H2, Plays and such....

First of all let me just squash anything negative you may have heard about Halloween 2. It's amazing from the first frame to the final frame. Rob Zombie's work is not for everyone. I for one love everything that he has ever done, from White Zombie in High School to his solo Career as a young adult, to his film career now.

He has made it clear that this is HIS version of the Michael Myers story, not a remake. So to all of those people complaining about it...SHUT UP! I think a lot of the comments come from the fact it is not a "fun" horror movie. You can't root for the bad guy, and the characters/victims in it are not disposable faceless teenagers, but actual people with back story and purpose and, dare I say, feelings.

We have been so desensitized to violence from all the gore porn, such as Saw and Hostel, and even the slasher films I grew up with, that to see something as brutal as what Zombie has put on the screen is not fun. The opening sequence where Lori is on the operating table after the attacks from the first film, is Zombie's way of saying...this is what happens, people get hurt, and you rarely, if ever see that in a film. Bravo, Rob.

As for the back story and new elements, I usually hate that, watch Ron Howard's abysmal Grinch, or any of the Star Wars prequels and you'll see what I mean. But Rob Zombie turned "The Shape", into a person with feelings and sympathy, but also succeeds in making him completely unlikable and unsympathetic at the same time. Brilliant.

GO SEE IT!!!

On another note...I've cast Wait Until Dark at RBC! I had an amazing turnout of students come out and audition. Some of them I've worked with before, others are brand new. I look forward to this process very much. I'll post more on this soon.

I'm going tomorrow to take the police test for the City of Richmond. I'm excited about it, and need to rest up for it, so all for now.

Feel free to comment so I know folks are actually reading this thing!!

- Jack

They like me...they really like me.

My summer is coming to a close and it has been fantastic. First the run of Night of January 16Th at Sycamore Rouge was a HUGE success for me as a performer. I personally was given kudos on my performance in the Richmond Times Dispatch, the Progress Index, and in the Richmond Theatre Blog. I am very grateful to the reviewers for enjoying my work, and it makes it all worthwhile. As I said in the title of this blog, They like me....



This past weekend Elise, Merritt, and myself went to the Mayhem Festival. It was awesome! I found a new favorite band in God Forbid. Now if only I had the funds to buy their music.... I was really unimpressed with Slayer. I am happy to have seen them sense they are Metal royalty, but very underwhelmed, time to hang up the guitars or stop touring, guys.



On the other hand Marilyn Manson was phenomenal as always. I have seen him six times now and he never disappoints. It was a scaled down show from his normal stage show, but it was beautiful. I'm bummed he removed Coma White from his live set list, but has added three very good songs from the new CD.



The personal highlight of the day was leading Elise away from the many pits we were on the out skirts of. I kept joking I was going to throw her in but I ended up pulling her away. We both got hit in the back by two crowd surfers and dropped them both at our feet. After that we moved.



I don't understand pits and all they stand for. How can beating the crap out of each other be a good time? But everyone in there has a smile on there face. I think we should all take the lead of moshers everywhere and tackle each other as a greeting, handshakes are over rated.



Sandy stayed home with Brittany. I really wish she would have been able to go. Maybe she will sometime or another...at least to support me and try to enjoy something I enjoy. I think maybe her Southern Baptist upbringing has something to do with not seeing the evil, "satanic" bands. Just goes to show that people are harmed by religious views. Maybe not her per se, but to not enjoy the arts because some holy person told you not to is ridiculous. Marilyn Manson is an entertainer portraying a persona on stage. I can't believe people really think he hangs around his house in full makeup. I heard Slayer in an interview once and they stated that they are practicing Catholics, not Satanists. Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Preacher Man. By the logic that these idiots use, Johnny Depp must really be a pirate, Michael Meyers Really exists and kills teenagers, and that I must be a Policeman because I just played one on stage. Get a clue.

Can't sleep so I'll blog...

I just had an awesome weekend. The audiences for Night of January 16th were great this weekend and makes the show so much better. I hate trying to be funny and not getting a reaction. Luckily this weekend I got laughs all three days.

After Saturday's show we had a Cast Party with Mr. Ryan Tiller as the guest of honor as it was his birthday. Ryan is a great cat and I hope our friendship continues into the future. kb kept the mood light with mustache's all around! I have the best friends EVER! My perfect wifey prepared everything while we were slaving under hot stage lights. I love her soooo much.

After the matinee today she surprised me by finally taking me to see G-Force! I have been dying to see it and was not disappointed. Elise watched Syd while Brittany stayed with Nana. Perfect weekend!

I'm a little sad that the show will be over next weekend. If you haven't had a chance to see it, please do so. It is bittersweet though as once it is over I will focus my time back at my "home" theatre and work with my wonderful, talented students at Richard Bland! Can't wait.

All right I know this blog was very boring but I wanted to document how great my life is right at the moment. Plus its almost 330 in the morning and I really should be sleeping. Good night INTERNETS!!