Greetings,
I am not what you would call a "party person", if that is even a thing that one can be called. See, I'm a bit of a loner, as we writers tend to be, and I don't do so well with the crowds and whatnot. And yet, I am so witty and delightful that I have no doubt I would be the life of any party that I happen to attend. Hashtag Humble. Seriously, though, I do enjoy making people laugh and being a bit clever if I can, but I'm still not a people person, ironically. At least, I'm not an "in person" people person. Yeah. However, I have a found a solution to this problem, thankfully.
As I may have mentioned, I do love a good classic movie very much. My favorite film of all time is, after all, The Ten Commandments. So, it should come as no surprise that I frequent a little channel known as Turner Classic Movies, or TCM, as it is well known. And also easier to type. Another thing I enjoy doing is live Tweeting / riffing as movies are being aired on television. Is there anything that can combine these two loves of mine? Oh, yes, indeed, there is.
A while back, I discovered a lovely Twitter account (so few of those left) known as TCM Party. It's a place where people can watch great old movies and Tweet about them together. Well, "together", but that's more than good enough for a lot of us. Now, they don't work for TCM, as their account description says. They are just a bunch of awesome people who enjoy classic movies. Clearly, I fit right in. Mostly, because I, too, am awesome, but also the other thing. So, every now and then, they choose a movie and lead us all on a live Tweeting session where we can share facts or make jokes or just share our love of wonderful films. It's actually become kind of a lovely community of sorts. But, alas, here's where things get crazy...ish.
It is true that the official TCM Party folks do this only for some movies. I mean, they can't be doing this 24/7, and that is certainly acceptable. However, many of us have taken to...um, I don't like to use the word "hijack"...but yeah, we straight up hijack the TCM Party hashtag for pretty much any movie that is being shown on TCM. No lie. Go to Twitter. Search #TCMParty. Someone will probably be talking about whatever movie is currently playing on the channel. Now, I'm going to be an optimist and assume that they don't mind our doing this. After all, if you search that hashtag, you will be shown their account, and then, you will hopefully follow them. Good times.
You know, I understand that many people, including myself, feel like social media has actually made us less social in terms of human interaction. Still, it is nice and even comforting to find some like-minded people on the interwebs, especially if the thing you are like-minded about is something as benign as classic movies. Because, let's be honest, there could be worse things. And I love reading what people post about a film that brings a smile to my face, even more, when I can hopefully bring a smile to someone else's face. Not to get too deep, but you never know what kind of day a person might be having, and a silly little joke could brighten it up. So, it's worth it to me. And none of this would be possible without those fantastic people who started this whole TCM Party thing. It is, in my humble opinion, the best party in town.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Monday, August 15, 2016
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Sing Street - Music Movie Review
Greetings,
Anyone who knows my taste in movie endings knows that I am open to anything. Happy endings, sad endings, ambiguous ending, occasionally 'What in the heck was that?' endings, I've enjoyed them all. As long as they also feel real. And I've found a writer/director who seems to have mastered making real, true to life endings. His name is John Carney, and I will talk more about him specifically later. I have seen three of his films, and, if you count what I will be doing now, I have reviewed all three of them as well. First, Once, then Begin Again and now Sing Street. So, let's get started.
Sing Street is 2016 film which takes place in 1985 in Dublin, and it's the story of U2. Wait, no. That last part is not true, but I couldn't stop the obvious momentum of that sentence. In all seriousness, though, it is actually about music. No surprise if you've seen the aforementioned films from this writer/director. He may love music even more than I do. Now that is an accomplishment.
The story follows a young man named Conor, played by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, and yes, that is a contender for greatest name ever. He's a teenager who decides to start a band. Why? Well, he meets a girl named, Raphina, played by Lucy Boynton, and asks her to be in the video for his band. So, he has to form one. Yes, he did it all for a girl, which is fine, as long as things don't get creepy. And they don't. In fact, Conor discovers that he has quite a talent for this songwriting thing, and his time with the new band takes his mind off his troubles at school and troubles at home. Still, he does find support from Raphina, his band members, and his older brother Brendan, played by Jack Reynor. In fact, I think what I like most about this film is the relationship that Conor has with all of these people. There's something very genuine about it, and it gives the story so much heart. Especially at the end, which I am NOT spoiling, so leave me alone!
