themselves. The executive producer at Freshwater asked me if I was interested in directing any of the scripts he had, and I turned them all down flat. I really only want to direct my own scripts.

Josh

Name: Jonathan Moody
E-mail: jondoe_555@yahoo.com

Josh,

You might be happy to know that your scene isn't totally lost in Dead Next Door. It came out bad but you can still see it and I saw you in full zombie make up. It was pretty neat. JR even runs commentary for the deleted scenes because most of the sound wasn't put in to the scenes. But he does say good stuff about you and mention how you're part of the Michigan Mafia. So I thought I'd just give you the heads up in case you wanted to get a copy of the movie and check the deleted scenes section.

Btw... how's it going on the new movie front? And will there ever be any more of your short films on here again (whenever you get the time of course) like "The Final Round".

Your fan,
Jonathan

No, I won't be buying a copy of "The Dead Next Door," but it's nice to know there's evidence of my participation. I spent most of a day having a head-mold done, which is a suffocating, claustrophobic horror, then I spent another whole day being beaten up by zombie hunters, having a grenade shoved into my mouth, then being thrown out a window, all to hear, "Oh, the footage didn't turn out." I was so fucking mad I could have kicked the crap out of J.R. Bookwalter. He asked me to come back and reshoot the scenes, and I said no. As for upcoming projects, presently I'm in the waiting mode. And as for more short films, it's a hassle and it takes up a lot of space on the server.

Josh

Name: Ben Maller
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

I cannot believe you liked "Sex and the City". What exactly did you like about it? You're such a girly man.

It was well-written, insightful, funny, and well-acted. They got me to care about those characters.

Josh

Name: Joe
E-mail:

"Smart, hardcore sci-fi," and your examples are: Harry Potter, "Lord of the Rings," "Star Wars" and "The Matrix" movies? Clearly, the definitions have changed since my day. I grew up reading science fiction by guys like Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Harlan Ellison, Mack Reynolds, Phillip K. Dick, Clifford Simak, John W. Campbell, Roger Zelazny, Frank Herbert, Robert Silverberg, etc. and that's **real** "smart, hardcore sci-fi," not fucking "Star Wars" or Harry fucking Potter. Jesus! And they've never really made movies out of the actual smart, hardcore sci-fi."

Hahahaha. I dont know if I'd call Frank Herbert or Harlan Ellison smart. Commercially entertaining yes. But they're no smarter than modern sci-fi/fantasy writers like Gene Wolfe, Dan Simmons or Neil Gaiman.

I was referring only to the Matrix as the "smart, sci-fi film". Which it is. The only point about Harry Potter and Star Wars, was that these films which are considered sci-fi/fantasy and they make money.

However hard sci-fi is still considered a high risk proposition for hollywood. As I said the wachowski brothers had to storyboard the whole film and hold the hands of studios to get one of the best sci-fi films ever made to the screen.

Best,
J

That's where you and I differ. I thought "The Matrix" was stupid sci-fi. And anyone who doesn't think Harlan Ellison is smart (but thinks "The Matrix" is), probably isn't all that smart themselves. Also, "Dune" is a hell of a good sci-fi book. The fact that they've now made two bad film versions of it doesn't take anything away from Frank Herbert's book.

Josh

Name: Jon Cross
E-mail: gimmesugar@hotmail.com

Dear Josh:

Hi, I am a big time fan of the whole detroit set - Sam, Rob, Bruce, Scott and, of course yourself. I was born, raised and still live in England and before we finally all got bielzabub's shopping mall (the internet) pumped into our dingy mudhuts, it was very hard but also great fun, digging out old films and stuff by you guys from little ex-rental shops, video collector rooms, conventions and so on. However now, I can just go to Amazon and pick up Alien Apocolypse or Bruce's new audio CD and have it deliveered straight to my british door (which was of course made and manufactured in either Taiwan or Utah). So take away the fun but increase the availability, who knows which is better? Anyway I have two questions to ask - First one is - Is there any money available for you, Scott spiegal, Bruce, ted, Sam or Rob to come to England?? Conventions and screenings have begun to take off here again (especially for smaller films) because most of the stuff that gets into the cinema is - like you've said in your rants - utter crap and bilge. I mean I guess what with Sam having gone all Hollywood, I would doubt he'd be interested (afterall we were the country that rented evil dead 1 & 2 more than any other) but you and Bruce and Ted could come here - Bruce is always setting off to Butt-Crack Idaho or some such place but he has a lot of good loyal determined fans here. ANYHEW my second question is - noting you distain for sequels, remakes and comic book adapts (which is 100% justified and correct) what do you think of the Spiderman 1,2 & 3,evil dead remake, evil dead 4 ideas that have actually been given some validity by messers bruce,tapert and raimi!!!!! isn't it just poor? isn't it the worse idea ever? we fans had such hopes when it was revealed on an evil dead dvd extra by Rob, that the three of them wanted to do another film together but it would be something new... Brilliant... now that raimi and rob have the power and money behind them, why don't they rope you and bruce and ted into some new cinema for the millenium... not remakes of Japanese movies or bad stephen king stuff or even handing their beloved franchise to some mediocre ex-advert/pop vid director hack to 're-vamp' AGHHHHHH everything about the modern 'business' of film making drives me round the twist. There have been to rays of hope - Bubba Ho-tep getting a justly deserved London premiere and DVD release and the new version of the Evil Dead dvd also including a copy of Running time (for the first time in britain!) apart from that...I can think of nothing else to say except - shout at someone , anyone to release Jack of All Trades on DVD and just keep up the good work, I have most of your films - Lunatics, Running Time, Thou Shall not kill except and have ordered alien apocolypse... the only one I think I am missing is he hammer one? about the 60s?? but can't find it anywhere that ships it to the uk...
Keep the faith, keep making excellent work, and bang those bozos heads together and realise that nobody wants Evil Dead remake or Evil Dead 4....

