I Think, Therefore I Blog

Childhoods of Color & Contrast

2012-01-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

Just finished reading Low Down: Junk, Jazz, and Other Fairy Tales From Childhood, by A.J. Albany. David suggested it to me months ago, thinking I could relate, given my own Hollywood arts/celeb childhood, and I bought a copy right away but only got to it now.

While I cannot really relate (this woman’s father was musician too, and her mom a notorious beauty, but there the similarities diverge – her parents were junkies, big-time), I do love reading about Hollywood in the 60s and 70s, and I do know the ups and downs and feast-or-famine childhood of a kid brought up alone and whose parents don’t have day jobs and steady paychecks. While A.J. was raised by her dad (jazz great Joe Albany), and I was raised by my mom, I know about the gypsy lifestyle, moving from place to place to stay ahead of kited checks and angry landlords, pushing old, worn out beater cars down hills then jumping in when the engine’d catch, meeting, at very young ages, extraordinary adults, some famous, some not, some up, some down, who’d treat you as a peer, regardless.

Here is a particularly striking passage from the memoir:

“…That’s what happened to Izzy, who’d been living at the Knickerbocker for sixteen years, since ’55. He’d decided to hole himself up, surrounded by his memories and his passions. Hotels in Hollywood and downtown L.A. are full of forgotten people like that. People you wouldn’t look twice at, with their hot plates and old slippers, but you should look, because they’re often far more interesting than all the rich assholes swanning around Beverly Hills, full of themselves and nothing else.”

My mom, a smart, beautiful, intellectual, somewhat tragic at times and certainly flawed, knew a lot of characters like Izzy.

I remember an artist hippy, bearded and rotund, Teddy Burger, who traveled back and forth from San Francisco to L.A. in his VW bus (which doubled as his home) with his two treasured Saluki dogs, named Footloose and Fancy Free. Teddy always had the most egregious B.O., and the biggest, sweetest smile. I remember the Lady Pamela, a renowned reader of tarot cards (she gave me her well-worn Aquarius deck, which I still have), who was elegant and aristocratic, in her long Indian skirts and her willowy scarves. And James Bryon, who repped the likes of Jane Mansfield and Yvette Mimieux (and my mom, when she cheesecake modeled as Buni Bacon), spoke with perfect, measured elocution, and carried himself like the Lord he’d named himself after. Pleasurable pastime as a kid was to get his goat to see if I could get the composure to crumble – played a lot of pranks on Uncle Jim, and his favorite curse was, “You beastly child!” He always had a pristine Cadillac, which was his baby, and one of the best April Fools was telling him someone had hit and run him while parked outside. But Jim could turn the tables just as easily; he helped me TP the neighbor’s house once (or at least, called the shots from the sidelines). Then there was my mom’s literary agent, Earl Mills, who’d once managed Dorothy Dandridge, and carried a torch for Dorothy (and my mom, unrequited) for years and years. A hopeless romantic, who could roll his R’s like a linguistic wonder. Composer Rick Marlowe, comedian Tommy Smothers, one of Rosemary Clooney’s sons (who was dating a flat-chested bottle blonde who’d wear stuff like tee-shirts with a picture of two fried eggs over the chest, or ones with slogans like “Itty Bitty Titty Committee”), novelty songwriter Allan Sherman, an insanely handsome professional gambler who’d done time, an heir to a fortune in France who gave my mom a ruby and 24-karat gold a ring of his family crest (which she gave to 9 year old me when they broke up, and which I still have)… There are more, many more – photographers, poets, agents, actors, alcoholics, singers, gays, straights, heads, squares, growers, groupies, hipsters… I remember dribs and drabs of them all.

While I did have to grow up in a hurry due to parental addiction (alcohol, pot) and her life-threatening illnesses (cancer, radical double mastectomy), my childhood memoir is truly a fairytale compared to A.J.’s – her mom turned tricks, her dad shot up constantly, she was molested, and her little friends suffered even worse fates.

What I really liked about Low Down was its complete lack of self-pity in the recollection, A.J.’s never-ending optimism (of a kind; she was hardly a Pollyanna, but very philosophical and accepting while remaining hopeful), her appreciative love music and cinema and literature, and most of all her devotion to her father and his to her. It’s a truly beautiful and touching (sentimental, but not sappy) tale.

