trap

Trap
$19.99
I actually heard about this from the Writer\Director James Bonner himself. I happened to meet him at a local hangout, and when he mentioned he was a filmmaker, in my typical LA style I almost ignored the mention (everyone is 'in the biz' in LA, lol), I'm glad on my way out I asked him what he's done.

That night I had a chance to watch the film on ***flix. My first impression, 'Oh no, it's an indie flick'. Don't get me wrong, most of my favorite films are from indies, but never intentionally.

I told myself I'd watch it for 10 minutes to give it a chance. 83 minutes later, I thought, 'Wow, that was CRAZY!!'. In the first ten minutes I was hit, the movie has very believable characters that do some unbelievably depraved things. If you like sick psycho-dramas, with blood, murder and deceit, you might want to give this a nod.

Soundtrack was good, and some of the scenes have a 'Lynch-esque' vibe to them when combined with the bizarre uber-snot punk tunes. It looks like it was filmed in Michigan, and seeing some of the run down parts of that area are not pleasing, but add to the overall feeling of the movie quite well.

The big hurdle for most will be getting over the indie production value. Shot in Mini-DV, all the scenes were set up well and the imagery came across with some great contrasting moments, but it doesn't have that polished big Hollywood look. I overcame that problem by getting into the characters, and I think that a lot of people will get the same result.

I hope I get a chance to see James again and compliment him on a piece of work that a guy like me can get into..Thanks James

The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom?
$19.99
This Documentary does "Conflict" a bit between his "The power of Nightmares" DVD. Both are MUCH WATCH IMHO anyways.

Adam Curtis's Century of the Self DVD. OMG. That one is still giving me nightmares. Knowing that Propaganda/PR has been monkeying around with the American Subconscious since 1907? Well.. scares the hell out of me.

This DVD "The Trap" is a simple recording right off of the TV. The 2nd Documentary you hear the BBC announcer talk about the next upcoming program. But you're not buying a high quality movie.. you are buying a mind opening documentary.

I really love all the old footage of computers. Guys crawling around under the raised floors. (Because back in the old days they had to cool the floor as they over clocked the TUBES) LOL..

I might not 100% concur with MR. Curtis's conclusions on this one. But it does give me a lot to think about. For sure "A Century of the Self" DVD was his best to date.

I'm happy that a "Few" Americans have discovered Adam Curtis. His 3rd acts nearly always need "Work". But his Documentary's are some of the best I've ever seen. Of course he should get the Master Tapes from BBC and make a proper DVD burn. But hey.. it is the content right?

GENE

Trap
$13.49
This mystery is Sue Grafton with more plot and a faster pace, which I consider a very big compliment. The premise is clever. There are lots of twists. It was great fun to hang out with the main characters. Paris feels vivid and lived. For those who love great writing style, the prose in this book is at the top of my pantheon, with an elegant flow and clarity that few writers manage to achieve. "Trap" easily deserves the five star rating I gave it. As an ex-member of a volunteer fire department, the flashover fire descriptions were chilling and realistic.

The Trap
$15.95
This book is a must read. It is an excellent, original, and compelling story, written authentically, that is told in the voice of an old-fashioned story teller. I liked its simplicity, as though the book itself were a part of Alaska's landscape, its portrayal of nature's indifference. And how the book spotlights family relationships. Also, the Indian mystical stories that begin each chapter juxtaposed with reality, really bring it home. Read it, you won't be disappointed.