Funny People

I'm not a huge fan of comedies, it's just not my genre and I tend to stay away from it, sometimes missing good films, like for example Funny People. (thank you, DVR)

I'm not a big fan/follower of Adam Sandler, some of the things I've seen are funny, some are not.

In Funny People, I really liked him.

He plays the part of a superstar comedian, George Simmons, who finds out he's dying of cancer and doesn't know who to turn to, since he lives alone and miserable, going through life like a ghost.

Seth Rogen comes to the rescue as his assistant and only friend, he's trying to break in as a stand up comedian. Someone like George could help him out.

I liked some of Judd Apatow films (Pineapple Express and partially Knocked Up), but not all of them so I was prepared to be entertained by some sort of comedy, with a clever/funny/smart tone but definitely not something so engrossing and engaging.

The film is incredibly serious.

There are laughters of course, thanks to the brilliant cast that includes Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman as Seth Rogen's room mates, but overall the tone is very sober.

Eric Bana is the one playing the comedian here, his Australian accent was just hilarious and it was impossible not to laugh at everything he was saying.

Anyway, pretty much in the middle of the film, a super tall Swedish doctor (lookalike of the blond bad guy from Die Hard) gives George Simmons the good news: he's not dying.

What? He knows that the few people that gathered around him because they thought he was dying, are going to go away now, leaving him alone once again. He's almost sorry to hear that he's not going to die just yet.

So he sets on a mission to get back together with the only woman who loved him, who has now 2 kids and is married with Eric Bana.

I liked the desperation of the character, trying to get a hold of the flame and passion and love he shared with this woman in the past. Once he gets it, or he gets closer to get it back, he freaks out and loses it.

He's so miserable and self absorbed he can't even enjoy a tear-jerking performance of "Memory" by one of the kids at some school recital. That scene is the key to understand where the character is going in the entire second part of the film, up to the end.

If you haven't seen it, set your DVR or rent the DVD, you will be shocked by how good it is.

I was.

Some images from Ocean Beach

Taken with the iPhone camera, surprisingly good.

The Next Three Days

The pacing was probably the best thing of this thriller.

An ordinary man (played by Russell Crowe, another great performance--sorry I can't be objective about him) founds himself pushed to his limits and beyond when his wife (Elizabeth Banks) is arrested for murder and is sentenced to spend 20 years in jail.

I'm not familiar with the original French movie that inspired Paul Haggis to write The Next Three Days, so I can't make any comparison.

One thing that confused me in the middle of the plot and the action is the character played by Lennie James. He's Lieutenant Nabulsi and he seems to be a psychic, when he immediately puts the pieces of the puzzle together and knows exactly what Russell is going to do and how.

We're talking about Sherlock Holmes on speed, without Watson's help.

The most confusing thing for me was that his character was not introduced at all in the first part of the movie.

There's a couple of detectives already on the case, they are the ones that entered the house and arrested Elizabeth Banks.

One of them also noticed Russell outside the prison, throwing up and naturally you'd think they will be the ones going after Russell and Elizabeth once they get on the run, but no.

Why?

Out of the blue, here comes Lennie James. Another detective in the mix.

Overall I enjoyed the film, the cast is great and I like Paul Haggis's writing and style. I know some people hated Crash, some loved In the Valley of Elah and almost everybody loved Casino Royale, as for me I just like the guy.

One of the twist I liked is the location of the birthday party.

Russell believes it's going to be at Olivia Wilde's house ("13" from House) and when he goes there with his wife to run away and escape the road blocks and the police... BANG!

No one is at the house, if I remember correctly they all went to the Zoo. The image of the Aquarium with Russell running out of time looking for his son is really beautiful.

At the end, we finally see what really happened the night of the murder Elizabeth is accused of, (can't ruin the film for you now) not completely a surprise but I think it would have worked much better if the detective putting together the pieces of the murder mystery was also the same one running after them.

I honestly have no idea what function the extra detective character plays in the movie.

What's on TV these days

Considering that some of the best writers at the moment are working for TV and that it seems to be the place where everybody wants to be (actors, writers, directors), I took the whole afternoon to check some of the new series out now (which means that I avoided writing for all those hours, telling myself it was for a good cause: TV research... damn :) ).

So here's my thoughts about:

No Ordinary Family (ABC), the pilot.

