TV vs MOVIES..... It's MOVIES You Idiots!!!!!

You may not know this right now, but I think that after you read this you will.  You love movies.  Even though you don't go nearly as much as you should, you love them so much.  The funny thing is that you don't even realize how much you love them.  Now of course when I say "You" I mean you in the sense of everyone out there reading this blog, and everyone in this country for that matter.  So if you would let me crack and egg of knowledge all over you face, and when it's all said and done, close your computer, turn off the TV, close your eyes and pick almost any movie that is out right now.  I promise you'll feel better about yourself.

For those of you out there that are reading that are the reality TV watchers, I want to say same on you and go on a long diatribe about how pathetic reality TV is and how soul sucking it is and basically just how it is for suckers in general.  But what's the point?  The world keeps turning and tomorrow is a day that ends in the letter Y so I don't see reality TV going away anytime soon.  I will say these two things about it though.  1) When people look back at this time of entertainment I really do feel that people will realize that reality TV was the fanny pack of the time.  2) If reality TV was a girl it would definitely be the slutty girl that you don't want to tell your friends about.  Sure she's a good time every now and then, but you're ashamed to be seen with her and every now and then you wake up with a unexplained cold sore.

Sorry I've gotten a little off track once again.  Lets get back to whats really important, MOVIES, and everyones undying love for them, weather they know it or not.  I really get it though, this is the golden age for television.  BREAKING BAD, MAD MEN, SCANDAL, GAME OF THRONES, etc...  Now don't get me wrong folks, I can garuantee you all that I watch more TV than the whole lot of you.  I mean at this point I've probably logged as many hours watching and studying TV shows as I have playing baseball.  And I love TV just like the rest of you, but I can tell you this much, not at the expense of movies.

The funny thing is that five months ago you wouldn't catch me dead writing a blog like this.  What changed my mind you ask?  Maybe it was moving out the the movie capital of the world, maybe it's the hours upon hours of conversations with one Cooper Hagedorn about Movies vs TV, or maybe it was just the kick ass year in movies that was 2013.  I'm sure it's a bit of all three.  But the biggest change of heart I had so to speak was finally watching the complete series of DEXTER.  A TV show that I had invested a great deal of time in.  A TV show that I once loved with a character that I believed was just great.  When it was all said and done the show took a big dump on my face.  Well that's the only thing that I could describe the ending of that show as.

But Brandon TV is so great.  I mean haven't you seen BREAKING BAD or THE WALKING DEAD oh my god they are such great TV shows.  Let me just say this, yes I have seen BREAKING BAD.  I was believe it or not watching it before it was the cool television show to watch.  And there is a whole hell of a lot that I like about BREAKING BAD but then again it ain't no THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES.  As for THE WALKING DEAD call me an elitist but I remember a time when it wasn't cool to like zombies  and really and truly there are so many people that love the show(of those people many who I don't respect their opinion whatsoever) so that show is just done for me.  Wow that sounded really harsh.  Which is how I wanted it to sound so I guess I've done my job.  

I have nothing against these shows or the other shows that populate the airways, all I'm wanting to say here is that you really love movies.  And for that matter why are you spending so much time watching your TV when you would really rather be watching a movie?  I know you've read me say that a number of times in this passage and you are probably wondering what the hell is this guy talking about.  

So let me just cut right to it and tell you.  I'm talking about Netflix, I'm talking about Amazon Prime, I'm talking about HuluPlus, I'm talking HBOgo, and any other online streaming things that are out there.  Because the great thing about TV that makes it TV, nobody cares about or even likes anymore.  But what is that thing you might ask???  That thing that I'm talking about is the cliffhanger.  That after all is the beauty of TV, well that and the beauty of being about to keep coming back and investing something in characters.  People weather they want to admit it or not love that unknown thing that keeps bringing them back for more.  They love to tune in week after week to see what's going to happen next.  Or at least they use to.

