Since I have raved about Netflix in the past, it’s only fair that I’m honest about the service’s shortcomings as well. The one thing that is really jacked up about Netflix is its priority settings:

In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we may utilize many different factors such as the number and type of DVDs you rent through our service, the subscription plan you select, and other uses of our service by you. For example, if all other factors are the same, we give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our service.

So, let me get this straight…the more you pay, the less pull you have priority-wise? Isn’t that sort of taking advantage of your best customers? As someone who always gets four, five or six DVDs at a time, I think this just sucks. Looks like I’m never getting Spaced or any new release on Blu-Ray. Thanks a lot, Netflix.

I also did get to see Tropic Thunder, and will have a review on that up sometime this week…

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I’m convinced this is what’s at least partially responsible for the concepts behind scripts like Babel, Donnie Darko, Dog Day Afternoon, Fargo, Memento, etc. Sometimes a bizarre bit of news–like debris from a space shuttle crashing into someone’s house, for example–just speaks to you. Besides, your story has to start somewhere, right? And the old adage “the truth is stranger than fiction” has survived all these years for a reason.

For example, I was extremely interested in the Chinese boy who got to lead the Chinese team out for the opening ceremony of the Olympics alongside Yao Ming. Apparently, this nine-year-old boy pulled himself out of post-earthquake rubble to save two of his friends. I love Heroes and Unbreakable, but what about a child becoming a superhero before our eyes? Now, that would be cool.

Another news story that caught my eye was the baby who was found unscathed in the middle of a field, amidst tornado wreckage. How in the hell did that happen? Is there any other possible explanation other than divine or supernatural intervention for something so fragile surviving a natural disaster?

Apparently, I am captivated by kids surviving natural disasters, but I think most people would be. Everyone loves children (well, those of us who are right upstairs do), and there is nothing more reckless than a natural disaster. Innocence personified vs. blind carnage–captivating. Even if the news doesn’t give you your exact idea, it can definitely serve as the spark that ignites your concept or theme and gets you writing.

Watch the news every once in awhile. Pick up a paper while you are waiting, or even a magazine. Search for strange, and I’m betting a unique story will snowball out of your seach.

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Stephen Tobolowsky might be my new hero. Who in the hell is Tobolowsky? Um, only Ned Ryerson from Groundhog Day, people. The character actor has also had sizable roles in three of my favorite TV shows of this decade–Deadwood, Entourage and Heroes. By the way, I love character actors. I was a big J.T. Walsh fan–rest in peace. J.K. Simmons is the man, too.

Sorry to get off on that tangent. What brought up Tobolowsky in the first place is that he recently appeared on the /filmcast to discuss The Mummy: Tomb of The Dragon Emperor. Dude just rips the film, as well as other films. I haven’t enjoyed a podcast as much as I enjoyed this one in some time. Got me through a stack of dishes, that’s for sue.

The podcast does include spoilers, but, like they say, you really can’t spoil this film. In fact, the podcast is more entertaining than the movie anyway, and about a third as long. Trust me on this one–I watched the movie earlier this week. It is absolutely terrible. I mean, the CGI–and it’s everywhere in this film–looks like something you’d see on the Sci-Fi channel, a straight-to-DVD title or a 90’s arcade game. Terrible. The two leads are absolutely atrocious, the amazing Asian actors are wasted, and the plot is absolutely ridiculous. Brendan Fraser’s big plan to defeat Jet Li’s character–an enemy with seemingly unlimited, not to mention corny, supernatural powers–is to call him a pussy and challenge him to a fistfight. It’s utterly ridiculous.

Just go listen to the podcast, and please don’t go see this. At least wait for it to hit DVD, or, better yet, TNT in several years. It would be a shame for you to spend your hard-earned change on this albatross.

Extra work can be fun, if you can find the time. Plus, you get to take home a little dough. I’m not sure how good this third season of Friday Night Lights will be, as I loved the first season, but didn’t like the second one nearly as much (kind of like Heroes). Anyway, for info on being an extra on FNL head over to Austin 360’s Movie Blog.

Lindsay Lohan’s 14-year-old little sis, Ali Lohan, accidentally auditioned for porn director Peter Davy recently. I’m sorry, but I just find this hilarious. From Stuff:

The singer - who is keen to follow in her older sibling’s footsteps by breaking into the acting industry - was followed by cameras for her reality show Living Lohan as she went to try out for a part in horror movie Trolls, but was unaware of the director’s porn connections…

Peter is most famous for directing erotic films including Voodoo Lust and Dreams in the Forbidden Zone.

Maybe this just reminds me of a funnier version of Zack and Miri Make a Porno (and I’m speculating that Kevin Smith’s cold streak will continue). Lindsay Lohan simultaneously gets in serious legal trouble and herself blacklisted in Hollywood. Also bankrupt, she desperately needs money for bail and legal fees. Since her entire family is also blacklisted from Hollywood, her little sister, Ali, has to stoop to appearing in a porn film to rescue her. OK, I’ve totally changed what really happened, but sometimes that’s how stories are born.

Yes, I have a sick sense of humor. I said it, and I feel better. Anyway, pay attention to the news, especially the quirky stuff. There are some great ideas out there that just need some tinkering.

Like I mentioned earlier, I watched Brick recently. I often mock cast actors for roles in my spec scripts, and while watching Brick I saw Joseph Gordon-Levitt become my story’s protagonist. Once I mock cast, I often print images to use for my project portfolio. While looking for JGL images, I noticed something…

HOMEBOY LOOKS JUST LIKE HEATH LEDGER!

Tell me he doesn’t? He’s his spitting effing image! And for anybody who doubts his acting chops, just go watch Brick, The Lookout and Mysterious Skin. That being said, if Christopher Nolan, David Goyer and Co. wanted to bring back the Joker to face Batman again in The Dark Knight Returns (or whatever), I think they could do it with JGL. Would he have to fill some whopping fucking shoes? You bet. But if there is one young actor who looks like Heath and has his potential, its JGL. Remember, we once all doubted Heath’s ability to pull off the Joker.

Here’s how you pull it off, from Slick Deals, an awesome site:

Best Buy online offers a Free Movie Certificate to Righteous Kill or Traitor with purchase of any drama or action movie on DVD or Blu-ray Disc. Your best value would be to choose from one of their 29 DVDs for $3.99 each with Free Shipping. Thanks BlueCrown.

1. Choose a $3.99 DVD or $6.99 DVD (or any DVD or Blu-Ray disc of your choice).
2. Add it to the cart
3. Return to this page and select the movie certificate below.
4. Click on “Add Items to Cart”

I bought Layer Cake for $4.32 with free shipping. A good DVD and a ticket for about half the price of the average movie ticket–you can’t beat that shit. Even if Righteous Kill gets bad reviews, I’m still going to go see it. I’m an Al Pacino/Robert De Niro fan, what can I say? I just hope they both have one more good one in them. We shall see..

Here’s the link to the QuickTime trailer.

Is there anything worse than having your computer crash? I was searching for a torrent of an older TV series somehwat similar to my spec script (er, no I wasn’t) late last night, and after finally finding it my tired, lazy, ignorent ass didn’t scan it. Guess what? Yep, I got a virus and my computer crashed. Guess what else? Yep, I hadn’t yet backed up the first 38 pages of my script or my exhaustive set of notes.

Luckily, I’m pretty computer profecient and was able to do a non-destructive system restore, which only took a couple of hours after I figured it out. I didn’t lose anything, except my mind temporarily.

The moral of the story: back up your shit.