Greetings,
Well, it's kind of hot and humid where I live, and I'm suffering from Shark Week withdrawals. What better way to remedy that than by going to an air conditioned movie theater to see The Shallows!
I must say, I have been interested in seeing this film since I saw the first trailer. Oh, and by the way, if you've only seen the first trailer, keep it that way. The subsequent one gave away a bit too much of the plot. But I'm not here to review the trailer, just the movie. And, frankly, it was pretty great.
The film centers around a young woman named Nancy who is dealing with the death of her mother and heading off to a not very well known beach in Mexico. She's going there because it was a place her mom told her about. After a day of surfing alongside some friendly locals that she meets, Nancy is attacked by a shark and finds herself alone and injured badly, clinging to life on something that can barely be called a tiny island. Well, alone, save a wounded seagull that she befriends...and names Steven. I know that sounds sappy, but trust me, it's one of the best things about the movie. Anyway, we follow her as she tries to brave the elements, stay alive and save herself, all while being stalked by the shark. No, really. This shark is a super jerk. You will hate him. Seriously, though, this is just a great story of survival and the human spirit done in an excellent way, and I really enjoyed it.
So, let's get even more specific about the things I liked, starting with the cast. It's Blake Lively. That's about it. She plays Nancy, and aside from a few other characters showing up briefly, she is the only person we really get to know, because she is carrying this whole film. And did she succeed? Well, I have only one thing to say about it - this chick is AWESOME! I have to admit, at the beginning of her career, I was never too sure about Blake Lively. I certainly never disliked her, but it's like I was waiting for her to really go Ka-Boom as an actress. Well, over the years, she has been getting better and better, and finally, with this movie...Ka-Boom!
No lie. She thoroughly impressed me here. To say nothing of how physically grueling this job must have been, her expressions and the way she shows emotions of fear and horror and hope just overwhelmed me. I was totally with her the whole time, completely rooting for her to make it. And that is such a nice thing to experience since so many of these movies where people are trying to survive are full of unlikable characters who you almost want to die. Not here, though. She is just amazing, and you're cheering her on the whole way.
What else is good? Well, holy crap, this movie is absolutely gorgeous. The cinematography is beautifully shot, really embracing the fantastic place in which they were filming. It's so bright and colorful, almost visually contrasting the dire situation taking place. And the underwater scenes are amazing. Hey, Jaws: The Revenge, why don't you watch this movie and see how you're supposed to do a shark P.O.V. shot? Of course, the best shot is probably the one where you see Nancy surfing on a huge wave and you also see the shark. And when I say "see", I mean "SEE". It's hard to explain, but you'll know what I'm talking about when you watch it.
If I was forced to make any complaint, I guess it would be about a scene near the end. No spoilers, but it seems a bit outlandish, even for a shark movie. Again, you'll know it when you see it. However, since the rest of the movie was so believable and exciting, I'm going to let this go. It kind of earned a moment of craziness after all the awesomeness.
Lastly, I have to say hats off to the director, Jaume Collet-Serra. I'd say he is best known for doing the House of Wax remake, which didn't do so well as a whole, but he was the best thing about it. Of course, now I hope that this is the film that people will think of when they think of him. It has to be tough to direct something that barely has a script as far as dialogue and exposition go, but he did it masterfully. I hope he continues on with this and just keeps getting better.
In conclusion, I say that you should definitely see The Shallows, and you should see it in the theater if you can. It's worth it. Heck, if it's playing on an IMAX somewhere, I say go for that. It's a visual experience that is greatly helped by the big screen. Still, as I said before, this film is really about a person fighting to survive and finding out just how strong she truly is. Yes, the look of it leaves you awestruck, but if you pay close attention to the quieter moments, you'll find something even more powerful.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Touched With Fire - Movie Review
Greetings,
There are a lot of movies that I like. There are fewer that I love. But there are a mere handful which I can say had a deep effect on me. I had been anticipating seeing the film about which I will speak for a very, very long time. From the moment I saw the trailer, I was drawn in to what I thought the story might be, and it was a story I felt may hit extremely close to home. For so many reasons, it did. Everybody, Touched With Fire.
Touched With Fire is the story of two poets, Carla and Marco, who meet whilst spending time in a mental hospital as they both deal with their bipolar condition. At first, they are not exactly fond of one another, but soon they make a connection. And rest assured, this is not done in the typical, tropes-y rom-com way. In fact, everything that could make this film predictable, somehow does not. Perhaps, because the subject matter is one that needs to be approached from a near fearless perspective.
Once Carla and Marco start to really see one another, in ways that only they can, their feelings begin to grow, but due to their illness, they push each other to become manic and things begin to spin out of control. They have no desire to take their much needed medication, because they believe, I think, that their "cure" is each other. Their families want them to recover in a conventional and proven manner, but they feel as though no one can truly understand them, except for, again, each other. As their story progresses, they begin to be forced to make choices that they fear could destroy the creativity and passion that they love, but choices that could ultimately save their lives.
This film is an adaptation of a book also called Touched With Fire, but it is not a typical adaptation. The book, written by Kay Redfield Jamison, is a nonfiction that explores the relationship between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity, citing a staggering amount of writers and artists who are considered geniuses, but who also dealt with this illness somewhere on the spectrum. The writer/director of this film, Paul Dalio, took his own history with the disorder and melded it into what the book was about to develop this screenplay. Both Dalio and Jamison have cameos in the film, the former as a patient and the latter as herself, trying to convince the couple that taking the medication will not destroy their creativity but help them to channel it, to focus it, and to get the work done, something she herself has experienced.
