Energy equals mass times the square of the speed of light
Current mood: exhausted
Once again, no theme to my blah'g. Hence, the pretentious subject line (and the equally pretentious use of the word "hence").
No time to organize anything, let alone a few stray thoughts. But you know - I figure if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Then find someone to whom life gave vodka, and have a party. So, here's a new nudie-cutie picture I discovered of my mom to grab your attention and kick things off.
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The genre-journo's visit to the set of Jennifer's Body was fun, despite the never-ending torrential downpour. We spent an entire day on set and observed some non-horrory scenes being filmed — yep, it's that famous Diablo Cody [Juno] dialogue! Teens talk about retards, circumcision, booze, cigarettes and sex and in one shot — and got to talk to Ms. Cody herself, plus Jason Reitman (producer), Karyn Kusama (director), plus a couple of the actors (Adam Brody, and Amanda Seyfried).
There's an embargo on the full interviews till closer to the film's release next year, but we were allowed by Fox to post a couple of preview pieces. SciFi.com did some, and I'll write a less-newsy, more personal thing for Horror.com soon. (Yeah, I'm behind the curve here, but I'm busier than a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rocking chairs and besides — the early bird may get the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese, right?).
OK, enough with the animal metaphors. Take a time out and read James Gunn's latest blog about the dead squirrel he found. James Gunn's gross-out
Or, if you'd rather look at beautiful babes than redolent rodents, check out Keith's latest blog on the Emmanuelle film series. Keith's lust-fest
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Now, be sure and check out two of my three video reports from Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors.
Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni talks about Dario Argento, Mother of Tears, the movie "The Dirt", and even mentions Tool (or is that tulle)... Chuck Williams talks Girls Next Door and Robert Englund, and gets a little flirty... Terrance Zdunich sings to us about "Repo! The Genetic Opera"... Adam Rockoff takes our mic and talks "Wicked Lake"...
A tribute to Girls and Corpses Magazine publisher Stephan Miller by Robert Rhine, a chat with Gunnar "Leatherface" Hansen, a political advertisement from the next president of the United States, Mr. Sid Haig, and an early peek at Halloween with Kirk Trutner.
Zombie Strippers. Do we need to say more? How about: Jenna Jameson. With those four words (Zombie, Strippers, Jenna, Jameson) you've probably got a good idea of what this movie is about. Zombie Stippers, now showing on PPV and other select places, has got gore, girls, laughs, and yes, Jenna herself. Reading text is a bit boring compared to looking at Jenna -- so rather than write about this one, let's see what Jenna has to say about zombies, strippers, lap dances, the sexiness of eating people, and her first meeting with co-star Robert Englund. Here's Jenna:
You know, I still haven't read Jenna's memoirs — which I did buy — but I am reading a pretty interesting book right now, called Black & White & Blue, by Dave Thompson. It's about adult films from the silent-era days of the nickelodeon, to the 50's stag films, to the 70s golden era, and, finally to the advent of the video rental and internet. FONT>
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So anyway, I went directly from the airport from Vancouver to L.A.X. to a Lionsgate mixer in Beverly Hills to introduce Saw V. I was exhausted and felt like crap on a cracker, but I somehow managed to interview director David Hackl. Sounds like he's done some interesting things to change up the franchise (he was the production designer on the other Saw movies previously, and also on Repo! The Genetic Opera). Here's a snap of that magic moment — the interview with be at Horror.com soon.
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Nothing to do with myself, but here are some funny videos I think you'd like. This one is a snippet from my favorite Flight of the Concords episode, the dreams of David Bowie. This one is the Labyrinth-era Bowie.
If you have not seen that show yet, treat yourself and get the DVD. It's out.
I also liked this: "Hi, I'm a Marvel. And I'm a D.C." It's a take-off on the Mac/PC commercials, starring Batman and Iron Man.
And, along those loony lines…
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I think I mentioned I saw The Strangers, and I'm going to interview Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman next week. (Earlier today, I interviewed David Duchovny and Frank Spotnitz on the new X-Files movie :-) Anyway, I saw The Strangers, and on DVD I caught National Treasure 2, plus have Rambo sitting here to look at for review as well. Sunday is Indiana Jones 4.