I didn't like much the premise and I'm not sure what the target audience for this show is, probably the parents watching TV with their own kids (wait, does it still happen?) but anyway... After a plane crash, an ordinary family acquires super powers, sort of Heroes/X-Men and tries to adjust to their previous normal life with it.

Michael Chiklis is still good, although not at the same level of The Shield, and so is Julie Benz but for some reason I'm not impressed.

It's not original enough to make me curious to see what happens in the next episode and the fact that one of the baddies disappears at will, like the black guy was doing in Wolverine, makes things even worse.

I would have preferred to see only the family with the super powers, otherwise it becomes another Heroes (which I liked during the first two seasons), mixed with X-Men. One thing is getting inspiration from other series, another is cutting here and there and pasting the pieces together.

With that kind of cast and that kind of money, they could have done much more. I haven't seen The Incredibles, but I think they are going in the same direction with this series.

Not sure I'll watch another episode, not intriguing/engaging enough.

Undercovers (NBC)

The only reason why I gave it a chance is because of J. J. Abrams and because I thought Alias was brilliant. This series is basically Alias starring a married couple of retired agents that go back into action because their normal life at the restaurant is not exciting enough.

The action is all there, the adrenaline, the chasing, everything but while in Alias there was some drama/credibility to some extent, this time around they are pushing a little too much the comedy and it doesn't work for me.

I mean, am I to believe CIA agents are always cracking jokes and trying to be funny? With the kind of lives they are living? Always lying, running for their lives, chasing the baddies around the world to save it? I don't buy it.

So yeah, again, not sure I'll watch another episode. The tone is wrong, not the execution.

Nikita (CWTN)

I had to force myself to watch this because I loved so much the previous La Femme Nikita, I thought I was going to smash the TV.

Instead, I was surprised. The story uses the same names I'm familiar with but the dynamics are completely different. Nikita is out of what used to be called Section 1 and she's out for revenge and to take it down. In a way, they are starting from where La Femme Nikita but steering in a complete different direction.

While Peta Wilson added an incredible fragility to her character that made her unique, Maggie Q looks more like a robot to me. I don't see her emotional side, at least not in the episode I watched. Still, it's intriguing. The pace is great and made me curious to watch again, which is the best thing a TV series can do, glue you in for an hour or so once a week.

The only one I thought was going to be a torture to watch, was the best.

With heavy weights like Boardwalk Empire, Eastbound & Down, Dexter, Mad Men and House, the bar is really high. It's going to be tough to come up with some original material that's valid.

On the other hand, if the producers out there are not willing to risk, probably that's what writers are required to do: go back to the past, see what was cool back then, shake it, remix it and use it. I just read they want to do Wonder Woman LOL

It better be good though, these days they only give you two episodes and then they cancel the show entirely, if they don't get the results they want. (Fox canceled Lone Star, ABC canceled My Generation)

Ocean in the morning

San Diego. West coast, south California.

Having recently relocated here from Dallas, TX, every morning I have the privilege of walking on the beach with the dog.

Normally she wakes up and needs to go around 7 am. Where does she get the time? I don't know, but it has been 7 am in the last 3 days so I guess she just know when it's time to go and it's always the same time.

A beach that's normally crowded and very popular, Dog Beach (Ocean beach) has a lot to offer at 7 am in terms of breathing and peace. There's nobody there. Just you and the Ocean.

Ok, taking a closer look there's someone there.

Some people surf, maybe before going to work.

Some people run, trying to stay in shape.

Some people like me take the dog out.

No matter what my worries are right now and the uncertainty of this big move, the unemployment, the (lack of) money, the ocean seems to make everything better.

Everything feels better.

So I guess I'll just go with the flow and the local attitude, which suggest to stay positive, enjoy life and live day by day.

I finally can breathe again.

Who knows, I might even go back to writing one of these days...

Do writers/producers know when it's time to stop?

I recently heard the news that FOX is taking its super hit 24 out, after 8 years/seasons of plots, deceving double agents, moles, destructions of the CTU and pretty much Jack Bauer/Kiefer Sutherland kicking asses in every possible state of mind (and body).

I admit I have missed the last season, the one much anticipated where they brought Tony Almeida back from the dead, and I'm watching (less eagerly than before) this new one, every monday night--or Tuesday, recorded-- and I have to say I received the news from FOX with

BIG RELIEF.