One of the best things about the film is how visuals were used, particularly colors. Marco is someone who loves the nighttime, calling himself Luna, surrendering to his manic state, and his scenes are drenched in shades of blue and gray, like the moon. Carla loves the light, finding herself lost and panicked when night falls, and her scenes are filled with shades of orange and yellow, like the sun. This theme is used to show the journey of their relationship, and it's done in a brilliant way. Brilliant because, as I watched the film, I could sense a difference between them that was not being expressed only with words, but I didn't know exactly what it was. After hearing Dalio talk about how they had done this thing with the colors, it become wonderfully obvious. Artistic decisions like this should be subtle initially and blatant afterward. Mission accomplished.
Another thing that helped this movie soar was the acting. Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby were amazing in the roles of Carla and Marco. Their chemistry was some of the best and believable I have ever seen, and that was incredibly important when telling the story of these characters. These two actors were heartbreaking, in the best way, and practically transcendent. But they were supported by some other great actors as well, particularly Christine Lahti and Bruce Altman as Carla's parents and Griffin Dunne as Marco's father. They beautifully portray the effect that this illness has, not only on the afflicted, but everyone around them, trying desperately to help, understand and just survive. Again, heartbreaking, in the best way.
And now to speak on a more personal note... As I mentioned, this film had a deep effect on me, as did the book from which it spawned. I can relate to Carla and Marco very much, albeit not to their extremes, but somewhere in their vicinity. I know the feelings by which we are overtaken as we're drawn into another world that seems so much greater than the real one. I know the highs we get from seeing everything with a vision that was not gifted to everyone. And I know how other people who don't understand us look at us, judge us and make assumptions about us. Some of them see a mess that can never be cleaned up, but we know it's pieces of chaos just waiting to be used for something greater than itself. And being the ones to make that happen is a job with which we are tasked. It's a difficult way to live at times, but it's our life. We find ways to live it, to survive, and to turn whatever darkness that crosses our paths into something beautiful.
So, let me finish by saying that Touched With Fire is a wonderful film. It can be arduous to watch in some moments, but it can serve a purpose to help people be understood, and for some people to understand themselves. It shows every one of us that we are all capable of taking control and leading ourselves done paths where we can breathe, where we can create, where we can live.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
There are a lot of movies that I like. There are fewer that I love. But there are a mere handful which I can say had a deep effect on me. I had been anticipating seeing the film about which I will speak for a very, very long time. From the moment I saw the trailer, I was drawn in to what I thought the story might be, and it was a story I felt may hit extremely close to home. For so many reasons, it did. Everybody, Touched With Fire.
Touched With Fire is the story of two poets, Carla and Marco, who meet whilst spending time in a mental hospital as they both deal with their bipolar condition. At first, they are not exactly fond of one another, but soon they make a connection. And rest assured, this is not done in the typical, tropes-y rom-com way. In fact, everything that could make this film predictable, somehow does not. Perhaps, because the subject matter is one that needs to be approached from a near fearless perspective.
Once Carla and Marco start to really see one another, in ways that only they can, their feelings begin to grow, but due to their illness, they push each other to become manic and things begin to spin out of control. They have no desire to take their much needed medication, because they believe, I think, that their "cure" is each other. Their families want them to recover in a conventional and proven manner, but they feel as though no one can truly understand them, except for, again, each other. As their story progresses, they begin to be forced to make choices that they fear could destroy the creativity and passion that they love, but choices that could ultimately save their lives.
This film is an adaptation of a book also called Touched With Fire, but it is not a typical adaptation. The book, written by Kay Redfield Jamison, is a nonfiction that explores the relationship between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity, citing a staggering amount of writers and artists who are considered geniuses, but who also dealt with this illness somewhere on the spectrum. The writer/director of this film, Paul Dalio, took his own history with the disorder and melded it into what the book was about to develop this screenplay. Both Dalio and Jamison have cameos in the film, the former as a patient and the latter as herself, trying to convince the couple that taking the medication will not destroy their creativity but help them to channel it, to focus it, and to get the work done, something she herself has experienced.
One of the best things about the film is how visuals were used, particularly colors. Marco is someone who loves the nighttime, calling himself Luna, surrendering to his manic state, and his scenes are drenched in shades of blue and gray, like the moon. Carla loves the light, finding herself lost and panicked when night falls, and her scenes are filled with shades of orange and yellow, like the sun. This theme is used to show the journey of their relationship, and it's done in a brilliant way. Brilliant because, as I watched the film, I could sense a difference between them that was not being expressed only with words, but I didn't know exactly what it was. After hearing Dalio talk about how they had done this thing with the colors, it become wonderfully obvious. Artistic decisions like this should be subtle initially and blatant afterward. Mission accomplished.
Another thing that helped this movie soar was the acting. Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby were amazing in the roles of Carla and Marco. Their chemistry was some of the best and believable I have ever seen, and that was incredibly important when telling the story of these characters. These two actors were heartbreaking, in the best way, and practically transcendent. But they were supported by some other great actors as well, particularly Christine Lahti and Bruce Altman as Carla's parents and Griffin Dunne as Marco's father. They beautifully portray the effect that this illness has, not only on the afflicted, but everyone around them, trying desperately to help, understand and just survive. Again, heartbreaking, in the best way.
And now to speak on a more personal note... As I mentioned, this film had a deep effect on me, as did the book from which it spawned. I can relate to Carla and Marco very much, albeit not to their extremes, but somewhere in their vicinity. I know the feelings by which we are overtaken as we're drawn into another world that seems so much greater than the real one. I know the highs we get from seeing everything with a vision that was not gifted to everyone. And I know how other people who don't understand us look at us, judge us and make assumptions about us. Some of them see a mess that can never be cleaned up, but we know it's pieces of chaos just waiting to be used for something greater than itself. And being the ones to make that happen is a job with which we are tasked. It's a difficult way to live at times, but it's our life. We find ways to live it, to survive, and to turn whatever darkness that crosses our paths into something beautiful.
