OMG's JFC Discussion

Keeping yesterday's literary Austin open and while we look at a more mystical Austin, ok his character in this one. But can you imagine John reading Ayn Rand? Or Milch 's rewrite of The Fountainehead? Holy!

Episode 4: "His Visit Day 3"






Day 3 starts with John in the empty field looking at the skeleton of the structure in Mexico, taking us back to Day 1. Is it me or does anyone else see a connection of one of the greatest films ever there?

Not getting a bone (with Kai) he gets taken for a ride - while walking he gets picked up by a van load of hoodlums. And John being John scares them and they stab him and leave him for dead along the side of the road. What did you think about that scene? Is there a significance that it happened on that day?

What about John and Vietnam Joe and John's healing? He has Joe put Joe's hand over John's heart, and this somehow draws some cosmic energy from Cass? What does that mean about Cass? Cass' vision? Her transformation from "tricking" with Mitch for Linc to finding her spirituality through John healiing. And John's transfiguration in other places? And what does Scarlett O'Hara have to do with any of this?

What do you think about Linc doing the dishes for Cissy who would do anything to get Shaun, but has a history of pimping, first Butchie surfing, and now Cass? But that's after Linc and Dr. Smith have a little interaction showing truest of intentions about Shaun and his miracle.

And Butchie and Kai? Butchie and Kai seek out John they recruit Bill's help hunting down John. Promising to put word out with his friends in the department, Bill takes control of the search, dividing Imperial Beach into quadrants. But find something else besides John or is it because of John?

What about Bill and Zippy and Bill's rant about ending his relationship with the Yost family, but Zippy has the final say, determineing he should make peace with Freddy. Bringing coffee and doughnuts Bill tells Freddy, "My bird Zippy conveyed to me, despite the obvious dissimilarities between us, we should become friends." Freddy tells him " I got a lizard back home, changes shapes." Bill nods, "Chameleon, they're called."
Mitch is back at the Yost compound. Butchie and Kai are entwined, John is preparing to make Cass see God too, then trouble shows up at the motel in a Mustang.

What bout Dr. Smith? His resignation? The Avon Lady? What about Ramon, Dickstein and Barry?

Any favorite quotes? Did Bill win for best quote for a couple of his greatest of the series? And what about that Milch swear jar, overflowing yet?

Dancing about Architecture

BIG OOPS! Forgot about the JFC discussion starting tonight.
Look for the discussion to start tomorrow. Thanks guys! 6:06EST

They say that writing about music is like dancing about architecture, but I think that talking about art can fall into the same category.

But what about writing philosophy using architecture ? Are you dancing in pairs then?

And what the hell does it have to do with Austin Fridays?

Well it leads us to the Austin's SoGoprah book club pick of The Fountainhead.

Austin says introducing the book says that it's about "Idealism and the price of compromise." And in one sentence. Austin wrote a whole book about dancing about architecture or the story of Hollywood.

The Fountainhead is the story of Howard Roark, an idealistic young architect who chooses to struggle in obscurity rather than compromise his artistic and personal vision. The book follows his battle to practice modern architecture, which he believes to be superior, despite an established practices.

Why architecture? The reason Rand used architecture is because it unlike other professions it combines art and science. Were the main character Howard Roark an artist of another sort (canvas painter, illustrator, author, etc.), any study he did of materials and any knowledge he had of cutting expenses without compromising durability, would be inconsequential to the price customers pay for the artist's product. However, shelter being vital to human survival and comfort, and it being the most expensive financial outlay for the majority of people, Roark's ingenuity has repercussions for all of society. Roark's need to feel aesthetic satisfaction toward his work synthesizes his art with his knowledge of science, and with it, unifies art and science as such in the book, and so too merges Roark's character with the two key aspects of his profession.

Austin is no different. As an actor/artist he needs to feel aesthetic satisfaction toward his work, synthesizing his art with his knowledge of the science of success in Hollywood. Because it is a science, there is a formula, there is a method, there are outcomes. Do you compromise your art for success or do you not follow the method/system for your art? A rock and a hard place.

But here's the deal, it's obvious that he's reading it (most likely again), you can tell from recent pictures he's almost half way through it.

