Movie Matchmaker: Detroit

First, a brief synopsis:

Set during the summer of 1967 amidst riots, curfews and civil unrest in the Motor City, Detroit chronicles the tragic events that occurred after reports of gunfire near the famed Algiers Motel.  The Detroit Police, Michigan State Police and the National Guard launch an [unofficial] "investigation" and "interrogation" of guests of the hotel in hopes of acquiring a confession about the reported gunshots. Monstrous attacks and atrocious beatings follow for all the guests, ultimately leading to the deaths of three unarmed men, all at the hands the few unhinged policemen.  *SPOILER* The police are acquitted of ALL of the shootings. 

With the current civil unrest, the ever expanding racial tensions and the far too abundant killings between unarmed civilians and [some] law enforcement in this country, I can not list reasons to watch this film.  It's well directed and well acted, but hard to watch.  VERY HARD to watch. That's all I have to say. 

Movie Matchmaker: "The Dark Tower"

First, a brief synopsis:

The Dark Tower is a fantasy hailing from the mind of Stephen King and his profound book series of the same name.  The Dark Tower is an actual tower that serves to keep the whole of the universe safe from the evil forces that run rampant beyond its borders. The story focuses on "The Last Gunslinger," his eternal battle with "The Man in Black" and their mutual fight over the Dark Tower.  Meanwhile, back on Earth, a young boy who ultimately possess the ability to help the Gunslinger protect the Dark Tower, has visions of what's going on in the battle beyond his own planet.  The boy unites with the Gunslinger and together they battle evil in hopes of saving both their worlds.

If you enjoy...

• Stories from the mind of Stephen King
• The acting chops of Idris Elba
• A villain with 'Jedi-mind-trick' like powers
• Impressive visual effects

...then perhaps you'll find a match in The Dark Tower!

Movie Matchmaker: "Atomic Blonde"

First, a brief synopsis:

Atomic Blonde is an action film set during the Cold War just before the fall of the Berlin Wall, where MI6 spy Lorraine Broughton recounts the events that led to the capture of a known fugitive. After the murder of a fellow spy,  Lorraine is sent on a mission to collect his remains. Ultimately the trip turns into a hunt of an important "list" containing information on spies worldwide, as well an infamous double spy that has, as of yet, eluded capture.  While in Berlin, Lorraine links up with a myriad of individuals in various stations of espionage in an attempt to save the list and her life. 

If you enjoy...

• Action films laced with LOTS of action with a backdrop of artful and dramatic visuals
• Deftly crafted fight scene choreography 
• A bad-ass woman lead who can hold her own
• Twisty, complicated plot lines
• 80's inspired soundtracks and scores
• Charlize Theron

...then perhaps you'll find a match in Atomic Blonde!

Movie Matchmaker: "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets"

First, a brief synopsis:

Valerian, an adaptation of the French sci-fi graphic novel, is set some seven centuries in the future, and focuses on the assignments of Valerian and Laureline. The two special operatives, who are generally tasked with keeping order throughout, find themselves on a special mission from the minister of defense to Alpha, a planet where the knowledge of diverse species and cultures is shared.  Dark forces threaten to ruin the utopian metropolis if the duo fail in thwarting their plans.  With the clock winding down for Valerian and Laureline, they must destroy the sinister threat before it annihilates the universe all while navigating their love for each other, and the complications that inherently follow. 

If you enjoy...

• Luc Besson's unique and creative directing sensibilities
• Amazingly vivid visuals and imagery
• Space operas that span the galaxy
• An opening sequence that really hooks you
• Moderately fun banter
• Creature features( as there are many, many different types of creatures)

...the perhaps you'll find a match in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets!

Movie Matchmaker: "Dunkirk"

First, a brief synopsis:

Dunkirk is a war drama based on the true story of the of Allied troops trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk and the heroic mission to save them.  In May of 1940, German forces advanced into France, leaving British, French, Belgian and Dutch soldiers cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk. The British and French provided as much air and ground cover as they could but with little other protection, the troops were easily attacked and picked off by enemy air forces. Ultimately, however, the naval vessels, with the help of civilian sailers and boat owners, safely evacuated nearly 330,000 soldiers. 