I watched half of Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972), and am almost done with The Passenger (just for my own edification, not to review), the '75 Jack Nicholson vehicle directed by maestro Michelangelo Antonioni.
It's slow, but absolutely absorbing (which reminds me of a funny thing my friend Jimmy [Hemphill] once said in connection with some crazy A.D.D. movie he'd just seen: "It made Domino look like an Antonioni film!" He cracks me up). I wish I had time to watch movies from beginning to end… but I seldom do, unless it's at a screening. Anyway, I recommend The Passenger. It's really enjoyable, especially if you're into architecture (it was filmed on location all across Europe).
Mish-Mash, Pish-Posh, & This-N-That
Current mood: inspired
Totally disparate stuff that I've discovered, or am thinking about.
Silent Partners
I recently saw The Silent Partner (an Elliott Gould movie from the 70s) and I liked it a lot. It's got a severed head in an aquarium and Christopher Plummer blowing people away while dressed in a red and white Santa suit. You can't go wrong.
Anyway, the title got me thinking about actual silent partners. There's Penn & Teller, and Jay & Silent Bob.
Who else? Surely there are some dramatic characters in this vein (or musical -- like Rotti and his sexy, speechless sidekicks in Repo! The Genetic Opera).
My friend Don [Mancini] sent me some news about his pilot, Kill / Switch, getting picked up, and as I was reading the article in Variety, this caught my eye too "Would you rather..."
[some dude I never heard of] "is in final talks with NBC to lens a pilot presentation for quizzer 'Would You Rather', which is based on the Falls Media/Imagination Games franchise in which people have to choose between two equally unappealing options."
That was/is an official game? Really? My friends and did that all the time when we were kids, staying up all night, giggling over the grossness and driving my mom insane.
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Saw a story on the news last night about a couple of teens who used a human skull as a bong. You'd think they had to go to a head-shop to get that, but nope -- they dug it up at the local boneyard.
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This looks good... but it could be another Over Her Dead Body! Or, perhaps, on the bright side, something along the lines of Blythe Spirit. (Hopefully, it'll be fun. I like David Koepp... his commentary on Secret Window still stands out as among the best I've heard!)
GHOST TOWN Starring Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Tea Leoni Directed by David Koepp
PARAMOUNT PICTURES Synopsis: Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear), who pesters him into breaking up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen (Téa Leoni). That puts Pincus squarely in the middle of a triangle, with spirited results.
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Yaaaaaay! The documentary, ROMAN POLANSKI: Wanted & Desired is going to be broadcast on TV next month! I couldn't find out where/when via Google or anything, but I did find this informed, succinct review by Quint at Ain't It Cool.
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Speaking of stuff on TV, I was very excited to see ads for Swingtown
That 70s Show crossed with Desperate Housewives…
"SWINGTOWN, from the director of "Big Love" and "Rome," peeks into the shag-carpeted suburban homes of the 1970s to find couples reveling in the sexual and social revolution that introduced open marriages, women's liberation and challenged many conventional wisdoms. During this heady era of provocative change, Susan and Bruce Miller move their family to an affluent Chicago suburb in search of a different sense of community, and they look forward to barbecues and get-togethers with their new neighbors, as well as a change of pace for their teenage daughter and pre-teen son. Enter Tom and Trina Decker, a striking, outgoing couple on the hunt who redefine the term "neighborhood watch." After a mind-blowing evening with them, Susan and Bruce realize that couples in this town swaps much more than recipes."
Premieres on CBS on June 5
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And more TV. My friend Doug [Hutchison] was on Lost again last night! I was hoping his character would be in it more, but it's only the opening scene. Ah, well... maybe next week. (Don't forget to BOLO for his upcoming Vampire Killers! series)
This is funny
What do you get when you cross a 60s chick and her hotrod...
With Rosie the Riveter...
...silly me!
Those things with pages! (So many pages...)
I finished Swingin' Chicks of the 60s, finally (I have very, very little time to read and being so busy all the time, my attention span is that of a ferret on double espressos -- but anyway, it was really well put together! It's cheap on Amazon, so I reccomend it. It's a great reference book.)
What's wrong? Can't you take a compliment?
