Nick's Flicks

Alright...

I'm a huge geek, particularly when it comes to literature and comics. Just check out my last post if you don't believe me.

Anywho, I'm even worse when it comes to film: besides managing the local movie theater and taking in as much film as I can, I am also a member of Nick's Flicks, which is essentially an independent, not-for-profit studio that is located in Morehead, KY, created by our very own Tarantino himself, Nick Johnson.
Nick has fostered and built on this dream for well over a decade, with it's origin dating back well over a decade, and in the past two years, Nick's Flicks has made leaps and bounds towards becoming something more than just a dream of Nick's and all of us involved. He just recently wrapped up post-production on a short (Brother Tom) that moves us out of the business of purely comic shorts into something more meaningful to each of us, something that heralds the start of a new era for Nick's Flicks.

Nick and I have VERY big plans for this dream of ours over the next six months, plans that, when they see completion, will see us premiering a project that is currently in development premiering at Morehead Cinemas for a one-week run. That's 28 shows over a seven day period for a film written, directed, produced and edited by a group of guys from Morehead, shot entirely in Morehead.

That's where each and every one of you, dear readers, come into play: if we have a successful enough run in Morehead, we can continue to show it, not only here, but in other theaters. That's right: we aren't just wanting to show this film in our hometown, recover our costs, and call it a day. No, we want to take it to other theaters, and get it out there for everyone to witness; we want to inspire other local and independent filmmakers by showing them that hey, if you just do it, you're doing it right. Don't sit on an idea and let it fester: see it through to the end.

Over the next few months, I will be posting interviews, behind the scenes videos, and all other sorts of news regarding Nick's Flicks and our project(s). I don't want to say too much this early on, but I promise you this: when this hits, you will be presently surprised. Big things are in the works, and I, for one, cannot wait. This blog meets half my dream, which is obviously to write. Nick and I, on the other hand, are working on the other half, the one that I never thought I would see realized on such a large scale.

Until then, though, you should definitely check out our website, www.nicks-flicks.com. You will not regret it.

Beard Watch - Day 4

Beard Watch - Day 3

The Good Ole' Days

Simpler times.

Whisker Wars: An American Tale of Awesome

IFC’s series Whisker Wars provides an interesting look into the quirky, intense, and often hilarious world of competitive beard growing, known as bearding to those who follow the sport (competitors refer to themselves as athletes). No other sport offers the cast of characters that the world of competitive bearding does. The show follows several of the sports top beardsmen as they travel to different bearding competitions throughout the United States, hoping for a chance of being invited to join Beard Team USA and a shot for a world championship at the pinnacle of beard competitions in Norway.

The shows main attraction is Jack Passion and his incredible face mane, a man with a beard that would surely make Gimli commit Seppuku on site of it. The two-time World Champion Passion is sort of like the Deion Sanders of the bearding world, a man with an exquisite gift for growing, smack talk, and selling his brand. Jack is determined to take bearding mainstream and become the first professional beardsman, even authoring a comprehensive book on facial hair. Accompanying Jack is his mentor and Beard Team USA captain Phil Olsen one of the most experienced beardsmen in the nation, a man with a not to shabby beard himself aside from the painfully obvious just for men treatments. Phil also shares Passion’s goal of moving the sport into the more profitable main stream, this accompanied with his increasingly blatant favoritism toward Passion threatens to tear Beard Team USA apart.

The series also follows the men of the Austin Facial Hair Club (AFHC), an assortment of some of the sports top beardsmen as well as all around interesting and off the wall characters. Consisting of Bryan Nelson, Allen Demling, Alex LaRoche, and Miletus Callahan the Austin Facial Hair Club presents the biggest challenge to Jack Passion and his goal of turning completive bearding in to a more lucrative financial endeavor. These men represent their state to the fullest embracing all the great weirdness and individualistic fervor that is Texas while at the same time preserving the true heart of American bearding. Bryan Nelson the clubs stalwart leader stands as the clubs best chance of dethroning passion in the Full Beard Natural Category, and has become the bane in the champs side. Nelson who takes pleasure in thwarting and ridiculing Passion has been mulling the clubs options, in the spirit of their beloved Texas, to secede from Beard Team USA. Disputes with Beard Team USA captain Phil and how he manages the team has led the AFHC to field competitors in every major category in order to hedge their bets at besting Passion. Will this destroy Beard Team USA? Only time will tell.

The show also features a cast of up and coming beadsmen who are making a name for themselves across the country but none more than Aarne Bielefeldt, a European immigrant with a Gandalf like beard who represents the old world as well as new. With wins at the 2010 Nationals in the full beard natural competition, which featured Jack Passion as a MC rather than competitor, and the Texas National Championships over Passion he has quietly emerged as a fan favorite and the leading contender to take the world crown from Passion. This bearding season has the makings to be one of the most brutal, cutthroat, and epic ones of all time (granted I have never known of another) as the Americans embark on a journey for world conquest. Whisker Wars is a must see for those of us who prefer to walk on the weird side of life or those Hank Hill types who just like to see what those other bastards are up too. It also happens to be one of the most unique shows on television and highlights some of the best original qualities of American life.