Like with many good films I review, I prefer not to give away too much of the plot, and with films like Sing Street, which can be put in the "coming of age" genre, I certainly don't want to do that. It's a "follow along with the journey of our protagonist and see where it takes you" kind of movie. In other words, it is reminiscent of some of the greats.
So, as this is a Music Movie, let's talk about the music. As I said, this takes place in the mid-80's, so you can imagine. Look, I am not the biggest fan of this era of music, but I know it when I hear it. Now, a lot of people get writing credits for the songs, including Adam Levine, Glen Hansard and even Carney himself, but according to my info, a guy named Gary Clark, who was quite prolific in the chosen decade, is responsible for most of it. And I must say, while it is difficult to sound "inspired by" without sounding "carbon copy" of a certain artist, it was done quite brilliantly here. All the songs from the band are unique to it, but you can also tell very easily what their influences were, just by listening. So, they're more like Bruno Mars and company being influenced by late 70's and early 80's funk and dance music, rather than Taylor Swift straight up stealing riffs from Kesha. No, I'm kidding about that. Point being, they managed to capture the essence of the time, whilst giving this fictional band its own sound. Good times, indeed.
Okay, let's talk about that cast. I'd say that, for the most part, everyone in this is relatively unknown, at least in this country, but there is the occasional instance of "Oh, it's that guy from that movie". And I think someone from Game of Thrones got in there as well. I don't know. I don't watch it. But everyone is actually very good, particularly our young leading man. This kid has a lot of quiet charisma, and he is extremely likable, which is important when you've practically got an entire film on your shoulders. And, as I mentioned his relationships with other characters before, much of that relied on the chemistry he had with them. He and Lucy Boynton, who was also exceptionally good in this, worked so well together and were so believable in these roles they were playing and the relationship that they were purporting to have. And Jack Reynor and he did an amazing job at playing these brothers, where there were a few rough edges due to their family's current situation, but you could still see and feel such a sincere love between them. And let me finish by saying I hope Ferdia Walsh-Peelo (still a great name) continues on to do more great things, because I'm pretty sure this kid has it.
I would say that the best thing about Sing Street is the overall feel to it, and how it seems to bring John Carney back to what he does best. What I mean by that is, as much as I liked Begin Again, despite a few casting flaws, it did feel a bit big and Hollywood-ized, if you will. It was such a departure from Once, which people loved because it was just so simple and charming and good. Then, all of a sudden, we've got huge stars and a much bigger budget, but, and again I can't stress enough how much I liked it, it may have lost a bit of the heart. Just a bit. Well, Sing Street has brought that all back. Whilst there is nothing inherently wrong with big budgets and big stars, I think, perhaps, that John Carney thrives so much more when all of that is stripped away so we can just concentrate on an excellent story with wonderful characters played by great actors who are given superb direction. That is all one needs to have a successful film, and he certainly achieves that here.
Oh, and what I said before about this writer/director giving us good endings? Let me expand. Out of the three films I've seen from him, they all have endings that aren't exactly what you might want for these characters, or what they may have wanted for themselves, but there's always a glimmer of hope. And hope and possibilities often lie right in the middle of the unknown. It's okay to be walking ahead in life into something you may be totally unprepared for, because, at the very least, you're trying something that's not the same thing you've always done. At least, you won't be stuck. And those endings just make me smile and hope for the best, because 'the best' can be an extremely attainable goal. Even if you don't come by it exactly as you had planned.
So, in closing, I highly recommend Sing Street. It's charming and fun and poignant and even heartbreaking at times, but it takes you through those emotions with an amazing authenticity. The story is great, the characters are great and it is just plain good. I don't think you could possibly be disappointed in this one.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Anyone who knows my taste in movie endings knows that I am open to anything. Happy endings, sad endings, ambiguous ending, occasionally 'What in the heck was that?' endings, I've enjoyed them all. As long as they also feel real. And I've found a writer/director who seems to have mastered making real, true to life endings. His name is John Carney, and I will talk more about him specifically later. I have seen three of his films, and, if you count what I will be doing now, I have reviewed all three of them as well. First, Once, then Begin Again and now Sing Street. So, let's get started.
Sing Street is 2016 film which takes place in 1985 in Dublin, and it's the story of U2. Wait, no. That last part is not true, but I couldn't stop the obvious momentum of that sentence. In all seriousness, though, it is actually about music. No surprise if you've seen the aforementioned films from this writer/director. He may love music even more than I do. Now that is an accomplishment.
