Response from the creators of "The Bike King.."
Nathan
Thanks for you interest we will inform you when the DVD is available. We are looking at a theatre release first.
God Bless
Julius
I wish this movie would ever come to theaters.
Good news. The movie is legit and my friend sent me the link to the official website: http://www.bikeking10.com/
After watching the trailer about 32 more times I've decided to try everything within my power to add this jewel of a film to my collection.
I just sent this email to the producer...or whoever checks their emails:
How can I get a copy of your inspirational film?
I've watched the trailer countless times and just can't wait to see the feature!
Thanks!
Nathan
I'll keep you updated in my quest.
After watching the trailer about 32 more times I've decided to try everything within my power to add this jewel of a film to my collection.
I just sent this email to the producer...or whoever checks their emails:
How can I get a copy of your inspirational film?
I've watched the trailer countless times and just can't wait to see the feature!
Thanks!
Nathan
I'll keep you updated in my quest.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Once I get married in August I'm going to be packing up my life here in Greenville and settling down in Austin, Texas. It's a town I knew little about until I found out my wife-to-be is going to school there. I figured Austin was your stereotypical Texas town. A place where people wear cowboy boots and still like George W. Bush.
This is not the case.
It's a town full of small businesses, live music, and Barack Obama stickers.
It's also home of a little place called the Alamo Drafthouse.
Alee recently told me a story about the Drafthouse that nearly had me packing up my suitcase and catching the next plane out of Greenville:
The Drafthouse recently had a free screening of what was supposed to be Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, with some special scenes from the new Star Trek to follow. The night of the event, before the film started, the theater announced that the writers of the new Star Trek were in attendance. The writers gave a little speech and then the lights dimmed and Kahn began.
A few minutes into the movie something happened to the film, so the manager ran up to the projection booth to "fix" the problem and the writers got back up on stage to stall. Then, to everyone's surprise, Leornard "Spock" Nimoy emerged from the audience.
Anyway, to make a long story short, the movie goers did not get to watch The Wrath of Kahn that night. They watched the new Star Trek instead.
So if the booming independent film scene, the home of arguably the best film school outside of L.A. or New York, or Alee Franklin weren't enough to make me completely stoked about being a resident of Austin, Texas in a few months, the fact that I'll be in a town where Leornard Nimoy stops by every now and then and hosts world premieres of movies does.
This is not the case.
It's a town full of small businesses, live music, and Barack Obama stickers.
It's also home of a little place called the Alamo Drafthouse.
Alee recently told me a story about the Drafthouse that nearly had me packing up my suitcase and catching the next plane out of Greenville:
The Drafthouse recently had a free screening of what was supposed to be Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, with some special scenes from the new Star Trek to follow. The night of the event, before the film started, the theater announced that the writers of the new Star Trek were in attendance. The writers gave a little speech and then the lights dimmed and Kahn began.
A few minutes into the movie something happened to the film, so the manager ran up to the projection booth to "fix" the problem and the writers got back up on stage to stall. Then, to everyone's surprise, Leornard "Spock" Nimoy emerged from the audience.
Anyway, to make a long story short, the movie goers did not get to watch The Wrath of Kahn that night. They watched the new Star Trek instead.
So if the booming independent film scene, the home of arguably the best film school outside of L.A. or New York, or Alee Franklin weren't enough to make me completely stoked about being a resident of Austin, Texas in a few months, the fact that I'll be in a town where Leornard Nimoy stops by every now and then and hosts world premieres of movies does.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
I've recently had an...um...change of heart...
For the past 5 years my favorite movie has undoubtedly been Cinema Paradiso. If you know anything about me and you know anything about this movie, then you know exactly why it held the number one spot in my heart.
If you haven't seen it, it's basically about a broken hearted filmmaker.
It's quite a depressing movie with little hope presented to the audience. Either way I identified with the main character more than any other character I'd ever seen in a movie. That's why I loved it so much.
However, I showed it to my fiancee, Alee, over Christmas break and the movie didn't feel the same. Whatever it was about the movie that made me love it so much for the past 5 years wasn't there upon this viewing. I didn't identify with Toto (the main character) anymore. It didn't make me feel the way it used to. The magic was gone.