Here’s another passage which struck me:

“Dad rarely looked too hard or too long at the madness of his own addiction, but he often lamented the toll drugs took on the lives of his friends. Dad and Chet Baker had known and liked each other for 40 years, though they hadn’t met up since the early 70s. [in ‘87] An extremely down and out Chet approached Dad and asked if he could spot him a little cash, as he was at a real low end, and God knows it wasn’t easy “to find one kind face in all of cold fucking New York,” as Dad used to say. At this point, however, Dad had hit rock bottom himself, sometimes barely making it through the few gigs that still came his way. “Chet, you know I’d spot you if I had the bread, but I spent my advance and I don’t even have cab fare home. You’re welcome to crash at my pad tonight.” Chet took Dad’s hands and squeezed them. “Thanks, Joe. You’re a sweet guy.” Dad was looking at a reflection of his own devastation, and told me that at that moment, he felt like crying. In the land of the poor blind Chet, my one-eyed Dad was king on that particular night.”

She puts things in perspective so very well. She’s quite the writer. This, too, when her dad was in N.A. with a sponsor 30 years younger than him, and at the end of his long, productive, wasted life:

“Where did an old, lifetime user like my dad find help? The answer was nowhere. Dad and others like him were banished to the netherworld of methadone maintenance at best. “It’s a young man’s world,” he’d say with a tired smile. I would hug his huge head, cursing my powerlessness and the futility of comforting words that fell flat and died and soon as they hit the air.”

It’s one of those books you read, and you want to tell everyone about. So, there you are. If you liked memoirs such as Danny Sugarman’s Wonderland Avenue, or Anthony Kedis’s Scar Tissue, or Augusten Burrogh’s Running With Scissors, you must read this one.

Next up, I’m going to flip flop between Your Creative Brain, Vintage L.A., and a Louis Wain biography… and work on my script! Viva la solitude in Laurel Canyon for the next week. (Thanks, Lee.)

Movie Review Round-up

2011-10-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

by Staci Layne Wilson

"You must see Drive!" I've been saying that everyone I know. And now, Buzzine readers, I am saying it to everyone I don't know. Drive is an unironic throwback to the slick cinematic style of the early 80s ala Michael Mann. It's an extreme departure from director Nicolas Wending Refn's previous indie, Bronson (a massively violent, extremely bizarre and meta prison thriller), starring the ubiquitous Ryan Gosling as Driver, a mechanic /slash/ film-stunt wheelman who finds himself drawn into the seamy, seditious underbelly of an evil L.A. drug cartel. Channeling neo noir strong and silent cool, ever-bathed in neon glow, his steady hand on the skinny wheel of a vintage Chevy Impala, Gosling is the lynchpin in this minimalist art-house thriller — but, stellar side performances by the likes of Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Christina Hendricks, Ron Perlman and Carey Mulligan as the object of Driver's desire also impress.

Another gorgeous yet gritty gem predicated once upon a crime is Tammi's Sutton's Isle of Dogs. Setting up the story with a sublime credits sequence (usually such a neglected part of the movies nowadays), this Brit-situated revenge romp stars Barbara Nedeljakova, Edward Hogg, and Andrew Howard as the pointy tips of a rather unloving love triangle. All three are well-cast and well-directed, but it's Howard who really zings as the spurned spouse who will stop at nothing to get even… even if it means making sure his wayward wife is cut in two. But will her lover want the scraps? Fans of arch dialogue (Howard chews the considerable scenery in a monologue about dogs, bitches, and loyalty) and those who know their giallo (there's a wonderfully voyeuristic stalk and slash scene) will not be disappointed.

While the characters in the film noted above certainly don't like to face the ugly facts, the couple in writer-director Jim Hemphill's The Trouble With the Truth tackle it head-on and do nothing but talk about it. Lea Thompson and John Shea sit down 'My Dinner With Andre' style and chew the fat about love, life, longing and letting go, in this unexpectedly poignant, often wryly humorous, drama which takes place mostly in just one room. It doesn't hurt that the cinematography and editing keep the visuals coming, changing things up with the variety a 7-course meal, but the real feeling of fullness comes from The Trouble With the Truth's amusing, ambiguous ending.