I've actually never been to the UK. I've come close a number of times when I was in Amsterdam and Paris, but I still haven't made it there. I don't go to conventions, so I wouldn't be visiting for that reason, but at some point I will. Meanwhile, I just sent a tape of "Hammer" to New Zealand, I suppose I could send one to England, should someone buy one of the very last of the tapes. Regarding ED, they're not planning on making ED4, they're going to remake the first one with some young, hip director, and hopefully (for them) begin the franchise again. As for the rampant production of sequels and remakes, including those my friends have made, that's what Hollywood is all about now, so if you want to flourish in that environment you assimilate, or you split, as I have. I just watched "The Fountainhead" again last night, and that's exactly what the entire film, and book, are about. Do you assimilate and do the same crap everybody else is doing, which may bring you a fortune? Or do you stick to your own agenda, and do what you think is right? I would rather be Howard Roark and stick to my own agenda.

Josh

Name: Beth
E-mail: oddlief@gmail.com

Dear Josh,

In the commentary for "Running Time" Bruce jokingly mentions that since you used your own apartment for the scenes in Janie's apartment that you would now be inundated with people who had tracked down your apartment based on the movie and commentary. I was just wondering has that ever happened? Have you ever had a fan track you down and visit you in your private home? If so, was it a scary experience?

Beth

Luckily for me, I don't have many fans. I had a hard enough time getting my friends to come by and visit. Meanwhile, I've been saying the same thing to Bruce since he moved to Oregon. Even if you know where he lives, it's very easy to miss his driveway, which is truly in the middle of nowhere. I've asked him several times, "Have many fans located your house and come and visited?" None so far, and he has many more fans than me.

Josh

Name: Saul Trabal
E-mail: ghost_kingdom@yahoo.com

Josh,

The Los Angeles Times reports that Planet Xena has a moon-and of course it's been dubbed Gabrielle. Heh.

Do you know if Rob or Lucy made any comments about Planet Xena-and now, this new moon?

None that I know of. If they find another moon it will be called Joxer.

Josh

Name: Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

I keep rephrasing the question because I just want to make sure I have the truth. I don't like bullshit and neither do you, so I just wanted to get past all that and find out the honest answer.

Also, I ask over and over again, because you constantly go against yourself. You say you don't think comic books make good movies, but then you kinda sorta narrow it down to just super hero comics. You say you don't like remakes then compliment Vanity Fair (or is it Fare?) which is a remake. You say you don't like sequels, and that those who make them are part of the problem, yet you've said that if Bruce Campbell says yes to Sci-Fi Channel, you'd do another Alien Apocalypse. You contridict yourself. So I just like to have the truth.

I'm not irrational, or at least I'm not about this subject. The truth is out there.

Mo

Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. Nor is anything pure black or pure white, unless you're Steven Spielberg. The whole world exists in the gray area. If anyone is going to bother remaking anything, taking another crack at a literary classic probably makes the most sense, like Roman Polanski having just done "Oliver Twist." But on some very big level, Polanski didn't need to make "Oliver Twist" because David Lean already did it, and did it well. Remakes and sequels show a lack of imagination, that's all. Should the machinations of life end up tricking me into making a sequel, it's merely kind of ironic, not a betrayal of everything I stand for.

Josh

Name: Jonathan Moody
E-mail: jondoe_555@yahoo.com

Josh,

I was watching "Lunatics a Love Story" again tonight. This is actually only the second time I've watched it all the way through. I wanted to talk to you tonight about 3 Act Structure in Lunatics. I'm trying to decide where the 3 acts come in to place. Now this is my belief and it could be wrong but I was thinking you were going with the first act ends when (... SPOILER ALERT, if you have not seen Lunatics do NOT read further...) Nancy meets up with the gangstas who want to run a train on her. Basically after she shoots that bastards toe off. Then the second act begins when Hank calls her up at the payphone. Then the second act ends when she leaves the apartment and Hank claims he has to get her back. The third act begins at Hanks Apartment. Where he is getting ready to fight off the doctor and stuff. The Third act obviously ends at the wedding where you end on them being happy and obviously together despite how much they might not have in common (besides poetry) So all in all its a well written structurally sound screenplay and directed well enough where it would get people with short attention spans to pay attention. I think this is one of your best written and well directed screenplays. Now if I'm wrong with how you think the 3 acts go let me know but thats what I got from watching it. Great use of visuals as well as dialogue. I mean almost if not all of Act 2 takes place inside Hanks Apartment. Alot of writers can't keep a whole act inside of one place. You did a great job! Now its off to listen to the commentary for Running Time again (I haven't for a while)... Last thing Josh and it ain't just ass kissin: You give hope that somewhere out there some independent filmmaker is trying his best to make good stories come to life. And hopefully you're just only one of them.

Your fan,
Jonathan

P.S. You said you had a scene in "The Dead Next Door" which was cut out. Might it be in a deleted scene in The Dead Next Door DVD? I just bought that recently and if I find out I'll let you know.

As far as I know, my scene in "The Dead Next Door" didn't come out at all, there was something wrong with the camera or the film. It wasn't cut. Meanwhile, you're close to the proper act breaks in "Lunatics." Act I ends the moment he opens the door, covered in foil, and they meet. Act II ends when she goes out the door and he doesn't follow. The problem with the structure in that film is that Act I is too long. They should have met in 35 minutes, and took me 45 minutes. I'm still pleased with Act II of that film, which is basically a two-person, one-act play.

Josh

Name: Question
E-mail: ernstyanning@hotmail.com

Dear Josh:

Since you like ROCKY, what did you think of the earlier John G. Advilson films JOE and CRY UNCLE? That was crazy in JOE when they slept with the hippies and smoked pot liked a couple of hypocrites, then went out and killed the hippies.

I never saw "Cry Uncle," and "Joe" was an interesting film in its day, and a pretty good example of low-budget filmmaking. But nothing John Avildsen ever did after "Rocky" ever lived up to the potential. He and Stallone were both big disappointments.