If you enjoy...

• Harrowing stories of war, specifically those stemmed from World War II
• Experiencing intense and poignant situations from soldiers' points of view
• Sprawling and visceral landscape shots
• Realistic and piercing soundscapes 
• Seeing the heroic deeds of ordinary people, that helped to change history

...then perhaps you'll find a match in Dunkirk!

Movie Matchmaker: "Girl's Trip"

First, a brief synopsis:

Girl's Trip is a comedy produced by (fellow Rattler) Will Packer about a quartet of college girlfriends reuniting for a lady's getaway in New Orleans.  In their college days, the "Flossy Posse," (as they call themselves), partied hard.  During this weekend, they return to their partying ways, letting go and having fun while also navigating their individual and collective catastrophes.

If you enjoy...

• Stories about sisterhood and unity
• Raunchy, unfiltered comedy laced with very colorful language
• A nice variety of very handsome men
• A backdrop of wonderful music (and the very lively Essence Music Festival)
• All things The Big Easy!
• Laughing...a lot!

...then perhaps you'll find a match in Girl's Trip!

Movie Matchmaker: "War for the Planet of the Apes"

**This is the first of my "Movie Matchmaker" series.  As such, it is reasonable to expect that the format of these posts may evolve as I continue on.**

First, a brief synopsis:

The War for the Planet of the Apes is the third installment of the overhauled franchise that was retooled in 2011.  In this chapter, Ceasar and his tribe of apes fundamentally want to live a life of peace and quiet away from the humans that created them.  The humans desire an identical outcome, save for one exception; they pursue their peace by attempting genocide and ultimately enslaving the apes.  Lines are crossed, many are killed, and everyone suffers under the horrors of war in the battle for the survival of both species.

If you enjoy...

• Allegorical tales that reflect both the historical landscape and current state of our country
• Subtle and engaging character acting punctuated by nuanced facial expressions
• A wonderfully conflicted main character
• A villain who is a human Patriot and will protect the human race by any means necessary
• Battles of mass proportions
• Beautifully designed CGI (take a look at the transformation and creation of Ceasar HERE)

...then perhaps you'll find a match in The War for the Planet of the Apes!

Nearly a Year Later

It's been nearly a year since my last post. I honestly thought less time had passed.  oh well...pressing on.

So much and so little has happened since then...none that I'm particularly excited about.  BUT, I have a "plan" (well, more of a road map with multiple possible routes, and less of concrete directions) and an (ever evolving) renewed state of mind.  No more focusing on the obstacles.

Coming Soon...

Not much has changed (unfortunately) since the last post.  But, as is the motto and title of this blog, I press on (and very much look forward to posting great news soon).

I had the idea some time ago to [re-] focus the blog on something specific, now that grad school and the immediate post grad school experience are behind me.  I'm not quite sure what this season should be called but it is neither of those.

In any event, I thought of focusing this blog on movies.  Not movies in the general sense, (or my journey to write and make them) but what movies people should see.  I have a pretty good sense of what kind of movies people will generally like. I have, on numerous occasions, recommended or dissuaded family and friends to see (or not see) any particular movie and have seldom been wrong in my assessments.  Not only that, I see so many movies (maybe on the cusp of too many) and figured I should be able to put what I've seen to good use! (Or at least some use.)

Unlike most movie reviews or critiques, this will be more of an "if you like ???, then you'll enjoy this movie" type of deal...and less of why a certain movie may or may not be "good". Think 'movie-match-maker' or 'the movie whisperer'!

This post is mostly for my own benefit, so that I can stop talking about it and do it.  Stay tuned...

Five Months, Two Days

It's hard to believe that it's been five months and two days since I officially left my last job.  More like I was unceremoniously booted out, but the details don't matter. It hurt for a while...longer than I would've liked.  It dinged my self esteem and made me question this path. Then I was energized to move on to the next chapter, even though whatever that was seemed murky at best.