Another movie with an open-ended ending is Martha Marcy May Marlene, Sundance's then-unsold Indie darling and now a limited-release drama dripping with sodden, psychological sadness. But its conclusion is not nearly so satisfactory. Elizabeth Olsen plays the title character, a downtrodden cult-escapee with so many identity issues, she's got back-issues. The narrative switches back and forth between M's time as a sex-slave in a Manson-like commune, to her not so smooth transition back into routine life under the roof of her newly-wed sister. M meanders a lot, as does the film. Though very well-acted, the story collapses under the weight of its own disjointed melancholia (Lars Von Trier's Melancholia: now, *there's* a movie! It's out on 11/18).

Segue into still more psychological spoilage, and you've got the trifecta of troubled triangles in David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method. It's the chronicle of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and their beautiful, batty protégé, Sabina Spielrein — played to perfection by Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, and Keira Knightley — and how they each played mental cat-and-mouse with one another using psychiatry as the pawn. While I was somewhat let down by the fact that this movie is "just a cigar" in that it's a very point-a to point-b narrative (especially when told from the surprisingly staid perspective of a once-risky, frisky auteur), I still say A Dangerous Method is one of the best dramas I have seen all year.

I wish I could say the same for Anonymous. The subject matter is certainly intriguing — was Shakespeare a fraud? — but its presentation, sadly, is not. Directed with the usual sledgehammer hand of actioneer Roland Emmerich (2012, The Day After Tomorrow), the purple prose of the Elizabethan poet is mauled into the blue balls of Queen Elizabeth's suitors as the not-so-virgin Queen reigns supreme in the halls of shame. I won't give away the twist, but I will tell you the story would have been better-served without all the soapy scandal sudsed into it. While it's not terribly cinematic (a release by any other name would have smelled just as sweet on HBO), Anonymous isn't half-bad when it's sticking to the facts under conjecture. Rhys Ifans and Jamie Campbell Bower are both excellent as the elder / younger Shakespeare, and Vanessa Redgrave and (her-life daughter) Joely Richardson are perfect as the elder / younger QE. For those who simply can't get enough of period costume drama (and you still want to come back for more, even after The Other Boleyn Sister), then have at it. All others, don't 'beware the Ides of March' and go see that instead (more Gosling!).

Rounding out the round-up this week are two new documentary films, each by accomplished directors. Now playing on pay television is Martin Scorsese's George Harrison: Living in the Material World, and soon to come, one that explores the opposite of living in the material world or any other, is the death row downer Into the Abyss, by Werner Herzog. While I enjoyed both of these quite disparate docs just about equally, I felt equally let down by them in that I wanted more from the helmers who've made some of my all-time favorite films. Neither of these movies do much to invigorate the genre, especially in the way of visuals. We get lots of standard-set talking heads intercut with concert or crime-scene footage. Still, the subjects are both interesting — Scorsese's exhaustively follows Harrison from cradle to grave, while Herzog shows several sides of a tragedy in Texas which then leads to further trauma when the convicted killer is put to death by the State.

All in all, there are some genuinely worthwhile features out right now. They run the gamut from big budget studio wide releases (Anonymous) to as-yet undistributed indies (Isle of Dogs) making the festival rounds, and from focus on men of few words (Drive) to men with nothing but words (The Trouble With The Truth). This week, there really is something for everybody.

12.31.10

2010-12-31T19:22:00.000-08:00

Highlights and Memorable Moments of 2010 — in no particular order, and definitely incomplete! See the accompanying PHOTO ALBUM for even more

First TV junket of the year "The Book of Eli"

Went to San Francisco twice, went to Austin twice, went to Seattle twice, made it to Hawaii and Singapore for the first times, and saw Canada again and again

Coolest, most creative compliment: Paul Bettany told me I look like "a punk rock Rita Hayworth"

Helen Mirren loved my leopard on leopard Steve Madden shoes and silk stockings

Was "Terribly Happy" with Whatley

Froze at "The Wolfman" premiere

Saw able to spend the day with Tiffini

Saw Vadim's "Blood and Roses" with Terrence and Brian and Maria

Went "Crazies" with Tony

Learned from Chris that there's more to mumblecore than I thought

Hung out with what's left of "The Doors"

Did not play it Safe with Terrance

Learned two new words: diagrammatic (A plan, sketch, drawing, or outline designed to demonstrate or explain how something works or to clarify the relationship between the parts of a whole) and cognoscenti (connoisseur, cognoscenti. an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts)

