Don't Feed the Writer

Dave's Yes/No TV Review: Downton Abbey Season 1

2011-12-01T18:20:00.000-04:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Drive

2011-12-01T18:19:00.001-04:00

Yes.

Apologies to Prime Suspect (2011) fans

2011-11-30T18:12:00.003-04:00

I'd like to take this opportunity to say how very sorry I am that the very promising new series, Prime Suspect, was cancelled.

It's my fault entirely.

I made the mistake of mentioning to someone that it was the only new series I bothered to program into my PVR.
As long time readers will know, that is the kiss of death for any new series.

Again, Mea Culpa.

Wahlberg'd!

2011-10-13T17:49:00.004-03:00

It's official.
How to Make it in America is no longer a pleasure for me.

It's now a guilty pleasure.

Dave's Yes/No Restaurant Review: Jamaica Pizza Jerk (Commercial & 11th)

2011-10-13T17:47:00.000-03:00

Yes!

Behind the Scenes: Parks and Rec

2011-09-29T20:49:00.003-03:00

Great behind the scenes, article and interview:
How a Parks and Recreation Pitch becomes a joke!

Dave's Yes/No TV Review Fall '11: Terra Nova

2011-09-29T20:47:00.001-03:00

No.

For all you broken-hearted TV writers out there...

2011-09-14T17:57:00.003-03:00

Because I was feeling a little blue about the state of Canadian Television this afternoon:

I re-read this post from our pal Denis... just to perk myself up.

Mistake.

Hey-- My Hiccups is Gone!

2011-09-13T14:49:00.004-03:00

Every show I work on, I am constantly amazed with how much I learn and how many crazily talented-- and occasionally dysfunctional-- people there are in this industry.

The sad, but long anticipated news that Hiccups was cancelled arrived today... it was fantastic experience in all ways.

Thanks to Brent, Nancy, Laura, Arvi and David and all the cast and crew and folks in the office... and especially to Andrew Carr and Dylan Wertz who made me piss myself on a regular basis.

Good times.

The problem of Entourage

2011-09-13T13:56:00.002-03:00

So Entourage is over.

Thank God.

The problem with the show is that despite the fact that it is so laughably, horribly written-- I kept tuning in every season. Why?!

The badness was part of it for sure. There was a pleasure I got from yelling at the television and joining the dialogue, turning to Turtle and saying: "Wow, good thing Vince didn't really sell those stocks after you told him to and he said he did or you'd be pretty screwed huh."

Or telling Sloan: "I'm with Vince on this, Eric loves you, Sloan, really he does. And I agree the fact that he slept with your step-mom doesn't matter... I mean, if he did. Which I'm sure he didn't."

Or asking Drama: "Man do you ever wonder what would happen if money didn't just swoop down out of no where and save our asses?"

But darned if I didn't actually like these guys and hope they'd make it. And it pisses me off that I don't know what happened to all the stories lines that I had been following... what about "Goin' Bananas" and the TV movie, the the restaurant?

Wow! It's Doug Ellin... just a sec.

Okay I'm back. That was so crazy. He's a super nice guy and was just reading my blog and he filled me in on all the details about what happened to everybody. It was great to hear and made me feel really good...

PS. Mark Canton's jet is at YVR and did I want to come down to Hollywood and work on his new series!

Hell's yeah... but wait-- what about my pregnant wife and kid-- they can come too?! Huzzah!

So... yeah, I can stop yelling at my television... but I will miss it.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Captain America

2011-09-13T13:55:00.001-03:00

Dave's Yes/No Fringe Review: Things that Never Happen.

2011-09-10T13:52:00.002-03:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Green Lantern

2011-09-09T12:37:00.001-03:00

No.

Did you hear...

2011-09-08T18:32:00.002-03:00

... all the buzz about this years Gemini Award winners that were announced last night?!!?

Yeah, me neither.

I like international co-productions. I love stories about other countries and cultures. I love those stories when they're well-told by Canadians... or anybody else!

It's not that I think shows like The Tudors or The Borgias are bad... I think they're great. They give lots of Canadian Film Service Providers lots of work.

I just don't think they should be eligible for a Gemini Award for best Canadian program.

Dave's Yes/No Restaurant Review: Chronic Tacos (Broadway and Cambie)

2011-09-08T18:30:00.001-03:00

Yes... oh yes.