Josh

Name: Tom
E-mail: bellyoptopus@yahoo.com

Hi Josh,

Calling "My Left Foot", "a perfectly reasonable film" is a perfectly reasonable compliment coming from you. I enjoy the way you spare no flaw and swoop in on it like a hawk. What I liked about Daniel Day-Lewis's performance was that it wasn't played up for laughs and you got a good sense of what Christy Brown was like in both the good and darker sides of his nature. I also liked that the story was about more than his disability but about him struggling to create his art and finding achievement when most people wouldn't in that situation. I thought it was a fully realized character study rather than silly one-liners that people seemed to endlessly quote and parody, which is what you get from "Forrest Gump" and "Rain Man". But I do understand what you're saying about over the top performances. I didn't think Anthony Hopkins performance in "Silence of the Lambs" was Oscar worthy and he's certainly achieved performances that were, as you mentioned.

I must learn to choose my words and thoughts more carefully, I didn't mean infer that "I, Robot" was a great movie and I certainly don't have the desire to watch it again. In my effort to be brief something got lost, I guess that's why you're a writer and I'm not. I'm sure Isaac Asimov did something in his grave; we'd have to dig him up to know for sure! I've always wondered where that phrase came from and what kind of protest turning over in your grave implies!

I watched "Guarding Tess" last night, which I've never seen before. Shirley McLaine was quite good in it! Despite all her silly reincarnation ideas she's a consistently interesting actress.

I've been looking forward to seeing Martin Scorsese's Bob Dylan documentary, especially now since you've taken a shine to it!!!

Cheers,

Tom

Shirley Maclaine is a very good actress. She absolutely takes my breath away in "Some Came Running" (1958), her first Oscar nomination, and the year I was born. And she's perfect in "The Apartment." But she's really good in most everything. Meanwhile, I don't want to take anything away from Anthony Hopkins' acting as Hannibal Lector, which is a terrific psycho bad-guy performance, but it's certainly not his very best work.

Josh

Name: Jonathan Moody
E-mail: jondoe_555@yahoo.com

Josh,

You should really check out "Serenity" based off of the cult hit TV show "Firefly". It's a really well written and well directed sci fi film. Quotable and entertaining, I think as for one who hates the sci fi fantasy genre thats out now you'd love what Joss Whedon did with this movie.

Your fan,
Jonathan

If it pops up in front of my face. Meanwhile, did anybody watch the Martin Scorsese's Bob Dylan documentary? I think it's the best film he's made in about 15 years. Dylan's a great character.

Josh

Name: Question
E-mail: ernstyanning@hotmail.com

Dear Josh:

hmm... brevity, brevity, brevity...

FUNNY LADY Stunk.
Worse Than CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC.
How's That Possible?

No seriously, I saw IRMA LA DOUCE recently which made me laugh the first couple of times, but now the more I'm forced to watch it, it reminds me of CRIMEWAVE (the indestructible pimp). Otherwise I liked the line where Jack Lemmon tries to convince Shirley MacClaine that the Bridge On The River Kwai fell on him. Anyhow Shirley MacClaine got a nomination for her role, but I don't think she's anywhere near as good as THE APARTMENT or THE CHILDREN'S HOUR. What were the other actresses she was up against?

I also noticed Billy Wilder seems to say more with his camera in STALAG 17 than the I.A.L. Diamond films. For instance, there's that whole scene When Johnny Comes Marching Home where they reveal who the spy is while the pows are singing in the back ground, and William Holden notices the knot in the light for the first time. There's also Animal and his buddy dancing around in a circle only talking when they are facing the screen. It's a shame he didn't take this further in his later films. hey that has a point.

The nominees for Best Actress in 1963 were: Leslie Caron, "The L-Shaped Room;" Shirley Maclaine, "Irma La Douce;" Patricia Neal, "Hud" (Winner); Rachel Roberts, "This Sporting Life;" Natalie Wood, "Love With a Proper Stranger."

Josh

Name: Sam Simpson
E-mail: galen_nor@hotmail.com

Dear Josh:

Just been reading your webpage on Religion is Evil.

Its very well put and exactly how I think about it. Nice to know there are other people out there like myself. I refer to religious people as being brainwashed. They've been forced into a religon at birth and havent seen fit to question it.
Keep up the good work !

Thanks. I will. Yeah, religion is like the Nazi Youth, you get them when they're young and they're your's forever.

Josh

Name: Question
E-mail: ernstyanning@hotmail.com

<<No, I'm not married, I never have been, and I have no children, just three cats.>>

A little advice on marriage and kids: RUN

on a different note:
You talked about people looking at you funny in one of your essays because you think today's movies are stupid. I would liken my experience over the past year to a dumb cartoon I once saw. The little kid in the show goes to some professor to try some machine to make him smarter than everyone else... but instead of making him smarter, it justs makes everyone else dumber, careless, and apathetic. He's no smarter than he was and now there are less people he can trust. Ever get that feeling? Still if you have just one person you can talk to you should consider yourself lucky. You sound like you have several.

Tuesday, Oct 11 at 8pm: Private Screenings with Sidney Lumet on TCM.

People seem to have an unnatural affection for anything new. Once a film is about a year old they can actually have some perspective. But anything that's new is the best thing since sliced bread.

Josh

Name: Tom
E-mail: bellyoptopus@yahoo.com

Hi Josh,

Hmm! People running around with magic wands, bows & arrows, battleaxes, glowy swords and machine guns - sounds like he's looking for more kid pleasing, video game style action fantasy movies rather than hardcore science fiction pictures. Apparently he hasn't read any of your reviews or essays on your website either.

I thought "I, Robot" handled the evolution of our technology better than "The Matrix"- a better humanitarian ending too, rather than apocalyptic quasi-religious nonsense. But "I, Robot" was still an action picture basically.

Meanwhile, on a different kind of picture, what do you think of "My Left Foot"? It's one of the few movies made in the last 20 years I'm still drawn into watching over and over again. A more realistic look at someone living with a disability as apposed to "Forrest Gump", "I Am Sam" or even "Rain Man". "My Left Foot" has some really excellent rformances too, I like it anyway.as you can tell!