The story follows a young man named Conor, played by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, and yes, that is a contender for greatest name ever. He's a teenager who decides to start a band. Why? Well, he meets a girl named, Raphina, played by Lucy Boynton, and asks her to be in the video for his band. So, he has to form one. Yes, he did it all for a girl, which is fine, as long as things don't get creepy. And they don't. In fact, Conor discovers that he has quite a talent for this songwriting thing, and his time with the new band takes his mind off his troubles at school and troubles at home. Still, he does find support from Raphina, his band members, and his older brother Brendan, played by Jack Reynor. In fact, I think what I like most about this film is the relationship that Conor has with all of these people. There's something very genuine about it, and it gives the story so much heart. Especially at the end, which I am NOT spoiling, so leave me alone!
Like with many good films I review, I prefer not to give away too much of the plot, and with films like Sing Street, which can be put in the "coming of age" genre, I certainly don't want to do that. It's a "follow along with the journey of our protagonist and see where it takes you" kind of movie. In other words, it is reminiscent of some of the greats.
So, as this is a Music Movie, let's talk about the music. As I said, this takes place in the mid-80's, so you can imagine. Look, I am not the biggest fan of this era of music, but I know it when I hear it. Now, a lot of people get writing credits for the songs, including Adam Levine, Glen Hansard and even Carney himself, but according to my info, a guy named Gary Clark, who was quite prolific in the chosen decade, is responsible for most of it. And I must say, while it is difficult to sound "inspired by" without sounding "carbon copy" of a certain artist, it was done quite brilliantly here. All the songs from the band are unique to it, but you can also tell very easily what their influences were, just by listening. So, they're more like Bruno Mars and company being influenced by late 70's and early 80's funk and dance music, rather than Taylor Swift straight up stealing riffs from Kesha. No, I'm kidding about that. Point being, they managed to capture the essence of the time, whilst giving this fictional band its own sound. Good times, indeed.
Okay, let's talk about that cast. I'd say that, for the most part, everyone in this is relatively unknown, at least in this country, but there is the occasional instance of "Oh, it's that guy from that movie". And I think someone from Game of Thrones got in there as well. I don't know. I don't watch it. But everyone is actually very good, particularly our young leading man. This kid has a lot of quiet charisma, and he is extremely likable, which is important when you've practically got an entire film on your shoulders. And, as I mentioned his relationships with other characters before, much of that relied on the chemistry he had with them. He and Lucy Boynton, who was also exceptionally good in this, worked so well together and were so believable in these roles they were playing and the relationship that they were purporting to have. And Jack Reynor and he did an amazing job at playing these brothers, where there were a few rough edges due to their family's current situation, but you could still see and feel such a sincere love between them. And let me finish by saying I hope Ferdia Walsh-Peelo (still a great name) continues on to do more great things, because I'm pretty sure this kid has it.
I would say that the best thing about Sing Street is the overall feel to it, and how it seems to bring John Carney back to what he does best. What I mean by that is, as much as I liked Begin Again, despite a few casting flaws, it did feel a bit big and Hollywood-ized, if you will. It was such a departure from Once, which people loved because it was just so simple and charming and good. Then, all of a sudden, we've got huge stars and a much bigger budget, but, and again I can't stress enough how much I liked it, it may have lost a bit of the heart. Just a bit. Well, Sing Street has brought that all back. Whilst there is nothing inherently wrong with big budgets and big stars, I think, perhaps, that John Carney thrives so much more when all of that is stripped away so we can just concentrate on an excellent story with wonderful characters played by great actors who are given superb direction. That is all one needs to have a successful film, and he certainly achieves that here.
Oh, and what I said before about this writer/director giving us good endings? Let me expand. Out of the three films I've seen from him, they all have endings that aren't exactly what you might want for these characters, or what they may have wanted for themselves, but there's always a glimmer of hope. And hope and possibilities often lie right in the middle of the unknown. It's okay to be walking ahead in life into something you may be totally unprepared for, because, at the very least, you're trying something that's not the same thing you've always done. At least, you won't be stuck. And those endings just make me smile and hope for the best, because 'the best' can be an extremely attainable goal. Even if you don't come by it exactly as you had planned.
