Wow... only nineteen posts in 2012. Four of them were from this month alone (my record-- on average it's 1-3 posts per month).
So, like I've been doing lately, I'm planning on updating this every week at least. I've got a few really great ideas for posts regarding screenwriting, and a nice rant on recent superhero movies. I haven't had many reviews up lately, so maybe I'll do some of those. Any requests? No? Okay, Troll 2 it is.
Anyway, let's take a look back at some of my short films from the past year (and older)...
Machete Road
A somewhat experimental slasher.
A Message from Louis Frangurgenstein
Still no idea what this is. Written by my brother.
For those unfortunate readers out there (all five of you!) who haven't heard of Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966), it's a low-budget horror film considered by many to be the worst movie ever made. And just to put that into perspective... I mean worse than M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening (2008).
And things get real when you start comparing films to The Happening. (All jokes aside, I'm still a fan of Shyamalan's earlier work, and I hope he gets out of this bad movie slump with After Earth. But I'm getting sidetracked here.)
Fittingly, Manos was directed on a bet by a fertilizer salesman in El Paso, Texas for $19,000 and currently holds the #6 spot on IMDB's list of worst films ever.
It was nearly forgotten for decades until it was featured on an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and since, Manos has gained a cult following. Anyone who's seen it will know, this "horror" film is hilarious. Just not in a good way. Bad acting, horrible editing, and don't get me started on the writing. In short, it's a terrible film... but a memorable one.
Which is exactly why this guy is restoring it for a blu-ray release. From what I know, a reel of 16mm film was found in a storage locker. And the reel turned out to be a rare print of Manos. It was different than the VHS version-- it had a different opening shot, for one. Not to mention the VHS was cropped from the original edition (which made for some awkward framing). Sure, the film print was damaged-- but with work it looks like it could have been shot last week.
I'm actually pretty psyched about this. It's a bad film, yes, but it's also a very fun bad film. And for years, the only available version was on VHS, and in comparison, the restored edition looks like a totally different film.
Unfortunately I was a bit late to this party, so I missed the restoration's fundraising. And I don't think the online shop is open anymore (which stinks, since I'd pretty much do anything for a Torgo shirt).
I've seen the first half of Manos, as well as bits and pieces of the rest, but after I heard about the blu-ray I decided to hold out for the restored edition.
Just an update on Disposing Dwight. I'm editing as I write this, and so far I'm about 3 minutes in. I know, not much progress, but I'm liking how it's turning out so far.
For now, here's a teaser trailer for the film. It started with me throwing a bunch of clips together to play around with color correction, then I found it had this interesting rhythm to it. Thus was born the greatest trailer of all time!
Please spread the word and tell everyone you know who might or might not be interested. (Basically, give me free advertising.)
On a related note, I started writing The Making of Disposing Dwight last night. It's a short book chronicling the story of Disposing Dwight, from when our first script fell through and we were forced to make Dwight instead, to completion of the film... or at least, as complete as it is right now. I'll also include the complete 28-page screenplay in the back of the book, for those of you who are just dying to read it.
I'm planning on self-publishing some copies and including a disc of the finished film. I'll give them out to family and friends who are interested, but you'll probably have to chance to order copies online as well.
Also, I'm currently co-developing a feature film, currently titled Adan Cobos Must Die until Mr. Coauthor and I can agree on a final title. (I'm actually kind of digging the current title. What's not to like?) ACMD is best described as an all-out horror/thriller, with a healthy dose of old school camp, abundant slasher movie tropes, and aliens. Check out the first poster!
We really went all out with it.
Anyway, I don't want to get ahead of myself. We probably won't make much progress on this project until Dwight is complete, but I wanted to bring it up anyway. This is an update, after all.
More to come. I think I might make an effort to update this blog weekly, whether it be a review or just me rambling about my numerous writing projects.
