Another one you have probably seen but we had to revisit it on the satellite last night. I've read the script a few times, there are some minor changes in the actual movie, mostly for the sake of expediting things or increasing drama, like main character Andy's bicycle accident at the end.
The film is sweet and has a good moral value to it, Steve Carell is fantastic in the role, of course. A Judd Apatow classic including the usuals Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and Jud's wife Leslie Mann, who pulls off quite a drunk chick. Romany Malco is the ultimate "playa".
NBC really cut this to pieces, and the whole "safe sex clinic" scene was chopped out, voiding Carell's wife, Nancy Walls, spot.
If you've denied yourself the pleasure, let me help unbunk a few myths -- no, it's not childish, full of poop jokes, or void of storyline. With almost 180 million dollars grossed it earns a respected slot in the annals of Hollywood film, and in your video cabinet or wherever you stash your guilty pleasures.
FORTY YEAR OLD VIRGIN ON WIKI
FORTY YEAR OLD VIRGIN SCRIPT
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW: MILK
You've probably seen MILK, being awarded best screenplay and all. I had read the script but saw the film for the first time, last night. Moving picture, it is.
As for structure, the film was so interesting I found myself not even trying to count the changes in acts, I didn't care. Sean Penn does such an amazing job portraying Harvey Milk that I really felt like I was there, no distractions.
Emile Hirsch does an amazing job as well, full into his method. It's one of those movies you google afterwards to read all about, and we did.
Unfortunate is the relatively small box office returns for such an amazing film. Few will have the incentive to shoot something worth the while if this keeps up. It grossed about 60 mill total with DVD sales. Just counting the number of homosexuals in this world one would figure the numbers would be much higher. It's a must see, especially if you are from the G&L community.
By the end my feeling was that Harvey Milk is to the gay community as MLK is to african americans and the civil rights movement. Only the letter "i" separates MLK and Milk. Neither would sit idly by and tolerate ignorance, and they paid the ultimate price in the process.
A lot to be said for that.
As for structure, the film was so interesting I found myself not even trying to count the changes in acts, I didn't care. Sean Penn does such an amazing job portraying Harvey Milk that I really felt like I was there, no distractions.
Emile Hirsch does an amazing job as well, full into his method. It's one of those movies you google afterwards to read all about, and we did.
Unfortunate is the relatively small box office returns for such an amazing film. Few will have the incentive to shoot something worth the while if this keeps up. It grossed about 60 mill total with DVD sales. Just counting the number of homosexuals in this world one would figure the numbers would be much higher. It's a must see, especially if you are from the G&L community.
By the end my feeling was that Harvey Milk is to the gay community as MLK is to african americans and the civil rights movement. Only the letter "i" separates MLK and Milk. Neither would sit idly by and tolerate ignorance, and they paid the ultimate price in the process.
A lot to be said for that.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
INKTIP EXPERIENCE
Yesterday I took $60 and uploaded the script, logline, synopsis and a bio for six months on INKTIP.COM. For the price and length of exposure, I figure it's better than paying an entry fee for a writing contest or two where the odds are just the same.
Inktip now requires a hand-signed contract so I printed theirs and faxed it back. They were quick to approve everything, after my upload it was stamped "pending review" and that went just as quick.
Before I knew it, names of production companies were appearing in my "viewed by" section. But wait a minute, there's a catch -- this doesn't mean they READ your logline, it means that it appeared on a page when they did a search. The same goes for the synopsis, it was "made available", but you don't know if they read it. As for the script, IF there's a download, yes, that is logged, you know it.
Okay, fine, good and dandy, it's just exciting knowing the title appeared anywhere besides my laptop. And it's a lotto, come on, that's half the fun, anticipating hitting it big.
Inktip claims to do "background checks" on the production companies that are subscribers, and when you look at the list there are some big names, like every entity of "FOX". Very cool. Whenever a name appears on the list you naturally hit the Google and IMDB, I did. Within hours I had four names to research.
One prodco puts out a film every few years, had a respectable IMDB listing. One was definitely a brand new company. Another quite rocked, on an international level. And then appeared --
L.A. Feature Film Academy
Hmm. I googled to find it's a film school. They're looking for screenwriters to teach the craft, so maybe that is why they have access? It didn't take long before I was reading very negative posts about this "academy", from their lack of professionalism to their exorbitant class costs and how graduates felt they had been cheated.
For the moment, I'll hold off on contacting inktip to ask about this company and why they are allowed to troll the site. BUT, dare I get one offer, one email, snail-mail brochure about a film school, and I'm going off. I didn't pay $60 to give up my contact for a dubious fake school.
Other than that, my inktip experience is what I expected, so I would endorse it.
Inktip now requires a hand-signed contract so I printed theirs and faxed it back. They were quick to approve everything, after my upload it was stamped "pending review" and that went just as quick.
