Smokin' Joe Carnahan: HAPPY BELATED 4TH OF JULY

HAPPY BELATED 4TH OF JULY

07/09/2007 at 09:29 AM

Guys:

Sorry about the complete lack of updates. Went on one of those bloated
boating, beer-drinking benders that last anywhere from two hours to two
weeks. I didn't realize that I had yet to provide a July blog entry. The shame!
Up north right now. My kids are off to England to participate in this Harry
Potter horseback tour where they ride all over the English countryside and
tour the places JK Rowling was inspired by when she wrote the 'Potter' series
which, if I'm not mistaken has actually made a couple of bucks.

I hope they have a blast. I have to stay behind and work on a commercial in
this fantastic 114 degree heatwave we've been experiencing of late. CAN'T
WAIT!

Saw Transformers and Silver Surfer over the break. My kids appear to be two
of the five or six children in the country that DIDN'T like 'Transformers.' I thought
the CG was amazing and that kid can act his ass off. Ultimately though, I miss
movies like 'Raiders' which to me, still epitomizes the big summer movie. I sound
like some old crank, waxing nostalgic but it's true. We don't make summer movies
like that anymore. Which is probably why I'm so jacked about the next Indy, regardless
of Harrison Ford's age. You've also got that kid, who proves in 'Transformers' that
he's the real deal.

Alright. Glad the little photoshop still piqued everyone's interest in WHITE JAZZ. More
to follow. Promise.

Also, I've decided I'm going to start answering questions in the COMMENTS section
since that seems to be where all the real action is. I'll get to each as fast as I can.

Cheers all.

Comments

Pages: 1 | 2 | 3

	Posted by: batman06 07/09/2007 at 09:44 AM
First! I too thought the CG was stellar in Transformers, and thought that as stupid as it was, it was WORLDS smarter than Die Hard! (Although, Tim Olyphant was obviously great)

Posted by: Vicky. 07/09/2007 at 10:54 AM

Ah, no worries, Joe. It's all good.

I've yet to see Transformers, but I heard that it blows. I still want to see it, though.

No way, they're making a new Indy? Oh, dude, that's way cool. I was not aware of that. Hm. Well, thanks for informing us!

Posted by: News Girl 07/09/2007 at 11:16 AM

Wish I was riding horseback across England right now. I envy them the experience.

Glad to have you back and no need to apologize. We all need to have a drunken memory-wiping adventure from time to time. Mine is scheduled for next week.

Woo-Hoo. The boyfriend and I are going to flip a coin to decide if we go north or south.
If you're week of vacation is any more defined than a blur, you didn't have enough fun.
Bama Hugs
kellie

Posted by: movieguy7 07/09/2007 at 11:23 AM

Joe:

What is the commercial you are about to direct? And is Christian Bale really going to be in KP?

Thanks

Posted by: kevin 07/09/2007 at 12:07 PM

Hollywood can't seemingly make "event" pictures like Raiders anymore.

Saw the pic Spielberg shot of Ford dressed in the Indy garb, relaxing on set and the 8 year-old boy inside came screaming out. Those were event movies. They were crammed with everything and anything. Glad to see Spielberg bring back Indy even if they have to wheel out.

As far as Shia LeBeouf is concerned, I agree wholeheartedly. He held Transformers together. He was the heart of the flick. He will be massive.

Looking forward to more conceptual art from White Jazz. Btw, how is the ACES prequel script shaping up?

Hope you had an amazing 4th.

Take Care,
Kevin

ps You never answered if Liotta is your Pesci or if he is your DeNiro. All in good time I suppose.

Posted by: Justin 07/09/2007 at 02:41 PM

Totally agree about Shia, he's a great young talent...seems like he has the potential to last a long while.

Transformers was fun, certainly dumb and campy but ultimately very entertaining. People should just go in expecting a dumb summer flick.

Totally agree bout the Raiders days...hopefully we'll get it next year with Indy 4 and The Dark Knight!

The new commercial isn't related to the one you shot with Matt Fox, right? And will it air over in the states this time? Would love to see it.

Take care,

Justin

Posted by: Casey Moore 07/09/2007 at 03:16 PM

Bah your 114 California heat.

Working in the production office on a Lifetime film which started filming today here in New Orleans. So humid and hot you feel wet the whole time even when you dry off (I am the Office PA so I get to make those fun runs out to set).

Drink your fluids. And remember, beer has electrolytes

	Posted by: batman06 07/09/2007 at 04:00 PM
Feel your pain Casey, PA'ed on a Lifetime special earlier this year (in Vegas and LA though, not N'awlins)-- gotta walk before we can run...

Posted by: Shanti 07/09/2007 at 08:55 PM

Happy Belated 4th of July to you too Joe!

I saw Transformers the other night and I absolutley loved it. It was action packed and hilarious.

I also agree about Shia. He has comes along ways since his days on the disney channel. I also heard he did a great job in Disturbia.

It was damned hot over here in Washington state too but I don't think it was as hot as Cali though.

Posted by: JeffreyWright 07/09/2007 at 10:17 PM

I came out of Die Hard over the weekend and said to my wife, "I just remember the first one being so much better." What a waste of Yippie-kay-Ay!

Then I got to thinking, was the first one actually better or was it myself that had changed? Because I understand the mechanics of writing/film better today than I did back "when" then it's very easy to spot what works and what doesn't, what is done by a first time writer just getting his feet wet, the writer who sold out to make a quick buck or the real deal.

That "mysticism" seems to have been lost or momentarily taken a vacation. The days of Goonies seem to be long gone, although there are films that are extremely well done (few and farer between it seems). Yet, I find myself walking through Blockbuster and thinking, there is NOTHING here I feel like watching... why?

I'm still not sure though. It's very clear film has "evolved" depending on which way you look at it, but there are definitely times where I wonder if it's more of the fact that my eyes have changed rather than the films being made...

Peace,