Blood Drive For Injured Firefighter

Blood Drive For Injured Firefighter


Too bad I couldn't participate, since I'm O + myself, although I did donate blood last Wednesday. I hope Robert fully recovers and is able to live a happy and healthy long life. God bless NY's Bravest.

www.nybloodcenter.org

Different Forms of Autism Share Striking Brain Similarities

Different Forms of Autism Share Striking Brain Similarities

Whitterer on Autism » Blog Archive » Trueman Bradley, Aspie Detective by Alexei Maxim Russell

Whitterer on Autism » Blog Archive » Trueman Bradley, Aspie Detective by Alexei Maxim Russell

Merry Christmas from the Empire State Building in NYC

Big, beautiful #NYC says Merry Christmas! on Twitpic

Joe Vinciguerra & Vincent D'Onofrio stopped by to ta... on Twitpic

Joe Vinciguerra & Vincent D'Onofrio stopped by to ta... on Twitpic

Merry Christmas from Joe and Vincent, the Glimmer Twins. :)

And remember, boys and girls-Don't Go In The Woods!

Ho Ho Ho!

Joe Vinciguerra & Vincent D'Onofrio stopped by to ta... on Twitpic

Joe Vinciguerra & Vincent D'Onofrio stopped by to ta... on Twitpic

Merry Christmas from Joe and Vincent, the Glimmer Twins. :)

And remember, boys and girls-Don't Go In The Woods!

Ho Ho Ho!

"Batman" star roughed up in bid to visit Chinese blind

"Batman" star roughed up in bid to visit Chinese blind

Autism hidden in plain sight

Autism hidden in plain sight

Such a fascinating article about undiagnosed cases of autism in adults. Vincent would find this article inspiring for his film "Johnny and Me."

CANOE -- JAM! Music: Paris Jackson wants to continue dad's legacy

CANOE -- JAM! Music: Paris Jackson wants to continue dad's legacy

Capone Talks to Vincent D'Onofrio about Don't Go In The Woods

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/52216

Well. it looks like Vincent is filming the pilot for "Blue Tilt" in February 2012, not December 2011, according to this article. Stay tuned.

Dobie Gray, 'Drift Away' singer, dead at 71 - Pop2it - Zap2it

Dobie Gray, 'Drift Away' singer, dead at 71 - Pop2it - Zap2it

Movie stars, celebs turn out for premiere of Michael Jackson The Immortal Cirque du Soleil show - Central Florida News 13

Movie stars, celebs turn out for premiere of Michael Jackson The Immortal Cirque du Soleil show - Central Florida News 13

Vincent D'Onofrio hears his tribute song at the TFF on the Road ll-l2-ll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK9bowAaYBM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

· • · JANET · Jackson Family Statement From Brian Panish · • ·

· • · JANET · Jackson Family Statement From Brian Panish · • ·

Usher - Gone Too Soon (Michael Jackson Memorial)

Usher Raymond did Michael proud at MJ's memorial service at the Staple Center in LA on July 7, 2009.

In Honor of World AIDS Day-Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon

Originally released on the Dangerous album on November 26, 1991, this song was also released as a single on December 1, 1993 as a tribute to Ryan White, who contracted HIV from a blood transfusion given him as a child and passed away at age 18.

LSAT Extension Denied For Lisa Ruosso, Long Island Mom With Cognitive Disorder « CBS New York

LSAT Extension Denied For Lisa Ruosso, Long Island Mom With Cognitive Disorder « CBS New York

Come on now, doesn't Lisa Ruosso deserve a fair shot at taking the LSAT? I'd bet she'd make a great lawyer and advocate for people with special needs. I wish her the best with her lawsuit. Go, Lisa!

Happy birthday to my brother Alberto!

Today is my kid brother Alberto's 42nd birthday. My, how time flies!

Special Education Student Captures Teacher's Bullying Tactics On Cell Phone Video « CBS New York

Special Education Student Captures Teacher's Bullying Tactics On Cell Phone Video « CBS New York

The Muppets Official Trailers 1 and 2

We're so looking forward to this movie. Yay, it's the Muppets! I'm taking Alberto to see this for his birthday this weekend.