So, in closing, I highly recommend Sing Street. It's charming and fun and poignant and even heartbreaking at times, but it takes you through those emotions with an amazing authenticity. The story is great, the characters are great and it is just plain good. I don't think you could possibly be disappointed in this one.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Monday, July 25, 2016
Straight From The Theater Review - Planet of the Apes
Greetings,
Well, after the heavy subject I discussed in my last post, it will be nice to talk about something a little more lighthearted. Sort of. I'm not sure I would describe this movie as such, but I still had a great time. Anyway, for the second time this year, I went to a Fathom Event done by TCM, the first being The Ten Commandments. And I continue my cinematic stalking of a young, hot Charlton Heston by seeing his other signature work, Planet of the Apes. What? You thought I was talking about the Marky Mark version in the post title. Oh, you!
So, I cannot imagine that there are many people who haven't seen the 1968 film, Planet of the Apes, but if you haven't, shame on you or your parents, first, and here is a quick synopsis. Four astronauts are heading home after being in space for six months. Well, six months their time, but 700 years have passed on Earth. As they sleep, some crazy shenanigans happen, which I don't think are ever explained, and they crash land on an unfamiliar planet. They lose one crew member through strange means, which leaves us with only Dodge, played by Jeff Burton, Landon, played by Robert Gunner and Taylor, played by the aforementioned Charlton Heston. They begin to explore and discover that this planet has what appear to be humans, though not as advance or civilized, and they all seem to be mute. Unfortunately, they also find out that the ones running this planet are not the humans, but - you'll never guess - apes! Riding on horses and shooting guns and everything.
Several humans are captured, as Taylor is separated from his crew members and introduced to Dr. Zira, played by Kim Hunter, a psychologist who believes that humans might be able to communicate with them somehow, though everyone thinks she's crazy to believe that. Yes, even in the future, women be crazy. What the crap? Anyway, she is the one who first shows some kind of kindness to Taylor, even donning him with the nickname "Bright Eyes". Aw! Just like Shirley Temple. Eventually, Taylor also meets her fiance, Cornelius, played by Roddy McDowall, who is skeptical but has some faith in what Zira believes, the sinister Dr. Zaius, played by Maurice Evans, who clearly is hiding some things and the fear of their discovery is what influences his decision making, and another human woman whom Taylor christens Nova, played by Linda Harrison. She has no words. She's just there to look pretty in her strategically ripped dress/bathing suit and do whatever Taylor tells her. Look, I'm not one to point out sexism everywhere, even in places it doesn't exist, but...yeah, this film may be just that. Just a skosh.
Soon, they all begin to realize that Taylor is very different from the other humans, which means he could be dangerous to them and their way of life. As they try to figure out more about him, he is struggling to figure out the story behind this strange world in which he has been placed. The inhabitants of the planet learn more than they ever thought possible from Taylor, and he learns more than he ever wanted about his new home. And all of that leads to one of the best endings in cinematic history. You probably already know what I'm talking about, but in case you don't, I will not spoil it. Just watch.
I must say, and I may have mentioned this when I spoke of The Ten Commandments, there is a certain magic to seeing these old films again on the big screen. It's like getting to see it through the eyes of those who saw it for the first time the same way. And, no surprise, you can see the things you never noticed when you have a TV viewing. At least, now I know that the idea I once had for opening a theater that only showed older movies may have worked, but let's not think about what might have been.
Speaking of which, if you think I have not done enough to make you want to spend money to see something you can watch on a DVD, there is a little something special with this screening. These ones that TCM release have an introduction by Ben Mankiewicz. Now, I am not exactly a fan of this man, due to...reasons, but this time around, what they have him do is very entertaining. Before the film begins, he sits down for an interview with Dr. Zaius. The real life Dr. Zaius...such as he is. It was actually really amusing, and well worth it to see. So, if you get a chance to see the other showing of this Fathom Event, I say go for it. Although, heed this warning. I think this thing is still technically rated G, but might not want to take the four-year-olds. This ain't Disney. Just sayin'.
Back to the actual movie, I have an affinity for films with great stories that really make you think about something. This film fulfills that for me. No surprise, since the original writer was Rod Serling, of Twilight Zone fame. Now eventually, Michael Wilson, who wrote The Bridge on the River Kwai, took over and made changes to the screenplay, leading to what the film became. But as far as I know, the heart and the message came from Serling. Yes, this film has many quotes that can be turned into memes or jokes, but if you really pay close attention to what is being said, to the story being told, it might just have a great effect on you. I know it certainly did for me. I also know that we throw the word "classic" around a lot, rather haphazardly these days, but no doubt, Planet of the Apes does, indeed, live up to that label.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Well, after the heavy subject I discussed in my last post, it will be nice to talk about something a little more lighthearted. Sort of. I'm not sure I would describe this movie as such, but I still had a great time. Anyway, for the second time this year, I went to a Fathom Event done by TCM, the first being The Ten Commandments. And I continue my cinematic stalking of a young, hot Charlton Heston by seeing his other signature work, Planet of the Apes. What? You thought I was talking about the Marky Mark version in the post title. Oh, you!
