Fear and Loathing.
This seems particularly poignant right now as I watch the dismantling of democracy - well at least democracy of the until just recently American variety.
TODAY:
Polarization & Dysfunction – Gridlock in Congress, government shutdowns, and an inability to pass meaningful legislation.
Executive Overreach – Presidents expanding their power through executive orders and emergency powers, bypassing Congress.
Judicial Manipulation – The Supreme Court making decisions that shift power away from regulatory agencies or undermine long-standing legal precedents.
Defunding & Deregulation – Shrinking government agencies (EPA, FDA, etc.), making them less effective.
Privatization – Turning public functions (like prisons, education, or even parts of the military) into private businesses, reducing government control.
Erosion of Norms – Leaders ignoring traditions that keep institutions stable, like peaceful transfers of power or respecting the rule of law.
I am not going to start spouting what about-isms or what I think should happen. I will leave it to the great counter culturalist Hunter S Thompson to take care of it for me.
Hunter S. Thompson was a larger-than-life journalist, writer, and cultural icon known for his wild lifestyle, sharp political commentary, and creation of Gonzo journalism. a style where the writer becomes part of the story. His work blended fact and fiction, often fueled by drugs, alcohol, and a deep disdain for authority.
Hunter S. Thompson was fiercely anti-authoritarian, deeply cynical about politics, and had an intense hatred for corruption and dishonesty in government. He famously despised Richard Nixon, whom he saw as the embodiment of political evil, and was a strong advocate for personal freedoms, civil rights, and transparency.
He leaned toward progressive and libertarian ideals—favoring drug decriminalization, anti-war policies, and freedom of the press—while also having a gun-loving, anarchic streak that didn’t fit neatly into any party. He would be a hero in this regard today. He supported George McGovern in 1972, calling Nixon "a beast" and "a menace to everything decent," and later backed Bill Clinton in the '90s, despite not being too sure about Democrats. (Too anti-gun)
If he were alive today, I believe Thompson would likely be disillusioned with both major parties, but he would almost certainly vote against authoritarianism and dishonesty. He would probably support a progressive candidate who champions civil liberties and opposes corporate influence. The opposite of what we have now in other words.
The video seems to be what he saw…maybe…but the description of Gonzo journalism is pretty good.
Death and legacy:
In 2005, Thompson took his own life at age 67. His funeral, funded by Johnny Depp, involved shooting his ashes out of a cannon while fireworks exploded, as per his wishes.
His impact? Still massive. His fearless journalism, rebellious spirit, and larger-than-life persona continue to inspire writers, journalists, and countercultural figures.
We are desperately in need of a Hunter S Thompson today.
His writing was as he lived, pretty much all over the place. He wrote several books as well as for Rolling Stone magazine.
Thompson pioneered Gonzo journalism, where objectivity is abandoned, and the journalist becomes a central character in the story. His writing was immersive, reckless, and brutally honest, often (always?) involving heavy drug use and surreal experiences.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a ride! '”
Hunter S Thompson
It’s Vader, and it is not even close.
That right, you know who it is.
Ok. If you know me at all, you are aware that I am a bit of a Darth Vader enthusiast…okay that statement is patently absurd: I am obsessed with Darth Vader and I know him to be the greatest cinema villain of all time. And its close, ya know like earth from the sun. Or close like my almost becoming a ballet dancer. It is so not even a tad bit close that I feel that this is a senseless waste of my time. Vader’s honor as greatest villain, however, has been besmirched, and I detest invalid besmirching so here I am. Standing up for the obvious.
So let’s start with the silhouette you see at the top of this page. When you look at it, without contour or detail, YOU STILL HAVE ZERO ISSUE IDENTIFYING WHO IT IS. Unless you were raised by a tribe of sasquatch out in the woods…
YOU KNEW.
So lets further belabor the obvious - his look; evil incarnate. From the imposing black suit and billowing cape to the terrifying helmet and wheezing breath, Darth Vader’s look is burned into pop culture. He radiates terror even before he says a word. That mask, an expressionless black void, reflects the emptiness inside him—perfectly embodying his inner darkness.
Darth Vader’s voice is the stuff of nightmares and legends alike. James Earl Jones’s deep, resonant voice gives Vader authority and a sense of relentless power, turning even simple lines like “I am your father” into one of the most memorable lines in cinema history. Combined with his slow, calculated movements, his presence is as memorable as it is intimidating.
How about arguably the single greatest entrance in a movie…check.
If the SW4 entrance wasn’t enough, this one with the shapeshifting going on, further demonstrating Anakin/Darth Vader’s moral duplicity should definitely move the needle.
