To celebrate the fact that Halloween is right around the corner, I'll be doing a post a day about my favorite things Halloweeny. so for the first installment, I give you my favorite scary movies.
1. The Exorcist
Srsly? What's not to love? Creepy little possessed girl who pukes pea soup! No, I'm kidding. My friend Jennie went to see back in high school, they re-released it for Halloween one year, she was completely freaked out...good times.
2. Jaws
Okay, now this is not your typical horror flick, however, it terrified the crap out of me so much so that I do not go in the ocean and if I do the water does not get any higher than my knees. In my book, that qualifies it as a horror flick.
3. Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Okay, cheesy 80's horror flick, yes I know. But watching this when you're six years old is enough to scar you for life. And it did. 22 years later I am STILL deathly afraid of clowns. I do not like them, I cannot stand them, they scare the living shiz out of me.
4. IT
The clown inspired horror continues. When I was 18, the guy I was dating made me watch this movie. He said it wasn't scary and that I would be fine.
Two weeks later I still hadn't slept for more than a couple hours each night. It was horrible...and still, to this day, I hate clowns.
5. Halloween
I was like 20-something the first time I saw this movie. It was great...creepy, classic horror flick...the way I like them. Its one of the few scary movies that still scare me, besides the clown movies, lol. Rob Zombie's remake is decent, but nothing ever replaces the original.
6. Scream
A series that should have stopped with one, Scream is a good movie. To me, its kinda something that could possibly happen...some deranged kids go on a killing spree because they are mentally effed in the head...its a stretch, I know, but maybe..just maybe it could happen.
7. Paranormal Activity
What can you say about this movie? Not a whole lot...if it didn't freak you the hell out then you have seriously seen some freaky shiz in your life and I'll give you a pass...it's scary...and the best part? A sequel. 'Nuff said.
8. Dead Silence
this was Bree's pick for her favorite scary movie..it's not really her favorite, in fact, she hates scary movies, but when I asked her and Steve what their favs were, this was the first one she thought of and asked me to put it on the list.
so, there are my favorite scary movies. What are some of yours?
a few days ago, i wrote a post about all the movies I love that don't have your typical happy ending and I am so mad at myself for forgetting the BEST movie that doesn't have a happy ending.
This is like, my all time most favorites movie, EVER! (well one of them because let's face it, I have like 12). It totally keeps in the tune of anti-happily ever after. So there ya go...another (almost forgotten) awesome movie.
So it’s been waaaaaay to long since I've done a tunes I heart post....mostly because there haven't been any tunes I heart enough to pass on to you, but lately the music industry has decide to bless me with some awesome tunage so, as always, I will now pass it on to you. So here we go, 15 songs you may (or may not) have heard of.
1. Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars.
Used in the promo for ABC's new show, My Generation, I've been hearing this song for the better part of the summer. I finally decided to download it and I LOVE it. So you should too.
JK, love it or hate it, that's your prerogative, either way, check it out.
2. Toxic Valentine by All Time Low.
On the soundtrack for the controversial movie, Jennifer's Body (and I say controversial because some liked the movie, a lot hated it. I found it decent. And Adrian Brody in eyeliner was, in the words of main character Jennifer, extra salty) this song is awesome, partly because the soundtrack for the movie was epic, and partly because All Time Low can do no wrong in my eyes. With catchy lyrics and hooks like this:
She bites her lip and tips her bottle,
I take a drink cause the truth is hard to swallow.
Oh, oh, oh
Sex and white lies,
Handcuffs and alibis,
She lays her halo on the pillow where she sleeps...
Her heart beats, red wine,
My toxic valentine.
What’s not to love, so check it.
3. Inevitable by Anberlin.
Welcome to my new favorite obsession. "I want to be your last, first kiss." Seriously? If you didn't just swoon, bug off. Add to that, Stephen Christian, double swoon. Yes, Anberlin, you can be my last first kiss, ANYDAY. Moving on now...
4. Impossible by Anberlin.
Okay, I warned you...new obsession.
Take what you want from me
It means nothing now
Take everything from me
It means nothing now
Not so easy to forgive, harder to forget
Take what you want
Tell me you've never felt that way and I'll tell you you're a liar. Moving on.
5. Art of War by Anberlin.
The other day Steve and I went to Starbucks (ahhhh) and I was listening to this song and he asked me if it was old because it didn't sound new. For the life of me, I coudln't figure out why he thought that, then I went listening to their discography and I found out they did a remake of The Cure's song, Love Song. Then it clicked. After listening to Anberlin's new cd (gotta love Youtube baby...and leaked cd's) I realized it kinda sounded like The Cure. Not a whole lot, just a smidge. Anywhooo...the reason I LOVE this song is the chorus:
There are songs, I'll never write,
Because of you, walking out of my life.
There are words, that don't belong,
Because of you, I'll never write another love song.
Now, because it’s getting late, I’ll give you the last ten without any who-to-do. So read, go listen, and tell me what you love.
In addition to being the only weirdo in America who carries a full sized bottle of perfume around; I also happen to enjoy movies that do not have happy endings.