Relief that the characters that I learned to love through these years will remain bright and shiny, without losing their pride and dignity. Not that the current season is not good, but it feels like they bond the writers' hands and chose to go "the safe way"--the recent mole and CTU explosion say it all--instead of trying new routes. Yeah, it's fun for new fans, but what about me, watching the season from day 1?

There was a time when 24 was setting the standard of action TV and unfortunately I don't feel this is happening right now, so thanks FOX. I know the people behind 24 will move on to other successful projects, because they are all talented, I wish the best to them and hope to see them soon in some new adventure.

On the same subject, I recently discovered the HBO series DEADWOOD on DVD and watching the subtle beginning of Season 3 tonight, I found myself wondering where they were going and, with such high standards, if they could keep up with the previous two marvelous seasons.

The beginning was subtle, yes, just to explode and bloom fully at the end of Episode 2. Now I'm just looking forward to the rest of the season, which I believe it's the last one made. I wonder who's in charge of such a decision, like not renewing a show for the next season and so on. Maybe I'll get to the end of this DEADWOOD season and agreed with the choice made, like in 24's case.

Better rent that damn disc 2 then!

In the meantime, the waiting for TREME on HBO by David Simon grows, especially after visiting New Orleans last New Year's Eve. If he delivers like he did with THE WIRE, oh well... we're in for a good long ride.

Lost fang

FADE IN:

EXT. PARK POND - NIGHT

Benches and trees in the darkness. The still water of a small pond is disturbed by a splashing BODY falling into it.

DOYLE, apparent age 32, hovers over the pond. His body moves at unnatural speed, his eyes flash red. He flawlessly flies on top of a tree, sits like a giant cat and looks down at the pond.

A distressed middle-aged drenched mess, STILMAN, resurfaces from underwater.

STILMAN

You're mine this time!

Stilman stands, holds a crow bar in his hand and awaits.

Doyle, on top of the tree, opens his mouth. His eyeteeth grow into a magnificent pair of

SHINY SHARP FANGS

Doyle prepares to jump when his left fang falls from his mouth. Baffled, he scoops it in his palm.

DOYLE

What the...?

Stilman gets out of the pond, brandishes the crow bar in the air.

STILMAN

I'm here, you coward! You hear me?

Doyle's red eyes set on Stilman. He pockets his fallen fangs and flies down. He attacks Stilman from behind, his last fang pierces the jugular. Stilman fights back.

STILMAN

Is this all you have?

Stilman hits Doyle on the head with the crowbar. Doyle rolls away, promptly gets back on his feet. Stilman has

ONE LITTLE RED DOT

On his neck.

DOYLE

Shit.

Stilman touches his neck.

STILMAN

Cat got your tooth?

Stilman throws himself at Doyle. Doyle dodges him, grabs Stilman's neck and tries to bite

him again. Stilman hits his face with the crow bar.

STILMAN

Come on!

Doyle's left cheek bleeds.

DOYLE

That's enough.

Doyle flies over Stilman, locks his neck between his arms and breaks it with a eerie CRACK. Stilman drops down, dead. Doyle drinks the drip of blood pouring out the one tiny hole on the dead's neck.

Doyle stands and exhales, content. The cut on his cheek heals. He opens his mouth and touches his upper teeth with his fingers.

The right fang retracts to a normal eyetooth. The left eyetooth doesn't grow back.

INT. DR. O'HARA DENTAL STUDIO - DAY

Doyle fidgets on the dental chair. DR. O'HARA (45), clean cut with mustache and glasses enters the studio. A moderate pot belly pops out of his white lab coat. TANYA (24), his assistant, follows him.

DR. O'HARA

Nice to meet you, Mr. Doyle.

Doyle shakes his hand.

DOYLE

As I said to your assistant, I just need my left eyetooth back--

DR. O'HARA

Of course.

Tanya hands Dr. O'Hara two X-RAY slides, then leaves. Dr. O'Hara grabs a stool and sits next to Doyle.

DOYLE

How long is it going to take? It's a matter of life and death.

Dr. O'Hara smiles.

DR. O'HARA

Sure. But first we need to intervene with a couple of root canal.

DOYLE

What?

Dr. O'Hara points to the X-RAY slides.

DR. O'HARA

See here? These two roots seem dead.

DOYLE

Tell me about it.

Dr. O'Hara leans closer to Doyle.