Happy birthday, Tim Guinee!

Wishing my Twitter pal and a terrific actor Tim Guinee a very happy birthday today! :D

Stockings with Care Celebrity Bartending Night Held In NYC 11/16

Stockings with Care Celebrity Bartending Night Held In NYC 11/16

Events

Events

Pete and Jane Interview Vincent D'onofrio

Still waiting for a great film on autism

Still waiting for a great film on autism: The Oscar-winning "Rain Man" (1988) raised considerable awareness about autism. Regrettably, the term "rain man" has become an accepted punch line for someone behaving in a stupid manner. It's not

It's been years since I saw "Rainman" but I remember the first time I saw the film in 1988 with my mom and my younger brother Alberto, who has autism. I was stunned by Dustin Hoffman's performance as a man with autism who goes on a road trip with the younger brother who doesn't remember him because they were separated in childhood. This was the first time I'd ever seen an actor portray someone like my brother, with many of the same characteristics-echolalic speech, obsessing over a favorite TV show, insisting on having certain foods on certain days, amazing memory for details, fascination with photography, etc.)

Will there be another truly memorable film on the subject of autism to hit the big screen? Several years ago, Hugh Dancy played the title role in "Adam" about a man with Asperger's Syndrome who learns to make his own way in the world and gets a girlfriend after his father dies, an honest and thought-provoking film that should have gotten a wider audience. Interestingly enough, Claire Danes, who is married to Hugh Dancy, won an Emmy for her portrayal of real-life Aspie Dr. Temple Grandin in the HBO film "Temple Grandin," which aired last year. Also, Mark-Linn Baker, who played insurance agent/criminal mastermind/Aspie Wally Stevens busted by Detective Robert Goren in LOCI episode "Probability" also plays Adam's boss in "Adam."

Will Vincent D'Onofrio make the next great film about a person with autism? He has been planning to direct "Johnny and Me" based on his own script about a man with Asperger's Syndrome and his world of Johnny Cash music and his relationship with his daughter. Vincent recently revealed that he is struggling with finishing the script and isn't ready to make the film yet. I have faith that he will complete the film and that "Johnny and Me" will be truly special.

Good luck, Vincent. We're rooting for you! :)

'Parallel Play: Growing Up With Undiagnosed Asperger's' by Tim Page

'Parallel Play: Growing Up With Undiagnosed Asperger's' by Tim Page

Vincent D'Onofrio Q and A at the NYCHFF 11-12-2010

I can't believe it's been a year since the NYHFF screening of "Don't Go In The Woods" and the Q&A that followed. I filmed this at 12:50 AM in screening room 2 at Tribeca Cinemas, and we were all tired, but it was all worth it. Vincent was charming and funny and Sam joined in the Q&A before we headed back to the Tribeca Lounge before leaving. Sam's concert after the screening had to be cancelled because the festival organizers screwed up and the screening began three hours late. Ugh!

Vincent - Tim.Burton.Short.Animation.1982

This film is narrated by the late Vincent Price.

Ed Wood - Official Trailer

I love that this film was shot in black and white. One of my favorite Burton films by far and one of Johnny Depp's best performances on screen. Vincent's cameo as Orson Welles was marred by the fact that his voice was dubbed, and he subsequently made "Five Minutes, Mr. Welles" in 2004 to put his own spin on Welles. Or, as Vincent described it at the DGITW Q&A on 10-22-2011, "a really cool film" that didn't make any money.

Stanley Kubrick - The Works

Joel Walden edited this tribute to Stanley Kubrick, which features ten scenes from "Full Metal Jacket" and other classic Kubrick films, such as "Dr. Strangelove," "A Clockwork Orange," "The Shining" and "Spartacus."

[the films of] Tim Burton

Brief clips of some Burton films are included here, including his two "Batman" films, "Edward Scissorhands" and "Ed Wood." Unfortunately, Vincent's appearance as Orson Welles didn't make it in, but there's lots of clips of Johnny Depp (naturally).

Honorary Excellence in Acting Award--Vincent D'Onofrio presents Ellen Ba...