Call me a masochist if you want, but to me, a movie that ends realistically is way better than a movie that ends happily ever after because, after being around for almost twenty-eight years, you tend to learn that happily ever after doesn't happen often.
Hell, it doesn't happen at all and so I totally love it when movies have moments that make you feel awkward and make you want to cry and make you ache for the characters.
Steve says I'm a weirdo, that most people like movies for the happy endings, but not me. He says I'm a freak because I like the sad endings. So, without further ado, here is my list of anti-happily ever after movies:
(500) Days of Summer
Um, hello, this movie is seven shades of screwed up, but it's also seven shades of how super cute. I don't want to give away too much, but its totally adorable, realistically awkward and doesn't end like you would expect it to, that's what makes it so epically awesome. So, if you haven't seen it, please add it to your Netflix queue.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Okay, first off, who hasn't had their heart broken so damned bad that they wish they could make it all go away, just erase it and act like it never happened?
If you say you haven't you're a big fat liar.
Truth is, Joel and Clementine hurt each other, she erases him so he decides to erase her in return only to decide that he doesn't actually, in fact, want to erase her. This comes to that and they forget each other. You'd think its a good thing, but its not. It's sad. Rent it!
Moulin Rouge
Okay, the fact that she DIES at the end makes this freaking epic. No one gets the girl, one gets their happy ending...the Duke gets knocked the eff out, life is good...it's not a total tear jerker, but its sad.
A Walk to Remember
Okay, we're getting into my Nicholas Sparks fetish...the first time I saw Walk, I was preggo and cried like a baby. I still cry when I see it. This one has a sorta happy ending, I mean, the main character turns his life around, so the sadness isn't in vain.
Nights in Rodanthe
Okay, this one totally took me by surprise. I hate to say this, but I HATED this book. It was horrid, so I didn't have high expectations for the movie. OMG I bawled like a baby...for realsies. Total must rent!
Message in a Bottle
This was my first experience with Nicholas Sparks. This guy I dated in high school took me to see it, and I was so upset with the ending I bought the book convinced that it would end differently.
It didn't.
lol. So you've got to see this movie. It's totally awesomesauce (lmao Jenn I totally stole that from you).
Okay, so I totally think that's it. I'm sure I'll think of more once this is posted, but right now that's all I can think of. What's your favorite unhappy movie?
Have you ever seen a movie where the two main characters have such chemistry it makes the movie that much better?
If you say no please finish reading this post then scadattle to the movie store and pick up some of these flicks.
1. Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore
The Wedding Singer & 50 First Dates
Let's see...I love Adam Sandler, he's adorable with Drew and these movies are awesome...'nuff said.
2. Diane Lane & Richard Gere
Unfaithful & Nights in Rodanthe
Um, hello, Unfaithful was ridiculously sexy, totally hot and completely effin deranged. Nights in Rodanthe...oooh yum. Nicholas Sparks, Richard Gere and a love story only Mr. Sparks can pull off...
3. Zooey Deschanel & Joseph Gordon Levitt
(500) Days of Summer
This my new favorite movie, for reals, yo. I love the dynamics of the relationship between Tom and Summer...and I looooove (spoilers!!!) that they do not end up together. And I love their adorable little trip to Ikea....I wish there was an Ikea here in Florida so Steve and me could do that...."Darling, I don't know how to tell you this, but, there's a Chinese family in our bathroom." *sidelong gaze* *giggles*
just saying. we saved up some money and then went to see it in the theater...it was so much fun...tons of people showed up, all decked out like HP characters and the movie was phenominal...so anyways...as I was scrowling through the channels the other day, setting everything to record (boo, because I have to work late over the weekends) I saw Harry Potter on HBO Saturday night I literally jumped up and down squeeling...
i heart this movie
like this part
and this part
and this part
so yeah...it was awesome to see it again...(and again, and again and again because i saved it to my DVR)
Never got around to reading this though I really want to and have every intention of doing so...when I have time...
Now lets see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past...my husband made me watch this...yes..my hubs likes certain chick flicks...and he made me watch it in the fact that anytime it came on HBO he watched it. I went into the living room one afternoon to get something and it was on and I stopped to watch this one part, then I found myself sitting down to watch the whole movie.
It was okay in a cliched A Christmas Carol kind of way..that is the premise of the movie after all. Dirt bag dude revisits life and sees all he did wrong then wants to mend his dirty ways. All in all it was a cute movie, though sort of lacking on originality...however, it makes up for that for having Daniel Sunjata in it, who just so happens to be the hottie of the month..lol. I saw him in those Lifetime movies and now he's everywhere...
not that I'm complaining...
For realises...this man is seven kinds of pretty...lol
But, anywhoo...it's a good movie if you want to lose two hours...not a must see, but still a good time...
Normally, I'm so busy doing nothing that my crochet and knitting projects usually go undone until I get really bored or my daughter starts to harass me about a project I promised to do for her and never finished. But I recently had a week off of school and lots of time to finish some of my works in project, but not all of them..just a few.