But why is he letting others know he's reading it? What is he trying to tell people? Is it about himself? Is he letting fans who are unsuspecting that there is a system to Hollywood? Is trying to say something else about Hollywood? (To those who have read it think the character Gail Wynand and his tabloid, The Banner)

Or is he saying that he is trying to find his balance and doing to so he can have both on his own terms? Trying to impart some wisdom other, that all of us do the same, trying to find the balance.

An Austin Friday about architecture, or art, or Hollywood, or finding the balance in life, or maybe just dancing.



Photos: Austin Nichols Journal, OTH forums, RileyCat12 Thanks bunches!

Rate not so Great?

Sorry for the late post. Insomnia and cable lead to nothing but trouble for posting.

Also have to admit an oversight when it comes to Hal Ashby, I forgot to include one of his best's works, Coming Home, with Jon Voight, Bruce Dern and Jane Fonda. Winner of 3 Oscars for Best Actress, Best Actor (Voight) and Best Writing. Coming Home came out in 1978, just 4 years after the fall of Saigon. It tells the story of Sally Hyde (Jane Fonda), her husband Bob (Bruce Dern) has gone to the Vietnam War. She goes to work as nurse in a veterans hospital where Violet, her friend, works too. In hospital she meets an old high school friend, Luke Martin (Jon Voight). Like Bob, Luke had gone to Nam but he came back paraplegic. Love between Luke and Sally grow and she has a sexual awakening. After the suicide of Violet's Brother (another veteran) Luke has only one obsession: do anything to stop the sending of young guys to war. Sally finds herself with with choices to make. Coming Home is a poignant story of the situations out of one's control and the choices that life gives. Defintely a movie that should not be forgotten on a list.

Now for the post:


Another movie to recommend is "This Film is Not Yet Rated" a documentary on the MPAA ratings board. Definitely one to watch. Why? Because it documents the history and talks to numerous directors and actors about the censorship of their movies before they could be released. Including directors, Kevin Smith, Matt Stone, John Waters, Darren Aronosfsky, Maria Bello, Atom Egoyan. Director, Kirby Dick hires a lesbian family of private investigators to find out the names of the MPAA ratings board and see if the raters are actually parents of children 5-17 like the MPAA tells American parents they are.

What is interesting is Dick shows how the ratings board gives mores R and NC-17's for sexual content over violence which is in directly opposite in Europe, and how more gay themed movies and movies with not more explicit acts but non "traditional" pairs or acts get more NC-17 ratings, while killing sprees and violence toward women get R ratings. The most interesting thing is that the ratings board in completely secret. What other secret organization in the US has such an influence over the culture with such decisions? Only the CIA. MPAA says it is to protect those members from being influenced. Even the Supreme Court is publicly known and their decisions should be even more important the state of the nation. Something to think about.

And what does this have to do with OMG? It makes you wonder what MPAA told Ang to do with scenes in Brokeback. And if that influenced him not make any cuts for Lust, Caution.

And now with Informers. What you see of Austin in a threesome is what the MPAA approved for an R rating, but knowing the content of the novel and the setting in the 80's, you know that what was shot was even more explicit and it makes you wonder ended up on the cutting room floor to get an R.



The Informers opens at the Verzaubert Queer Film Festival (March 18-25 )in Berlin and then tours Frankfurt, Cologne and Munich through April. It opens in the U.S. on April 24th. I wonder what the difference in reception will be between Europe and the U.S. and wondering how much of an impact the rating system has shaped the audience.

Fun with Captions

Wha... whadda I do?
You know what you did.
Most princes I know like that.

Now this is Paris Match
No translation required.

Yesssssss........
I got my stuff,
Yeah my notebook, and my lunch.
See ya later!

Too cute.

Have some fun. What's you best caption?

And the last one, I just had to post.

Erin Go Braugh

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Even if you're not Irish, everyone is Irish today. Even stormtroopers can get their Irish on.

The Irish tradition of a céilidh, was a social gathering of any sort, and did not necessarily involve dancing which can be included today. The 'ceilidh' is a literary entertainment where stories and tales, poems and ballads, are rehearsed and recited, and songs are sung, conundrums are put, proverbs are quoted, and many other literary matters are related and discussed.