"My Left Foot" is a perfectly reasonable film, if you like that sort of thing. I'm not nearly as impressed with Daniel Day-Lewis's performance as many people are simply because I think an extreme performance like that is fairly easy to achieve. I can do a pretty accurate imitation of it right now if I felt like it. Subtlety is much more difficult to achieve. But the old Academy members like to really be able to see a performance, like Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Main," which is junk, or Tom Hanks in "Forrest Gump," which is really idiotic crap. That's why Anthony Hopkins didn't get his Oscar for his brilliant work in "Howard's End" or "The Remains of the Day," but instead got it for his over-the-top performance in "Silence of the Lambs." "Oh, look, he's acting." Meanwhile, "I, Robot" wasn't a very good movie, nor was it particularly bright science fiction, and it probably made Isaac Asimov turn over in his grave.

Josh

Name: Rob
E-mail: habejr@mac.com

Dear Josh,

As an aspiring filmmaker, I'm watching films whenever possible (mostly horror). One bit of advice I get from everyone I've talked to is that I should only watch good films - so I'll learn the technique by default. I however have found that goofy independants (the ones you find on the bottom shelf in the back corners of blockbuster) with the choppy editing and shot in ugly mini dv have helped me more. I feel more on their level, like it's a reachable goal. Am I wrong? Is this a stupid question that I'm only writing because I'm seeing double at 1:30 in the morning? Thanks...

I don't think it's stupid question, but I do think you're setting your sights too low. If your goal is reach the bottom of the heap, that's not very far to go, and there are no rewards for being at the bottom. Why not aim at the top? That's what I've done, and even though I'm still not even close to reaching my goal, it's certainly worth shooting for. Dream big, what have you got to lose?

Josh

Name: Beth
E-mail: oddlief@gmail.com

Josh,

Do you think you are a charming person?

Beth

No, not really. Witty, perhaps, and certainly sarcastic and caustic, but probably not charming.

Josh

Name: Joe
E-mail:

Hey Josh,

Why do you think hard sci-fi films are so few and far between in Hollywood? I mean its not these films dont make money. Look at Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.

These are some of the highest grossing films of all time. Yet hollywood seems willing to fast track stuff like the honeymooners remake, and they balk at hardcore sci-fi. The matrix creators had to practically beg to get the first film made and it went on to kill at the box office. Point is there is a serious market for hardcore, smart sci-fi, but the studios seem so unwilling to greenlight this stuff. Any thoughts?

j

"Smart, hardcore sci-fi," and your examples are: Harry Potter, "Lord of the Rings," "Star Wars" and "The Matrix" movies? Clearly, the definitions have changed since my day. I grew up reading science fiction by guys like Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Harlan Ellison, Mack Reynolds, Phillip K. Dick, Clifford Simak, John W. Campbell, Roger Zelazny, Frank Herbert, Robert Silverberg, etc. and that's **real** "smart, hardcore sci-fi," not fucking "Star Wars" or Harry fucking Potter. Jesus! And they've never really made movies out of the actual smart, hardcore sci-fi.

Josh

Name: Scott
E-mail: sspnyc66@mac.com

Josh,

I never said "Garden State" was the best film of 2004, I said it was my favorite film of 2004. I don't consider my favorite films to be the best films all the time and as much as I love good films, I like films because of my tastes and that is what are is all about to me.

I don't believe Ian Holm's character was too old to be his father, in fact, I grew up with a lot of kids who had older parents and if the guy went to medical school and all, he may not have had a kid until later in life, so I don't agree with you crticism on that one, it is weak.

The pop song thing is a thing that you don't care for in films, so I figured you would not like that at all, but I must just say that a song used in a film could be used in many ways and it doesn't necessarily have to relate to the scene itself, it could be used as a metaphor or just to create mood and that is how it is used it "Garden State".

As we have been having these discussions on music here over the past month, don't you feel that music creates mood and gives a sense of feeling when you hear it? It could be a memory or whatever people are defintiely moved in some way by it.

You just happened to be moved negatively by the use of pop music in films or maybe you just don't know the songs to connect to them, I don't know?.

The one thing I am becomming weary of is using Nick Drake songs in these types of films. As much as I like Nick Drake's music, he has become a posterchild for young long dead singers who's music has become shall we say "re-discovered" and everyone wants to put the songs into films because it's cool.

Nick Drake's music stands on its own and it doesn't need to be put into a film to be cool.

Scott

Ian Holm was born in 1931, so he's the same age as my mom, which is 74, and year younger than my dad. Well, just about nobody in that age range has kids in their 20s, so it's flat-out unrealistic. That's not a weak criticism, it's a real one. That's like pointing out in "A Lion in Winter" that Katherine Hepburn is 20 years older than Peter O'Toole and shouldn't be. It's not that they're not both great actors, nor that they're not playing the hell out of the script, it's that it's been somewhat miscast. Meanwhile, pop songs, when used well in a movie can be great, but putting them at the beginning of every new scene is a stylistic bore.

Josh

Name: Rob
E-mail: habejr@mac.com

Dear Josh,

I recently got hired for a no pay P/A job - my first. The job starts in a few weeks and I don't have a drivers licence. How important is this to the production? Should I tell the director beforehand?

If you think you'll lose the gig by revealing that information, then don't tell them unless they ask. You'll just have to be a set PA, meaning you stay on the set. All the PAs don't need to be out getting stuff, some need to stay there and help set up. That's the phrase you can hit them with if you not having a license bcomes an issue, just say, "I'll be the set PA, and you'll always know where to find me." Good luck.

Josh

Name: Elton
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

I keep seeing Rolling Stones albums creep into the Q&A, but I've yet to see anything about Exile on Main Street?

Is that not your cup of tea or something? To me, exile is not only the best stones album, but one of the finest albums ever made...

It's a good album, but not one of my favs. I love "Tumbling Dice." I don't think it needed to be a double album.