I was scared to admit it at first, but I think I have to say that Cinema Paradiso isn't number one anymore. That doesn't mean I still don't think it's a great movie. I'm still convinced it's one of the greatest movies I've ever seen, but best does not always equal favorite.
Yes, Slumdog Millionaire has replaced Cinema Paradiso.
I guess some might say that the explanation for this change is an easy one. I don't identify with a brokenhearted filmmaker anymore, because I'm no longer as brokenhearted as I once felt yaddah yaddah yaddah...but I think the explanation is deeper than that.
I think the change has something to do with what kind of movies I want to make in my life.
Like I said, Cinema Paradiso offers very little hope to its viewer. The viewer leaves the film feeling regret, sadness, and confusion. I don't want people feeling this way while leaving a movie with Nathan Willis' name on it.
When movies first came out they were a means of escape for people. People would go to the movies to forget their problems and laugh. Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin reminded people that there was still good in the world, and that there was still stuff worth smiling about.
This optimism in movies seems to have disappeared. All of the critically acclaimed movies don't make us laugh like they once did, they make us want to throw back the Prozac and eat the barrel of a gun.
For the past few years the movies that have taken the Best Picture statue home from the Academy Awards leave the audience feeling pessimistic about the world we live in.
Slumdog Millionaire is a much needed change of pace.
When I make a film I want people to realize that, yeah, life really does suck sometimes, but there is hope. You don't have to live in regret and self pity.
A girl broke your heart? There is hope.
Your mom died? There is hope.
You're poor? There is hope.
I think Slumdog Millionaire embodies this idea perfectly.
I don't want to watch/make movies where people look behind them to a past filled with heartache and remorse. I want people to look ahead to a future filled with hope and optimism.
That's the reason I fell in love with movies in the first place.
For the past 5 years my favorite movie has undoubtedly been Cinema Paradiso. If you know anything about me and you know anything about this movie, then you know exactly why it held the number one spot in my heart.
If you haven't seen it, it's basically about a broken hearted filmmaker.It's quite a depressing movie with little hope presented to the audience. Either way I identified with the main character more than any other character I'd ever seen in a movie. That's why I loved it so much.
However, I showed it to my fiancee, Alee, over Christmas break and the movie didn't feel the same. Whatever it was about the movie that made me love it so much for the past 5 years wasn't there upon this viewing. I didn't identify with Toto (the main character) anymore. It didn't make me feel the way it used to. The magic was gone.
I was scared to admit it at first, but I think I have to say that Cinema Paradiso isn't number one anymore. That doesn't mean I still don't think it's a great movie. I'm still convinced it's one of the greatest movies I've ever seen, but best does not always equal favorite.
So what has taken its spot on my list?
I think I'm in a place where I don't have one favorite movie. I have several. Here are my current top 5 in no specific order:
Casablanca.
Good Will Hunting.
The Untouchables.
The Best Years of Our Lives.
...and Slumdog Millionaire.
Yes, Slumdog Millionaire has replaced Cinema Paradiso.I guess some might say that the explanation for this change is an easy one. I don't identify with a brokenhearted filmmaker anymore, because I'm no longer as brokenhearted as I once felt yaddah yaddah yaddah...but I think the explanation is deeper than that.
I think the change has something to do with what kind of movies I want to make in my life.
Like I said, Cinema Paradiso offers very little hope to its viewer. The viewer leaves the film feeling regret, sadness, and confusion. I don't want people feeling this way while leaving a movie with Nathan Willis' name on it.
When movies first came out they were a means of escape for people. People would go to the movies to forget their problems and laugh. Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin reminded people that there was still good in the world, and that there was still stuff worth smiling about.
This optimism in movies seems to have disappeared. All of the critically acclaimed movies don't make us laugh like they once did, they make us want to throw back the Prozac and eat the barrel of a gun.
For the past few years the movies that have taken the Best Picture statue home from the Academy Awards leave the audience feeling pessimistic about the world we live in.
Slumdog Millionaire is a much needed change of pace.
When I make a film I want people to realize that, yeah, life really does suck sometimes, but there is hope. You don't have to live in regret and self pity.
A girl broke your heart? There is hope.
Your mom died? There is hope.
You're poor? There is hope.
I think Slumdog Millionaire embodies this idea perfectly.
