DINNER WITH FRIENDS...AND A LEGEND

Howdy all. This weekend is the F/X Con in Orlando, and I was previously scheduled to go and hang out with my good pal, John Higashi, and our equally grand amigo, Craig Zablo. I was mostly interested in getting two more of the Serenity crew to sign my film poster, and possibly a couple of the guys to sign my Terminator poster. Artist-wise, I was interested in meeting Gene Ha, artist of Alan Moore's Top 10 and most recently The Authority, and of getting to talk to one of my idols...Writer/Artist Matt Wagner. If you aren't familiar with Matt's work, he is the creator/writer/artist of Mage (modern-day take on the Arthurian mythos with hero Kevin Matchstick as the Pendragon...yes, Matchstick as in part of my email, and I have a tpb cover...the only cover of anything that I own), Grendel (taking the villain of Beowulf's name and several incarnations of an assassain for hire), and several Batman, and other DC projects. (I even have a Batman commission he did for me a few years back air-brushed on to a jean jacket I have) I had met Matt a few times before, but hadn't had the chance to talk with him in the past couple of years. Anyway, circumstances as they are, and with MegaCon so close, I ended up not being able to go. However, my friend John Higashi would not let that stand. He had gone to great lengths to set up a dinner with Matt and Gene Ha on the Friday evening following the convention, and urged me to drive out...if only for the dinner, for which he was graciously picking up the tab. I went back and forth about it in my head, seeing as I truly had no money, was teaching on the Friday, had a rehearsal, and nothing is ever simple about taking off quickly...but when he called me again Friday afternoon, I said "Hell Yeah." I left my MND rehearsal early, grabbed an overnight bag, a couple of Matt's hardcover books, and hauled ass to Orlando...Emerill's at Universal to be exact. I met up with John, Matt, and Gene without a problem and then proceeded to have one of my all-time favorite evenings in the past few years. I did my best not to "geek-out" in front of Matt, and even managed not to do the old Chris Farley thing..."So...Matt Wagner...creator of Mage...you know when you took like, the old Arthurian legends, blended them with the archetypal hero's journey and Greek Mythology, and put them into graphic novel form that shook the world...and continues to spread its influences in both independent and mainstream comics around the world...you remember when you did that?" "Uhh...yeah?" "Yeah...that was awesome." I managed not to do that...although that was going through my head. It turns out that Matt is a huge "foodie" or person who enjoys fine cuisine, and dazzled us all with tales of his culinary adventures across the world. Yes, The James was silent in that part of the conversation...since I'm not exactly the most sohpisticated guy in the world, especially with food...but then films came up. I heard the bell ring folks, and then I could contribute to the conversation and not feel like a complete idiot. After dinner...two had Atlantic Redfish, Gene had Duck, and I went for the steak...I'm a daredevil, we had parts of two desserts, and then left Universal. I followed John as he dropped Matt and Gene off at the hotel, and then went with him back to his lair, surrounded by crack-whores, meth-labs, and junkies in his econo-suite apartments. We stayed up for a while talking about art, looking at some of his new acquisitions (always mind-boggling), and relishing the fact that I had not acted like a complete idiot in front of someone whose work has always been near and dear to me. One drag was that Craig StalloneZone Zablo decided to go back home after the con, so I missed hanging out with another good friend of mine, but hopefully we'll catch up next time. I left early the next morning to make my Film Crew's gathering, leaving my books with John to get Matt to sign, and am now looking forward to hanging with him again for the MegaCon, and further adventures. Thanks again, John...for giving me so many opportunities to meet and hang out with several of my favorite creators outside of the convention arena. You are the Man. Check out Matt Wagner's work in Mage, Grendel, Green Arrow covers (the Green Arrow postage stamp), and Batman mini-series.

ROTJ: JOE CARNAHAN'S SMOKIN'ACES & THE JAMES' FILM CREW MEETING #2

It was the second scheduled meeting of The James' Film Crew, and I had chosen Smokin' Aces as our new flick. After watching Pan's Labyrinth last week, I wanted something in a completely different direction, and this seemed like the perfect candidate. The film was shot with Carnahan's penchant "shaky cam" action sequences, much like Greengrass and others today, and his flawed characters that display their true natures when embroiled in impossible situations. The plot was fairly simple...the mob wants Buddy "Aces" Israel, played by Jeremy Piven, dead, and they send out a million-dollar contract which gathers a group of competing hit men together at his hotel to kill him. Add Ray Liotta and Ryan Reynolds to the mix as FBI Agents attempting to prevent the hit, and you have the typical "shoot-0ut" plot that seems commonplace. (There is a "twist" that supposedly happens later, but the first half is dreadfully easy to figure out, and the last half doesn't matter) I knew that if Carnahan managed to give us characters that were alive, and had journeys to complete within the film, that the plot would be largely irrelevant, and much enjoyment would be had. Unfortunately, Carnahan failed. The flick wasn't awful, and I did like parts of it very much. Alicia Keys was fine in her role as a hit-woman, Ben Affleck and Peter Berg complemented well as bail-bondsmen sent by Jason Bateman's coked-out lawyer to retrieve Buddy Israel, and Liotta and Reynolds put forth decent performances which seemed out-of-place in this emotionally-empty vacuum of a film. I'm not saying that deaths and violence have to have profound meanings or implications...not every film is a meditation on the nature or consequences of violence like Unforgiven, or A History of Violence, but where Tarantino and even Guy Ritchie succeed in action flicks is in combining brutality and humor inside their invented stylistic worlds...the violence doesn't resonate deep emotional blows, or cause the audience to search for meaning since it's part of the stylistic texture of the film. Carnahan's film, on the other hand, seems abrupt and, absent this style that Tarantino and Ritchie have, it leaves you wondering if you should care deeply when characters die, and even feel cheated when they die and you don't...because ultimately the characterization was brief and shallow. Overall, I thought Jason Bateman's performance was outstanding and hilarious, the kid without his Ritalin doing Kung-Fu was absolutely insane, and others will claim Jeremy Piven was awesome...but I can't stand Piven, so I wasn't impressed.

Our crew this week included the lovely Sheena B-N, her husband the stoic Jeff N, Gallac & Jamin, Williams, Lazenby, and the amazing Kaitlyn G & Rachel M at the flick but not at the lunch following. I hope this crew keeps meeting in various forms, and will be sending out the invites for next week soon...I'm thinking Notes On A Scandal looks good unless something else turns up. Until next time...The James is out.

