Spaghetti Sauce and Sweet Peas

Nowhere Boy trailer

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:37:46 PDT

I honestly can't decide yet if this film will be good or not. I hope it's good, but I'm very skeptical. I actually have the script and read it. I think it has potential, but any film about a Beatle is a hard one to do. It has to be prepared for a fair amount of criticism.

The Oscar chances seem unlikely, though the Weinstein Company is distributing it in the United States. As soon as I see it, you'll know for sure.

Returning Soon...

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:15:37 PDT

Does anyone read this blog? Probably not, but I am returning very soon. The Oscars are coming before you know it and I'm going to give everyone my moments that defined a decade.

November 1st is the target date to get going again. Spread the word...

Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:07:35 PDT

I haven't been feeling very well the last couple days, but I have to just post something on this day.

Here's to The Beatles. The greatest band of all time.

California - Five Years Later

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:03:14 PDT

Editor's Note: I had this ready to post on August 17, 2009 (five year anniversary), but I recently moved. I still have a very shaky internet connection and simply haven't posted this due to time constraints. I'm sorry, but I can't blog from Starbucks. It's too distracting. Anyway, here is this post, 11 days late...

Five years ago today, I was on a plane. It was the first time I was flying somewhere with only a one way ticket. Yes, I headed to California to attend college on this very day five years ago. It has become one of the defining days of my life. A fitting end to one chapter and a beginning to another. My life would really never be the same after August 17, 2004.

So much has changed in five years. Some good. Some bad. I lost friends. I made friends. I had triumphs. I had failures. That's life I guess. Still, I don't regret anything. It's still the best decision I have ever made. In retrospect, one that was not easy to do. Leaving one coast for another is a bold move. If in life, you're defined by the bold moves you take, then I would to take as many as possible. It's just how I want to live.

Believe me, I have done some things in the last five years that has probably made people scratch their heads. Hell, I'm going back to school to become a guidance counselor. Would have never believed that if you told me that five years ago.

I have a vision for the future that I mostly keep to myself. I have a plan and if it works out, then I think it will be the ultimate path to happiness. The plan is to balance my career as an independent producer with my career in education. In the grand scheme of things, it makes sense. Trust me.

I'm thankful I've met some great people out here. People I actually consider true friends. Didn't have too many of those back in Peabody, so it's refreshing to know I have people here in LA, who I genuinely call a friend.

I also am grateful that I have such strong support from all my family back home. When things have been rough, they have been there for me. They set the bar so high that the chances of me being that way with my kids and grandkids will not be an easy task.

While "The Dream" constantly evolves and changes through the days, months, and years since I first left five years ago, I still haven't given up. The Dream is whatever you want it to be. That's what is so great about it and that's why I still have hope that it's not over. It's never over until you're dead and buried.

Here I am, five years later and in a couple weeks I begin grad school. Possibly a new chapter in my life. I have absolutely no idea what to expect, but part of me likes that. To quote a line from Risky Business, "Sometimes you gotta say, what the fuck and make your move."

I'm not sure what the next five years holds, but, "What the fuck. I'm ready to make my move."

Keep dreaming, my readers, keep dreaming...

McCartney at Fenway Videos

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:49:24 PDT

These two videos I shot with my sister's digital 8.1 megapixel camera. A little blurry and shaky, but the audio came out well. Enjoy!

McCartney Leaves His Mark on the Green Monster

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:43:42 PDT

In the movie, The Sandlot, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez has a dream with the Babe who simply tells him, "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." Less than 24 hours after seeing the former Beatle live for the fourth time, I thought this quote was appropriate for a concert just held in a ballpark. And, not just any ballpark, but Fenway Park.

It's hard for me to give an unbiased opinion on Paul McCartney. I love The Beatles. Before last night, I've seen Paul three times before and I know what to expect. I know he's going to blow you away. Still, it continues to amaze me. The guy is 67, right? Or at least the "first" Paul was before he was killed in a car crash in 1966. Maybe, a "replacement" Paul did take over and is much younger. There's no way this man is 67 and still one of the best, if not the best live performer alive today.

All kidding aside, Paul once again gave me my money's worth. He plays 33 songs for two and a half hours. He takes you on this magical ride and to a place that is unseen. He makes you forget about your worries. He makes you feel good about yourself. You dance and you cry. It's a mixed bag of emotions. You get a taste of The Beatles, Wings, and even recent material. You even get his witty chatter in between songs.

Save for the Amoeba show (which was an entirely different experience), Paul always plays the hits. With his concert staples from "I Saw Her Standing There" to "Yesterday" to "Hey Jude" to "Live and Let Die" to "Band on the Run", there's no stopping him from blowing down the house. His rendition of "Live and Let Die" at Fenway was Macca at his very best. All I could say when it was over was simply, "Wow!" I was speechless.

His tribute to his late songwriting partner and bandmate, John Lennon, has also recently become a highlight in his shows. All four times I've seen him, he has played it and it is always filled with such emotion. Every word out of his mouth during that song he means. You can just see it on his face. John will always be my favorite Beatle and I always choke up a little. Last night was no different.

Starting with "Mrs. Vanderbilt", I thought the show really started to pick up. Once he played "Band on the Run" last night, he literally went to another level that very few performers can go to. It was that special. You really have to be there to fully appreciate it in all its glory.

His band, which was been with him now for most of this decade, were also firing on all cylinders. They just have it down so well and really hold their own even though they're sharing the stage with a Beatle. Rusty Anderson, Brian Ray, Paul "Wix" Wickens, and Abe Laboriel Jr. need to be given props for their amazing work.

Where does this Fenway Park rank for me? I still have to say it's the second best concert I've ever seen. I don't think anything will ever top Paul McCartney at Amoeba in 2007. I camped out for that show and less than 1000 people supposedly were there. Smaller set list and shorter show, but it was so intimate. I hold that night very close to my heart.

Still, last night at Fenway was amazing. I loved that he played "A Day in the Life" with "Give Peace a Chance". It was such a smoothless transition. The "Foxy Lady" tribute to Jimi Hendrix was a reminder that Paul can really jam. "Hey Jude" is always the most fun sing-along you'll ever participate in. I could probably say something about every song on the playlist if I really wanted to, but for the sake of this post, I'm going to stop.

I know this annoys some people, but I simply love when he just raises his bass in the air to massive applause. He knows he's the best and I can't disagree. To go back to that quote from The Sandlot, Paul is a legend. A living legend, so I advise everyone to enjoy it while it lasts. They'll never be another Paul McCartney.