Before I knew it, names of production companies were appearing in my "viewed by" section. But wait a minute, there's a catch -- this doesn't mean they READ your logline, it means that it appeared on a page when they did a search. The same goes for the synopsis, it was "made available", but you don't know if they read it. As for the script, IF there's a download, yes, that is logged, you know it.
Okay, fine, good and dandy, it's just exciting knowing the title appeared anywhere besides my laptop. And it's a lotto, come on, that's half the fun, anticipating hitting it big.
Inktip claims to do "background checks" on the production companies that are subscribers, and when you look at the list there are some big names, like every entity of "FOX". Very cool. Whenever a name appears on the list you naturally hit the Google and IMDB, I did. Within hours I had four names to research.
One prodco puts out a film every few years, had a respectable IMDB listing. One was definitely a brand new company. Another quite rocked, on an international level. And then appeared --
L.A. Feature Film Academy
Hmm. I googled to find it's a film school. They're looking for screenwriters to teach the craft, so maybe that is why they have access? It didn't take long before I was reading very negative posts about this "academy", from their lack of professionalism to their exorbitant class costs and how graduates felt they had been cheated.
For the moment, I'll hold off on contacting inktip to ask about this company and why they are allowed to troll the site. BUT, dare I get one offer, one email, snail-mail brochure about a film school, and I'm going off. I didn't pay $60 to give up my contact for a dubious fake school.
Other than that, my inktip experience is what I expected, so I would endorse it.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
CINERGY ERROR
There seems to be a bug in the "Cinergy" program, at least occasionally. When I enter "project setup" and put my contact info in for the title page it repeats the last few letters or digits, such as
555-123-1234 234
Yep, that's the extra "234" up there.
I updated, rebooted, tried it all yet it keeps coming back. If I keep it down to four lines and leave the email address out it works fine though.
A nifty panel popped up when I went to "help" and I entered my email and asked a question. It said that during the week and regular hours my question might be answered within an hour. "Right", I thought.
Low and behold, in an hour I had a response, with the person offering to do a custom page for me from their system. I passed, not wanting to send my script, but Cinergy has impressed me, moreso than maybe Microsoft lately.
For that, they get another link, here CINERGY.
555-123-1234 234
Yep, that's the extra "234" up there.
I updated, rebooted, tried it all yet it keeps coming back. If I keep it down to four lines and leave the email address out it works fine though.
A nifty panel popped up when I went to "help" and I entered my email and asked a question. It said that during the week and regular hours my question might be answered within an hour. "Right", I thought.
Low and behold, in an hour I had a response, with the person offering to do a custom page for me from their system. I passed, not wanting to send my script, but Cinergy has impressed me, moreso than maybe Microsoft lately.
For that, they get another link, here CINERGY.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
UPDATE: 111 DAYS IN
Hello everybody, just the latest update here, 111 days into screenwriting.
I spent a week on the synopsis for the completed screenplay, which I did the last checks on last night. Hopefully I'll get that on inktip.com before Thanksgiving day, who knows, maybe an exec will get loaded on the holiday and decide to call? LOL.
In other news, I cut off about six inches from my hair, which hadn't been cut since March. No longer will I have to put up with a waiter, approaching from behind, who says "so ladies...umm...and gentleman". Three times. Can you believe it?? You'd think they'd learn to just come up and say "good evening".
And women, you've sure gained some respect about the hair thing, it's hot, hard to wash, hangs in the eyes... most men have no idea.
Since we gave up meat in April (yes that means fish too, can't believe how many people think fish is not meat, it's a protein that reacts to pain, it has a mind) we're going to make a fake "meatloaf" for Thanksgiving using all the usual ingredients and our soy-based meat substitute. Somewhere out there is a lucky turkey thanking us.
The same can't be said for what our dog and cats eat, but hey, we're trying.
Last but not least, my article about the new town slogan of "The Right Size" kicked off massive debate, with a Chamber of Commerce member being quoted as saying "it doesn't matter what people think." The uproar has been amazing.
If you're turkey's not thawing right now, give up, it takes three days!
I spent a week on the synopsis for the completed screenplay, which I did the last checks on last night. Hopefully I'll get that on inktip.com before Thanksgiving day, who knows, maybe an exec will get loaded on the holiday and decide to call? LOL.
In other news, I cut off about six inches from my hair, which hadn't been cut since March. No longer will I have to put up with a waiter, approaching from behind, who says "so ladies...umm...and gentleman". Three times. Can you believe it?? You'd think they'd learn to just come up and say "good evening".
And women, you've sure gained some respect about the hair thing, it's hot, hard to wash, hangs in the eyes... most men have no idea.
Since we gave up meat in April (yes that means fish too, can't believe how many people think fish is not meat, it's a protein that reacts to pain, it has a mind) we're going to make a fake "meatloaf" for Thanksgiving using all the usual ingredients and our soy-based meat substitute. Somewhere out there is a lucky turkey thanking us.
