Movies, music, people, lots of stuff. Used to be, I'd suffer fools gladly, in hopes of learning something new. But I've either learned as much as I can, or I'm less patient in my old age. Still, if you are passionate about it, I probably want to hear about it. I hate "cool" people. If you're not a geek about something, you're not living.
Music
Got pretty broad tastes, just about anything. I've never really gotten into the genre thing, I just like good music, whatever the brand someone's put on it. Been listening to a lot KRTU lately, except when they're doing pledge drives. I've been jonesing to do a music video, so I'll post a few that I love here.
Movies
Aside from my own? Jeez, where to start? My DVD shelf, I guess, isn't that how most people do it? The Magnificent Seven is a great movie. So is Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, although Tim Burton sure as hell went downhill fast after that one. I just ordered "Viva Pedro," the 9-disc Almodovar collection. He may be the most important living filmmaker. Anything by the Coens or John Sayles, but that's pretty much a given. I really love what I've seen of Guy Maddin's work, genius. His Girl Friday. Diva. Point Blank. Goldfinger. Have you seen Gun Crazy? The 1950 version? Holy Hannah, that's a kooky-fun movie. Mid-career Hitchcock, early Carpenter, Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder. David Lynch. Guillermo Del Toro shows great promise. Eating Raoul. Danger: Diabolik! The Man Who Would be King. Gunga Din. The Abominable Dr. Phibes. The Matrix. Ealing Comedies. Anything with Boris Karloff, he may be the best film actor who ever lived, no kidding. "Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor" is the movie that made me want to make movies. I'll pick up anything by Soderbergh or Rodriguez, but mostly for the commentaries. There are a lot (LOT!) of micro-budget filmmakers in my friends list, take a look at any of them. You should be so lucky as to have friends who make movies like these.
Television
It's kind of embarrassing to admit that nothing has influenced me more than the 1960s Batman show. Julie Newmar made me the man I am today, and Frank Gorshin is my own personal Buddha. There's never been anything like Twin Peaks. Pee-Wee's Playhouse. Sesame Street, Dr. Susan Long was my first crush. Jonny Quest. Python and Fawlty Towers. I watch plenty of sporting events, documentary stuff, and the funner reality. Mythbusters. Anthony Bourdain's show. Adult Swim is getting good again, been awhile, but SuperJail and Drinky Crow really knock me out. And earlier in the day on Cartoon Network, check out Chowder and especially Flapjack. There's some fun, subversive work going on there not seen since the days of Beanie and Cecil.
Books
I'll let you in on a secret -- I don't read anymore. I've always thought of myself as a literary guy, a writer first and a filmmaker second. But the truth is, I maybe read two or three books a year, now. Not sure why. The evolution of Mistah Pete. Or should that be "devolution"? I've got an audiobook going in the car pretty much always, but actually cracking a spine, I don't do it like I used to. My writing has slowed a lot, too. Can't help but suspect these observations might be in some way related. Still, if you want to know the authors who really impacted me and my work: Terry Southern, Charles Portis, Nabokov, Richard Stark, Patricia Highsmith, P.G. Wodehouse, John D. MacDonald, Lawrence Block, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Lester Dent, Raymond Chandler. I named my first son after Dashiell Hammett.
Heroes
I don't really know what a hero is. So I'll list a few friends and others whom I admire and/or envy.
About me: I make movies in San Antonio, TX. Short films. Fun films. I'm making new ones all the time. Come join me! My award-winning shorts have played at bunches of film festivals, all over the country, and (dare I say it?) the world. I've won awards for my movies in Seattle, Austin, Costa Rica, and maybe a few others. I sometimes like to think of what I do as "live-action animation." I've been known to write scripts that other people make movies out of, too. I received a grant from the Artist Foundation, so I'm trying hard to live up to it and be an artist. I like ukeleles and tiki mugs and Shiner Bock beer.
I did this trailer for the SAL film festival. I like it. I like the festival, too. Please donate. They do a lot for San Antonio film.
Who I'd like to meet: Artists. Fun and funny people. Talented people. Smartasses. Anyone who might visit my YouTube Channel.
Thanks so much for coming out to Taco Cabana recently and for supporting this film! On behalf of the Michael, Bryan, and everyone who worked on this film...we really appreciate it!!! Thank you!