Set List for Paul McCartney at Fenway Park, August 5, 2009

1. Drive My Car
2. Jet
3. Only Mama Knows
4. Flaming Pie
5. Got To Get You Into My Life
6. Let Me Roll It / Foxy Lady
7. Highway
8. The Long and Winding Road
9. My Love
10. Blackbird
11. Here Today
12. Dance Tonight
13. Calico Skies
14. Mrs Vanderbilt
15. Eleanor Rigby
16. Sing the Changes
17. Band on the Run
18. Back In The USSR
19. I'm Down
20. Something
21. I've Got a Feeling (extended jam)
22. Paperback Writer
23. A Day in the Life / Give Peace A Chance
24. Let It Be
25. Live and Let Die
26. Hey Jude

Encore:
27. Day Tripper
28. Lady Madonna
29. I Saw Her Standing There

Encore 2:
30. Yesterday
31. Helter Skelter
32. Get Back
33. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) / The End

*All photos taken by Mike Cersosimo.

Oscar Update: Summer Edition

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:47:21 PDT

Can I be honest? It's too early to be doing this. I have only seen a handful of films and I'm not that confident in anything at this stage. To put it in prospective, this time last year, Slumdog Millionaire was being talked about going direct-to-video. Basically, no one knows anything at this point. Many of the serious contenders have not even been screened publicly yet.

Still, I am going to do a Best Picture chart for now. Don't expect other major categories until late August/early September. To make this easier on me, I'm also going to list everything in alphabetical order.

I will say that the early buzz seems to be between Rob Marshall's musical with Daniel Day-Lewis and a plethora of females (Marion Cottilard, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, etc.) and Clint Eastwood's film about Nelson Mandela with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Of course, I'm talking about Nine and Invictus respectively.

Right now, I just feel like Nine has the edge. The musical does worry me, but Chicago won this seven years ago, so the Academy is willing to give the top prize to one. Though, as always Clint scares me and Invictus should put up a damn good fight.

I still am a believer of Avatar. I feel like this film will either go all the way or completely be a disappointment. Either way, it should be highly anticipated. I am confident it will make at least the final ten.

Another film with potential is Precious. I saw the trailer for the first time the other day and was really moved by it. It feels like a film the Academy has been liking the last few years. It did well at Sundance and I could definitely see it get nominated and maybe contend.

Pixar should finally get its Best Picture nominee. Doesn't have the same triumphant feeling to it when ten films are nominated, but Up should be a nominee.

Best Picture winner: Nine

Nominees (in alphabetical order):
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Invictus
The Lovely Bones
Nine
Precious
Public Enemies
Shutter Island
Up
Up in the Air

On the Bubble:
Amelia
An Education
Julie & Julia
The Road
Where the Wild Things Are

John Lennon: The New York City Years

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:22:22 PDT

In May, Yoko Ono along with Jim Henke put together an exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City. It was called "John Lennon: The New York City Years". Many of the items were never before seen by the public. Turning it into a must-see for Beatle fans and admirers of Lennon.

Knowing that I was spending a good portion of the summer in Mass, I decided that I needed to go see the exhibit. Last week, my Dad and I went to New York City. It was well worth the admission price to the museum. Actually, the museum itself is really cool. They have plenty of amazing memorabilia from all musical genres and eras. Though, the highlight was clearly the Lennon exhibit.

For all the criticism that Yoko receives, she sometimes doesn't get enough praise for the good things she has done with Lennon's legacy. This is a classic example. It's an extremely powerful and emotional look at the man's life in New York.

There's guitars that he played during his last concert appearance on November 28, 1974 with Elton John at Madison Square Garden. There's also one from the John Sinclair Freedom Raly. There's even a Steinway piano that was in his bedroom, which was one of my favorite items. John was a chain smoker and if you look on the top of the piano, you can see cigarette burns from him leaving the cigarettes. I thought that was a nice touch and was just another reminder of how much of an everyday man he was.

There was also clothing. The now famous "New York City" t-shirt that he wore during a Bob Gruen photo shoot was displayed. The shirt was actually dirty with stains. It was almost as if Yoko hadn't washed it since his death. Then, there was the army jacket that John purchased at a surplus store in the Upper West Side, which was wore frequently by him. The jacket was from the Korean War, had the rank of Sergeant, and the name read Reinhardt. I wonder what ever happened to that guy?

The rest of the exhibit contained music videos playing throughout with handwritten lyrics, drawings, and newspaper clippings. Even his green card was displayed. It along with letters of support from the likes of Dick Clark, served as a reminder of the battle he fought to stay in the United States.

Though it technically was before he lived in New York, it was amazing to think that the handwritten lyrics to "Imagine" were written on small New York Hilton Hotel note paper. A song that began a worldwide anthem for peace was first scribbled on such a small piece of paper. How ironic in a lot of ways?

The most controversial item in the exhibit was none other than a brown bag. It was dated 12/11/80. It contained the bloody clothes of John Lennon. At first I didn't really know if I supported this, but after being there I realized why it was done. Yoko said she wanted to make a statement. To paraphrase her, a man who was so huge turned into just a brown bag full of clothes. In a lot of ways, it epitomizes John Lennon. It's blunt and sends a clear and direct message on murder. Standing there, it's hard not to shed a tear and take a moment to remember what an extraordinary life this man lived.

(As of January 2009)

Say It Ain't So, David

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:06:01 PDT

At a time when Red Sox fans should be proud of the recent Hall of Fame induction of Jim Rice, we get a black cloud over Fenway Park today. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez tested positive for PEDs in 2003. At this point Manny doesn't surprise me with anything anymore, but Oritz? I really should be less shocked. I really should. It makes sense. Ortiz is a prime example of a steroid player. His career was average at best before his free agent signing with the Sox in 2003. His career then escalated into stuff of legend. His performance in the 2004 playoffs needs no explanation. If he didn't step up in the ALCS, the curse might not have been broken. He had two walk-off hits in games 4 and 5.

Ortiz was never a hall of famer, but he was still a star. Where does it end? Who will be next? At this point, they should just publish that list from 2003. Who really cares now? This era has been tarnished. I still think one of the major culprits of this whole debacle is Bud Selig. He wants credit for being the commissioner who saved baseball, but did he really save it? Rather his actions of letting steroids go by the wayside, ruined it. I simply shake my head in disappointment.

