Unacceptable!

So, I printed off the AFI Top 100 movie list and came to the conclusion that I have only seen 32/100 of what AFI considers to be the greatest 100 movies ever made.


This is unacceptable, and while I am not looking forward to watching a lot of old westerns and war movies I have decided I have no choice but to sit through them all.
Thus starts a new chapter in the Utter Brilliance novel....and strangely enough "Goodfellas" just came in the mail from Blockbuster which is #92. So after watching that, I will only have 67 movies left! Yay!

Auditions for "Much Ado About Nothing" today.

Also!
Today is the last day of "Pictures Starring Me!" Month. I'm sure you all enjoyed me as much as I did, but all good things must come to an end.

So Say We All!

I went over to Luis' yesterday and we watched a disc of Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5
I can not stress what a finely tuned show that is. Sure it's backdrop is humans fighting against robots, but in most of the episodes that is the least important thing going on. The writers also seem to make it a habit of making emotional moments in that show.............real. You can almost taste the emotion. Which says volumes about the actors, but I really think that it is the writing and some of the camera work. It's the one show where you really don't know what is going to happen next, not in a "Lost, crazy stuff happens because the island is weird way" but in a "Hey, these are human beings in dire situations, who knows what will happen" way. A+++

I was going to audtion for "Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil" when I realized that there is AT MOST one white role and that it usually is played by someone in their 30's. I might go today just for shits and giggles. Friday I am going to see a movie with Ana, this girl in my intro to theatre class. So................yea. We'll see about that.

Ugh!

This rule of thumb for movies I rent that I think are crappy turning out to be actually quite good also goes the opposite way.

I hung out with Luis last night and we rented "Rescue Dawn." Starring Christian Bale and Steve Zahn, I was really looking forward to this movie. Pretty much a Vietnamese version of "The Great Escape."
THE WORST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN.
Honestly.
The whole thing felt like the most contrived piece of shit ever filmed.
I honestly can't describe to you how terrible it was, but my face hurt by the end because for the last 20 minutes of the movie, I was scowling with all of my might trying in vain to find some kind of connection between the jumble of shots that apparently are supposed to form some sort of narrative.

Ugh.

Creepy!

So the world has conspired to make every movie I watch from now on.............. pretty damn good.
I watched "Hairspray" today.
"Hairspray".
The one with John Travolta in a fat suit.
And I found myself smiling through most of the movie.
What?!
It was really fun. Which, I know, seems to be the word of the week with me but it is 100% true. The only parts that annoyed me were when Amanda Bynes was on screen, but I think that just stems from my disgust with everything that she does. John Travolta was........ clearly John Travolta in a female fat suit, but it worked. Zac Efron was adorable and has a great voice (I still am not moved enough to see High School Musical). Christopher Walken was patently ridiculous. I forget the actors name, but the actor who playes Seaweed was PHENOMENAL. He has such talent. Queen Latifa was her lovable self as always. James Marsden was awesome, and I think maybe Corny Collins is on my "Characters I want to Play at some Point" list. And last, but not least, Nikki Blonski(sp?) was great. I have never seen the show, but her performance alone would have made me want to go see the show. Although her character was like seeing a Bizarro version of a girl I know.
That's that.

Also, I lent "The Ultimates" and "The Ultimates 2" from Borders and read through them in a day they were so good. It's basically the Ultimate Universe's version of the Avengers. Spoilers are ahead in a list of things that made me giddy:

-The Army beating up Bruce Banner to turn him into the Hulk to use against invading forces. That not working. Them throwing him out of the helicopter without a parachute. Him hitting the ground in a massive thud. Nick Fury saying, "That didn't sound like a 95 pound scientist hitting the ground." Hulk Smash.

-Hawkeye being tied up. Ripping his fingernails off and using them as projectiles to kill a room full of armed guards.

-Hulk putting his fist through the Abominations head.

-Captain America fighting his nemesis from WWII. Asked if he wants to give up. Fights back. Screams, "What do you think the A stands for? FRANCE!?" Delivers killing blow.