Did several photography series, the main being "Friends at the Friendship Bell" & "Project Wardrobe"

Took many photos of Gehry buildings, and even went to his house

Saw Billy Bob again in the studio with The Ventures

Checked out The Art of Stillness with The Other SW

Met Heather Langencamp. Met Vincenzo Natoli and Dario Argento on the same day, plus hung with two of my favorite Repo! men, Ogre and Bill. Also, encountered the "great Brian Trenchard Smith" (in the words of Jimmy, confirmed by MCH)

"Waxed" with Tony and the celebs

Finally saw Sisters, years after my interview with Douglas Buck, and rekindled our communiqués via Facebook

Got "Ghost Writer" with Shemmy

Saw Helen Mirren again at the Love Ranch junket

Covered low budget horror (2001 Maniacs) and studio big budget (Inception) and everything in between

I took my favorite photos of Bill Moseley and Clu Gulager

Did Comic-Con again, interviewed 99 people in one day

Got up close and personal with Megan Fox's cleavage

Got "Sticky With Champagne" personally from Justin Tranter

Found out that men really, really like to open their coats for me (see: photo album)

Rocked the high heels with @nnette

Saw Ken Russell in the flesh (but didn't get to meet him)

Ran into "my boyfriend" (Malcolm McDowell) a few times

Enjoyed Enzo's birthday breakfast the Top of The Mark

Saw a car wreck and corpse lying on the freeway

"Splat Pack" documentary, with myself as the sole female interviewee, came out on DVD

I taped my segment for the upcoming "Best Horror Movies You've Never Seen" doc

I got older

I got thinner

Heard the same jokes at least 10 times and didn't mind

Had the privilege of being invited into the homes of friends I adore

Was thunderstruck by ponies and lightning bolts

Went to several fantastic exhibits — Diane Arbus photography, Dennis Hopper photography, Beatnik-era ephemera, Leonor Fini, Art by Architects at LACMA

Cut my hair into bangs for the first time since I was 7

I got a job at AOL

I got a job at This Week In

Lisa was very important to me

Amanda and David moved away (boo)

Danny Trejo stopped in the middle of my interview with him to say he liked my outfit

M. Night Shyamalan told me a great story about Tak Fujimoto

I met one the actual Owls of Ga'Hool

Went to some great places with Fariba (she turned me onto Viento y Agua, and I showed her The Edison)

Saw Everything's Eventual, and it was prophetic

Had some fantastic Fulci moments

Got trapped in "The Triangle" with Doug

Was sent to detention by "The Tutor"

I was onstage at least twice that I can remember (judged a costume contest, and presented an award)

Covered ScreamFest, Shreikfest, and other fests that involve vocalizations of some sort (see: mumblecore)

Andrew Lincoln actually remembered me from our very brief interview at Comic-Con, when we met again at the October red carpet for Walking Dead

I read lots and lots of books, mostly memoirs and historical nonfiction

Saw Veronica for the first time in years

MCH and me both crushed on "the blue dress" in Amer

I wrote script for Annabel Lee in an hour of inspiration, put my cast together in the next month, and within 4 days got it shot — my first crack at directing, in the can (or computer, as the case may be) [Began principal photography on John Lennon's assassination date / ended on Jean Rollin's death night]

Had a fantastic "Girl's thrifting" day with most of my very favorite ladies, and plan to make it a regular habit

I missed Marco and Alex

Happy I met Brooke

Saw three of my fave movies with Enzo within 10 days of each other: The Social Network, 127 Hours, and Black Swan

Pamela shared her secret with me

Got good and bloody with "The Chrome Skull"

Had a revelation

Interviewed Colin Farrell while he was wearing nothing but skintight pants and vampire fangs

Photographed many amazing hotels — went inside The W (Hollywood) and The Viceroy (Santa Monica) for the first time

Caught up with Eric, finally

Got my first: Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Jenny Lee Couture [all BARGAINS, too!]