I'm glad this video was put back up on YouTube. You've seen my video of Vincent's speech and Ellen Barkin's acceptance speech at the Maverick Awards last September 24, 2011 but this one is vastly superior in terms of video and audio quality. Mine was made with my cellphone and my hand shook the whole time, so the picture was crappy.

Enjoy!

Vincent D'Onofrio on CLTV Chicago on 11-11-2011

http://www.cltv.com/videogallery/65991554/News/Vincent-D'Onofrio-of-

Here's another of Vincent's TV interviews promoting "Don't Go In The Woods" and his appearance at this Saturday's screening and Q&A in Chicago as part of the Tribeca Film Festival on the Road tour, which ends this weekend.

Thanks to Vinnie Vidi Vici for providing the link to this clip.

Puss in Boots Review

http://www.tfa.edu/blog/single/review-puss-in-boots-is-an-animation-gem

Alberto and I saw this film today in 3D, and we enjoyed it a lot. The "dance fight" sequence is a riot, and the magic beanstalk and golden goose scenes are wild! You and your kids will love "Puss in Boots" and the 3D special effects. Antonio Banderas is hilarious as our favorite kitty with a Spanish accent and Salma Hayek voices Kitty Softpaws, master thief and femme fatale. This prequel to "Shrek" tells Puss in Boots' origin story set at an orphanage in San Ricardo and his friendship with fellow orphan Humpty Dumpty. We also see their quest to steal the magic beans from Jack and Jill, recast as Wild West-type outlaws, as they reboot the Jack and the Beanstalk fairytale with some crazy twists and turns.

The attached link from the Tribeca Flashpoint Academy gives a very cool take on the film. Check it out.

Vincent D'Onofrio Speaks at the Tribeca Flashpoint Academy on 11-10-2011

http://tullman.blogspot.com/2011/11/tribeca-flashpoint-academy-welcomes.html

Thanks to Vinnie Vidi Vici for providing the link, pictures and text.

Vincent D'Onofrio on You and Me This Morning

Vincent D'Onofrio on You and Me This Morning




Vincent has been on a tear this week with his publicity tour for DGITW. Since this is the end of the TFF on the Road movie screenings it looks like he, Sam and Erika are going out with a bang! :)

Vincent D'Onofrio on My Fox Chicago 11-11-11

Vincent is a busy bee, even on Veteran's Day. Enjoy!

Vincent D’Onofrio Creates Slasher Musical in Directorial Debut: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

UJAM - The Dark Knight Rises - Introduction

UJAM - The Dark Knight Rises - Introduction

This movie has been filming in the Wall Street área of lower Manhattan this week. Matthew Modine plays a police captain and was spotted on set last Saturday. Sorry I wasn't on set that day. I'd love to meet him and thank Matthew for helping Vincent get his audition with director Stanley Kubrick for Full Metal Jacket. I've been a fan of Matthew Modine since the 80's. :)

Vincent D'Onofrio on Windy City Live 11-9-2011

http://windycitylive.com/video?id=8424835

Heavy D dead at 44 - Pop2it - Zap2it

Heavy D dead at 44 - Pop2it - Zap2it

This is too shocking. Just one day after Michael's murderer was convicted, we lose Heavy D. I was a big fan of Heavy D and the Boyz back in the 80's and he just taped an episode of LO:SVU. The cause of death is still not known, but what a shame that Heavy D died so young. He and Michael Jackson recorded the song "Jam" from the "Dangerous" álbum and appeared in the video for "Jam" with Michael Jordan, Naughty by Nature and Kriss Kross back in l992. My condolences to the Myers family and all who loved him. Heavy D will be missed.

BAFF Q&A-November 6, 2011

The director of "Mother's House" Davis Hall and cast member Eddie Schweighardt appeared on Sunday afternoon for a Q&A at the 8th Annual Big Apple Film Festival at the Tribeca Cinemas. Following the Program 40 screening of short films "A Younger Man," "The Burying Beetle," "Mother's House" and "Mikel's Faith," Eddie was so cute whe he asked Mr. Hall if he always wanted to be a director.