-Hank Pym being a wife beater and a genuinely terrible person.

Confusion!

So, I keep renting these movies expecting them to be total shit and I keep getting surprised!

I watched "TMNT" today.
Maybe I am just getting soft, but I really enjoyed it. It really kept the attitude of the original flicks and was more of a sequel than a retelling, which i think was a great idea. I sort of wish that Shredder had made some sort of appearance (other than the hint at the end that said "GIVE US MONEY TO MAKE A SEQUEL AND SHREDDER WILL BE IN IT WE SWEAR!"). And it was kind of bizarre to get over the extremely "Ghostbuster"-ish feel of the whole film. But it worked. And while the animation never got as much detail as something from Pixar, the style worked. I especially enjoyed the fight scene between Raphael and Leonardo on the rainy roof lit by a red neon sign. Looked very sharp. Anyway that is all. Go watch it. It's not great, but it's fun.

Which unless I'm missing something, is the only reason the Turtles exist.

New!

So, I watched "Black Snake Moan" today and I have to say: Bravo.
It really is a great movie. I mean, it's no cinematic masterpiece but I went into that movie expecting some shit movie and I got a good movie..............with a lot of Christina Ricci's breasticles.
Like......... a lot. I'm not complaining...........but.............yea.
Anyway, it's a good-un. Rented "Zodiac" because I want to see more of Robert Downey Jr.'s work. Especially with "Iron Man" coming up.

That is all.

Again!

I forgot to post this:

I saw "No Country for Old Men."
Good God.
It is not right that "There Will Be Blood" and this movie came out so close together. Not only does it make it almost impossible for me to say which is better, but it also makes them terrible competitors for Oscar season. Movies like this usually are made decades apart from eachother. Go see them.

Ugh!

Wow.
So yesterday, I went out with Heather and a few of her friends and got more plastered than I have ever been. To the point of vomiting (back at home, not at the bar or in the street) and, yes, even to the point of "blacking out". Having literally no recollection between leaving the last bar and walking into Heather's kitchen is the most bizarre feeling. I totally feel for people with amnesia. That must feel terrible. So yea, fun night followed by not so fun late night followed by day of feeling like I was going to puke more. It was worth it. Next time I am staying away from the Yager (just the shot not a JAGER-BOMB. Not now chief I'm in the fuckin zone). I think that's what turned the tides of my brain and stomach. Oy.
So Heath Ledger is dead.
Wow.
How does that happen? Heather and I talked about how all of the celebrities that you don't expect things to happen to are just dropping like flies. Owen Wilson slits his wrists? What? Heath Ledger apparently overdosed on sleeping meds? Wha? Does it make me a bad person that when I heard that he kicked the bucket the first thing that came to mind was : Jesus.........................................I sure hope they were done production on The Dark Knight?
No offense, but I have been waiting for that movie and one persons death is not going to fuck that up for me.

RIP

P.S. I was feeling fine when this picture was taken, but it is exactly how I feel right now.

One More Day!

Today was nice.
I drank a whole shit load of tea (the tea box my mom gave me for christmas has, like, bottomless slots for tea and I can't seem to ever hit the bottom of "Banana Caramel", which is pretty much the best flavor of tea ever invented.)
Had some soup, a sandwich, some grapes and watched "The Bourne Ultimatum". It was pretty much the best finale to any film trilogy I have ever seen. It wrapped up the whole picture in a nice package, but left it open to the imagination (and possible sequels). Thrilling, adrenaline pumped movie. Very good work.

Found a cool website where I made "Fidelity" by Regina Spektor my ringtone. Bill is right every now and again. Regina Spektor is not only one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, she is also the most talented. Her songs are amazing. Go download everything she has ever done.
Spent some time on the net, getting some coolio pics for the blogosphere. As you know, January is "Pictures that have me in them" month. But February is looking to have some exciting posts. I'm excited for "Real-life Pokemon" week, and so should you.
Also on the blog front. I have been checking hits, and a few months ago where I would have been happy with getting up to 9 hits a day, lately I have been getting upwards to 28 hits a day. That is just awesome to me. Especially the fact that most of them are coming from inside austin. Cool Cool Cool.

