The Uncowardly Lion

Perhaps acting isn’t her thing. Or perhaps it is. But she’ll be a diva. A director’s nightmare. Method actor all the way for this little darling. Because the concept of cowardly was either not understood or more likely ignored. Her lion was vicious and terrorizing. All balloon animals in her wake would fall. Queen of the jungle she was. Our heartfelt apology goes out to the children and parents of the Monterey peninsula who found themselves forcefully removed from their balloon animals on the All Hollows’ Evening.

Over in the red state of Tennessee my siblings sent a group pic. This was not in relation to Halloween. This is just how they normally dress. Aren’t they just as cute as pun’kin pie? Pictured from left: Tim, Arinne and young master Riley. Aarek and Jen.

And now we pop on up to the red state of Kentucky where brother Rikki enjoys a fall afternoon with young Ms. Skyler and wife, Kendra.

Last week I had the privilege of visiting Skywalker Sound. It’s difficult to put into words the experience. It’s like the first time you saw Disneyland. Or the first time you uncovered a properly cared for set of boobs. It is a moment to remember. I am stunned anyone would want to edit or mix anywhere else. I have heard that studios are weary about sending a crew so far North because then their executives can’t easily keep an eye on things. Did you just laugh out loud? I did. Executives keeping an eye on things. That’s like assigning table manners to the guy who eats with his feet. Well, in this case I have no choice but to say, well done, Lions Gate. This time you done good.
And after visiting, I find it hard to believe that better facilities or talent exists anywhere in the world. It’s like walking onto the bridge of the Enterprise. Yes, I realize the Enterprise on Lucas Ranch might be sacrilege but honestly the Millennium Falcon’s cockpit is entirely too small and as we all know the hyperdrive is shotty at best.
So you got Frank and Andre who could easily be mistaken for Shatner and Spock. Tom and Gary are sitting up front driving the boat. Then you’ve got this team of crack space marines locked and loaded and ready to scrag aliens. Steve and his “accidental genius”. I personally think “accidental” is the wrong term. Accidental suggests this genius happens simply by chance. Not the case. You know it’s gonna happen. So I’m gonna call it “unscheduled genius”. Then there’s Chris and his lush, long, golden locks that feel much like mink and pink fluffy clouds with an aroma of fresh lavender and water fairies. What most folks don’t realize is that Chris wears a prosthetic skull cap because he loves irony. You also have Scott, who before finding a home with Witness Protection was known as Scotty Scott No Shoes. There’s also Marilyn who not only comes equipped with every line of dialog from every single take in the film but also a Mac Finder-like brain which holds it all together. Finally you have Josh the music editor ripping through Wandmacher’s creations to round out the sound within each scene.
You put all these cats together and it’s a marvelous little symphony of sound they create.
Again. Why would anyone…ever…go anywhere…else?
I sit here thinking back on the experience and it makes me fall in love with making movies again. It reminds me why I loaded my old pickup back in 96 and took the drive of faith. When it works…it is soooo wonderful. Magical. Perfect.
It works at Skywalker Sound.
I was privileged…nay…honored to have witnessed a scene that was…missing something. It was…off somehow. It wasn’t in the writing. Nor the direction. Nor in the brilliant performances. But somehow something was off. Everyone stared. Heads tilted in wonder. Then. Quietly. I hear Frank say, “Mac and Cheese.” Within seconds we’re watching the playback…this time with a very subtle sound added for effect. The sound of Mac and Cheese.
Ladies and gentlemen. I give you…brilliance.

Grabbed a quick pic of Patrick and Laura in front of the Ranch.
And later the three of us joined Jaime and Kyle for an evening of spaghetti with a view of San Francisco across the bay. It was a wonderfully laid back night filled with hysterical laughter. Patrick and Kyle traded their assorted stories from working with and for the brothers Weinstein. Hollywood. It is sometimes just as surreal as you might think.
I was looking around the table in wonder. Jaime has about 10 movies coming out over the next year or so. Kyle finally won the battle over Fanboys which I must admit I’m a little fanboy over myself. Laura has successfully sent Devin out on his life voyage while building the castle on the hill and overseeing the land. Then you have Patrick whose career is about to explode. What he has accomplish despite the meddling, despite the budget restraints. Simply amazing. And finally there’s me. The child allowed to eat at the grown up table. The driver allowed to eat with the band. Oh, to be young and pretty again.
I had my back to the wall which allowed me to serve as both Ninja protector and observant writer guy. It was fun to watch people watch our table. We were loud. Way too loud. But no one was going to say anything with Jaime King sitting there. It was a mix of “Wow, look who it is” and “how rude.” One couple approached with a camera but the waiter stopped them. He was polite and if I read lips correctly asked that they wait until we had finished our meal.
We actually shut it down relatively early. Patrick slipped me cash for the bridge toll as I had mentioned earlier busting open a roll of quarters on the way up. And it just now occurs to me that Patrick vanished as we strolled to the cars. When he reappeared he handed me more money. I realize now that he was talking to the parking attendant to determine how much cash I needed to to get out of the lot. He’s always thinking like that. Always taking care of people. Or maybe its just me. I am, in many respects, not unlike Devin’s younger brother.
Needless to say, it was a great trip. Only one thing would have made it legendary. And it wasn’t to have met Lucas or R2. The trip would have been perfect had Mel been there.