So, let me finish by saying that Touched With Fire is a wonderful film. It can be arduous to watch in some moments, but it can serve a purpose to help people be understood, and for some people to understand themselves. It shows every one of us that we are all capable of taking control and leading ourselves done paths where we can breathe, where we can create, where we can live.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
I Have An Idea For An OWN Show!!
Greetings,
The other day, I was surfing the web, as the kids say, and I found myself on Oprah.com. I go there sometimes to see what she's saying about the book world and what have you. Well, as I was exploring the site, I found something interesting pertaining to her OWN Network. Something very interesting.
Apparently, random folks, such as you and I, can submit ideas for shows on said network, in a place called the "Submission Portal". Nice! That sounds like it could be a show right there. Anyway, at first, I just gave it a glance, thinking, "Well, that's cool." Because I still say "cool", if only internally. Then, once I was away from my computer, I thought about it, and I decided that I had a good idea for an OWN show. Unfortunately, for me, the nice people at this network are actually good at what they do, and they need an official pitch and a "treatment", whatever that is. Yeah, I am okay admitting that I would not know where to even begin with something like this, and unlike some people, I do not want to act as though I am knowledgeable about something when I am not. However, this idea of mine is still lingering in my head, so I figured, since I have this blog, I may as well share it, even in this casual way. So, off we go. Here's my idea...along with some back story. Because of reasons.
As I may have mentioned, I am a self-published author. These days, trying to get a book deal with a major publishing house is as difficult as it has ever been, so many writers have chosen to go the way that I have. When I decided to do this, I had no idea what I was in for. Turns out, many places that let you self-publish also require you to buy a certain amount of your books, and you have to just hope and pray that you can sell them. Well, for many of us, we don't know hundreds of people who will buy our books, and even if we could eventually move them, trying to scrounge together the cash to buy them in the first place can be near impossible. Thankfully, though, I found a place to go wherein I am not required to pre-order as they print on demand. So, I put in pretty much nothing but my hard work.
Of course, finding a place that will print your books, or...e-reader them?...is only the first step. Now we have to market ourselves. Emphasis on "ourselves", because we usually have to do it all on our own, without a big house to back us and put money into promotion. It can be quite discouraging, and we all just hope that something we post on Facebook or Twitter or in a blog will get noticed by someone who can help and spread the word about what we've done. And I know that there are many wonderful writers out there who are patiently waiting for that moment. So . . . the idea . . . finally.
I think it would be amazing if OWN had a show that spotlighted lesser known, self-published authors. They can be interviewed or visited in their hometowns where the audience can see where they do their writing and find inspiration. And they can share their personal stories and struggles, the ones that may be able to help other people, in general, and other writers, specifically. All of the effort that goes into what they create can be seen and appreciated in a way that it, otherwise, may never be. It can bring attention to great but unrecognized authors who are, perhaps, only separated from the success they want by mere steps. The authors who just need someone to show the world who they are and what they can do.
And there you have it. Yes, I did this in the simplest way I could. Frankly, I'm happy to light the spark and then hand the reigns over to someone who knows what they're doing. Like a television network. Especially one that's run by someone who seems to be fond of books and writers. I'm taking about Oprah. Who did you think I meant? Also, if they insisted on paying me for the idea, who am I to say no? Yeah, I'm not too proud to admit that, given my current financial situation, I could use a few bucks. However, I am proud of this and would love a little credit for it. But this concept and who it might help is really what matters.
Look, my point is this. I may not have the skills to do a big pitch, but I do have the skills, I hope, to come up with a few good ideas. And I believe that good ideas should be shared. Because you never know.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
The other day, I was surfing the web, as the kids say, and I found myself on Oprah.com. I go there sometimes to see what she's saying about the book world and what have you. Well, as I was exploring the site, I found something interesting pertaining to her OWN Network. Something very interesting.
Apparently, random folks, such as you and I, can submit ideas for shows on said network, in a place called the "Submission Portal". Nice! That sounds like it could be a show right there. Anyway, at first, I just gave it a glance, thinking, "Well, that's cool." Because I still say "cool", if only internally. Then, once I was away from my computer, I thought about it, and I decided that I had a good idea for an OWN show. Unfortunately, for me, the nice people at this network are actually good at what they do, and they need an official pitch and a "treatment", whatever that is. Yeah, I am okay admitting that I would not know where to even begin with something like this, and unlike some people, I do not want to act as though I am knowledgeable about something when I am not. However, this idea of mine is still lingering in my head, so I figured, since I have this blog, I may as well share it, even in this casual way. So, off we go. Here's my idea...along with some back story. Because of reasons.
As I may have mentioned, I am a self-published author. These days, trying to get a book deal with a major publishing house is as difficult as it has ever been, so many writers have chosen to go the way that I have. When I decided to do this, I had no idea what I was in for. Turns out, many places that let you self-publish also require you to buy a certain amount of your books, and you have to just hope and pray that you can sell them. Well, for many of us, we don't know hundreds of people who will buy our books, and even if we could eventually move them, trying to scrounge together the cash to buy them in the first place can be near impossible. Thankfully, though, I found a place to go wherein I am not required to pre-order as they print on demand. So, I put in pretty much nothing but my hard work.