ROTJ: GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PAN'S LABYRINTH

The fact that this film made the top of hundreds of Best Film lists made me annoyed, but unsurprised, that my hometown Butthole, USA would wait weeks to get it here. However, it was the fact that it was Del Toro's next film that made me insane about it. Del Toro, he of the Hellboy, Blade 2, and The Devil's Backbone coolness. After Hellboy, Del Toro decided to go back and make another low budged personal film, much like Devil's Backbone, and now we have Pan's Labyrinth. I was a little disturbed by how the film was being marketed, since it concentrated solely on the fairy tale aspects of the story. It is not a classic fairy tale. Rather it is a dual narrative with a young girl coming to live with her pregnant mother and new stepfather (a cruel military officer) at an outpost in the forest as he tries to crush a rebellion during the Spanish Civil War, and her journey (whether real or imagined) into a world of fairy tale, guided by a faun. Yes Lameos...it's subtitled, and 3 people discovered this during the first 5 minutes and walked out. I rounded up a great crew of people to see this, including Lovely Sheena B-N, fellow poster Gallac & Jamin, and the Dark One...Lazenby. We all shared the same opinion: IT WAS A WORK OF ART. Possibly Del Toro's finest film thus far, it works on multiple levels and doesn't miss any depth for including so many things. It amazes me how some truly fantastic films can include so many things done right, while others fail in the attempt of painting a masterpiece...and it ends up shallow. The acting was amazing, and that's everyone involved in the picture. Ivana Banquero, the little girl playing Ofelia in the film, is absolutely amazing, and on her way to being a huge "Dakota Fanning-like" star. The special effects with the creatures and the other worlds will amaze you, and make you forget that this film is indeed a low-budged artistic project. However, it's Del Toro's ability to render the tragic need for escapism of a little girl caught in an impossibly cruel situation, a mother's inability to help her child though she loves her, the cruelty men who believe they are "right" are capable of, and then manages to wrap them all up in a fairy tale context that will break your heart that makes this film spectacular. I admit to being "moved" once, near the end...and challenge anyone who is not machine or cylon not to be. I saw this film this year, so I'm sure it will end up on my top 10 for '07, but if it was last year...like everyone else in the civilized world, then I'd rank it after The Fountain and Children of Men. I give it a 5 out of 5, and recommend it heartily to the tasteful cinema lover. Now, like many of you, I await Del Toro's next project...Hellboy 2.

David Beckham Signs With MLS

If you weren't living under a rock, or dead, you might know now that International Soccer Super-Star David Beckham signed a 5 year contract with the L.A. Galaxy in Major League Soccer worth approximately 250 million dollars (after endorsements) to begin as soon as his contract ends with Real Madrid in July. Now the uproar has already been huge, with critics lambasting this as foolish since they claim his best soccer days are behind, Real Madrid's Club President said no "top" level teams wanted him, and it's been suggested that this has more to do with Beckham and Posh wanting to live in L.A. amongst their celebrity friends, like Tom Cruise. Supporters of this huge event (because support or detract, you can't deny it's huge) argue that Beckham's international appeal will turn the spotlight on MLS in a way that will increase its visibility and credibility both at home and abroad, tickets will sell more and players will make more money, the quality of play will rise since he's a former World Cup Team Captain and Manchester United EPL Champion, and Champion's League Winner, and that other top-notch world players will follow his lead and make the move to the United States.

Now...where does The James fit into this huge controversy? I'm a huge International Soccer fan, and watch the EPL, Champion's League, MLS and even Italian Serie A avidly. I think Beckham was a hell of a player, and proved that with his career. He played for Manchester United and Real Madrid, won the highest Club Championships that one can win, and was Team Captain for England for 5 years or so. After the '06 World Cup, and Sven Erikkson was fired as England's Coach, Beckham was asked to step down as Captain, and then left off the squad for their next International matches. I for one am not ready to write off the man when he's only 31, and think England will miss one of the most brilliant passers and set-piece experts I've ever seen. We all watched Zidanne work magic at 36, and Figo was still unbelievable to his mid-thirties, so it's not the age. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt, hope he still wants to play, and anything...ANYTHING that gets people talking about MLS is a good thing. As far as the questions surrounding his motivation to make the move...well, I think the President of Real Madrid sounded like a jilted lover. They tried to sign Beckham to a 1 or 2 year deal, so THEY WANTED him, but then didn't want to give Beckham a starting position. How can anyone blame him for taking the highest offer, and a guarranteed start? As far as other European clubs, I don't see the man going back to EPL when he already played for years on Manchester United, the regular top team, and then go on to play for a team further down the table (Although that might have been cool if he went to Chelsea). I think he's smart to take the offer, and hope he retires after his contract to buy an interest in a team. I don't see him as an actor with that panzie voice of his, but that's my opinon. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens, but I for one am down for watching MLS next season.

In Memoriam...Significant Losses from '06 According to The James

Just wanted to recognize a few people who headed off into the great beyond. We will all miss their creativity and talent, but I'd say that each and every one of them have left behind work or legacies that will be enjoyed by millions for years to come. Each and every one of these people (listed in no order of importance) meant something to me at one time or another, and it's the least I can do to recognize that here and now.

1. Robert Altman: This list had to start with one of the true greatest American Maverick Directors that ever worked in the film industry. Where do I start with this legend? His body of work reveals a list of varying genres, eras, and themes...it also varies according to genuine hits (MASH, Nashville, Gosford Park), and misses (Popeye). It's obvious that his actors will miss him, since every one of them look back fondly on their experiences working with him in the collaborative atmosphere that he created on his film sets. In a business where film is mostly commercial at a certain level of significance and exposure, Altman endeavored to keep his integrity complete, and always proceeded with his films in an independent and creative direction. I think he would have rather failed with a film that was pure in its creativity and intent, rather than succeeded after hacking it out with whatever ending or shots tested well. I'll miss his use of dialogue, the way he let the actors portrayals tell the story rather than the plot dictate the portrayals, and especially the genuine feeling of expectation I had whenever watching an Altman film. I mean, you just never really knew where he would take you with the story...like life, his films seemed sentient and evolving with mysterious purpose while you tagged along for the ride.

2. James Brown: The Godfather of Soul has knelt, taken his cape, and been escorted offstage for the final time. I think I first discovered James Brown through Eddie Murphy doing imitations of him on Saturday Night Live, and then in The Blues Brothers flick, and finally seeing him in Rocky IV. Everyone will go on and on about his contributions, and his influence is felt whenever you see today's hottest performers (Prince, MJ, Justin Timberlake, Lenny Kravitz, etc...). I will miss him like I miss the original artwork of a great painting or comic, since it just shines brighter and with more luster than any of the imitations that come after it.


3. Martin Nodell: Many of you might not be familiar with this man, but in fact he was the creator of the Green Lantern. Way back in 1940, Mr. Nodell became inspired by the Wagnerian Ring saga, and created the Golden Age Alan Scott version of the Green Lantern. Illustrating the first few adventures himself, under the pseudonym Mart Dellon, Mr. Nodell began to create one of the most iconic characters of the DC Universe. In the '60's, Julius Schwartz reinvented Nodell's creation with the Hal Jordan version, taking on more of a sci-fi, pulpy direction and adding to the character's evolving mythology. Many Green Lanterns have followed, but all of them are born from the original creation of this gifted artist. Going to a few conventions a year, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Nodell a few times, and I'm glad I had the chance to talk, if only briefly, with a creator of his significance. I for one wish that DC would have had the grace to acknowledge Mr. Nodell's accomplishment in Green Lantern comics with a byline that read "GL created by Martin Nodell," in the same way that they give Bob Kane credit for Batman in every Bat comic. Perhaps they will now, after all...it seems our humanity always surfaces after it could do anyone any good.