First is a scarf that I started in March when I went to Virginia to see my parents. It was supposed to be for my sister, but since she claims I am "dead to her" I decided that I would finish it and send it to my mom so she could give it to one of her patients. My mom works for a gynecological oncologist (she deals with women who have various kinds of cancer...my mom is an angel in scrubs and I admire her for her strength. I could never do that). Well, I never got a chance to finish it up there, so I finished it at home. It's super soft and I thought it would be a nice gift for someone struggling with cancer. I finished it and just need to send it back to my mom.
I bought this yarn the other day because it was pretty and matched my bathroom...lol. My husband groaned when I pulled yet another skein of Sugar'n Cream yarn out of a walmart bag.
You see I have a lot of Sugar'n Cream yarn. As a matter of fact I have a whole bag full of it and I forget to use it..lol.
This is another one...I bought the yarn because I thought Bree would like the colors. Of course she didn't..but the other night Steve and I watched Orphan and I thought it would suck so I started knitting (because I'm so talented like that...I can knit AND watch TV at the same time..lol).I found the pattern for this cloth here. For the first cloth I modified the pattern, knitting three stitches before yarning over, but its the similar concept.
The other day I got bored and wanted to make a bag. It's been on my 'to-do' list for a while. I use Bree as my guinea pig...you see, she has a bag fetish, she loves purses and has a ton of them. I was looking for bag patterns the other day and Bree saw this one (from the Lion Brand Yarn site here) So I sat down the other day and started making it for her. I just finished it this afternoon and I have to admit, it looks adorable. I think I might need to make one for myself..lol..
and here's the last one. It's a blanket...well it will be when it's done. Its for Bree (naturally) because I made one for her for Christmas that was so small its more fitting for her dolls then for her. That and I am trying to use up a lot of my stash of yarn that I dislike...i.e. the camo yarn that Bree picked out over the winter. It's a row of white yarn, a row of camo, a row of this hideous pink, a row of camo, repeat. lol.
So that's what's new with my WIP's. What are you working on?
If you haven't read or seen Dear John and want to, do not proceed because I'm about to give it all away.
This is one of my favorite books of all time. The reason why I love it? Because John doesn't get the girl. I love stuff like that. I'm not gonna lie. Dear John, Shakespeare in Love...neither of them get the girl and they are such good stories. The first time I read Dear John I was an emotional wreck for like a week. I think my husband thought I had an emotional breakdown or something that's how broken up I was.
Then I heard that not only were they making Dear John into a movie, there were casting Chaninng Tatum as John.
Pause for ridiculously girlysquees of delight.
Okay moving on. I was pretty damn excited, then I saw the trailer and cried. Yup, I'm a sap. Last night I got to see the movie and at first I was so excited. Then it started and the excitement slowly faded and was replaced with mild..no scratch that, intense irritation. Right out the gate they screwed it up. Get ready, here come the spoilers.
Okay...the first thing they did? John gets shot...in the book John NEVER gets shot. What the heck? Looking back, I guess they needed a catalyst for him to go home (because you, I guess the fact that taking leave would have just been too difficult, because you know that's how it goes down in the book).
The next thing you see is John surfing. Um, hi. No qualms there, lol.
Then they jump right into his relationship with Savannah. My problem with her? I like Amanda Seyfried...but anytime I look at her I see the ditzy Karen from Mean Girls. I can't help it, I see her grabbing her boobs and shouting that there's a 30% chance its already raining. Just saying.
I think they could have found someone else who fit the role better...and not to mention Savannah was a brunette. I know I'm being nit picky but whatever.
Then they introduce Tim. Tim who Savannah marries, Tim, who in the movie, looks like Grizzly Adams. Tim in the movie supposedly lives on the beach with his son, Allen. Guess nobody told the writer of the movie that Tim lives near Savannah's parents and that Allen is his brother. I hated that they changed that. There was no point in changing that part.
Then they totally took God out of the story. Savannah and Tim were religious and went to church in the book, none of that in the movie. I mean I know you have to appeal to a larger audience with the movie, but really? The spiritual aspect was such a huge part of their characters.
We go through the rest of the movie, their two weeks together...it didn't stick totally to the story, but they didn't totally ruin it...so I guess that's a bonus. And I cried...I won't lie...there were times when I bawled like a baby...
Then the end...ah jeez...John's dad dies and he goes home for that, then he goes to see Savannah. They go to see Tim. In the book Tim has melanoma. In the movie Tim was lymphoma. In the book Tim asks John to take care of Savannah after he passes, in the movie Tim doesn't say that.
I will say this, Channing Tatum gives one hell of a performance in this movie. I've never seen him in anything other than the Step Up movies and G.I. Joe and I never suspected he had any emotions other than thug or wanna be gangster...which was a nice surprise to see that he does...
Finally we get to the end of the movie.
Tim then dies...he dies for Pete's sake! He doesn't die...he lives! So then it cuts to John walking down a street with a bike, looking scruffy as all get out, he chains a bike to a parking meter and looks over his shoulder and who should happen to be sitting in the cafe? Savannah.
