All posts by Brian Paris

Dark City

Watched the movie Dark City tonight. I had never heard of this film before, but was quite surprised by it. It was made before The Matrix, but it had a lot of ideas that were later used. It also had the look of The City of Lost Children, one of my favorite movies. I am surprised that it has not gotten the acclaim of The Matrix movies.

Made me want to make a dark movie. Up until now I have been wanting to make a light character study. Quirky, comedic, and fun.

It was said that Dark City was influenced by Brazil. I have never watched this movie, but have wanted to for a long time. I’ll have to make it a point to look it up sometime.

Colbert Report

I just realized that I like feminist, too.

Jane Fonda is funny as hell. Never knew that about her. Colbert is going to get in trouble with the wife if he keeps on kissing Jane.

Haven’t posted in a couple of days

What have I been up to? I was supposed to be in California this week, but plans changed. Working on my new show, Video Vinyl. Working with Chris Green on what should be a great show.

I’ve also got a music video shoot next Monday. I’ll be shooting a video for Guia Cuyugan’s song Te Verde.

It was a beautiful day today. Perhaps the best day of the year. Beautiful weather, good colors, and that great autumn smell. Reminds me of my youth. We used to rake the leaves in the yard, and play in the pile of leaves, and later burn them. I miss the smell of burning leaves. No days they don’t let you burn leaves in the city. It is a shame. I guess it keeps down on fires getting out of hand. The kids have got video games anyway, so they don’t need to play outside.

Da Bears

Was watching the Bears destroying the Bills when the game went black. They went to another game, but now seem to be back with the Bears. About time.

CU Video Meeting

Each month I have a meeting of the video people in the area. Tonight we started at Esquire and then went out to Jupiter for some pizza. Good group of people these production people. Wanted to mention Jason Pankoke’s blog about the CU Film/Video scene. You can see what is happening in the Champaign Urbana Area at CU Blogfidential.

Where’s the Milk

Started to make dinner tonight when I realized that I didn’t have any milk to make my mashed potatoes. I had to go out and pick up a gallon at the local mart. I was making a meal that most people question, but it is my dad’s recipe that I have been eating since I was a kid. Here we go:

Instant mashed potatoes with loads of canned corn on top.
The sauce is the secret.
It is smoked sausage or polish sausage. Cut into small rings 1/4″ or so, and cook in a frying pan. You want to cook long enough for the grease to come out. Pour in a couple of small cans of unsalted tomato sauce. The hot grease will fry the sauce a little. This is what makes the difference.
When the sauce is fully heated pour over the top of the corn and potato mixture.

It doesn’t look good, but it sure does taste good.

Left Behind

Michael Lewis was on Colbert Report tonight. He talks about a poor black kid who is taken into a rich white family. IQ goes up, does better in all aspects in life. Winds up being a great talent in Football. He would not have made anything of himself if not given opportunities. I wonder how many great people never get the chance to make their mark. How many Vincis, Einsteins, and other great people are there out there who we will never know. When I was young, the traveling memorial wall for the Vietnam War came to town. I talked to one of the Veterans there, and they asked how may of the dead soldiers could have done something great. Could one of them have cured cancer? Even at a young age, it made me think about the unintended consequences of political decisions.

October

Well, it is October. For those of you who don’t know, October is my strongest month. Plans right now are for a trip to California in a week and then maybe an overseas trip later. Also have a music video shoot in the middle of the month. Here’s to a great October.

Da Bears

Bears put the beat down to the Seahawks 37-6. Offense looked good all around, and the defense might be the best in the league. They have a pretty easy schedule for the next month so they might be doing something special this year. Don’t know if they have the ’85 bears swagger, but they are beginning to look like they might have a chance to be Super Bowl bound. They were making comparisons between Rex Grossman and Brett Favre. I think it is still pretty early for that. I am not even sure that he is the best QB on our team, but he seems to be getting better each week. No dumb mistakes today, so that is a good sign.