4. Jack Palance: First time I ever saw Jack Palance act, it was in that version of Dracula he did that was on late-night television when I was a kid. Scared the hell outta me. Next time I saw Jack Palance act was in a low-budged sci-fi cult film called Hawk the Slayer, and he was the villain. Again...scared the hell outta me. Like everyone else, I fell in love with him in City Slickers, and cheered him on as he made the most of his return to the limelight doing 1-arm pushups all the way. Playing "Curly," he taught me one of the great truths of life: "You know what the secret to life is...this. One thing, and nothing else means shit." The only difficulty I have ever had has been figuring out what that one thing is for me. Then in a college film class when we were dissecting messianic archetypes, we watched Shane, and there was Palance again...intimidating, leering, and stealing his scenes as the gunfighter. He was a force of nature on film, and was likewise in life. I remain a fan of his work and legacy that, like my friend Zablo's favorite film icon Rocky, "it ain't over till you hear the bell."

5. Don Knotts: Yes, I watched The Andy Griffith show re-runs when I was a kid, and before I could appreciate the genius of Griffith's dry humor, or many of the other characters on the show...Don Knotts was funny to any kid at any age. Barney-Five is a legendary character, brought to life by the genius physical and character acting skills of an incredible performer. I also loved Mr. Knotts' films, especially The Incredible Mr. Limpet (which I hope they never remake), No Time For Sergeants, and the few films he did with Tim Conway at Disney, like The Apple Dumpling Gang, etc... While I loved Norman Fell's Mr. Roper on Three's Company, I also thoroughly enjoyed Knott's Mr. Furley, even as the show itself became tired. A winner of several Emmy awards, Mr. Knotts' work on television and film will remain a landmark in the minds of multigenerational audiences, and a standard of excellence that all performers can aspire to as an ultimate goal.

6. Dave Cockrum: Who can forget the amazing reboot of Stan Lee's X-Men with Giant Size X-Men Number 1? It was one of the most important modern age comics ever, and one I swindled a guy for back in the early 90's. (I swapped a Web of Spiderman #1 and $20 for his copy) It brought Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Colossus into the X-Men, and they remain my favorite X characters. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cockrum at a couple of conventions, and even managed to get a Nightcrawler sketch from him. I can't tell you the hours I spent growing up reading X-Men, and enjoying stories based on characters that he helped create. I hope the world sees a new crop of amazing artistic talents spring up...because it seems like all the greats are leaving.

7. Peter Boyle: I don't know which movie of his extensive career it was where I first saw him...The Dream Team, Johnny Dangerously, Taxi Driver...but it was Young Frankenstein that made Peter Boyle a legend to me. Besides the fact that the movie is as close to comedic perfection as you can get and is one of the great Mel Brooks/Gene Wilder collaborations from the 70's, it marked my introduction to an actor capable of enormous range in performance. His creature did everything in that film...drama, subtle comedy, physical slapstick, erotic intrigue, and even musical numbers. I only wish Peter Boyle had a few more "great" roles to add to his already impressive resume. In his later years, he worked in television...doing a memorable stint on NYPD Blue and then taking a long-term gig on Everybody Loves Raymond as "Frank Barone."

That's it for last year. Many more moved on, but this list was about ones who meant something significant to me. Until next time...The James is out.

Best & Worst Events of 2006 in the life of The James

Here's a quick compilation of the highlights (both good and bad) from last year for me. Looking back and analyzing things can give one a clearer mindset to interpret the road ahead, or at least make it easier to set up new goals, and that is the purpose for this post, along with recognizing and crediting some people for things that are important to me...something that I should do more concurrently. Let's start with the best and work our way down to the worst:

Best Moments of 2006 (Listed chronologically, not in any other significance):

1. Directing "Harvey" for the 2nd time at OPHS (Feb): It's not just because this is my favorite play of all time, or sentimentally because it's the first play I ever directed, but because it was a farewell, or last hurrah of one of my most talented and impressive collection of Imagination Players Troupe members since the founders left a few years back. Matt M, Matt W, Rachel W, Jarrell F, Hollie B, Kaitlyn G, Rachel M, and Lazenby...thank you for making it such an enjoyable experience, and know that you are all missed.

2. Running the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, FL...and surviving (March): I'm not a runner, don't claim to be, but am one who occasionally runs. I've always been into lifting and Scottish Heavy Athletics, but I did used to play soccer so running wasn't entirely foreign to me. In fact, my former answer to the question "Do you run?" used to be "Only when chased..." That changed when my mentor at OPHS, Mr. Combs laid down the gauntlet to me about running the River Run. He coached me on my training, and soon I developed 3 goals for said 15k (9.3 miles) race: 1) I wanted to live, 2) I wanted to finish the race, & 3) I wanted to do it in under 2 hours. These might not seem like impressive goals to some of you, but to a guy who had never run more than 2 miles before the training...it seemed like a lot. The good news is...I lived, finished, and did it at about 1:58:37 or so the newspaper said. Look for my results this year in the paper...

3. Reconnecting with the Lisas (March/Dec): I'd hate to jinx this, but I did reconnect with a pair of ladies who were some of my closest friends in the 80's and 90's, and only during this decade have we fallen out of touch...mostly due as usual, to me. Both named Lisa/Lise Fisher, and best friends and roommates, they were satellite members of the Fisher clan who were my second family growing up. Running into them at MegaCon last year was awesome, and then hanging out a little with Lisa at Christmas this year was enough to make some informal plans about visits for this year. Hopefully, this will turn out...my friends that I actually trust are always a short, exclusive clientelle, but unfortunately it only gets smaller...

4. All trips to Atlanta to stay/hang out with the Laytons & Crew (All year...probably more often than the Laytons would like): This proves to be an annual highlight on this list, but I have to mention it nonetheless. For some reason, Eric and Mimi Layton don't seem to mind me coming up to their place in Atlanta periodically and staying for a weekend. Many people think seeing me once in their lifetime is more than enough, but not these two. It's a testament to their graciousness and empathy towards a soulless, single, narcissistic guy like myself that I'm welcome, and actually feel "comfortable" in a world not of my own making. I'm usually travelling with John Higashi, and we ordinarilly include some other regulars in Atlanta there also (Brian, Stine, etc...) in eating, drinking (usually me and too much), and watching an independent flick at the Tara Mark Theatre on Cheshire Blvd. It's always a highlight to me, and one I look forward to again with great anticipation.