I do want to end this post on a positive note. It's nice to see Jim Rice inducted into the Hall of Fame. At a time when baseball is a sport that makes fans question the legitimacy of the game, it's nice to see one of the great sluggers of his era, get his due respect. He did it the right way (take note David and Manny). His season in '78 when he won MVP was one of the best. He led the led in league in homers, RBI, hits, triples, and slugging percentage. His 406 total bases were the most since Joe DiMaggio with 418 in 1937. That's amazing.

Rice in his first year of eligibility garnered only 29 percent of the vote. In his final year, he made the 75 percent to get elected. His stats stayed the same, but the game changed. And it changed for the worst.

Catching Up with Films

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:55:56 PDT

Where have gone Mikey Filmmaker? I've been meaning to do a new post for a week or so and just haven't made the time to do it. Considering that it's the summer, I just haven't really been in the mood to write in this thing. I don't think my three readers minded that much. And if you did, then my sincere apologies.

It's almost August and the Oscar season is slowly taking form. With 10 Best Picture nominees, I really need to do a new updated predictions post. Haven't seen too many films this summer, but that should pick up soon. I just used my 500 fandango bucks that I won last week for the first time. I'm going to try to hit the theater up again next week before I head back to LA next Friday. Only time will tell, but for now let's take a quick look at two films I did recently hit up.

Public Enemies: This film was not as bad as some said. Definitely not going to win Best Picture as I predicted back in February, but should make the final 10. I have a soft spot for gangster movies and I do predict this should make my top 10. Had some Bonnie and Clyde references, which I didn't mind. Though, I do wish that Johnny Depp was more of a bad ass. He was an anti-hero without an edge. Marion Cottilard was great and she is quickly becoming one of the best working actresses today.

The Hangover: I waited a while to see this film and it was as good as billed. I think this is especially funny for anyone who has been to Vegas and got wasted (i.e. me). While I didn't wake up to a tiger in my bathroom, I didn't remember very much from the night and if I lost one of my friends I probably would have no clue where the hell he was. The film at times was a little too over the top, but it didn't really bother me. The cast was really with four un-established actors, but I can see at least Bradley Cooper getting an opportunity to star in his own film. Easily the best comedy of the year and one of the best in years.

I plan to hit up (500) Days of Summer and Funny People next week. We'll see if I can pull it off.

Young Lost Legends: Music Edition

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:48:55 PDT

When Heath Ledger died in January 2008, I posted a top ten list of young lost legends in movies. Basically, a list of people who died far too early. I actually try to keep a list of these people. I have a movies list. And, I have a music list.

When I started these lists back in 2001, I made the age requirement under 50. With the advancement of medicine and life expectancy, I bumped the age up to under 60. Let's face it, everyone should live to at least 60. Soon, 70 is going to be no big deal.

As everyone with access to news knows by now, Michael Jackson is dead at 50. This (sadly) gives me an excuse to do this list. In music, there are so many legends that left too young that this list is a top 25.

If you are interested in the list I did way back in January 2008, click HERE.

Anyway, here is the list of music legends that we lost too soon. Let me know if you think someone should be on this list and they aren't.

25. Cliff Burton, 24
I've never been a fan of Metallica, but original bassist Burton helped them create their heavy metal sound. Early Metallica with Burton is much different than the one with Jason Newstead. It's less commercial and hardcore fans will tell you it's better. Burton was killed in a car accident when the tour bus flipped over and he was thrown through the window.

24. Phil Lynott, 36
Thin Lizzy never really gets the respect their deserve. It's too bad since frontman and bassist, Phil Lynott is not a household name. He's actually a legend in Ireland (he's Irish) and he should be one in the United States. He was one of the few African American rock stars in his day and Thin Lizzy are one of the first hard rock bands. After the band disbanded, Lynott struggled with drugs and alcohol. He died of heart failure and pneumonia before the band ever reunited.

23. Cass Elliot, 32
The Mama's and The Papa's were one of the classic folk groups of the 60s. They actually headlined the Monterey Pop Festival. Elliot was somewhat of a rarity. Her size was comparable to her talent. It was huge and after the break-up, she embarked on a short solo career. Contrary to popular belief, Mama Cass did not die by choking on a ham sandwich. There was one found by her bedside, but it was simply a coincidence. She simply died of heart failure. Oddly enough, The Who's Keith Moon died in that same flat roughly four years later.

22. Ian Curtis, 23
Curtis could have been one of the greatest frontman in the history of rock with his band, Joy Division. Every time I watch him perform, it just looks like he always put it all on the line. He was a little awkward at times with his dancing, but that's why I like him. He was different. Bono called him the greatest frontman when he was alive. The band's most popular hit, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a haunting piece of music that was recorded shortly before his suicide.

21. Bon Scott, 33
At times even I forget that AC/DC had another lead singer before current frontman, Brian Johnson. They did and he's arguably better than his successor. Actually, Johnson sounds a lot like Scott and it's on purpose. Scott was that good. The Australian helped established the band's heavy metal sound and Highway to Hell is a great album. Scott died after a night of heavy drinking. The band carried on without him and recorded Back in Black as a tribute to their former frontman.

20. John Bonham, 32
Drummers often don't get enough credit, but Bonham made sure that changed. He's one of the best of all time. Led Zeppelin was probably the band of the 70s and Bonham was responsible for that as much as Page, Plant, and Jones. Who knows how long Zeppelin could have kept going. Bonham died after a night of heavy drinking. Zeppelin decided to disband after his death.

19. Brian Jones, 27
The founding member of The Rolling Stones was one of those classic rock stars of the 60s. He used a lot of drugs and dressed in some flamboyant attire. He was a true multi-instrumentalist with The Stones, playing everythign from slide guitar to kazoo to mellotron. His increased drug use and the rise of Jagger/Richards songwriting started his decline with the band. He also is famous for introducing the then unknown Jimi Hendrix at Monterey Pop. Jones officially left The Stones in 1969. Weeks later he was found dead in his pool. It has been rumored for years that there was foul play, but it was never proven. It's officially known as "death by misadventure".

18. Stevie Ray Vaughan, 35
Vaughan was one of the best blues guitarist of the last 50 years. He had that southern sound and edge to him. Rolling Stone ranked him the seventh greatest guitarist of all time. I'm not a huge fan of his, but it's hard not to respect his work. His backing band Double Trouble helped him become one of the best live acts of the 80s. Stevie had his troubles and went into rehab by the mid 80s. While on tour, Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash in an effort to avoid traffic. The cause of the accident was inadequate planning by the pilot.