Seriously?
The whole idea of the book was that these two has such a whirlwind romance, such love in such a short time and then distance and time and fate kept them apart until it was just too much and they went their separate ways until fate interjected again and sent John home after his father's passing and even though they still have feelings for one another it was just not meant to be.
I get it, you know, when movies have to change certain things, I understand that its hard to write a script based off a book. There is so much info in the book you have to choose what to keep and what to take out and change, but to change such critical parts and plot and storyline? Why? I don't get it.
So there you have it. If you haven't read the book, watch the movie, you'll love it. If you have read the book, and loved it as much as I did, you might want to seriously consider skipping this one.
This post might contain spoilers about the novel The Last Song and the movie Duplicity. Don't say I didn't warn you :)
So last week I brought you Dread and The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, which I finished about three hours after the post and let me tell you...I was not disappointed with the ending.It was fabulous...
Did you see the movie or read the book?
This week I'm bringing you The Last Song by best selling author, and one of my personal favorites, Nicholas Sparks and Duplicity starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. (pause for squees of delight...Clive you are a cutie)
The Last Songbegins with Ronnie Miller making her way to North Carolina to see her father and spend the summer with him. Well not really, it starts with Ronnie talking to her mom about something then flashes back to the trip down south. At first I HATED this book. I'd only read three chapters or so and I was not loving it, which by the third chapter of a Nicholas Sparks book I'm in serious puppy love. This one however, definitely no puppy love, heck there wasn't even lust.
It's written different than a typical Nicholas Sparks book, the beginning at least, and Ronnie is...well, if we're being frank - a bitch. Through the first half of the book I wanted to slap her because she was so insolent and rude.
Another thing was the multiple changing of point of views. All in all there were four points of view portrayed - Ronnie's, Will's - Ronnie's love interest, Marcus' - Ronnie's nemesis, and Steve's - Ronnie's father. Marcus' point of view weirded me out and I think I skimmed through his....for a Sparks book Marcus' head was too dark for me.
Then it got better towards the end. Ronnie's attitude started to go away and things were good. Then the Sparks bombshell (which if you've read enough of his books you know its going to ultimately come) which I knew was going to happen and I still cried anyway.
By this time Ronnie made a huge 360 and turned into a character I could like. The story picks back up where it left off in the very beginning and ends nicely.
All in all not my favorite Sparks book, but not totally horrid either. I'd give it a three out of five.
Duplicitycame on HBO last week and I thought, "Hmm...Clive Owen (Yum!) and Julia Roberts, spy movie, sounds fun."
Boy was I wrong. This movie made no sense to me. Well that's a lie...the end made no sense and left me going, huh? I mean I got it, the movie is called Duplicity after all, but the end was just...well, it was lamespice for lack of a better term.
It goes in circles and at first your like "Oh wow, that's sheisty" but then it goes on and you're like, "Um, what the french is going on here?"
Julia and Clive are corporate spies, each one working at competing corporations and each trying to outsmart the others corporation. I can't even explain it. My recommendation? One out of five and a big fat don't waste your time...
Next week:
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
and
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past starring Jennifer Gardner and Matthew McConaughey
Finding an author whose works I haven't read and showing her movies pretty much on repeat all day today...I appreciate it...not that I don't love Nora Roberts and not that I don't love Nora Roberts movies....but after seeing Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes get it on or Ivan Sergei and Emilie de Ravin get it on every time its Nora Roberts week on Lifetime....well, after a while it gets really old. Really.
So wooty hoo to the powers that be at Lifetime for hooking it up with Patricia Cornwell at her novel/movie At Risk.
On another note my knee is killing me which means its either going to rain or I need to take an aspirin and I got to buy my favoritest stuff in the world today...YARN! lol...and I got to replace my worn out size 8 knitting needles. I am now the proud owner of a spiffy pair of purple needles...lol. AND the yarn department of Wal-Mart had the yarn I needed to finish Bree's camouflage blanket that is taking forever to crochet. I should probably take some pictures to document the progress...
Nothing much going on in my world today...how was YOUR Saturday?!
This post might contain spoilers about the novel The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and the movie Dread. Don't say I didn't warn you :)
I had an idea today as I folded laundry, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane playing on my mp3 player. I read a lot of books and watch a lot of movie, majority of which are lamespice beyond words, that and my friend Laurie and I trade movie and books, letting each other know what was good, what was bad and what might be worth reading or watching. So for starters, we'll begin with a book I've been listening to a little each night, and a movie I watched today.
First up isDread. I am a great lover of horror movies, that being said this movie wasn't "scary" per se. It says it was one of the "8 films to die for after dark horrofest." Horrorfest? No. Gory? You bet your ass it was - in certain parts. Nothing on the level of Saw or Hostel, but gross nonetheless. It stars Twilight hunk, Jackson Rathbone as Stephen Grace, the film's main character (well one of them). I know some might be put off because he was in Twilight, but let me tell you something - the Twilight movies do not do this kid justice. He is a better actor than the Twilight movies make him out to be. I was surprised. But moving on...