5. The 2006 World Cup (June/July): If you don't know what a huge soccer fan I am, then you don't know me. I think 1986 was my first World Cup, and I remember watching Argentina, Italy, and Brazil at my Aunt & Uncle's trailer in Middleburg. When I was a kid I played soccer for 5 or 6 years, and went to several of the Jacksonville Tea Men games, when we had a professional soccer team in the now defunct NASL. Fast forward to 1994 and I watched 48 out of 52 games in the World Cup when it was held here in the U.S.A., and even watched our International Squad take on Moldavia in a friendly after the Cup. It's always been a passion of mine, and the creation of the MLS in USA hasn't taken the edge off of the intensity that I get when World Cup gets closer. It truly is the World's Sport, and the Beautiful Game...nothing, not NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB nor any other sport even comes close. It's my dream to one day get to see a real World Cup match...hopefully one day that will happen. Anyway, while USA sucked thanks to Bruce Arena's backpedalling, and it will probably continue to suck since they won't do what's necessary to hire an elite international coach (IE the recent failure with Jurgen Klinsmann), it was nice to watch some of my favorite players play in their final Cup (Zidanne, Beckham, Figo, etc...) and new favorites discovered (Messi, Fabregas, Henry, Tevez). Italy won the show...but watching Zidanne up until he went nuts in the final with the head-butt was like watching art being created in front of your eyes.

6. Teaching A/P English (August to present): This year, OPHS decided to expand the A/P classes and sections taught to include more kids, so I was offered the chance to teach an A/P English 11 class. It was kind of an honor to be recommended, and I took the opportunity. Working with brighter kids is always a plus for me, and I took and passed the A/P English test when I was in school...so I thought "why not." I had no idea of how much I would have to learn as far as the content and material taught on this test...until I attended a 3 day workshop over the summer. It's intense, folks...and the kids? Well, some of the kids are brighter than the average duck...but others are about normal with good attitudes. We'll see how many, if any, of my kids pass at the end of the year.

7. Dragoncon & YOTJ (September): If you didn't know, last year was officially Year Of The James. I know because I dubbed it so myself, accidentally, and it caught on. People were saying it in communications back and forth that I wasn't even a part of...and Brian Stelfreeze, Artist Extraordinaire, was signing his emails with YOTJ. It all goes back to me declaring that '06 would be my next time to acquire a piece of Stelfreeze original art, to complement my previous pieces of black & white and watercolor pieces. It was supposed to happen at Dragoncon, and I had no clue of what to expect. To say that I was surprised when Eric and Mimi, John Higashi, and Brian wore T-shirts with YOTJ, my picture stolen from MySpace at last year's River Run, and images of my watercolor pieces from Brian, on them would be an understatement of my genuine shock, and the sincere humbleness I felt at this unexpected and moving gesture of their affection for me. Likewise, I was both shocked and moved by Brian's artwork...both pieces. My choice was Ra's Al Ghul, and Brian had pre-done a black & white piece, and did a watercolor piece during the show. It capped off an already awesome weekend at my favorite show to attend every year. Somehow, and for some reason unbeknownst to me...I was blessed with amazing friends. I hope they know how much I appreciate them, and what YOTJ '06 meant to me. Can't wait for the next YOTJ...

8. The Wire Season 4 on HBO (September to November): I love good drama, and if you didn't read my Best Shows Returning to TV post a couple of months ago...The Wire was at the top. The writing was the highest calibre, the acting, the direction...this show is better than all of the other cops shows you've ever seen...and doubled. This season, unbelievably, the show became even better and more complex...focusing subplot attention on a group of inner-city kids, their school, the usual cops/dealers/hoods, and the political arena. This season was also more enjoyable because I could finally talk about it with people who also watched (sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who truly seeks out things that are cool) like Dylan, JJ, Rick, and others. I can't describe the intense satisfaction I gained from watching this season develop, and stay true to the creators' intent. Congrats HBO...now give us those Deadwood films you promised us.

9. The Fox Soccer Channel/English Premier League Soccer (October to present): After watching every World Cup, I go into a heavy Post Soccer Depression. The symptoms are all there...plain as day: food doesn't taste as good, American Football lacks the same intensity, MLS Soccer just isn't enough...and then a miracle happened. I had intended to seek out pubs that catered to European clientelle (was thinking the Beach or 5 Points) and noticed listing for the Fox Soccer Channel. After making inquiries I discovered that it would only be an additional $5 per month, so I jumped on it. Folks...it has been a change in my life so fundamental, that I am almost moved when I talk about it. Every weekend, and sometimes during the week, I tune in to watch the English Premier League play, watch Italian Serie A, Argentinian Soccer, and even Champions League, and the FA Cup. I see the best of the World Cup players playing for their respective professional clubs, and it's so damn awesome. Maybe that's why I'm in a better mood lately than I usually have a right to be. Anyway...this definitely qualified as a highlight on my Best Of List for 2006.

10. Nominated for Teacher of the Year (December): At first I thought this was a joke, but it turned out to be genuine. I was nominated with 3 other people for Teacher of the Year at OPHS. I knew I wasn't going to win (I don't look the part, don't kiss ass, don't network, and don't take enough credit for things I do or claim to do, and I was right...I didn't), but it was "nice" in some ways to be considered. The only reason I even did the ridiculous little interview thing for it was because so many less-than-intelligent people at the school don't consider my department to be a serious entity, worthy of consideration, or "essential" to the curriculum. Congrats to my pal, Kim, for winning...she absolutely rocks, and especially since I voted for her anyway.

11. GCFF VII (December): My annual film festival event just gets bigger and better each year. I was extremely pleased with GCFF VI, and moderately so with VII. We had some glitches this year, but I am endeavoring to learn everything about Powerpoint, Editing, and so on to take more of a "hands-on" approach to the festival's award show finale, and take it to a higher level of coolness next year. Congrats to all my filmmakers this year for making it worthwhile, and especially to Bethany K and Ryan S for writing and directing Grave Silence, this year's Best Film winner.

12. Directing "Amber & Eve" at UNF in Dr. Monteleone's Playwrights Project '06 (December): After writing, directing and acting in last year's Playwrights Project at UNF, I was asked to direct a 1 Act play for the '06 event. Gathering up some former I Troupe members was fairly easy, and it made the experience surreal, nostalgic, wistful, thrilling, enjoyable, and immensely satisfying all simultaneously. I say we kicked some ass, and many others thought so as well. My thanks and my affection pour forth for Sheena, Hollie, Jen, Lazenby, Bad-News Crews, Steve, and Big Mo. I wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been an opportunity to work with you all again.

Worst Moments of 2006:

1. Nominated for Teacher of the Year: All of a sudden people I don't know "know" me, and I hate extra attention...added to the fact that it's a dog and pony show at best, and subjective B/S at worst.

2. Missing HeroesCon in June: I missed my first Heroes Convention in like 9 years or something this past year. I was low on funds since I chose watching the World Cup to be my summer job, and it doesn't pay much in dollars, but infinitely rewards the soul, and I had some family stuff going on, and these things conspired to prevent my attendance. I really like that show, for the art, meeting some of the guests, and hanging out with the crew most of all...and I plan to go back this year.