Josh

Name: Stan Wrightson
E-mail:

Hi Josh-

I love your dvd commentaries. Very entertaining. On your commentary for TSNKE, you state that you asked a unnamed musician for rights to play a song in one of the scenes for the film, but you were refused when you told him what the film was about. Do you now feel comfortable revealing the musician and song(s)? I'm itching to know. I can't wait to see your next film, whatever it will be. Best of luck with it and your book.

It wasn't a musician, it was some low-end, asshole executive at Columbia Music Special Projects, which is the division that licenses the songs. The song was "You Were on My Mind" by We Five. The guy said, "Why would I want my song in your film?" He never even quoted me a price. Meanwhile, if you like mine and Bruce's commentaries, then you need to get the new "Alien Apocalypse" DVD, which will be out in a few days.

Josh

Name: Trey Smith
E-mail: cobra_commander_of_cobra@yahoo.com

Dear Josh:

Since I know William Wyler is your favorite director I thought I'd let you know that Turner Classic Movies is dedicating tonight, September 28th, to him. They will be showing his films from 8:00pm to 6:00am EST. I know you have probaly seen all the moives they are showing, however, I thought I'd give you the heads up anyway.

If you are interested I suggest that you check the schedule on the TCM website for your time zone as the times vary.

Thank you very much for the reminder, I was able to put "Counsellor-at-Law" into my TiVo. I once had it on tape about 20 years ago and foolishly taped over it, and I swear they haven't shown it since. It's very good, and I thought that it was John Barrymore's best film performance on film, which I'd like to reassess.

Josh

Name: Duffy
E-mail: g_duffy@bellsouth.net

Josh- A lady I know gave me a Brownie movie projector f/1.6 lens 8mm. It says Kodak One Six on the case and on the inside it says Model 1. I don't see a date on it. What can you tell me about this very cool gift? Thanks, Duffy

Not much, other than it seems to be a regular 8mm projector, which was the format pervious to super-8, and they don't make it anymore. I never worked with regular 8mm, it's just before my time.

Josh

Name: Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

Alright. I'll rephrase.

Would you like to direct to a comic book movie (I think I know the answer to this one) or an episode of Star Wars?

Mo

No. Why does this matter so much that you keep rephrasing it?

Josh

Name: Saul Trabal
E-mail: ghost_kingdom@yahoo.com

Josh,

I have been thinking about my friend's statement on why New Orleans is sinking. I wasn't aware that this was the case; I thought it had *always* been below sea level. Let me quote him again here:

"Well, New Orleans wasn't always below sea-level. It got that way because we dammed up the Mississippi so it wouldn't flood every year into the city. As a result, silt that normally would have kept re-newing the land was never deposited, and the soft ground slowly sunk into the bog.

And as the city sunk, the walls had to be built bigger every year until, between the lake and the river, you were dealing with a 20-foot deep hole into which you had placed your population.

It's not like the first settlers there were engineers or rocket scientists, and everyone just kept trying to deal with the problem bit by bit. The problem is this year, nobody did anything because there was no money for it."
-----------------------
Never mind the history of the place. When it comes down to it, history is bullshit when you think about the practical realities that people need to face if they decide to rebuild New Orleans. Save history for the history books.

Essentially, given what my friend said, New Orleans could end up becoming the City of the Mole People if it keeps sinking. I'm thinking about Japan's Kansai Airport built on an artificial island. Now, the idea for this airport was recent-not done at the time of the damming of the Mississippi. The very thought that we have an airport sitting on jacks is so asinine that I shake my head every time I think about it. And given that airport is right smack dab in the Pacific Ring Of Fire-last year's tsunami, anyone?? Krakatoa, anyone??-that place is another New Orleans waiting to happen.

New Orleans ISN'T EVEN SITTING ON JACKS!!

So-what sense does it make to rebuild the city? The city apparently is unliveable-some people saying the city is "destroyed". What makes people think that putting up a more modern levee will improve anything??

THE CITY IS STILL SINKING.

So, you're going to rebuild New Orleans' infrastructure. You're going to have people move back there. And what happens when the NEXT Catergory 5 storm hits? How many people today gave a shit about Hurricane Camille in 1969? That's old history. Boring. Snooze. Who the hell cares? Everyone wants to live for today.

Except we can't live for today. As the saying goes, "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it."

I'd like to hear a SOLID argument as to why New Orleans should be rebuilt. Because I don't see the logic in it. To do so in my opinion is setting ourselves up for another mass slaughter.

And next time, my friend's excuse of "It's not like the first settlers there were engineers or rocket scientists" won't cut it.

People are too full of themselves, and they think they can fight off nature. Guess again. But people as a whole are morons and slow learners.

Saul

Once again I repeat, brevity is the soul of wit. All of Holland is below sea level and people have been living there for 500 years. They had a huge storm in the North Sea in 1965 which killed 2,000 people in Holland, so they installed very high-tech locks and levees, which are now the high-end standard of the world (Japan has purchased modern levees from the Dutch), and that's what New Orleans must do, too. The U.S. government won't buy that equipment because they've spent all of our money on bullshit, like fighting a useless war in Iraq and building bridges to nowhere in Alaska. But to suggest that New Orleans be abandoned is absurd; it won't happen. So why not fix it right?

Josh

Name: Scott
E-mail: sspnyc66@mac.com

Josh,

I thinking " sort off charming" is a good description of "Garden State".

I thought you would like the film if you gave it a chance.

I really liked how the relationship between the main character and his father played out as well. I found it very realistic.

As you said, it wasn't a great film, but I would have to say that it was my favorite film that came out that year.

Scott

I do think it's incredibly forgettable. I didn't really buy Ian Holm as his father, either, he seemed too old. Also, it's use of pop songs was truly wearisome -- everytime there's a new scene a pop song kicks in, plays for a minute, doesn't fit the scene at all, then just fades out. Still, I was somewhat amused. But if that's the best film of 2004, that's really sad.

Josh

Name: Matt Serafini
E-mail: MattFini@verizon.net

Josh, thanks for your review of "War of the Worlds", I can't tell you how refreshing it was to read of someone else who was as appalled as I was with this filth. I'm not AS discriminating as you I don't think (I say this becuase I can usually find about 10 movies each year that I really enjoy), but this movie was every bit as horrendous as you say it is. I love your reviews and look forward to more of them!

