Greetings,
You know what we all love? A makeover story! And that is exactly what we're going to take about today...sort of. It's Now, Voyager. Okay, it's probably more a story about someone blossoming, rather than...makeover-ing, but still. Also, you may think that my choosing this film makes me a narcissist or something, since I am a poet and a novel writer, and this is based on a novel of the same name, where the title comes from a line in a poem by Walt Whitman. But no, I just really like this movie. So, let's talk about it.
Now, Voyager is a 1944 film directed by Irving Rapper and starring Bette Davis as Charlotte Vale, a woman living under the thumb of her domineering mother, played by Gladys Cooper. Charlotte is basically the textbook definition of a spinster, and her self-confidence is lacking, thanks to the way her mother treats her. But we soon learn why this behavior occurs. It's actually kind of sad. All of this leads to Charlotte needing to spend some time in a sanitarium, mostly at the request of her sister, Lisa, played by Ilka Chase, and a psychiatrist named Dr. Jaquith, played by Claude Rains.
The time away from her mother proves extremely and positively effective for Charlotte, changing her into a whole new woman, both inside and out. Rather than returning home to her mother after her time at the sanitarium, she decides to take a cruise. Sounds good to me. And she meets a man! Sounds even better to me! His name is Jerry Durrance and he is played by Paul Henreid. Let me stop for a moment and say something. I have a list of Classic Movie Actor Crushes. A lot of people do, I'm sure. And, after I first saw this film, Paul Henreid got a coveted spot on that list. I'm sure he would be thrilled. He's just so unique, and I mean that in a good way. Plus, I love the way he talks. Dreamy sigh, dreamy sigh...and let's move on.
Anyway, Jerry is traveling with his two friends Deb and Frank McIntyre, played by Lee Patrick and James Rennie, and unfortunately, he has some baggage. Baggage of the matrimonial persuasion...and offspring. Yeah, it's that kind of story. The good news is that his wife is awful and he wants to divorce her, but the bad news is that he loves his daughter and stays in the marriage for her benefit. You know, writing that sentence out made me feel very bad, because it sounds very not right. But, in regards to the plot, it makes a little bit of sense.
Of course, all of this throws things into upheaval for Charlotte, and she ends up going back home. After this, her path takes some turns that she doesn't exactly want, but they are ones she feels she has to take. Her relationships, both new and old, stir up some uncomfortable emotions, and she ends up in places she doesn't want to be. Thus, we must wait to see if this long-suffering woman will ever be truly happy.
No, I'm not gonna tell you the answer to that! I may spoil a couple of plot points, but never an ending! Certainly not the ending to this movie which has one of the greatest quotes of all time.
Now, I must say, I do love this cast. As per usual, Bette Davis is stunningly brilliant, and everyone supporting her is fantastic. Especially my boyfriend. Oh, there I go again. Although...Yeah, I'm gonna have to be a bit overly critical now. So, here's the thing about child actors. I believe they get hired 99% of the time because they just need a kid, usually a cute kid. But a child actor that is legit good at the craft are rare as all heck. Sadly, the child actor in this film is not super great, in my opinion. She was a tad annoying, but maybe that was the way they wrote the character. And maybe that's the problem. Either way, I did not find the character particularly enjoyable. Maybe no one did since, according to IMDB, she didn't even get a credit. That can't be right. Oh, well. Still, everything else is good, so...we're good. Moving on.
This is one of the most interesting stories which I think is about the human condition and wanting to find fulfillment in one's life. Not to mention what people will do to hold on to that fulfillment once they think they've found it. So much of it is heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. Basically, it's life, along with all of its complexities. Therein lies the sign of some great storytelling.
Wrapping things up, Now, Voyager is one of those classics that should be put on everyone's "To Watch" list. It's a perfect example of everything that should be applied in film making, from the most important to the least. It shows us how sharing stories about emotions are the best ones to be told.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Gaslight - Move Review
Greetings,
You know what's fun? Making people think that they're going crazy! Okay, it's not fun, and it's not nice. However, when done in cinematic form, it has the potential to be mesmerizing. Such is the case with what I will be discussing today, Gaslight. Now, cards on the table, the first time I ever heard of this movie was on an episode of Designing Women, wherein Suzanne Sugarbaker referred to it as "Gas Stove". Look, I just wanna always be honest with you, my beloved readers. Now let's get on with this.
Gaslight is a 1944 film directed by George Cukor and starring Ingrid Bergman as Paula, a woman who, as a child, witnessed a terrible crime committed against her aunt, a famous opera singer. As she gets older, she is sent to Italy to also train as an opera singer, trying to put her past behind her. Soon, she meets a man (don't they always!) named Gregory Anton played by Charles Boyer. They fall in love, get married and, at her new husband's request, they move into the London townhouse that her aunt left to her.
Though the move was meant to make her feel better, Paula begins to discover some unsettling things in her aunt's belongings, and her husband's demeanor toward her changes drastically. After a while, things begin to move and disappear, and sounds are heard from the attic, according to Paula. Oh, really? She heard something? You and Josh Gates, honey. Anyway, she also sees the gaslights dimming and brightening on their own. And, hence, our title. All the while, Gregory begins to keep her isolated from other people, for her own good, he tells her. Now, as someone who is so not a people person, this would kind of make Gregory my dream man. But, alas, Paula does not feel the same way. In fact, she begins to feel trapped in her own home and like she just might be losing her mind, and there are some people in her life who are more than happy to confirm that for her, whether it's true or not. All the while, we, the audience, are wondering who or what is tormenting this poor woman and what, if anything, can lead to her reprieve.
Oh, and there's also this obnoxious maid named Nancy, played by 18-year-old Angela Lansbury in her first role. I'm sure we will grow to love in later years. What's up, Jessica Fletcher?
Now, though I have told quite a few details about the plot, I haven't given too much away. However, I don't want to go any further, because I don't want to give away the ending. I mean, let's be honest, when it comes to films like this the endings are the best part. And in the case of Gaslight, it is one of the best of all time, in my humble opinion. It's also a movie that leads you on a journey with the characters, and the trip here is one worth taking.
What I love most about this film is the atmosphere, the mood that it sets. There are elements that one might find in a great scary movie, but it remains a psychological thriller and an intriguing mystery, through and through. I often wonder if it inspired another of my favorite movies from some time later, The Haunting. (No, not the remake! If anyone thought that, get out! Get out now and never come back!) Anyway...