Hiccups II Season Finale

2011-08-30T20:32:00.002-03:00

For those of you who missed last Sunday's season finale of Hiccups! Never fear you can catch it on Comedy this week... or online.

P.S. This episode was written by yours truly and the talented Dylan Wertz.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2011-08-30T20:31:00.000-03:00

Yes

HIccups Season II

2011-05-13T20:35:00.002-03:00

Great news.

Hiccups Season II will be airing on CTV, on May 30th!
Stay tuned for more details.

One hand log rolls the other...

2011-05-13T20:16:00.004-03:00

I feel like George Costanza in the middle of his two colliding worlds.

I'm a television writer... but I have an alter-ego that demands his own website.
I have for a long while used an alias for this guy... but it just got too darned complicated.

So here you go:
if you're looking for Dave Moses, Mind Reader/Thought Plucker/Spoon Bender/Mesmerizing guy... go to his website.
DaveMoses.ca

But let's not kid ourselves about who's paying the bills!

And now, instead of letting me just minding my own business, I've got to maintain two websites now, when I barely had to maintain one before just to keep up appearances!

Bother.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Thor

2011-05-13T20:15:00.000-03:00

No.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Quantum of Solace

2008-12-02T18:37:00.000-04:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Hellboy II

2008-08-16T22:16:00.001-03:00

No-ish.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Pineapple Express

2008-08-16T22:15:00.001-03:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Tropic Thunder

2008-08-16T22:14:00.001-03:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Step Brothers

2008-07-31T19:42:00.003-03:00

Yes... but you already know if you'll like it or not.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Dark Knight

2008-07-31T19:42:00.001-03:00

Yes.

Dave Yes/No Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda

2008-07-14T14:13:00.001-03:00

Yes!

Robson Arms has left the building.

2008-06-30T11:30:00.001-03:00

Tonight the final episode of the series airs.
It's been an amazing experience.

Susin Nielsen and I have been talking like a couple of parents worrying over their kids.
We're pretty happy, although all the characters' lives are up in the air our feeling is: everybody's gonna be okay.

Is it weird to worry about the fates of fictional characters that we create?

Absolutely, yes.

Last one out turn off the lights.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Wall-e

2008-06-30T10:13:00.001-03:00

Yes!

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: The Happening

2008-06-18T23:16:00.001-03:00

God, no!

Feeding the Writer in Banff!... Dave's Yes/No Restaurant Review

2008-06-13T20:54:00.004-03:00

Chicken Wings at the St. James Gate: Yes!
Chicken Wings at the Rundle Lounge of the Banff Springs Hotel: No!

Delegate Breakfast: No... (I had to wrestle a fellow delegate for half a bagel!)

Breakfast at McDonald's: No... the labour shortage is so bad in Banff you'll arrive at 10am for your Egg McMuffin, finally get to the front counter at 11am only to be told they've stopped serving breakfast. Grrrrrrrrrr. Daddy needs his Bacon and Egg Bagel!

Chicken Souvlaki at El Toro: Yes!... A delicious meal with the fantastic folks from Omnifilm! Don't let the schizo menu and cafeteria style furniture fool you. The food (mostly Greek with a little French and Spanish??? thrown in) was delicious.

The Maple Leaf Grill: Yes! The best restaurant of the trip. I dined on Steak upstairs with the great poeple from Ocean Entertainment, while, downstairs, Omnifilm wined and dined broadcasters at their No Pitch Dinner. Classy!

The Elk and Oarsmen: Nookay. (although I had an awesome evening with all the people from the showrunner program and plus I got to sit next to Christine Shipton for the first two courses!) the bison steak was fine but the desserts (of which I sampled plenty) and the appetizers (of which I had one, an endive salad) tasted like they were prepared a few days earlier.

Raisin Bran from the Husky Gas Station across the street: No. But that was only because the best before date had long since passed. Which is more than I can say for my.... never mind.

Geeks gets nom!... maybe.

2008-06-13T20:28:00.005-03:00

I'm pleased to say that I think my episode "Geeks In Love" (RA303) was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award.

I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't really aware that there was such a thing.

What's worse when I got an email from my pal, Daegan, congratulating me, I googled it and couldn't even find it. When I found it listed in Wikipedia my family withdrew their congrats until I found a second source.

