Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Viewings of 2011

For the first time in my life, I viewed 365 films in 365 days. Film #365 (I Saw The Devil) finished with ten minutes to spare, even. Pathetic/Amazing, right? Here's some thoughts about the past 365 films/days.

365 Viewings. 204 First Time Viewings.

Top 10 Films Released in 2011:

10. Paul
9. Stake Land
8. Red Hill
7. Red State
6. Hesher
5. Insidious
4. X-Men: First Class 
3. Tucker and Dale Versus Evil
2. I Saw The Devil
1. Black Death

Top 10 First Time Viewings in 2011 (non-2011 releases):
10. Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records
9. The King of Kong
8. Buried
7. Dead Silence
6. Let Me In
5. Welcome To Spring Break
4. Hard Ticket To Hawaii
3. Catfish
2. Night of the Demon
1. The Wild Hunt

Looking Back On The Last 365

2011 is, as people say, "one for the books". This year has been… Hmm. I'm not exactly sure how to finish that sentence. Yes, there's a plethora of words to choose from, and while they would fit the part, they wouldn't entirely do justice. Looking back at the year, and everything that has happened, I'm not sure there's any other way to say than to just tell it like is.

This has been one hell of a fucking year.

I woke up on January 1, 2011 no longer co-owning a business I ran for the previous two years, plus some. No doubt about it, this was the best way for me to start off the year. The time spent with this business, while successful in many aspects, was also the darkest days of my life. I was in a bad place. Physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, creatively… To put it bluntly, this time broke me. It shattered who I was. It wasn't pleasant and wasn't how I wanted to spend my time. After much internal debates and struggles, I knew what I had to do, and there was no doubt about it. I needed to wash my hands clean and regain my life. 

By stepping away from my business, that allowed me to spent 100% of my time working on Dead Weight, the film I co-wrote/directed with one of my best buddies, Adam. Now, I could go into a detailed breakdown of how I spent my time, and go on and on about the experience it's been making Dead Weight, that would undoubtedly get stupidly wordy. Let's just say this, for the first time in my life, I feel like I am doing what I am meant to do. Yes, I have long days, get burnt out and frustrated, but when I step back and assess my situation, I am doing what I've dreamt of my entire life, making a full length film, and there aren't words to describe that feeling. Without a doubt, the worst days I've had while doing what I love are still better than the best days doing what your heart isn't in. 

Friday, December 30, 2011

The Sounds of 2011

Top 10 Records of 2011:
10. Star Fucking Hipsters - From The Dumpster To The Grave
9. Weird Al Yankovic - Alpocalypse
8. Banner Pilot - Heart Beats Pacific
7. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Magic of Youth
6. Citizen Fish - Goods
5. Andrew Jackson Jihad - Knife Man
4. Cobra Skulls - Agitations
3. Dead To Me - Moscow Penny Ante
2. Swingin' Utters - Here, Under Protest
1. The Holy Mess - Self Titled

Didn't Quite Make The Cut:
The Dead Milkmen - The King In Yellow
Direct Hit! - Domeplitter
Ellwood - Lost in Transition
Have Nots - Proud
Juicehead - How To Sail A Sinking Ship
Larry and His Flask - All That We Know
Samiam - Trips
Tenement - Napalm Dream
The World/Inferno Friendship Society - The Anarchy and The Ecstasy

Should Have Been Better:
Big D & The Kids Table - For The Damned, The Dumb & The Delirious
Bomb The Music Industry - Vacation

Biggest Waste of Money. AKA Why The Fuck Am I Still Buying Their Stuff?:
The Misfits - The Devil's Rain

Most Enjoyable (Non-Typical) New Discovery of 2011:
Timber Timbre - Creep On Creepin On

Non-2011 Music
Revisiting Records I Wasn't Super Into Years Ago But Now They Rule:
Animal Chin - 20 Minutes From Right Now
Avoid One Thing - Self Titled and Chopstick Bridge

Didn't Hear These Until 2011 And They're Awesome:
Discount - Half Fiction
The Distillers - Coral Fang
P.O.Box - In Between The Lines
Pinhead Gunpowder - Compulsive Disclosure