To be a great villain there are literary requirements, one of which is a great back story. Vader, better known as Anakin in the prequels had just a backstory. The Prequel Trilogy added depth to the Star Wars saga by telling the other half of Darth Vader’s story, emphasizing its tragic arc. Audiences were introduced to Anakin Skywalker, a gifted young slave with immense potential, thought to be the Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force. Leaving Tatooine and his mother behind, Anakin pursued the path of a Jedi. However, his compassionate heart and lingering guilt over his inability to save his mother planted seeds of fear—fear of loss—that haunted him throughout his journey. Alongside this relatable struggle, the trilogy showcased Anakin’s courageous and heroic rise as a Jedi Knight.
Yet, Anakin's unresolved feelings of abandonment became his undoing, clouding his judgment and leading him down a dark path. Caught in a desperate situation, he made a fateful decision—one he believed was the only way to save his wife and unborn children. Tragically, this very choice set the stage for his greatest fear to come true, transforming him into the iconic villain he was destined to become. This transformation is gut-wrenching because it reveals the allure of power and the ease with which good intentions can be twisted. Anakin’s choice to embrace the dark side out of fear of loss gives him a tragic edge that makes him more complex than pure evil.
Was Darth Vader powerful?
As the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker was born with an unparalleled connection to the Force. Even as a child, he displayed extraordinary reflexes, piloting skills, and mechanical aptitude, all enhanced by his natural attunement to the Force. After his transformation into Darth Vader, these abilities were twisted and amplified by the dark side, giving him access to incredible feats such as Force chokes, telekinesis, and even the ability to absorb and deflect blaster bolts. The dark side fed on his pain, anger, and hatred, making him immensely destructive.
He doesn’t even need to be in the suit to create morbid fascination. He is macabre personified.
While his injuries from the duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar left him dependent on a life-supporting suit, they did not diminish his fearsome physical presence. His cybernetic limbs granted him superhuman strength, allowing him to crush bones and overpower adversaries with ease. His suit, though cumbersome, became a symbol of his resilience and menace.
Vader is a skilled lightsaber duelist, blending the aggressive power of Form V (Djem So) with his own calculated and brutal combat style. His physical strength, enhanced by his cybernetic limbs, allows him to overpower most opponents in close quarters. Even after sustaining extensive injuries that limited his mobility, he adapted his technique to make his fighting style even more relentless and efficient.
Despite his immense power, Vader’s injuries and reliance on his suit are notable vulnerabilities. His mobility and stamina are somewhat limited, and his suit can be damaged in combat, exposing him to harm. Additionally, his emotional struggles—particularly his lingering connection to his past as Anakin Skywalker—make him susceptible to internal conflict, which ultimately leads to his redemption. But this only makes for an even better, more tragic back story.
Darth Vader’s portrayal was never about empowerment. Physically, he was a shattered figure, reliant on a machine to breathe and sustain his life. Psychologically, he was a man who had lost everything he held dear, reduced to an existence of servitude. The dark side did not empower him as it did Emperor Palpatine—it consumed him. Unlike his Sith Master, Vader was not a true leader; he was a tool of Palpatine's will, bound by his orders and devoid of personal purpose. However, in Return of the Jedi, he found redemption by sacrificing himself to save his son, Luke, bringing Anakin Skywalker’s tragic story to a heroic close.
Darth Vader offered audiences a safe way to confront their own inner darkness. His struggles were relatable to adolescents navigating the turmoil of identity, rebellion, and pain, yet he remained distant enough in his fictional nature to not overshadow reality. His journey toward self-discovery and the pursuit of defining his own path, despite others’ expectations, resonated deeply. This blend of relatability and complexity solidified his place as one of the greatest villains of all time.
Honorable Mentions:
Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men stands out as an exceptional villain for several compelling reasons. His unsettling presence, unyielding adherence to his own twisted moral code, and the existential questions he raises about fate, justice, and morality make him both terrifying and unforgettable.
Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most iconic and compelling villains in fiction. His unique blend of intelligence, sophistication, and malevolence. His appeal lies in the contrast between his refined demeanor and his monstrous nature, which makes him as fascinating as he is terrifying.
Dolores Umbridge fromRowling's Harry Potter series is a brilliantly crafted villain because she represents a form of evil that is both recognizable and insidious. Unlike many antagonists in fiction, who rely on grand gestures or overt acts of violence, Umbridge’s villainy lies in her authoritarianism, manipulation, and exploitation of power under the guise of civility. I can still hear that little laugh and it makes me want to break things. Few villains inspire as much visceral hatred as Umbridge. Her smugness, condescension, and refusal to acknowledge the harm she causes make her one of the most universally despised characters in fiction. This ability to evoke such a strong emotional reaction is a testament to how effectively she is written.
