THE ATHLETIC NERD

I have a very different system of reviewing movies than most.  It’s based on a number of factors but I’ve come up with a list that sums things up nicely.

The Filmmaker’s Intentions – What did they set out to make?  It’s not fair to bash an action movie if you don’t like action movies is it?  If they set out to make a fun action movie then that’s how I base my opinion.

The Entertainment Factor – Shocking twists, action sequences, tears, drama, laughs.

The Story – I’m all about story.  Love good stories.

The Overall Experience – Going to the movies is supposed to be fun.  Disappointing movies feel like a waste of time but some movies leave you with a satisfied smile on your face.

The Lasting Appeal – Movies we love stay with us forever.  If I’m still thinking about a movie the next day, it scores high in this category.

No Scores – I don’t give ratings or stars.  I make my recommendations based on who I’m talking to and what type of movies they like.

With that in mind, here are my favorite movies of 2009 or as I like to call them:

Honorable Mention: Inglourious Bastards

5 – The Hurt Locker

I was sold 100% on this movie after seeing the trailer.  Then the positive reviews came along and finally the release date arrived.  The Hurt Locker is an intense movie and I loved it.  The premise alone pins you to the edge of your seat.  At any moment the bomb could go off.  Fantastic movie.

4 – District 9

Viral Marketing at it’s finest.  District 9 was one of the most unique experiences of 2009.  An ‘indy’ sci-fi action movie with an incredible story.  I put District 9 in the category of “Why didn’t they think of this years ago?”.  I was pretty disappointed with most of the big summer blockbuster movies but District 9 reminded me that you don’t need a massive budget to entertain.  You just need a good story.

3 – Up

My sister and I have seen pretty much all of the Pixar films together and Up was no different.  I knew it was going to be good but I didn’t expect it to nearly knock Toy Story off the top spot.  While Toy Story remains my favorite Pixar movie, Up is a very close second.  It was everything we’ve come to expect from a Pixar film.  It was funny, it had heart, it looked gorgeous and it entertained.  Bring on Toy Story 3.

2 – The Hangover

One of the funniest movies I’ve seen in theaters in years.  Ironically, I saw this the day after seeing Up so it was a pretty great movie filled weekend.  There is a tradition among people who enjoy a night out at the bars that is absolutely vital to a successful night. Pre-Drinking.  A tradition among pre-drinkers is watching movies together while you drink.  (Old School.  Dumb & Dumber. Superbad.) The Hangover is a worthy edition to an already stellar lineup of classics.  Welcome to the team!

1 – Paranormal Activity

The most FUN I’ve had in a theater in years and hands down my favorite movie of 2009.  I saw this movie in a packed house full of terrified people and I was one of them.  Every time the scene changed to their bedroom at night, the entire audience began shifting in their seats.  It was an amazing experience.  I feel bad for those who either waited to long to see it or are waiting for video.  You missed out.

Check out my other posts on Paranormal Activity HERE, HERE, and HERE.

So long 2009

2008 was a slow year for me.  I couldn’t seem to get to the theater enough but 2009 was a return to form.  More movies, more fun, more entertainment and most importantly, more inspiration.

Going to the movies is an addiction.  It’s an obsession I can’t live without.  I can’t to see what’s in store for 2010.

I thought about returning to Christmas themed movies but the release of the new Robin Hood trailer got me thinking about a different type of film this week.

I wasn’t a big fan of the Robin Hood trailer but the idea of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe collaborating again is enough to keep me interested.  The reason is because when you think of those two titans, you think of Gladiator.

“Are you not entertained!”

I’m always going to regret missing this film in theaters.  It’s one of my favorite action movies of all time for many obvious reasons but also because the story is just too good.  The best action movies out there have insane amounts of eye candy and those scenes are backed up with emotion and characters we care about.  Maximus is now considered (by me) to be one of the greats in terms of heroic characters.

What I loved about the movie is how incredible the writing was.  Here’s a movie that opens with lines like:

“What we do in life, echoes in eternity”

Brilliant.