I wrote. I applied for jobs. I went on countless interviews. I worked some random gigs. I continued even through uncertainties.

Perhaps I should have named this blog Instant Success, because here I am (yet again) pressing on. To be completely honest, what I want is to (finally) be on the other side of a struggle that has, so far, been attached to an ambivalent timeline.

But here are the things I'm certain of: 

Success is never instant.  

Pressing on is hard work that WILL pay off.  

Something big is on the horizon for ME. 

I can and will work even HARDER...because faith without works is dead.

I press on!

Kinda like in the movies....

I see movies everywhere in everything...mostly while 'people watching' and general observations. Normally what I see and hear are quite comical or otherwise enterataining.  I wish they all were.

Yesterday I went visited Disneyland with a friend and really had a great time.  We're both 'Mouse House' veterns, so we didn't feel the need to rush around to each and every single ride, attraction or show like chickens with our heads cut off.  It was a leisurely day of trying out "lesser" attractions for the first time and visting recently added rides.

One attraction I wish I hadn't seen was the one where an SUV unknowingly drives over a man lying in the middle of a major highway.  It was very disturbing...like in a thriller movie.  Except it wasn't a movie.

On the drive home, we were having a good laugh about the day, singing songs and (like normal) dreading having to wake up early for work the next day.  We closed the park down...and were glad to do it.  

A little over halfway home, I saw a car parked on the shoulder.  I glanced at it and briefly wondered what happened.   Then it became clear.

I drove past a MAN'S body lying the in lane to my right.  A man's lifeless body.

It was dark.  The highway was six lanes of pretty steady traffic, despite the late hour.  Speeds were set well above a meandering pace.  Just when the realization hit that an ACTUAL PERSON was in the highway, an SUV sped over him.    He stopped, we didn't.

Our speed, location and surrounding drivers prevented me from doing so.  We all would have been compromised if I did.  I can't even fully describe what either I nor my friend felt.  I continued to drive and urged my friend to take my phone to call 911.  She did.  Stunned, dismayed, appalled are all inappropriate descriptions for what we felt.   I immediately prayed for all involved.    

We made it home purely by the Grace of God.  I dropped my friend home then continued on to the (longer) street route home.  I was done with the highway for the night.

Showered and safely in my bed,  I thought about how the tragedy we witnessed was kinda like a movie.  But not at all.  There was no stunt man, no carefully placed cars, no fake blood, no intricate choreography.  It was real.  A man was dead.  And at least two cars ran over him.

Later in the morning...this all happened about 12:45am (as I said, we closed the park down)...I researched more about the accident, despite my better judgement.  I found one article that  pointed to the same event.  Apparently a man was running in the highway and a lady (in the car on the shoulder) struck him.  She pulled over and reported it.  Then, because he was still in the middle of the highway, other cars ran over him.  It is not clear why the man was running in the street.  The woman who initially hit him was not injured nor cited for any wrong doing...which is good, because I'm beyond traumatized by seeing it.  I can't imagine if I was actually a part of it.  I thanked (and am thanking Him continuously) that I did not runover or hit him.  I don't think I'd be able to handle it.  I know I wouldn't have.

Life is precious.  I am ever grateful to my Creator that he spared mine yesterday [and then].  Prayers again to all involved and the family of the deceased.

Something Has to Give.

It's been a while.  I've finished writing my first book.  I went to my first Star Trek Convention.  I sat in box seats at the Hollywood Bowl for the first time.  I recieved my first demotion.  Not an actual demotion, but as far as pay is concerned, yes.  Of course the powers that be made it seem like I was getting a raise.  A raise that pays less.

Looking at the number in my bank account, I was more than feeling some sort of way.  And because I don't want to focus on the negative, that's all I'll say about that.

All I will say, is there HAS to be something BIG coming soon.  VERY SOON.  A BIG idea from my head.  A BIG opportunity.  A BIG situation. (And for the first time - in a long time - an external situation that actually puts me in a better place than before the situation occured).   A BIG...something.  

