Author: Timpane

Hey.. lots of horn myself tootin this morning.. and not just cuz of the burrito..

check this baby out: http://imdb.com/name/nm1417197/

Already there before as an actor.. but how fun is it to see my name next to “Composer”? A: Pretty dang fun. Thanks, folks for letting me gleefully brag.

EDIT by matthew: Linked.

Holy moly! I’ve been a blogslacker on my own blog for some time, but never on Barnson! Yet, here I am, having not posted in awhile..

School has eaten my soul and my time as I also try to complete this score for “Crawler” (way past deadline) – and I’ve been out of touch.

Such a shame b/c I have lots to say on Enterprise, Movies, the upcoming election, music, and such.. but I will have to keep posting less frequently until I finally finish school.

Expect a couple pretty soon, but I apologize in advance for letting this stupid real world get in the way of my digital life.

Ever try to start an exercise routine?

I am the proud owner of a weight bench, a kickboxing bag, 4 workout DVDs, a jumprope, and a 2 player “Dance Dance Revolution” system for PS2.. none of which ever gets used.

This month, though.. I’ve finally passed the four week mark on regular exercise.. doing the one sport I ever did well. Swimming.

I got a varsity letter in swimming back at QO before I had to give it up to do theatre. Swam for years before that too. Lately, having finally lost the 60 pounds I put on in college, I’ve been getting comments like “Dude, you’re too thin.. you look anorexic” – Which, granted, I used to get in high school too.

I finally stopped getting those comments in high school by returning to the pool 3 times a week – and now I’m trying it again. But man, its harder now. The demons of age have used ten years of stored powers to turn my once able swimming muscles into jelly after only 24 lengths of the pool.

For now, Barnsonians, wish me luck as I continue my quest to get back the body I used to have.. and if you have any advice, I’d welcome it.

Well.. I guess I’ll be the one to broach the subject.

I am the person these guys wanted to get. I am a registered republican who is dissatisfied with much of what the current presidential administration has done.. and it is now possible for either candidate to get my vote.

Going into the Debate last night, here’s what I was thinking.. BUSH: Pros: I think he believes what he’s saying, that he’s a relatively honest guy, that he believes in his heart that he’s doing the right thing and that with him it is a lot more “what you see is what you get” Cons: I think he’s not as smart as Kerry, that he relies on his advisors(who suck) too much, and that even if he was the best president in the world, he is personally disliked by people who I want to be reallied with us (Gemany, France)

KERRY: Pros: He can help restore alliances, he seems smarter, he says he wants to be relatively conservative regarding the war, and he’s not afraid to say he wants to Kill the terrorists. Cons: I don’t know what to expect from him. He flip flops, he doesn’t seem genuine at all, he has alredy said things that could alienate Allies we have, and he has not given a really good, solid, laid out plan (the way both Bush and Gore did 4 years ago).

After the debate, I came away feeling much the same as when I went in. Bush got flustered, but seemed genuinely passionate about what he was saying, but he wasn’t quick on his feet and he wasn’t able to deftly command the situation.. and that makes me worry.

Kerry was too aggressive, seemed unfriendly, mentioned his combat experience way too much, and spent all his time attacking Bush when given the opportunity to lay out a plan.

So, I don’t know who I’m going to vote for.. right now.. personal poll.. Bush 55%, Kerry 45%. Today, I’d vote Bush.. but I’m very persuadeable.

How much do you love Star Wars? Well, Matt could tell you about me, he was there! In the middle of a Hoth-sized snowstorm, I drove an hour to see the re-release in 1997, on the DAY OF MY WEDDING REHEARSAL! I could have missed it, but it was that important to me to see it on the big screen with good sound.

4 years later, frustrated with the lack of Star Wars in Dolby Digital sound, I purchased import VCDs from Japan, but I think they were bootlegs… and thus, I have not been able to enjoy my favorite movies of all time in the way I’ve wanted to.. until now.

This week, I picked up the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD, and have spent five days so far watching it. Here’s the gist..

DISC 1: Star Wars (A NEW HOPE) – Its almost exactly like the 1997 special edition, with 2 exceptions. First, Greedo doesn’t shoot first anymore.. its at the same time. Second, Digital Jabba looks a LOT better. Its still the same movie you remember. The commentary is the highlight here, with Lucas, Carrie Fisher, and others talking about the Behind the Scenes (and dropping hints about Ep. 3)

DISC 2: The Empire Strikes Back – Again, almost like the 1997 special edition, with a couple of exceptions. First, Boba Fett is now voiced by the actor from the new trilogy, which is jarring if you’re not used to it. Second, the Emperor is played by the same actor as Jedi and the new trilogy (originally, it was a different guy). Third, and best, Luke no longer screams when he lets himself fall – which was my biggest beef with the special edition, now corrected. The commentary here is awesome too, with all the others plus the Director, Irvin Kirshner. Yes, this is my fave movie of all time, and its fun to see it again.