I'm sorry to say I haven't found one yet... not even on CTV's own press release that highlights other shows on its network that were nominated.

So... uhm... ahem... everyone just... you know, carry on with whatever.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Son of Rambow

2008-05-22T14:12:00.000-03:00

Yes.

Robson Arms Episodes Online

2008-05-08T02:14:00.002-03:00

Okay.

This is the best I can do. I know some of you out there "don't have a TV" or "don't have cable" (even though it doesn't seem to me that CTV is a cable-necessary channel)... but for those of you who asked: is it online?

The answer is "Yes". Enjoy.

dave's yes/no movie review: Iron Man.

2008-05-08T02:10:00.000-03:00

Yes.

See my beautiful face, maybe win an iPod

2008-04-28T17:41:00.004-03:00

For those of you who are interested in seeing this handsome mug and getting a chance to win an iPod-- hurry over to the Robson Arms web site and click on "The Question."

It's our version of the Behind The Scenes stuff other shows are doing, except this one's got a super-hawt host.

For those of you tuning in for writer-porn particularly, keep an eye out for suave showrunner Susin Nielsen and hilarious story departmenters Ken Craw and Jen Daley.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Baby Mama

2008-04-28T13:09:00.001-03:00

Yes.

Listen, I know. Nobody's more surprised than me.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

2008-04-27T16:56:00.001-03:00

Yes.

Dave

2008-04-27T16:56:00.000-03:00

Talk it out.

2008-04-25T18:15:00.004-03:00

I've been going around the last couple days telling my writing buddies about this great technique I use to help me break a story.

I was all ready to write a best-selling screenwriting self-help book about it only to find Alex Epstein has already written a nice little post about it: Telling your story.

Robson Arms on TV-eh Podcast

2008-04-16T19:12:00.003-03:00

TV-eh is a great resource for anyone interested in Canadian television.
A few months ago Diane Wild, the force behind the site, posted a number of podcasts with members of the industry. I'm happy to see that she's bringing them back... and even happier to see that Robson Arms will be the subject of the latest. Diane will be interviewing my bosses co-executive producers Susin Nielsen and Gary Harvey.

Robson Arms III gets an airdate.

2008-04-10T13:45:00.003-03:00

Released today...

Toronto, ON (April 10, 2008) – The paint may be peeling, the taps leaking and there may be an unpleasant smell here and there, but there’s never been a better time to move into Robson Arms. Season 3 of the CTV Original Series returns Mondays at 9:30 p.m. ET beginning April 28 following Dancing With the Stars (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times)

Just in time... of course 930pm ET means 1030pm back home but that's why God made PVRs.
If anybody sees any promotion for the show could you leave a little comment here to let me know what you saw, where you saw it and when?

dave's yes/no movie review: 21

2008-04-06T02:39:00.000-03:00

no.

dave's yes/no movie review: Leatherheads

2008-04-06T02:38:00.000-03:00

nope.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: 21

2008-04-02T18:18:00.001-03:00

No.

I dunno. Geez. I don't wanna fight about it.

Finally...

2008-04-02T18:16:00.002-03:00

Something worth waiting for.

Drunk History

2008-03-25T19:45:00.001-03:00

Alexander Hamilton

and Ben Franklin and his dick son.

Dave's Yes/No Review: The Counterfeiters

2008-03-22T21:51:00.000-03:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Horton Hears a Who

2008-03-20T14:46:00.001-03:00

I can't honestly say.
I slept through most of it.

What am I doing this afternoon instead of writing?

2008-03-12T18:36:00.005-03:00

...having my eyes pried opened and my heart rate pushed up by reading a blog about Canadian Film and Television. Yeah, I know.

If you've ever looked at a Canadian TV show or feature film and asked: Why?
You'll find the "because" here.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: In Bruges

2008-03-10T14:38:00.002-03:00

Yeah.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Be Kind Rewind.

2008-03-10T14:38:00.001-03:00

No.

Hey, Ma! Look at Me!

2008-02-29T12:05:00.004-04:00

I dunno.

Maybe for some writer's it's when they get their first paying gig.
For others it may be when they get their WGC card.

But for me... that feeling of having arrived... having written something that somebody actually wants to see-- just arrived in my google alerts.

"Geeks in Love" AKA "Robson Arms S03E02" has been Bit Torrented.

So long, suckers!