I'm glad someone reads them. Meanwhile, I made a snotty comment about the first act of "Garden State" without seeing the whole thing. I have since watched the rest and it's kind of a charming movie. Not great by any means -- like, who is this goofy epileptic girl? Instead of finding out about her, we spend an inordinate amount of time searching for a necklace that really doesn't matter. Nevertheless, about an hour in, after he's woken up a bit, a chemistry develops between the two of them and it's sort of charming.

Josh

Name: Raoul
E-mail: ra0ul01@yahoo.com

Dear Josh:

Quick comment: in an earlier post, Ernst Yanning asked: "There's a song I keep hearing on the radio, but I don't know the title or the band, the lead singer kind of sounds like The Dickies, maybe you know it: "How can we dance when our legs are turning/ how can we sleep when our beds are burning"
For posterity: the song is "Beds Are Burning" by the Australian rock group Midnight Oil.
My Question: a month or two ago, you stated that you were tired of discussing "comic book" movies, and put a moratorium on the subject. It bothered me at the time, and I'm wondering if; with the release of Cronenberg's "A History of Violence" and the upcoming "V for Vendetta" - both based on "comic books", you might reconsider the ban. As an adult reader of comic books, I've spent years dealing with the average American's perception that all comic books are fantasy-derived superhero stories. Although superhero comics have dominated the market for more than 40 years, any story that can be told on film can be told in comics form. With the current situation in the arts, several movie adaptations of comic books ("League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and "From Hell" come immediately to mind,) have been less intelligent and more homogenized than the comics they were based on. Aren't you really tired of the Superhero genre in particular? Or if David Cronenberg makes a character-driven thriller based on a comic book, do you immediately dismiss it because of the source? Now that film is the ultimate junk culture aimed at teen-agers, I would hope you could sympathize with those of us who have been calling for higher standards of writing with more varied and true-to-life stories in comics for years.

Yes, I did specifically mean superhero comics, and that's all I have an issue with, comic book-wise. From the examples you gave, they still don't seem like a good source for movie stories, but I do realize that there are a lot more kinds of comic books than just superheroes, and that they're simply one more form of literature. But I could easily live a long happy life without ever hearing about anymore superheroes, which really does seem like the stupidest form of shit out there. Retards in leotards saving the world from supervillains -- anyone over the age of ten who pays attention to that superhero garbage should be euthanized immediately.

Josh

Name: Tim Roessler
E-mail: tim@timroessler.com

Dear Josh,

What's a good paying job for a director who's, uh, between or preparing projects? Are you better off trying to nail a corporate videography gig or commercials - stuff that could pay and that is related to filmmaking? Or is it better to bite the bullet and take a menial gig to keep your head clear while you get your movie together? Or, land a time-sucking and draining -- but comparatively more lucrative -- white collar job?
Thanks,
Tim

I've had every sort of stupid, menial job, from driving a cab to cashier at a deli to working in several bookstores to selling sandwiches from a basket on a walking route in L.A., but the job I kept returning to for fifteen years was as a production assistant, which I despised. The bottom-line is that if you need to stay in the film biz you'll do whatever you must to survive. I have somehow managed for the past 12 years to support myself with writing and directing.

Josh

Name: Albert Richard
E-mail: ambrichard@msn.com

Josh,

I am putting together a script writing work shop here in the tourist town of Port Townsend, Washington. I came across your reviews of "Perfect Storm"(Perfect Bore?) and "The Patriot". I seldom agree in total with reviews but I found your insights accurate and informative and well as entertaining. I may be using the film "Savior" as the example of a movie-of-Redemption (and anti-war) genre. I had the same reaction to the film that you did. In some ways I thought this to be the most violent film I'd ever seen--Private Ryan, STraw Dogs, Wild Bunch et al don't come close. I think because the level of violent and sadistic events of the former Yugoslav area probably equaled or exceded those depicted in the film. This brutal shit actually happened there.
I agree that the early scenes, contrived as motivation for Guy's hatred of Muslems, were terse and bare-bones. It might have been better embed these early scenes within the film as a back story, with the movie beginning with Quaid in Serbia. But as an aspiring screen writer myself I should avoid re-writing already sucessful scripts and focus on completing my so far unsucessful scripts. I wonder if there is a script of "Savior" available? I've not found it on any of the usual web sites.
Again, I enjoyed your writings. If ever in Port Townsend give a call (360 344 4307) and we drink a beer. This weekend was the Port Townsend Film Festival and I've had the flu so didn't attend. Debora Winger is our movie guest in town. She was here years ago filming "Officer and a Gentleman" and I would have enjoyed meeting chatting with her. Oh well.

Albert Richard

It may well be bare-bones at the beginning of "Savior," but it certainly gives you a very motivated character, which is why I like it as it is, as opposed to being a flashback. A motivated character is much more important than a flashback. Good luck with your workshop.

Josh

Name: sara
E-mail: no1animalluver@yahoo.com

Dear Josh:

why did u guys take it off the air i realy like it and it was realy funny and bruce cambell was hot as jack i was watching it from day one.

I presume you're speaking of "Jack of All Trades." We didn't take it off, it ran one season, it didn't get great ratings, and it wasn't picked up for another season.

Josh

Name: Question
E-mail: ernstyanning@hotmail.com

<<That's a lot of good movies, I hope you're enjoying them. I love in "Asphalt Jungle" the way Sterling Hayden keeps saying, "Don't bone me." Meanwhile, if you're in the path of the hurricane, evacuate or stay safe.>>

I'm loving them, just finished SUNSET BLVD, WINCHESTER '73, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, THE THING, and THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL..

I just read that THE ASPHALT JUNGLE was Marilyn Monroe's first film where she got noticed after nose and jaw surgery. I love the scene where Sam Jaffe gets pinched and realizes that wouldn't have been caught had he not stayed to watched the young girl dance.