I used to be really awful with compliments. Not giving; getting. When I was younger I was one of those annoying girls who, if someone said I looked pretty, I'd be all, "No I don't!" or, "I'm ugly!" Maybe I really did feel that way, but the complimenter doesn't need that -- several months ago, I told one of my gorgeous friends how particularly pretty she looked, and she and her friend started joking about it, riffing back and forth, totally negating what I'd said and kind of putting me down for thinking she was pretty. It was joking born of insecurity, but I did not compliment her again for quite awhile. When you disagree, or don't accept, it really does come off as if you don't value what the person is saying.
Another thing that made me think twice are friends who got pregnant, or older, and who've said, "Enjoy the compliments when they're coming, because they will not last forever."
Nowadays, even though inwardly I am still uncomfortable, it's much easier to accept compliments -- I took some advice I heard or read a long time ago that the very best way to handle them, even if you don't agree, is to simply say "thank you." (Or, if there's room for conversation, I'll say something like, "Well, thank you, that's very nice of you to say.")
That's easy enough when it's on an article of clothing or shoes, or even a body you've either worked hard to maintain (that's an accomplishment!) or a face you inherited (hey, it's not your doing, it's just genes!). But sometimes the more personal, beyond-the-surface compliments are more difficult to accept without coming off conceited. For instance, a friend of mine recently told me I'm one of the most intelligent people he knows. My first inclination was to deflect it with humor, like, "Oh, yeah? You don't get out much, do you?" But instead, I went into this long explanation about IQ is generally believed to be hereditary, and referenced some studies done on identical twins, talked about my mom being a member of MENSA, and so on... That was a bit much.
So my question is: How do you handle compliments, and how do you like your compliments to others to be received?
Isn't this beautiful?
Nic Cage from Wicker Man: "How'd It Get Buuuuuuurned?!"
Even though I seldom follow modern trends, I do get crazy about one retro period for awhile, then drop it and become temporarily obsessed with another. I keep all the really cool peices I buy, even if I'm not wearing them currently, because I might in the future.
For awhile I was into the Victorian look. I even have some awesome broacade jackets from the turn of the century that were wearable (very carefully, of course). Then I went through a vampire/gothyphase (black velvet, bell sleeves, long pixie point skirts). And then it was a 40s craze (very structured jackets, a-line skirts). I'm still kind of in a pinup state of mind right now (skintight pencil skirts, polkadot halter tops), but I'm also mad for mod. Check out these AWESOME scooter micro-mini's! Love, love, love 'em.
OK, so I just lost several I.Q. points watching SPEED RACER. It's empty calories, but the acting and casting is good and I liked it overall. The visuals are amazing -- everything simply sizzles and dazzles! I was afraid I'd get motion-sickness, especially on i-max, but thankfully there's no shaky-cam or overly indulgent driver's POV sequences. It looks like a fantasy come to life. I loved the editing, the colors, clothes, and makeup... well worth the price of admission for boys and girls alike.
This is Nayo Wallace. She plays Racer X's girlfriend.
I love the corset she was wearing!
This is Christina Ricci and John Goodman. (And some chick who clearly does not like her assigned seating for the theater.)
Scott Porter, who I just interviewed a few weeks ago for Prom Night. He really changed his look!
Norman Lear and Tim Robbins chatting. Tim Robbins knows A LOT about cars. I didn't realize, prior to interviewing him, what a gearhead he is.
More than just a bad guy, Roger Allam really twists that virtual mustache in the film!
The star of the show, Speed Racer himself, Emile Hirsch. I also interviewed him at his very first red carpet premiere (The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys).
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That's it for now, but stay tuned (up) for my reviews of The Promotion, The Strangers, and Frontiers -- plus several assorted DVDs (the new Dario Argento Boxed Set, National Treasure 2, Meet The Spartans... and whatever else shows up on my doorstep tomorrow and Friday :-)
I'm Not There is more than a movie: It's a mosaic of a man. The fact that that man is American music and cultural icon Bob Dylan — the notorious "Trickster" and reinventor of history and of himself — makes this barely-biopic that much more layered and multifarious. A true art film stuffed with substance and subtext, I'm Not There is a rare and refreshing cinematic experience indeed.
