Movie Love

This past weekend was a little crazy, and it felt never-ending. But Monday brought a new week and so far, I am as happy as can be.

It feels like Christmas. I'm working to get stuff done before break. Man do I need one! I think we all do.

Besides Christmas, this is one of my favorite times of the year for another reason: movies! And most of the best ones! The only downside is that Johnstown hardly ever gets any of the limited releases. But that won't stop me. As of now, I'm driving an hour away with some friends on Thursday to see Black Swan. I'll drive all Oscar season if I have to. There's a buttload of films I want to see.


I'm almost done with my final college application - LMU. I've been working on the film essay. I have to write about the elements of the most powerful stories and storytellers. The essay has actually been giving me a hard time.

When I was searching for inspiration the other day, I stumbled across a dude who makes a movie montage at the end of each year. They were really cool. Of course, I'm a sucker for those montages at the ends of movies that give you little heart goosebumps (see Annie Hall, Slumdog Millionaire, 500 Days of Summer, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix).

Anyways, the Cinema 2010 montage was uploaded today. Make some popcorn and enjoy!

Also, only four days until Christmas! I can't believe it!

Entering the Cocoon

I can't wait to curl up in my blankets and go to sleep. As I do, I will be entering a cocoon. Tomorrow when I wake up, I will legally be considered an adult. I will be eighteen.

Will I suddenly become a man? Will my friends and family recognize me?
In reality, I will eat some Oreo Blizzard cake from DQ (yum) at some point and life will go on as usual. I've been so busy with college applications and such lately that I haven't had time to reflect on this adulthood thing. By the way, a few minutes ago I officially began editing the short film - I pieced two clips together. Whoot! Whoot!

Turning eighteen isn't really a big deal. I'm not in to dirty movies. However, it has served as a gentle reminder that high school is going to end. Which is weird but cool. The rest of my life is going to start in a year, and I need to get ready. My mom will no longer be available to tie my ties for me! (Don't worry - I'm learning.)

Anyway, I should get some sleep, but first...

I like fall. One of my favorite things about my birthday season is the movies! Besides Toy Story 3, Inception, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the summer films kind of sucked. Autumn seems like it is going to come to the cinematic rescue!

So really quickly, here's Chad's fall movie preview:

1. Never Let Me Go
September 15th


During my sophomore year, I read an online interview with my girlfriend Keira Knightley. She talked about a movie she was working on based on an awesome book - Never Let Me Go. I borrowed the book from my teacher and read it in a week. I thought it was beautiful. Plus, Keira and Carey Mulligan are involved in the movie: heaven. It will probably be depressing... I'm excited.

2. 127 Hours
November 5th

I mentioned earlier that I have a love obsession with Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire). So naturally, I have to check out his new movie. I just saw the teaser trailer yesterday. It's based on a true story and stars James Franco as a dude who gets stuck in a Utah canyon. Looks cool.

3.The Social Network
October 1st

Alright, I've been hearing buzz about this movie for forever. Apparently the script is really good. And David Fincher is brilliant. Plus, I think Jesse Eisenberg is funny (Alaina thinks he is cute... eww). The Social Network has already been called a classic and generation defining. Ever since I read The Great Gatsby, I have been waiting to watch a moody film. This is it.

4. Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows (Part One)
November 19th

I'm a big fan of the crew that made the last two Potter films. From the looks of things, they outdid themselves on the finale. I could pee myself just thinking about it. Nothing else needs to be said. (Except that Emma Watson will be wearing a red dress)

5. Tron Legacy
December 17th

I don't really know much about this one. But I've been reading about it for the past two years... seriously. Tron was an eighties movie with Jeff Bridges (I never saw it). It sort of started the whole CGI animation thing that led to Pixar and everything else. It's a certified nerd classic. The new one has Jeff Bridges too and is apparently going to be awesome. I'll have to rent the original and then go see this one with my boys.

Alright... it's late! I need sleep for my big day. This is minor Chad signing off for the last time. Night!

What Kind of Stories do I Want to Tell?

Yesterday, I went out to lunch with a few friends. While we were waiting for our food, my friend Megan (who looks like she could be my sister) turned to me and asked me what kind of movies I wanted to make.

I didn't know.

Ryan and I watch the Next Food Network Star on Sunday nights. Last week, a girl went home because each time the judges asked her what kind of food she wanted to make, she didn't have a clear answer. We felt bad for her. I don't want to be that girl. I need to find my film voice.



Really, I have plenty of time for self-discovery. I have always admired directors like Danny Boyle and Steven Spielberg because they manage to work in many different genres, but still tell great stories. That's what I want to do. I'm up for anything as long as there is a good story involved. I want to tell stories that inspire and entertain - stories that matter to me.

The only things I can definitely rule out are slasher films and depressing suicidal movies (unless they have a point).

But to me, the story, the characters, and the people (both those who help make the film and those who watch it) are the most important things.

From there, why can't I make horror movies, thrillers, action extravaganzas, romances, comedies, and family dramas? In fact, who says I can't mix them. Horror meets romance. It's all up to me.

Exposition! (Part Three)

I must admit - this blog thing is fun.

The next thing I want to talk about is film. I want to be a filmmaker. Scratch that. I am a filmmaker. I want to become a better one. I want to tell stories. And I want to go to film school. No doubt, much of this blog will be about movies, filmmaking, and college.

What are my favorite movies? They change all the time. But here's what I'm feeling this morning (while I eat my cinnamon poptart).

If you have not seen any of these wonderful films, go load up your Netfilx queue immediately.