Day!

So, today is a lazy day.
I am still pretty sick, so its good that I have the day off.
I'm doing reading for classes, and watching some movie that I have not rented yet.
I went to the Drafthouse with Luis last night and saw "Cassandra's Dream", the new Woody Allen movie. It was Golden Corral certified average on all levels. There wasn't one scene that I was amazed by. Nothing terrible, but nothing great either. Very mediocre storytelling.

Golden Corral.

I am really enjoying hanging out with Luis. He's really funny and we have a lot in common (mainly movies). So that's good.
Class tomorrow, then hanging out with Heather.

P.S. This photo was taken on Halloween. That's me as the Joker and random strangers as The Riddler, Poison Ivy, Robin and Batman.

Michaels!

So, the Ian Black/Showalter ...........show was tonight.
I can't describe how funny these guys were. The only proper way of showing how funny they were is this: people who know me, or have seen a show/movie/funny happening know that when I think something is funny..........I laugh. I have no control over it. And most of the time, that laughter is fucking loud. Let me just say this...........my voice is shot from laughing so much at that fucking show. Did it suck standing for oh.... 4 hours? Yes. Did it make it worse that it is like 30 degrees outside and the show took place outdoors in a tent with 3 space heaters for 2 or 3 hundred people? God yes.




Was it worth it?
You betcha.



P.S. - Also, the way they acted during the slight time they had on stage together reminded me so much of the way Bill and I act, that I am now going to start writing down shit that I think is funny and try to make a stand-up routine from it. Kind of a pipe dream, I know but no less of a pipe dream than being a successful actor for stage or screen, so what the hell?

Zowie!

So, apparently this is my month of "do awesome shit that you can pretty much only do in Austin."

Last week I saw "Napoleon Dynamite" with Bill and met Jon Gries (Uncle Rico).

Yesterday I saw a free preview screening of "There Will Be Blood" which was a fucking trip. It was one of those movies that, while watching it, you forget that it is entertainment or that it is a movie at all and afterward recognize it for truly being a FILM. The word movie can apply to anything from "Alvin and the Chipmunks" to something like "Wedding Crashers" but a FILM is something truly epic. It was great. See it. Daniel Day Lewis will make you shit yourself.

Today I saw a free preview screening of "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show" at the Drafthouse and Vince Vaughn's sister (apparently she produced or something) and one of the main comedians, Sebastian was there for a Q&A after the show. As if Vince Vaughn was not already one of my most liked celebrities, he has to make a movie where he takes four relatively unknown comics on a 30 day/30 city tour, pretty much handing them a career in the process. It was very funny and it had a great heart which was something I was not expecting, especially considering the only other tour movie I have seen was "Tourgasm w/ Dane Cook" and those guys are pretty much all pricks anyway. Very funny. If you love Vince Vaughn, you will love him more after this movie.

And tomorrow I am going to a club to see Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter of TV's "Stella" do stand-up. I am really fucking looking forward to it.

Plus, I am tempted to go to a screening of Uwe Boll's newest turd......movie. Just because he will be there himself for a Q&A and I am assuming it is going to be ruthless, because anyone who knows anything about film knows what a fucking douche Uwe Boll is. If you don't, just think of the movies "House of the Dead", "Blood Rayne" and the new "In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale" and think of what kind of prick would actually try to make money creating such works of shit.

EDIT: I also got a free cap for going to the Vince Vaughn movie. I'm going to try wearing it around, because I am usually notorious for hating to wear hats but I feel like I am denying a whole world of accessories. It's a pretty nice cap too.

No!