Unfolding in an elliptical manner, this completely unconventional and totally engrossing story envelops rather than alienates because the poignancy resides in the music and the human experience. We all love music of some kind. We all have these emotions and thoughts to some degree.
You needn't be a hardcore Dylan fan (I'm not, but when I'm Not There was released back in November, I was compelled to delve a bit deeper — and discovered that my newfound knowledge neither enhanced nor diminished my enjoyment of the movie: It is great on its own).
You don't have to be a black turtleneck-wearing, brown cigarette-smoking cineaste to get it (however, those familiar with The French New Wave, 60s Westerns, or the cinéma vérité documentary will delight in picking out specifically mirrored moments).
Don't know much about history? That's OK. Knowledge of the impact of John F. Kennedy's loss to America, a nod to Andy Warhol's contribution to the LSD generation, or memorizing the political poetry of Allen Ginsberg is not de rigueur.
The only caveat is, I'm Not There is an intelligent, thought-provoking work which requires the utmost concentration: A skill sorely lacking in the typical short-attention spanned, pabulum-fed, PG-13 moviegoer… which may explain why filmmaker Todd Haynes had so little money to make his dream project, or why Weinstein Co. only gave it a limited theatrical release (and even less of a helping hand in their Oscar campaigns). This movie pushes the already eclectic biopic genre to the extreme: it's not for everyone, but if it is to your liking it you will no doubt love it for life.
Our man of mystery is never explained or tied up in a neat bow, but shades of him are portrayed by six different actors:
Marcus Carl Franklin: He plays Woody Guthrie, an 11-year-old rails-rider who, through a series of elaborate, enthusiastic falsehoods, insinuates himself into a kindly family, wherein he's adopted for a time. This is Dylan first building his mystique and learning the power of storytelling. Think: Huston.
Ben Wishaw: The ephemeral enfant terrible aspect — seen only in black and white and seated as he missiles angry answers to questions during an unexplained interrogation — Arthur Rimbaud is the disdainful Dylan going tete-a-tete with his critics. Think: Pennebaker.
Christian Bale: Jack Rollins is an unknown folksinger who surfaces in Greenwich Village, weathers the slings and arrow of outrageous fortune, then humbles himself before Jesus by knocking on heaven's door as an evangelical minister. He represents Dylan's two most unsure, questioning periods. Think: Haynes.
Cate Blanchett: [Note: her fearless performance garnered the one and only Academy Award nomination for I'm Not There.] Jude Quinn is a celebrated singer-songwriter whose evolution from folk to rock alienates his fans and friends. This is Dylan as the Rock Star. Think: Fellini.
Heath Ledger: Hollywood hotshot Robbie Clark (Heath Ledger), who's playing Jack Rollins in a flowery biopic, falls in love with an exotic, exciting Mod artist (Charlotte Gainsbourg, as a fragmentary amalgam of two of Dylan's most important ladies, Suze Rotolo and Sara Lowndes), and he represents the intellectual yet emotional core of Dylan's psyche. Think: Godard.
Richard Gere: Billy the Kid is in a constant state of sorrowful dreams and avant-garde fantasy, living far out in a mythical American town where time means nothing — but Halloween means everything. Billy symbolizes Dylan's outlaw period and crystallizes his time of reflective seclusion following his life-altering motorcycle crash. Think: Altman.
Interwoven through this visual feast is, of course, the timeless music of Dylan. Many tracks are taken from era-specific bootlegs, studio albums and the famed Basement Tapes, while others are spirited and imaginative covers by the likes of Cat Power, Eddie Vedder, Sonic Youth, and Willie Nelson (the double-disk soundtrack contains many tunes not in the film — it's a must-have companion piece). Each song is carefully chosen to fit the action and to augment the dialogue.
Excluding the whys, the two-disk DVD set of I'm Not There adds much as a dissertation of who, what, and where: there is a multipart text featurette on disk one, along with a truly fascinating, absorbing solo commentary by the director and co-writer. (at least portions of it were recorded after actor Ledger's untimely demise in January of this year — while Haynes touches upon it in a genuine manner, he thankfully does not dwell.)