So it was a quick drive home where I presented young Izzie Rain with her Lucas Ranch bounty.

So, let’s chat election. First off. I voted for Bush. Last two times. Sorry’bout that. Messed up. But I have made it no secret that I am a Republican who voted for Obama. I am, of course, very happy with the outcome. While I have been known to adore McCain, the fear thing was getting old. So I went with Obama’s message of hope. As a result I’ve gotten some pretty unhappy phone calls and emails so I’m gonna say this once.
I still believe in the core Republican Party values. But sadly I think the Republican Party, in the last eight years, lost track of those core values. The party was supposed to be about lowering taxes and less spending. Taxes went up. And we have spent more than we probably ever have. Throughout most of my life I’ve been told we have been fighting communism. Yet we borrowed 500 billion from communist China. I’m confused. You tell us they are evil…except when we need a loan? We went from being the most supported country in the world (after 911) to the most hated. Remember how everyone used to hate the USSR? Guess who they hate now.
The Republican party is the party that promotes a strong defense yet our harbors and borders are in worse shape than they were pre-911. We are more vulnerable now than ever.
The Republican party became the party that ruled with fear. That didn’t really interest me. I’m sort of over the drama. Sort of tired of the BS. The McCain campaign was one of propaganda. And I think the Republican party screwed up. This was a young people’s election and young peeps tend to see through the BS. While the Republican Party put a few old bigots into near cardiac arrest, the young peeps ignored the propaganda. While the Republican party was spouting fear and rhetoric, the Democratic party was shouting hope. I respond well to hope.
“Pals around with terrorists, extreme radical, socialist/Marxist, follower of a purveyor of hate and a Muslim.” Those were the Republican Party ads running across American. I liked McCain but his campaign was lying. How am I supposed to hold him up as some moral champion when he lies? McCain ran a dirty campaign. I loved the old dolt but he did. As a result a big chunk of the country believes that Obama is a terrorist, Muslim, radical, socialist and apparently he’s both gay and lesbian.
And am I the only one offended by clumping Muslim in with the above? Well, I assume Muslims are, but seriously? Jewish, cathlic, Baptist… Muslim is worse? What am I missing?
I am of German/English decent, does that mean I tax tea and hate Jews?
When did the Republican party become so…intolerant?
Obama ain’t perfect. Nobody is. Not even you. But he may never recover from those accusations in the mind of the south. And that just further divides our country and McCain should be ashamed. And you want to know the truth? I think he is a little. Did you hear his final speech on election night? Where had that guy been? Wow. That’s the guy I wanted to see run. But he erred. And he should be ashamed. And so should people. For being stoopid. Because somehow people can believe that Obama is a Muslim AND under the spell of Rev Wright. Think about that one for a moment.
Following the election I saw Facebookers write things like “I’m ashamed of America”. Seriously? Have any of them been paying attention? We are bankrupt and vulnerable to our enemies.
Somehow the Republican Party became the church party. This election, at least for the more churchy folks, became God vs. Satan. And it makes me sad because I know people are truly hurt. Deep down they are hurt to the inner core. And I’m sorry but it’s silly. Wake up folks. Neither party really truly supports your religious beliefs. Bush has been in the White House for 8 years and abortion is still legal. Remove your church from your state and let’s worry about fixing this country before we lose it…along with the religious freedoms we hold so dear.

I lead a very blessed life. No, I’m not rich. Stop thinking it. I don’t live in the big house and I don’t drive the fancy car. But I have the family and friends to die for.
Sweet dreams people. I’mma take a nap now. Not really but don’t it look comfy?