Streaming changed the game and people love it.  Everyone I know loves coming home and watching a show until their eyes bleed.  They have to watch the show to completion.  To see how it all ends at any cost.  Nobody wants to watch it on TV anymore, they want to wait until it gets to Netflix or to get the box set.  And this is what I'm saying to all of you out there.  You want that ending, you need it, you crave it.  It is something that is built in us all, to see how things end.  But why of why are you wasting your time waiting to see how a show like DEXTER ends(lackluster if I might add) when you could see INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS and how two master film directors take you on a journey and then wait until the end to smack you in the face.  

All I'm saying is to go watch movies, they have a beginning, a middle, and end.  And they do it all in a matter of one and a half to three hours.  If you are going to get onto Netflix and binge watch, binge watch some of the great movie out there like DRINKING BUDDIES which I just recently said, "if DRINKING BUDDIES was a girl I'd write it a love poem."  And if that doesn't do that trick the go out and watch JACK RYAN: shadow recruit.  What do I have to say about this movie, well "if JACK RYAN was your sibling, it'd be your older brother who sure can annoy you sometimes, but you look up to him and think he's pretty bad ass."

Well anyway kids, that is my story for the night and I'm sticking to it.  Well I guess I'll leave you all with this little bit of wisdom that has gotten me the little to no success I have today. "If not now, then when. If not me, then who.  Today is the day."

Just in case you didn't know about these movies, now you KNOW!!!

and a little something for the people.

Resolutions for the Soul

Well it's official folks, it is 100 percent 2014.  The New Year is just now upon us and I find myself sitting in my room listening to some Duke Ellington on my brand new record player(thank you very much Mom) and I can't help but think what is in store for the up and coming year.  So of course it got me thinking about resolutions and I guess the whole nature of resolutions.

So now this is the part of the story where I go on my big rant, and all of you out there that reads this just has to take it.  I guess what I really wanted to talk about is just the nature of making New Years resolutions.  It's very weird to me because I've always had this thing about my birthday.  I just never have really liked it.

It all started when I was younger.  1) As a kid it's just so bush league to open a present that says happy birthday/christmas.  Which I feel like I use to get those all the time.  Now that I'm older and I really think about it.  If I was my parents I would be really pissed.  Like their family or whatever giving their kid a christmas/birthday present, when they end up having to buy their stupid ass kids(my cousins) two presents a year. If I ever had a kid that is born around Christmas (which I won't because I will respect my unborn child's feelings) But if I do and somebody gives my child a Christmas/birthday present, I'm going to fucking  lose it.  Well, I'm not going to lose it, but I am going to wait until their kid's birthday which I'm sure will be in June and they will be opening a Birthday/Christmas present.  And all I'll say is blame your parents.

2) Having a December birthday so close to Christmas you never get to have this big birthday party thing.  Because you know everybody in school is on Christmas break and they are all going on vacation with their families and they are all broke from spending money on their kids for Christmas.  So basically it's not in the best time to have a birthday party 4 days after Christmas.

3) As you get older, well let me rephrase that.  As I've gotten older and my birthday is right there at the end of the year.(for those of you that didn't know that December 29h is close the the end of the year) And being that it is right there at the end it's like there is this thing inside everyone.  And around that time people are thinking about or talking about what they are going to change.  You know, "this next year I'm going to do ______ differently and it's going to be the best."  So for a while now my birthday has been synonymous with change.  With this feeling of just around the corner things are going to get better.  And really that's just a shitty feeling to have on your birthday.

But I digress.  I didn't mean to go on quite the long winded speech about my birthday, but you know what I'm fucking glad I did it.  I guess the real reason behind this little piece of writing lies in number 3.  Talking about change and end of the year resolutions.  I've been thinking about it for the last couple of days and I just wanted to write something about the nature of resolutions.