Because (and as much as I dislike the overly excessively use of this phrase)....I can't even.

Pressing on.

Vacations and Such...

It seems I've been gone for a while, though my vacation was just ten days.   (And while the vacation was nice, I need a vacation from my vacation, but eh. Whatever.) 

Florida and family were delightful.  I wasn't super excited to come back to California.  But I'm back and each day getting more and more productive!!!  The book is almost done.  I have part two of the vacation coming up next week.  My plan is to have the book done and in my mentor's hands before I leave.  I'll count it as a bit of reward...and inspiration, as I'm going to the Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas!  Nerdy, yep.  Do I care?  Not really.  It is what it is and I think it's going to be fun!

Over the first vacation, I spent SO MUCH time with the family and friends.  It was absolutely great! (even the hospital visit for a cousin, which turned out well for his diagnosis.) Our unity factor was upped a bit, and that's an answer to a long time prayer.  I know there's a harmony within my family that will only grow more and more melodic.  

While I didn't get to ride, I did get to visit a horse friend's horse, Max!  I love the smell of horses.   love being in the country.  I love the smell of rain in the country.  

All of the love from the vacation festivities have given me a little more umph to make my 'mogul' me to the next level.  So back to work I go.  Stay tuned.

My Own Boss

I have been busy which essentially means again falling away from blog updates.  Doing this and that, celebrating my birthday and entertaining family and friends.  It's been a fun few months, and even somewhat productive.  I'm no where near where I wanted to be at this point in the year...on a many number of things, but I am here!

I will cautiously say that my boss' resigning has proven to be quite beneficial...now that the shock of it all has all but dwindled away.  I was nervous about finding a new job by what I thought was the time I would be let go.  As it turns out, no such time exists.  That is truly a blessing.  I should have known better...all things are in His hands.

There have been some changes at the office.  At first I was vehemently opposed to them.  But again, it seems it's all for the best.  Five new people are in the bungalow now, in addition to our crew.  One producer and his assistant, and a writing team with their assistant.  I was giving the choice  of where I wanted to be among the assistants in the common area.  I chose to relocate to the copy room, and now I essentially have my own office.  Also, I guess I squeaked enough that I (finally) got a permanent parking spot.  (The squeaky wheel gets the oil!)

So while I'll miss seeing and meeting new people as they come through the door, it is nice to have my own space.  The writing is going well...I mean, it's only been a day or so, but at least I am back to updating the blog.  Well for today anyways.  I can here my own music (without having to use earphones), a bright sunny window to look out and the hum of the printer when it's actually used.  It's not a bad set up and I will take full advantage.  How many aspiring writers can say they are given office space by a top network, pay with benefits and a parking space?  I don't know, but I will take this time to write, build my other business and make the most of this divine opportunity.  I am my own boss.  Stay tuned.

Socialite

The past few weeks I have mostly been a recluse.  Not in the way that I normally am...I mean, I enjoy spending time alone.  (I enjoy spending time with [certain] people...I just really like my 'me' time) But these last weekends I've been working really hard, and sleeping very little, to finish the submissions for several TV writing programs.

Even though I've had a great deal of time to write at work, I still have managed to procrastinate...leaving me to finish things at the VERY last minute.  I really hate when I do that...even though sometimes it is necessary to my writing process.

This weekend however, I was a bit of a socialite.  Well, not really, but I was out of the hangsuite a good deal of the weekend; I was not stuck behind a computer desperately trying to write, so that was a nice change from recent weekends.  I was out at brunches and dinners and bowling and volunteering and movies.   And it was nice.

It was great way to celebrate having a free weekend and finishing projects!  And now that those project have finished, I have more time to work on other projects...including an attempt to keep the blog updated.  Stay tuned.


On another, quick note.  I saw SPY this weekend, and it was super fun!  It's not for those easily offended by foul language (and it has more than it's fair share) but it's a pretty original take on the spy genre, which I enjoy very much!  Also, can't ever have too much Melissa McCarthy in my humble opinion...and the rest of the cast...icing on the cake!!!