But even with all these wonderful elements, I think we can all agree that what really makes this film sing is the performance of Ingrid Bergman. She was flat out brilliant, making us feel the weight every emotion that her character was experiencing. And it was a heavy weight, indeed, but in the hands of such a skilled actress, we were taken on this tumultuous ride with her. Ms. Bergman even won the Best Actress Academy Award for this...ya know, back when those things actually mattered.
So, if you're into films that are less horror and more, as I mentioned, psychological thrillers, I definitely suggest that you give Gaslight a watch. It's also great for mystery lovers, since it is one of those as well. And it's just a superb classic film for anyone who appreciates that.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
You know what's fun? Making people think that they're going crazy! Okay, it's not fun, and it's not nice. However, when done in cinematic form, it has the potential to be mesmerizing. Such is the case with what I will be discussing today, Gaslight. Now, cards on the table, the first time I ever heard of this movie was on an episode of Designing Women, wherein Suzanne Sugarbaker referred to it as "Gas Stove". Look, I just wanna always be honest with you, my beloved readers. Now let's get on with this.
Gaslight is a 1944 film directed by George Cukor and starring Ingrid Bergman as Paula, a woman who, as a child, witnessed a terrible crime committed against her aunt, a famous opera singer. As she gets older, she is sent to Italy to also train as an opera singer, trying to put her past behind her. Soon, she meets a man (don't they always!) named Gregory Anton played by Charles Boyer. They fall in love, get married and, at her new husband's request, they move into the London townhouse that her aunt left to her.
Though the move was meant to make her feel better, Paula begins to discover some unsettling things in her aunt's belongings, and her husband's demeanor toward her changes drastically. After a while, things begin to move and disappear, and sounds are heard from the attic, according to Paula. Oh, really? She heard something? You and Josh Gates, honey. Anyway, she also sees the gaslights dimming and brightening on their own. And, hence, our title. All the while, Gregory begins to keep her isolated from other people, for her own good, he tells her. Now, as someone who is so not a people person, this would kind of make Gregory my dream man. But, alas, Paula does not feel the same way. In fact, she begins to feel trapped in her own home and like she just might be losing her mind, and there are some people in her life who are more than happy to confirm that for her, whether it's true or not. All the while, we, the audience, are wondering who or what is tormenting this poor woman and what, if anything, can lead to her reprieve.
Oh, and there's also this obnoxious maid named Nancy, played by 18-year-old Angela Lansbury in her first role. I'm sure we will grow to love in later years. What's up, Jessica Fletcher?
Now, though I have told quite a few details about the plot, I haven't given too much away. However, I don't want to go any further, because I don't want to give away the ending. I mean, let's be honest, when it comes to films like this the endings are the best part. And in the case of Gaslight, it is one of the best of all time, in my humble opinion. It's also a movie that leads you on a journey with the characters, and the trip here is one worth taking.
What I love most about this film is the atmosphere, the mood that it sets. There are elements that one might find in a great scary movie, but it remains a psychological thriller and an intriguing mystery, through and through. I often wonder if it inspired another of my favorite movies from some time later, The Haunting. (No, not the remake! If anyone thought that, get out! Get out now and never come back!) Anyway...
But even with all these wonderful elements, I think we can all agree that what really makes this film sing is the performance of Ingrid Bergman. She was flat out brilliant, making us feel the weight every emotion that her character was experiencing. And it was a heavy weight, indeed, but in the hands of such a skilled actress, we were taken on this tumultuous ride with her. Ms. Bergman even won the Best Actress Academy Award for this...ya know, back when those things actually mattered.
So, if you're into films that are less horror and more, as I mentioned, psychological thrillers, I definitely suggest that you give Gaslight a watch. It's also great for mystery lovers, since it is one of those as well. And it's just a superb classic film for anyone who appreciates that.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Sunset Boulevard - Movie Review
Greetings,
Hey, remember yesterday when I talked about a movie wherein a young woman had dreams of gaining stardom? Well, today, we're going to talk about the flip side, with a film wherein a...not so young woman has dreams of regaining stardom. But will those dreams become nightmares? WOW! That even sounds pretentious coming from a genius writer like myself. Anyway, let's get to talking about Sunset Boulevard.
Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, the aforementioned, desperate to get her fame back actress, and William Holden as Joe Gillis, a screenwriter who is not exactly having a successful career. Gee, I wonder which one I'll be relating to. When Joe happens upon a huge, seemingly abandoned house, he discovers that it is occupied by Norma. She shares a script she wrote with him, because the whole "actors want to be things other than actors" is nothing new apparently. Anyway, Joe reads it, and he is not crazy about. Oh, like he's one to judge. I don't see Louis B. Mayer knocking down his door. Still, she hires him to help fix it up and make it worthy of the comeback she wants so badly. Plus, Norma believes that she is not the only one who wants her to be back in the spotlight, providing fan letters as evidence of that. She believes that this young writer could play an important part in her return, even insisting that he move in to her house. Because that's normal. Though, as a writer, I wait patiently for the day when Ralph Fiennes will need someone like me to help usher in a comeback for him. Name it and claim it, I say.
Soon, Norma begins to spend a crap ton of money on Joe and giving him every moment of her attention. Look, I don't want to call him the "G" word, but it might be somewhat accurate. Point is, this is where things start getting a bit odd between them. Norma becomes more obsessed with Joe and with getting her stardom back, and Joe begins to build a life away from her. They are heading in opposite directions, though only one of them truly wants that. What we wait to see is who will get what they desire out of their life and career, if anyone.
Throughout this film, we see Norma going to great and even disturbing lengths to get something back that she lost. And yet, somehow, I wonder if she was so consumed with this quest that she never bothered to contemplate on how important it really was. Or was there any value in what she once had at all? I've always thought that was the moral of the story here. Wanting something so badly can often distort our vision of it, making it impossible for us to see that, perhaps, it's not as grand a thing as we believe it to be.
Now that I have finished waxing poetic, let's talk about these actors. It's interesting how, when people talk about two actors having chemistry in a film, they often refer to more pleasant stories about love and friendship. Though this story is obviously darker than those, I still feel as though Swanson and Holden had tremendous chemistry. It's one of the most memorable things, and, like with most movies, if that had not been there, it would not have worked as well. Lucky for us, everything fell into place. Including the rest of the cast. We had Erich von Stroheim as Max, Norma's longtime butler, Nancy Olson as Betty Schaefer, a script reader and the "other woman" of sorts for Joe, and finally, Jack Webb as Artie Green, another friend of Joe's who is also close to some other people in his life. Again, a good cast is one of the foundation blocks, and we're solid here.
And much like a good Muppet movie, this thing has a decent amount of celebrity cameos. None of them, though, more important than the director of my all-time favorite movie, Cecil B. DeMille. I mean, hello! He is, after all, mentioned in this film's most famous quote. I will not repeat it. If you don't already know it, you may leave now. Come back after you've done some research.