Robson Arms III: What I like about Episode 2... or Now let us Praise Gary Harvey

2008-02-27T15:23:00.009-04:00

So. Tonight's my episode.

Make no mistake. I love the DRAHMAH. But I was raised in sketch comedy. And bringing a tear to somebody eye is great... but if it's by making them laugh... even better.

Drama is analog and comedy is binary. They laugh... or they don't. You can't kid yourself. Genuine involuntary laughter... you can literally take score. And that's why I can say: if you don't actually laugh tonight watching "Geeks In Love"... I have failed you faithful viewer... and if I haven't broken your heart little a bit while I did it, I have failed myself.

Because I can't blame anybody else for anything that's less than awesome about tonight's episode. Which is a long way to introduce--

The things I love about tonight's Episode:

1. The Troubadours.
If you go to the Robson Arms' website and hit the goodies, you can hear it. It's one of those things that, as a writer, leaves you humbled and amazed. The whole episode captured in a 30 second ditty. The lyrics, the music, the performance bring a tear-ball to my eye and soften my crusty and cynical old heart and make me all post-xmas Grinch. Gosh.

2. Haig.
Actors... you know what I mean? Oh, they're characters all right. And Haig Sutherland, who plays arguably the most unassuming of the Robson Arms tenants, Fred Fochs, is one of the largest characters on the set. Check out him messing with me during "The Question" on the RA site and you'll get a small taste.

Anyway... again, all eyes will be on Will Sasso's Bark. And with good reason, Bark is huge, and so is Will. Bark gets all the good lines, and so he should. But who is the heart of the episode? Who is the engine that keeps this story moving? Who do we see at his glorious best and heart-breaking worst? It's Haig's Fred. So in love and gloating, so insecure and jealous, so out of control and maniacal, so vulnerable and alone.

3. The Harv.
Okay. Most of you have never heard of Gary Harvey, and why should you? How many great television television directors are household names? But if you spend anytime working in film and television in Canada-- or spend any time WATCHING Canadian television I can almost guarantee you've seen his work. He's prolific.

In addition to his directing duties Gary is one of the executive producers of the show (along with Susin Nielsen and Brian Hamilton of whom we will hear more in future posts). They are an awesome triumvirate. But more than anyone Gary is the guy who is responsible for the tone on set. I've heard nightmare stories from friends and co-workers who have had to endure unbelievably tense and miserable months on sets run by people with the emotional sophistication of a two year old. Screamers. Tantrums. Shutdowns. Madness. Anyone who has had the opportunity to work with Gary doesn't know any of that. Cast, crew-- even critics, all remark on the feeling of the set. It isn't quiet like a library: there are plenty of disagreements and differing of opinions as there are bound to be whenever independent, talented and creative people with a job to do get together. But it's handled with perspective, respect and humour. And I blame Gary for that.

And if that wasn't enough-- he's also a hotshot director! Watch the episode tonight. And you'll barely see his work, but you're sure gonna feel it. Gary isn't a director that builds his scenes around a shot. He builds his shots around the scene. He teases out amazing performances out the actors, and pushing them further sometimes... sometimes reining them in. And comedy is a killer. It's all about rhythm and pace. Watch how he builds each scene, each moment! See how with the help of Franco our editor, the moments and scenes work with one another and take us deeper into the story.

Lucky, lucky me.

Robson Arms III: Things I like about Episode One.

2008-02-26T15:32:00.007-04:00

1) John Cassini's performance.

For me, the character of Yuri is at his best when he doesn't know what the hell is going on. He's not the brightest guy, he's a bit of a jerk... but he doesn't see himself that way. Yuri sees himself as the guy who's got every angel covered, he's tough but fair. If anything, he's too easy on people, a bit of a soft touch.

In Gila Monster Yuri discovers how wrong he is.

I think one of the reasons the Robson Arms writers keep coming back to Yuri is that his usual state is as a guy whose world is constantly crumbling beneath him and he's always struggling to get on top of things. Yuri is most fun to write when he's failing.

In episode one, though many eyes will be drawn to the talented Dave Foley, for me it's Cassini that captures and shares the soul of a man who discovers he's not as smart or as tough as he thinks he is. It's a vulnerable and brilliant performance.

2) Nothing is written in stone.