I saw "Mother's House" for the first time and I found the film to be an engrossing, sexy and creepy tale with a tragic twist straight out of "The Sixth Sense." If Vincent had directed this movie, he might have called it "Don't Go In The House." :)

The really cool thing is that I saw "Mother's House" in the same screening room where we saw "Don't Go In The Woods" last year and the Q&A with the director and screenwriters. Now that was one crazy night!

DGITW Q&A P3-October 22, 2011

Vincent answers more questions about "Don't Go In The Woods," including the type of camera used to make the film and the directing process. Things get really interesting when I ask Vincent about "Johnny and Me" and refer back to his previous remarks about the film and autism at the Woodstock Film Festival Artist's Panel on September 25, 2011. Vincent says that the script is not yet finished and explains that he's having difficulty writing it because the story is so personal for him. The plot is concerning a man with Asperger's syndrome with a fixation on Johnny Cash and his relationship with his daughter. Vincent also relates how he was inspired to create the story in the first place and says he'll continue to work on the film. I was glad to hear him say this and expressed my support for the film. I really do hope Vincent makes "Johnny and Me" and that he knows the positive impact this project would have on the autism community and on the public at large. Thank you, Vincent!

DGITW Q&A P2-October 22, 2011

Vincent answers a question about one of the characters in "Don't Go In The Woods" for which he created the concept, the masked killer, and cagily sidesteps the next question, since he would have then revealed the killer's identity. I won't reveal it, either, but I can tell you that there's a twist in the plot that will surprise you. Vincent and Erika also answer a question about "Five Minutes, Mr. Welles" and how making that film compared to making DGITW. Vincent also revealed that he and Sam are collaborating on the screen adaptation of Eric Bogosian's novel "Mall" and are also writing a new film with music to be composed by Sam. Sam also talks about an element of that plot twist and reminisces about his own experiences dealing with record producers as a young musician and being told to get rid of his band, which was made up of musician friends of his. He also pointed out that I was filming the Q&A at one point, which caught me off guard. Oy! Vincent starts joking with Sam again, saying "Sam is way ahead of us" when Sam explained why he didn't want to reveal the movie's ending even though we had just watched the film, and Vincent points his microphone towards Sam and says "Tell us about it, Sam." Vincent and Sam banter continuously during the Q&A and it is fun to watch them in action, like a professional comedy duo. Will the soundtrack be released for public consumption? Vincent says "Let's see how the film does first" then Sam jokes about leaking the tracks! Vincent predicts "a massive lawsuit" would result. LOL

The third part is the best, by far. Stay tuned for my question to Vincent about "Johnny and Me."

Get over your bias against people with autism, scientist says

Get over your bias against people with autism, scientist says

Me and Vincent at the Rialto Theater 10-22-2011

The theater usher and a female fan outside the Rialto Theater both were unsucessful in their attempts to take a still photo of me with my cell phone camera. Instead, I got these two very short vids, so I made this short film with them and some fancy editing and effects. Let me know what you think of my little experiment.:)

The Velocity of Gary-Valentino and his lovers celebrate Halloween

Look what I found! Woo hoo!

Happy Halloween!

This pic was taken at the Kingston Farmers Market on 9-24-2011.

Woooooooooo! Watching the Village Halloween Parade on NY 1 and LOCI episode "Baggage" now. Reminds me of the parade scene in "The Velocity of Gary" when Valentino, Mary Carmen and Gary dress up as the Supremes for Halloween and grooved to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." I would haved loved to see them do the Thriller dance. Hee hee!