There are certain scenarios where a line like that wouldn’t work yet on the edge of a giant battle sequence, it sends chills down your spine.  The familiar phrase “Shadows and dust” is now a toast amongst my friends before we drink shots that are literally called Gladiators. (Note: Orange juice, 7up and Ameretto. Delicious)

I loved this movie so much that come Oscar time, I actually felt proud when it won the Best Picture award.  Like one of my friends finally made it big.  The filmmakers did such an amazing job bringing the world of Gladiators to the big screen.  I’m still shocked when I talk to someone who hasn’t seen it.  (For the record, if you haven’t seen it yet you need to get on it immediately.)

The idea behind Rainy Sundays is to go back and remember the movies that stick with us forever.  Gladiator has so many amazing action scenes and a script that continues to amaze me every time I see it portrayed on the screen.  It’s time to head to my top shelf and turn on my DVD player.

PS: How good was the music in that movie?  Amazing.

PS #2: “On my signal, unleash hell.”

One of the coolest moments a screenwriter can have is finally hitting print and watching the pages stack up in front of their printer. It’s a moment of satisfaction that we all strive to achieve.  You’ve finally finished something you poured your heart into.  It’s a screenplay you’re proud of.  The feeling is even better when it’s your final draft and you’re ready to show the world your hard work.

Writers spend a lot of time dreaming about the moment when they can finally hold a completed script in their hands.  It’s a bitter sweet thought because you know how hard you have to work before reaching The Print Out.  Thankfully, the work is addicting and fun.

I’ve been working on a new feature script for a few months now but the story has been in development for two years.  You can imagine how excited I am to finish the script.  I’m extremely close to finishing my first draft and the anticipation is killing me.

So I cheated…

How could I resist?  Even though it isn’t finished yet I’m still excited about the idea of sitting outside with my script, my notebook and a pen.

When I printed it out and I was immediately reminded of the sense of pride you gain when you finish a script.  It’s an inspiring thought.

Watching the pages emerge from my printer was also a terrific reminder of why I love to write. Writing a screenplay is a long process and it takes a lot of dedication to stick with a story for such a long time.  Yet to those who love to write, the process is an addiction.  We’re all addicted to that magical moment when the pages are full, the revisions are done and The Print Out is imminent.

However, standing between me and that wonderful moment is a story that remains untold.  There are a lot of pages to cover and characters to get to know better.  There are scenes to be written and dialogue to shape.  There is action to describe and emotions to convey.  Not to mention the hundreds of revisions and changes a script must go through before being truly complete.

Each script is a welcome challenge and I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.

And now… A quote:

“Find a job you love, never work a day in your life.”

It’s a fitting quote in this situation because reaching The Print Out is a moment that isn’t nearly as satisfying if you don’t truly love what you do.

I can’t wait to finish my new script for three reasons:

1. The Print Out
2. I’ll be starting a new script
3. I love to write.

This week happens to be the 3 month anniversary of this website. (The 15th to be exact)  While The Athletic Nerd is still in it’s infancy, I thought I’d talk a little bit about what’s in store for 2010.  It’s been an incredibly fun journey so far sharing my thoughts on movies, television and technology but I’ve got bigger and nerdier plans for the future.

The Athletic Nerd Brand

A while back I wrote a 2 part post called Self Branding.   The branding continues with the new logo I’m unveiling here today.  I think it’s important for a site to establish it’s identity from the beginning so you’ll be seeing those blue and red letters around the site more and more.  It’s a fairly simple logo but it will certainly evolve along with the blog.  (Actually, I guarantee it.  I love revisions and redesigns.) 

If there is anything I’ve learned about blogging during these last few months, it’s the importance of setting yourself apart from similar blogs.  I’ll be dedicating a lot of time and research to continue refining the type of content I create and the audience I want to reach.

In terms of overall design, I think the site has finally found a good look and I’ll be sticking with it until a completely customized site can be designed. For now I want to focus on content and gaining more readers.

Film, TV and Technology from a personal and professional perspective.