Do the writers know how the season will end when they start writing the first episode? We think we do. I mean, there's a plan. But to be honest we're not even sure which episode will be the last episode or which will be the first. For example this year: "Geeks in Love," "Mean Girls" and "The Prince of Nigeria" were all written long before we knew the building had been bought by Americans.

But it's not just imagination that shapes the season. Real life gets in the way too! In this case we discovered well into writing that certain actors were unavailable. Some wouldn't be coming back and others couldn't come back... Which brings me to the another thing I like about episode one: the episode ends where other series' seasons end.

Okay, that might be overstating it a little. But here's the thing: even though the writers' can't take credit for "the why" of certain events, I think we did our best to turn a practical production problem into an opportunity for story. It's a terrifying and fun part of the job.

Watch it and maybe you'll see what I'm talking about. Or maybe it'll appear to be a surprising but inevitable turn in a character's journey. Here's hoping.

The Reviews are In...!

2008-02-26T14:36:00.003-04:00

...in a trickling sort of way.

But they've been generally quite positive.
Here's a couple of reasons to tune in to the Sneak Preview of Robson Arms this Tuesday and Wednesday after American Idol.

In addition to asserting that the show could be read "as an extended metaphor" for Canada (and if that doesn't bring in the viewers, what will?) television critic for the Globe and Mail, John Doyle, says:

"The series is a smartly made social comedy, aimed at grown-ups and the better for it"

Brad from the Winnipeg Free Press says:

Over its first two seasons, Robson Arms has quietly established itself as one of the best-written shows on Canadian TV. Filled with a wacky, constantly rotating rabble of characters played by a stellar homegrown cast (which has included the likes of Mark McKinney, Leslie Nielsen, Gabrielle Miller, Fred Ewanuick, Joe Flaherty, Margot Kidder, Shirley Douglas and more), the series has kept its focus squarely on creating small, quirky and completely charming stories that resist the urge to lapse into standard sitcom silliness.

As such, Robson Arms is one of those sneaky-funny shows that prompts out-loud laughter at the most unexpected of moments. And that, of course, is more than half the fun.

So that's pretty good.

Read Oswald's complete review here!

Robson Arms Website is Up and Running

2008-02-25T09:19:00.004-04:00

Just in time for the Robson Arms Sneak Preview this week after American Idol... The site is filled with video, behind the scenes stuff, and a chance to win an iPod Touch. Sweet.

Speaking of sweet, there was a promotion for the show just before the Oscars last night. If you've seen any other spots, let me know, would you?

Robson Arms "Season Three" Sneak Peek After American Idol

2008-02-20T20:53:00.005-04:00

Folks will have a "sneak peek" of Robson Arms Season Three, next week after American Idol.

What does a "sneak peek" mean? I don't want to analyze what it REALLY means but the upshot is that CTV will be airing RAIII episodes 1 ("Gila Monster" by Jesse McKeown) and 3 ("Geeks in Love" by yours truly) next week after "American Idol", Tues. Feb 26 at 9:30 and Wed. Feb 27 at 9:30.

I know this is short notice, maybe even extremely short notice, but I'll do my bit. I'll let you know a little bit about the episodes before they hit the air, but for now, ladies and gentlemen, start your PVRs!

Or better yet, call your friends and make an evening of it. Not together in one place... no, each of you at your own television in separate residences.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Sweeny Todd

2008-02-13T01:59:00.000-04:00

No.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Atonement

2008-02-12T11:12:00.000-04:00

No.

Dave Yes/No Movie Review: There will be Blood.

2008-02-12T11:11:00.000-04:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Cloverfield

2008-01-20T20:02:00.000-04:00

Yes... as a comedy.

Never.

2008-01-20T19:58:00.000-04:00

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Juno

2008-01-07T20:50:00.000-04:00

The New Year's off to a great start:
Yes!

Dave's Top 5 Yes/No Films of 2007

2008-01-04T17:35:00.000-04:00

I know that some will find gaping holes in my list. I've missed (or haven't yet seen) what I hear were some great films last year... and some terrible ones too.

Dave's Top Five "Yes" Films 2007

1. No Country For Old Men
2. Death Proof
3. Zodiac
4. Eastern Promises
5. Super Bad

Dave's Top Five "No" Films 2007
(to clarify: the worst that I saw... and granted there were a lot that I didn't see because you know... why put yourself through 'em. However, that's the same argument my parents would use about several of my "Yes" List too.)