DGITW Q&A with Vincent D'Onofrio Part 1-October 22, 2011

Tribeca Film Festival On The Road held the first of two screenings of "Don't Go In The Woods" at the Rialto Theater in Westfield, NJ last Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 9:45 PM, followed by a Q&A with director Vincent D'Onofrio, co-screenwriters Sam Bisbee and Joe Vinciguerra and producer Erika Hampson. Sam Bisbee also co-wrote the songs featured in the film. The Q&A was hosted by TFF executive producer Mary Shafer, who asks Vincent why he decided to do a slasher musical "in the woods". Vincent addresses that question and also explains how he went about casting the film himself with mostly non-actors and members of his nephew's band, the Dirty Dirty. He teases Sam a bit when Sam starts to answer a question about his experience working on the film, and they both seem to have a cameraderie going on during the entire Q&A. Vincent also introduces cast member Kira Gorelick, who as sitting in the audience just a few rows behind me. Sam, Joe and Erika also join in the Q&A to elaborate on Vincent's comments about casting and speak on co-writing the script and writing the songs, which Sam describes as a "seat of the pants" experience. Erika says that working on the film was "awesome" and that wrangling the cast was easy. Vincent says he wanted a "low-key" and "slacker feel" to the film and a "flat...low tone" delivery of the lines, which is why he cast mostly non-actors. Is DGITW the "anti-Glee?" Hmmm.

Btw, the film will be available on demand as of December 27, 2011 on Time Warner Cable.

www.tribecafilm/filmguide/Dont_Go_In_The_Woods.html

Tribeca Film Festival on the Road at the Rialto Theater-DGITW Screening and Q&A

Last Saturday night's screening of "Don't Go In The Woods" and the Q&A with the director, writers and producer of the film turned out to be an experience I will never forget. Excited and nervous, I arrived at the Rialto Theater in Westfield, NJ at 9 PM after having a snack at the nearby Windmill restaurant with Dad, who drove with me all the way from Brooklyn, NY. He decided not to join me at the screening, since he tends to get sleepy during movie screenings, so Dad parked down the street and listened to the World Series on the car radio while I was inside the theater. After a warm greeting at the door and receiving a coupon good for a complimentary popcorn and soda, courtesy of AMEX, I headed towards the line forming in front of the entrance to screening room 1 and waited for seating to begin for the 9:45 screening. No sighting of Vincent yet, but I knew he would be at the theater soon to introduce the film he directed in 2008 in Kingston, NY. One of the ladies waiting on line with me was excited because she had met Vincent at the opening night after-party Friday night followig the "Janie Jones" screening and she was looking forward to seeing him again at the Q&A after DGITW.

Just before we saw the short film "Mr. Stache" at 9:45 PM, Nancy Shafer, executive producer of the TFF, came up front to introduce director Vincent D'Onofrio, saying that his film is "kind of awesome" and that we would have a lot of fun. I was sitting in the second row aisle seat on the right and Vincent strolled down the aisle and stood right next to me while he introduced "Don't Go In The Woods" and told us "If you have a cell phone, you can leave it on." He also quipped "If there's a baby next to you, you can pinch it, make it scream." Since I was seated and looking up at Vincent while he stood near me, he looked like a giant next to tiny little me, leaving me so awestruck, I didn't even take a photo of him or speak to him. And then, he walked back up the aisle and disappeared before the short film began, followed by DGITW.

Of course, I was sitting just two rows away from the the row of director chairs where the Q&A would take place after the film and I wanted the best view to film the Q&A. Although the back rows of the screening room were pretty packed, I had plenty of room up front and the entire second aisle to myself. I positioned my camcorder inside the cupholder next to my seat so I could film the Q&A and have my hands free to snap photos with my cell phone, which turned out really well. Also, no shaky picture this time! Yay!

It was so much fun to see DGITW again and hear Sam's great songs, even while people were being killed onscreen, as Sam had mentioned during his show at the Living Room last Tuesday night in New York City. A scene early in the film shows Nick, Anton, Carlo, Johnny and Robbie driving to Kingston to camp out and write songs-guess where-in the woods. A George Gerkie song "I'm in Love with a Man" plays on the car radio and the guys sing along. Later, Nick confiscates the cells phones brought by his bandmates and he and Carlo...wait! Better not tell you what they do to the cell phones, or I might get whacked! LOL Good thing I'm not in the woods.

Some of the songs featured in the film include "There's No Way," "I'm Glad I'm Blind," "Break My Fall," "Hurricane," "Je'taime," and "I'm in Love with a Man." Contrary to a previously posted review that criticized the film for having the female characters only reprise songs performed by the male characters, there were several songs sung by women, including "There's No Way" and "Je'taime." So there.