Now, I must make a comment about the writing of this film. It's really good. No surprise there. But, of course, I especially like the way it begins. I love a cinematic starting line that makes me look forward to the finish line. Few films do it better than this one, and it's just one more thing that it has in common with yesterday's film, All About Eve.
In closing, I am recommending Sunset Boulevard. If you're someone who is currently fascinated with the goings on of Hollywood types, perhaps, by way of a tabloid or two, let me give you some advice. Put down the rags for a minute and pick up a copy of this movie. Trust me, you'll get a better thrill and, certainly, a much deeper one.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Hey, remember yesterday when I talked about a movie wherein a young woman had dreams of gaining stardom? Well, today, we're going to talk about the flip side, with a film wherein a...not so young woman has dreams of regaining stardom. But will those dreams become nightmares? WOW! That even sounds pretentious coming from a genius writer like myself. Anyway, let's get to talking about Sunset Boulevard.
Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, the aforementioned, desperate to get her fame back actress, and William Holden as Joe Gillis, a screenwriter who is not exactly having a successful career. Gee, I wonder which one I'll be relating to. When Joe happens upon a huge, seemingly abandoned house, he discovers that it is occupied by Norma. She shares a script she wrote with him, because the whole "actors want to be things other than actors" is nothing new apparently. Anyway, Joe reads it, and he is not crazy about. Oh, like he's one to judge. I don't see Louis B. Mayer knocking down his door. Still, she hires him to help fix it up and make it worthy of the comeback she wants so badly. Plus, Norma believes that she is not the only one who wants her to be back in the spotlight, providing fan letters as evidence of that. She believes that this young writer could play an important part in her return, even insisting that he move in to her house. Because that's normal. Though, as a writer, I wait patiently for the day when Ralph Fiennes will need someone like me to help usher in a comeback for him. Name it and claim it, I say.
Soon, Norma begins to spend a crap ton of money on Joe and giving him every moment of her attention. Look, I don't want to call him the "G" word, but it might be somewhat accurate. Point is, this is where things start getting a bit odd between them. Norma becomes more obsessed with Joe and with getting her stardom back, and Joe begins to build a life away from her. They are heading in opposite directions, though only one of them truly wants that. What we wait to see is who will get what they desire out of their life and career, if anyone.
Throughout this film, we see Norma going to great and even disturbing lengths to get something back that she lost. And yet, somehow, I wonder if she was so consumed with this quest that she never bothered to contemplate on how important it really was. Or was there any value in what she once had at all? I've always thought that was the moral of the story here. Wanting something so badly can often distort our vision of it, making it impossible for us to see that, perhaps, it's not as grand a thing as we believe it to be.
Now that I have finished waxing poetic, let's talk about these actors. It's interesting how, when people talk about two actors having chemistry in a film, they often refer to more pleasant stories about love and friendship. Though this story is obviously darker than those, I still feel as though Swanson and Holden had tremendous chemistry. It's one of the most memorable things, and, like with most movies, if that had not been there, it would not have worked as well. Lucky for us, everything fell into place. Including the rest of the cast. We had Erich von Stroheim as Max, Norma's longtime butler, Nancy Olson as Betty Schaefer, a script reader and the "other woman" of sorts for Joe, and finally, Jack Webb as Artie Green, another friend of Joe's who is also close to some other people in his life. Again, a good cast is one of the foundation blocks, and we're solid here.
And much like a good Muppet movie, this thing has a decent amount of celebrity cameos. None of them, though, more important than the director of my all-time favorite movie, Cecil B. DeMille. I mean, hello! He is, after all, mentioned in this film's most famous quote. I will not repeat it. If you don't already know it, you may leave now. Come back after you've done some research.
Now, I must make a comment about the writing of this film. It's really good. No surprise there. But, of course, I especially like the way it begins. I love a cinematic starting line that makes me look forward to the finish line. Few films do it better than this one, and it's just one more thing that it has in common with yesterday's film, All About Eve.
In closing, I am recommending Sunset Boulevard. If you're someone who is currently fascinated with the goings on of Hollywood types, perhaps, by way of a tabloid or two, let me give you some advice. Put down the rags for a minute and pick up a copy of this movie. Trust me, you'll get a better thrill and, certainly, a much deeper one.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Monday, October 3, 2016
All About Eve - Movie Reveiw
Greetings,
If there's one thing we know about stardom and celebrity, it's that some people will do anything to have it. Even something as crazy as making an enemy out of Bette Davis. What! No, ma'am. That is not a wise thing to do, especially for something as pointless as a career in the entertainment industry. But, apparently, no one told that to Anne Baxter, because this is exactly what she did in the superb film, All About Eve. I may be giving some loose spoilers about the plot, but nothing too detailed.
All About Eve is a 1950 film by director Joseph Mankiewicz and based on the short story "The Wisdom of Eve" by Mary Orr, who did NOT get an onscreen credit. What's up with that? As a writer, I am personally offended by this, but let's move on. It stars, as I mentioned, Bette Davis, as Margo Channing, a Broadway star who is greatly respected but also not so young anymore. It happens. One evening, she meets Eve Harrington, played by Anne Baxter, who is a very big fan of Margo's. Almost...suspiciously big. Yes, she is also a wannabe starlet, but she keeps this under wraps as she strategically works her way into the lives of Margo and her friends.
And who are her friends? Well, we have Karen Richards, played by Celeste Holm. She's married to the writer of Margo's current play, Lloyd Richards. It is, in fact, Karen who sees poor, little Eve, who is constantly at the playhouse, and brings her in to meet everyone. I'm sure she won't regret that at all. Spoilers: she does. Among the others that we meet are Birdie, Margo's maid, played by Thelma Ritter, and Bill Sampson, played by Gary Merrill. Bill is Margo's boyfriend, who is - wait for it - EIGHT YEARS her junior! Oh, snap! I just heard a bunch of monocles pop out all over the world.
Anywho, they all meet Eve, who gives them a story about growing up poor and losing her husband in the war. Really? Yeah, that sounds super true. Well, okay, it's plausible, but knowing what I know about Eve, it's not so much. But they fall for it and embrace her. Soon, it becomes clear, firstly and mostly to Margo, that Eve is not there to help her but to replace her, both in her professional life and her personal life. Whilst Eve does have some success accomplishing the former, Margo's friends begin to realize that perhaps Eve is not what or who she claims to be, and she may be, to reference something Thelma Harper once said on Mama's Family, "not paddling with both oars in the water". For real, though, if you're gonna do the whole Eve thing, leave out the part where you try to steal someone's S.O. It makes what you're doing a bit obvious. The more you know and whatnot.