Of course, finding a place that will print your books, or...e-reader them?...is only the first step. Now we have to market ourselves. Emphasis on "ourselves", because we usually have to do it all on our own, without a big house to back us and put money into promotion. It can be quite discouraging, and we all just hope that something we post on Facebook or Twitter or in a blog will get noticed by someone who can help and spread the word about what we've done. And I know that there are many wonderful writers out there who are patiently waiting for that moment. So . . . the idea . . . finally.
I think it would be amazing if OWN had a show that spotlighted lesser known, self-published authors. They can be interviewed or visited in their hometowns where the audience can see where they do their writing and find inspiration. And they can share their personal stories and struggles, the ones that may be able to help other people, in general, and other writers, specifically. All of the effort that goes into what they create can be seen and appreciated in a way that it, otherwise, may never be. It can bring attention to great but unrecognized authors who are, perhaps, only separated from the success they want by mere steps. The authors who just need someone to show the world who they are and what they can do.
And there you have it. Yes, I did this in the simplest way I could. Frankly, I'm happy to light the spark and then hand the reigns over to someone who knows what they're doing. Like a television network. Especially one that's run by someone who seems to be fond of books and writers. I'm taking about Oprah. Who did you think I meant? Also, if they insisted on paying me for the idea, who am I to say no? Yeah, I'm not too proud to admit that, given my current financial situation, I could use a few bucks. However, I am proud of this and would love a little credit for it. But this concept and who it might help is really what matters.
Look, my point is this. I may not have the skills to do a big pitch, but I do have the skills, I hope, to come up with a few good ideas. And I believe that good ideas should be shared. Because you never know.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Catching Hell - Documentary Review
Greetings,
I hate sports. I have mentioned this often. And I have my reasons, including but not limited to the fact that I am not good at them. Still, I think what I more have an issue with are sports fans and the behavior that they sometimes engage in. Now I know that my opinion of sports is just that, an opinion, and I know for certain that most fans are good people who just want to have some fun. But, then, every so often, some of them do things that make me question if I am of the same species as these people. I was reminded of one of those times when I saw the film, Catching Hell.
Catching Hell is a 2011 documentary directed by Alex Gibney. It chronicles the incident that occurred at a 2003 Cubs game wherein a single fan, Steve Bartman, was accused of interfering and ultimately costing them the game and, eventually in the minds of the fans, the World Series, though this was not even yet the World Series. I say "accused" because, first of all, he thought he was simply going for a foul ball, as you do, and second of all, he was one of about eight people who did the same thing. How he ended up getting blamed is something I still wonder and something that this film questions, as well. After focusing on the actual incident itself, we also go further into what happened to that man after the fact, how his life was affected and how the fans treated him. Spoilers: They didn't treat him very nicely. In some cases, I might even be inclined to use the word "barbaric". Look, I get it. You're upset that your team...sorry, "your" team lost. Because it's not yours. Because you're not a part of it. But, perhaps, some life perspective might do you some good. And by the way, another thing the film explores that people tend to forget is that many things went wrong and led to the Cubs' loss that day. However, some find it better to place all the blame onto one person rather than to accept the fact that, sometimes, crappy stuff just happens. Go figure.
Now don't think for a minute that this thing is one-note or one story. In fact, they used the tale of what happened at this game to juxtapose something that happened at another game 17 years earlier. That would be the infamous Red Sox game where Bill Buckner made an error. Yeah, these two stories definitely line up. One person makes a mistake and he is demonized for it, despite the fact that others made mistakes as well. Oh, and the fact that both of these games happened during Game #6 out of 7, which means both teams had one more chance and both teams blew it. They all could have bounced back, teams and fans alike, but they let themselves be defeated, in more ways than one. But, again, too easy to accept that. We need a scapegoat, which is something else discussed in the film, in a very masterful way.
An interesting aspect of this film is that the aforementioned director is a big sports fan. One would think it might make him biased in favor of the teams. But no. Gibney decided to show this story in a fair and honest way. You know, that thing that all documentary directors are supposed to do but so often fall at. And in the end, we get a fascinating story about blame, responsibility, priorities and the nature of human beings when they feel they have been wronged. Even when it comes to something as trivial as baseball.
At its core, this film serves to put a mirror in front of so many people in order for them to see the insanity of their behavior. A person's life is not less important than a game. Having respect for others, even if you're mad at them, justified or not, should be the default setting for humanity. It's not a lot of the time. And frankly, that's just sad to me. In fact, there were many parts of this movie that kind of broke my heart. It was rather a disgrace the way that both Bartman and Buckner were treated. It's not how we should be. Hopefully, this film has made and will make some people change.
So, to wrap things up, check out Catching Hell. Even if you're not a sports fan, as I am not, you will still find this entertaining, interesting, thought provoking and perhaps, even mind changing.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
I hate sports. I have mentioned this often. And I have my reasons, including but not limited to the fact that I am not good at them. Still, I think what I more have an issue with are sports fans and the behavior that they sometimes engage in. Now I know that my opinion of sports is just that, an opinion, and I know for certain that most fans are good people who just want to have some fun. But, then, every so often, some of them do things that make me question if I am of the same species as these people. I was reminded of one of those times when I saw the film, Catching Hell.
Catching Hell is a 2011 documentary directed by Alex Gibney. It chronicles the incident that occurred at a 2003 Cubs game wherein a single fan, Steve Bartman, was accused of interfering and ultimately costing them the game and, eventually in the minds of the fans, the World Series, though this was not even yet the World Series. I say "accused" because, first of all, he thought he was simply going for a foul ball, as you do, and second of all, he was one of about eight people who did the same thing. How he ended up getting blamed is something I still wonder and something that this film questions, as well. After focusing on the actual incident itself, we also go further into what happened to that man after the fact, how his life was affected and how the fans treated him. Spoilers: They didn't treat him very nicely. In some cases, I might even be inclined to use the word "barbaric". Look, I get it. You're upset that your team...sorry, "your" team lost. Because it's not yours. Because you're not a part of it. But, perhaps, some life perspective might do you some good. And by the way, another thing the film explores that people tend to forget is that many things went wrong and led to the Cubs' loss that day. However, some find it better to place all the blame onto one person rather than to accept the fact that, sometimes, crappy stuff just happens. Go figure.
