Saturday, November 3, 2012

STUNTS: The How To Handbook Book Review

 Above Pic (C) 2012 XXXXXX Publications

(Watch for Links to purchase the book, after November 11th 2012!)

As promised, the 2012 year of action continues with the first ever Dan's Movie Report book review. Please be patient, I have never reviewed a book before, yes I have read some, ha ha.  Angela Meryl's STUNTS: The How To Handbook: Secrets from an Award Winning Hollywood Stunt Woman is an excellent place to begin my journey.

Angela Meryl has a wealth of stunt experience, she seamlessly reigns it all in with this fast paced, informative, compendium of personal experiences and inside tips and tricks of the trade.

STUNTS opens with an appx. 25 page introduction into Angela's dynamic and life changing encounter as a guest on Oprah. While most guests drop by, Angela took that to new heights by careening of the roof of Harpo Studios! She details all aspects of the encounter from initial call from Oprah's producers to actually being a guest.

The next portion of the book delves into the personal path Angela takes to become successful in the business. As I stated before this is a fast paced read, but she is careful to relate her real life experiences as examples. Angela describes the way her experiences allowed her to build her career. An example of this was the stunt she did for Vivica A. Fox on Kill Bill. Interestingly enough she had surgery before the audition and during the stunt itself was injured, but toughed it out, persevered and the rest. STUNTS is a very descriptive book when it needs to be in addition to a very informative one.

The middle portion of the book called: Making it Happen For You is divided into 9 chapters covering all aspects of stunt work ranging from having a mentor, building your brand, and preparing for work.  Angela makes a point to focus on the importance of being a well rounded stunt person, being careful and finally being true to yourself, know when to say know. Actually my favorite story in the book is when she refuses to do a stunt because she does not feel confident to do it, and goes on to explain why.

STUNTS concludes with a comprehensive 45 page resource guide, and a detailed film terminology glossary. Angela lays out all the information available, including stunt organizations, training facilities, and driving schools.

Hopefully Angela will make STUNTS available as an e-book, because many professionals are on the go, and may need to turn to the resources in the book for future reference, even on film set or rehearsal.

STUNTS makes not only a solid read for aspiring actresses and stunt women, but also an inside peek into what happens behind the camera and is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in action films, even if not interested becoming a  stunt person. I read this book in one sitting, and found it quite enjoyable. STUNTS: The How To Handbook rates a 9.5 out of 10

Please Purchase the book directly from this website @ https://www.createspace.com/3693193

For more information on Angela Meryl go to her official Site @ http://www.angela-meryl.com/



Thursday, November 1, 2012

Fire With Fire Movie Review

Above Pic: (C) 2012 Grindstone Entertainment Group

Click Link Below for Holiday Contest!

http://www.dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2012/12/sexy-santa-hot-holiday-contests-400000.html

Fire With Fire starts off with a bang as with a violent independent convenient store father and son, being threatened by white supremacist gang members, then watches as his son is brutally murdered. He is given a chance to pay them money for protection, but he says that he is protected by the Eastside Crypts. Watching the crime unfold is a firefighter named Jeremy Colmen, portrayed expertly by Josh Duhamel.

Colmen tries to fight back, is eventually shot, he survives because only his firefighter friends rescue him. Colmen is put in witness protection, movies out of state, and is assigned sultry FBI Agent Talia Duram,  Rosario Dawson to keep an eye on him.

White Supremacist leader Neal Hagen (Vincent D'Onofrio) is the ring master of the group and vows revenge. D'Onofiro brings the role to life, he is big bad mean and angry. The fire in his eyes evoke a hatred.

Willis and D'Onofrio square off in Fire With Fire (C) 2012 Grindstone Entertainment Group. Dan's Movie Report ScreenCap.

Bruce Willis portrays police captain Mike Cilla. Cilla also has an interest in the case as his former partner was murdered by the same group. He is trying to reel Colmen in, when Colman starts to target members of the White Supremest Group.

Fire with fire ebbs and flows with energy, as Colmen builds from timid fireman to revenge mode. The transformation is entertaining to watch and while the movie progresses, the mayhem increases. The flow and action are  seethe with energy, as Colmen enlists help The East Side Crypts.

Although seeming trite, this is one of my favorite indie action films of the year. Fire with Fire has a cool story and fantastic performances from Vincent D'Onofrio, Rosario Dawson and Jeremy Colmen. Dawson expressions portray a caring and sympathetic disposition, but when backed into a corner she pounces like a panther.

Colmen has the bulk of the screen work here and enjoyed watching the character transformation. D'Onofiro, is a whirlwind of energy, seething hatred from every pour in his body. Bruce Willis is Bruce, intense, showing the underlying sardonic humor he is known for.

Fire With Fire is one of those big budget DTV films, and it shows, a budget prob close to 20mil. I enjoyed the sets and action, this would probably play on a big screen well. In addition to the action, attention to detail with the background in several scenes and subtle lighting make for an overall solid watch.

Fire With Fire rates an 8 out of 10 and this is a strongly recommended purchase or rent. Below is a direct amazon link, the movie is under 13 dollars on DVD!











Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Sherry Shaoling performes with Don Tiki Band in Christmas Concert Series!

Don Tiki Group: Click on image, right click on increased sized imageand select "view Image". and have a desktop image of the Don Tiki Group with Sherry singing!



Don Tiki group will bring their exotic Hawaiian themed performance to the stage in three places this Holiday Season. Full of surprises and great entertainment, Tiki always pleases his crowd. Sherry Shaoling joins onstage, and provides the some of the great visual and auditory accompaniment. Don Tiki's website is at http://www.dontiki.com/

Check out Sherry!


1. Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art
Saturday 12/15 7:30p

2. Seattle Symphony
Monday 12/17 7:30p
cool

3. LA Philharmonic
Thursday 12/20 8p

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Happy Haloween!!! HAHA! Halloween! All Allows Eve!

Got a cool email from a gentleman informing me of a interesting slice of indie cinema. "Immortal kiss" rocks home video and VOD November 1st. Starring an old school "Bond Girl" named Trina Parks, I am curious,

Check this out!  http://www.rapidheart.com/immortal-kiss-queen-of-the-night/

To all of my contacts in the North East--and to everyone, in Hawaii, my thoughts are with you with the upcoming Storm.

Watch for Fire with Fire, a cool new film staring Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis. Review will be coming!

More stuff in November as I rework Dan's Movie report.

Keep the fight.