Had some much-needed coffee-tawk with Don

Discovered Jane Jenson and shared the love

Bought a diamond ring I really didn't want

Got me some good Creepy and Debi time

Brushed up again the Bowen beard

Lost the Eclipse

Saw Buz turn 21

Found out Jinny had a baby

Said goodbye to Sweet Judy Blue Eyes, after the fact

Saw my Dad more this year than ever, spent plenty of quality time with family, and enjoyed my birthday with my mom, Anna, Michael, Mhea, Tim and Rita

Enjoyed amazing kindness and lots of love

Last red carpet of the year "Tron"

From '66 to 44

2010-08-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, there is nothing special about the duplicate-digit alignment of the numbers in my birthday this year.

I guess the big celebration should have been the August 23rd when I turned 23 — "A person's Golden or Grand Birthday, also referred to as their Champagne Birthday or Star Birthday, occurs when they turn the age of their birth day." Maybe when I turn 66 I'll have big party anyway.

I've always thought my birth year was pretty cool. I like double digits, it's just one 6 shy of being Satanic, and there's even a song about the route. What's more, it was the Year of the Fire Horse, and that only comes along once every 60 years. I also like the number 23 — there's a whole enigma about it, including a birthday paradox, and even a movie starring Jim Carrey.

This year, I will be spending the actual day with my mom — for the first time since I was a teenager! Looking forward to that has led me to thinking back…

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Here are my mom and my dad's publicity photos from 1966.

Here's one of my early cheesecake shots.

Not much changed over the years…

1966 swimwear from Fredrick's of Hollywood

I was a fashionable little girl, thanks to my mom. I look like I'm straight out of the Sears catalogue!

Ponies, 1976 and 1996

Same dress, at 43 and 23

This is what I looked like when disco was all the rage. I'm not exactly in style... I was into hippie music then (and hey, whaddya know? I still am.)

2000 and 2010 - two side by side comparisons, 10 years apart - one glamorous and one NOT!

= = =

Back in 1966….

Brigitte Bardot looked like this, and Jim Morrison was the sexiest man alive.

Walt Disney died, and apparently so did Paul McCartney!

Liz and Dick were still a couple

LBJ was in office

Richard Avedon was photographing Lauren Hutton

These babies were born

In 1966, this was what people were reading

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These were the popular records (Herb Alpert had the bestselling single of the year)

And this was entertainment

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The cars and guitars of '66 (and it just so happens my favorite color combo was very popular in that year)

Me and the hotrod are the same age (and wearing the same colors!)

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I saved the best for last… the funky, freaky, fab fashions and photography and art

The miniskirt was in style!

…Or was it on its way out?

Avedon

Halston

Johnson

Givenchy

St. Laurent

These boots were made for walking (and gawking)

Guy Bourdin was developing his style

Diane Arbus took this

Leonor Fini painted this

And BLOW-UP captured the zeitgeist: film, fashion, rock & roll, psychology and sex. (and I *love* that Jimmy Page made the trailer!)

That Is SO Random!

2010-07-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

Another playing catch-up picture blog to keep everyone apprised and myself reminded. Sometimes they days zoom by so fast and I feel like I haven't really gotten much done... when actually, I have! Here's proof. (Plus a few diversions)

I've done a bunch of junkets and red carpets, and seen a few of the big summer movies…

DiCaprio on the red carpet for INCEPTION. The last time I talked to him was years ago, for Catch Me If You Can.

Cillian Murphy, whom I've talked to quite a few times… I learned the most about what he's like at the SUNSHINE international press junket a few years back.

This is Dileep Rao, who I first met while covering DRAG ME TO HELL. I'm posting two pics, because I like the one as a photo, and the other as a photo of him.

Brainy beauty, Ellen Page.

Ellen's shoes.

Inception group - as you can see, it's hard to shoot around the crowd of publicists, dates, entouragers, friends and family.

VIEW THE REST OF THIS BLOG

But I managed.

Twice!

(Not) Shoeless Joe

Joseph Gordon Levitt

Lukas Haas

Shoes

Shoes

Shoes

Tom Beringer

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From the Hollywood blockbusters to the Hillbilly brainbusters — I do all the premieres! This is me at the 2001 Maniacs: FIELD OF SCREAMS gala with James Wan and star Lin Shaye.

Here's a snap of L.A. architecture I took on the way to the premiere from the car.

And, one of the Egyptian that evening.

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Me at the PREDATORS junket with Nim and Robert (July 1, first movie event of the month, and kicking off the first of at least 300-500 interviews this month what with ComicCon!)