I think that it is a good thing to want to aspire to something more, and every year we all get to do that.  But the thing is, that for a while now I don't think that we are aspiring to something more.  Not really.  Most of the resolutions I hear people talk about or even read about on Facebook seem to be resolutions of ego.  But I say in 2014 why not make resolutions for the soul.

I know that this is the time of the year that the gyms get packed because everyones resolution is to loss weight.  You know what I'm all for that.  I could definitely stand to loss a few pounds but if you are going to do it, do it for the right reasons.  Do it so that you'll have the energy to get out there and play with your kids, or do it because you want to live a longer life, because you love being here on this earth and the people around you.  Don't do it so that you can fit into that dress and be the envy of men/women everywhere.  

I was talking to some people at work about resolutions and one guy that I work with said that his resolution was, "to be single, see double, and make triple."  And everyone in the break room all started laughing and some even high fived on how great the resolution was.  And I remember thinking what a said state we are in when that resolution is the talk of the office.  Because it seems like today in this world it is all about Ego.  Living in the biggest house, driving the nicest car, making more money than ten people can spend in a lifetime.  

These are not the things that we as a society should be worrying about.  These aren't the resolutions that we should be making.  Just bare with me for just a minute and if you don't like what you hear then just finish the blog and then go fuck off somewhere.  Why not make a resolution to spend more time reading actual books this year, trying to soak up as much knowledge about things you have no idea about.  And of course pleasure reading in between.  Or make a decision that you are going to spend more time with your kids.  Doing more activities with them besides sitting in front of screens, playing video games, or playing with apps or any other number of mind numbing things that our kids are into these days.

Be an actual person and make the resolution to spend more time in nature.  To actually be outside and smell the fresh air, and see all the beautiful things that this world has to offer.  Because really and truly there are so many wonderful things.  I'm being serious.  Decided to take a walk maybe a couple of times a week in different parts of the city that you live in.  You will be amazed at the beauty that just seems to be everywhere.  There is so much more entertainment out in the world than you can or will every find in that black empty box that we all find ourselves staring at.  

Make a resolution to spend more time with your family.  Spend time talking to your mother or father or siblings.  Have them tell you stories you've never heard before, and then tell them things that they have never heard.  Invest your time in people that can enrich your life.  

Decide to go out and create something.  Whether it be in an artist manner or with your hands.  Go out into the world and create something that wasn't there before you came along.  Whether it is good or bad doesn't really matter.  All that matters is that you did something.  Something for yourself, something that no one else could have done but you.  And be really proud of it.

Make a resolution to be kinder and more helpful to people.  I think the world is full of takers.  People are always talking about taking what they need and taking things to get to the top, but wouldn't it be great to have that feeling of giving back.  Giving more than people could ever expect from you.  I believe if you do this you just might get more back than you could ever imagine.  

I don't know though, who am I really to tell people how to live? I just think that maybe if we are resolve to feed our souls rather than just feeding our own egos we just might find that at the end of the year, there won't be this great need to change everything and make a new plan for the next year.  There I'm done with my rant.  You can all go now.


P.S. I'm so disappointed in almost everyone I know.  And this is just on a personal level, but there is almost nobody that I know that went and saw 12 YEARS A SLAVE this year.  And really and truly I find that embarrassing. I know that it's a hard movie to watch, but I feel like people need that.  Maybe we don't need to just be a society of easy peasy.  Sometimes we find the most out about ourselves when we are uncomfortable.  It's not that big of a deal, but I did want to say that I'm really kind of disappointed by this.

Happy F-ing New Years!!!! 2014

I know that my last post I said that it would be my last post of the year, and here I am on the last day of the year writing another one.  But I think it's okay because actually because of the time difference and all of you drunk assholes going out to party I will not be posting this until tomorrow, which will be January 1st, 2014.