So tonight was the last.
Bill goes home tomorrow in the morning.
Boo.
It was some good times, and I already can not wait until spring break.
Saw "Juno" today with Bill. It was his third time seeing it. I wasn't really blown away by it. It was good. Real good. Great performances. Epic writing, I think. Just not..............Ka-Boom. If that makes sense. I think the parts of the movie I enjoyed the most were the parts when it was like a regular movie and the parts I disliked were when it was trying to be so indie. I like independent movies, don't get me wrong. But "Garden State" is not the definition of independent. Having Zach Braff pick out his favorite songs on his Ipod Touch does not a soundtrack make. It felt like it was forcing the idea that this "was not your average comedy" sometimes. The last shot of the movie also made me want to blow my brains out.
Ok, so off the negative.
It has three of my favorite people in life in it.
-Jason Bateman: Awesome. From the previews and from the beginning of the movie I felt like it was just going to be more of the same from him, but seeing him as someone.....bad is not the right word here......dislikable was really great. I didn't think it was possible, but he made me not like him in that movie. I was able to get past his endearing smirk and his quick words and NOT like him.
-Michael Cera: Great. To be honest, I was expecting more of the same from him and I was delivered more of the same. A little more depth than George Michael from AD, but not too much. This is fine with me, I just hope he appreciates how good he has it. John Heder has done pretty much the same character in two movies and the world is already sick of him.
-J.K. Simmons: Loved him. Such a believable dad. So good.

School started today with a bang.
Honors Comp II was canceled due to low sign-ups. So awesome.
I have to find another comp class to take. I am thinking of waiting until next semester and taking Choir of something.
U.S. History II is going to be annoying. No more Bill Cosby, so I can't complain to much. But this lady is one of those very plain, large women who hide behind really, really lame comedy when they are feeling nervous being in front of a room full of judging, new faces. Ugh.
T.V. Production is going to be the diamond in the rough this semester. Pretty much all hands-on training with equipment. Awesome.

Alamo!

So, today Bill and I headed to San Antonio around noon.
It took a whole lot longer than I was expecting. We saw the Alamo, had lunch at 'The County Line' which was delicious bbq. Then we walked around San An for an hour or so. Went back to Austin. Went to Zen for dinner.
Then we went to Heather's house to watch "Friday Night Lights".
She was half an hour late.
But we saw the game that we filmed over two days, which made up an entire minute or so of footage. Didn't see either of us. Eh.

Good day.
Work tomorrow. Maybe Main Event after.

Hard!

So I went to work at 9-4.
Left Bill at the house to fend for himself.
Came home, we had pizza. Then we went downtown and saw "Walk Hard."
It was my second time seeing it, and I have to say I think it is the new generation's "Airplane."
A lot of the humor in this movie would make the Zucker's proud.

Uncle!

So Bill and I started off the day by going into Downtown Bastrop to mail my parents ..... mail to them.... yea. Ok. Then we went into Austin. Went up and down SoCo for a few hours. Had lunch at Zen, which is like a Japanese fast food place and it is awesome. Then went to the drag on Guadalupe, and the mall at Dobie to look at sweet comics. Went home. Fucked around. Went BACK into Austin. Went to the Alamo Ritz and saw "Napoleon Dynamite." Very funny. Hadn't seen it in awhile, so it was refreshing. Oh yea, I forgot to mention the fact that UNCLE FUCKING RICO WAS THERE! He had a brief Q&A before the movie. He was really nice. I asked him what his influences were for the character and he said it was a mix of Elvis and David Hasselhoff. Then when he was leaving before the movie, he walked past me and I said "Thanks" and he turned around and said "No problem, man." AND PATTED ME ON MY SHOULDER. It was awesome.

Let's tally up celebrity contacts, shall we?

-Patted on the shoulder by Jon Gries.
-Offered a handshake FROM Justin Long; accepted.
-Asked Michael Cerveris to turn around because he had a piece of lint on his head. Removed lint.

Good times.

So!

Bill is in town!
Hurrah!