So, I cannot imagine that there are many people who haven't seen the 1968 film, Planet of the Apes, but if you haven't, shame on you or your parents, first, and here is a quick synopsis. Four astronauts are heading home after being in space for six months. Well, six months their time, but 700 years have passed on Earth. As they sleep, some crazy shenanigans happen, which I don't think are ever explained, and they crash land on an unfamiliar planet. They lose one crew member through strange means, which leaves us with only Dodge, played by Jeff Burton, Landon, played by Robert Gunner and Taylor, played by the aforementioned Charlton Heston. They begin to explore and discover that this planet has what appear to be humans, though not as advance or civilized, and they all seem to be mute. Unfortunately, they also find out that the ones running this planet are not the humans, but - you'll never guess - apes! Riding on horses and shooting guns and everything.
Several humans are captured, as Taylor is separated from his crew members and introduced to Dr. Zira, played by Kim Hunter, a psychologist who believes that humans might be able to communicate with them somehow, though everyone thinks she's crazy to believe that. Yes, even in the future, women be crazy. What the crap? Anyway, she is the one who first shows some kind of kindness to Taylor, even donning him with the nickname "Bright Eyes". Aw! Just like Shirley Temple. Eventually, Taylor also meets her fiance, Cornelius, played by Roddy McDowall, who is skeptical but has some faith in what Zira believes, the sinister Dr. Zaius, played by Maurice Evans, who clearly is hiding some things and the fear of their discovery is what influences his decision making, and another human woman whom Taylor christens Nova, played by Linda Harrison. She has no words. She's just there to look pretty in her strategically ripped dress/bathing suit and do whatever Taylor tells her. Look, I'm not one to point out sexism everywhere, even in places it doesn't exist, but...yeah, this film may be just that. Just a skosh.
Soon, they all begin to realize that Taylor is very different from the other humans, which means he could be dangerous to them and their way of life. As they try to figure out more about him, he is struggling to figure out the story behind this strange world in which he has been placed. The inhabitants of the planet learn more than they ever thought possible from Taylor, and he learns more than he ever wanted about his new home. And all of that leads to one of the best endings in cinematic history. You probably already know what I'm talking about, but in case you don't, I will not spoil it. Just watch.
I must say, and I may have mentioned this when I spoke of The Ten Commandments, there is a certain magic to seeing these old films again on the big screen. It's like getting to see it through the eyes of those who saw it for the first time the same way. And, no surprise, you can see the things you never noticed when you have a TV viewing. At least, now I know that the idea I once had for opening a theater that only showed older movies may have worked, but let's not think about what might have been.
Speaking of which, if you think I have not done enough to make you want to spend money to see something you can watch on a DVD, there is a little something special with this screening. These ones that TCM release have an introduction by Ben Mankiewicz. Now, I am not exactly a fan of this man, due to...reasons, but this time around, what they have him do is very entertaining. Before the film begins, he sits down for an interview with Dr. Zaius. The real life Dr. Zaius...such as he is. It was actually really amusing, and well worth it to see. So, if you get a chance to see the other showing of this Fathom Event, I say go for it. Although, heed this warning. I think this thing is still technically rated G, but might not want to take the four-year-olds. This ain't Disney. Just sayin'.
Back to the actual movie, I have an affinity for films with great stories that really make you think about something. This film fulfills that for me. No surprise, since the original writer was Rod Serling, of Twilight Zone fame. Now eventually, Michael Wilson, who wrote The Bridge on the River Kwai, took over and made changes to the screenplay, leading to what the film became. But as far as I know, the heart and the message came from Serling. Yes, this film has many quotes that can be turned into memes or jokes, but if you really pay close attention to what is being said, to the story being told, it might just have a great effect on you. I know it certainly did for me. I also know that we throw the word "classic" around a lot, rather haphazardly these days, but no doubt, Planet of the Apes does, indeed, live up to that label.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Sunday, July 17, 2016
I Saw The Light - Music Movie Review
Greetings,
Anyone who follows me on social media probably knows that I was very much anticipating the release of a movie called I Saw the Light, and also how disappointed I was when it did not come to a theater near me, as movies are wont to do. Well, now that the DVD has been released, I see now that I needn't have bothered hitting either one of those emotional extremes. And, speaking of which, the one reaction I did not anticipate was, in a word, meh. Because, honestly, that's kind of the best this movie gave me. But let's get into some deeper discussion of I Saw the Light.