DR. O'HARA

We must stop the infection before it spreads.

Doyle ogles the doctor's neck close to his mouth, vibrant with life and running fresh blood.

DOYLE

Can you replace my tooth or not?

DR. O'HARA

I see you're very upset right now. Is there anything I can do to help? Answer any question?

DOYLE

Yes, my eyetooth!

Dr. O'Hara stands up.

DR. O'HARA

Tanya will prepare you right away for the root canal. Now, if you excuse me.

Before Dr. O'Hara leaves the room, Doyle grabs him from behind and breaks his neck. CRACK! Then uses his only fang to open his jugular and sucks his blood.

Satisfied, Doyle grabs a pitch black overcoat, a huge pair of dark sunglasses, a black umbrella and leaves.

INT. DR. MARONI DENTAL STUDIO - DAY

DR. LIZ MARONI (48), slightly overweight, moans on the dental chair as Doyle bites her neck. Doyle hopelessly look at the single bloody dot on her neck.

DOYLE

Why me?

DR. MARONI

Please, don't stop!

Doyle draws back, she grabs his arm.

DOYLE

(to himself)

I just want my tooth back.

Dr. Maroni's flirty eyes feast on Doyle.

DR. MARONI

All thirty-two, sugar. Anything you want.

She slides her hand on his crotch.

DOYLE

Fucking hell!

Doyle pushes her away, gets his anti-sun gear and flies out.

INT. MANSION - NIGHT

Wild party. People in old costumes and masks dance and congregate. Doyle, in plain clothes, keeps to himself and gets a shot of fresh blood at the bar.

GERALD, apparent age 21, dressed in a bright red dandy costume, approaches and hands him a business card.

GERALD

Here. He's sympathetic to our cause.

INSERT BUSINESS CARD

Dr. Bodie dental services - New teeth, new life

Doyle pockets the card.

DOYLE

Did you try it?

Gerald winks at him.

GERALD

Never needed one.

INT. DR. BODIE DENTAL STUDIO - NIGHT

Doyle paces around the dental chair when DR. BODIE, apparent age 30, flows in the room. He smiles at Doyle, displaying unnatural white perfect teeth then motions for him to sit.

Doyle sits.

DOYLE

I'm impressed with your working hours.

DR. BODIE

I'm all about my customers, Mr. Doyle.

DOYLE

Can you help me?

Dr. Bodie hovers over him.

DR. BODIE

Certainly. But first... is it safe?

DOYLE

What?

Dr. Bodie shakes his head.

DR. BODIE

Too young. Nevermind.

Doyle leaves the chair, Dr. Bodie freezes him with a single stare.

DR. BODIE

Please be seated.

Doyle goes back to the chair.

DOYLE

I've never had any trouble with my eyeteeth.

DR. BODIE

Did you hang out around the canal lately?

DOYLE

Why?

Dr. Bodie washes his hands in the sink, dries them carefully then wears a pair of latex gloves.

DR. BODIE

There seems to be a virus spreading over there.

DOYLE

Have you seen my condition before?

Dr. Bodie chuckles, sounds like nails on a blackboard.

DR. BODIE

Million times. And I have the perfect definitive cure for you.

Doyle relaxes on the chair.

DOYLE

Finally.

Dr. Bodie hands him a glass of red fluid and three little rounded blue pills.

DR. BODIE

Let's make it easier for both of us.

Doyle downs the pills.

DOYLE

Let's do it.

BLOODY CARD ON SCREEN: TWENTY MINUTES LATER

Doyle awakens in the chair, stretches. Dr. Bodie smiles at him.

DOYLE

Funny. It seemed very fast.

DR. BODIE

How do you feel?

DOYLE

I feel great!

Doyle opens his mouth and runs his tongue on his upper gum. A horrific scream explodes. The right eyetooth is now gone as well. Dr. Bodie chuckles.

Doyle springs from the chair and attacks him. Dr. Bodie pushes him away with one hand, his red eyes shine. Doyle rolls on the floor, squats by the wall.

DOYLE

Why?

Dr. Bodie opens his mouth in a glorious smile, showing two perfectly sharp white fangs.

DR. BODIE

Competition is tough these days.

Doyle gets up.

DOYLE

What should I do now?

DR. BODIE

Enjoy your new life. Get a straw.

His laughter echoes into the night.