Still, the journey that the characters go on is a tumultuous one, indeed. Friendships and relationships are tested, so are some of the feelings that these people have about themselves. But this whole things has to have a bit of turbulence. Otherwise, the classic "bumpy night" line would be pointless. See, I'm always thinking.
Now I suppose we can call this film a cautionary tale about who you choose to let into your life, and that being a star may be fun, but it's not worth your soul. No, I'm being serious, Hollywood people. It's not. Sorry if you already made that mistake. Also, whatever you do to other people might just come back around to you. Not that I'm giving anything away about the ending. Or am I? Guess you'll have to watch the movie.
Okay, now I have to talk about something that some people may deem controversial. I guess. So, I've heard that there are people who have issues with this film, because, though it does have two female leads, which is something that many strive to have in cinema, it pits them against each other. Because that never happens in real life? Yeah, no. Look, if that's your complaint, it's clear that what you want are movies with 'Mary Sue's, not real, complex female characters with depth and complexity. If Margo and Eve were perfect, they would be boring. They're not. They are riveting. So, there.
In case it wasn't obvious, I am 100% recommending All About Eve. It is utterly brilliant and a must-see for anyone who loves great cinema. It's also a staple for those who are fascinated by the not-so-nice side of fame. It's a far more prominent side than many people are willing to admit. But at least, at some point in time, Hollywood was willing to show us its multitude of flaws. We need that back. A lot.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
If there's one thing we know about stardom and celebrity, it's that some people will do anything to have it. Even something as crazy as making an enemy out of Bette Davis. What! No, ma'am. That is not a wise thing to do, especially for something as pointless as a career in the entertainment industry. But, apparently, no one told that to Anne Baxter, because this is exactly what she did in the superb film, All About Eve. I may be giving some loose spoilers about the plot, but nothing too detailed.
All About Eve is a 1950 film by director Joseph Mankiewicz and based on the short story "The Wisdom of Eve" by Mary Orr, who did NOT get an onscreen credit. What's up with that? As a writer, I am personally offended by this, but let's move on. It stars, as I mentioned, Bette Davis, as Margo Channing, a Broadway star who is greatly respected but also not so young anymore. It happens. One evening, she meets Eve Harrington, played by Anne Baxter, who is a very big fan of Margo's. Almost...suspiciously big. Yes, she is also a wannabe starlet, but she keeps this under wraps as she strategically works her way into the lives of Margo and her friends.
And who are her friends? Well, we have Karen Richards, played by Celeste Holm. She's married to the writer of Margo's current play, Lloyd Richards. It is, in fact, Karen who sees poor, little Eve, who is constantly at the playhouse, and brings her in to meet everyone. I'm sure she won't regret that at all. Spoilers: she does. Among the others that we meet are Birdie, Margo's maid, played by Thelma Ritter, and Bill Sampson, played by Gary Merrill. Bill is Margo's boyfriend, who is - wait for it - EIGHT YEARS her junior! Oh, snap! I just heard a bunch of monocles pop out all over the world.
Anywho, they all meet Eve, who gives them a story about growing up poor and losing her husband in the war. Really? Yeah, that sounds super true. Well, okay, it's plausible, but knowing what I know about Eve, it's not so much. But they fall for it and embrace her. Soon, it becomes clear, firstly and mostly to Margo, that Eve is not there to help her but to replace her, both in her professional life and her personal life. Whilst Eve does have some success accomplishing the former, Margo's friends begin to realize that perhaps Eve is not what or who she claims to be, and she may be, to reference something Thelma Harper once said on Mama's Family, "not paddling with both oars in the water". For real, though, if you're gonna do the whole Eve thing, leave out the part where you try to steal someone's S.O. It makes what you're doing a bit obvious. The more you know and whatnot.
Still, the journey that the characters go on is a tumultuous one, indeed. Friendships and relationships are tested, so are some of the feelings that these people have about themselves. But this whole things has to have a bit of turbulence. Otherwise, the classic "bumpy night" line would be pointless. See, I'm always thinking.
Now I suppose we can call this film a cautionary tale about who you choose to let into your life, and that being a star may be fun, but it's not worth your soul. No, I'm being serious, Hollywood people. It's not. Sorry if you already made that mistake. Also, whatever you do to other people might just come back around to you. Not that I'm giving anything away about the ending. Or am I? Guess you'll have to watch the movie.
Okay, now I have to talk about something that some people may deem controversial. I guess. So, I've heard that there are people who have issues with this film, because, though it does have two female leads, which is something that many strive to have in cinema, it pits them against each other. Because that never happens in real life? Yeah, no. Look, if that's your complaint, it's clear that what you want are movies with 'Mary Sue's, not real, complex female characters with depth and complexity. If Margo and Eve were perfect, they would be boring. They're not. They are riveting. So, there.
In case it wasn't obvious, I am 100% recommending All About Eve. It is utterly brilliant and a must-see for anyone who loves great cinema. It's also a staple for those who are fascinated by the not-so-nice side of fame. It's a far more prominent side than many people are willing to admit. But at least, at some point in time, Hollywood was willing to show us its multitude of flaws. We need that back. A lot.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Monday, September 19, 2016
Top Ten Best Cover Songs
Greetings,
Well, Holy Smokes, it has been over three years since I did my Top Ten Worst Cover Songs list! That's quite a lot of time, especially since I meant to do a Best Of list shortly thereafter. Apologies. Clearly, I got distracted. It happens. But, thankfully, I am now ready to tell you what I consider the Top Ten BEST Cover Songs of all time. You'll agree; you'll disagree. Either way is fine. Just enjoy. Now let's get this thing going...finally!
#10. "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)?" New Kids On The Block (Originally by The Delfonics) - I know what you're thinking. 'Isn't the song called "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)"? Yes, it is, on the original, but I'm talking about the cover here. Okay, you may also be thinking what the heck I'm thinking putting this on the list. To be fair, that first New Kids on the Block album wasn't exactly groundbreaking. However, if any song on it showed their potential, certainly vocally, it was this one. And I like it. So there.
#9. "I Don't Want To Know" Goo Goo Dolls (Originally by Fleetwood Mac) - Back in 1998, a bunch of musicians got together to make a tribute album to Rumours. Some tracks were good; others, not so much. But this one was my favorite. They really transformed the whole song, while keeping the spirit of it intact. Clearly, that is not an easy thing to do, but it was pulled off here.