So what the fuck are you waiting for? LET THE BEARDING BEGIN!!!

What I always think of...

when the newest Goon at G.S. introduced himself...

Big Dan T.! Blessed with the gift of gab. Like the rest of us.

And now, for something completely different...

Everyone knows that I am an avid reader.

Hell, that's putting it lightly. I love a good book more than just about anything in this world. Really, it's an addiction that comes with wanting to be a writer. At any given time, I have three novels in reserve, so that upon completion of my lastest adventure I need not stagnate as I struggle to find the follow-up.

What follows is a list of 10 novels that have influenced me and my writing style. It also serves the double purpose of being a list of recommendations for you to consider if you ever find yourself desiring a good read. I guess you can call it my Top Ten list.

10. Stephen King - The Green Mile (1996) : There's just too much to be said about the king of horror. In twenty years, he will be looked back on as the most important author in the genre. This story, though, steps outside of horror, and leaves you emotionally fucked once it's all said and done. it's a one-time read, though, as you probably won't want to subject yourself to this kind of emotional rape again.

09. Chuck Palahniuk - Invisible Monsters (1999) : I love all of Palahniuk's books. HOWEVER, Invisible Monsters is one that just feels personal, being as it deals with something we all have.

08. Hunter S Thompson - Hell's Angels (1966) : The only author on this list to hold two spots, Hunter (and yeah, I think he'd be alright with me calling him that. My left arm is a tribute to the good Doc) ran with the notorious biker gang for a year, and almost lost his life at their hands before it was all said and done. An intense read that set Thompson on the path to greatness that he was destined for.

07. Tom Wolfe - The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (1968) : A first-hand tale of what it was like to be with the Merry Pranksters from start to end, encompassing their discovery of acid, the rise of the Grateful Dead, and the bus ride from California to the east coast. A truly epic look at one of the most important decade in history.

06. Ken Kesey - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1962) : The movie is wonderful, but the novel is something on an entirely different level of the tower. A tale of friendship in the confines of a mental hospital, the second novel on this list that I can't forsee picking up for a second read due to the emotion poured into the ending.

05. F Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby (1925) : The original twist ending. This is one book that has quietly fallen off the radar, and for no good reason.

04. Hunter S Thompson - The Rum Diary (1998) : Call it playing favorites, but The Rum Diary was Hunter's attempt to write the next great American novel. This story is full of Fitzgeraldian influence, and reads like a poor mans Great Gatsby, but leaves you feeling like life ain't so shitty.

03. Ayn Rand - The Fountainhead (1943) : Rand's tale of rugged individualism is one that will stand the test of time. Howard Rourke is the man that every male child strives to be, but breaks before he ever gets the chance to acheive that goal.

02. Robert A Heinlein - Stranger In A Strange Land (1961) : This novel has sat on my bookshelf for years, and once I finally got around to perusing it, I became fully engrossed and discovered that it IS possible to express my opinions and views on God, laughter, and life in general. I generally hate science fiction books, but if there were a patron saint of the genre, it's Heinlein.

01. Alan Moore - Watchmen (September 1986 - October 1987) : Yes. A graphic novel holds the top spot on my list, and I'm confident that there is absolutely nothing that will ever take it's place. I can't say enough about Watchmen to give it the credit it deserves, so I shant even try here. All I can say is that it is a MUST read.

A few notes on the list: I refused to allow the Dark Tower series to enter consideration, as it would have taken up seven of the spots. HP Lovecraft recieved no love since he wrote short stories, although he was responsible for the Cthulu mythos. Hunter could fill a list of ten all by himself, which gives me an idea for a later note. Atlas Shrugged, another Rand novel, will probably find it's way on to this list at a later date, once I take the time to read it (sorry Stephen King).

Beard Watch - Day 2

It's already starting to itch.

Pass Go, Collect 200 caps

I love Fallout. The entire series. Since I was a kid when the first of the series was released, I became obsessed.

Years pass, and my love for video games dwindled. My PC was reserved for porn homework. My TV was used for porn documentaries to help me in bed class.

Then the day came. I saw the first trailer for Fallout 3. It had already been released. I had been watching so much porn studying so much, I had no idea. Same day I purchased a 360 and Fallout 3.

That among other games hooked me fast. In all the desolation of the wasteland of Fallout 3 an New Vegas the thought of owning property was there, but wasting money and competing for land? And here??





Behold! Monopoly Fallout! I about crapped my pants when I saw this.

Beard Watch - Day 1

For starters, I plan on writing other blogs, this is a little side project I want to see how long I can go before I break down. I plan on shaving the neck and stray hairs.







Yes. I plan to do a day by day progression of my beard growth. Could be an awful idea, could be awesome. One of the circumstances where I may shave is my job. Money flow is rather important and until the barter system makes a come back I must keep one.

Enjoy watching my face become that of Matisyahu.