The killer shows up after the guys and girls get together in the woods to sing, camp out and make out, and the blood flows in mysterious ways, as we see a hulking, masked man in a broad rimmed black hat, black gloves and long black coat stalking his prey with a sledgehammer. Yikes! I won't give away the ending, but prepare for a cameo by former LO:CI cast member Eric Bogosian and an ironic twist tinged with dark humor. He he he. If Vincent and Sam do make the sequel, jokingly titled, "I SAID, Don't Go In The Woods," they should film it in Central Park, or, better yet, in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, where the wild things are! With a cameo by yours truly, of course, as long as Vincent does the killing. LOL As Johnny says in the film "I'm from Brooklyn. What do you think?"

The Q&A began just after the screening ended at 10:30 PM, and Vincent was joined by screenwriter and songwriter Sam Bisbee, producer Erika Hampson and screenwriter Joe Vinciguerra, who was a surprise addition to the panel. Nancy Shafer moderated the Q&A and asked questions about the making of DGITW before taking questions from the audience. At one point, Vincent declared that you have to be prepared to "kill all your darlings" to succeed as a filmmaker. Sam Bisbee surprised me when he pointed out that I was filming the Q&A when he was explaining why he didn't want to give away the ending of the film, even though Vincent remarked that we've already seen it. Reminded me of something similar Sam and Vincent had said last year at the NYIT screening of DGITW, without referencing me, of course. Dammit, Sam! Towards the end of the Q&A, which lasted just under 30 minutes, I finally got up the nerve to ask Vincent about "Johnny and Me" and whether he'll be able to make the film. Vincent surprised me when he said he might not make the film after all because the script wasn't ready and the subject, a man with Asperger's syndrome and his relationship with his daughter, is very difficult for him to write about. Remembering what he had said last month at Utopia Studios, I expressed empathy with Vincent and reminded him about my brother who has autism, and I told Vincent that I hope he does make the film. I also explained that I was filming the Q&A to post on my site to share with my fellow siblings. Vincent sounded more positive about the film after I finished speaking and thanked me for my support, and I also thanked him. At one point, a gentleman sitting across the aisle from me walked over and handed me a microphone so everyone could hear me, although the acoustics in the room were pretty good and I was close enough that Vincent and I could hear each other just fine.

After the Q&A ended at 11 PM, we all left the screening room and made our way to the lobby, where Vincent and the others were posing for photos. I spoke to Vincent, Sam and Erika outside the theater and they all signed my program. I got a picture with Vincent but needed to use both cameras, as the young lady who tried to take the pic with my cell phone had trouble using it correctly, which was frustrating. She accidentally made a video short instead of a still photo, then I gave my camcorder to a young a man who did take two good pics of me and Vincent. Whew! Vincent was very patient while this was going on and said "Let me know when you're ready" before I finally got the camcorder out. Then, after we posed again, he was ready to move on, and so was I.:)I thanked Vincent again and said good night to him.

I spoke to Sam briefly about his music, his recent show at the Living Room, where he's done shows for years, and last year's fiasco at the NYC Horror Film Festival, when DGITW was screened so late that Sam's performance and the after-party had to be cancelled. I also told Sam about a new movie theater in Brooklyn called the Nitehawk Cinema on Metropolitan Avenue which screens independent films and he seemed impressed. Finally, I spoke to Erika Hampson about DGITW and the future theatrical release and on demand release. According to Erika, the film is officially coming out in January, as Sam has said on Tuesday night, but it should be available on demand later this week on Time Warner Cable. I mentioned that some VDO fans had posted messages online complaining that they could not get the movie on demand and she said "we'll look into it." She's so nice and easy to talk to. Going on midnight, I took the wheel as Dad and I headed back to Brooklyn by way of the I-78 going east. We talked about my conversation with Vincent and what Vincent had said about "Johnny and Me" and his personal experience with autism. Soon, I would be able to share all this with all of you.

www.nitehawkcinema.com

www.tribecafilm.com/amex/Dont_Go_In_The_Woods.html