#8. "Chances Are" Vonda Shepard and Robert Downey, Jr. (Originally by Bob Seger and Martina McBride) - I'll let this one sink in for a minute. You good? Alright, then. A while back there was a little show on called Ally McBeal, which had a very prominent musical element, hence, the constant presence of Ms. Vonda Shepard. Well, in the fourth season, Robert Downey, Jr shows up and decided to do some singing. This duet was one of the performances. From one soundtrack to another, the original was from the movie Hope Floats, and it is also very good. But, again, we're discussing the covers. Now, run along and write a fan letter to Marvel, asking them for a musical Iron Man movie.
#7. "You Keep Me Hangin' On" Vanilla Fudge (Originally by The Supremes) - What's that? You've never heard of Vanilla Fudge? Well, tsk, tsk. Okay, they're not the most well-known band of the sixties, but they were really good. This rock version of a Motown hit certainly shows it off. I can admit that it might not be to everyone's taste, probably more than anything on this list, but give it a chance. You never know.
#6. "Tonight Will Be Fine" Teddy Thompson (Originally by Leonard Cohen) - About a decade ago, there was a great tribute concert to Mr. Leonard Cohen, which became a documentary calledLeonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, which I reviewed a while back. If you read it, you'll know that I called Teddy Thompson's version of "Tonight Will Be Fine" the highlight. That hasn't changed at all, so naturally, it made the list.
#5. "Crying In the Rain" A-ha (Originally by The Everly Brothers) - See, sometimes "One Hit Wonders" are more than that one hit. Here, we have the "Take On Me" guys taking on a classic sixties tune and doing a fantastic job. As The Everly Brothers were known for some stunning harmonies, it would be difficult to replicate them. But A-ha managed to pull off some impressive ones of their own.
#4. "Free Fallin'" Stevie Nicks (Originally by Tom Petty) - Awww! Because they're friends! Anyway, this Tom Petty song is held in some pretty high regard, so who better to tackle it than one of his equally superb colleagues? I don't think a lot of people know this cover version from Stevie, as it first appeared on the Party Of Five soundtrack and later, on her Enchanted box set. But, what with my being what some may call a "super fan", I know it well, and it is a stellar performance.
#3. "Hurt" Johnny Cash (Originally by Nine Inch Nails) - So, this is the only thing on the list where I do not like the original at all, song or artist. But credit where it's due, Trent Reznor wrote a song that was turned into greatness when a legend got his hands and voice on it. It became poignant and a classic in that case, and when it can be ranked so high within an amazing and lengthy career, that says a lot.
#2. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" Bee Gees (Originally by Carole King) - Yes, yes. I know that this song first performed professionally by The Shirelles, but Carole King wrote it AND this cover version comes from an album that is all covers of songs off of Tapestry. So, there you go. It's no secret that I love the Bee Gees, and they were and are some of the most brilliant songwriters ever. So, to hear them on a song written by another brilliant writer was something special. Especially the part where Robin gets a solo. But what do you expect?
#1. "Hallelujah" Jeff Buckley (Originally by Leonard Cohen) - Well, this is odd. Not to spoil anything from my Worst Of list, but this might be the first time a Number One from that kind of list is the same as the Number One on this kind of list. At least, where the song is concerned. Okay, this is probably not a shock to anyone. I love this version of "Hallelujah". Now I could be vindictive and blame all the sub par covers that followed in the past two decades on the success of this one, but how can I? Jeff Buckley was pure magic, and even all the copycats cannot ruin his legacy.
And there you have it. Like I said, you may agree or disagree with my choices. However, in my opinion, these artist managed to take songs that poured from the hearts of others to make them their own. It's not as easy as it sounds, and if you doubt me on that, check out my Worst Of list. Or just listen to these songs again and let yourself have a good day.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Well, Holy Smokes, it has been over three years since I did my Top Ten Worst Cover Songs list! That's quite a lot of time, especially since I meant to do a Best Of list shortly thereafter. Apologies. Clearly, I got distracted. It happens. But, thankfully, I am now ready to tell you what I consider the Top Ten BEST Cover Songs of all time. You'll agree; you'll disagree. Either way is fine. Just enjoy. Now let's get this thing going...finally!
#10. "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)?" New Kids On The Block (Originally by The Delfonics) - I know what you're thinking. 'Isn't the song called "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)"? Yes, it is, on the original, but I'm talking about the cover here. Okay, you may also be thinking what the heck I'm thinking putting this on the list. To be fair, that first New Kids on the Block album wasn't exactly groundbreaking. However, if any song on it showed their potential, certainly vocally, it was this one. And I like it. So there.
#9. "I Don't Want To Know" Goo Goo Dolls (Originally by Fleetwood Mac) - Back in 1998, a bunch of musicians got together to make a tribute album to Rumours. Some tracks were good; others, not so much. But this one was my favorite. They really transformed the whole song, while keeping the spirit of it intact. Clearly, that is not an easy thing to do, but it was pulled off here.
#8. "Chances Are" Vonda Shepard and Robert Downey, Jr. (Originally by Bob Seger and Martina McBride) - I'll let this one sink in for a minute. You good? Alright, then. A while back there was a little show on called Ally McBeal, which had a very prominent musical element, hence, the constant presence of Ms. Vonda Shepard. Well, in the fourth season, Robert Downey, Jr shows up and decided to do some singing. This duet was one of the performances. From one soundtrack to another, the original was from the movie Hope Floats, and it is also very good. But, again, we're discussing the covers. Now, run along and write a fan letter to Marvel, asking them for a musical Iron Man movie.
#7. "You Keep Me Hangin' On" Vanilla Fudge (Originally by The Supremes) - What's that? You've never heard of Vanilla Fudge? Well, tsk, tsk. Okay, they're not the most well-known band of the sixties, but they were really good. This rock version of a Motown hit certainly shows it off. I can admit that it might not be to everyone's taste, probably more than anything on this list, but give it a chance. You never know.
#6. "Tonight Will Be Fine" Teddy Thompson (Originally by Leonard Cohen) - About a decade ago, there was a great tribute concert to Mr. Leonard Cohen, which became a documentary calledLeonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, which I reviewed a while back. If you read it, you'll know that I called Teddy Thompson's version of "Tonight Will Be Fine" the highlight. That hasn't changed at all, so naturally, it made the list.
#5. "Crying In the Rain" A-ha (Originally by The Everly Brothers) - See, sometimes "One Hit Wonders" are more than that one hit. Here, we have the "Take On Me" guys taking on a classic sixties tune and doing a fantastic job. As The Everly Brothers were known for some stunning harmonies, it would be difficult to replicate them. But A-ha managed to pull off some impressive ones of their own.