This is not a movie to watch with the kids around...it has nudity and lots of cursing. And the grody factor as well...
The whole jist of the movie is this guy wants to do a fear study, to find out what scares people...he recruits Rathbone and another girl, luring them in with the possibility of using the study for their thesis. They are film students and jump on the opportunity and the trio set out to interview people about what scares them.
Rathbone reveals what scares him, his female counterpart reveals a terrifying childhood and the guy who wanted to do the study reveals what happend to him.
At the conclusion of the study, the third guy goes a little batty, does some crazy stuff...etcetera, etcetera...don't want to give too much away.
The ending however, OMG! The ending shocked the sin out of me. I think it might have been the films one redeeming quality. It was a good concept, the movie, but somewhere something got lost in translation. The acting was good, the soundtrack was horrible and there was too much boob for me. There were also a couple of plot holes, things the crazy guy did that confused me and the only explanation I could come up with to reason why he did the things he did was because he was crazy. And that's not a good explanation.
So I give it three stars out of five. If you like sorta lamespice horror movies that aren't really scary you'll totally dig this. You'll also dig this if you think Jackson Rathbone is hot. I did not consider myself a rider of the Jackson-is-hot bandwagon, but this movie converted me.
Just saying.
lol.
Okay now onto the book part of this here post. A while back I was perusing the New York Times best-seller list, looking for an interesting book for one of my book characters to read and I happened along this book. The title grabbed my interest, so I googled and read the synopsis of the book.
Curiousity piqued!
The Physick Book of Deliverance Daneby Katherine Howe (also known as The Lost Book of Salem) is an engaging tale of a young woman, Connie Goodwin, who heads to her late grandmother's home to prepare it for sale. Once there she finds a mysterious key and an even more mysterious slip of paper bearing the name Deliverance Dane. One thing leads to another and Connie finds herself delving into centuries long gone in search of answers.
I don't want to give too much away, but when I read more reviews of the book my interest started to wane. I did not think it would interest me at all, but when I found it at the library in an audio book I thought, eh why not. I can put it on my mp3 player and listen to it while I clean and if I don't like it, no harm done.
I was intrigued from the start. The book switches points of view, going from Connie's point of view in 1991 to various points of view over various years from the late 1600's up. The novel is essentially about the Salem Witch Trials and events that spawned after that, but it's more intricate than that, a little bit of mystery, a dash of spookiness, a pinch of intrigue, and a sprinkle of romance.
I love it, and I haven't yet finished, but I'm sure the ending won't disappoint, but if it does I will be sure to pass it on. Rating it, I give it a five out of five. It's a definite must read, especially if the subject of witches and mystery intrigue you.
So have you read this book or seen this movie? Share your thoughts. Did you love it? Hate it? How come?
Next week:
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
and Duplicity starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen
My mom had an old Ford Grenada...at least I think that's what it was called..she had a name for it, but for the life of me I can't remember that either. Regardless...she had a lot of problems with her Ford and we made up acronyms for Ford. Found On Road Dead was the most popular one (I know we didn't create it, but hey at 13 I thought I did)...and I swore I'd never own a Ford and thus far have not. I've owned a crap ton of Chevy's, a Mazda, an Isuzu (for like fifteen minutes) but my current car is a Ford. Her name is Celia...like Mike Wazowski's girlfriend in Monsters Inc.
So far my sporty little Ford has been....well..trouble...it was great at first...then two days after I bought it the check engine light came on, it was missing majority of its lugnuts, my radiator had a leak and my back windows don't roll down...but at the end of the day it runs.
Meet Celia
Today Celia tried to kill me....I took my daughter to Wal-Mart and bought her a cute little outfit (pics coming later...) and some popsicles because its so hot outside. After we left Wal-Mart I stopped at Taco Bell to pick up some taco's for dinner. Well, my daughter and I go in and get our dinner, we come out and get in the car. I pull through the parking lot and onto the boulevard, heading home. I notice that the car is shaking kind of strangely. I can hear it, so I figure I have a flat, so I see an Ace Hardware up ahead and pull into the parking lot to call my husband to come pick me up (I don't have a spare tire). So I slow down and now I can REALLY feel that something is wrong. My car skids and there is a loud THUNK! and my car slams into the ground and pulls forward, my tire flies off the car and goes bouncing across the parking lot.
I FREAKED OUT!
This is after the car stopped and my husband came to my rescue. I stood in the parking lot freaking out. I was shaking so bad I rooted through my purse looking for my phone and I was so wigged I couldn't see it. I dumped my purse out and was standing there yelling at my purse.
Luckily, though, the damage isn't severe and no one was hurt, plus my car is still drivable. The only sucktastic thing is that my side panel is trashed which makes me sad, but, life goes on. I'm thankful no one was hurt and that my car isn't ruined.
If you haven't noticed by now I'm slightly obsessive-compulsive with a strong emphasis on the obsessive part. Over the years I've had many obsessions ranging from Tinkerbell and cherries to Twilight and Harry Potter novels.
