Let me begin by congratulating my COCAINE ANGEL partner-in-crime Damian Lahey, whose co-written script with Ian Ogden, CHILD IN THE DARK, came in fourth place in the 12th Annual Slamdance Screenplay Competition. It's good to see that one of us is still moving forward and still has some talent. Way to go, Damian!

I'm sure everyone has seen the nominees for this year's Gotham Awards. It's no surprise that Craig Zobel's GREAT WORLD OF SOUND garnered the most nominations. GREAT WORLD OF SOUND is an excellent movie, and Craig deserves every nomination (and award) that heads his way.

And then there's Ronnie Bronstein, whose uncompromising and brilliant FROWNLAND was nominated for "Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You." You guys have read me blather on about both of these films for a while now, and these nominations only confirm what I've felt all along, which is that GREAT WORLD OF SOUND and FROWNLAND are two of the finest American films of 2007, no matter the budget.

Related to that, I have some interesting news. This might be very hard to imagine, but I'm working on a film that might actually out-FROWNLAND FROWNLAND. The director is Mary Bronstein, wife of Mr. Bronstein and co-star of FROWNLAND. I just got back from a weekend in North Carolina, where we shot the film's climax. I don't want to spill too many details, other than to say that Mary's film is shaping up to make FROWNLAND look like MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT. I know I make brash statements all the time, but as of right now, I can assure you that we're making something extraordinarily distinct. I really don't think there is a cinematic precedent for what viewers are going to see. Mary's film is going to shatter minds (I might actually mean that literally, so you've been forewarned). As for a title, Ronnie stumbled into one on our drive down: YEAST. I hope it sticks. Everything about it makes absolute sense, especially once you watch the movie. So watch it!