And here's the new version of Walter Hill's HARD TIMES

Everything old is new again. (And it looks like it's all Walter Hill's fault.)

It's about time someone did a remake of Walter Hill's THE DRIVER

Even if they aren't admitting it.

I heard that!

I feel the same way. (But haven't crossed that line yet.)

Happy Holidays!

to my 9 loyal followers and anyone else who happens to stumble across this blog.

Hope you all have a safe and happy New Year!

AVATAR!!!!

I've heard a lot of mixed things about AVATAR in the last few weeks, so I thought I better check it out and see what the ruckus was all about. I went to the 12:01 screening tonight and I just got home. Some people have called me cynical in the past (you know who you are), but it takes a bigger cynic than me to call this movie anything short of spectacular. Yes, the story is derivative (and what the hell isn't nowadays?) but the vision and execution is amazing. Cameron said he was going to deliver an "immersive" experience and that's exactly what it is. After about 40 minutes I started to feel like I was right there with the screen characters in the amazing world the filmmakers had created. I almost yelled at the screen a half dozen times. Either the movie was very effective or I need to alter my meds (maybe both).

There's plenty to nitpick here, but I'll leave that to everyone else. All I can say is: AVATAR. 3D. IMAX. Go there!

P.S. - Jim Cameron is a madman!

It's that time of the month again...

Hmmmm.... I see by the old calendar on the wall that it's time for my monthly bit of Blog Wisdom.

Try this one: I used to think the Internet was kind of cool. Then I thought it was amazing. Then I thought it was a bit annoying. Then I thought it was possibly dangerous. Then I became convinced that it was the worst thing that's ever happened to the human race (and considering humanity's past, that's quite an achievement).

I now believe that it's possible (maybe even probable) that the Internet - or some mutation of it - will eventually lead to the end of human civilization as we know it. And possibly the actual destruction of the planet, i.e. a series of events so catastrophic that the Earth is sent spinning off its axis and out of orbit rendering it a dead rock or a burning cinder.

Well, that's my say for November.

Go back to your coffee.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!

9 Dragons

Last year I traveled to Hong Kong (and Macao) to shoot footage for a book that Michael Connelly was researching. That book, 9 DRAGONS, was published last week. Usually Mike has written the book before I shoot anything, but this time the process was reversed, so I wasn't sure what the exact content of the book would be as I worked. Below are links to a few of the clips we have posted on YouTube chronicling the adventure.

Michael Connelly in Hong Kong

Michael Connelly's Nine Dragons

Michael Connelly's Nine Dragons - Wan Chai

Michael Connelly's Nine Dragons - The Peak