17. The Notorious B.I.G., 24
I'm not going to pretend I know anything about rap because I don't. I just remember the east coast/west coast rap wars. I remember when B.I.G. died and I know a few of his songs. His final studio album, Life After Death, is certified diamond and it's a testament to his talent. His beats and lyrics were much better than anything I've heard since. Less than a year after his former friend and rival, Tupac died, Biggie Smalls was shot in a drive by shooting. His shooter was never found.

16. Tupac Shakur, 25
Like I just wrote above, I don't really know too much about rap. I just know that Tupac is one of the most respected artists of his musical genre. His career was short, but produced four platinum selling albums. He's probably the most successful rapper of the 90s. His success would have been even more if he wasn't gunned down in Las Vegas. He died days later. Like Biggie Smalls, his shooter was never found.

15. Duane Allman, 24
Allman's musical career was short, but he was an extremely talented guitarist. Actually, he was number two on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitar Players (Hendrix was one). With his brother, Gregg, he formed The Allman Brothers Band. Allman was known for his amazing slide guitar playing and was a sought after session musician. He appeared on Eric Clapton's Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs album. The live album, At Fillmore East, released shortly before his death is one of the greatest live albums ever made. He died in a motorcycle accident soon after the release of this album. Gregg continued The Allman Brothers Band without him.

14. Marc Bolan, 29
A lot of people are not very familiar with Bolan. I recently got really into T. Rex and I have a far greater appreciation for him. He was a pioneer in glam rock and his band was one of the top selling acts in the UK in the early 70s. T. Rex were so huge that it was coined "T. Rextasy". Bolan fell on some hard times as glam rock began to fade. The lineup for T. Rex continually changed, but by the late 70s he was coming back. His music was taking on more of a punk edge and he began to host a show simply called "Marc". On that show, he played some music and introduced the UK to bands such as Generation X. Only weeks before his 30th birthday, he and his girlfriend, Gloria Jones, left a party early in the morning. Soon after, she crashed their mini into a tree and he died instantly.

13. Marvin Gaye, 44
Gaye was arguably Motown's biggest star. He was the highest selling solo act for them in the 60s. In the 70s, he came out with two amazing albums, What's Going On (1971) and Let's Get It On (1973). Gaye was called "The Prince of Motown" and "The Prince of Soul". He was one of the great singers of his generation. His performance of the National Anthem at the NBA 1983 All-Star Game is one of the best all time. After having an argument, he was shot and killed by his Dad a day before his 45th birthday.

12. Keith Moon, 32
He was not the best drummer in his day, but easily the craziest one. Moon was the definition of a rock star with The Who. He was called "Moon the Loon" for a reason. One of his defining moments was when he loaded explosives into his drum kit on the Smother Brothers show, which exploded and a piece of the kit injured him. Or who can forget when he passed out at the Cow Palace after mixing tranquilizers and brandy mid song? An audience member played drums the rest of the show. After taking about 32 pills of sedatives, Moon passed out and never woke up. Like I wrote a little earlier, he actually died in the same flat as Mama Cass.

11. Bob Marley, 36
Marley is arguably reggae's greatest star. With his band, The Wailers, he rose to fame with hits such as "No Woman, No Cry" and "Jamming". He brought reggae to the mainstream more than anyone else. Marley was a Rastafarian and helped spread those beliefs, one of which is the use of marijuana or "ganjah". In 1977, he was first diagnosed with melanoma. It later became cancer throughout his entire body a few years later. Almost four years later, he died on his way home to his native Jamaica.

10. Janis Joplin, 27
Joplin wasn't a great singer. She wasn't great looking. It didn't matter. She was great anyway. She became one of the most prominent figures of the late 60s with her eccentric style and personality. She got her start in the band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. At the Monterey Pop Festival, her performance with the band, blew people away. Cheap Thrills is one of the best albums of the psychedelic era, period. Janis later embarked on a short lived solo career. She died only weeks after another 60s icon, Jimi Hendrix. She overdosed on heroin.

9. Freddie Mercury, 45
Mercury was arguably the most flamboyant frontman in the history of rock and roll. He led his band, Queen, for two decade and sang a plethora of hits for them. Songs such as "We are the Champions" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" are continually stapes on the airwaves. Queen's performance at Live Aid was the best of the night and their concert at Wembley in '86 is phenomal. They don't make lead singers like Mercury anymore, truly one of a kind. Mercury was also one of the few openly gay rock stars of his day. Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987. On November 22, 1991, he publicly announced he had the virus. The next day he was dead.

8. Jim Morrison, 27
Morrison was one of the first great lead singers in the rock and roll. He was a rock star blessed with charisma and a stage presence unknown at the time. He wasn't flashy, but he knew how to put on a show. He famously was arrested in Miami for exposing himself in public. Though, it is debated whether actually did it. Morrison also was much more than a frontman. He was an incredible lyricist and wrote some of the great songs of the 60s such . The Doors' debut album is not only one of the best debuts, but also one of the best albums of the decade period. Morrison was also not shy of partying. He took a lot of drugs and drank a lot of alcohol. In 1971, he moved to Paris. He died only months later from a supposed drug overdose. To this day, the actual case of death is up for debate. Some even belief, The Lizard King faked his own death.

7. Buddy Holly, 22
Holly tends to be overlooked in these lists. It's really unfair to one of the first great rock stars. Holly influenced many bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and even Bob Dylan. Hell, The Beatles even named their band after Holly's band, The Crickets. "That'll Be The Day" is one of the finest early rock songs. Holly's death is famously known as the day the music died". A plane that he flew carrying The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens crashed into a field in Iowa. The great tragedy of his death was his young age. His influence was so strong at 22. One can only imagine what he would have done if he lived longer.

6. George Harrison, 58
Harrison is the oldest person on this list. One could argue that he didn't die that young. I would disagree as 58 is young. At least in this day and age. Harrison was a member of the greatest band of all time, The Beatles. He established himself as a talented lead guitarist and in later years, emerged as a talented songwriter. After The Beatles, he had a up and down solo career. His solo debut, triple album, All Things Must Pass, is arguably the best Beatle solo album. And his charity concert, The Concert for Bangladesh raised over $200,000. In 1997, Harrison was diagnosed with cancer. He died four years later.

