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So, the most recent crop of movie trailers has got me pretty excited. This Summer’s been a pretty decent movie season so far (ignoring “Just My Luck,” as the rest of the world has) and the rest of the year is only going to get better. Although you probably don’t care, here are my picks for upcoming flicks (based on their trailers):

Clerks 2 - Of course, being a Kevin Smith fan, I’m eagerly anticipating this film’s release — trailer or no trailer. In fact, I’ve tried not to pay attention to that trailer, or the new red band (Rated-R) trailer so that I can walk into the theater virtually spoiler free. It’s testing well in Middle America, which is no easy feat, so let’s hope Smith gets his biggest opening weekend release yet.

The Last Kiss - Zach Braff returns to the big screen, this time bringing an Affleck with him. No, it’s not the one you’re thinking — it’s little brother Casey. Although not directed or written by Braff, this film has a “Garden State”-esque feel to it (perhaps that’s the power of the soundtrack, which Braff is selecting). This trailer struck an emotional chord with me, and I honestly can not wait until it hits theaters.

Jet Li’s Fearless - Fuck yes.

The U.S. versus John Lennon - Intriguing… and, apparently, bashing Bush.

Charlotte’s Web - Although I probably won’t spend $10 bucks on it, I would have killed for it as a child. Some of the CG looks crap, but, in fairness, I don’t know if a pig doing a backflip could ever look real. Just a sidenote, I almost demoted this trailer to the “Crap” section because of the flatulence joke — I hate that kind of thing in trailers.

Ratatouille - We’re still a year away, but Disney / Pixar never seem to fail to entertain me (except with “Cars”… I’m not motivated to see that one at all). Now that the two companies have found harmony again, when are we going to see “Incredibles 2″?

Spider-Man 3 - I… can’t… fucking… wait.

These movies aren’t doing it for me:

My Super Ex-Girlfriend - I already feel like I should get my money back… and I only watched the trailer.

Step Up - Words cannot express my utter contempt for this kind of film.

The Holiday - Just not my kind of flick. Advice to Jack Black and Jude Law (who would’ve thought they’d both share a bit of celluloid): find your respective agents and fire them.

Strangers With Candy - I gave this one the benefit of the doubt until now. Although I think that keeping Matthew Broderick off the trailer was a good thing — if a show is crap on TV, it’ll be crap as a feature film. It kills me, too, because I desperately want to see Stephen Colbert on the big screen, but I’m sure I can’t stomach the rest.

Brothers of the Head - I… I don’t even have the words.

John Tucker Must Die - You can’t be “Mean Girls.” No matter how hard you try. On a separate note, the whole “die” thing is a bit harsh? Kind of reminiscent of “Heathers,” in a way, though (don’t ask me to explain that, I don’t know if I can).

I can’t quite decide about the following:

Casino Royale - Looks like it could turn out to be crap. That’s upsetting, considering that this is the last Bond film that’s actually based on an Ian Fleming novel. The story should be good. Will it be? Well, it wouldn’t be the first time a Bond film has let me down (see, most recently, “Tomorrow Never Dies”).

You, Me, & Dupree - I’m not sure where I stand. It actually looks funny, as far as I can tell. Maybe I just like Owen Wilson too much.

Gridiron Gang - It looks like a dramatic rendition of “The Longest Yard.” The first of two football movies starring former Canadian football player (ha!) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. I’m a fan of The Rock — but I honestly can’t tell if this one will be crap yet.

Invincible - Another football movie. I’m tempted to say it’ll be crap… but I’m a fan of the period it’s set in, and football movies can damn sure be emotional (see “Brian’s Song”). Plus, it’s got Marky Mark — and that’s always good for a laugh or two. I might give it a chance on home video.

So, I try not to post too often about professional wrestling on here, so I don’t seem like too much of a dork. In fact, I really only do it when something that’s uber-exciting happens (like last summer with the Matt Hardy work-shoot). In fact, it’s hard for me to not mention the reformation of D-Generation X that’s been on TV these past couple of weeks.

However, I was just cruising WWE.com, and I found a reference that I’m glad someone over there made. In their Top 25 Rankings for the week, this is how Shawn Michaels was rated:

18 SHAWN MICHAELS They might not have said “I don’t know” but the Spirit Squad sure had green slime all over them, thanks to DX.

That’s right, folks… a “You Can’t Do That On Television” reference.

I fuckin’ love it.

