Wagner's Writings

 It was last week that Mastodon announced that their former-guitarist and co-founding member, Brent Hinds passed away suddenly in a motorcycle accident. He was 51. A friend of mine told me just very matter of fact, “Dude, Brent Hinds died.” I get this funny reaction when people die and it remained the same with Brent. I go, “Well, where is he? When’s he getting better?” Then the reality hits.  It’s strange. Mastodon played a huge part in my younger years and was one of the first progressive metal bands I got into. I was turned on to bands like Rush, Dream Theater, and Tool; bands that played these longer songs and really gave experiences in different ways to enjoy music and celebrate musicianship. It was on Rock Band 2 in 2008 (I believe?) that I was first introduced to them.  Side note, Rock Band and Guitar Hero as a kid was fucking great. A video game series really introduced me to a lot of bands I wouldn't have gotten into to if it wasn't for them. They did a fantastic...

  I love film. I love watching films. I love talking about films. Films have helped me guide my way through life, to inspire me, and at the end of the day, entertain and lift me up. To me theaters are my churches which I sit down in front of a screen, popcorn in hand, and await the sermon in the form of storytelling to get the message from example of the characters of the movie. I’m always on the lookout for the newest releases. I research every crevice of a film from how it was written, how the director approached the story, and general behind the scenes notes. I love film! It’s no secret if you know me that I’d also LOVE to make a film. I’ve written a few short scripts that’ve just sat around gathering dust. I’m also in the process of writing two of my first feature-length films I’ve had brewing in my noggin, and a few treatments are brewing until I can get to them. I talk everyone’s ear off that’s a creative with the ideas and have such pride and hopes for it. Yet, I’m 30 and ha...

  Weapons is a mystery horror film directed by director Zach Cregger. It’s his second film after 2022’s Barbarian . Barbarian is also a horror film and it was one that I appreciate greatly. Weapons follows Cregger’s style and -isms if you will, non-linear storytelling, a healthy blend of horror and black comedy, and stories that follow multiple characters being traumatized from a single entity/event.  With the release of Weapons, I can confidently say Cregger is 2 for 2 with his directorial/writer efforts. Weapons plays off as if Prisoners had a supernatural element and a sense of humor. Prisoners is one of my favorite films. I greatly appreciate a mystery film if it nails its pitch, set up, reveal, and execution. Bonus points for rewatchability despite knowing the reveal.   The pitch for Weapons would be “17 children run off at 2:17 AM one night in a peculiar running pose and haven’t been seen again. The ones who remain are their teacher and one single student....

  Happy birthday, Mama. My mom, Melody, would’ve been 66 today. She should still be here. She isn’t, and I’m resentful toward the world for it. I feel a lot of anger lately. Angry that she isn’t here. Angry that such a loving person is gone when so many other terrible people walk the Earth. Angry that science and her doctors failed her when they said everything would be fine. Angry because I’m forced to keep moving, otherwise I’d be buried under the grief I carry. People sometimes pick up this energy, the intensity and tend to avoid me. But I could never explain myself why I’m feeling the way I do even if I was asked.  Think I hit that patch of not feeling great is the realization that no one is around to call me "Bear" anymore... There’s only so much suffering and pain because the love I hold is the size of my entire known world. That world is now gone and my love has nowhere to go, so I hold it still despite it getting hot with rage and sorrow, harming myself in the proces...