I can't help it, it's my nature. I find something interesting (and it might only be interesting to me...i.e. my obsession with knitting, then my later (and current) obsession with crocheting) and then I go NUTS! I eat, sleep, drink, BREATHE the obsession.
After a while it starts to fade and then I'm on to my next zany thing. This month, my obsession is script frenzy. Its challenging in an I've-never-done-this-before kind of way, but easy in a seriously-how-is-this-a-challenge- kind of way.
I like to write so its easy, but taking away all the details is the hard part...but, on the other hand it gives you more creative freedom. You can write a scene in a novel one way, but taking it from the page to the screen forces you to perhaps look at another way of doing it.
This is what happened to me yesterday. I got to a point where Beth, the main character, was recalling what happened to her parents, and the way its written in the book is like this:
Nick sidestepped a couple making out in the middle of the hallway. “Where are you from?”
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Jacksonville, Florida,” I told him.
“Did you like it there?”
“Yes,” I said, nodding my head. “It was my favorite place to live.”
“How many places have you lived?”
“Well,” I said, “There was Chicago, Tennessee, and most recently, Florida. I lived in Florida for almost seven years. ”
Nick’s eyes widened. “Damn, are your parents criminals or something?”
“No,” I laughed. “My dad is, I mean was, a football player.”
“Anyone I might know?”
“Pete Dwyer,” I said softly. Nick stopped in the middle of the hallway and stared at me.
“You’re Pete Dwyer’s daughter?” he said incredulously.
I nodded.
“Dude, he’s a God. What the hell are you doing here?”
I stared into Nick’s sky blue eyes. “I-uh, um, you don’t know?” I whispered.
“Know what?”
We were approaching the cafeteria. I saw Josh standing on his toes searching for me. He caught my gaze and waved. “Beth!” he called and proceeded to elbow his way through a group of seniors standing on the grass outside the cafeteria.
“Hey kid!” I called.
“I thought I missed you,” he said breathlessly.
“Nope, I’m a little late. Nick was showing me how to get here. Do you mind if he sits with us?”
“What’s up man,” he said to Nick. “No Beth, I don’t mind.”
“Alright, well c’mon then,” Nick said, leading the way into the cafeteria. After we’d gone though the line and sat down, he started asking about Pete.
“So what didn’t I hear about your dad?” he asked.
I glanced at Josh; he was deep in conversation with his girlfriend from next door.
“He died,” I said numbly.
“No freaking way,” Nick breathed, his eyes looked moist, like he was going to cry. “How? When?”
“A week ago. He killed himself. Got drunk, and wheeled himself into the pool.” I dropped a greasy fry back onto my tray.
“Why?” Nick asked.
“No one really knows for sure,” I shrugged. “I think it had to do with my mom’s death.”
He set his Pepsi can down, “I heard something about an attack on an NFL star, but I didn’t really pay much attention. What happened?”
“Three weeks ago, my mom and dad were car jacked after leaving the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. My dad was taking a short cut, trying to avoid traffic, well he stopped at a four way stop sign, and some guy comes up and shoves a gun in my mom’s face, ordering her to get out of the car.” I stopped and took a deep breath.
You can do this, I reminded myself.
“She refused to get out of the car so he shot her, then drug her out of the car and shot her five more times. She died in the street before the paramedics even had the chance to get there. When my dad got out, the guy shot him four times in the back, paralyzing him from the waist down. He blamed himself for my mom’s death and was depressed because he was still alive, because he was paralyzed, because he would never play football again.” I twisted the lid off my bottle of water. “But what do I know? I’m just a kid,” I said sarcastically.
Nick sat there staring at me from across the cafeteria table. “Wow, Beth, I had no idea. I don’t know what to say.”
I smiled sadly. “There’s nothing you can say. It sucks, but life goes on. At least that’s what my grandmother says.”
Nick looked uncomfortable. “How are you managing to cope so well?”
“I’m not coping; I’m heavily medicated,” I snorted.
It could be better (this is just the first draft) becasuse its more like Beth is telling Nick what happened...no feeling, no emotion, just facts.
The script version goes like this (which I personally like better) (and in case you don't know V.O. stands for voice over, its where a scene is shown and you see it happening and you hear the person speaking...)
nick
It’s not really that bad. Where are you from?
Beth tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and warily looks at Nick.
Beth
I’m from uh, Florida. Jacksonville.
nick
Did you like it there?
beth
(nodding)
Yeah, it was my favorite place to live.
nick
Have you lived a lot of places?
beth
Yeah. Chicago, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, and most recently Florida.
nick
Damn, what are you parents, criminals or something?
beth
(laughing)
No. at least I don’t think so. My dad, he um, he was a football player.
nick
Like an NFL player?
Beth nods, uncomfortable with the direction the conversation has gone in.
nick
Anyone I might know?
Beth wasn’t going to tell anyone about her father. But there’s something inviting about Nick’s demeanor, like he was the kind of guy you could tell anything to and he wouldn’t judge you.
beth
(softly)
Pete Dwyer
Nick stops in the middle of the sidewalk and stares incredulously down at Beth.
nick
You’re Pete Dwyer’s daughter.
