Some interesting insight into the finances of Hollywood hits. Peter Guber, the man responsible for championing Batman to the big screen in ‘89 (also had a hand in getting flicks like The Witches of Eastwick, Gorillas in the Mist and Flashdance made) uses Avatar and Paranormal Activity to help describe economics in today’s Hollywood.

Today is the 30th birthday of Pac-Man. Pac-Man we salute thee.

Pic via Dagan’s Blog

I know this is a repost, but I couldn’t have it buried pages back and having it hidden away gathering dust. Looking around the Interwebs for inspiration and well, anything that will help settle my nerves… The work that’s coming up in the next few weeks is both exciting and nerve wracking, and as such I’ve turned to the internet to provide me with advise from the masters. And what better person to give advise about movie making then Ridley Scott? Director of Blade Runner, Alien, Gladiator and Hannibal (to name but a few)… I was lucky enough to stumble across this Q and A with him and can’t even begin to tell you how good it is.

If you’re remotely creative or have ever been in charge of a production this is a much watch . Enjoy.

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

Part Four:

An interesting watch with some seriously good advice from Sam Raimi, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez and Guillermo Del Toro all rocking panels at Comic Con 09. Enjoy

Over the holidays those responsible for the hatching of ‘Rodney Fickle – Online Athlete’ took a sabbatical. Now with Christmas fading safely off into the distance in the rear view mirror I feel it’s safe for me to take a quick look back at the highlights of My Christmas – 2009.

Shopping was more frantic and frenzied than ever before. Lots of sweaty people, myself included, packing themselves into buildings that didn’t seem to be built to handle the influx. After safely parking the Mirage (AKA Fatmobile, AKA Stealth Shadow Death Machine) I head to the centre proper. Where I have parked dictates that I must take the Elevator, or the stairs, to get to get to my destination. My thought process is faster than lightning. Before I even know I’ve made a decision I find my hand autonomously pressing the call button for the elevator. Thirty seconds into my wait I find myself internally bitching about having to stand up so long. Standing makes me sweat. I don’t like to sweat. Finally the door opens and I survey the situation. There are about 25 people packed into this elevator. All looking back out to me. There is a glint in their eyes. A collective look of worry hidden behind a very thin veil of perceived cool. They all seem to be thinking the same thing.

“I don’t think this lift is rated to carry this many people, let alone one more sweaty fat guy.” Having been a firm believer of never making the incorrect decision I decided to ride the elevator regardless of the indignity that would surely follow. The indignity that would absolutely follow if the lift stopped between floors and we all had to wait hours upon hours, all the while trying work out who’d be the most suitable person to eat. Naturally I’d be high on the list – more of him to eat, yet he would eat more than us. It’s a simple equation. Using my ‘standing sweat’ I slip my way in between the bodies filling the elevators. I almost immediately regret the decision because of two things;

1. Instead of playing standard elevator muzak they are playing ‘Sexy Motherfucker’ by Prince

and

2. Someone smells of yoghurt. I can’t narrow down who.

Arriving at my destination I quickly dash across the third floor to the department store that I plan on buying gifts from. I do my best not look anyone in the eye. Every time I do that something bad happens. One time I looked a woman in the eye, smiled politely as I walked past she stopped me and said in an unnaturally low register “This is what we call the mulberry bush” then she cackled and went on her way.

Inside the store I start the hunt for the perfect gift. Instead I find that things have changed dramatically since last Christmas. Toys have gotten more…. Freaky. Here is a couple of what I considered to be highlights.