1. Into the Wild
2. Stardust
3. Spiderman
4. Shoot'em Up
5. Meet the Robinsons

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: The Mist

2007-12-14T15:49:00.000-04:00

Yes.

Robson Arms available on iTunes

2007-12-13T11:04:00.000-04:00

There are no excuses now.

No: "Sorry I missed it"... "My video store doesn't carry it"... "I can't afford a box set"... "I just don't like you, leave me alone."

Season Two of Robson Arms is available through Apple's CanadianiTunes store. Just a $1.99 per episode.

As a bonus you can see the writers'(and producers and directors) credits in the free preview available on the site.

Sweet.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: I'm Not There.

2007-12-09T18:09:00.000-04:00

Yeah. But don't believe the hype.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: The Golden Compass

2007-12-08T11:17:00.000-04:00

No. But I loved the book.

Day of Solidarity

2007-11-28T11:23:00.001-04:00

Today the WGC is organizing a Day of Solidarity for the members of the WGA. There have been protests around the world and here in Canada in Montreal and Toronto.

Notably, despite efforts from various local WGC members there's an Inexplicable Nothing going on here in Vancouver. What the hell?! To do our bit the writers here on set at RA have resolved to stay in crafty all afternoon if that's what it takes to get the message out.

I've been following the strike on the Dead Things website. Thanks for the updates Denis.

Seriously do something if you can. It's Wednesday so maybe you don't watch several of your favourite American programs. How 'bout watching a Canadian show. Or if you didn't want to do something so drastic. You could just talk about stuff, things like: "Dude, doesn't it seem fair to be paid for work that others are profiting from?" and "Jeepers, what will happen to BSG if this thing isn't settled soon?!"

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Gone Baby Gone

2007-11-27T17:56:00.000-04:00

yeah.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: No Country for Old Men

2007-11-18T02:18:00.000-04:00

Yes. But you knew that already.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Lions for Lambs

2007-11-13T02:33:00.002-04:00

No.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: American Gangster

2007-11-13T02:33:00.001-04:00

Yes-ish

Where the writer talks of what he little knows.

2007-11-06T17:49:00.000-04:00

I've been asked a lot lately about the WGA writers' strike. Is there some way the strike will benefit us, film and television writers north of the border?

All I know about it I've been reading from Denis's website.

Although I can't honestly say what effect the strike will have on Canadian writers, the effects are certainly rippling through the Canadian film and television industry.

And they're not good.

We're in the middle of shooting the last five episodes of season three and on set this morning I was told that there are no fewer than three shows have been canceled or put on indefinite hiatus here in Vancouver: Bionic Woman, Aliens in America, and... break heart, I prithee, break... BattleStar Galactica! And that's just today. Hundreds of jobs, poof.

So, no, it's not good for the men and women, our friends and co-workers, trying to make a living in production services here in Canada. How could that be good for us?

Sadly, our brothers and sisters in the WGA have a hard fight ahead of them and it's not going to be over quickly I'm afraid.

Keep the faith.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Michael Clayton

2007-11-05T01:12:00.001-04:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Into the Wild

2007-11-05T00:25:00.000-04:00

No.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: The Darjeeling Limited

2007-10-22T00:58:00.001-03:00

Yes.

Bloody Terror

2007-10-18T23:25:00.000-03:00

My buddy Dave has finally started blogging. If you're into Horror and Disasters you'll love Bloody Terror!

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Lust, Caution

2007-10-15T02:12:00.000-03:00

Yes.

New Television Season

2007-10-03T14:25:00.000-03:00

Inspired by Denis's musings on the new season I thought I'd get off my ass and take a lazy stand of some of the new shows. I'm trying to enjoy myself while I can, because in a couple weeks when we get back from hiatus there's not gonna be a lot of television time.

Pushing Up Daisies: Off to a bad start. One of the most talked about shows of the new season, haven't seen it. Don't know when it's on. Don't know where it's on. When I think of it I go: So it's 6 feet Under kinda? And everybody else goes: No! Okay. Okay.

K-ville: Watched five minutes. To be honest felt like it was too early in the season. I wasn't ready to commit.