This is the style I strive to achieve in my writing.  You’ll never see a post that just regurgitates the news of the day.  Instead, you’ll get a personal look into how the subject inspires creativity.  Over the past 3 months, I’ve introduced a variety of different features that strenghten that idea.

Rainy Sundays – Probably the most popular feature on the site right now.  Once a week, I dig into the past and pull out a movie you could easily watch on those lazy days when you just want to sit back and enjoy a classic.   Throughout 2010, I’m planning to keep adding films to the Rainy Sunday list regularily with a couple added twists here and there.  Click here for more…

What!? – Surprising news. Trailer debuts.  Shocking announcements.  It’s the closest thing you’ll find to a news article on this site but it’s reserved only for those special moments I just have to write about.  Click here for more…

Really!? – A look at the little details about the industry that annoy.  The beauty of the subjects on this site is they can both excite and frustrate.  Films can flop.  Equipment breaks.  Hear about my personal encounters here.  Click here for more…

10 Flicks – A relatively new feature that’s still evolving.  At first, I wanted to have a countdown feature on this site.  As time went on, I decided to take a different approach.  So they are no longer countdowns and instead, will be carefully selected picks that fit the hot topic of the day.  Click here for more…

Spotlight - Many blogs have reviews of popular sites, movies, blogs and technology but many do not detail how it affects their lives professionally and creatively.  Why not give a personal account in addition to the normal review structure.  Here is where I’ll be sharing what inspires me in my career.  Click here for more…

iPhone FX – This is a rare feature that won’t show up often but it’s a fun side project of mine.  Currently, I do not own a video camera and I have a deep obsession with motion graphics.  When I got my iPhone, I saw an opportunity to add some effects to the videos I take.  Once in a while when I have some time to mess around, I’ll be posting some shots with some added style and effects.  Click here for more…

All of these features will remain and a few more will be added in the coming months.  (I’m actually pretty excited about the newest features.)

17 West Productions Returns

First and foremost, I’m a professional editor at a major sports network in Canada.  Beyond that, I also co-own a production company with my business partner Eric Gamache.  Since The Athletic Nerd launched, there hasn’t been much to report in terms of new projects but that will be changing in a matter of weeks.

I’ll be directing a new short film beginning in January and I’ll be updating daily on the production.  Every aspect of the film will be detailed with behind the scenes videos and stills. 

In addition to that, we have 2 more productions ready to get underway.  One is currently casting and I’m preparing to write the other in January.  Expect regular updates on those projects as well.

You’ll also be seeing better integration with 17west.ca.  The site will be getting a series of updates once these productions begin and I’ll be using The Athletic Nerd as a compliment to the stories on that site.  Head over to 17W for the news and check out this site for rest!

A Screenwriter At Work

A few weeks ago, I started posting more and more about screenwriting.  I don’t claim to be an expert but I will be posting personal accounts while I’m grinding out the pages.  It’s my number 1 passion on this planet.  I love screenwriting.

The Expansion Team

In 2010, you can expect to see contributions from other bloggers and people in the industry.  I’ll be adding posts from a variety of working professionals as well as dedicated fans of film.  Both sides of the industry in one place.

The Goal

Obviously, the goal is to gain a steady stream of traffic to the site.  The Athletic Nerd is still young but there is a lot of content here already.  2010 will be about generating more and better content for the readers I have and the readers I have yet to encounter. 

This site has given me an excuse to write everyday.  I may not have time to work on my latest script or a new revision but there is always twenty minutes here and there to write about what I love and why I love it.  All the best in 2010.  Visit often.  Tell your friends.

What I love about movies is how everyone has an opinion.  You don’t have to be an expert to love or hate certain movies.  As a filmmaker, I’ve made it a point to be aware of this.  I’ll never make a movie that everyone will like.  I focus on writing movies that I like and making the best movies I can.  You have to be mindful of the audience you’re after though.  The biggest flops are the films that cater to a specific audience who are ultimately disappointed.

I would never push Playing Through towards a hardcore action fan.  I know it’s best suited for fans of drama with a small interest in golf.  My point is, consumers tend to hate movies that promise something and fail to deliver.  Which brings me to 2009′s Bottom 3:

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

What could have been...

A perfect example of empty promises.  I was obsessed with the first Transformers.  I find giant fighting robots entertaining. What I loved about the first film besides the battles was how small the story was given the size of the Transformers mythology.  The effects made the movie entertaining but following Sam as he discovers the world of Transformers is what made that movie memorable.  The sequel promised more of the same.  However, it delivered a story that was just too big for it’s own good.  I was disappointed.

Too many robots! Why not get rid of the offensive twins and give Ironhide and Wratchet something more to do?  Who was that ancient robot besides convenient exposition?  What’s the point of The Fallen?  He sucked as the ‘main’ villain.  He showed up late and died too quickly.

I think it would have been truly bad ass to have all the autobots defending that pyramid from Devastator.  Think of how awesome that sequence might have been.  In the end, the story wasn’t the greatest and there were so many characters I didn’t care about.

Positive: The forest battle.
Negative: Too many robots.  Not enough story.

Dragonball: Evolution

Don't be fooled... This part wasn't exciting at all.

Let me explain.  I went into Blockbuster video a few weeks ago and scanned their previously viewed section.  Buy 2 get 1 free.  I had 5 DVD’s in my hand and needed a 6th.  Dragonball was my dark horse pick.  Who knows right?  So many people hated that movie but there must have been a reason why they made it?  Maybe I’m the audience they were looking for…

I was wrong. I was better off without the free movie.

It’s probably one of the worst movies of all time.  I didn’t like Transformers 2 but it still had it’s moments.  You could still rent that movie and sit through it relatively pain free.  This is not the case with Dragonball: Evolution.  I wasn’t a giant fan of the cartoon but I was expecting a movie with epic fights in huge open fields.  The old cartoon had fights that would last 5 or 6 episodes.  In the movie, Goku fights highschool bullies that are pretty much black belts for no good reason.  This is an example of not knowing the audience.  I think they were trying to make the film appeal to everyone and instead it appealed to no one and alienated the core fans.

So much is wrong with this movie. No good fights.  No twists.  No laughs.  No danger.  No suspense.  Who cares?

Positive: When he turns into the monkey.  That was a decent twist I suppose.  I’m sure hardcore fans saw it coming though.  Actually they probably already left the theater or burned the disc.
Negative: Discs don’t burn do they?

X-Men origins: Wolverine

Looks cool yet isn't.

One of my favorite movies of 2009 earned it’s place in my heart because of how much fun I had in the theater.  (Check back soon for more on my favorites of the year.)  Wolverine is not that movie.  I actually laughed in disbelief at certain points.  They couldn’t possibly sell this as a Wolverine movie right?  I feel like someone wrote a fantastic movie and we were destined for an awesome flick.  Then the studio heads got a hold of it and said:

“Add 9 more mutants”

“Won’t that complicat—”

“Just do it!”

The writers went back to work and jammed in a whole bunch of useless characters and plot points without explaining anything.

Maybe they thought it strengthened the story.  Or maybe they wrote a story full of holes and needed a quick fix.  I think they just wanted to sell toys.  Take Gambit for example.  Remove him from the movie and you lose nothing.  He’s an awesome character and they wasted a golden opportunity.  This whole movie is one big wasted opportunity.

Oh and also, don’t get me started on Wolverine’s memory loss.  Are you kidding me?  That whole scene belongs on the blooper reel not the final act.  I was so mad after I saw this movie.

I really wanted to love it.  I’m definitely part of their target demographic right?  I honestly thought Dragonball would have taken the top spot this year until I started thinking about Wolverine again.  It’s the worst movie I saw in 2009.

Positive: Deadpool was pretty cool.
Negative: No he wasn’t.

Honourable Mention: Drag Me To Hell…  I was so excited to see this movie.  Maybe something is wrong with me but I didn’t like it at all.