3. Being Sick for Oct, Nov, and Dec of '06: This totally sucked, since I loathe being sick at all. I was a wreck and just couldn't shake this sinus-infection/flu thing that I had. It prevented me from working out, and made doing the GCFF, directing "Amber," teaching, and pre-production work on "MND" incredibly difficult. Much of that period is a blur to me.

4. Comic Bodega Closing: My pal Dave closed his comic shop, and I lost another cool place to hang out and get comics. I went back to my old shop at Universe, and they are cool...but it's not like hanging with people and talking b/s for an extra hour or two every other week. That's a good comic shop, man.

5. No Money...Paying Off Bills: I had less money this year, since I decided to break the chains of slavery that still operate in this country: Credit Card Debt. I'm paying off stuff now, and unfortunately this leaves funds in a meager state...but I look forward to the day when I only have 1 or two major things taking money out of my check each month. Take my advice people...if you don't have money to pay for it in cash...you don't need it.

So that's it people...more good than bad, although the few bad things felt like forever. '06 was pretty cool, but I'm thinking '07 will be even better.

WORST FILMS OF 2006...ACCORDING TO THE JAMES

Howdy all, TJ here. This post is for my pal, EZ E aka Bear, aka The Meat-Man, aka The Bloody Butcher, aka Lesbian-Candy, aka Mr. Mimi Layton. Anyway, EZ E claims that I like too many films, and always challenges me to name ones I can't stand. I take challenges...in fact, I recall purchasing a Justin Timberlake cd in Atl recently that EZ himself desired, but was too intimidated to buy. Well, here is my Worst List of '06, and I've limited it to 5 films that I personally had to endure while watching them. I didn't include the obvious awful films that I wasn't dumb enough to pay to see...you know, films that like human excrement, you can smell the stink on them from a mile away. Putrescent gems like The Omen remake, Blood Diamond, Fast & The Furious Tokyo Drift, The Pink Panther, and You, Me, & Dupree. The filmmakers and intelligenstsia behind these cinematic life-stealers should be flayed alive and dropped in acidic bubble baths. Anyway, on with my list in descending order...saving the "best" for last:

5. X-Men 3 The Last Stand: Let me say from the beginning that for once, I don't blame the director here. Brett Rattner (Rush Hour, Red Dragon) was basically brought in as a "jobber" to complete a production that had already been bailed on twice (Singer & Vaughn) and was working to bring the film in on a deadline demanded by the personal ego of Tim Rothman, head of 20th Century Fox Studios, since Rothman was engaged in a pissing contest with Bryan Singer over his departure to make Superman Returns. (Personal Note for everything Rothman did to sabotage X-Men in the beginning, desiring to claim credit when it was a success later, and everything he did to lose Bryan Singer and cost the fans a great trilogy: SCREW YOU ROTHMAN...DIE!!!) The end product was X-Men 3: The Last Stand. I'm thinking that folks came up with that title after watching early screenings of the film, since it was one horrible pile of shit. The opportunities squandered with the quintissential X-Men story, The Phoenix Saga, are incalculable. What is seen is double to triple the usual amount of characters on screen...which equal less characterization (Hell, we learned all there was to know about Angel in the film from the previews...except his schmaltzy look at his father after his messianic rescue effort), a Wolverine that I suppose uses his incredible healing factor to quickly overcome his grief over the death of Jean Grey (it took him 1 scene), and the complete and total gutting of Jean Grey's character into a monosyllabic-terminatoresque monster role, where Famke Janssen had about as much emoting to do as Michael Myers in Halloween. I hated this film on pretty much ever level, excluding the geek-out enjoyment of watching Beast on the screen. Compared to 1 and 2, which are in my top Comic-adaptation films of all time (post coming soon), this one is like a phallic-shaped weed with covered in manure beside 2 long-stem, immaculately groomed roses.

4. The Departed: Yes, I know. I said it, and I meant it. I know it's Scorcese and I freely acknowledge that he is one of the true masters of the artform working today. I also "like" some of the film...Nicholson is awesome as usual, Damon is good, and I like Wahlberg now...in fact his performances in Boogie Nights, I Heart Huckabees, and The Departed almost make me forget "Marky Mark," and Planet of the Apes. Now we get to the real problems: 1) It's an inferior remake of a better film: Infernal Affairs. The rule is that if you remake something, it has to be better...and the ones that usually work are re-envisionings, not revisions...like Snyder's Dawn of the Dead, or Scorcese's own Cape Fear. Unfortunately, this is not better than the wonderful Hong Kong flick I watched the year before, and it's not re-envisioned: the whole plot scenario with the building and the cops and mob showing up at the same time is taken directly from IA. Now we come to the more glaring problem with The Departed: Leonardo Dicaprio. How this guy convinces anybody that he's a tough guy is beyond me. I'm not saying that this guy can't act...I thought he was amazing in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and very good in Catch Me If You Can, and The Aviator. The problem is when he tries to play tough guys that I start to laugh my ass off...and no actor, not even Daniel Day-Lewis himself possesses the craft to act like Dicaprio is someone to be afraid of, or intimidated by. The roles he plays well acknowledge or make use of his feminine features and lack of masculinity and it works fine for him. However, Dicaprio and Scorcese have missed the boat when they think he's the perfect fit for Gangs of New York and The Departed. What baffles me is WHY Scorcese has adopted "Leo" as his new on-camera persona, after he worked with "Bobby" (Deniro) for so long. Some film critics have explained this as Scorcese literally exploring the masculine with Deniro's "raging" presence and now intent on uncovering the feminine with Dicaprio. I for one, am sick of it, and laugh at all those who buy into Dicaprio's sad-ass tough guy schtick...Go see him butcher a South African accent as a "bad-ass" in Blood Diamond while you're at it. I thought that perhaps Scorcese might be grooming Day-Lewis as Deniro's heir-apparent after Age of Innocence and Gangs of New York, but Day-Lewis doesn't work fast enough...even by Scorcese's standards. I put this on my worst list for wasting a potentially great Scorcese film with such an obvious poor casting choice.