DISC 3: Return of the Jedi – This is also like the 1997 release, with some exceptions. Unfortunately the dance number is still there. So are the ewoks. The biggest thing here is at the end of the movie. When the ewoks are celebrating, we cut to Naboo, where the Gungans (Jar jar’s people) yell “Weesa Free!!”. Also, when we see the Jedi ghosts, Anakin is now played by Hayden Christianson from the new trilogy. The commentary here is good too, but beware if you want to avoid all spoilers about Ep. 3.

DISC 4: Extra stuff: This is the cool stuff. A 2 hour documentary called Empire of Dreams is candid and detailed about how Star Wars came to be, and it is AWESOME! Also included are 2 other lesser shorts about the Lightsaber and the influence of Star Wars on other directors. For real fun, watch the old TV and Trailer commercials. And, beware here.. there is a Documentary about Episode 3 whose name is a spoiler, and it has images of lightsaber duels and costumes that will spoil stuff in Ep. 3 if you want to keep it all a secret. I watched it and it got me pumped, but some people may think it gives away too much.

The sound and picture on these discs are AMAZING, the best of any DVD release I’ve ever seen. The box is elegant silver, and is reasonably priced (you can find it for 38 bucks – for four discs and 3 movies, that ain’t bad!)

So, yeah, as a fan, Bug Big thumbs up (especially for the commentaries) and label me Psyched for Episode 3 next summer: Revenge of the Sith

So here’s my question.. am I the only one who, now that I’m at the end of the training, is just itching to get back to the creative stuff?

Secondary question.. what is it like seeing a baby born?

Wait, back up.. no kids here yet.. but.. well… I officially blogslacked last week. Didn’t do my weekly post for the first time in like months.

Unfortunately, I have been overwhelmed with my wacked life. Work, doing the score, starting 2 new movies.. and the big one.. my final semester in Nursing school.

For those who haven’t been paying attention, I will be a registered nurse in January, and this, the final semester is somehow more real and more intense now that I know the end is near. Like so many others, I have chosen a “safer” path, hoping one day to pursue the artistic dream, but inspired by the concept of home, wife, and family.

This semester, I will be doing my mother/baby rotation. I have already spent 2 days in a nursery, and will be helping deliver babies sometime next week.

So yeah.. any baby stories?

And how about those of us who have chosen the “safer path” – or have not.. any thoughts?

Well, it wasn’t 2003 at least.

Suffice to say, while there were no “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”, there was also no “Pirates of the Carribbean” (or for Me, Freddy Vs. Jason and X2).

High points: The fantastic Spider man 2, which is everything I wanted it to be, but lacks some of the wonder of the first.

Shrek 2, which was funnier than the first, but lacked some of its magic.

Dodgeball was funny, but not “Bruce Almighty” funny. Collateral was interesting, Super size me was great, but it was no Bubba Ho Tep. The Day After Tomorrow was fine, but nothing special.. Harry potter was better than the first two as a film, but lacked some of the wonder..

Low Points and Letdowns: Alien Vs. Predator.. and I’m ticked about it. Catwoman (didn’t see it, but that’s no surprise) Bourne Supremacy – A fine film ruined by “Blair Witch camera Shakiness” Hellboy (But I seem to be alone here). And a bunch more that really, I didn’t get excited about.

The problem is, excluding Shrek and Spidey (And I want to include Kill Bill – GREAT), most of the films this summer were not as cool as the films of last summer.. and I was just kind of Blah..

Now, admittedly, we saw fewer movies this summer because we were ripping our way through the Buffy and Angel seasons like there was no tomorrow (still doing so, actually)… but, was anyone REALLY excited about “I robot?”

Thankfully, there are movies to look forward to next summer. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Batman Begins, the Fantastic Four, Bewitched, Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter 4, and (man I’m a sucker for these films:) Jurassic Park 4.

Thoughts?

Its been a bit since I did an old Matt story, so here it is, one of my fave old Matt stories.

1991, My freshman year of High School, Matt’s Senior year. After a fine middle school acting career, but an unauspicious beginning of High school nabbing an understudy role, I finally found myself back on the stage in a larger capacity. I was cast to play Elisha J. Whitney in Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes”.