I picked him up at the airport around noon, then we went to Circuit City and I got my new phone (Dark blue Chocolate from LG which I am in love with) and another 360 controller. Then hit up La Madeline, which is like a Panera that is french and a little nicer. Drove around Austin a bit, went to the Hyatt because as much as I hated working there, it is beautiful and everyone should see it. Then showed him Bastrop, which was not much to see.

Home:
-Hooked up the 360 to the large TV in the family room.
-Bill showed me his songs that I had already heard. (But you should check him out here.)
-Recorded a little blurb at the end of one of his songs where I sound like I have cerebral paulsey. -Went grocery shopping.
-Watched "Thumbsucker" which I had forgotten I had already seen. Good movie.

End of day.
More to come.

Buble!

So, I was on Michael Buble's website looking at concert tour dates.
(I am definitely going to try to get tickets for the Houston show.)
Then, I went on YouTube to watch his music video for "Feelin' Good" which was hilarious.
It has over 1 million hits, so I decided to look at the comments, where I re-learned why I hate the internet so much:

- "omg!!! my aunt is so upssed with him!!! she said shes going to be the last name of buble!!!!!!"

- "Is it me or did Buble just beat up three HOT chicks in this video and left them for dead in that factory to burn alive?!

BAD BUBLE...BAD BUBLE! Not very gentleman like of him!"

" its a freakin music video u tard"

-" his name should be michael adorable!!! he's reeking with talent."

Answer!

A: This month, all posts are accompanied by a picture of YOURS TRULY!! What a lucky reader you are.

Bill is in Texas in T-Minus 11 hours.
Met the Panzarino parentals tonight. Went to Hula Hut with them, Mark and Samarra(sp?). Then we went to this place called "Main Event." FYI, other than the Drafthouse, Main Event is now my most favorite place. It is basically like a grown-up Chuck-E-Cheese. After 9 or 10, all the kids have to leave and they have happy hour and stuff. There is bowling, lazer tag, an arcade, billiards, darts and MUCH MORE!! We bowled for a bit, then played shuffleboard.

FYI X 2!!
Shuffleboard is the most fun fucking game ever invented. It is awesome.
So much fun.
Def. taking Bill to that place.

Anyway, the night was really nice. To be honest, I was a little awkward because I was kind of hanging out with parents and two other people I have met once before. But they are such kind people, and I forgot how easily Mr. Panzarino makes me laugh. I think he had me "pound" fists, like 30 times tonight.

P.S. - I wish I could make convincing blood in Paint.net

Soon!

Bill is in Texas in 2 days!

WOOO!!
I really can not wait. On Wednesday we are going to the Alamo Ritz and seeing "Napoleon Dynamite" which will not only be my first time seeing it in theaters, but also Uncle FUCKING Rico is going to be there. YES!


P.S. Can you spot the similarities in this months pictures?

BTW!

Ocean's 11 is on TNT right now and I forgot how awesome it is.

I fucking love this movie.

Movies!

So, I realized I have seen a few movies without talking about them which is odd for me. So here you are!

-Walk Hard ****
I loved this movie. It is a dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb comedy. But it is so god damned funny. I don't think there was a 30 second span where I was not laughing. Fake Beatles are genius.

-Charlie Wilson's War ****
I think the only reason I didn't give this movie five stars was that it is a political dramedy. And it is pretty much a talking head piece. Great dialogue that makes it bleed Aaron Sorkin. Phillip Seymour Hoffman could take a shit on my face and I would think it was great acting. Honestly. See this movie. Nay. See this film.

-Ratatouille ****
Great Pixar film. I personally didn't think they raised the bar writing or animation-wise, but with Pixar that is kind of a hard thing to do. I think it is funny that Patton Oswald has such a pleasing, nice vocie but looks like a deranged hobbit. Can't wait for "Wall-E."

-The Hoax ***
I love Richard Gere and I love Alfred Molina. If they were not in this movie I probably would have disliked it. It never seemed to SAY anything. About the era, about the man (See: "Carlie Wilson's War").