Now don't think for a minute that this thing is one-note or one story. In fact, they used the tale of what happened at this game to juxtapose something that happened at another game 17 years earlier. That would be the infamous Red Sox game where Bill Buckner made an error. Yeah, these two stories definitely line up. One person makes a mistake and he is demonized for it, despite the fact that others made mistakes as well. Oh, and the fact that both of these games happened during Game #6 out of 7, which means both teams had one more chance and both teams blew it. They all could have bounced back, teams and fans alike, but they let themselves be defeated, in more ways than one. But, again, too easy to accept that. We need a scapegoat, which is something else discussed in the film, in a very masterful way.
An interesting aspect of this film is that the aforementioned director is a big sports fan. One would think it might make him biased in favor of the teams. But no. Gibney decided to show this story in a fair and honest way. You know, that thing that all documentary directors are supposed to do but so often fall at. And in the end, we get a fascinating story about blame, responsibility, priorities and the nature of human beings when they feel they have been wronged. Even when it comes to something as trivial as baseball.
At its core, this film serves to put a mirror in front of so many people in order for them to see the insanity of their behavior. A person's life is not less important than a game. Having respect for others, even if you're mad at them, justified or not, should be the default setting for humanity. It's not a lot of the time. And frankly, that's just sad to me. In fact, there were many parts of this movie that kind of broke my heart. It was rather a disgrace the way that both Bartman and Buckner were treated. It's not how we should be. Hopefully, this film has made and will make some people change.
So, to wrap things up, check out Catching Hell. Even if you're not a sports fan, as I am not, you will still find this entertaining, interesting, thought provoking and perhaps, even mind changing.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Friday, May 20, 2016
Tumbledown - Music Movie Review
Greetings,
Though I've never written it down officially, I have a list of movies in my head that I really wish I could be in. Not as an actress, but rather as a character. Some films create worlds that make people want to be a part of them. As I'm not one for fighting dragons or going into space, my choices tend to be more realistic. Happily, I have found another film I can add to that list, Tumbledown.
Tumbledown tells the story of Hannah, played by the wonderful Rebecca Hall, sans her British accent, as the widow of Hunter Miles, a musician who made one album that become a cult classic. She's living alone in a house in her home state of Maine, the one she was supposed to share with her husband for the rest of their lives, and trying to deal with her loss. She is also trying to write a biography of Hunter's life as not much was known about him by his fans, and she is the one with all the information, especially that which is extremely personal. However, she soon discovers that someone else is in town with hopes of also pulling together a biography, a writer from New York named Andrew McCabe, played by Jason Sudeikis. Reluctantly, Hannah agrees that, since Andrew actually knows the technical aspects of doing a book and she clearly does not, it might be a good idea for them to work together. Of course, things are rocky at first for many reasons, as wounds are still healing and Hannah is overwhelmingly protective of the legacy of the man she loves, but eventually they come to an understanding, both where their work and their lives are concerned.
I don't want to give away too much about the exact plot, because this is one of those films that doesn't exactly lead up to some Ka-Boom moment. It more so makes you want to follow along on the journey and gently slide your way into its conclusion. I like those kinds of movies, so I like this one. Thus, since I won't be giving a boatload of spoilers away, what else can I talk about? Well, I can't possibly get by without mentioning the phenomenal supporting cast, so let's start there.
Blythe Danner serves as, what I consider, the most prestigious member of the cast, playing Hannah's mother, who is desperately wanting her daughter to move on with her life after Hunter, though it is obvious that she is also wounded by the loss of someone she considered a son. We have a great character actor, Richard Massur, who many may recall by his face, if not his name, playing Hannah's father. Diana Agron pops up as Andrew's girlfriend, a character who the audience may be unsure of whether or not they are supposed to like. Joe Manganiello plays a local guy who shows up when Hannah needs him for...reasons. Make your own predictions on that one. Finally, Griffin Dunne serves as Hannah's most understanding and supportive friend in town. And everyone seems to be cast rather perfectly for their roles. That's always a good thing.
And now for a trip behind the scenes. The director of this film is Sean Mewshaw, who came up with the story along with his wife, Desi Van Til, who wrote the screenplay. And I certainly hope the info I got about them being married is correct or this would be awkward. Kidding aside, I love what they created together with this film. I am such a great admirer of character driven stories, wherein you can follow them emotionally and root for them to get to where they need to be. This is absolutely one of those, as I found myself getting tugs at my heart in the best way when seeing Hannah in her most quiet and personal moments, something that can also be attributed to the subtle brilliance of Ms. Hall's acting. Of course, I feel an actor is at their best when given a great story. Mission accomplished. And what I mentioned at the start of this post about the world creating? Well, hats off in a big way to the director for showing us a place that feels like home to people who have never even been there. These two superb artists made a world where everyone is so protective of everyone else and the very place itself, so much so that it makes each audience member long to be a part of that kind of community. And it makes us realize why the unseen character of Hunter Miles fell in love with the town as much as he fell in love with Hannah.