So, it turns out that that job I had referenced before was not with the actual New York Philharmonic… but with the Friends of the New York Philharmonic. The job entailed hanging around in a closet in the Lincoln Center basement with about 13 total strangers (some of whom scared the shit out of me) calling patrons of the arts begging them for donations totaling in the mid-thousands range. On the bright side, I was offered the job — ending my streak of unemployment. On the negative side, it pays ever-so-slightly over minimum wage (excluding commissions). Additionally, I know I have to give the job up in two weeks when Company starts, as it conflicts with my class schedule.

It was a bittersweet victory, as I knew that going to Lincoln Center every day would be something I enjoy… but that job certainly wouldn’t. I’d tried commission-based sales at the Hard Rock Cafe last year, and I wasn’t that good at it. In fact, I don’t think I ever made more than 2 sales in one single week (of the one product in the store that operated on commission compensation) — and the quota was for one sale a shift. Oh, well.

What does one do in such a situation? Keep looking, I guess… and that was my mindset when I woke up this morning. Before I had a chance to leave Brooklyn, I got a call from my mom telling me about a job offer with FAO Schwartz. It was through HotJobs, so one must post their resume online before getting a response. This was a bit discouraging, because my experience with Craigslist over the past few weeks has shown that virtual job applicaitons get little to no attention. After sending out my resume, I left the apartment and hopped on the R-Train to Union Square.

Once there, I realized that I had received a voicemail while underground. The call was from FAO Schwartz, calling to schedule an interview for later this week. At this point, I’m stoked, because the possibility of playing with toys all day and getting paid for it is now very real. I use my mojo to attend the Max Brenner Open House event.

Thirty minutes later, I leave the brand-new store in Union Square as an employee of Max Brenner. The place looks like it’s going to be really cool when it opens next month, it’s a restaurant whose central focus is chocolate. They’ve had restaurants in Australia and Israel, and this is allegedly the first of three hundred stores to open in America… and I’m a part of that.

Better yet, I think I might be able to live off the cash from just this one job… and I’ll get tips, free meals, and free chocolate. Who can argue with free chocolate?

I’ve still got an interview with FAO Schwartz. We’ll see if I can fit both into my schedule. I’m excited! Things have really turned around for me.

The difference that 24 hours can make is absolutely crazy.
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My Company financing woes were also ended this weekend. I won’t go into much detail about it, but I really want to thank my parents from the bottom of my heart for helping me find a solution. The amount of effort you guys have put in in the past just to try and get me on track is absolutely astonishing. I would have never made it where I am without you, and I’d never get where I’m going without you.

I love you both.

Thank you.

So, since the last (rather depressing) update on my job search, I’ve made numerous attempts to make progress toward getting a job, and acquired some more financial pressures. I’ve made some headway in contacting temp agencies, but I’m yet to hear back from any of them with actual work. On the other hand…

The good news: I have a job interview with the New York Philharmonic this weekend. While it, too, will probably not pay enough to actually pay the bills, it’ll be a source of revenue, which is good for the time being.

The bad news: New York State T.A.P. money does not count towards a third year at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As a result, I’m about $3,000 short of tuition, which is due pretty soon. I’m suddenly not-so-sure I’m going to be able to do Company.

I’d better go pick up my laundry. Wish me luck with the interview!

This video scared the shit out of me for so many reasons.

Check it out:
Ain’t It Cool News: What Did ‘Rhythm & Hues’ Do To Marlon Brando To Make Him Speak In “SUPERMAN RETURNS”? Behold!

I forgot to include this in my last post, but I just wanted to say Happy Father’s Day to my dad. Love you, RKJ Classic.

So, I had a pretty shitty Friday… which began with me up at the crack of 6AM. I guess I was a bit over-concerned with getting to my Banana Republic interview on time. Perhaps not, though, because… after all, this being unemployed and having no cash thing is getting a bit old. Anyway, I started my new morning ritual, got dressed and headed out the door. I got to the Bay Ridge Ave. station just in time to watch the R train speed away for Manhattan without me. I couldn’t help but think, if I had only left the apartment one minute earlier.

I got on the next train about fifteen minutes later. The entire ride, I was really freaking out. I kept having visions of being late to the group interview. Perhaps I was being too paranoid. After all, I left with more than enough time to spare for the train ride. Unfortunately, I should have been freaking out — as the train pulled into the 5th Ave. station with about two minutes to go before the group interview. Problem with that is, Banana Republic is ten blocks down from the train station. I tried to get to Banana as fast as I could, to no avail. Late for my almost-guaranteed chance for employment. Again, if only I’d left a minute earlier.