The second disk contains the lion's share of additional release material. There are a couple of audition tapes (Wishaw and Franklin), which is just OK. Personally, I prefer to see the auditions of those who didn't get the job (as seen on the Gone With the Wind DVD, or more recently, Wicked). The 20-minute "Making the Soundtrack" featurette is pretty static, but it's still interesting to find out how the acts came on board, and what compelled them in their artistic visions in reimagining a living legend's works. There are several interviewees, but Bob Dylan? In typical fashion, he's not there. [Note: Dylan fully cooperated with the filmmakers behind the scenes, and gives the film his blessing.]
The nearly 45-minute "A Conversation with Todd Haynes" is also highly recommended for those who may desire to delve deeper into his cinematic influences on the making of his masterpiece (my words, not his! He's actually far too modest).
Sunday Funday @ FangoCon L.A.
Current mood: recumbent
The last of the snaps! New / different ones from this day posted in my MySpace photo album... so, if you see yourself here, chances there's another take in the "pics" section.
Next up, probably sometime next week, I'll get caught up on stills from the Scarlet red carpet event, and Speed Racer (I finally get to **see** Speed Racer, having already covered it to the limit, next week on the IMAX screen. I hate IMAX, but it does seem the way to watch that particular movie. I'm just glad it's not in 3-D, too!)
Among Coralina's many considerable talents, she's also a Rockette!
Look at me! I am taller than George. (If I stand on a chair...)
I'm so scared! Who's that pretty girl next to me? (It's Debbie, and that handsome corpse is Kirk)
Showing off the new package. And the Abomnible DVD, with Theresa and Ryan.
Nobody's cuter than Adam and Jace. OK, maybe a basketful of kittens. But that's it.
Nothing like lounging on the old Hollywood casket-couch after a long day
There are totally different, and more, photos in my PICS - but here's a hint at Friday's Fangoria festivities.
...with our next President, Sid Haig! I needed 3-D glasses just to take in all of his wonderfulness.
...Inside Horror with Camden Toy I barely recognized him without his uber-vamp face from Buffy
...subdued with Repo's Grave Robber / Terrance Zdunich sometime before or after I mangled his last name
...Getting my Annual Fangoria buss from Chuckie Williams I'm a card-carrying member of his fan club
Oh, yeah... there were some panels there too! My Friday fave? Psycho reunion!
To see pics of these mugs again in slightly different poses, plus Gunnar Hansen, Lynn Lowry and Naughty Nettie, CLICK HERE
Saturday's SPEED RACER photos coming soon, and more from Fangoria (Sunday) with Coralina, Romero, and more... Promise!
By the way, I saw TROPIC THUNDER last night. It's still in the process of editing, so I don't know how much will change by August when it comes out, but I liked it overall. Ben Stiller is one of my fave directors, especially thanks to ZOOLANDER. He was on hand last night to introduce the film, and star Jack Black was in attendance as well.
When in doubt, just blame everything on Brett Ratner
Current mood: Bemused.
...That's what I do! In fact, I think I should have tee-shirts made: "It's all Brett Ratner's Fault".
The video interviews are actually quite extensive, but short and concise. There are four, back-to-back. If I am not mistaken, this is Shawn's first video piece as a leading producer, and I think he did an amazing job! (If you like it, you should leave a nice comment. Here's a link to the video, and the text)
I... Am... Iron... Reporter!
Current mood: accomplished
No, I'm not really the Iron Reporter. This guy is!
He was so cute! He was from the foreign press, doing his stand-up in heavily-accented English.
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I took a few snaps at the premiere, but as is usual with these things it was slow at first then fast-n-furious - so, I got too busy doing interviews and had to ditch the camera. By the way, Black Sabbath was there (sans Ozzy), but they just rushed by w/out giving me an interview even though I knew all their names and shouted them out... I think they are deaf! (Heck, I'm partially deaf thanks to Black Sabbath; I can only imagine their hearing test results).
The lovely Chinese Theater, a viewpoint seldom photographed.
Just half of the incredibly long press line -- that's about 100 stops for the stars!
The Tony Stark Audi
Screenwriter Mark Fergus. I was really happy to catch him, because he gave me a truly terriffic interview last year (or the year before...?) on his directorial debut, FIRST SNOW, which I loved.
The uber-cool, super-geeky Edgar Wright. He's working on a Marvel movie.
I liked these ladies' shoes.