3. Superman Returns: You know, the one consolation I had when I heard that Singer was leaving Fox and X-Men, was that he was going to be heading up the Superman reboot. I am an avid Bryan Singer fan, with The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil, and X-Men 1 & 2 being some of my favorite films. I was also excited that Singer was going to use former Suspects alumni Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. Cool...very cool. Still yet more shockingly, and amazing, was that Singer planned to continue the groundwork from Superman 1 & 2 that Richard Donner had laid. Awesome!!! Then...things started to go down. Kate Bosworth was cast as Lois Lane based on...what, exactly? Her fine performance in the moronic and abyssmal Blue Crush? Win a Date with Tad Hamilton? Or was it that she was in Spacey's Bobby Darin bio-pic, Beyond the Sea? None of these roles captured the spirit of an aggressive, tough, ballsy but hot Lois Lane. However, I could let that slide...for Singer, I mean he hadn't failed me so far. Then the casting of Superman: Brandon Routh. Okay, I saw this guy...and he looked like a good Clark Kent, if a little young. However, I kept getting a little uneasy that no sign of him acting in a scene was available even all the way up until the trailer. When it finally came time to see the film, I was apprehensive, but I had faith in Singer. Folks, that's what I get for having faith. The film's narrative didn't bother me like it did many...although when I thought Singer was going to "follow" the work of Donner, I didn't think that meant directly imitate plot points, (Luthor's after real estate, again?), or borrow lines from those films in a failed attempt at homage that became theft. Spacey and Parker Posey were fine...but Bosworth was horrible and looked so out of place with the tinted dark hair, and Routh...Routh's performance was a bad, bad, bad Christopher Reeve impression done by an actor who doesn't possess a fraction of Reeve's charm, charisma, or humor. I won't even add comment on his physicality, except that from the side he's so thin that if I punched him in the gut, it might go through his back...and Superman doesn't have fey or male-modelesque looks. He's a simple farmboy, bumbling city news employee, and a demigod in a cape...no time for eyebrow plucking. Superman The Movie made me believe a man could fly, and Reeve was the perfect embodiment of a godlike hero who was a farmboy at heart. Anyone with an ounce of pretension could never be Superman, and Reeve became a legend. Unfortunately, all Superman Returns made me believe was that even the best directors make mistakes...and this one cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and jeopardizes the cinematic future of one of pop-culture's greatest icons.

2. The Lady in the Water: M. Night, M. Night, M. Night...this was the "make or break it" film, with The Sixth Sense being great, Unbreakable being a work of art, and then...The Village. The Village strained the confidence of Disney's development staff, enough that they were ready for your ramblings in The Lady in the Water...and they passed. Maybe it was your intention to use their money for scenes that had nothing to do with the plot, but to serve your own ego when you included the character of the movie critic. Get over yourself, dude. The Village sucked, and critics didn't make it suck...you did. So you find a new backer, determined that you're right, and the suits don't understand your genius, and that "narfs" are cool...Get some help, man!!! I like Paul Giamatti in everything, that's not the problem. It's Bryce Dallas Howard for one thing...extremely unattractive and unappealing to look at, and the story itself is anticlimactic, silly, and has a glaring flaw: the complete and total lack of any skepticism over the B/S raised in the film's narrative at all. Everybody just hears this fairy tale crap and immediately shrugs and goes "Yeah, we've got to get involved." WTF? I mean, what about 1 guy who hears that she's a chick named Story from the Blue World and there's a grass-turfy-looking monster after her and says "Blow it out your ass, I think you're full of it." Wouldn't that have added a sense of realism to this otherwise completely sad and assinine melodrama? Okay fine, if she's enchanted and people just immediately flock to her...shouldn't someone at least notice this and comment on that so we get it? I still don't think a skeptic could have helped this debacle of a film succeed, but it bothered me endlessly. Anyway, I hope that M. Night Shymalan comes back with some great stuff, because he's made two awesome flicks...but I fear that he might suffer from some of the success-driven demential that plagued Orson Welles after Citizen Kane.

1. The Davinci Code: You waited for it, and here it is...ladies and gentlemen last year's worst film according to TJ was another collaboration between Ron Howard and Tom Hanks (Splash, Apollo 13.) I've never been a fan of Ron Howard's directing (A Beautiful Mind, Ransom, The Missing)...he's never innovative or particularly interesting with his camera choices, and does much of the same banal material, but Hanks on the project, bringing his Gary Cooperesque brand of sincerity left me a glimmer of hope that this might be at least, enjoyable. Audrey Tatou, Paul Bettany and Alfred Molina being cast lent even further hope, but landing Sir Ian McKellan made this a must-see film for me. Unfortunately, it turns out that Ron Howard could only turn out Ron Howard material, and Tom Hanks was woefully miscast as the inexplicably mulleted Robert Langdon. I have never seen Hanks as an aggressive character, or even what is called a "handkerchief actor" where the actor attempts to steal every scene their in with behavior or gestures. However, the complete passivity of Hanks' Langdon rendered the film almost unwatchable to me during my one and only time ever wasting hours of my life on it. Audrey Tatou made more moves than him, and kicked more cinematic ass as his character just watched everything happened around him. No, I wasn't wanting him to be Indiana Jones, but at least act like a man. It felt like I was watching a classroom presentation on Europe: Architecture & History...with about as much tension or suspense. That much talent in a film based on the world's hottest book (besides all things Harry Potter) and this is the result? That's why The Davinci Code makes the top of the list as '06's worst film of the year.

So that's it folks, and FOTJ. Let me know if I picked on any of your favorites of last year, or if we share the bond of suffering for having survived watching some of these celluloid criminal acts.

TOP 10 FILMS OF 2006...ACCORDING TO THE JAMES

First, let me just say that this was incredibly difficult. While my friend Eric might say that I "just like every movie," he's far from right. I love CINEMA as a whole to be sure, but I'll do a "Worst Of" list just for his benefit as well. These films include all those I saw in theaters last year, one I had to see on DVD since it was foreign, and 1 I just saw yesterday that only just came to Jacksonville...because it's the "cultural butthole of the world." Anyway, on with the 10 in descending order...

10. Lucky Number Slevin: This film was a complete surprise to me, since I was ready to hate anything with Josh (Pearl Harbor, 40 Days & Nights, etc...) Hartnett, and I hadn't heard of Paul McGuigan's directing work either. (Ironically I rented his Gangster #1 before, and never got around to watching it...I will now.) So, it was on a friend's recommendation that I checked this flick out, and I admit to being completely BLOWN AWAY by it. Don't you love it when you find an unexpected gem, like a surprise present for you when you're sure everything is awful. Hartnett truly evolved, and I admit to liking his past few choices (Black Dahlia, Sin City) so I will not be averse to what he puts out in the future. Bruce Willis makes the smart play here with a fine ensemble piece instead of another gaudy starring action role of questionable merit (Die Hard 4, anyone?), and of course you can't go wrong with Morgan Freeman or Sir Ben Kingsley who graciously allow others to coexist in the scene they happen to be stealing. Lucy Liu...sigh...amazing, cute, sexy...the usual. You can check out the film, but Lucy Liu is mine...

9. Lady Vengeance: Wook-Park Chan is one amazing filmmaker. True, he happened to finish a trilogy of films on vengeance, a thematic issue close to my own heart. However, it's what he managed to "say" about vengeance that makes him special. His view goes back to Ancient Greece, and the warnings of the gods against those who would dispense their own form of retribution. It's true that Lady Vengeance does come after what many consider his magnum opus thus far, Oldboy, and perhaps to many it might seem a little anticlimactic. I think though, that it's getting the Jackie Brown beating, or the same treatment Tarantino's follow-up to Pulp Fiction received. Years later, everyone realizes how awesome that film is, and I believe it will be the same with Lady Vengeance. Check it out...and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, and Oldboy.