Nim and Robert

Shaking Adrien's hand, I look like I am afraid he's going to snap my wrist (he is one badass Brody in the movie!)

Adrien and me

Jay and Nic at the SORCERER'S APPRENTICE junket, late last month.

Jay and Nic

Me and Teresa Palmer, who was really cute and sweet (check out the video on Syfy, she's adorable)

Toby Kebbel - oddly enough, I couldn't grab a still in which he was smiling or looked happy but the vibe in the room was great. He is REALLY funny and charming… belied by his deadpan delivery.

Viscera Film Festival in Downtown L.A. last night.

AJ, having his wallet lifted by Sean. Good times!

Whose limo awaits?

= = =

Here are some reviews I've done lately

Plus a very special interview (not often I get to combine my love of horror movies and fashion…)

More new reviews coming soon, thanks to the pre-ComicCOn DVD onslaught

= = =

Just a few glimpses into life as I know it…

There is a new spell checker on the iPhone. It's dumb.

Not much to choose from on TV these days. Mad Men will be back soon, though!

I'm currently reading Julie Kenner's Givenchy Code. It's serious fluff, but I like it.

My dad is on tour now, but prior to leaving The Ventures got a special award from the emperor of Japan!

= = =

I haven't launched my online store yet, but that doesn't stop me from sampling the merchandise. Actually, I was going to sell this BCBG Max Azria new dress because it accentuates my wide hips… but then I snagged it really bad. So, I'll use it for my mannequin.

I Am The Sorcerer's Apprentice

2010-06-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

Another quick pictoblog… can't believe it's only been 10 days since my last one. Seems like I've lived at least one lifetime since then.

Been editing video and typing so many hours on end, I had to hunt down my arm brace (I used to use this in the course of my dead day-job, years ago… still comes in "handy" sometimes).

So swamped, I have not been able to get as much done on the launch of my online clothing stores (Staci-Style, and Net-Frocks). I do have some vintage items at the dry cleaners, ordered my hangtags, and got my mannequin. It's still in the box in the living room, but hopefully I can set it up before I have to leave for Comic-Con, dress it up, take pictures (we're talking hundreds), then get the stores online by early August.

= = =

I've made a couple of non-junket related on-camera appearances lately. I'm in the extras for the Parasomnia DVD (U.S. debut in July), interviewing the filmmakers and talent… the movie was shot before I settled on my signature blue streak! So weird to see (prior to that, I was playing with colored ends, colored underneath, etc., with blue, pink, and violet… but in the video I'm just a plain ol' redhead. Boring… and so dark. I must have been experimenting with shades… my real, natural tone is a light reddish gold).

My other "guest spot" is in the lovely and talented Terrance Zdunich's The Tutor art lessons. Here are a couple of screen-grabs… Too bad The Tudors is wrapped, I could have done a crossover appearance as Staci Of Cleaves.

= = =

Been keeping busy doing my usual red carpets and junkets…

Suicide Girls Must Die!

Saturn Awards

Centurion

Despicable Me

Love Ranch

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

The above pics are from a little "stand up" intro I did, but I had to pretend like I was holding a magical, glowing and morphing globe as I was talking, then "throw" it at the camera. The visuals will all be added later. While I don't reckon it's too conceited to say I think I am pretty good at winging it in ANY situation ("fake it, till you make it," is my motto) … it's not being too hard on myself to say I would be a terrible, terrible actor. I have the worst grasp on memorization of lines, and having to actually speak and do certain, pre-determined moves at the same time? I am hopeless. I had to do about six takes! I can't wait to see the video when they send it to me. Ha! Still, I had fun with it… we laughed all the way through my flubs.

Another junket tomorrow, red carpets next week... silly me: I keep thinking I'm going to have some me-time (not that I'd know what to do with that, anyway. Although, I am actually about halfway through a novel I am reading for other reason than I want to!).

= = =

Surprisingly, I have found a little time for photo-taking — I took a BUNCH of the black 3000GT (also, a funny road sign… typical downtown L.A. madness!). Plus, sweet Tony and me enjoyed a few hours at Madame Tussaud's last week. For only $20, it's a helluva lot cheaper than renting a set (the figures were fun, but there are a lot many alcoves and stairwells that are LOCATION GOLDMINES! So awesome).