Later in the day, I faced the same kinds of problems. In my second trip to Manhattan (to print out resumes and distribute in the Union Square area), I decided to put off a trip to school (where I’m guaranteed access to a printer) and go to the Performing Arts Library before they close. I get there, and the printer is out of order. Trying to make the best of things, I started to read from a book in the reference section. Just as I start getting involved in my reading, the library closes. Attempting not to waste further time, I take the subway down to 34th street and make the walk over to AADA. I get there just as the library is closing, and the computers are already turned off. Yet again… if only I’d been a minute earlier.

Overall, it was a frustrating day. Somewhere along the way, I had the impulse to run back to Bay Ridge, curl up in bed, and cry a bit. Fortunately, my recent studies in the ways of Tony Robbins lead me to step back, assess the situation, and persist. Instead of running, I stopped by Union Square anyway, to fill out job applications. Getting discouraged again, I walked over to the village, reminding myself of everything I’d learned in the tapes. I guess I just have to re-think my game plan. Thank you, Tony Robbins, for keeping me sane. Additionally, a thank you to Stephanie… for the tea and sympathy (no pun intended. Okay, maybe it was…). The broccoli-and-cheese-quiche inspired me to write more of my play, that I’m now determined to finish.

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Expect the “Sideways” review later tonight or tomorrow. It’s already written, I just need to make it look all pretty.

It’s amazing how much being inside the walls of a museum can inspire one to learn. I saw the “Anglomania” exhibit again today — this time actually spending a decent amount of time for each portion of the exhibit. I’m not that into fashion, but I am somewhat of an anglophile… and I really dig it. If anything, it’s worth checking out David Bowie’s jacket in the first room of the exhibit.

Anyhow, I’ve been using Tony Robbins’ “Get The Edge” self-improvement tapes for the past couple of days. I’ve noticed that I’m starting to focus a bit, and I’m a great deal happier. If you’re into that kind of thing, you should certainly check it out. Shit, I’m recommending it, and I’m only in the third day of the program.

The telephone interview with Banana Republic this morning has lead to a group interview tomorrow morning. At this time tomorrow, I may well be employed again. Cross your fingers for me.

Well, it’s laundry night… which means *finally* sleeping on clean sheets and, more importantly, an “Entourage” mini-marathon. Although I’d love to stay in the blogosphere, I’m all-too-eager to get back to the first season.

I’ll be posting again with some more movie reviews. Last night I got a chance to check out “Sideways.” I’ve also got “The Constant Gardener” on my desk, awaiting a spin.

After my last post, I recieved two immediate comments:

1. You need a job. haha.
2. GET A JOB!!!!!!

I concur with the messages delivered to me. I should have a job. With no income (and nothing to fill most of my days except for searching for a job), I wish I did have something to do that would generate some form of revenue.

Alas, I may have found a passage. After a great deal of searching, I may have finally “struck oil” in the way of the very same Banana Republic where I was offered a job last winter. I’ve got an interview this Thursday.

Am I, by any means, done with my job search? Hell no. Unfortunately, even if I did get the Banana Republic job, it wouldn’t come close to paying the bills.

However, this will start the “snowball effect.” Luck has turned around, and I’m there to greet everything coming with a smile.

I’ll admit it, I’m a TV fanatic. I always have been, always will be. It’s not something that I’m necessarily *proud* of… as television is basically the main reason for my ridiculous procrastination (also always has been… ask my dad, he’ll tell you). I tried to ween myself off of it by not watching some shows, despite how popular they got… but, eventually, I cracked. Two of the shows I’ve managed to thus-far avoid now have me hooked, after just one episode.

ABC’s Lost - Although I’ve had a copy of the first episode for almost a month now, I’ve never felt compelled to check it out. I just have, and fuck am I excited about continuing checking out the series. From what I hear everyone say around me, the show stays of consistent high-quality. I only hope I can catch up quick enough to avoid overhearing any persistant show rumors in my school’s library when classes start.

HBO’s Entourage - I think I tried to watch “Entourage” when it first came out, but I only half-watched the premiere (by half-watched, I mean I was doing something else with the TV on in the background. Needless to say, I didn’t see what all the fuss was about). Thanks to the recent advertising blitz surrounding the first episode of the third season (especially the MySpace MyEntourage profile), I caught up with the premiere episode. Another show that I love, and I’m upset with myself for not having seen prior to now.

That’s about the extent of my television watching today. I’ve been so hooked on TV lately I’m thinking about starting a separate TV blog and getting a couple of different people to blog with me. If you’re in, contact me.