Kinda blurry, but this is Jon Voight and I thought it was interesting of the two Jons I interviewed that night (the other being Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man) - they both spell their names in the same unusual way. (Did I mention, things are slow at first? :-)
Diddy zooms by.
Stiller not holding still.
Looking down the press line to see who's coming next. Faran Tahir in the foreground, and then the legendary Stan Lee.
Stan Lee and Jeff "The Dude" Bridges.
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Look for the IRON MAN premiere video on SciFi.com sometime today. Also, Reelz is still airing the REPO! interview today till 3 p.m., and I'll be giving a soundbite on M-TV news sometime today (and, presumably, their website... I have not had time to look for it yet this morning) about the upcoming summer blockbusters.
I really like that new feature on MySpace where you can subscribe to friends' updates. A lot of my fave friends don't blog, so now I can see when new pictures, songs, etc., are posted. It's pretty cool. However, I don't like that they took away the "what I'm watching / listening to / reading" from the blog entry area.
Yep, I've interviewed 58 people in April alone. Can you say: "busy"? The fruition of all that -- in videos and photos -- is going to be posted here as soon as I can manage.
However, I wanted to drop some quick news: I literally JUST FOUND OUT that Reelz Channel is running their interview with Darren Bousman on Repo! The Genetic Opera tomorrow (April 30), plus a couple of comments from me (and I do mean a couple - blink and you'll miss me, but I was surprised and honored to be asked. I didn't even know I'd be on-camera till I got to the studio that morning. I thought I was just there as a courtesy because I helped put Darren and the producer, Pamela Maheeber, together).
The Dailies Show runs on the Reelz Channel beginning tomorrow at 3 p.m. pacific time and I believe it is repeated every three hours for the next 24. It's on channel 238 on DirecTV, and it's on Dish on 299.
Here are a couple of snaps I took of Darren being interviewed, then one of me, him, and Miss Pamela.
M-TV, Me, and Iron Man
Current mood: slammed with work!
Just a quick one for now -- tons of news on the Speed Racer premiere and some awesome interviews from Fangoria's Weekend of Horror, and the new vampire series Scarlet (or is it... hm... rumors abound!) -- just wanted to let you know I'll be on M-TV again. It'll be this Thursday, and the topic is superhero movies. I mostly talked about Iron Man (the one I'm really looking forward to!). At the bottom is a little re-visit of part of my interview with Terrence Howard from last years' Comic-Con. Sci-Fi Channel has the rest! (This is just goof-off stuff).
Also, I'll be on Reelz Channel soon, talking about the rash of female film directors. There're a lot of them lately, and it's all good!
The Morning After a Good Nite [Bar]
Current mood: animated
On my way to Fango-Con, but here are a few pics Enzo took last night at Ryan and Rob's pre-weekend bash at The Good Nite. The entire photo album is in my pictures section. There're lots more fun snaps - !
Chillin’ With Dylan & Shakin’ Some Bacon
Current mood: still feeling shocked and sad
...Delivered just now! [2-disk edition]
...Created today! [Nancy Bacon's MySpace]
...Going tonight! [party]
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Busy as usual, trying to deal with so many personal issues and keep up with my work. But three things I'm happy about are: 1) Getting to see my favorite movie of 2007 again, I'M NOT THERE, 2) Creating a MySpace page for my mom, now that she is **finally** online, and 3) Being in the company of some good friends tonight.
Then it's sexy-time at the Fangoria Weekend of Horrors, starting tomorrow. For the first time ever, it's going to be at the L.A. Convention Center, and what's more, it's sharing space with AdultCon 2008. Should be a party. I'm pretty sure I'll only be there Friday and Sunday, as Saturday is going to be taken up entirely by SPEED RACER press events in Long Beach.
Oh, and speaking of racy rides, the new hotrod finally arrived. It's a beauty, huh?
It's going to be a difficult weekend, with Stephan missing - and I'm sure Randy won't go as planned, either. If you go to the con, do stop by the GIRLS & CORPSES booth - Stephan's publishing partner, Robert Rhine, will be there.
Stephan Miller, R.I.P. - updated
Current mood: melancholy
Some of you may have heard on the news about the trainer killed on the movie animal compound, Predators In Action today. He was a good friend of mine, Stephan Miller.