I thought that being out here in LA all by myself for Christmas, My Birthday, and New Years would be this big deal and that maybe I would even blow up and get really drunk and start calling all my exes and professing my love for them.  But it just wasn't that big of a deal.  To be honest 2013 was a bigger deal for me, and I actually had a total melt down that really before now only my mom knew about.  Well then there was that other melt down I had on my birthday were I got kicked out of my first bar and had my glasses broken.  And I think that I blew up like that because I already knew that I was going to be making this big move to LA.

But that is not what this is about at all.  I want to talk about this year in movies.  I know it's like a broken record from me, but the last few days I have been reflecting on this year of movies.  If there has been a better year of movies in my lifetime I just don't remember it.  I swear if you didn't go to the movie this year FUCK YOU!!!  I mean really what were you thinking about?  What were you doing that was so important?(the only acceptable answer is helping children in Africa) 

I feel like this year I have fallen in love with movies all over again.  I that says a lot coming from someone who loves movies as much as I do.  And I know you all must be thinking well I bet it is easy to love movies living out in the mecca of movies.  And that is totally fair but seriously they are so freaking great.  

But from start to finish this has been one awesome year in movies.  And I know just like a month ago I gave you all my top ten of the year so far, but I think I would be kicking myself if I didn't talk about some other movies that slipped by me even then.  I'm talking about movies like To The Wonder, Iron Man 3, Fast and Furious 6, Blue Jasmine, Ain't Them Bodies Saints, Side Effects, Inside Llweyn Davis, American Hustle, Spring Breakers, Oz the Great and Powerful, Nebraska, Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  These really and truly are just a few of the great title I watched this year.  If you didn't get to see any of these great movies don't worry, because you will always have 2014 to make up for that mistake.

You know 2013 for me was all about EXCELSIOR.  I needed to push upward and break out of this dark place that I felt I was at in my life.  And I did with a lot of help from so really great people and quite a bit of determination.  And I'm proud as hell of everything that I've done.  And so now I think that for me what 2014 will be all about will be finding the QUINTESSENCE of life.  

If you have read this, or you are reading this blog, I really do thank you.  I know I talk a lot of crazy shit and I can be a little wacko, but thanks for reading anyway.

                         Best Lines of 2014

1.(After getting Mary's Number)I use the think this cell phone was shit, and now it's turned into my most prized possession. 
-About Time
2.You're nothing to me until your everything. -American Hustle
3.Well, it must have been one hell of a night we're about to have. -Before Midnight
4.I'm Alien. My real name is Al, but truth be told, I'm not from this planet. -Spring Breakers
5.Have a drink with you old man. Be somebody! -Nebraska
6.BOY: dad went to 7-11 to get scratchers... I guess he won, cause that was six years ago. TONY STARK: Hmmm... which happens, dads leave, no need to be a pussy about it.


I just wanted to take this last little section to say a little something about PAUL WALKER.  I know it might sound a little crazy but his passing really hit me hard this year.  My sister loves PAUL WALKER, and when I say love I mean she has or had rather an unhealthy obsession with the guy.  So I have literally see almost everyone of his movies in the theaters.  There really aren't to many actors I can say that about.  I remember going with my sister and cousins to watch VARSITY BLUES, and I always remember watching it at almost every Junior High party I went to. I remember going to the movies with my sis to watch SHE'S ALL THAT and SKULLS and i know that one of my best friends CAPTIAN THORY's favorite fake name is Caleb Mandrake.  I remember Me and Oz going to see INTO THE BLUE, now that was mostly to see Jessica Alba in a bikini but it didn't hurt that the ever so cool PAUL WALKER was in that movie. And for the past couple of years my friends and I make it a point to go to watch the Fast and Furious movie together as a big group.  And let me just say that it is the funniest time I get to spend at the movies.  I don't have any idea who he was really as a person, but I do know that he seemed like a really cool laid back kind of guy.  And in a world were celebrities everywhere are out here and famous just for looking good, he was one of the best looking men around but he didn't just use that to cash in.  I always respected that about him.  The guy was a freaking saint, and really and truly he will be missed if only by me.