Now, my current reputation for over the top theatre comedy was not present nor deserved at that time, as I was afraid to do much more than yell onstage. There was someone in the cast who I found to be further along in the talent game than I was. Mr. barnson.

Playing the irrepressible Evelyn Oakley, Matt brought a gusto and bizarre energy to the role that Porter himself probably never envisioned (or probably wanted). Playing right to the crowd, Matt was able to take an energy i had yet to find as an actor, and blast it out with flailing arms and legs, a bizarre accent, like Sam Kinison mixed with Eddie Izzard, with just a touch of Jim Carrey.

As I was struggling to play drunk, Matt pulled me aside and said.. “Dude, look.. just stop being afraid to look dumb and just explode.. WOO!!”.

I told myself I would do it, and I was sure I had.. but the video of that old Play doesn’t lie. I never did quite get it right.

As my acting years went on, I held on to that advice, though. The next year, as I began an almost “Single White Female” imitation of Matt (never was good at forming my own identity), I used some of this approach in “Into The Woods”, and finally mastered it in “Hello Dolly”.. and to this day, I find myself utilising these over the top skills that I was lucky enough to be taught.

As a side note.. the above is not one of my fave stories.. this one is.. Matt would get really wrapped up in his over the top Bristish role. He would be known to hold the accent offstage for a while.. which could be funny.

It is important to note that we had body mics on for the musicals.

On one particular night.. after aparticularly good scene with a pair of glow in the dark boxers shining in the blackened theatre.. Matt began trotting offstage in character as he would often do. As the steps began to swivel around, one could hear an audible thud.. the dull banging of the stairs right into Matt’s flailing limbs.

On this particular night, the sound tech just happened to have not turned off that particular microphone..; and like the stars alligning, these particulars allowed the audience to hear their favorite bombastic purehearted, well behaved Mormon boy.. scream out..

“OH F**K!” in a loud british accent, ringing over the loudspeakers.

Now, matt was not a curser.. (nor was he british).. but that day, to hundreds of shocked Cougar parents, he was both.

When was the most important moment of your life?

It coule be a day, a week, a decision.. but we all have these moments that if they had gone a different way, our lives would be irrevocably changed.

For instance, I almost didn’t go to Young Life camp in 1991 up at lake Saranac, but I did. While there, I met my future wife, became a Christian, and the day I came back I stayed at Sam’s house and he introduced me to why Star Trek The Next generation was so good (he had taped the one where Yar’s daughter comes back and showed me).

had I not gone to camp, I probably would not be here talking about religion, my wife, or Star Trek.

I might have been able to predict the Christian thing, I was going to a Young Life camp. But how could I have known I’d meet my wife there? Yet, I almost didn’t go because I didn’t want to apologize to my mom during an argument.

There are 3 or 4 other 1 minute to 48 hour timeframes in my life that drastically changed the final results of my life that I know about. What about you?

Boy oh boy do I love movie franchises. Everyone who knows me knows that Star trek, Star Wars, Freddy, Alien, and Bond movies are Big Macs to me. they are comfortable, fillng, bad for me, but I know what to expect.

Sometimes, a movie exceeds expectations.. First Contact, Empire, new nightmare, Aliens, Goldeneye.. and sometimes, a franchise seems to fall flat.. (Arguably) Jedi, Insurrection, Freddy’s Dead, Alien 3, Die Another Day.

Last night i saw Alien vs. predator, and while this is not a review for that film, let me say that in the first half, my wife fell asleep and I checked my watch 5 times. In the second half, I laughed, the audience cheered, and my wife.. well she WAS sleepy.

Why can’t I say I hate this film? Well, I had a feeling and so I checked reviews, adn sure enough, NOBODY seemed to like it. As a franchise fan, I went to see it, and the reason I enjoyed it was it gave me a taste of my Big Mac Movie, even though I never really got the whole meal like I did with, say, Freddy Vs. Jason.

Unfortunately, excluding FvJ, all my faves are seeming troubled. Episode 2, Nemesis, AVP, and Die Another Day all left me happy for getting to see more of the stuff I liked, but nowhere near as happy as previous cinematic Meals had done.

With Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith coming out next summer, I hope for a final good helping of McFun, but I fear I may have to be happy with the Happy Meal version, where I’ve enjoyed the taste, but it was missing the special sauce I remember from Empire.

Lucily, all the francises will probably give me at least one more helping, and maybe.. just maybe.. they can reclaim their former glory.. or at least a side of fries.