So a little céilidh for OMG. Ireland has given the world some of the greatest literature, great musicians, great actors and directors, and some great movies, not mention Guinness and great whiskey.

So what are some of you favorite gifts that Ireland has given? Favorite Irish writer or poet? Irish literature? Irish musician? Movie? Traditions? Oh the dancing. You're on your own. Same goes for the Guinness.

Jake and Austin ?
Well you know rainbows and lucky charms are the easy go-to for today.



So going for the pot of gold and picking the Blarney Stone.

All Austin's waterskiing and Jake's parkour (did you think I was going to say yoga?) they shouldn't have a problem with the flexibility needed to kiss their "favorite" Blarney Stone. But do they get the gift of gab from theirs and say something like Pogue Mahone?

You all should be ashamed. ; )

“For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your way.
Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.”

Like a thief in the night

Austin is a smooth criminal. He steals scenes, hearts and you know, sometimes outerwear.

But from this interview, it seems Mark Schwahn, creator and Executive Producer of One Tree Hill, likes this kind of criminal element and not just the usual suspects.

Sounds like there was stating the case, providing persuasive arguments, review of the exhibits, and going with your gut for ruling of Austin on OTH.

Here is an excerpt from a interview with him at 411mania.com .


Al Norton: Adding a cast member in a show's 6th season can be tough but Austin Nichols has jelled really quickly. Did you know right away that he was going to work so well?

Mark Schwahn: The funny thing about Austin is that there was initially much resistance from the folks who have to OK our casting choices. Which is not rare, by the way. When that happens, I pick up the phone and try to rationalize with everyone, or pout or bitch or whine and eventually I get my way (and probably get called an ass****) and this leads to Austin Nichols killing it as Julian, just as I suspected he would in the first place. This is not to say that there aren't good people and good allies working on my show at both the studio and network, just that the fans would be surprised at how things work behind the scenes. Remember too that Austin was not being hired as a series regular for One Tree Hill, but was coming off being the lead in John From Cincinnati on HBO. So first I had to meet with Austin and convince him that he was perfect for this part, and that I had a very clear vision of where I would take his character and how we would write his storyline. Then we had to work out all the financial stuff – which can be challenging. Then I had to fight for the right to hire him. But this is what producing is and this is why you follow your instincts and also humbly learn from those instincts when they're wrong. But to answer the question, yes, I knew that Austin was going to jell with this cast. I sincerely felt as though he was a perfect fit. And I think he's proven my instincts to be correct with his talent and professionalism and performance.

As for hearts, well it looks like he's stealing the on and off the screen. Fans, forums, blogs are falling for his charm, and he's a repeat offender. Looks like in tonight's episode he may have really stolen Brooke's. And then of course there's that one heart he stole a few years ago and still has.

And jackets? It is known that Austin has fondness for coats from his past projects. But lifting this one of Julian's and it could be could considered grand larceny , $695 from Neiman Marcus, but it's just petty in North Carolina.

Another Mug Shot - This one from Southern Gothic ....
And check out the video clip of Austin back in Carolina.
And check out Spooky for a great screen cap.

Austin rode 45 minutes on a scooter, all the way across the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles to eat eggs and split a crazy big 47 grain (exaggeration) pancake with Lis and me. He knew more than a couple people in the restaurant. He's been taking meetings out west with agents and managers, doing really solid work to get this project rolling. He's going to make this movie great. But he's not a slick LA man. This is a southern creature we are talking about. He belongs in our sleepy little town, rocking on front porches and sipping on sweet tea.

So after all the mayhem of freeways and too many coffee meetings in one day and drinks that are too expensive, it was so good to return to Wilmington and have our leading man back out here.

He raced right up to the ocean's edge, to get as far East as possible.

We spent some time shooting fun stuff this weekend. Here's just a taste of what is to come. Help me in saying, "Welcome Home Cowboy."
Now let's get down to work.
xoxo hilarie

Is Austin channeling his La Dolce Vita? Cause a Texas Cowboy on a Italian Scooter to go eat eggs and grainy pancakes, gives Fellini a run.