I look forward to (someday soon) creating something just as fun...but slightly more COLORFUL.

Friends, United

I have a friend getting married in a few months, and a friend who's working towards becoming a wedding photographer.  I made some introductions. The engaged friend now has a wedding photographer!  The wedding photographer has her first wedding gig!  There's nothing like unity. Unity in the family.  Unity among friends.  Unity for a mutually benefical cause.   I can't wait to see how it all turns out.  One thing's for sure, I am positive that the day will be a wonderful celebration and everything will be beautifully imortilized.  Stay tuned.

Freedom to Choose

Over this past Memorial Day Weekend, I thought a great deal about the men and women of the armed forces who selflessly give their lives and time in devotion to our country's freedom.

I text one of my military cousins to thank him for his service, and happened to take a look at some of our prior text chains.  One of the things he said to me was "just like the clothes God allows us to choose each day, He also gives us the choice to have a good attitude or a bad attitude."

Those words
got me to thinking about my career.  (It's an odd cross over, I know.) Ultimately I would like my career to be wrapped around the word 'Mogul'.  But for the entertainment part of my lively hood, I've been thinking a lot lately about getting back to what I marginally went into all this for: movies.

Somewhere along the way of pursing a career in film, I fell in love with TV and writing for TV.  I didn't fall out of love with writing films or making films or anything film related.  I just expanded my interests to include TV.  I wonder sometimes, if I should choose to focus on film over TV for the time being.

I've been told on numerous occasions that the writer is KING in television.  [And that's not an inaccurate statement, as MEN overwhelmingly hold the TV writing positions in this industry, but this isn't about that.]  I do enjoy TV, and so much of it is good; it's basically like watching an extended movie.   But is that why I'm so invested in TV right now?  Because it's the 'hot' thing right now?  Or because I genuinely enjoy the idea of writing a character week after week? Or is it because TV has a much quicker process?  I don't know.

But on the weekends, I find a particular solace in going to the actual movie theater and investing a block of time to one story line and a group of characters.   They both have their specific appeals and I'd like to be able to do both.  I choose to do both.  I choose to do a great many things, novels included.  (I will complete my first young adult novel prayerfully by summer's end.)

I see the choices of my peers everyday and how some of those choices are based on fear.  I have a friend who desperately wants to move back to the east coast, and build a career/life there. Her fear of missing out on something on the west coast keeps her here...and often in tears.

My choice is not as life threatening, life affirming or life altering as those of the in the military.  It would be asinine for me to compare my choices to theirs.  I am in the business of giving people a short reprieve from their demanding (or mundane) lives.

I have to remember, just like I have the freedom to choose to wear jeans or a dress, to speak up or keep quiet, to work or to sleep, to have a good attitude or a bad one, that same freedom of choice exists for my career.  Movies or Television?  Not an 'or', simply rather a matter of what I will choose to take priority.

There are a great deal or choices to make here in the coming days, weeks, months.  Stay tuned.

And many, many thanks to the men and women devoted to the military and our country's freedom.

It only takes one

I've been meeting with studio executives, show runners, writers and executive producers in the past months and I've gotten a great deal of advice.  I think the advice I remember the most was "It only takes one yes."

The person who told me that is an executive producer with several shows on the air.  He told me about his long journey here in the entertainment industry and how after just one person told him yes, his career jumped off.   A great deal of "no"s came his way.  But when that one "yes" showed it's lovely face, that was all that mattered.

Yesterday I received yet another "no".  I was slightly bummed for about two seconds.  I mean, it was an opportunity for me to get my feet wet in a writer's room on a show that would likely get a third season order.  It would also give me a feeling of belonging.  The chance to be on a team again. This particular position would only be for five weeks, but it would have been good for my resume.