8. Apocalypto: Man, that Mel Gibson. What a year this guy had...but he finished it with a fantastic film that thrilled and moved simultaneously. While many are focusing on his powerful thematic statements, or rather indictments, of our cultural era, people forget that besides these allusions, it's a pretty kick-ass action flick also. I was blown away at how easily Gibson made these completely foreign people familiar in a few short minutes, necessarily creating the bond with the audience to create empathy for all the struggles to come. While the parallels to current events are obvious, I was surprised to get a real anti-organized religion vibe off this one as well. Curious, considering everything he's been through lately. Anyway, people should remember that everyone in Hollywood is probably nuts and you wouldn't want them for pals...but I damn sure want some more Gibson films like Braveheart and Apocalypto.

7. Casino Royale: Remember all that B/S about "Blonde, James Blonde," and all the reports about what a sissy this guy was during filming, and he couldn't even drive a stick-shift, and etc...Folks, Bond is back and better than everyone since Connery. This film brought it all back to basics (not surprising since the two Bourne films have created the anti-technology spy genre) and it worked...brilliantly. While I wasn't really impressed with anyone besides Daniel Craig and of course Judi Dench, it was an intense film with incredible action and humor (what you need in a James Bond film) and even some emotion...used as perhaps an explanation for the heartless bastard he will become. I look forward to the next one, and hope the usual idiotic producers get a director as good as Martin Campbell.

6. The Prestige: I reviewed this one already, but it still stands in my mind as powerfully as it did the day I saw it. Chris Nolan is a true genius, and he knows how important it is to cast the right people (See Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins.) Bale, Jackman, and Caine make this film a classic, and Nolan stays true to enigmatical form, taking the audience through the twists and turns to its ultimate satisfying conclusion. I never saw The Illusionist, but can't wait to compare the two. However, I find it very hard to believe that someone could rival Chris Nolan.

5. The Proposition: Many people have commented on Nick Cave's brilliant script about a bloody western set in Australia, and others have commented on how visceral and gritty Guy Pearce and the incredible Ray Winstone are, but I was in awe of John Hillcoat's direction. Check out how truly UGLY and gritty this film is...(the flies, alone.) I used to think the Spaghetti Westerns of Leone and Corbucci were gritty, but this one could top them. The issues of family are complex, along with civilization v/s savagery, and while they are touched on in the film, none are resolved...like life. Life is a messy bunch of contradictory elements that one must navigate on their path through it...much like Guy Pearce's character Charlie in this flick.

4. Brick: A modern film noir set in a high school. Sounds like B/S, but it actually worked, and worked well. Using mostly a cast of unknowns (the kid from 3rd Rock from the Sun was the lead) director Rian Johnson brings back the spirit of Chandler and Hamnett in his tale of murder, vice, and intricate deceptions. While enjoying all the noirish elements on display, I found myself casting it with my own Imagination Players Troupe regulars, and it made it even more hilarious. If you get to watch it...Lazenby would play The Pin. I am eagerly awaiting Johnson's next flick, which supposedly has Rachel Wiesz attached.

3. V for Vendetta: Truly, any of the top 5 films on this list could be swapped around and be #1 to me, but this one perhaps most especially for sentimental reasons. I read this book many years ago as a teenager, and it was a profoundly moving and even consciousness-altering experience for a guy who lives primarily inside his own head. We have all suffered while watching Alan Moore's creations ruined onscreen time after time (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Constantine, From Hell) and this one seemed likely to end up the same way, and very well could have except for...the Wachowski Brothers. Forget how bad Matrix 2 & 3 were...and yes, they were bad, but go back to Bound and The Matrix. These guys get film and how to use it to make a person think and feel. While their protege James McTeigue might have directed, their influence was felt all over this flick. You ask me what my politics are...I'd answer "Watch this film." Meeting David Lloyd, the original artist of the book, was another incredible thrill on the otherwise amazing "YOTJ."

2. Children of Men: Just saw this one Saturday with Jess and Jamin, but it has to go on here. Alfonso Cuaron has created a masterpiece...it's that simple. His vision of the nihilistic remnants of a world where the human race is infertile and dying out is grotesque, tragic, and completely believable. While Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Peter Mullan turn in great performances, it's what Cuaron does with the camera...focusing equally on both humanity's grievous faults and unbelievably selfless actions...that make this visual tapestry of wonder resonate so deeply within. I admit to being..."moved" at least 4 or 5 times. This film should be nominated and win Oscars...but should implies justice, and that's in short supply.

1. The Fountain: I saw this one on a sneak preview deal, and was overcome with its power and scope. I love a film that I "get," but find it hard to explain. "What's it about," people say to me, and the only thing I can think to tell them is "Life and Death and what's important." The movie is a psychedilic allegory, or mediation on life and death and the connection between them both with everything in the universe. It's Hugh Jackman's opus performance thus far, another fine role for the incomparable Rachel Weisz, and a masterpiece for director Darren Aaronofsky (PI, Requiem for a Dream.) I am so glad Chris Nolan is directing Batman, since I can't think of anyone else I wouldn't be wondering "what if" with, since Aaronofsky left the project. Not everyone will appreciate The Fountain, many will simply fail to understand or appreciate its magnitude...since they lack the same qualities about the rest of life. It opens up to those who actually care to speculate on the meanings of things, and not the instinctually-inclined who merely slumph along between sensory-heightening activities. Magnolia was my favorite touchstone film to watch whenever I felt too detached and needed to reconnect with something "human" in humanity, but now I can add Children of Men, and The Fountain.

That's it...and it was rough. Honorable Mentions include: Borat, Beerfest, Running Scared, Talledega Nights, Miami Vice, A Prairie Home Companion, The Matador, and Rocky Balboa. Films I didn't get to see, but wanted to desperately were: Inland Empire, The Science of Sleep, Pan's Labyrinth, Bubble, Thank You For Smoking, The Illusionist, Black Dahlia, and United 93. Until next time...The James is out.