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I started a Twitter for horror.com — there are three of us posting to it, so hopefully it'll help drive some more traffic to the site.

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Been trying to keep up on my artiness. I may catch a Women Photographers Exhibit at MoCA soon. Cool Coralina has a solo exhibit of her art happening in July, but it's in New York. I wish I could go. I miss Manhattan SO MUCH. But, I can't afford to go unless I'm sent for work. And it's been quite a while.

http://www.coralina.net/ - BTW, this image is printable, so if readers in NYC want to print it and present it to MATILDA'S where the art will be showing they can get 20% off their dinner. It's valid from July 15 to September 30, 2010.
= = =

I think that brings me up to date for this little online journal and memory-eBook. This is mostly just for me and IRL friends; my other blog is truly my priority.

Parasomnia DVD Giveaway
The Tutor Website
Horror.com's Twitter

And, on top of all the video coverage for Syfy Channel, TV-Wire/AOL, and good old Horror.com, I also have the following movie reviews online or at the tips of my fingers: Sisters, Suicide Girls Must Die!, Centurion, Love Ranch, The Blood-Spattered Bride, Dracula (Spanish version), Mad Love, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Predators, Fragile, Tomb of Liegia, Grimm Love, Pig Hunt, and The Haunting.

Photo Galleries Added or Updated:
Another Day, Another Dressing Room
Tony & Staci Wax Museum Shenanigans
Tony's Pics of Me in Alcoves & Stairwells

Everything & Nothing

2010-06-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

I'm in one of those weird work limbos where I am spinning my wheels all day and go to bed late at night feeling like this.

I'm doing a lot, but not seeing instant results (hence, this blog. I am in control! I post, and it appears, by gawd! Assuming there's not a computer crash, a server error or a power outage…).

For instance, today alone I wrote two movie reviews, watched a DVD to review while working out, edited the video for horror.com's Jonah Hex premiere coverage, worked on my Clu Gulager article, picked up another junket, posted three articles for AOL Careers, sent an assigned interview to my editor in France, and took care of (my usual) 75-100 emails. But I don't feel like I really accomplished anything… I'm still behind as my To-Do list continues to grow.

There was rather bright spot in my otherwise dreary day, though — a lovely tribute from someone I consider to be one of my closest confidantes and most intriguing friend, Terrance. He kicked off a tribute to "talented friends" in his blog today, and I am the first to be spotlighted (or is that 'spotlit'? He said I'm a good writer, so I'd better get that right! Or is that 'correct'? Hmmm…).

He was also kind enough to give me a little visual shout-out in his most-recent installment of The Tutor video art lesson.

It's been a mutual admiration society, lately. I published by first photographic series, Friends @ the Friendship Bell, and Terrance was one of the strongest subjects — I really enjoyed shooting him (and usually, I much prefer photographing women). Here's the link to the series.

And here are a couple of T. pics I took that are my personal favorites (but since the Bell isn't in sight, I couldn't officially use them).

Another friend who's been on my mind lately is Fariba. She's been in and out of town a lot, and now she's going home to Iran for five weeks (she hasn't been there since she moved away as a teen), so we caught up over coffee last week at this neat café in Long Beach.

We talked a lot about art and photography. I'm feeling inspired for my next series, "On the rocks" —

(Annette's impromptu pics of me - NOT part of the series!)

— But I can feel the inspiration waning as models are flaking out, as my workload gets heavier, and as Comic-Con looms in the near future. I probably won't do it, after all. At least, not now. I want to get my fashion blog going and am anxious to open my Etsy Store. I just decided to do it last week, and now everything is in motion. It's exciting!

Speaking of photography, and Comic-Con, I was telling Fariba about this photo I took of Peter Jackson last year. It's still one of my favorite "informed accidents" — I didn't set this shot up, but instinctively, I knew I should hit the button on my iPhone when the right elements were in place.

Fariba and I agree: That's something you just can't learn… like this amazing catwalk photo Lisa Rose took of Susan Sarandon. Look at how all the elements, with several people involved, all came together. And Lisa took the photo.