Beth nods, tugging at a strand of hair before tucking it behind her ear.
nick
Are you for real?
Again, Beth nods.
nick
What the hell are you doing here then?
Beth stares at nick, unsure of what to say.
beth
I-uh, um, he – you didn’t hear?
nick
Hear what?
The pair approaches the cafeteria where Josh is still waiting. Josh is standing on his tip-toes waving at Beth. His appearance interrupts Nick and Beth’s conversation about her father.
josh
Beth!
Beth avoids Nick’s question and approaches Josh.
beth
Hey kid.
josh
I thought I missed you.
beth
Sorry, I was talking to Nick.
She points to Nick who joins them in front of the cafeteria.
josh
Hey Nick
beth
(To Josh)
Do you mind if he sits with us?
josh
Nope I don’t care.
nick
Alright well c’mon then.
Nick leads the way into the cafeteria and the three get into line, quickly getting their lunch, and sitting at a half full table.
He unwraps his burger, setting the aluminum foil aside and bites into it. Beth picks up a packet of ketchup, tears it open, and squirts it onto an empty spot on her tray next to her fries.
nick
(To Beth, prodding)
So, you were telling me about your dad.
Beth glances over at Josh who is talking animated to Aubrey, waving a French fry around as he speaks. Beth realizes he isn’t paying attention to her or Nick, she turns back to Nick.
beth
(Without emotion)
He died.
Beth picks up a French fry and dips it into the ketchup on her tray, stares at it but does not eat it.
nick
(Eyes wide with disbelief)
No way! How? When?
beth
(without emotion)
He committed suicide a little over a week ago.
Beth drops the fry onto the top of the pile of the fries on her tray and wipes her hand on a napkin.
nick
Why?
Beth shrugs and sips her soda.
nick
I heard about the attempted carjacking. The news said his wife was killed. That was your mom?
Beth takes a deep breath. Nicks line of questioning upsets her, but she steels herself, squaring her shoulders and answers his question.
beth
Yes, that was my mom. A month ago, my mom and dad were leaving the stadium and my dad decided to take a short cut through a not so kosher neighborhood.
The camera zooms in on Beth’s face as she begins to recount that fateful night.
beth
He had just won a game against San Francisco – a playoff game, and they were on their way to dinner.
The scene begins to fade, Beth’s face fades away CUT TO-
EXT. FOUR WAY INTERSECTION – EVENING
A navy blue Navigator slowly rolls to a stop at the stop sign in a rundown neighborhood. Houses line the street, their paint peeling and porches sagging. Dilapidated vehicles are parked in driveways. The nicest car on the street, aside from the Navigator is a brassy colored, 1979 Cadillac Eldorado. We see Pete and Rae Dwyer seated inside, both are happy, smiling. Rae is talking to Pete as the navigator comes to a complete stop.
beth
(V.O.)
My dad decided to take a short cut, like I said. The neighborhood he went through was dangerous. Kids are shot, people are killed there all the time, it’s just…bad.
A man comes running up to the car. He’s dressed in baggy, dark colored jeans and a oversized black hooded sweatshirt, a baseball cap pulled down low over his eyes. He breaks the passenger window with the butt of the gun and shoves it in Rae’s face.
Beth
(V.O.)
He ordered my mom and dad to get out of the car.
Beth pauses, taking a deep breath.
We see Rae refusing to get out of the car, she turns in her seat and yells something inaudible to Pete. The car jacker fires his gun, the black night lights up with gunfire.
beth
(V.O.)
He shot my mom then pulled her out of the car and shot her five more times.
The car jacker pulls open the car door and pulls a screaming Rae from the car. He throws her to the ground, she stumbles and falls onto the pavement, her arms shooting out to catch her fall. The car jacker stands over her, the gun aimed at Rae.
Zoom into the car jacker's face, he sneers and squeezes the trigger, flinching as each bullet is dispelled from the gun.
Pan wide to show Rae lying in the street, her body lifeless. Zoom around car to Pete quickly rushing toward Rae.
beth
(V.O.)
She died in the street before the paramedics had the chance to save her.
Pete is now at Rae’s side, he goes to kneel beside her to try to save her. The car jacker shoots at him as he runs toward the driver’s side of the car. Four bullets hit Pete, three in the upper back and shoulder, one in his lower back.
Beth
(V.O.)
When my dad went to help her the guy shot him four times. Three of the four bullets passed major arteries, he would have survived, but the last bullet severed his spinal cord.
The scene on the street fades and-
INT. CAFETERIA – LATE MORNING
beth
That was the end of life as I knew it. A month later Pete was dead, and here I am.
Nick fidgets uncomfortably in his seat across from Beth.
As promised, the first few pages of the script for Full Circle. It's completely horrible and complete garbage….
Ext. INTERSTATE - LATE AFTERNOON
CATE and RYAN are sitting in a truck speeding down the interstate heading to Florida.
Cate
(V.O.)
When I was seventeen my mother was murdered, my stepfather was left for dead, bleeding a paralyzed from the waist down. Two weeks after the incident Pete took his own life leaving, mine forever changed.