Final Thoughts:
This was an entertaining exercise. I had to do a little research on my homie Darth and in the process saw some videos I had not seen in quite awhile. He is truly timeless and along with the feelings of nostalgia he gives me, I really think of him as as a tragic hero filled with “what could have beens” and endless debates on his character. I do not think we have seen the end of Darth Vader as I believe Disney will throttle his story for every once of narrative (money) they can.
I also do not think one can have a laundry list of “best villains’. This dilutes the talent to a point where the title is meaningless. A Mt. Rushmore - if you will - is all there should be.
I think there have been some movies/movie series that missed opportunities. Voldemort had no real sinister vibe for me. (Umbrage was a better villain for me) Same with Thanos. (Plus The Avengers are for the most part garbage stories anyway, save Iron Man/RDJ.)
Sometimes dreary is nice
I have been thinking about a project for my video productions kids are a while now; it is known as the 250 picture project. It is where they take a series of 10 pictures 25 times totaling 250 pictures. The idea I had was that they would start in one spot and move towards or away from a place, person, or thing and then once imported to FCP they would be able to speed them up perhaps making for a cool effect. I thought that it could be thematic, so I began thinking about what I would do my project on. As it turns out, the Friday after Thanksgiving was totally open for me and since the theme I had chosen was ‘urban’ I went downtown camera in hand to start my project.
First off - it was cold and dreary. Temperature was right around freezing and it was one of those days that Indiana is famous for - total cloud-cover and gray, gray, gray. It was, for whatever reason, the exact right vibe for what I was trying to accomplish. I thought that the tree at the circle would be a cool place to attempt this project., so I parked my car at Circle Center Mall and ambled out on to the street.
I am not a person overly given to allowing circumstances to affect how I feel, but it just felt so melancholy as I was walking around. Started playing some Elliot Smith - Miss Misery gave me some Good Will Hunting feelings and the combination of the music and the weather, etc was just deliciously dreary.
First thing I noticed that without even thinking about it, I was taking pictures of whatever caught my eye. No thoughts. No moving around so that I could get the best angle - nothing like that. Notice - point and shoot. It was actually liberating to do it that way as most of the time I am considering rule of thirds and lighting and blah, blah, blah. So when I I got home and went through the pics, I started frowning when I saw some of them, but convinced myself to stop and try to get back into that mood I was in when I took them. Just let it wash over you,. feel it - do not think about it. It became fun again quickly because then I was enjoying them just as when I took them.
I noticed right off that I kept taking pictures of old buildings. Dunno why, but when I took pics of some of the newer ones, it did not make me feel the same way. Too much glass and steel. There is obvious history in the architecture and colors - just feel like it has character that modern construction just does not have. I would love to see what some of those apartments might have been like in those older buildings.
There were two other things I noticed right away: the picture project was harder than I thought, and I wished I had brought a video camera. (Yes, the DLSR could have filmed, but its not my preferred vid cam. Call me bougie.)
When I was taking the picture, I would take 5-10 steps in between shots Boy do you need to pay attention to how you are walking. Go side to side to any size degree and it throws off the orientation of the pic. I learned that if I shot through the same spot over and over in my viewer it worked better. It can still be done, but attention must be paid.
With regard to the video camera issue - Pictures are worth a thousand words; videos are worth a million.
At some point while I was down there, the sun came out which was ironically a huge bummer. Right around that time, I seemed to lose my steam when it came to searching for new vistas, so I packed up and went home.
I am not going to start chanting or write a haiku here, but that feeling when you are chasing cool shots it a real high. I was going full tilt and looked down and 2 hours had gone by and it seemed like 10 minutes. I know I liked that feeling enough that I am now in search of a new way to get it.
I went through the photos and created a video from them. I used some of the new tools that the latest FCPX update gave us. The magnetic mask is really cool and I used it to remove the color around some of the paintings on different buildings. Increased saturation on the sign with a bleak black and white background was a cool juxtaposition of colors. Plus it gave me some time working with MM. There are a couple of sequences where I used that 10 pics procedure to mediocre effect,
To be honest, I am not really all that pleased with the video - it just didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, which is weird because I did not really have any expectation for it. But I am going to publish my stuff - if I do not I am the biggest hypocrite who has ever lived. (CM and MP - that is for you!) Here’s that video.
Sometimes I love angry music
Linkin Park's music often channels anger, frustration, and raw emotion because it reflects the challenges and struggles many people face in their lives. Their songs explore themes like pain, betrayal, loneliness, and personal turmoil, which resonate deeply with listeners who feel overwhelmed or misunderstood.