5. Jimi Hendrix, 27
Hendrix will always be the greatest guitar player in history. If there is someone better, then I hope I'm around to see him play. No one is even in the same category as Jimi. He was so talented and he did it all in such a short period of time. The Jimi Hendrix Experience burst onto the scene at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, which was one of the finest performances of the decade. He then followed that with three amazing studio albums showcasing his amazing guitar playing. He also headlined the iconic Woodstock Festival. Hendrix had an eccentric style and playing style. The guy played guitar with his teeth sometimes. He also took way too many drugs and liked his alcohol. His death at the age of 27 of a drug overdose by drowning in his own vomit arguably ended the 60s. Following his death other 60s legends such as Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison followed less than a year later.

4. Kurt Cobain, 27
Cobain was the voice of his generation. He was a little before my time, but it's hard to not appreciate Nirvana's influence on the early 90s. They literally changed the music landscape with grunge. They single handedly ended glam metal. Nevermind is arguably the best album of the decade. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was the anthem of the genre. Cobain was extremely talented as a songwriter and performer. Nirvana's unplugged performance only months before his death is a phenomenal. Sadly, Cobain developed a heroin addiction that he could never kick. He went in and out of rehab. After having enough, he shot himself with a shotgun and became another member of the "27 Club". His death left a huge impact as grunge lost its voice and one of the most talented musicians of the last 25 years.

3. Michael Jackson, 50
In the wake of Jackson's recent death, a lot of people think Jackson's death is the biggest and most tragic. I respectably completely disagree. It's a huge deal for sure, but people tend to be swayed by recent events. The two men following Jackson were much bigger in the whole landscape. Jackson in his day was a king. He was the "King of Pop" for a reason. His global appeal was untouchable. Thriller is the world's best selling album. It's the quintessential album of the 80s. The guy redefined the music video. They were like events. "Thriller" is the greatest music video ever. He was untouchable in the 80s. Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991) are respectable followup albums. His moonwalk on Motown 25 is stuff of legend.

His personal life is where things get hazy. That's the problem with Jackson. He mysteriously got whiter and whiter. His nose and face continually changed. Then, he was accused of sexual child abuse in 1993 and fell hard. His albums such as HIStory still sold well, but his music has been irrelevant for like 15 years. With his personal life aside, it's nice to see people remember him for his music. It will always be there. He's definitely been one of the most influential people in the history of music. Who doesn't want to start to dance when they hear "Beat It", "Billie Jean", or "Thriller"? I wrote the other day that I remember dancing to "Black Or White". He was my favorite when I was real young. Now, Jackson joins this list. The details of his death are still unknown, but his death from cardiac arrest has left the world shocked.

2. Elvis Presley, 42
Elvis was "The King". His influence is insurmountable. It's so widespread and crosses multiple musical genres. Presley arguably lacked Jackson's global appeal, but without him there would be nothing including The Beatles. He famously appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show from the waist up to hide his "suggestive" dance moves. For his time, Elvis broke all the boundaries. His music was so different at the time. It's not as timeless as The Beatles, but it's so hard not to recognize his influence. Look no further than how much he's still in popular culture over 30 years after his untimely death.

My biggest problem with Elvis is that like Jackson, he was more or less irrelevant for the last 10 years of his life. He became more of a novelty act in his final years. He put on weight and his shows were hit and miss. Elvis was untouchable in the 50s and that's what makes him so legendary. The '68 Comeback Special was huge and Aloha from Hawaii in '73 was also a success, but he lacked the consistency. After years of prescription pills abuse, Presley died. Though, some people argue that he is still alive. At least people think they see his ghost, which adds only more to his legend as "The King".

1. John Lennon, 40
I was trying to convince myself that Lennon wasn't number one. I just couldn't do it. Not because of how much I admire the man, but because I honestly believe his death was the most important and tragic in the history of music. It's a combination of a lot of things. The way he was killed by a crazed fan. How he stayed relevant in the world from the time The Beatles invaded America in 1964 to his untimely death. And most importantly, how much of an influence he had on not just music, but also society and politics. That's something that Jackson and Presley both lacked in my opinion. Lennon used his music as an expressive voice that made him the voice of his generation. Some of his finest songs were his strongest statements from "All You Need is Love" to "Give Peace a Chance" to "Imagine". Let me put it this way, Lennon's voice was so powerful that President Nixon tried to get him deported in the 70s because he was a political threat.

Sure Lennon had his misses. His experimental albums with Yoko Ono in the late 60s are painful to listen to. Sometime in New York City is also a mediocre album. Still, the majority of his work is top notch. Plastic Ono Band and Imagine are amazing albums. The Beatles discography doesn't need any explanation. The Beatles are actually the world's best selling music artists. Their fan base is so huge that they have multiple fan conventions all over the world and countless tribute bands. There are internet radio stations and weekly radio programs based solely on them. Their legacy is unparalleled. The Beatles defined the 60s with everything from their style to their music.

It could be argued that he lacked the global appeal of Jackson, but he also didn't have the internet and died before the age of MTV. Lennon was smart, though. His "War Is Over" campaign in 1969 had posters appear in 12 major cities across the world. He knew how to reach out to the people and he did it in a positive way. I can almost guarantee that if you ask who's death was bigger in a year or five years between Jackson, Lennon, or Presley, that John Lennon would be chosen. His death was the most shocking and left the biggest impact out of the top three. Lennon was on the verge of a comeback with the release of his album, Double Fantasy, after taking roughly five years off. He was shot and killed almost 29 years ago in front of his apartment in one of the most senseless murders ever. His death continues to leave a void of one of music's true legends.

Michael Jackson 1958-2009

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:26:41 PDT

In the 50s, there was Elvis. In the 60s, there were The Beatles. In the 70s, there was really no one. It wasn't until the 80s that another legend graced our radio and television. Michael Jackson had landed and soon became the "King of Pop". With the release of Thriller and the rise of MTV, the man changed music like Elvis and The Beatles before him.

Jackson died today at 50. Shocking news for sure. He leaves a legacy that at times was controversial. He definitely had a fall from the top in the early 90s. It's hard not to overlook all his accusations of pedophilia, but at the same time it's hard not to recognize the man's extraordinary talent.

For what it's worth, I'm going to remember him for all the music he gave us. I actually liked Michael Jackson when I was a kid. I remember being obsessed with the song "Black Or White". I used to sing it (poorly) and dance around (also poorly). That's how much influence he had.

Jackson's career is one that will be never duplicated. He was one of those rare talents that people saw grow up. He got his start in the 70s with his four brothers, Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, and Marlon as the Jackson Five. Clearly the star, he started a solo career that became iconic.