Before Ratatouille, there was this Disney montage and I noticed that the only films I did not go "Awww" to remembering, I cringed at. Also, the only films I cringed at were the Tim Allen shit-fests "Santa Clause" and "The Shaggy Dog." Interesting. Why is Tim Allen such a piece of shit? I remember him being actually funny, but now that I think of it I cannot remember why. Home Improvement was honestly not funny.

Bio!

I just thought I should post the bio that Dale wrote for me on the Gag Reflex program:

Noah Racey (Nicholas Kier) hails from Seattle where he began his performing career in a production of 42nd Street. Most recently he had the pleasure of working with the Theatre Under the Stars family on Tommy Tune's latest project, Easter Parade. Between 42nd Street and Easter Parade he toured the U.S. and Canada as Bobby Child in Crazy for You, toured Europe as Ozzie in On the Town and appeared at various regional theatres including the St. Louis MUNY, Northshore Music Theatre, Theatre by the Sea and Seattle's 5th Avenue. He gives thanks to family, friends and V.K. for their love and support.

Fresh!

So I have AquaFresh White Strips in.
For half an hour.

Grr.
I didn't have work today, which was a nice change. I woke up, had a nice breakfast. Watched the rest of Disc 1, Season 1 of "Curb your Enthusiasm." Went to BBuster.
Went to the Gym.
If you know me at all, you know that physical exertion of any kind is my Achilles Heel.
But I did a 5k run program for an hour, and listened to some showtunes that I hadn't heard in awhile. So it was nice. I think I am going to stop by on my way home and do upper body stuff tomorrow. I don't want to burn out on my legs so I am going to switch on and off.

New!

So, a new year is afoot.
Whoop-dee-doo. Am I the only one who really does not understand New Year's?
It's just another day on the calendar. A reason to get plastered. An excuse to change.
Why do people need an excuse?
If you want to change something about your life, just fucking do it! God!


That being said, here are my new year's resolutions '08 Style!
-Take some vitamins on a semi-regular basis.
-Eat less fast food.
-When I do eat fast food, eat less red meat.
-Learn to play the guitar "ok." (Next year we will upgrade to "alright")
-Do well in school.
-Concentrate on life and not let it slip by me.
-Move into an apartment.
-Go to the gym on a semi-regular basis. (I'm going tomorrow to sign back up because I have the day off)
-Save enough for my new computer.
-Cut spending on misc. items.
-Start saving for a DSLR.
-Start my internship with Banter Records.
-Apply for internship at Austin Studios.
-Start a "Bucket-List." (Things to do before I kick said bucket)

That's all I can think of now.
The show went really really well. For awhile, I had felt kind of meh about a bunch of the sketch's, but I don't know if it was just the fact that they are well written or that in conjunction with the fact that both audiences were fucking plastered before the show even started. It was a whole lot of fun, even amidst slight heckling which was a totally new experience for me. Why heckle? This is what, I assume, goes through the mind of a heckler:

"Am I talented? Am I funny? Am I a nice person? Am I successful in what I do in life? No, no, no and no. Well, then I will simply pay my way into the vicinity of a stage, get drunk and pretend like everyone paid to come see me be a little bitch."

I just don't get it. Fuck you. Go home. Heckle Drew Carrey or something.
There were party hats and champagne toasts at midnight and then we did a drawing for door-prizes and if people won they had to go on stage and tell a joke. It was really fun. I was manning the front of the house before the show, and I was being a really great host if I do say so myself and it made me realize how less awkward I am now since only a year ago, maybe even less. I have really come into my own skin, and it keeps surprising me.
I was at the theater until 2:30 helping clean. Turned out that the group comprising about 75% of the hecklers brought bottles of wine to their row, drank it and then one person decided to vomit on their chair and onto the carpet. It was absolutely disgusting. I tried cleaning it, but smelling vomit makes me gag like a son of a bitch.

....

Gag...
REFLEX! BWAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH!