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Notes
from Austin, Volume 2 #24
Well Boys and Gurls. July 13th is the official date which
marks my 1 year anniversary as a resident of Austin. There
have been a lot of highlights this past year... and plenty
of low ones as well.
I cannot begin to imagine what "the best" moment has been
but surely one right on the top of the list is meeting John
Waters when he came for last year's "aGLIFF film festival."
John signed my copies of "Trash Trio" and of William Castle's
autobiography "Step Right Up" which John wrote the intro to.
I also talked to him briefly about Edward Furlong, whom he
called "Eddie." It was great. He looked a bit older in person
than he does on TV and for some reason I cannot explain, I
just wanted to hug him. I wish I had.
I also got to meet Buck Henry and see Robert Altman and
Lyle Lovett during the Austin
Film Festival. I went to Park City for the Sundance/Slamdance
(Land of 1000 Dances?) film festivals. There I saw Michael
Stipe and Kurt Russel just walking down the street. And filethirteen
really began to get a real foothold in the film website wonderland.
I've also gotten to meet and interview Wiley
Wiggins, an actor whom I really like. Wiley's a really
nice guy too, a bit quirky, but genuine. And having an opportunity
to meet him has been really cool. I've also met a ton of interesting
and talented people in town, those still steps away from "that
big break..." John Christensen, Mark Brauner, Bob
Ray, Kyle Henry, Kevin West, and Miss
Xanna Don't. Of these, Xanna is probably had the most
success, and, like many, found herself confused and troubled
by the changes the city is undergoing.
Of course, being in Austin and doing the website hasn't
always been rosey. I pretty much alienated two of my best
friends in the world in Park City even though I warned them
I would be irritable "on the road." I've found myself sidetracked
from making films, which is what I originally moved to Austin
to do, and I've found myself growing despondent over the dying
art/film/music scene in the town. In many ways, Austin is
a town in flux, moving from college town to global village.
It can be awkward growth at times. And, also, there is zero
- I mean absolutely no - gay scene in this town.
Still, I am in love with this town and I don't want to be
anywhere else. I can't wait for what happens next. So much
to look forward to. aGLIFF 2000, the next Austin Film Festival,
SXSW,
many more events at the Alamo Drafthouse, the next live gigs
by Hobble, The Fuckemos, Voltage and Xanna.
And the unknown. New films, new actors and directors, new
bands, new artists, new cable access shows, new friends, new
parties, new experiences, new loves and new things to write
about...
I love my life!
I just heard Phil Collins' cover of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors"
on some wimpy station while I was clicking around on the dial.
Ugh! Why God Why? Why would anyone want to hear a whiny, wimpy,
elevator muzak remake of this classic contemporary song. Lauper's
original is so emotive, expressive and heartfelt. I may cry.
Who is this big nosed guy in the IBM.com commercials? He looks
like Jason Biggs' older cousin or something. I know I've seen
him in either a movie or a TV show but I can't remember who
the hell he is or what he was in. It's driving me crazy!
Went to Waterloo Records the other day and found out Patti Smith
is doing an in-store Cd signing on 7/21 before her gig at the
Backyard. Awesome! I will be there with my copy of "Babel" in
hand!
While I was at the store I picked up Nina Hagen's "NunSexMonkRock"
Cd. I had loaned my friend Paul my copy of it and ended up
giving it to him as a graduation present. I also got Wire's
"Chairs Missing" which I fell in love with while hearing it
on shuffle over at John Christensen's house. And last, but
not least, I picked up the Brazilian electronica album that
I heard at Thunderclouds last week, "Caipirissima." It's really
good.
One of the funniest comedies on Austin Access TV is called
"After Midnight with Aaron." It comes on Fridays at midnights
on Channel 16. I've only seen it a couple times. On the show,
the gayest guy I have ever seen in the world continually tries
to pass himself off as heterosexual. It's freaking hilarious.
Okay... that was a bit of meanness. But really, this guy
is so obviously gay. I know it's stereotyping to say limp
wristed, queeny little fey guys are gay but... c'mon. My gaydar
goes ding ding ding!
For some unknown and crazy reason, the show is produced
by and stars Christian Side, one of those bombastic and boring
cable guys who preach conspiracy theory and stuff. I've tried
to watch his show a few times to tell if he's right wing or
left wing or just... out on a wing... but I can never stay
interested long enough to really figure it out before switching
the station. He also appears on "After Midnight with Aaron"
and adds absolutely zero to the show.