And, he wasn't exactly a trainer; Stephan had retired from the family business some time ago, and while he still loved the animals dearly and occasionally played with them and cared for them where they live on his cousin Randy's compound, as far as I know he wasn't professionally involved.
I was just there in Big Bear myself a few months back, doing a story for Girls & Corpses magazine. Stephan was the publisher. Enzo took some pics of Randy and Stephan interacting with Rocky the bear (who was recently in Semi Pro, the Will Farrell movie), and the bruin was well-behaved and obviously well-trained and well-cared for. I feel strongly that Stephan was not being at all reckless or careless around the bear. He'd known Rocky since Rocky was a cub.
I don't have any of the photos of Stephan and Rocky (but they are in the magazine). However, here's one of me interviewing Randy, with a lion nearby. I felt perfectly safe - precautions were taken, and I felt secure in knowing that in all of Predators In Action's years of work in the movies (most notably, the tiger scene in Gladiator), they had a spotless safety record.
I'm still in a state of disbelief; don't want to believe it. But it's true. It's so sad. I met his darling wife Elizabeth and his young son, and his colleagues at his brand new business venture, ShareNow.
He had such belief in this new start he was making, and in the past several months he was working so hard... 14, 15, 16 hour days to launch the fledgling social networking business. He was so excited and positive about the future, and at only 39, he had so much more life to live. He was a genuinely good, honest, completely unpretentious man. And he was super-cool to boot (he loved horror movies, heavy metal music, had some awesome tattoos!).
It's a loss, and I know everyone will miss him. Even if you didn't know him, or never met him at the horror cons, please think a positive thought and send good vibes to his family.
Staci
posted 12:35 AM April 23
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Update: Sunday, April 27
Today's funeral and memorial for Stephan was very sad, but beautiful and moving. Family and friends were invited to come up and speak, if so desired and as time permitted. I was not expecting that, and certainly didn't plan on it, but after a few of Stephan's family and lifelong friends spoke, I decided to go on up and address the mourners. I wasn't sure if it was appropriate, since I didn't know him for years and years, but I felt it was important to let his loved ones know that it did not matter if you knew Stephan for an hour, a month, a year, or a decade -- once you did, you would not forget him.
It's finally sinking in that I'll never call him again and get that crazy, silly outgoing message on his cell. Or that he won't hear White Zombie's Thunderkiss '65 and know it's me (all his friends had specially-assigned ringtones, to fit them). We'll never have lunch again at The Rainbow. I'll never be able to drink an Arnold Palmer without thinking of Stephan. (Or French Press coffee, which he adored, but immediately gave up on upon staying awake all night after his first try!) He really enjoyed and appreciated the DVDs I'd pass along to him, and I hope he got a chance to watch Bava's Blood & Black Lace (his xmas gift... it was taking him forever to get through it - not because he didn't love it, but because he was working so many long hours building his dream). I'll never hear his praise again (I was slowly writing our script, and every time I'd give him a few more pages, he'd say, "I love it! Where's the rest? :-), or his teasing on my shameless puns. We'll never talk about hair bands again, and I won't see his next tattoo.
But I am grateful to have known him - he certainly enriched my own experience and was a reminder that there are indeed still honest, hardworking, positive and genuinely enthusiastic people in the entertainment business... and in life. Even though he was taken too soon, I feel as though he left us on a high note. Everything was going his way personally and professionally, and he was a truly accomplished man.
If you'd like to know more about his life, please check out the well-rounded article by Paul Larocco in the Press Enterprise. A few of my musings are there, as well as those of our mutual friend Nick, and a photo by Enzo that Stephan really loved. Click here
Can you think of any movies in which an actor playing a corpse put in an amazing "performance"? (Zombies and the undead, etc., don't count.)
Here are three I like. (Donald Sutherland's is my fave. You just can't take your eyes off him in the opening scene w/ Jon Voight, and he's dead as a doornail the whole time! It's really impressive.)
Der Richter und sein Henker (1975) <<Donald Sutherland aka Deception, End of the Game, Getting Away with Murder, Murder on the Bridge
exhausted
inspired
artistic
recumbent
accomplished
melancholy