#4. "Free Fallin'" Stevie Nicks (Originally by Tom Petty) - Awww! Because they're friends! Anyway, this Tom Petty song is held in some pretty high regard, so who better to tackle it than one of his equally superb colleagues? I don't think a lot of people know this cover version from Stevie, as it first appeared on the Party Of Five soundtrack and later, on her Enchanted box set. But, what with my being what some may call a "super fan", I know it well, and it is a stellar performance.
#3. "Hurt" Johnny Cash (Originally by Nine Inch Nails) - So, this is the only thing on the list where I do not like the original at all, song or artist. But credit where it's due, Trent Reznor wrote a song that was turned into greatness when a legend got his hands and voice on it. It became poignant and a classic in that case, and when it can be ranked so high within an amazing and lengthy career, that says a lot.
#2. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" Bee Gees (Originally by Carole King) - Yes, yes. I know that this song first performed professionally by The Shirelles, but Carole King wrote it AND this cover version comes from an album that is all covers of songs off of Tapestry. So, there you go. It's no secret that I love the Bee Gees, and they were and are some of the most brilliant songwriters ever. So, to hear them on a song written by another brilliant writer was something special. Especially the part where Robin gets a solo. But what do you expect?
#1. "Hallelujah" Jeff Buckley (Originally by Leonard Cohen) - Well, this is odd. Not to spoil anything from my Worst Of list, but this might be the first time a Number One from that kind of list is the same as the Number One on this kind of list. At least, where the song is concerned. Okay, this is probably not a shock to anyone. I love this version of "Hallelujah". Now I could be vindictive and blame all the sub par covers that followed in the past two decades on the success of this one, but how can I? Jeff Buckley was pure magic, and even all the copycats cannot ruin his legacy.
And there you have it. Like I said, you may agree or disagree with my choices. However, in my opinion, these artist managed to take songs that poured from the hearts of others to make them their own. It's not as easy as it sounds, and if you doubt me on that, check out my Worst Of list. Or just listen to these songs again and let yourself have a good day.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Straight From the Theater Review - Suicide Squad
Greetings,
Yes, I finally saw Suicide Squad. Sorry, I've been busy. YOU try finishing a book, publishing it and then, trying to sell it at a book event. That stuff is exhausting. But I digress. I've been wanting to see this movie for a while, and I've heard so many conflicting reactions to it. Out of the critics I trust, which aren't many, some of them loved it, some of them liked it, some of them hated it. Therefore, I decided to do something quite novel and just see it for myself. Quite a concept, I know. So, what did I think of Suicide Squad? Well, I thought it was absolutely...okay? Yeah, that's the best I can do as far as my feelings go, but let's talk more in depth, shall we? Oh, and there might be spoilers. Warning.
Suicide Squad is basically a live action version of the DCAU Straight-To-DVD film Assault On Arkham, where Amanda Waller wants to gather a bunch of bad guys together to maybe do something good...ish. So, it's that with a bunch of stuff added on to it, and funny enough, a lot of plot taken away. Also, in the real people version, she gets them from Belle Reve Prison...because of reasons. Anyway, at least, AOA had a beginning, middle and end, and was pretty coherent. Suicide Squad was a bit all over the place, and you know that whole "Show, Don't Tell" thing that's supposed to happen? Well, they struck it and reversed it, and we got a crap ton of exposition. Now, look, I do not like movies that I have to study for in advance, but you don't have to take up nearly half an hour to give me the entire history of the characters. Serious, it could have been done in three minutes. After that, I basically was waiting for the movie to start, but we kept getting sidetracked by one-liners and the "scenes" that were there merely to house them. The whole thing felt very choppy to me, structurally speaking. I suppose that's the editor's fault, but let's blame the director, too. If you asked me if I liked this thing as a whole, I would say, not really. However, there were some individual aspects that I did enjoy. Mostly, coming from a few select actors in the bunch, so let's talk about the actors.
Okay, so we had Viola Davis playing Amanda Waller. Good choice, although, I heard that Oprah was on the list as a potential to be cast. That would have been something. "You get a neck bomb! You get a neck bomb! Everybody gets a neck bomb!" If you know the story, you'll get that joke. Will Smith was Deadshot, being very Will Smith-y, though his character did get some fleshing out, which didn't happen often here. Probably because there were like a hundred of them. Our Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. She looked the part, I suppose, but sounding the part is a different story. Her accent felt a bit forced. Still, 'A' for effort. She was just too annoying, or not annoying in the way that is supposed to make you love Harley. Ike Barinholtz played a guy named Griggs, who was pretty mean but in a fun way. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Karen Fukahara, Adam Beach and Scott Eastwood playing Killer Croc, Katanna, Slip Knot and some guy named Edwards, respectively, were just kind of there. And these aren't bad actors. They just weren't given anything to work with, which is a shame. And then, there's Jared Leto as The Joker...I guess. Look, he was barely in this thing, and when he was, it just didn't work for me. He was...They made him...Okay, I'm just gonna say it. He's a pimp. He's a PIMP! That is exactly how Leto is playing him, and that is not what anyone wanted. He wasn't funny, nor was he scary, and you need at least one, but preferably both of those traits to portray The Joker correctly. And I'm not blaming Jared Leto for this. We know he can act, but how good is anyone with this kind of writing and direction.
But, as expected, the worst of all was Cara Delevingne. Yes, let's give this person a dual role, when we know she can barely handle one. Sorry, I'm getting mean, but I have to be honest. She had to portray Dr. June Moone, first of all, and what is even the heck? She looks fourteen and you're gonna cast her as a doctor? No. But at least, she could somewhat pull off playing the simpering, weak character. I'll assume that the director just said to this former model, "You know all those skeezy photographers who told you to pout at the camera? Well, do that, plus squint your eyes and make weepy noises. Ta-da! Sad acting!" However, when she had to play the Enchantress, who was - again, spoilers - the main villain, it was a massive fail. I did not buy it in the least. She reminded me of a combo of a five year old dressing up in mommy's clothes, pretending to be a grown-up and someone who is cosplaying...badly. Just...NO!
Alright, time to say some nice things. I did enjoy Jay Hernandez as El Diablo, mostly because he was the only one with an actual story and character arc, and he gave a good performance. Shock of all shocks, and not only to me, I really got a kick out of Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang. He was pretty funny, and he definitely kept me entertained. But the one who really stood out was Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag. He gave an excellent performance in this. I've never even heard of him, but I might have to do some delving into his acting past. He had to go through a range of emotions and he pulled all of them off wonderfully. And not just by comparison standards. He was legit great.