Journeyman: I love Kevin McKidd but this is Quantum Leap written by somebody who watched Life on Mars and liked all the bad parts. Underwire pointed out on DTOS comments what I really bumped on the other night too... WTF with the wife? Her husband disappears on board an effin' PLANE IN FLIGHT and she pretends she's not with him?! WHAT?! And he doesn't say: See! I'm not crazy! And there's this whole dirty feeling that comes with him obviously still hot for his dead wife who is extra-dimensional or whatever and while he's trying to have a kid with his brother's ex-wife. Next.

Life: The second last scene of the opener had that moment that Denis talks about... what the hell is that moment called, Denis? You know the one that makes you go: I'm in. In Life that was the moment you effing knew was coming, that closet of mystery, the big picture he's slowly putting all together...you see people you haven't met yet, and people you've just met that are put into a whole new light... yeah, baby. I'm a little worried about the faux documentary stuff. It's gonna get tiresome if it keeps seeming so scripted. Plus Damian Lewis, who is awesome and his partner who's also good. Green means go, baby.

Dirty Sexy Money: It's gonna be my guilty pleasure this season. I love Krause, and Sutherland and the Unmarried Woman herself, Jill Clayburgh! The show seems to be taking itself a lot less seriously than the previews indicated. And that's good. It's all the fun stuff that we love to hate rich people for. However-- we all know smokin' hot wives are a hollywood staple, but please, there must be a couple bucks to actually hire somebody's wife (smokin' or not) to give the script a once over just to avoid the constant barrage of cliched husband/wife scenes out there. I'm talking to you too Journeyman! The wife as "supportive but needs to be convinced" gal is done. Ps. That's right, tranny is the new whore.

Bionic Woman: Maybe because my expectations were lowered by all the disappointed talk before the show actually aired, I didn't mind it. I like Jamie, I like Starbuck (and the many other BSG alumi that filled out the cast). Did I miss Oscar Goldman? I mostly liked the special effects. The only thing I worry about is that it's playing like a Femme Nikita meets Alias thing. I want something new. Story, spin or relationship wise. I don't want to see the same stories with a bigger budget. I'm sensing a lot of writers/producers/whoever pitching updated versions of their favorite shows-- they've already been made, folks! I'll watch a couple more episodes.

Intelligence: Not a new show but a great season opener. Season one was a little 'deliberately paced' especially at the beginning. But it's cooking with propane now. I'm loving this show... and nobody I know is watching it. This is great tv, period. I'd be watching it if it was made in Bosnia, yeah?

TV-eh Podcast

2007-10-01T08:51:00.000-03:00

For anybody interested in Canadian Television (that's right capital "C" and "T"): you should check out the podcasts on TV-eh. Diane Wild has put together a lot of great pieces. Last week there was a discussion about the new season and Denis McGrath interviewed Corner Gas's Mark Farrell. This week is about the new season of Intelligence. All kinds of little insider stuff that's fun for TV geeks like me.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Eastern Promises

2007-09-21T23:06:00.001-03:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Rescue Dawn

2007-09-19T21:00:00.001-03:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Shoot 'em Up

2007-09-19T20:59:00.001-03:00

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: 3:10 to Yuma

2007-09-10T20:14:00.000-03:00

Yes.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Stardust

2007-09-06T19:46:00.001-03:00

No.

"'Cos I turn it all into a sexy dance..."

2007-08-24T21:58:00.001-03:00

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Superbad

2007-08-18T00:47:00.000-03:00

It had me at the opening credits. Yes.

Porn... for writers.

2007-08-15T19:40:00.000-03:00

I don't know if it's the dream of every Canadian writer, I only know it's mine: to be interviewed by Eleanor Wachtel... Let me qualify that: to be worthy to be interviewed by Eleanor Wachtel.

Knowledgeable, kind, funny, and with a voice like molasses on a warm biscuit, she is arguably the finest interviewer of writers ever.

I've built my Sunday afternoons around Writers and Company for the past few years and missing this one hour of radio makes me crazier than my DVR accidentally eating any TV show I'm addicted to. It doesn't matter who the writer is, there have been men and women I've never heard of speaking of books I'll never read, but listening to the conversation between the artist and the interviewer gives me an inordinate amount of pleasure.

It's now available as a podcast. Don't miss it. Be warned: they only post the podcast for four weeks at a time. I know it's a little screwy but I'm sure there's some baroque rights reason why that's so.

Also available Words at Large. Something that is on my subscribe list, but to which I haven't yet listened.

