I absolutely love the entire Nightmare on Elm Street series.  I mean more than any horror movie these stand out in so many ways.  they are some of the most entertaining. beautiful, and creative films I have seen in the genre.  Please let me explain why.

First it is experimental in nature.  Since so much of it takes place in dreams the ability to explore different ideas, concepts, and places is possible.  The way they make the dreamscapes come alive is incredible and frightening.  The way they portray the house on Elm Street, show people not being able to run from Freddy, or show a melting bicycle are all very interesting and powerful.  The house is the place the Freddy is most comfortable in so of course he likes to trap people there since it is his territory.  The melting bicycle is the innocense of childhood the Freddy destroys in all of his victims.  Even the music they use in all the movies is eerie, and yet always identifieable with Freddy.

Second I love how there are no dumb females in these films.  You never see a half naked blonde in heels running away but in fact in almost every film it is a female who saves the day.  They outwit Freddy everytime and while he may keep coming back they keep defeating him.  Truly a breath of fresh air in the genre as a whole.  I know others do this as well but for some reason it always hit me hardest with Freddy because of the way they not only defeat him but outsmart him too.

Finally it is the creative aspect of the film.  Sure some are better than others but each one has an aspect of it that sets it apart from the rest.  It could be the dreams of an unborn baby, using dream powers against your attacker, recognizing the fact that if he can hurt in your world then you can hurt him in yours if you can get him out.  All very good takes on what could be a tired series.  Even the way they mix reality with moves in Wes Cravens nightmare is nothing short of spectacular.  That movie is truly an unappreciated piece of cinematic genius.  The way that everything is so real and believable you begin to think that Freddy Krueger could be real by the end of the film.  I remember the first time I saw that I had trouble going to sleep that nigth and NOTHING ever scares me.  I can watch just about any other horror and go right to bed afterwards.  That movie got me to the core becuase it was told so well and shot so beautifully.  I always said that I judge horror movies on a different scale than other movies because with horror you need to be more lenient to enjoy it.  Wes Cravens New Nightmare though stands on it’s own as a great film among them all.  I don’t have to judge it any less because it is great enough to stand on it’s own. 

I am currently watching Nightmare on Elm Street 3 – Dream Warriors and am still in awe at how freaky this film is even though I have seen it countless times, and it was made in 1987.  The effects and story telling is great.  Any fan of horror needs to watch the entire Nightmare on Elm Street series in order.  Even if Freddy’s dead is terrible and should be stricken from the series.

I love to roller blade.  It is the best way for me to exercise and de-stress.  When I was in college I would roller blade at least 8 miles a week but sometimes even 16 I loved it so much.  I would be so exhausted after wards but in a good way.  I would just pass out for an hour or two because it would take so much out of me but it was cathartic.  Just me, the trail, and my CD player busting out whatever I felt like listening to that day.  There was nothing like Roller Blading for me.  I would like to get back into and try to but it’s hard to find good places to go.  I live in Missouri so there are hills everwhere.  The trail I would go on in college is about half an hour drive away from me.  Sure I should make the drive but it is harder to get motivated when there is also half an hour drive involved.  I really should for my health though.  It stands to be obvious that anybody who gets that kind of exercise is going to be in at least somewhat good shape.  I can’t wait for the warmer weather now.  I will make that drive more often this year.  What is your favorite type of exercise?

I am watching Last Restaurant Standing on BBC America right now but it has gotten me thinking about something.  Have our expectations on what to get out of a restaurant been elevated to impossible levels?  I ask that because I am looking at some of the plates being critiqued and wonder if people just feel like they have to find something wrong with everything.  There were times when I agreed sure but there were other times when I felt what they said was unwarranted.  For instance, there was this beautiful plate of lamb skewers that literally made my mouth salivate just by looking at it and the critic said the plate was messy.  Is he crazy?  I felt it was so beautiful that it literally made me hungry. 

I must be honest here, it does not take much to make me a happy diner.  I want friendly service,  good attention ( if my drink is empty then please refill it without making me flag you down ) and tasty food done correctly.  Some people though are just never happy with a restaurant it seems. 

The same show though highlights what a restaurant owner can do wrong.  It showed people waiting over an hour, orders lost, and others just plain incorrect.  Those are all things that would upset me as well.  It’s a fine line though between greatness and failure when it comes to dining out.  What are some of your best and worst experiences at a restaurant?

My wife and I watched the Running Man the other night because I had not seen it since I was in high school and she had not ever seen it.  I was amazed though how creepy it was and believable it is becoming. 

The whole idea behind it is that the news tells you what they want you to hear which is almost never the truth.  Then on that same station they have the most watched game show on television which is The Running Man.  A violent reality game show where convicts attempt to complete a course while outsmarting or outrunning a ” stalker ” who is steroid pumped, over done, hostile maniac with a weapon.  The idea is if they complete all 4 courses in 3 hours alive they get their freedom. 

There is a resistance underground trying to expose all the lies that this game show and the news on the same station spit out though.  They just need the satellite codes to broadcast their message of truth. 

I say it is creepy how believable it is because just look at stations like Fox News, the rise in reality television, and the amount of violence in America already.  Now obviously this movie is an exaggeration but it raises many good points and I would encourage everyone to watch it at least once.  There are parts you will laugh at because it has some great one liners, but the general idea and concept are right on target and this movie was made in 1987 which is over 20 years ago.  Just creepy how some movies hit a little to close to home.

I am often compared to celebrities.  People say I look like Michael Shanks ( Daniel Jackson on Stargate SG1 ) or chef Tyler Florence, and most recently Matt Parkman from Heroes.  I have included their pictures down below for reference.  It’s funny too because people will swear that I am just like these Celebrites.  Not just in looks but personality as well.  I don’t mind at all as it is flattering.  Now if people said I looked like Homer Simpson or Peter Griffen then perhaps I would have a problem.  As long as people compare me to these guys then I am cool with it.  Has anyone ever compared you to a celebrity and what did you think of it?

Edit:  I forgot to include an actual picture of me below so I added it.  What do you think? 

I just answered this Featured Question; you can answer it too!

You ever feel like writing but then draw a blank on why you want to write or what to write about.  I do this a lot which is why I struggle with updating regularly.  I got to thinking about this and I might have an answer.  I do not have a lot of money so I don’t get out much.  I work in a place where I can’t talk about what I do because it is all
” Internal use only ” which is a big portion of my day.  Outside of work I come home and spend time with my wife and dog.  It’s great but not much to write about.  I got to thinking that maybe the real problem is that I over analyze things ( it’s part of my personality ) which holds me back from writing about every day things just because I find them boring.  I am not sure but one thing I am sure of is that I really have to update more because the act of writing on here really makes me feel good.  Any body else ever face this and if you do how do you over come it?

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