I've been of a creative motherfucking roll, lately. That happens when I'm reading a good, inspiring and challenging book. That's how I know that writing is the right way to go, so far. Whenever I'm inspired, I start hearing voices (not literally, but you know what I mean) and they won't shut up until I write them down. For example, that whole novel project was really lingering before I started watching BREAKING BAD. The downward spiral and the inner darkness rising in Walter White resonated in me and I started having some ideas again. That's how I know it's not about status or personal achievement. Writing's about telling stories that maybe wouldn't have been told. Not like you want it. It's being a savage god.
I've been so busy hammering at my keyboard for the last two week, I haven't done much else in my free time. Last Saturday, for the first time in over a month, I played video games for a few hours. I had almost forgot how much I liked to do that and how fun it is to do something out of pure leisure. I played about five or six hours of inFAMOUS, which I picked up for free after the Playstation Network debacle. I wasn't too crazy about it. Bad controls are usually a killer for games. But I stuck with it and this is the little-game-that-could. The controls aren't perfect, but it's doing all the little things right. Interesting power-ups, relevant side-missions, good design (I'm a sucker for good design). Best superhero video game I have ever played.
You know what I used to hate hearing? "WHAT? You haven't read this writer, yet?" Used to make me insecure and all. Especially in an Academic environment. But now, I know better. It's awesome and it's what literature is all about. Just when you start feeling the anxiety of having nothing to read creeping up your spine, you discover a whole movement, a whole generation, a whole country of writers you didn't even know. I've been told the "I can't believe you haven't read X, yet" about a dozen times this year. Andrew Vachss, James Lee Burke, Ken Bruen, Richardo Russo, Scott Wolven, George Pelecanos...So many books, so little time. Really, reading is like having a lifetime supply of cheap entertainment.
I am in love with those GOZU screenshots. What is there not to like? I should give it another viewing. For those who don't know what it's about, it's Takshi Miike's homage to David Lynch's movies. Some very fucked up, highly symbolic gangster movie. Back in the days, before he drowned his creativity in commercial success, Miike was one of the most dynamic directors from Japan. Those who think ICHI THE KILLER or AUDITION were the paramount of his art should watch VISITOR Q, GOZU, IZO, HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS or THE BIRD PEOPLE IN CHINA. They all blow Ichi out of the water. Shinya Tsukamoto was an awesome director also. Very visceral and challenging. That reminds me I should try and look for that VITAL dvd I paid forty dollars for. Haven't seen it in two or three years. Some Japanese films for review in the near future?