I have been looking for a new job for a good two years, now.  I've learned a lot about a great many things (both about the industry and about people) where I am, but I've always known this position was a stepping stone.  I didn't want to stay on this one step too long.  I hate being stagnant.  I even hate the word stagnant.  I only like 'pause' when it's attached to a button on my remote control or music playing device, or when it's eloquently placed in a piece of music.  But sometimes, it's just how it is.

A few months ago my boss resigned.  The hows and whys of it aren't important.  But it has put me in an interesting position.  I'm not exactly sure how long I will have the opportunity to come to "work," write, basically do what I want and collect a paycheck.  So this position on this show would have been nice.  It would have been forward movement.  I could finally take the 'pause' off and press play!

Then I remembered that advice...it only takes one.  Only one yes.  And this one, wasn't the one.  I have to believe that it's all for a reason...and that my 'yes' is very imminent.  That play button is itching to get pressed.  Stay Tuned.  

Well, hello there....

A funny thing happened today.

I was at work, writing.  During my procrastination time (a necessity to my writing process) I went to the Internet and found that my blog page was up.  I didn't remember clicking on it.  But there it was. Clear as a glass of water, with the last post made sometime November 2013.

I read the post.  It recalled that year's Thanksgiving that I spent with a friend.  Then I scrolled through a few more posts and realized how much has happened...and not happened.  How much has changed...and how much remains stagnant.

So I decided maybe I would do what I've been promising for some time.  Perhaps this was a sign to restart the blog and make it a priority to keep it going...like when I first started it back in grad school.

This is the first attempt.  It may not be everyday.  It might not be very interesting.  But here's to another round of first steps.   Stay tuned.

Thanksgiving...

It was a nice Thanksgiving...and an uneventful 4 1/2 days off.   Caught up on sleep, cleared a nice chunk off my DVR, did some reading, thought a lot about writing, (and wrote about 1/4 as much as I thought about it).

The most notable time was spent with one of the gang members, with whom I joined for actual Thanksgiving dinner...along with her boyfriend, mother, college friend and her ( the college friend's) boyfriend.  It was a nice intimate group...and a perfect size for not being with my family.

(The other two Thanksgiving festivities I joined prior to Thursday had LOTS of people, few of which I knew.  At both parties, I spent a great deal of time either 'ON' (where I pretty much ACTED like the coolest kid in the room) or observing, which is what I do most of the time...and where I tend to be most comfortable...well with new people.)

Being 'On' or being the Observer -- neither were the case at this Thanksgiving, as the crowd was small and the new people were few. I knew the two hosts and only had to get to know three new people (one of which was my friend's mom, which is usually easier).  The other two were a little nerdy like me, so it was a seamless night of 'getting to know you.'  Plus I was also splitting up my pre-dinner time helping in the kitchen and cooking my tasty fried mac-n-cheese to partner with my famous 'crack-bread' (both of which were a hit).

The meal itself was filled with great conversation and lots of laughter...a good mix for yummy goods...and reminded me of being at home (minus about 15 people).  There was only one time where I intentionally changed the subject matter...

...The college friend asked "How did you get those wicked scars on your arm?"

This is how the rest of the conversation played out...

Host's Mom:  (quietly whispered from across the table,) "Was that from a horse riding accident?"

Me:  "No, but I did crack my sternum after a fall once, and didn't tell my parents about it until about two years later....blah, blah, blah" (True story)

Her Mom:  "What???...blah, blah, blah..."

Host:  "You hurt your arm by fighting ninjas right?"

Me:  "Yes, and samurai...they put aside their differences and  ganged up over a common foe (me)...(continue crazy, ridiculous, ad-libbed story).

My gang member (not surprisingly) also had my back, and I avoided answering the question all together.   I don't mind talking about it...but during Thanksgiving dinner it can be quite the bummer.  I would not be held responsible for killing the mood nor was I in any mood to endure the looks of 'pity' that inevitably come when ever I tell the story.   I further insured the question would not come up again by distracting everyone and getting them totally immersed in  my new favorite party game, Heads Up/Charades as played with my phone app.

All in all, it was a nice Thanksgiving...even if my family was 3,000 miles away.