INT. TRUCK -LATE AFTERNOON.
CATE
(Turning to Ryan)
Are we going to stop soon, I'm tired and I need real food.
(Cate reaches into the cooler behind her digging out a dripping can of Mountain Dew. She holds the soda up, a look of disgust on her face.)
This stuff is going to put me into a diabetic coma.
(She opens the can of soda and takes a sip, irritated that the mountain dew is all there is to drink)
RYAN
(Glances at Cate out of the side of his eye)
We can stop once we get out of Jersey. I really want to make it to at least Delaware before we stop for the night.
Cate sighs and turns to stare out the window, irritated with Ryan, irritated that she's been in the car all day and irritated that he won't stop like she wants him too. Cate leans her head on the window, closing her eyes.
The radio plays softly, a song by Mayday Parade, Ryan's favorite band. He hums along softly, careful not to disturb the now sleeping Cate.
A green sign illuminates ahead on the highway announcing that it's over 200 miles to Delaware. Another sign announces that there is lodging just off the next exit.
Ryan sighs and signals even though there is no one else on the highway. He approaches the exit and slowly pulls off, following the loop around and coming out on a small town in the middle of New Jersey.
He follows the road down a bit and sees the motel 8, its sign flashing on and off. He pulls into the parking lot and shuts off the truck.
It's suddenly quiet in the cab, Cate jerks awake.
CATE
What's going on?
(She looks around at the run down motel, her gaze landing on Ryan.)
Why did we stop?
RYAN
It was too far to Delaware and I didn't want you sleeping in the car. You'd be evil in the morning.
Cate gently smacks his arm and the two of them get out of the car and walked toward the hotel office. They enter and Ryan leans toward the counter talking to the clerk as Cate leans against the counter.
CATE
(V.O.)
The state of Florida sent me to live with my biological father, his new wife, and their two seemingly perfect kids.
Cate pauses for a moment.
CATE
(V.O.)
Life sucked for a little while, my stepsister hated me, I missed my parents, and I hated Massachusetts.
The pair collects their room key and walk up a set of concrete stairs. Two doors down they stop. Cate steps back, leaning against the metal rail as Ryan unlocks the door and goes in. The light flicks on and he walks toward the bathroom. A moment later, he comes back and Cate walks into the room.
CATE
(V.O)
Then I met Ryan. Ryan saved me from…well, just about everything.
In the room, Cate has changed into pajamas and she and Ryan climb into bed. He kisses her gently before the light goes out.
EXT. COLLEGE DORM - MID-MORNING
The truck comes to a stop outside a college dorm. Ryan climbs out of the truck, shielding his eyes with his hand he glances up at the building.
RYAN
(To Cate)
Bet you wish you'd taken Brynn up on her offer to get an apartment off campus.
Cate turns to Ryan, a smile on her face.
CATE
What and miss out on the consummate college experience? I don't think so.
RYAN
Oh, consummate college experience, huh? What does that entail? Keg parties and streaking across campus?
CATE
(She shrugs and laughs softly)
I don't know what the consummate experience is. That's why I want to have it.
Cate walks towards Ryan and smacks him lightly on the chest. He grabs the belt loops of her shorts and pulls her toward him, kissing her.
RYAN
Yeah well, don't go having any consummate experiences with any drunken frat boys. I'd hate to have to kick some asses.
CATE
(Rolling her eyes)
Whatever. Come on, we should probably start getting this stuff inside.
The two of them make multiple trips to the car, carrying cate's stuff to her room. After they are done, Cate and Ryan are sitting in the center of her room surrounded with boxes. There's a knock at the door. Ryan rises to answer it and comes back with a red and white pizza box. He sets the box down in front of Cate and she flips the lid open.
CATE
(Reaching for a slice of pizza)
So, how is this going to work? I mean am I going to come down and see you every other weekend? Are you going to come up? What are we doing?
RYAN
I'll come see you, you come see me, we're only going to be two hours apart, it won't be that bad.
CATE
(Slightly emotional)
I know.
They sit in silence for a few minutes, each one eating their pizza, pensive looks on their faces. Ryan finishes his pizza and glances at his watch.
RYAN
(To Cate)
It's getting late I should probably head out.
CATE
Okay. Promise you'll call me when you get there?
RYAN
Sure. Will you be okay?
Cate nods and the pair rise. She walks him to the dorm door and opens it. They walk down the hall and out to the parking lot.
RYAN
I'll see you this weekend.
CATE
Okay.
RYAN
We can do this.
Cate nods but doesn't say anything. She leans forward resting her head on Ryan's chest.
RYAN
I love you.
CATE
I love you too.
RYAN
I'll see you this weekend.
He kisses her and reaches into his pocket for his car keys. She hugs him and lets him go waving as he walks away. Flash between Cate's sad face watching Ryan walk away and Ryan walking away. He glances over his shoulder at Cate when he gets to his truck. With a sad smile, he gets in and starts the truck, the drives away.
In addition to being the only weirdo in America who carries a