I Saw the Light was released earlier this year and the hype on this thing was pretty big, probably because of its star. There were a lot of strong feelings coming from every angle about Tom Hiddleston, a British guy in his mid thirties, playing Hank Williams, a Southern, country music icon who died at the age of 29 (more on that later). Still, when all was said and done, he did look the part a bit and he certainly tried his little heart out to sound the part, but I'm not sure how convincing he was. Not to say he's a bad actor. I think I've made it clear that I don't feel that way at all. It's just that when you're playing a real person, you have to push through even harder to hide any trace of yourself. And this is not about looks. I mean, Vincent D'Onofrio was brilliant playing Abbie Hoffman, and he looks nothing like that guy, but he captured the essence. I can't honestly say that Hiddleston did the same. I have to be able to suspend my belief a little, and, back to the age thing, when he had to say his age at a certain point in the film, he had to answer..."23". I actually laughed out loud. Look, I know that ageism is a thing in Hollywood, usually more with women than men, but come on. He didn't look 23 when he was 23. No, he isn't exactly 43-year-old Kris Kristofferson trying to pass for a recent Harvard grad in Heaven's Gate, but he's also not exactly Reese Witherspoon who can be nearly 40 and pass for a 20-year-old college student in Wild. Forget Forever 21. She is Forever 16. Tom Hiddleston is not. Okay, I know I'm being harsh, and I think I've name dropped enough people who aren't even in this movie, so let's move on to something else.
I would say that this film is what I call a "List Biopic". By that, I mean it feels like someone made a list of everything that happened in Hank Williams' life, and then just crossed things off as they were added to the script. The flow of this movie was nonexistent. All the scenes were presented in this very disjointed way, almost with a staccato type rhythm. There were practically no moments that slowed things down to let us reflect on anything that was going on. It was just "This happened and then this happened and then this and this and this and then he died". What is even the heck? Calm down, mate, and give me a second to dwell on this. Oh, and about how they portrayed his death, they didn't. Of course, I didn't expect an actual death scene, and of course, they acknowledged it by making an announcement and singing the titular song, but it kind of came out of nowhere. I was hoping that they would have done something to build up the moment with some change in mood or tone or atmosphere. The only reason I knew he was going to die at the end was because I knew outside of the film. Not good. I should have gotten so lost in the film that I forgot about his dying so that I would have to be reminded by said film.
Anyway, is there anything I did like about this movie? Well, the supporting cast was pretty good. You had Bradley Whitford and Cherry Jones being their usual impressive selves, but I think Elizabeth Olsen actually did the best job of anyone. Yet again, she is showing that she is one of the stars of young Hollywood who has the most potential for a long career. Still, I don't think even she was enough to save the movie.
Look, I love a good biopic, and the best ones have heart to them. You should feel like you're getting to know the subject on a more personal level than ever before. Here, I just felt like I took a class on Hank Williams, presided over by a mediocre teacher. And while I enjoy any actor trying to spread his wings and step out of his comfort zone, I don't think this was the right way for Tom Hiddleston to do it. As I've stated, I am an admirer of his work as an actor, though I'm not at "Hiddlestoner" status. By that, I mean I have never and would never ambush him in a parking garage. That's a thing that happened. I'm sure you can still find video evidence on the YouTubes. However, if you want to watch something with him, check out The Night Manager miniseries or even Crimson Peak, two things that were much more in his wheelhouse. Heck, if you want to see Nice Guy Hiddleston go against that persona, check out some old episodes of Wallander on Netflix. He plays a guy who is a cop and kind of a jackass. There you go. Range.