"I've never shot video in a factory before!"

2007-08-14T16:19:00.000-03:00

I noticed they've posted an interview with David Lynch on Amazon. It seems that the director has worked out some special arrangement with them to distribute some of his DVDs including the release of his new video "Inland Empire".

But of particular interest to me was: after the 11 minute long interview (in which he denounces film, and names some of his favourite directors)-- which was followed by a trailer, there were a series of clips of Lynch at work on the set of "Inland Empire".

Be Kind... Rewind

2007-08-13T16:42:00.000-03:00

I know... I saw the science of sleep... but I still can't wait for... this.

Perseid Reminder

2007-08-10T16:31:00.000-03:00

Hey fellow nerdlings.

Don't forget this weekend features the peak of the Perseid Meteor shower.

Because of the new moon this should be a particularly nice show. Although the display peaks Sunday night there will be lots to see Friday and Saturday nights too... anytime after 11pm will be fine. (Although again they're at their absolute best a couple hours before sunrise)

So get to the darkest, clearest sky you can find and just look up... or better yet, spread out a blanket and lie back. And who knows, you might even see some aurora!

The best show you can get... without cable.

31 Days of Spielberg

2007-08-10T11:17:00.000-03:00

Dave S. tipped me to this series of posts by Damian Arlyn.

"...a big, veiny, triumphant bastard!"

2007-08-09T23:24:00.000-03:00

A scene from my 2nd most highly anticipated film this summer.

Not for children.

Opening next weekend.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2007-08-09T12:33:00.000-03:00

No.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: The Bourne Ultimatum

2007-08-09T12:32:00.000-03:00

Yes.

What I learned on my Summer Workation: Part One

2007-08-09T12:21:00.000-03:00

My apologies.

I've slacked off too long. Denis never stopped posting while he was toiling away on his shows. Will kept the faith while waist-deep in rewrites. But I am a more beautiful and delicate flower and wilt readily at the prospect of too much work... or too little food.

Which leads me to the subject of the next several posts, in case the title was too subtle.

Tip #1:

Go Easy on Crafty!

Forgive me if I occasionally imply that all writers are of a kind. It's not true. We're all miserable in our own special and unique ways.

That's said, I've yet to met a writer, man or woman, who didn't like the Craft Service table a little more than was good for them. Even a TV writing goddess like Jane Epenson... what's at the end of her every post? What she had for lunch, people! And when the table is laid out by a special lady like Gianna, the Robson Arms Season III Craft Service angel... it's even worse.

Sure, there's fresh fruit and veggie trays, ginseng nectar and herbal teas but it's the pastries, cakes, butter-soaked chocolate, and cheesey thai wraps that keep you coming back. I'm not exaggerating when I say I started training for this season last winter. I'm not a small guy by any stretch, but when I arrived it was fresh from three pilates classes a week. Down from my typical Sea Lion form to a well-fed Otter. I knew it was gonna be a marathon and I was ready.

Bullshit. I'm an eff'ing Walrus!

No amount of training can prepare the Special Needs Child that is the TV writer for the debauchery that awaits him-- all day-- every working day-- at the magical all-you-can-eat-bottomless-cup-of-whatever-you-desire that is Craft Service.

Within the first week there was no semblance of restraint and I... no, dammit, I wasn't there alone... WE spent almost as much time at the table as an Extra... yeah... that's right-- it was that bad. I didn't get my shit together until the fourth week in.... and by then it was too late...

So there you go, Chubbies.

You wanna be a TV writer? Have a salad once in a while.

The Lame and the Great

2007-06-25T17:55:00.000-03:00

I am lame.

I'm in the middle of production on Robson Arms III and there's lots of exciting stories to tell and lessons I'm learning, but by the time I leave the set there's just no desire to go near my laptop until the next day when duty calls.

That said, I'm totally blown away by the awesome posts that my fellow canadian TV writers Denis McGrath and Will Dixon are putting out there. In addition to his fine and continuing coverage of the state of our industry McGrath has posted a series of interviews with Greg Daniels. A must read.

Over at Uninflected Images, there's a number of posts (no less than six at present) about my personal hero Al "the Silver Fox" Magee. And when Al speaks, the wise listen.

Dave's Yes/No Movie Review: Knocked Up.

2007-06-04T14:17:00.000-03:00

Yes, thank god, yes!