He changed the landscape of music in the 80s. In 1982, he released Thriller, which was not only a phenomenal album, but the music videos off the album were incomparable. The title track's video is arguably the greatest ever produced. "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" also have stood the test of time. Say what you will, but it's actually a great album. It won an amazing 8 Grammys including Album of the Year. It has sold over a 100 million copies worldwide. It's arguably the quintessential album of the decade.

He cemented his legacy even more with the famous moonwalk during the Motown 25 show in 1983. He was literally the "King of Pop". With his longtime producer, Quincy Jones, and Lionel Richie, he also co-wrote the charity single, "We Are the World". Nearly 20 million copies were sold and millions of dollars were donated to famine relief.

He followed Thriller's success with Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991) before his fall from grace. And, sadly the boy the world fell in love with, really fell hard. Jackson's skin continually got lighter and lighter until he was pale white. His nose got smaller and smaller. The guy got plastic surgery galore. In 1993, he was first accused of child sexual abuse. It didn't end there. At the start of this decade, he went on trial for child sexual abuse. In 2005, he was acquitted of all charges, but let's be honest. It's hard to believe his innocence.

I personally like to remember Michael prior to 1993. I plan to remember the legend for what he gave us from the young boy dancing and singing with his brothers to the young man doing the moonwalk with the one glove. He was one of a kind.

In a lot of ways, his premature death ranks up their with other musical legends such as Elvis Presley and John Lennon. And, I don't usually associate too many people with those two men. As screwed up as he was, Jackson was that special.

Farrah Fawcett 1947-2009

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:10:20 PDT

One of the true sex symbols of the 1970s has left us today. I don't want to not give her proper respect. The poster was before my time, but what guy didn't have that in their room? Hell, guys still have that poster in their room.

She was a goddess of beauty and it's sad that she left us at the "young" age of 62. In what is turning out to be a tragic day for entertainment, I don't want her to get lost in the shuffle. She deserves to be remembered.

Oscar Best Picture Nominees Now at 10

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:03:26 PDT

Well, I've been taking some time off recently for various reasons, but I just have to write something about this. The Academy today announces that the Best Picture nominees will now be ten next year. Yes, double the size of the standard five. This is a bit of a head scratcher. At least to me it is.

This does seem exciting to an extent, but after taking some time to think about it, I think it's too many. Why not follow the Emmy's lead and do six. Even seven is not bad, but ten! We're talking the most prestigous Best Picture prize of the award season. It's an elite class of five films. Sometimes they get it wrong. Nobody's perfect, but with ten nominees the Academy risks the chance of nominating films not really worthy of a Best Picture nomination.

Many, many years ago the Academy did have ten nominees. That stopped after 1943. There were some years where it worked. See 1939, but for the most part you look at the nominees from those years and don't even recognize the films at all.

Look at last year for example. If you use seven nominees, the obvious choices are The Dark Knight and WALL-E to be added. I don't think most people would disagree. That keeps the category still elite with few complaints (*cough* The Reader *cough*). You add ten, then you are probably looking at Changeling, Doubt, Gran Torino, Rachel Getting Married, Revolutionary Road, or The Wrestler to round out the final three choices. It just waters everything down.

I have a feeling this is going to be a mess and I can't believe they agreed to it in the first place. They must have got pressure from the studios. Not really sure what happened, but don't be surprised if this experiment ends after only a couple years. It just doesn't work.

With this announcement, I'll be posting some updated predictions in early July with my ten Best Picture nominees.

The Land of Confusion

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:03:32 PDT

If you have been reading my blog for any periods of time over the past two years, you know that if I don't post for a while it usually means I'm working. So, it shouldn't be too surprising that I landed a temporary gig as an office production assistant on the ABC Family drama, Lincoln Heights.

I'm done with the job, but it was fun. I have to admit, I have never watched the show and probably never will. Though, I may make an attempt to catch the fifth and sixth episodes of season four since those were the two I worked on, but I'll probably forget.

I was a little hesitant to take this job. I agreed to fill in when my friend needed someone to work for him while he took a trip to Dublin. When I left IE in November, I left with such anger and disappointment that it clouded my view and opinion on the film industry. I was a broken man when I left that company seven months ago.

When I started this job last Tuesday (June 2nd), I quickly disproved my theory that only assholes work in Hollywood. The people there were great and part of me was honestly sad that it went by so quick. I don't know if it means anything, but I did such a good job that many of the people I personally dealt with asked for my resume. It can be misleading, but it further complicates my young life. My true passion in life will always be film and if I can find a way to work in this business and be happy, then that is my ideal life.

Of course, there is my pending start of graduate school in August. As of now, I do plan to still attend, but I'm patiently waiting on my financial aid and trying to find a job while I try to attend school. Grad school isn't cheap. It will add another $40,000 plus to my debt. LMU has also not been as helpful as I would have liked. I applied to numerous graduate assistantships and have been turned down even though I interviewed and clearly am qualified for any administrative work that is required. All I know is if they can't reach out half way, then we could have serious problems. As of right now, they aren't.

Is this just part of my destiny? Maybe, grad school wasn't meant to be. It could be a sign that I'm born to work in the film industry in some capacity and I simply need to find the right people. Maybe, this was all a big test to see if I really had a passion for the business. It's funny how some things work out like this. I honestly don't know anymore.

The plan right now will be to think about everything long and hard, and make a final decision in August. Arguably, the most important decision of my life.

In Other News (since I don't feel like writing multiple posts):

- I lost both LAMMYs I got nominated for. Am I disappointed? Yes, but it was great to be nominated. I think some things could be done to make the LAMMYs more efficient, but it's only the second year. I'm sure the Oscars weren't perfect in their second year. Then again, the Oscars still aren't perfect and there have been 81 shows.

- Terminator Salvation was extremely disappointing to me. I think I had way too high hopes for it. I worked for Sam Worthington's manager at IE for a little and was on multiple calls for this film. Everyone was talking it up like crazy and it wasn't as good as I expected. Fun to watch, but lacked a story and characters. Didn't really care what happened. I worry about this franchise as I think it needs to really rebound for the next one or no one will care about the supposed new trilogy at all.

Sam was great though and if Avatar is as good as people think, then he will be huge. Add Clash of Titans to his resume and I'm sure girls will be hanging his posters on their walls.

- Up is the best film I've seen in 2009 so far. Granted the year is young, but I can almost guarantee it will win the Best Animated Feature Oscar. Personally, I liked this film better than WALL-E or any other recent Pixar film. Carl reminded me of my maternal grandfather. Especially, with the traveling since I can vividly remember his disappointment that he didn't get to travel with my grandmother after her death in 1995. Also, Ed Asner had the perfect voice for this character.