One more thing to discuss: the music. As I just said, we don't really get to see Hunter Miles, aside from a brief flash of a photo or two, but where we truly get to know him is through his songs. These songs are provided by an artist I had never come across, but I'm glad I finally have, whose name is Damien Jurado. He was tasked with constructing a person who, in a way, did not exist anymore, but who we had to believe still did. He was, after all, still alive in the hearts of those who loved him, those who knew him and those who didn't. Yes, I know that sounds sappy, but it doesn't make it untrue. Well, Jurado did this flawlessly, to the point where, if someone had described the character of Hunter Miles to you, this is exactly the kind of music you would predict him to make. And while we are the subject of music, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Daniel Hart, who did the beautiful score. This is one of those cases where, when I refer to a movie as a "Music Movie", I put great emphasis on the music part.
So, in closing, in case you haven't figured it out yet, I am highly recommending Tumbledown. Does it have flaws? Of course. Are there moments that may seem predictable for a story such as this? Yeah, I suppose. But when everything else is so good and heartfelt, where you can feel the soul of the people who created this film in every part of it, I can overlook a few faux pas and just tell you to watch it.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Though I've never written it down officially, I have a list of movies in my head that I really wish I could be in. Not as an actress, but rather as a character. Some films create worlds that make people want to be a part of them. As I'm not one for fighting dragons or going into space, my choices tend to be more realistic. Happily, I have found another film I can add to that list, Tumbledown.
Tumbledown tells the story of Hannah, played by the wonderful Rebecca Hall, sans her British accent, as the widow of Hunter Miles, a musician who made one album that become a cult classic. She's living alone in a house in her home state of Maine, the one she was supposed to share with her husband for the rest of their lives, and trying to deal with her loss. She is also trying to write a biography of Hunter's life as not much was known about him by his fans, and she is the one with all the information, especially that which is extremely personal. However, she soon discovers that someone else is in town with hopes of also pulling together a biography, a writer from New York named Andrew McCabe, played by Jason Sudeikis. Reluctantly, Hannah agrees that, since Andrew actually knows the technical aspects of doing a book and she clearly does not, it might be a good idea for them to work together. Of course, things are rocky at first for many reasons, as wounds are still healing and Hannah is overwhelmingly protective of the legacy of the man she loves, but eventually they come to an understanding, both where their work and their lives are concerned.
I don't want to give away too much about the exact plot, because this is one of those films that doesn't exactly lead up to some Ka-Boom moment. It more so makes you want to follow along on the journey and gently slide your way into its conclusion. I like those kinds of movies, so I like this one. Thus, since I won't be giving a boatload of spoilers away, what else can I talk about? Well, I can't possibly get by without mentioning the phenomenal supporting cast, so let's start there.
Blythe Danner serves as, what I consider, the most prestigious member of the cast, playing Hannah's mother, who is desperately wanting her daughter to move on with her life after Hunter, though it is obvious that she is also wounded by the loss of someone she considered a son. We have a great character actor, Richard Massur, who many may recall by his face, if not his name, playing Hannah's father. Diana Agron pops up as Andrew's girlfriend, a character who the audience may be unsure of whether or not they are supposed to like. Joe Manganiello plays a local guy who shows up when Hannah needs him for...reasons. Make your own predictions on that one. Finally, Griffin Dunne serves as Hannah's most understanding and supportive friend in town. And everyone seems to be cast rather perfectly for their roles. That's always a good thing.
And now for a trip behind the scenes. The director of this film is Sean Mewshaw, who came up with the story along with his wife, Desi Van Til, who wrote the screenplay. And I certainly hope the info I got about them being married is correct or this would be awkward. Kidding aside, I love what they created together with this film. I am such a great admirer of character driven stories, wherein you can follow them emotionally and root for them to get to where they need to be. This is absolutely one of those, as I found myself getting tugs at my heart in the best way when seeing Hannah in her most quiet and personal moments, something that can also be attributed to the subtle brilliance of Ms. Hall's acting. Of course, I feel an actor is at their best when given a great story. Mission accomplished. And what I mentioned at the start of this post about the world creating? Well, hats off in a big way to the director for showing us a place that feels like home to people who have never even been there. These two superb artists made a world where everyone is so protective of everyone else and the very place itself, so much so that it makes each audience member long to be a part of that kind of community. And it makes us realize why the unseen character of Hunter Miles fell in love with the town as much as he fell in love with Hannah.
One more thing to discuss: the music. As I just said, we don't really get to see Hunter Miles, aside from a brief flash of a photo or two, but where we truly get to know him is through his songs. These songs are provided by an artist I had never come across, but I'm glad I finally have, whose name is Damien Jurado. He was tasked with constructing a person who, in a way, did not exist anymore, but who we had to believe still did. He was, after all, still alive in the hearts of those who loved him, those who knew him and those who didn't. Yes, I know that sounds sappy, but it doesn't make it untrue. Well, Jurado did this flawlessly, to the point where, if someone had described the character of Hunter Miles to you, this is exactly the kind of music you would predict him to make. And while we are the subject of music, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Daniel Hart, who did the beautiful score. This is one of those cases where, when I refer to a movie as a "Music Movie", I put great emphasis on the music part.
So, in closing, in case you haven't figured it out yet, I am highly recommending Tumbledown. Does it have flaws? Of course. Are there moments that may seem predictable for a story such as this? Yeah, I suppose. But when everything else is so good and heartfelt, where you can feel the soul of the people who created this film in every part of it, I can overlook a few faux pas and just tell you to watch it.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Mommie Dearest - Movie Review
Greetings,
Yes, I know that Mother's Day was a week ago, and a much more appropriate day to do this. I had, in fact, intended to do this thing last Sunday, but reasons, as usual, interfered. Still, it seemed like a good way to get back into doing reviews here on the blog. Talking about something that is completely underrated, unappreciated and something in which no one can see the brilliance. Just like me! Anyway, Mommie Dearest.