There's a song I keep hearing on the radio, but I don't know the title or the band, the lead singer kind of sounds like The Dickies, maybe you know it: "How can we dance when our legs are turning/ how can we sleep when our beds are burning"

On ONE-EYED JACKS, I read that Stanley Kubrick was originally signed to direct, but had a falling out with Brando and the original cut of the film was 4hrs 30min. What was the falling out about? I wish they would make a better transfer of this film.

Are there copies of VOYAGE TO THE MOON still in print. Is it pretty cool (for 13 min)?

On THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, I noticed that right before the story starts, Walter Pidgeon is telling his secretary to get Jonathon Shields on the phone, then while their waiting for him to pick up, it goes into three stories... ?!?!.... and then he picks up. Anyways, as intricate as the movie was about filmmaking, I'm not so sure they had a point for the writer's story (unless it was a sick and twisted joke), Shields is partly responsible for his wife's death. He didn't order her killed, but he did hide it to get his movie made, then didn't release the movie. I love that movie.

On THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (my favorite Robert Wise film), How did they do that effect of the space craft landing on the field in D.C.? The before shot looks like they cut it out of the film (like the glowing ball in Ken Russell's TOMMY), but when the actual craft is landing on the grass, you can see it's shadow so it doesn't look like blue or black screen.

I still haven't found what was before the M-G-M lot. I found a nice book with Film Articles ranging back to 1894 (for $50), it mentions when M-G-M formed, but not what the lot was. It also has an article when Hollywood wasn't a big film town yet and they were hoping to attract filmmakers attention for business. It looks like a nice peaceful town in the photo.

Remember, brevity is the soul of wit. Try to stick to one point, if possible. Meanwhile, the MGM lot was originally the Triangle Pictures lot, built in 1915 by D.W. Griffith, Mack Sennett and Thomas Ince. In 1917 Triangle folded, and in 1918 Goldwyn Pictures bought the lot. In 1923 Goldwyn Pictures merged with Metro Pictures, and in 1924 it merged again with Louis B. Mayer Pictures, to finally become Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was then Lorimar Telepictures, and now it's Sony Pictures.

Josh

Name: tom
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

i have written one screenplay and im now outlining my second. with my first screenplay, the first act ended on page 30. but i have a problem where my second act is too short. my first screenplay was 73 pages, and the second act was the shortest part. i tried to add in things to make it longer but it felt like i was just adding in fluff.

as im outlining my second screenplay it looks like i will have this problem again. any advice?

Act II is the main action of the story and should be the longest section, so if your Act IIs keeping coming out way too short, you really haven't figured out your story yet. You are theoretically spending all of your time setting up and concluding, but you seem to have no real story to confront. But whatever your story is, like "The Battle of Belleau Wood" for example, Act II is the battle itself. Or in "Running Time," which is about a heist, Act II is the heist itself. So you need to focus in more clearly on your story, because Act I gets you in, and Act III gets you out, but Act II is the story.

Josh

Name: Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

You know, you only realy answer about 75% of my questions. And the other 25% you answer with Hollywood bullshit, while true, doesn't answer anything. It's like when a journalist asks a politician a question and then they rebuttle with some horseshit that doesn't answer the question at all.

The question was (and still is) if you were able to direct an episode of the new Star Wars tv show, would you? Same thing with Spider-man 4 or X-Men 4 or any other comic book movie. If you were able to direct them, would you?

Mo

They're stupid questions and I've simply been trying to be polite. I don't have to bother myself with silly what-ifs that don't matter. What if they choose me for the next space mission? What if the Democratic Party picks me to run for president? I try to concern myself with reality, and the rational possibilities therein, not complete flights of fancy. Should some producer decide to offer me something out of the clear blue, I'll deal with it then. But since this hasn't been an issue up until now, I won't bother thinking about it.

Josh

Name: Bob
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

Do you ever advocate films not only for their entertainment value, but for their historial value. For example, some people today may say that there was never a domestic dispute concerning World War II, but from watching The Best Years of Our Lives from 1946 there were obviously some deep divisions in America concerning our involvement in the war and about using the Atomic Bomb.

Some people today might say that the 1950s were a morally pure time compared to today, but by watching a movie like The Blackboard Jungle from 1955 we know that inner city problems were not a whole lot different then as they are now, and probably weren't in the 1910s.

I guess my point is that movies can be valuable as what historians call original source evidence as to providing proof of how life existed in a certain time period.

I agree. That's part of why I like really old movies, like the Lumiere's first films from the late 1890s and early 1900s, which are like a window into the past. To just be able to see 25 seconds of a real street scene in Berlin or Jerusalem from 1899 is astounding to me. And like you say, movies give you a view of issues and thoughts from different times. You also get these wonderful little anomolies if you're paying attention. There was also another film in 1946 about the returning veterans, "Till the End of Time," with Guy Madison, which came out before "Best Years," and at one point in the soda shop when the youngsters are jitterbugging, the soda jerk says, "Groovy!" which I didn't know went that far back. I don't know that there were major domestic disputes regarding America's involvement in WWII, nor did anybody say anything about the atomic bomb before it was used since no one knew it existed. The discussions of it's use all began afterward, and continue to this day. But nobody seemed to have any issues with fire-bombing all of Japan previous to the use of the A-bomb, and that did FAR more damage. Anyway, as Jimmy Stewart said of the movies, they're "pieces of time."

Josh

Name: John Hunt
E-mail: Chowkidar@aol.com

Josh,

I was a huge Steve Martin fan in the Seventies. I thought he had made a good transition to movies and was really hitting a good stride. "Roxanne" was, I thought, a very good adaptation. "Parenthood" was very "human"; all about trying and failing, yet trying again. I enjoyed "All of Me", "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", and, of course, "The Jerk".

Somewhere along the line, though, Martin really tanked ("Bilko"?!?). It's hard to watch him in anything anymore. I would have guessed that I could watch Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt fold socks for two hours and be entertained. Maybe they should try that; it would be better than remakes of "Cheaper".

I recall that you prefer vintage Richard Pryor. He was great, but Martin was my guy.