There is a great deal of emotional catharsis with personal experience in their lyrics. It is deeply felt by many because they feel the same way.
Linkin Park's "anger" isn't destructive but transformative, giving voice to complex emotions in a way that helps people feel seen and heard. Their music isn’t just about rage—it’s about healing through that rage.
Chester Bennington, the lead singer of the rock band Linkin Park, died by suicide at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California on July 20, 2017. The band understandably disappeared for quite a long time after that traumatic event. They have been reinvented as of late with a new singer, Emily Armstrong, taking Bennington’s role. And yes, she can totally scream.
Their new song Emptiness Machine has recently dropped and I like it.
I was curious what The Emptiness Machine meant, so I googled it. It actually was. a lot deeper answer than I was expecting. Click HERE for that explanation.
Short films that stimulate
There's something inside Benjamin's briefcase.
Directed by Josh Soskin
Cinematography: Rob Hauer
Producer: Grace Jackson/ Houseblend Media
Editors: Josh Soskin, Bennett Barbakow, Matt Sultan
Music by: Huma-Huma
Starring: Gerrit Wellens
Co-Starring: Fran Phillips, Alicia De Leon, Mat Scollon, Alex Lamar, Anne Alexander
Production Designer: Adri Siriwat
1st AD: Ian J Putnam
2nd AD; Chuck Bennett
1st AC: Alicia Varela
2nd AC: Daniel Worlock
Key Grip: Brian Deutch
Gaffer: Julien Janigo
Sound: Justin Gay
Wardrobe: Sarah Fox, Sarah Horton
SFX: Resolution LA
PAs: Mico Pulice, Kevin Rojas, Sebastian Lee
Special Thanks: Mofilm, Station Film, Culver Casting, Resolution LA, Shane Liem Casting
This is one of my very favorite short films. I show this video on one of the very first days to my video productions class students. I do this for many reasons.
One, there are no special effects. The cinematography is really simple - those are all shots that they could pull off. Students should be motivated in such a way that they are capable of a video just like this.
Two, the acting is really no big deal. This is not to say the performances were not great, but they were very limited. “You got the juice” = Not a tough line to deliver. As the students are also many times the actors in their own films, this is no barrier to entry.
Three, there was no real background for the characters. There was no world building. In fact, the plot line is really limited. And most importantly, the video is not tied up in a nice bow at the end to provide closure for everyone. This allows viewers to create whatever closure they like, which is great. (The fact that almost all feature films are tied together at the end is really annoying to me.)
Four, it is very compelling and engaging. The change is background music, the plainness of the actors, the relatability - I don’t know exactly, but there is no doubt that it is a fun video and very few people bail on it prior to ending.
Anyway, this is how video productions class starts. I would love to be a part of a video like this. I think it is a great example of how a simple idea executed well can be a great short.
Per Wikipedia:
Penny dreadfuls were cheap popular serial literature produced during the 19th century in the United Kingdom. The pejorative term is roughly interchangeable with penny horrible, penny awful, and penny blood. The term typically referred to a story published in weekly parts of 8 to 16 pages, each costing one penny.[3] The subject matter of these stories was typically sensational, focusing on the exploits of detectives, criminals, or supernatural entities. First published in the 1830s, penny dreadfuls featured characters such as Sweeney Todd, Dick Turpin, Varney the Vampire, and Spring-heeled Jack.
Penny Dreadful is a fantastic video. There are some known actors in it as well. David H. Stevens plays Dennis and is the protagonist. (Kind of) With Marnie Schulenburg who played Holly really well, and is unfortunatley deceased. When she discusses her ‘feminie wiles’ was a high point for her. Oona Laurence who is not named in the short and is only credited as ‘Little Girl’ absolutely steals every scene she is in. I cannot believe she has not had more of a career. She has played the same ‘lilttle girl’ in most of the movies and shows she has been in. I have to imagine she is trying to break in as not the ‘little girl’ but according to IMDB she has not managed to do that yet.
Great, great short. I laughed out loud at many parts of this short.
Rules for Takeaway Scenes:
Scenes must be filmed in a single continuous take. No cuts. Film lights are prohibited. Only natural lighting or practicals allowed. There will never be credits for anyone involved. Participants will never publicly reveal or acknowledge their own involvement with a scene, or release any information that would reveal anyone else’s involvement with the Takeaway Scenes project.
These are some of the coolest videos I have ever watched. Jumpers is easily my favorite, but its not as if the others ones are not cool. Teapot is a really, really good video too. But lets look at Jumpers first.
The scene is shot entirely on a rooftop. And it was a really tense scene about 2 people who were discussing a helluva hard series of topics. No spoilers here, but it is amazing.