So Rob, what have you been watching?

So Rob, what have you been watching?

So Rob, what have you been watching? Well, first of all, that you for asking and caring...secondly, I have been consuming mad craziness...literally.

If you listened to this week "Monster-Mania Radio", you heard me explain that this past weekend I was offered a compliment...sort of. While eating lunch with my Wife on Saturday, after sharing our teaser trailer for "baggage" with a family friend, who had also seen "No Clowning Around",  makes this very statement; "You play mentally ill so well."

Go ahead and reread that....yep, I play mentally ill so well. I took this as a compliment and greatly appreciate that she felt like I was possibly criminally insane, so much so that I might even be believable.  Isn't that the goal for an actor? Now, let me make this statement; I have NEVER classified myself as an actor. I only want to make movies that I want to see. I write them, I act in them, I enjoy the process and the people that I work with and those that support anything I do. With that being said, for "baggage" I am trying my ass off. I want to be the absolute best that I can. I'm studying all the time, I'm submersed within the subject matter. Typically, this is where I would say, I don't take myself too serious, but for the first time...I am. 

I know that with a subject matter like we will be covering in "baggage", I will experience depression, I will feel dread and sadness...it's inevitable. I have been tweeting "Benjamin is normal" for a few weeks as I start the physical and mental transformation. I probably will not be as chatty, I might be quieter...but  at the end of this process, I will (hopefully) feel accomplished and fulfilled.

So, you ask, what have you bee watching? Ok..here you go:

The Shining - Jack Nicholson has become my role model as of late, from an acting standpoint. His ability to throw a look or a simple mannerism is amazing. I think the world of his character acting right now. 

Taxi Driver - Robert DeNiro plays a perfect role of a person trying to balance between sane and going off the deep end. He is battling his inner demons and looking for his place in the world. You see his spiral downward, it's a great watch and motivates me to work hard.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - This has become my favorite as of late. I never bothered with watching it prior and I realize I really made a HUGE mistake. Another one of Nicholson's best...seriously. It plays with your emotions, between who really is crazy...those being helped or those that are helping? This movie is one of the best tool's for studying human behavior...even though they are acting, it's done so well, it currently is on my weekly rotation of viewing. The cast is fantastic and everyone knows their role...I highly recommend this one.

On the topic of real life - I have been watching a lot of criminal trials and documentaries plus tons of the ID channel..which honestly, has some of the best ideas for horror movies..haha. Life life is so scary compared to film. I have been watching a lot of Aileen Wuornos, from her documentary, her trail and even the film "Monster" that really is Charlize Theron's best performance (at least for me) as she nails it. Like, eerily similar. 

Back to Wuornos... I've never seen blacker eyes...watch her footage, watch when she gets angry...it's frightening. This is, too me, what insane is...she was over the edge, yet at peace. She spoke with a calmness, but when she was challenged, she would snap and speak her mind. She walked with pride, never doubting who she was...it's an amazing case to study. 

So, yeah...I will be busy until we film...I'm determined, I'm focused and I accept the challenge.

Spending A Night with "The Boys Next Door"...wait...err...it's a Movie!!

The Boys Next Door review

1985

With the Holidays approaching, everyone is reviewing Christmas movies...but not THIS guy...(I will probably review one next week..this is a phony claim that will fail to impress anyone). In a drunken Holiday stupor spree of searching for films...I stumble upon my long lost friend....The Boys Next Door.

The Boys Next Door stars Charlie Sheen, years before he had Tiger's Blood and was from Space...or whatever he claims made and Maxwell Caulfield...way before anyone could celebrate Rex Manning Day (Oh yeah, I was a card carrying member of that fan club). This duo portray Bo and Roy, a twosome that are fresh out of high school and are ready to have a killer weekend.

Before we start with my thoughts and praise of this film, I want to note that Penelope Spheeris is behind the lens for this gem. Yes, the same Penelope Spheeris that brought Waynes World into my life, yes...the same Penelope Spheeris who was responsible for The Beverly Hillbillies movie..wait, she may not want me to tell anyone. Seriously, she does an Amazing job in building suspense and uses her camera angles and lighting perfect. For the time, 1985, I look back at this and smile. One scene where Roy and Bo have crashed a Graduation party...Roy (Caulfield) is sitting pool side...staring and you can see the pain and hate on his face. Great use of dramatic music inserts also. The opening montage of Serial Killers is chilling and used properly to set the tone for this film. She knocked this one out of the park...can't believe this movie doesn't get more praise.

We get a glimpse of home life for Bo and Roy, neither are good...Bo (Sheen) is loved but seems to be an after thought, while Roy looks to be the victim of a drunken Father who probably wasn't afraid to beat his ass when provoked. Driving a primed RoadRunner, Bo and Roy decide they want to have a mini vacation before reporting to the town factory to enter adult, humdrum life....and head to California.

Roy confesses to Bo..."I have stuff inside of me". That stuff is Hate and Evil. Roy wastes no time in starting his crime spree, while Bo..watches but quickly gives into the evil joyride and partakes in his own dastardly deeds. From smashing beer bottles over old ladies heads, to killing a Gay man, even stalking and murdering a girl and her boyfriend...these guys go off the deep end. I am telling you, this movie advances one crime after another..very easily. The soul searching that Sheen expresses emotional and through facial expressions are tremendous. Plus, Caulfield is Awesome in this movie...I might even watch Grease 2 now, after this performance (ok, probably not).

With the FBI and LAPD hot on their tail, Bo and Roy have no where to run. Plus, a young Shooter MaGavin (Christopher McDonald) plays the role of the sympathetic, trying to understand detective that doesn't understand the evil. He does a good job here and they portray both sides of the Police, the rugged/gritty side, plus the guys who feel for the victims.

In Closing.....

Treat my VHS better or DIE!!

I know, this review is full of ramblings, misguided points and unfunny , unwitty drivel...I can't help it! I had this movie on VHS during my Senior year of High School (1988). I wore this video out!! I watched this so many times...easily a movie that helped shape me...kidding. I think it opened a door into horror for me, that I had never seen before. It's not a slasher film that I loved in the 80's, this was before I understood the greatness of a Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, I was only exposed to greats like Dawn of the Dead..like, Halloween...this was a fresh burst of hatred and murder! You know what would make me kill someone? See that video <---- on the left side? If someone treated my VHS like that. I would kill them too!!

This is currently streaming on Netflix, it's a MUST see...I know, you will enjoy it too..you have too...it's Christmas!! I need to re-buy this VHS..just to have it, plus Buy the Dvd...you hear me gift buyers? I NEED this! Anyways...Happy Shopping.