John

I thought Steve Martin was the best host of the Oscars in the past ten years. I liked "L.A. Story," too, although I really didn't like "Roxanne." Unless you leave Cyrano back in its original time period, it doesn't make any sense. You simply can't get past the idea that you can easily make your nose smaller these days with plastic surgery. Yes, there is a line about it in the film, but it doesn't make sense either. But more than anything, I couldn't stand the idiotic tone of the film. Meanwhile, I never cared for Richard Pryor in the movies, other than his filmed stand-up routines, and those went to shit after the first two.

Josh

Name: Jason
E-mail: Jason_McElreath@hotmail.com

Hello Josh,

I am big fan of your site and the valuable information provided within. I am an even bigger fan of your film "Running Time". It is a very entertaining film and a major accomplishment for a film maker. I wanted to know if I were to send you the DVD slip cover of my copy of "Running Time" along with an SASE, if you would autograph it for me. If you could sign it "To Jason" I would be a thrill. if this is possible please let me know what address to send to. Thank you for your time and I look forward to reading your new book.

Jason McElreath

I'm glad you liked the film. Sure, I'll sign it. The webmaster, Shirley, will step in at this juncture and tell you how. [Send a SASE to me at: Shirley Robbins LeVasseur, c/o P.O. Box 86, East Vassalboro, ME 04935 and I'll forward it directly to Josh. -webmaster]

Josh

Name: Duffy
E-mail: g_duffy@bellsouth.net

Josh- thank you ever so much for mentioning Parenthood and putting the Diarrhea song in my head. It has been there all day! (note the sarcasm) I love that the kid's name was "Cool" and you're absolutely right the fact that Robards' character sucked as a father to Steve Martin's character yet redeemed himself by taking in his half black grandchild. Favorite moments? Steenbergen helping Martin relieve tension in the minivan, the power outage flashlight/vibrator bit and the Martin line "Yeah if your grandmother's so smart why is she sitting in the neighbor's car?" I liked the ending as well in the waiting room you're like wait no she has her baby and hey so does she and look she's pregnant so who? Ahhh I see. You did confuse me though because my quotes were from The Princess Bride which in book form was even better. Which is saying alot since I loved the film.
"He didn't fall? Inconcievable!"
"You keep using that word I do not think it means what you think it means"
We watched it with my grandmother who is slightly deaf okay very deaf and every time Fezzik (Andre the giant) had a line we would be cracking up and she would be saying "what? what did he say?" Poor Grama. The thing is I find myself drawn to slightly older films especially ones that meant a lot to me as a kid...Princess Bride, Never ending story, Last unicorn etc... As opposed to anything currently out. I've tried to pass these on to the kids and they are so-so although they enjoyed NES. Oh and the 6 year old thinks the Stooges are hilarious. I've taught him and his brother the eye poke block.
Any fuzzy film feelings for you?

I liked "The Princess Bride," and I had read the book years before when it came out. I thought Rob Reiner and company did a good job bringing it to the screen. I can completely live without "The Neverending Story," which my friend I changed to "The Neverending Movie." As for "Parenthood," I love when Martha Plimpton and Keanu Reeves pick up the photographs of them having sex, then realize her mother already picked them up. She gets home to find Dianne Wiest looking at the photos and saying, "I can't decide which one I like better. Oh, this one's perfect for my wallet." Or the scene where Wiest is comforting Plimpton by saying, "All men are scum," then looking up and seeing her troubled son (Joaquin Phoenix back when he was still Leaf), and saying, "Gary, hi, how are you?" It's a surprisingly good film.

Josh

Name: Jonathan Moody
E-mail: jondoe_555@yahoo.com

Dear Josh:

Not to ruin whatever good mood you're in but I heard that one of your least favorite writer-director Sofia Coppola will be doing her version of Marie Antionette. And it'll star Kirsten Dunst. And Jason Schwartzman (Sofia's cousin) as King Louis. I'm a lil worried. Thought I'd give you the warning if you haven't already heard about it.

Your fan,
Jonathan

I could care less. One more shitty movie from a supremely untalented filmmaker won't change anything. And Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman are both non-entities, so who cares? It's not like the 1938 version is a classic or even well-regarded, but I have faith Sofia won't do as good of a job as did Woody Van Dyke, who was famous for coming in under schedule and budget.

Josh

Name: Question
E-mail: ernstyanning@hotmail.com

<<Are you taking pep pills? Or just drinking a lot of espresso and watching old movies in fast-forward?>>

Caffeinated Soda, water, peanut butter and banana sandwich, canned soup and pasta, 7-up and Dark Chocolate. I only watch about 2-3 movies a day, with a short temp job mind you, I'm up from 2am to 8pm. Yesterday I watched PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC (god forbid, I finished it for once), the first half of ALL ABOUT EVE which I finished this morning. I've been watching THE COLLECTOR on my lunch breaks (I work across the street, I've seen the film 3 times already). I'll watch THE ASPHALT JUNGLE and THE LETTER next. Two nights and mornings earlier I watched WHITE HEAT, THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, and GHOSTS ON THE LOOSE (which had a funny first act and the rest sucked), oh, and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES I split into three nights by the act breaks.

Is anybody else on this website from Austin, Houston, or Galveston bracing for the storm? There are a lot of family members coming to invade our homes.

That's a lot of good movies, I hope you're enjoying them. I love in "Asphalt Jungle" the way Sterling Hayden keeps saying, "Don't bone me." Meanwhile, if you're in the path of the hurricane, evacuate or stay safe.

Josh

Name: Jonathan Moody
E-mail: jondoe_555@yahoo.com

Dear Josh:

So I was actually finishing up Casablanca for the first time. Every time I tried to watch that movie one of my friends wouldn't be interested in it and would make me want to shut it off. Which I would want to yell at them and tell them to leave but I'm not that rude. I laughed alot thru the movie but one thing in particular I thought was cool was when Rick and Isla meet again at Ricks and Sam plays the song was parodied in "Out Cold!" A Snowboarding movie where the character Rick