Another thing I thought was great about this film was that his wife, Ellie, who was barely in the film was still a character you really cared about. I was emotionally invested in the both of them and the reveal of the adventure book even made me get teary. This is a really touching film with a great score. Pixar just can't miss right now.

The End of an Era: Farewell Hollywood

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:38:37 PDT

My apologies for not being around the last week. I've actually been fairly busy packing. Yes, yours truly is moving again. This is one of those posts that will be fun to write, but part of me wishes I didn't have to write it. I have this love/hate relationship with Hollywood. There is no middle ground here.

I moved here back in May 2008. I was living in Glendale and was sick of it. I knew I would have to get a studio/single, so I decided to look for somewhere closer to the city. I wanted to be in the middle of the action. West Hollywood near Sunset is a lot of fun, but it was too expensive. The beach was also too expensive. Hollywood seemed like a logical choice. It was.

Contrary to popular belief, celebrities don't live in Hollywood. Actually, most movies aren't in made in Hollywood. No studio is located in this section of the city. There are some production companies, but that's it. It dirty and at times creepy. For a kid that grew up in suburbs outside Boston and went to college in a conservative old town in Orange County, this is what I always wanted. I wanted that culture shock. And trust me, you get one here.

Here are some memories I have from the past 13 months.

The Cast of Characters:

Hollywood Superman
My neighbor happens to be the self proclaimed first character on Hollywood Blvd. He dresses up as Superman and has been doing it since the early 90s. The guy is quite the character literally.

"Rolling My Cigarettes" Spider-Man
This guy is just creepy. He takes breaks and rolls cigarettes, then takes pictures with little kid. Easily my favorite Spider-Man for that reason.

Ugly "Sexy" Cop
Someone should tell this girl that she is ugly. She wears one of those Halloween costumes. She also is great for getting pissed off if people don't tip her. I usually wouldn't complain if a girl was wearing a sexy outfit, but this girl is just not very attractive.

"Old Ass" Marilyn
Similar to the cop, this woman needs to quit. She may look like Marilyn a little, but it's still a stretch. I have no idea why anyone would want to take a picture with her considering that there are better looking Monroes hanging around Hollywood Blvd.

Elvis and His Bitch
This tag team always cracks me up. This guy dresses half ass like Elvis and his significant other just simply stands by his side and doesn't know what to do. She just wears a mask and looks confused. It's one of those things you have to see for yourself.

"Always There" Jack Sparrow
It seems like no matter what time I walked down Hollywood, I always saw this Sparrow. I think he lives in his car or something because he's always there. Sad thing is that he isn't even the best Captain Jack.

Love Jesus Man
This guy technically isn't a character, but he simply stands at the corner of Hollywood and Highland and talks to himself about how Jesus is coming. I don't think anyone listens to him, but it's funny since he will start to ask you if you are going to Heaven.

Unforgettable Scenes:

Jesus Walks Out of a Bus
This was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I was walking down Hollywood Blvd. and a bus stops. A guy dressed up as Jesus walks out of the bus and walks down the street. Only in Hollywood would you see that. It was like it happens all the time.

Taking Scientology Test
I took this test as a joke. Scientologists are an odd group of people. The girl that gave me my test insisted that I buy Dianetics and give it to my boss. She said it would help her not be a bitch. I declined.

Halloween
It's not as cool as West Hollywood, but Hollywood does have an exciting scene on Halloween. A lot of people come out and dress up. It was fun to walk around and simply observe what the hell was going on.

Annoying Ass Premieres
Premieres are cool the first time you see one in action, but after the 50th one, I had seen enough. The Chinese is actually the biggest theatre for premieres in Los Angeles. There is at least one a week it seems. Some are bigger than others. Some even close the entire street down. Creates major chaos and traffic is horrible. Something I won't miss.

John Lennon Memorial
I consider Hollywood Blvd's Walk of Fame to be somewhat of a cemetery to the stars. It's actually really unique and I think it's one of the coolest things about Hollywood. "Touristy" or not, I enjoy it. If there is one star that always attracts attention on his birth and death, it's John Lennon. I attended his memorial on December 8th and it was worth it. A lot of people were there and it was a nice tribute. Say what you will about Lennon and The Beatles, but their influence is so strong that their fans are extremely loyal. This memorial is just more proof.

The Greatest Oscars Ever
Do I really need to explain? Next year's Oscars is going to be different in a lot of ways. I've said this multiple times, but this past's Oscars will always have a special place in my heart. Not only did I set my personal record with 22 wins, but also got to see the whole event unfold in my eyes. For an Oscar lover like myself, you can't ask for anything more.

So, why am I moving? Simply can't afford this place as I head back to school. I need a cheaper living situation. Plus, my neighbors were starting to annoy me too much. The demographic at my place is college aged kids (many attend the Music Institute). It goes in spurts, but it can get loud and unpleasant.

I don't regret living here though. Maybe not the smartest financial decision, but I'm 24. If there was a time to live here in Hollywood, this is it. I walked down Hollywood Blvd. on Saturday night for the last time, listening to my iPod in shuffle mode, and The Rolling Stones' You Can't Always Get What You Want" came on. I thought this was fitting end to this era in my life.

Formerly Known as "The ONLY Oscar Blogger who lives in walking distance to the Kodak Theater!"

When I'm 24

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:55:00 PDT

My apologies for the lack of updates. The last week or so has been hectic. Just moved out of my apartment earlier today. I'll have a post up on that a little later. For now, feel free to wish me a happy birthday.

Yours truly turned 24 today (May 31st). Man, I'm getting old.

Belated Blog Anniversary (Again)

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:36:00 PDT

This is the second straight year I've done this. I always forget about my blog's anniversary. On May 18th, Spaghetti Sauce and Sweet Peas turned two. Where has all the time gone? Can't believe it.

I'm going to shy away from a complete retrospective, but it's been a fun two years. Filled with ups and downs. Actually, I started this blog as a more of a hodge-podge site. Wrote about much more than the awards season and movies. I actually didn't even call this blog "Spaghetti Sauce and Sweet Peas" until January 2008. Before I simply called it "A Day in the Life with Mikey Filmmaker".

This is actually the second blog I've ever done. I did a blog, really a diary of my college years. This has been much different and much more fun. After two years, I still don't get very many hits, but I don't plan to stop.