"AMBER & EVE" DIRECTING AT UNF DECEMBER '06

Just now getting to this one, again catching up. Earlier this semester, Dr. Pam Monteleone had asked me if I would be up for working on her annual Playwrights Project at UNF, and since I had a blast last year (writing, directing, and acting...okay, not so much the acting), I readily agreed. Also, I was only too happy to help out a lady that I think does a thankless job for her students, and not only receives unwarranted apathy, but even abuse for giving so much to them, and only expecting competence and enthusiasm in return. Anyway, I also agreed because it was an opportunity to round up some of my former Imagination Players Troupe members, and work together again. The one act play I was assigned was entitled "Amber & Eve," a short piece about an actress who is forced to make a choice between fulfilling her dream of being onstage, and threatening her relationship with her father...since she has to kiss another woman in the play. It was written by a UNF student named Chris Hill, and he played a part in it as well. After meeting with Chris and going over some rewrites, I was excited about getting my cast together and starting on a two-week production. Now, remember, I was also producing the GCFF, casting/cutting Midsummer Night's Dream, teaching, and battling my dreaded illness throughout the entire month of December. I hope my cast will forgive me if at times I acted less than graciously, and only human. Anyway, my cast was ALL-STAR, not that I didn't have other especially talented people that I couldn't work with for one reason or another, but I was just thrilled about working with my cast...and since I didn't get paid for the gig...my level of enjoyment was paramount. The cast included Chris Hill, the writer, as Nick, the incomparable Hollie Barrett as Jessica (the lead), the sultry Sheena Branton-Nichols as Star, the wonderful Jenny Young as Jasmine, Matt "Pecker" Crews as the Reverend (father of Jessica), the unstoppable Steve Scruby as Bud, and...(drum roll)...the one...the only...Dark One himself...Lazenby as the Director. My crew for the show consisted of my stage manager, and understudy for whoever happend to be late or unable to attend: Big Mo. The brilliant Sasquatch-like boy they call my "son," was not only reliable, but remarkable and his contributions to the success of our show cannot be fairly recounted here. My cast met with me every day for 2 hours, 2 weeks straight, right up to the dress rehearsal and two nights of performance. I will not just say that I was proud...because that would be too small. No, I was ecstatic (like Mike Tyson), ecstatic on the performances they gave. While our Saturday night performance was marred by people who kept arriving late...the Sunday one was better managed, and I thought more effective as a whole. Hollie was her usual impressive self, Sheena humanized a problematic unidimensional role, Jenny moved the audience with her emotional performance, Matt likewise made the most of a flat role, Chris acquitted himself in his first performance admirably, Steve breathed life and humor into the performance as the hormonally-intense Bud, and Lazenby...Lazenby was Lazenby, and the crowd went wild, as usual. (It's amazing how many parts we can find where Lazenby can just play himself to a higher or lower level of affectation...and it works.) I also want to thank all my people who came out to watch the show...those that saw, and the less-than punctual ones who came Sunday and were locked out during our performance. It was a lot of work, and I admit to questioning my decision to do the thing many times during the production, but I never had anything but fun when I was surrounded by, and working with my people again. Anyway, that's about it...next show I'm doing is Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream which opens on the first weekend of March. Make plans to attend...

GCFF VII: This year's Gotham City Film Festival '06 was a success...in spite of obstacles!!!

Howdy all. If you didn't get to attend '06's GCFF on December 6th, you missed one hell of an event, and I'm just now getting around to commenting on it. Let me end the suspense: GRAVE SILENCE won the Best Film Award, with Best Directors going to its pair of directors: Ryan Simmers and Bethany Koch. Other awards worth mentioning were Christina Christensen winning Best Actress, Tenea Hunter winning Best Supporting Actress, Reed Wilcox winning Best Supporting Actor, Alex Salas winning GCFF Maverick & GCFF MVP, Steve Scruby winning GCFF Maverick, and John Ross winning Best Villain. I thought the show was a success due to the efforts of a large number of people, including Silent Tom, Alex Salas, Rachel Wimmer, Jenny Matsuki, Steve Scruby, and so many more that it's hard to mention them all. There were some obstacles this year, including computer difficulties at the festival, a poor turn-out of 6 films finishing, and many of the films looking rushed due to lack of planning and production on part of the filmmakers. GRAVE SILENCE, on the other hand, looked like it had been crafted over a few weeks, and even with its minor glitches, was the hands-down best choice for effort. A large number of my former students/GCFF award winners came back to present awards, and I'd love to thank them all, or at least the ones I can remember: Jarrell, Matt M, and Matt C, Chris W, Hollie, Rachel W, Kaitlyn G, Neal, Dan & the Mighty Nuge, and the Dark One himself...Lazenby. Thanks so much you guys, I love to see you all come back and support us...it means the world to me. I want to congratulate all the filmmakers, and vow to make '07's GCFF bigger and better than ever before. I will more "hands-on" with the festival production this year, since I have begun learning some things on computer, and am about to take over the Television Production Class at OPHS. I also have a few other ideas in mind to raise the bar yet again. This festival needs to keep growing and getting better...since the only other choice is to stagnate and die. As long as the kids keep wanting to work, I'll keep doing it. Hope to see you all there this year.

WHERE HAS THE JAMES BEEN???????

Yes, loyal fans...FOTJ, I am back. Where have I been? You might ask...I might even answer, and this post will settle it once and for all. No...it hasn't been a grand holiday, or a two or three month adventure, but rather an ORDEAL. That is what the past few months have felt like and only very recently have I emerged with my former vitality and intensity. A few months ago I started coming down with what felt like a regular winter-season flu, or even a sinus infection. I began my treatment with a self-diagnosis, and with my normal stand-by: Dayquil/Nyquil. Well, this wasn't cutting it. Hell, after the first week and 2 or 3 boxes of the "Quil," I was feeling just as bad, if not worse. My job brings a lot of contamination and germs my way on a regular basis...kids are the worst when it comes to sickness and they love to share, so I didn't give my initial poor feelings much thought. After the first week or two without any help from the "Quil," I reached out to something I had seen on television: Mucinex. The directions scared me a little: two a day...NO MORE, so I asked a few people about it. Everything I heard about this product was great, and I started it. I took it for about 2 days, and slowly...VERY SLOWLY, it began to have an effect. I felt a little better. I wasn't as congested, but I still had headaches, and still felt lethargic. Finally, when about 2 weeks had elapsed, I went off the stuff...I WAS SICK AGAIN WITHIN 3 DAYS!!!!! Now folks, I was sincerely pissed off. I hate being sick...I ABSOLUTELY HATE BEING SICK...and it seemed like I kept getting it again and again. Not to mention this had now become the "crunch time" for me at work, where I had to produce the GCFF, direct a one-act show for UNF, and cast/begin translations for our Spring production of Midsummer Night's Dream at OPHS. I began to despair a little...to tell you the truth, and even considered briefly visiting one of the society of ex-Nazis known as a physician. That's when I decided to give Tylenol Sinus Medicine a go...both normal and SEVERE. Severe worked, and quickly. I felt like hell one night of our dress rehearsals at UNF, and the next day I felt great. I kept taking this all through the first half of December, and only stopped when I came back from visiting the wonderful Laytons in Atlanta. I have now been about 2 or 3 weeks off the "stuff," and am feeling pretty good...with the obvious exception that I HAVEN'T WORKED OUT IN ABOUT 2 OR 3 MONTHS...and I feel/look like hell. So...that's what happened to me...sickness of biblical proportions and deadlines, and any time I wasn't working or feeling miserable I was trying to sleep and get well. I will be back at this more regularly now...at least weekly, like my main inspiration: the StalloneZone, so keep checking back. Happy New Year to all I give a damn about, and let me know what you think of the blog.