Mommie Dearest is a 1981 film that tells the story of Joan Crawford by way of the 1978 book of the same name written by her adopted daughter, Christina Crawford. Now this is not exactly a biopic, as we don't follow Joan throughout her entire life, but rather it covers the alleged abuse that Christina and her brother, Christopher, suffered at the hands of their mother. That's right. This film, which has become a cult classic, is considered "camp" and was once re-marketed as a dark comedy, is all about child abuse. Hilarious! But more on that, and some specific scenes, later.
Seriously, this film gets a really bad rap, even getting the Razzie Award for Worst Film of the Decade. It was not! I certainly don't know why it gets all this hate, and I absolutely don't know why the lovely and talented Faye Dunaway, who portrays Joan Crawford, gets the brunt of it. In my humble opinion, I thought she was phenomenal. It actually might be her greatest acting job ever. But, of course, some people often refer to the performance as over the top, as though it's a bad or inaccurate thing. I mean, do they know anything about Joan Crawford? She was over the top. Oh, and what's with all the jokes they make about Ms. Dunaway's physical appearance in the film? THAT is how Joan Crawford looked. These criticisms are akin to someone saying that Jamie Foxx played Ray Charles too much like a blind guy.
Look, I could spend a long time raving about this performance, but I would remiss if I didn't mention everything else. This was a well-written, well-acted, and overall well-made movie. Everyone in the cast did a fine job, but I must speak specifically about Mara Hobel and Diana Scarwid who play child Christina and adult Christina, respectively. First, Mara Hobel did one of the best kid acting jobs I've ever seen, and I've seen some bad ones. She really held her own against a pro like Faye Dunaway, as did Diana Scarwid. On to her performance, while much of it was understated, certainly by comparison, when it came time to let the emotions go full speed ahead, she pulled it off quite nicely. Really, this story is about these two women and their relationship, and they conveyed that to the audience very well.
Oh, and speaking of the cast, we get a little "What's up?" from Xander Berkeley as adult Christopher at the end, and also an appearance by Belita Moreno. You may know her as George's mother on The George Lopez Show. If you've seen her on that show and if you've seen this movie, you'll get the irony of this.
But let me take a moment to get back to that elephant in the room. Anyone who has ever, well, been alive most likely has seen some kind of parody of the infamous "No wire hangers ever!" scene. I won't judge you for laughing; I may have done it myself. However, let's think about that. These jokes spring from a very unsettling scene of a child being beaten. What is wrong with us? And how about some other scenes in the film? The all out, mother-daughter brawl, complete with the smashing of a glass table or the crazy chopping down of the tree with an ax, which are often taken out of context and if you see what led to them, you can see them in the correct light. Still, how can anyone miss the quieter scenes of the movie, like the ones where Joan and Tina legitimately behave like two people who seem to care about each other or, perhaps, what I consider the greatest scene, where Joan laments losing her contract and the way she is being treated in Hollywood. Three words: Bravo, Faye Dunaway.
Speaking of which, let me say, once again, that I love Faye Dunaway in this movie. I've heard that, due to all the negativity surrounding it, she doesn't like to talk about Mommie Dearest. It's kind of a shame. Not that I think she'll ever see this, but if she does, I hope she knows that those of us who can recognize brilliance when we see it, recognize it in her and this performance.
Bottom line, if you haven't seen Mommie Dearest, please do so. And go in without the blinders or preconceived notions of what you've heard about it. It does not get the respect it deserves. Some people call it ridiculous; it's not. It's actually very good. Find out for yourself.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Yes, I know that Mother's Day was a week ago, and a much more appropriate day to do this. I had, in fact, intended to do this thing last Sunday, but reasons, as usual, interfered. Still, it seemed like a good way to get back into doing reviews here on the blog. Talking about something that is completely underrated, unappreciated and something in which no one can see the brilliance. Just like me! Anyway, Mommie Dearest.
Mommie Dearest is a 1981 film that tells the story of Joan Crawford by way of the 1978 book of the same name written by her adopted daughter, Christina Crawford. Now this is not exactly a biopic, as we don't follow Joan throughout her entire life, but rather it covers the alleged abuse that Christina and her brother, Christopher, suffered at the hands of their mother. That's right. This film, which has become a cult classic, is considered "camp" and was once re-marketed as a dark comedy, is all about child abuse. Hilarious! But more on that, and some specific scenes, later.
Seriously, this film gets a really bad rap, even getting the Razzie Award for Worst Film of the Decade. It was not! I certainly don't know why it gets all this hate, and I absolutely don't know why the lovely and talented Faye Dunaway, who portrays Joan Crawford, gets the brunt of it. In my humble opinion, I thought she was phenomenal. It actually might be her greatest acting job ever. But, of course, some people often refer to the performance as over the top, as though it's a bad or inaccurate thing. I mean, do they know anything about Joan Crawford? She was over the top. Oh, and what's with all the jokes they make about Ms. Dunaway's physical appearance in the film? THAT is how Joan Crawford looked. These criticisms are akin to someone saying that Jamie Foxx played Ray Charles too much like a blind guy.
Look, I could spend a long time raving about this performance, but I would remiss if I didn't mention everything else. This was a well-written, well-acted, and overall well-made movie. Everyone in the cast did a fine job, but I must speak specifically about Mara Hobel and Diana Scarwid who play child Christina and adult Christina, respectively. First, Mara Hobel did one of the best kid acting jobs I've ever seen, and I've seen some bad ones. She really held her own against a pro like Faye Dunaway, as did Diana Scarwid. On to her performance, while much of it was understated, certainly by comparison, when it came time to let the emotions go full speed ahead, she pulled it off quite nicely. Really, this story is about these two women and their relationship, and they conveyed that to the audience very well.