I don't want to watch/make movies where people look behind them to a past filled with heartache and remorse. I want people to look ahead to a future filled with hope and optimism.
That's the reason I fell in love with movies in the first place.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
I had a long night of video editing ahead of me, but my hard drive bit the dust. So I have nothing else to do but watch the local news and anticipate the second night of “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”.
I’ll be honest. I was not too excited when I heard that Jimmy Fallon was taking over Conan’s late night spot. I think Jimmy Fallon is funny only about 27% of the time, while Conan makes me laugh by just looking at the camera.
None of the promos Jimmy Fallon had on NBC for in preparation his show made me laugh; and as I watch older episodes of SNL I realize how unfunny he really is. So, needless to say, I was not pulling for Jimmy to succeed in the late night world. That was until yesterday afternoon.
As I was exploring Twitter I discovered that Fallon has an account that he updates pretty frequently. I began reading his tweets (I think that’s what they’re called) and discovered that he is the definition of a down to earth celebrity.
Reading his tweets you will discover that he still hasn’t gotten used to being a celebrity. He’s not arrogant or full of himself. In fact, he’s the exact opposite. He admits how nervous he was during the taping of his first show. He expresses how thankful he was for all the good luck calls he got from the likes of Jon Stewart and Jay Leno. He even uploaded a picture of a gift he got from Carson Daily.
Here is what he wrote before he went to bed the night of his first show: “Tonight is my last night of the unknown. By the time I go to bed tomorrow night I will know what it's like.” It sounds like the Facebook status of any one of my friends.
I'm pulling for you, Jimmy. Not because I think you’re very funny, but because I kind of just want to be your friend.
I’ll be honest. I was not too excited when I heard that Jimmy Fallon was taking over Conan’s late night spot. I think Jimmy Fallon is funny only about 27% of the time, while Conan makes me laugh by just looking at the camera.
None of the promos Jimmy Fallon had on NBC for in preparation his show made me laugh; and as I watch older episodes of SNL I realize how unfunny he really is. So, needless to say, I was not pulling for Jimmy to succeed in the late night world. That was until yesterday afternoon.
As I was exploring Twitter I discovered that Fallon has an account that he updates pretty frequently. I began reading his tweets (I think that’s what they’re called) and discovered that he is the definition of a down to earth celebrity.
Reading his tweets you will discover that he still hasn’t gotten used to being a celebrity. He’s not arrogant or full of himself. In fact, he’s the exact opposite. He admits how nervous he was during the taping of his first show. He expresses how thankful he was for all the good luck calls he got from the likes of Jon Stewart and Jay Leno. He even uploaded a picture of a gift he got from Carson Daily.
Here is what he wrote before he went to bed the night of his first show: “Tonight is my last night of the unknown. By the time I go to bed tomorrow night I will know what it's like.” It sounds like the Facebook status of any one of my friends.
I'm pulling for you, Jimmy. Not because I think you’re very funny, but because I kind of just want to be your friend.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
I realize this is about a week late, but you must know that I love the Oscars. They're my Super Bowl, my World Series, my...I don't know of any other big sports games.
To say I was disappointed with the nominations this year would be an understatement. Here's what I personally think should have been up for Best Picture:
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight
WALL-E
The Wrestler
However, I'm not in charge of the Academy. People who are a lot richer and a lot more Jewish than me are.
Regardless of my disappointment in most of the nominations, I will still say I think it was a great night. I was so glad that an actual feel good movie took home the trophy for the first time in a long time.
I loved the Oscars even more when I woke up the next morning and saw these pictures of the real 'slumdogs' of Mumbai watching the biggest night in Hollywood:
To say I was disappointed with the nominations this year would be an understatement. Here's what I personally think should have been up for Best Picture:
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight
WALL-E
The Wrestler
However, I'm not in charge of the Academy. People who are a lot richer and a lot more Jewish than me are.
Regardless of my disappointment in most of the nominations, I will still say I think it was a great night. I was so glad that an actual feel good movie took home the trophy for the first time in a long time.
I loved the Oscars even more when I woke up the next morning and saw these pictures of the real 'slumdogs' of Mumbai watching the biggest night in Hollywood:
Saturday, February 28, 2009
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