The same can't be said for what our dog and cats eat, but hey, we're trying.
Last but not least, my article about the new town slogan of "The Right Size" kicked off massive debate, with a Chamber of Commerce member being quoted as saying "it doesn't matter what people think." The uproar has been amazing.
If you're turkey's not thawing right now, give up, it takes three days!
Monday, November 23, 2009
GEORGE CLOONEY
I mentioned the film "Up in the Air" in THIS POST. Set for a December release, they just started airing the T.V. ads for it this weekend. It was either reviewed or mentioned in my copy of "TIME" magazine, as well as Lovely Wife's "Elle."
Of course the coverage is standard for any upcoming film, whether it's good or not. The difference is this time I'm really taking notice, chomping at the bit to see this movie.
There's Oscar buzz for Clooney, many coming out of the woodwork to say it's his best acting ever. I was never a fan, probably put off by the "E.R." craze that made his name common in every household. I guess I first started taking to him with the "Ocean's" series, then I read a magazine interview with him that made me realize he's quite an "okay" guy -- never condescending to those around him and honestly tries to be his best.
Having watched him in a few more films, he might be great in "Up in the Air" because the writing is so damn good. Face it, if the writing is not moving then the actor's hands are tied.
I'm not taking away from George, nor glorifying the writers, but it's ashame he hasn't been offered better-written roles throughout his career. Sure, he has a long resume, but it will take even more to put his name in with Newman, Brando, and the bunch.
In any case, I'm dying to see it and hoping for a box office smash. If you believe there two kinds of bags for flying: carry-on, and lost, then this film might be for you.
Of course the coverage is standard for any upcoming film, whether it's good or not. The difference is this time I'm really taking notice, chomping at the bit to see this movie.
There's Oscar buzz for Clooney, many coming out of the woodwork to say it's his best acting ever. I was never a fan, probably put off by the "E.R." craze that made his name common in every household. I guess I first started taking to him with the "Ocean's" series, then I read a magazine interview with him that made me realize he's quite an "okay" guy -- never condescending to those around him and honestly tries to be his best.
Having watched him in a few more films, he might be great in "Up in the Air" because the writing is so damn good. Face it, if the writing is not moving then the actor's hands are tied.
I'm not taking away from George, nor glorifying the writers, but it's ashame he hasn't been offered better-written roles throughout his career. Sure, he has a long resume, but it will take even more to put his name in with Newman, Brando, and the bunch.
In any case, I'm dying to see it and hoping for a box office smash. If you believe there two kinds of bags for flying: carry-on, and lost, then this film might be for you.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
REVIEW: BURN AFTER READING
BURN AFTER READING
Armed with a DVR remote on a Saturday night, Lovely Wife and I perused the latest to see what we could watch and settled on "Burn After Reading". After all, it was a Coen brothers flick with Clooney, Malkovich, Pitt... what could go wrong?
A lot.
I'm not against different formulas, we should all try something new, but this just doesn't work. Here we have an interesting plot, great character traits, unexpected twists, orchestrated in a brilliant little "POOF" of "who cares and why did I waste the time watching it?"
Lovely Wife, who will sit through any movie, she doesn't give up -- felt pretty ripped off by the last five minutes. It's not a matter of a "good" ending or not, or if you just don't understand the director's technique, there's absolutely no payoff and nobody cares, to wait for the end or through another Coen brothers film.
Too many different POV's, the only character we have a chance to get close too is Clooney, who plays "not such a nice guy". A senseless killing at the end tops it off.
To each his own. I'm not even going to google the box office numbers because just being a Coen film with Clooney and Malkovich influences the gross.
So, if you've got some time to waste, go ahead. If not, you might want to use this piece of advice --
"Burn Before Watching"...
Then read a book.
Armed with a DVR remote on a Saturday night, Lovely Wife and I perused the latest to see what we could watch and settled on "Burn After Reading". After all, it was a Coen brothers flick with Clooney, Malkovich, Pitt... what could go wrong?
A lot.
I'm not against different formulas, we should all try something new, but this just doesn't work. Here we have an interesting plot, great character traits, unexpected twists, orchestrated in a brilliant little "POOF" of "who cares and why did I waste the time watching it?"
Lovely Wife, who will sit through any movie, she doesn't give up -- felt pretty ripped off by the last five minutes. It's not a matter of a "good" ending or not, or if you just don't understand the director's technique, there's absolutely no payoff and nobody cares, to wait for the end or through another Coen brothers film.
Too many different POV's, the only character we have a chance to get close too is Clooney, who plays "not such a nice guy". A senseless killing at the end tops it off.
To each his own. I'm not even going to google the box office numbers because just being a Coen film with Clooney and Malkovich influences the gross.
So, if you've got some time to waste, go ahead. If not, you might want to use this piece of advice --
"Burn Before Watching"...
Then read a book.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