Oh, and speaking of the cast, we get a little "What's up?" from Xander Berkeley as adult Christopher at the end, and also an appearance by Belita Moreno. You may know her as George's mother on The George Lopez Show. If you've seen her on that show and if you've seen this movie, you'll get the irony of this.
But let me take a moment to get back to that elephant in the room. Anyone who has ever, well, been alive most likely has seen some kind of parody of the infamous "No wire hangers ever!" scene. I won't judge you for laughing; I may have done it myself. However, let's think about that. These jokes spring from a very unsettling scene of a child being beaten. What is wrong with us? And how about some other scenes in the film? The all out, mother-daughter brawl, complete with the smashing of a glass table or the crazy chopping down of the tree with an ax, which are often taken out of context and if you see what led to them, you can see them in the correct light. Still, how can anyone miss the quieter scenes of the movie, like the ones where Joan and Tina legitimately behave like two people who seem to care about each other or, perhaps, what I consider the greatest scene, where Joan laments losing her contract and the way she is being treated in Hollywood. Three words: Bravo, Faye Dunaway.
Speaking of which, let me say, once again, that I love Faye Dunaway in this movie. I've heard that, due to all the negativity surrounding it, she doesn't like to talk about Mommie Dearest. It's kind of a shame. Not that I think she'll ever see this, but if she does, I hope she knows that those of us who can recognize brilliance when we see it, recognize it in her and this performance.
Bottom line, if you haven't seen Mommie Dearest, please do so. And go in without the blinders or preconceived notions of what you've heard about it. It does not get the respect it deserves. Some people call it ridiculous; it's not. It's actually very good. Find out for yourself.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Theatre in the Theater
Greetings,
When I hear someone come up with a good idea that I agree with, I can't help but share it. I recently found a video on the YouTubes and, for the life of me, I cannot remember who made it. Sadly, I can't give credit for said idea to the actual person. I will, however, correct this mistake should I ever find it. But I digress. The point is the idea and, as you may have guessed from the title of this post, the idea is theatre in the theater. Allow me to explain.
There are a boatload of theatre loving people in the world, like full on "people on the stage only getting one take" theatre. And what better place to find that than Broadway. Sadly, though, many fans will never be able to go to NYC to check out a classic, long-running show, and even more can't head there every month or so to catch the latest productions. So, is there any remedy for this so those who can't see this great shows due to finances or personal reasons or any reasons, really? Perhaps.
As I mentioned, this was not my idea, but what about showing live theatre in movie theaters? Yes, I know they do this occasionally with Fathom Events and whatnot, but they don't do it nearly enough. Also, the shows they present, in my opinion, aren't usually ones that can drum up much interest. But I am talking about doing events where shows currently running on Broadway are recorded and shown in movie theaters around the country. Not eight times a week, of course, like they're done in NYC. Just once or twice per production, so the actual, live shows won't lose a crap ton of money. Just for the people who really won't ever get the chance to go to the city see them. Actually, if you factor in that, they might even make more money. And despite what some people may believe, I don't think this will stop anyone from going to Broadway all together, as when they do they, it tends to be for the entire NYC experience, not only theatre.
Now, look, I can admit that I know zero about the logistics of doing something like this, but I'm sure someone does. And I get it. Maybe my believing that this could happen is insane. Maybe this is something that really could never happen. But for everyone who sits at home only ever being able to hear the news of the wonderful shows on Broadway, or have a singular performance at the Tony awards as the best they'll ever get from them, I certainly hope it does.
And my apologies to the YouTuber whose name I can't recall. I do know it was a guy, though. Does that narrow it down?
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
When I hear someone come up with a good idea that I agree with, I can't help but share it. I recently found a video on the YouTubes and, for the life of me, I cannot remember who made it. Sadly, I can't give credit for said idea to the actual person. I will, however, correct this mistake should I ever find it. But I digress. The point is the idea and, as you may have guessed from the title of this post, the idea is theatre in the theater. Allow me to explain.
There are a boatload of theatre loving people in the world, like full on "people on the stage only getting one take" theatre. And what better place to find that than Broadway. Sadly, though, many fans will never be able to go to NYC to check out a classic, long-running show, and even more can't head there every month or so to catch the latest productions. So, is there any remedy for this so those who can't see this great shows due to finances or personal reasons or any reasons, really? Perhaps.
As I mentioned, this was not my idea, but what about showing live theatre in movie theaters? Yes, I know they do this occasionally with Fathom Events and whatnot, but they don't do it nearly enough. Also, the shows they present, in my opinion, aren't usually ones that can drum up much interest. But I am talking about doing events where shows currently running on Broadway are recorded and shown in movie theaters around the country. Not eight times a week, of course, like they're done in NYC. Just once or twice per production, so the actual, live shows won't lose a crap ton of money. Just for the people who really won't ever get the chance to go to the city see them. Actually, if you factor in that, they might even make more money. And despite what some people may believe, I don't think this will stop anyone from going to Broadway all together, as when they do they, it tends to be for the entire NYC experience, not only theatre.
Now, look, I can admit that I know zero about the logistics of doing something like this, but I'm sure someone does. And I get it. Maybe my believing that this could happen is insane. Maybe this is something that really could never happen. But for everyone who sits at home only ever being able to hear the news of the wonderful shows on Broadway, or have a singular performance at the Tony awards as the best they'll ever get from them, I certainly hope it does.
And my apologies to the YouTuber whose name I can't recall. I do know it was a guy, though. Does that narrow it down?
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
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