Also, Affleck showed up as sub par Batman. Boo.
Now I have to talk about one more thing - the soundtrack. What was up with it in this movie? The songs they picked? They are so flippin' random, it's unbelievable. It's like someone set their iPod to shuffle and said, "Hey, this song exists. Let's put it in the movie!" I mean, they weren't terrible songs; they were just out of place and did not fit. And they were constant, in the worst way. But, technically, it's not bad...as a mix tape!
Okay, let's finish this. Do I recommend Suicide Squad? Not wholeheartedly, but if you want to rent it some time, you might be entertained by it. Certainly, by parts of it. But no need to see it in the theater, if you even have the chance, as I am late to the party with this review. Or you could rent Assault On Arkham. Maybe compare and contrast for yourself. In closing, I guess I just expected more. Thus, my main reaction to the film is that thing that so many parents have said to their children. I'm not mad; I'm just disappointed.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Yes, I finally saw Suicide Squad. Sorry, I've been busy. YOU try finishing a book, publishing it and then, trying to sell it at a book event. That stuff is exhausting. But I digress. I've been wanting to see this movie for a while, and I've heard so many conflicting reactions to it. Out of the critics I trust, which aren't many, some of them loved it, some of them liked it, some of them hated it. Therefore, I decided to do something quite novel and just see it for myself. Quite a concept, I know. So, what did I think of Suicide Squad? Well, I thought it was absolutely...okay? Yeah, that's the best I can do as far as my feelings go, but let's talk more in depth, shall we? Oh, and there might be spoilers. Warning.
Suicide Squad is basically a live action version of the DCAU Straight-To-DVD film Assault On Arkham, where Amanda Waller wants to gather a bunch of bad guys together to maybe do something good...ish. So, it's that with a bunch of stuff added on to it, and funny enough, a lot of plot taken away. Also, in the real people version, she gets them from Belle Reve Prison...because of reasons. Anyway, at least, AOA had a beginning, middle and end, and was pretty coherent. Suicide Squad was a bit all over the place, and you know that whole "Show, Don't Tell" thing that's supposed to happen? Well, they struck it and reversed it, and we got a crap ton of exposition. Now, look, I do not like movies that I have to study for in advance, but you don't have to take up nearly half an hour to give me the entire history of the characters. Serious, it could have been done in three minutes. After that, I basically was waiting for the movie to start, but we kept getting sidetracked by one-liners and the "scenes" that were there merely to house them. The whole thing felt very choppy to me, structurally speaking. I suppose that's the editor's fault, but let's blame the director, too. If you asked me if I liked this thing as a whole, I would say, not really. However, there were some individual aspects that I did enjoy. Mostly, coming from a few select actors in the bunch, so let's talk about the actors.
Okay, so we had Viola Davis playing Amanda Waller. Good choice, although, I heard that Oprah was on the list as a potential to be cast. That would have been something. "You get a neck bomb! You get a neck bomb! Everybody gets a neck bomb!" If you know the story, you'll get that joke. Will Smith was Deadshot, being very Will Smith-y, though his character did get some fleshing out, which didn't happen often here. Probably because there were like a hundred of them. Our Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. She looked the part, I suppose, but sounding the part is a different story. Her accent felt a bit forced. Still, 'A' for effort. She was just too annoying, or not annoying in the way that is supposed to make you love Harley. Ike Barinholtz played a guy named Griggs, who was pretty mean but in a fun way. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Karen Fukahara, Adam Beach and Scott Eastwood playing Killer Croc, Katanna, Slip Knot and some guy named Edwards, respectively, were just kind of there. And these aren't bad actors. They just weren't given anything to work with, which is a shame. And then, there's Jared Leto as The Joker...I guess. Look, he was barely in this thing, and when he was, it just didn't work for me. He was...They made him...Okay, I'm just gonna say it. He's a pimp. He's a PIMP! That is exactly how Leto is playing him, and that is not what anyone wanted. He wasn't funny, nor was he scary, and you need at least one, but preferably both of those traits to portray The Joker correctly. And I'm not blaming Jared Leto for this. We know he can act, but how good is anyone with this kind of writing and direction.
But, as expected, the worst of all was Cara Delevingne. Yes, let's give this person a dual role, when we know she can barely handle one. Sorry, I'm getting mean, but I have to be honest. She had to portray Dr. June Moone, first of all, and what is even the heck? She looks fourteen and you're gonna cast her as a doctor? No. But at least, she could somewhat pull off playing the simpering, weak character. I'll assume that the director just said to this former model, "You know all those skeezy photographers who told you to pout at the camera? Well, do that, plus squint your eyes and make weepy noises. Ta-da! Sad acting!" However, when she had to play the Enchantress, who was - again, spoilers - the main villain, it was a massive fail. I did not buy it in the least. She reminded me of a combo of a five year old dressing up in mommy's clothes, pretending to be a grown-up and someone who is cosplaying...badly. Just...NO!
Alright, time to say some nice things. I did enjoy Jay Hernandez as El Diablo, mostly because he was the only one with an actual story and character arc, and he gave a good performance. Shock of all shocks, and not only to me, I really got a kick out of Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang. He was pretty funny, and he definitely kept me entertained. But the one who really stood out was Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag. He gave an excellent performance in this. I've never even heard of him, but I might have to do some delving into his acting past. He had to go through a range of emotions and he pulled all of them off wonderfully. And not just by comparison standards. He was legit great.
Also, Affleck showed up as sub par Batman. Boo.
Now I have to talk about one more thing - the soundtrack. What was up with it in this movie? The songs they picked? They are so flippin' random, it's unbelievable. It's like someone set their iPod to shuffle and said, "Hey, this song exists. Let's put it in the movie!" I mean, they weren't terrible songs; they were just out of place and did not fit. And they were constant, in the worst way. But, technically, it's not bad...as a mix tape!
Okay, let's finish this. Do I recommend Suicide Squad? Not wholeheartedly, but if you want to rent it some time, you might be entertained by it. Certainly, by parts of it. But no need to see it in the theater, if you even have the chance, as I am late to the party with this review. Or you could rent Assault On Arkham. Maybe compare and contrast for yourself. In closing, I guess I just expected more. Thus, my main reaction to the film is that thing that so many parents have said to their children. I'm not mad; I'm just disappointed.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Friday, September 9, 2016
Genius - Movie Review
Greetings,
As a person who is a self-published author, I know that I miss out on some of the perks that traditionally published authors have. I wish I had the publicity, the funding and the professional help that they are accustomed to. What do I mean by professional help? Well, in this case, I am referring to that which comes from an editor. Yes, I am forced to be my own editor, which is rather a difficult thing to do, especially when you go to either the extreme of being too easy on yourself or too hard. Also, having what you write seen by someone else, someone who can give insight and criticism from another perspective, is so very valuable. But I never truly realized what a good editor can do to a book, how what they do is an art, in and of itself. Then, I saw a movie called Genius, where I got a good idea of what they do. And that is what I'll be discussing today.