What's the bet it's a Vespa. Just picturing him buzzing down the street with a sly grin on his face. Funny how he knows so many people and never gets seen in LA.

Don't think a cowboy on a scooter would work for most of Texas, but for Austin it fits right in. (Both the buckaroo and the city)


And Lincoln's Continential ?

Looks like familiar friend is in hand.
A little bit of home to help with the "all business" trip?


OMG Movie Club for March

The votes are in and we will be discussing the cult classic Harold and Maude, directed by Hal Ashby on March 27-28th.

The film is number 45 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Funniest Movies of all time, number 69 in its list for most romantic and number 42 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies. In 1997, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant"

Out Spotlight LXVI

"Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so."
"I am queer, and that’s how it should be"

Today's Out Spotlight is Klaus Wowereit. Born October 1 1953 in the Tempelhof borough of Berlin (formerly known as West Berlin) Wowereit is a German politician, member of the SPD (Social Democratic Party), and has been the mayor of Berlin since the 2001 state elections, where he won a plurality of the votes, 29.7%. He is openly gay.

Wowereit served as President of the Bundesrat (the second highest office in Germany) in 2001/02. His SPD-led coalition was re-elected in the 2006 elections. He is also sometimes mentioned as a possible SPD candidate for the Chancellorship of Germany (Kanzlerkandidatur), though his chances diminished after his decision to enter into a coalition with the socialist Left Party for a second term.

He attended the Ulrich-von-Hutten-Oberschule in Berlin then studied law at the Free University Berlin

After 3 years as a civil servant in the Senate Office of the Interior Wowereit stood for election as municipal councilor in Tempelhof borough. At the age of 30, he was therefore the youngest councilor in the city of Berlin. After eleven years as a Borough Councillor he stood for the Berlin House of Deputies (Abgeordnetenhaus von Berlin) which serves as the City's Landtag or state legislature in 1995. In December 1999, he was elected chairman of the SPD parliamentary group in the Abgeordnetenhaus. Since June 2001 he has served as Governing Mayor (Regierender Bürgermeister) of Berlin. Previously, the SPD had left the Grand coalition with the CDU and initiated new elections. After this election and following long-time negotiations, Wowereit finally started a coalition with the PDS.

In the elections held on 17 September 2006, Wowereit's (SPD) finished as the strongest party. The 16th Abgeordnetenhaus re-elected Wowereit as Governing Mayor on 23 November 2006, in the second ballot with only a 75:74 majority. CDU, Free Democrats and the Green Party voted against him.

Wowereit is one of the most famous German politicians who is openly gay. In coming out, prior to the 2001 mayoral elections, he coined the now famous German phrase "Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so." ("I am queer, and that’s how it should be"). In his autobiography Wowereit states that his decision to come out in public was made because after his nomination as candidate to become the mayor of Berlin, he felt that the German tabloids were already "on the track". With his coming out, Wowereit wanted to beat the tabloids to it and prevent them from writing wild, sensational and made-up stories about his private life. Wowereit said those now famous words during a convention of the Berlin SPD. After he had ended, there was half a second of surprised silence, then spontaneous cheering and loud applause to support him.

His election as mayor made Berlin one of three major European cities with an openly gay mayor, along with Paris, whose mayor is Bertrand Delanoë, and Hamburg, whose mayor is Ole von Beust, who both also took office in 2001. Previously, the largest city with a gay mayor had been Winnipeg, Canada, with mayor Glen Murray. Berlin and Hamburg are not only the two largest cities in Germany, but both are also German states, making both Wowereit and von Beust also state premiers.

In September 2007, Wowereit published an autobiographical book titled "…und das ist auch gut so.", after his famous coming-out phrase

At the inauguration of the memorial for the gay victims of persecution by the Nazi regime, Klaus Wowereit said, "This memorial is important from two points of view—to commemorate the victims, but also to make clear that even today, after we have achieved so much in terms of equal treatment, discrimination still exists daily."


Wowereit and his partner Jörn Kubicki attending an official event.

Klaus Wowereit - NY Times

You can still vote again today for the OMG Movie Club Poll.