Aside from pining for creative pursuits that pay nothing, I've been following work-related creative pursuits that *do* pay. Here's a shot from the vampire movie day of Clu Gulger's acting workshop, which I am doing at least two pieces on:

More AOL advice:

More kickass horror movies:

And finally, my favorite deed of late: The funny and entertaining interviews from the Toy Story 3 red carpet I did for Syfy — Kevin did an amazing job of editing (as always!) and I loved getting to talk to two faves (Wallace Shawn, and Kristen Schaal) for the first time :)

As Seen on (my) TV

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Recently watched movies & DVDs…

Being Human Season One (2010 dvd)

Bonnie's Kids (1971) directed by Arthur Marks, not as good as his next film Roommates (or Wonder Women, which he produced), but pretty entertaining.

Dangerous Crossing (1953) mystery on a luxury liner - amazing costumes, the fantastic Jeanne Crain, and Michael Rennie (who never once said, "Jeanne! Klaatu barada nikto!").

Dark Matter (various shorts/short features)

Don't Bother to Knock (1952) early Marilyn Monroe I hadn't seen before; it was a bit dull.

Gay Deceivers (1969) checked this out to see Christopher Riordan, who I met a couple of years ago and is now a friend; he's got a *very* memorable small role! The rest of the film is cute, but pretty dated.

Horror Hospital (1973) fun low-budget horror kitsch.

Life Is Hot In Cracktown (2009) Good people, bad movie.

My Sister's Keeper (2009) dreary 'disease of the week' movie.

Night Nurse (1931) excellent, very early Barbara Stanwyck / Clark Gable film. Loved it!

Panic in the Streets (1950) pretty good pandemic suspenser, directed by Elia Kazan (I appreciate he's a great director, but I do find most of his work too slow and heavy for my taste).

Pickup on South Street (1953) most excellent Samuel Fuller written (superb dialogue!) and directed crime drama starring Richard Widmark and Thelma Ritter… so good. This was a lucky pickup flick, when my DVR got stuck and recorded movies for 7 hours.

REC2 (2010) loved it, reviewed it at horror.com.

Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975) not my cup o' cocaine tea.

Sisters (2006 remake) pretty good! I'm gonna review it for horror.com.

Black Angel (1946), starring Peter Lorre and based on a Cornell Woolrich novel (his writing was the fodder for MANY a 60s and 70s giallo), pretty entertaining (excessive lounge singer numbers notwithstanding), but the best character, Marvis Marlow, gets killed off right away.

The Blue Gardenia (1953) great old noir with a bit of a twist (the usual "wronged man" central character is a woman), directed by Fritz Lang.

The Cowboy & The Frenchman (1988 David Lynch short film) awful!

The Crazies (2010 remake) just as fun the second time around.

The Poker House (2008) directed by Lori Petty; starts out strong, but never goes anywhere. I liked the 1970s setting though.

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) directed by Billy Wilder, some excellent acting and sets, locations, etc., but too long.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) very taken with it! I'd watch again. Love Woody Allen.

Whatever Works (2009) More Woody Allen… didn't love this one so much, though.

Wild Grass (2009) strange and quirky French flick with an ending that's like the series finale of The Sopranos and the final frame of No Country For Old Men… but weirder. And not in a good way.

Zach and Miri Make A Porno (2009) better than I thought it would be; lately Kevin Smith's really been letting me down, but this was good. Gotta be the Elizabeth Banks factor.

In the cue…

Too many DVDs to review / mention, lots of stuff in the DVR I've already seen but want to watch again (Laura, Dr. Zhivago, Amelie, Amadeus, and a few other epics one really has to be in the mood for).

Want to see…

Antichrist (been dying to see it, missed it on the big screen)

Busby Berkely Musicals (seen a few, would like to see more… with the mute button on)

Female (an old "forbidden Hollywood" movie)

He Walked By Night (recommended to me)

Mad Love (Peter Lorre)

Madame Satan (De Mille)

Midnight Mary (another old "forbidden Hollywood" movie about a 'lady of the evening')

Penthouse (Myrna Loy)

Redheaded Woman (Jean Harlow)

The Letter (the original, a 1929 talkie)

The Seven-Percent Solution (Sherlock Holmes)

Wendy and Lucy (looks really good)

I'm Online, Therefore I Am

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My most frequently-updated blog now resides at I DRESS, THEREFORE I BLOG, where the focus is on fashion. However, I'll be using Blogspot once in awhile for various updates, celebrity interviews and film reviews. Please subscribe if you'd like to be in the loop.

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