So, back to I Saw the Light. No, I don't think I will be giving this a hearty recommendation. Again, if you're one of those aforementioned "Hiddlestoners" who only care about seeing the object of you adulation, go for it, if you haven't already. For everyone else, this won't be the worst movie you've ever seen if you choose to do so, but it will be far from the best.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Anyone who follows me on social media probably knows that I was very much anticipating the release of a movie called I Saw the Light, and also how disappointed I was when it did not come to a theater near me, as movies are wont to do. Well, now that the DVD has been released, I see now that I needn't have bothered hitting either one of those emotional extremes. And, speaking of which, the one reaction I did not anticipate was, in a word, meh. Because, honestly, that's kind of the best this movie gave me. But let's get into some deeper discussion of I Saw the Light.
I Saw the Light was released earlier this year and the hype on this thing was pretty big, probably because of its star. There were a lot of strong feelings coming from every angle about Tom Hiddleston, a British guy in his mid thirties, playing Hank Williams, a Southern, country music icon who died at the age of 29 (more on that later). Still, when all was said and done, he did look the part a bit and he certainly tried his little heart out to sound the part, but I'm not sure how convincing he was. Not to say he's a bad actor. I think I've made it clear that I don't feel that way at all. It's just that when you're playing a real person, you have to push through even harder to hide any trace of yourself. And this is not about looks. I mean, Vincent D'Onofrio was brilliant playing Abbie Hoffman, and he looks nothing like that guy, but he captured the essence. I can't honestly say that Hiddleston did the same. I have to be able to suspend my belief a little, and, back to the age thing, when he had to say his age at a certain point in the film, he had to answer..."23". I actually laughed out loud. Look, I know that ageism is a thing in Hollywood, usually more with women than men, but come on. He didn't look 23 when he was 23. No, he isn't exactly 43-year-old Kris Kristofferson trying to pass for a recent Harvard grad in Heaven's Gate, but he's also not exactly Reese Witherspoon who can be nearly 40 and pass for a 20-year-old college student in Wild. Forget Forever 21. She is Forever 16. Tom Hiddleston is not. Okay, I know I'm being harsh, and I think I've name dropped enough people who aren't even in this movie, so let's move on to something else.
I would say that this film is what I call a "List Biopic". By that, I mean it feels like someone made a list of everything that happened in Hank Williams' life, and then just crossed things off as they were added to the script. The flow of this movie was nonexistent. All the scenes were presented in this very disjointed way, almost with a staccato type rhythm. There were practically no moments that slowed things down to let us reflect on anything that was going on. It was just "This happened and then this happened and then this and this and this and then he died". What is even the heck? Calm down, mate, and give me a second to dwell on this. Oh, and about how they portrayed his death, they didn't. Of course, I didn't expect an actual death scene, and of course, they acknowledged it by making an announcement and singing the titular song, but it kind of came out of nowhere. I was hoping that they would have done something to build up the moment with some change in mood or tone or atmosphere. The only reason I knew he was going to die at the end was because I knew outside of the film. Not good. I should have gotten so lost in the film that I forgot about his dying so that I would have to be reminded by said film.
Anyway, is there anything I did like about this movie? Well, the supporting cast was pretty good. You had Bradley Whitford and Cherry Jones being their usual impressive selves, but I think Elizabeth Olsen actually did the best job of anyone. Yet again, she is showing that she is one of the stars of young Hollywood who has the most potential for a long career. Still, I don't think even she was enough to save the movie.
Look, I love a good biopic, and the best ones have heart to them. You should feel like you're getting to know the subject on a more personal level than ever before. Here, I just felt like I took a class on Hank Williams, presided over by a mediocre teacher. And while I enjoy any actor trying to spread his wings and step out of his comfort zone, I don't think this was the right way for Tom Hiddleston to do it. As I've stated, I am an admirer of his work as an actor, though I'm not at "Hiddlestoner" status. By that, I mean I have never and would never ambush him in a parking garage. That's a thing that happened. I'm sure you can still find video evidence on the YouTubes. However, if you want to watch something with him, check out The Night Manager miniseries or even Crimson Peak, two things that were much more in his wheelhouse. Heck, if you want to see Nice Guy Hiddleston go against that persona, check out some old episodes of Wallander on Netflix. He plays a guy who is a cop and kind of a jackass. There you go. Range.
So, back to I Saw the Light. No, I don't think I will be giving this a hearty recommendation. Again, if you're one of those aforementioned "Hiddlestoners" who only care about seeing the object of you adulation, go for it, if you haven't already. For everyone else, this won't be the worst movie you've ever seen if you choose to do so, but it will be far from the best.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Straight From the Theater Review - The Shallows
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.
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.
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
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