What was really weird the other night was Aaron had these
three really cute but far too stupid and far too self involved
girls on the show. Well, okay only two were. One of them,
a girl named Monica was actually pretty smart and pretty funny
and pretty interesting. She tried to add something to the
show but just as she would get going, either Christian or
Aaron would cut her off and go back to doing something completely
dull and boring.
Anyway... at the end of the show a girl named Tracie called
and I could tell immediately it was Tracie Layton, the producer
of "Pageant," who I met the other night at Antones. I guess
the girls and Aaron are going to be in the movie or something.
Whatever... just a weird bit of synchronicity or something.
I just wish Aaron would come out. Obviously these girls
like him because he is so sexually non-threatening to females.
He's so obviously gay. Please Aaron. Come out already. There
is only shame and sadness in the closet!
NewLine has reportedly moved the actioner "15 Minutes" starring
Robert Deniro and Ed Burns from an Oct. 2000 release to Feb
2001. The trailer features Bowie's "Fame," so I don't mind seeing
it for 6 more months.
Queen bitch gossip columnist Liz Smith reports that Jim Carrey
recently saw some clips from his forthcoming holiday film "The
Grinch Who Stole Christmas," which was lensed by Ron Howard,
and was not happy.
Saturday night I went to the Alamo to check out "City
of Lost Children" at midnight. I had never seen it before.
Karrie was there tearing tickets. We had a really nice long
convo about Terry Gilliam, "Fear
and Loathing in LV," "Shaft," DVDs and stuff in general.
Karrie is such a nice and friendly person. It's always such
a treat to see her when I go to the Alamo. Usually, she's
pretty busy, so it was a nice to get to chat with her. Also
said "hi" to Daniel, one of the Alamo's awesome staff.
Went in to find a seat and they were playing some sort of
odd black and white film which featured a guy in a turban
playing the organ. Of course, the accompanying sound was an
electronica album that almost fit the movements of the visual
image. It was surreal. This apparently Indian guy playing
the piano on film was really odd, he would look at the camera
with these eyes that almost seemed to be trying to hypnotize
you. It was eerie and hilarious at the same time. The credits
listed this guys name as something like Korlah Prudit or something
close to that. It was a surreal beginning to what was to be
a surreal evening. "City of Lost Children" is a stunning masterpiece.
Before the show, Tim made some important announcements including
the mention of the upcoming Quentin Tarantino fest scheduled
for 8/25. For something like 9 days, QT will be in town presenting
films from his collection. A couple of the events will be
all-nighters, I believe. Tim
the Wonderhorse went to one of these a couple years back.
I think it's been 2 years since QT did one of these. Look
for Harry Knowles and his clan to be front and center as well.
On 9/16, the Alamo will have William Friedkin in attendance
to present his film "The French Connection." And on 9/16,
it's the return of the Cannibal Film Festival.
BTW - QT fans who can't wait until August 25th for a new
fix of their fave director should go to their local megaplex
and check out the preview for Adam Sandler's "Little Nicky."
In it, QT plays a hell, fire and brimstone Southern preacher
who blurts out a few lines at Sandler's titular character,
the goofball son of Satan.
"Scary
Movie" is a surprise hit. The film, which I pegged to
come in 4th after "The Patriot," "The Perfect Storm" and "Me,
Myself and Irene" on it's opening weekend, easily beat out
the competition grossing $42 mill, doubling my predicted $15-20
mil start..
In Fact, I haven't done very well with my predictions at
all.
My top 10 picks shape up only fairly. (Dollar amounts are
millions. Duh)
1. Me
Myself and Irene
My Prediction: $320
Gross as of 7/9: $67
2. M:I
2
MyPrediction: $260
Gross as of 7/9: $204
3.The
Patriot
My Prediction: $250
Gross as of 7/9: $5
4. Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps
My Prediction: $240
Gross as of 7/9: N/A (opens 7/28)
5. Dinosaurs
My Prediction: $230
Gross as of 7/9: $132
6. X-Men
My Prediction: $200
Gross as of 7/9: N/A (opens 7/14)
7. What Lies Beneath
My Prediction: $170
Gross as of 7/9: N/A (opens 7/21)
8. Gone in 60 Seconds
My Prediction: $160
Gross as of 7/9: $87
9. Fantasia 2000
My Prediction: $150
Gross as of 7/9: $59
10. The Perfect Storm
My Prediction: $150
Gross as of 7/9: $100
CLICK for MORE
NOTES VOL 2 #24
"Some films
i'm really looking forward to:"
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