If people are not going to be smart enough to read what I have to say, then that's their loss. Especially, when it comes to the Oscars. I've really come into my own the last two years being an awards pundit. I may not duplicate the excitement of last year's show (yes, I'm moving away from the Kodak at the end of this month), but I'm still going to analyze the hell out of them.

For those of you who do take the time to read the blog, thank you. Let's try to make this next year my best ever.

Possible Oscar Contender?!

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:26:57 PDT

After watching this "trailer", I know feel relieved that my family wasn't the only one that had this book in their bathroom. For those who have never read "Everyone Poops", all I can say is that you're missing out on a literary masterpiece.

Site Nominated for 2 LAMMYs

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:15:29 PDT

As I wrote yesterday, the site has been nominated for two LAMMYs: Best Theme and Best Blog Name. Will I win? Who knows, but I'm going to go all out. There's a reason I was elected class president in high school. I know how to campaign. It's in my blood. My grandfather was a politician for 26 years.

Anyway, here's my new FYC Ad. Enjoy!

If you need a reason to vote for me, feel free to check out my Why I Should Win a LAMMY post.

Disclaimer: All pictures on this Ad were taken by yours truly, Mikey Filmmaker.

Back from the Dead

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:14:16 PDT

It took longer than expected, but my computer is fixed. Actually, I was getting worried since I had a misdiagnosis from the Apple Store geniuses. They told me I had liquid damage and the repair would not be covered by Apple. I went to get a second opinion at an authorized Apple service center and they said there was no liquid damage. Basically, I almost paid over a thousand dollars to fix something, but everything worked out. The graphics card repair was completely free. It was very frustrating and of course, the Apple Store insisted they didn't make a mistake. All I'm going to say is I am never going back to the Apple Store at the Grove in Los Angeles. The geniuses there should be renamed dumb asses.

In other news, Spaghetti Sauce and Sweet Peas did get nominated for two LAMMYs: Best Theme and Best Name. I'm actually going to write another FYC post later today and maybe make a new ad. I'm glad we at least got nominated. Both categories have six total nominees, so winning is no guarantee. Voting ends on May 31st (which is my birthday). No pressure or anything, but that would be a nice 24th birthday present.

Tech Difficulties

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:26:58 PDT

My computer is currently being repaired by the Apple store geniuses. The graphics card went out on my MacBook Pro, so I had no monitor. I'm currently using my old laptop, but it's slow and frustrating. Plus, I also have all my stuff for the blog on my MacBook.

The repair should be done in 5 days (dropped it off yesterday). I will not be blogging until I get my computer back, so I'll see everyone (hopefully) early next week.

P.S. I lost that online short contest. I do appreciate everyone who voted. We ended up getting over 100 votes, yet still lost by 20 or so. I guess you can't win them all.

Though, I did though win an iTunes gift card, which may or may not be a prize in next year's Oscar contest. I don't usually buy stuff there. I know it sounds weird, but I would rather by a CD or even vinyl record. I like hard copies.

Final Reminder: Vote

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:19:21 PDT

It could be argued that I'm making too big of a deal with this contest. That very well may be true. At this point, I'm just trying to pull off what seems like the impossible. I had the lead in this contest until either last Saturday or Sunday (forget which day). I trailed as many as roughly 15 votes at certain points and have closed the gap as close as 1 vote. Yet, I still haven't been able to take back the lead.

This contest doesn't really have any prizes and the worst thing I could do is place second, but I would still like to win. So, if you haven't voted yet, please do. Even if you have voted at your house, for example, you can vote at your work as well. The contest does recognize IP addresses (which is a good thing) though, so you can't stuff the ballot. I'm just trying to get as many votes as possible during the final day and go for what would now be called an upset.

Voting ends on Thursday night at midnight. Click HERE, then click KEEP.

Big LAMB on Campus

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:15:45 PDT

Ladies and gentlemen, I have shocked the world yet again. Add another accomplishment to my long list of achievements. I have been named this month's "Big LAMB on Campus"!

What is that? It's just a way that LAMB tracks hits coming to the site. You probably notice those banners on the right hand side of the site asking you, "Love movie blogs?" Well, that is how I did it. People clicked on it. It's a real simple concept.

I did actually finish tied for second with 65 hits, but won a tiebreaker over Sarahnomics. The actual hits leader with 87, Lightning Bug's Lair, also won last month and due to a rule that a site can't be B.L.O.C. two months in a row, I was named the recipient of the esteemed status.

Now, if I can only win a LAMMY (cough, vote for me, cough).

First Film from 2009: Adventureland

MikeyFilmmaker@comcast.net — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:21:10 PDT

We have a winner in my annual contest of "The First Film Mikey Filmmaker Sees in the Theater". It'sAdventureland.

It has taken me only until late April, but I've finally seen my first film released in 2009. Most of you are probably trying to figure out why it has taken me so long. I'm not really sure. Almost saw Watchmen, but didn't. Still would like to catch I Love You, Man. Other than that, nothing has really caught my attention yet for me to say, "I need to see this in the theater." I'm popping my cherry on 2009 in film and I want it to be a good film. I hope you understand.

I'm not going to write a full review for this film, but I thoroughly enjoyed Adventureland. This was the sophomore effort from Greg Mottola (Superbad) and he came through. Some people I've talked to said they didn't really like this film, but not me. Honestly not sure why you wouldn't like it. Yes, it's not Superbad, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Other Quick Thoughts:

- I have to say that the soundtrack of this film was "totally awesome". They really used the 80s music well. Even prominentaly featured was Falco's Rock Me Amadeus, which is a fun and catchy tune. Also, had The Cure, Bowie, and even INXS. I'm more of a 60s music guy, but I still love the nostaglia of the 70s and 80s.

- Jesse Eisenberg did a respectable job of carrying this film. This could be his big break as he hasn't really done that many films. His character at times reminded me of myself and I think that is part of the reason I liked this film so much.

- Kristen Stewart made me forget she was in Twilight. I was not a fan of that film, but maybe I should give it another shot. Her stock is quickly rising in Hollywood.

- Bill Hader is just a great supporting actor. I don't think he can legitimately carry a film, but he is a great scene stealer. It may not be as glamourous, but that's not a bad thing either.

I actually got a free popcorn coupon that is only good on Wednesday at AMC theaters, so maybe I'll check out I Love You, Man next week. Need to start to seriously catch up. The summer is coming and the movies are finally starting to get good.

Yippee!