Genius is a film that was released earlier this year, and if you haven't heard of it, that's okay. I barely heard of it, outside of a trailer and a short clip, but it seemed to be about writing, thus, I was in. The main character of the movie is a man named Maxwell Perkins, played by Colin Firth. Many people in the literary world would call him the most famous editor in American Lit history. I can believe that, as he worked with some of the greatest writers ever, like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and, the other main-ish character, Thomas Wolfe, played by Jude Law. The story behind this film really does center around their working relationship, and eventual friendship, and the roller coaster ride that it was. To call it entertaining would be an understatement, especially if you've ever seen a writer react to having things cut from a book. Not a pretty sight, but occasionally, a downright hilarious one.
Now I don't know much about Thomas Wolfe, but if he was very eccentric and extremely passionate about his writing, almost to a disturbing degree, then I would say that Jude Law played him brilliantly, Southern accent and all. And that ended up being a nice contrast to the more low key, but still powerful performance by Colin Firth. They worked off of each other so well, and their chemistry was undeniable.
That aside, one of the most important issues that I felt is dealt with is sacrifice. The sacrifice that an artist must endure in order to make their creation everything that it needs to be, or that they want it to be. We see Perkins losing time with his family and Wolfe losing time with the woman he loves. There is an obsession that is brought out in the process that, I think, only an artist can understand. It's the need to make everything just right, or what you believe is just right. It can be so difficult and exhausting in every way, but it can be worth it.
I think I just love seeing the process being carried out. Perhaps, it is only because I'm a writer, but I am utterly fascinated by how people work. It's like one of those "How Crayons Are Made" type videos I used to see on Mr. Rogers. Sometimes, you don't realize how amazing a simple, little item is until you see the road it took to get to you. Crayons, books, it's all the same to me.
So, what else did I like about this movie? I know I already raved about Firth and Law, but they weren't alone. Nicole Kidman plays Aline Bernstein, Wolfe's significant other. Apparently, it was complicated. Also, Laura Linney played Perkins' wife, Louise. Both ladies were a absolute delight. We got Dominic West playing Ernest Hemingway, in a small, but fantastic role. And finally, Guy Pearce, as F. Scott Fitzgerald. He certainly gave the most heartbreaking performance, since his story line in the film had him dealing with his wife, Zelda's personal issues. He almost made me cry, even in a limited number of scenes, and he kind of blew anyone else who has played F. Scott Fitzgerald out of the water. I'm just saying. Point is, more brilliance.
Safe to say, I am recommending Genius. Now, I will admit, it may be an acquired taste for some viewers. But if you're someone who loves to enjoy the process of the arts, particularly that of storytellers, or if you are a writer yourself, I think this is best suited for you. Of course, if nothing else, you will certainly be entertained by the amazing performances. And you might just learn a thing or two about us writer people. For better or worse.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
As a person who is a self-published author, I know that I miss out on some of the perks that traditionally published authors have. I wish I had the publicity, the funding and the professional help that they are accustomed to. What do I mean by professional help? Well, in this case, I am referring to that which comes from an editor. Yes, I am forced to be my own editor, which is rather a difficult thing to do, especially when you go to either the extreme of being too easy on yourself or too hard. Also, having what you write seen by someone else, someone who can give insight and criticism from another perspective, is so very valuable. But I never truly realized what a good editor can do to a book, how what they do is an art, in and of itself. Then, I saw a movie called Genius, where I got a good idea of what they do. And that is what I'll be discussing today.
Genius is a film that was released earlier this year, and if you haven't heard of it, that's okay. I barely heard of it, outside of a trailer and a short clip, but it seemed to be about writing, thus, I was in. The main character of the movie is a man named Maxwell Perkins, played by Colin Firth. Many people in the literary world would call him the most famous editor in American Lit history. I can believe that, as he worked with some of the greatest writers ever, like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and, the other main-ish character, Thomas Wolfe, played by Jude Law. The story behind this film really does center around their working relationship, and eventual friendship, and the roller coaster ride that it was. To call it entertaining would be an understatement, especially if you've ever seen a writer react to having things cut from a book. Not a pretty sight, but occasionally, a downright hilarious one.
Now I don't know much about Thomas Wolfe, but if he was very eccentric and extremely passionate about his writing, almost to a disturbing degree, then I would say that Jude Law played him brilliantly, Southern accent and all. And that ended up being a nice contrast to the more low key, but still powerful performance by Colin Firth. They worked off of each other so well, and their chemistry was undeniable.
That aside, one of the most important issues that I felt is dealt with is sacrifice. The sacrifice that an artist must endure in order to make their creation everything that it needs to be, or that they want it to be. We see Perkins losing time with his family and Wolfe losing time with the woman he loves. There is an obsession that is brought out in the process that, I think, only an artist can understand. It's the need to make everything just right, or what you believe is just right. It can be so difficult and exhausting in every way, but it can be worth it.
I think I just love seeing the process being carried out. Perhaps, it is only because I'm a writer, but I am utterly fascinated by how people work. It's like one of those "How Crayons Are Made" type videos I used to see on Mr. Rogers. Sometimes, you don't realize how amazing a simple, little item is until you see the road it took to get to you. Crayons, books, it's all the same to me.
So, what else did I like about this movie? I know I already raved about Firth and Law, but they weren't alone. Nicole Kidman plays Aline Bernstein, Wolfe's significant other. Apparently, it was complicated. Also, Laura Linney played Perkins' wife, Louise. Both ladies were a absolute delight. We got Dominic West playing Ernest Hemingway, in a small, but fantastic role. And finally, Guy Pearce, as F. Scott Fitzgerald. He certainly gave the most heartbreaking performance, since his story line in the film had him dealing with his wife, Zelda's personal issues. He almost made me cry, even in a limited number of scenes, and he kind of blew anyone else who has played F. Scott Fitzgerald out of the water. I'm just saying. Point is, more brilliance.
Safe to say, I am recommending Genius. Now, I will admit, it may be an acquired taste for some viewers. But if you're someone who loves to enjoy the process of the arts, particularly that of storytellers, or if you are a writer yourself, I think this is best suited for you. Of course, if nothing else, you will certainly be entertained by the amazing performances. And you might just learn a thing or two about us writer people. For better or worse.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
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