Why I started writing...

                                        So I don't have to talk
     

           Unlike my sister and father I was never much of a reader or writer growing up or during my high school years but then college came along and being someone who doesn't talk (if I had a dollar for every time someone said I should talk more I would be richer then Bill Gates) and is uncomfortable around a group of people I needed something to do to take away the loneliness and homesickness. I wasn’t able to study the subject I wanted to so I did what I have always done, watched and listened to everything and everyone around me. Taking from real life experiences, like when a friend at the time walked into the cafeteria and said “The soda machine wouldn’t take a $20” when dinner was done I went back to my room and wrote it down knowing that I would use it in a story (Never tell an invisible person your life story because they will use it as part of their fiction). I still had (have) a dream of being a Hollywood director so the first thing I wrote was a screenplay about two high school friends meeting years after they graduated and that line is in it. It took two schools, five years and about 20 roommates for me to graduate, when I did I couldn’t find a job but I kept writing. It wasn’t until I got a letter to the editor of a national magazine published in 2009 when I started calling myself a writer.
         Today I am still jobless and although I haven’t published anything since and have yet to make any money as a writer, heck only a couple of friends have read anything I’ve written, I write as much as I can. I have new ideas all the time and spent many a sleepless nights trying to place them on paper. It’s those sleepless nights that remind me that there is nothing else I want to do. I read about friends on Facebook and their daily lives and when they complain about their jobs (even the ones who have a career in what they majored in) I want to tell them that is why I can’t work in an office or do what you do. I’m not like them and well I may at times envy them I don’t want to be them.
        So for now I write for myself and my sanity. Whether it’s a screenplay, TV pilot, play, short story, poem, graphic novel, song, blog as a film/TV critic, eulogy for pet or flash fiction right here I have written it or have idea on paper as an outline. When it comes down to the reason why I write well no matter what mood I am in Glad, Mad or Sad writing makes me feel better. Finally as a senior I wrote in my high school yearbook-Years from now…Living in California acting and directing movies- I can’t act but today and everyday I still believe that making movies will happen for me even if I have to write the words for the actors to say myself.  

Quick thoughts-Great Performances on PBS-Driving Miss Daisy

Since I can't get to Braodway I have come to really like to be able to watch some shows on this PBS series (and doing so have become a fan of opera).Last night I watched this and what I liked best was how the three actors (two of who are in their eighties) actually aged right before our eyes. I know this may sound strange but as the dates changed so did each person, the way they moved and talked it was fascinating to watch. Although the wasn't much of a stage crew or set its amazing how adding a steering wheel to a chair and a bench have you believing the actors are in a real car. Bravo to Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones and all involved on a wonderful show. If you check PBS Online or your local PBS listings you might catch it

Feast-best animated short oscar winner

I finally got to watch Feast a 6 minute film about a dog who loves people food. I watched it twice and can't stop thinking about it. It's old-fashioned 2d Disney animation but each minute is a hoot to watch. Any one who has a dog can truly relate to this story, like when a baby enters the picture my mom knew what would happen next. This short film is a delicious Feast for the eyes and heart of the viewer.

On this day...

239 years ago the Continental Congress voted for independence.

152 years ago Col. Joshua L Chamberlain and The 20^th Maine (with others) defended Little Round Top at Gettysburg

And 20 years ago (2 weeks after it opened) I saw my first superhero movie, as much as I am looking forward to seeing Ant-Man but it would be nice if Hollywood made more original movies. For example I (and maybe others) took a few notes on the Northern NY three week prison break-saws in ground meat, staying in unused cabins and a last ditch effort to run to Canada-sounds like a summer blockbuster to me and let’s not forget a conservative yet last week liberal leaning SCOTUS is better than anything Aaron Sorkin and Shonda Rhimes (two people I look up to) could come up with, although Will McAvoy and President Fitzgerald Grant come close.

 

 How many people do you know have a 20 year old movie ticket stub (and 100 more since)

 

Side note…

Sarah--Me

Let me start by confessing that I am in my mid 30s and have been obsessed with TV since I was a kid. We had no iPads to help pass the time in the car. So when my sister or I asked how much longer till we get to grandma’s house my parents would answer “three Fraggle Rock(s)” for 1½ hours.
I’ve been reading TVWW every day for almost as long as you’ve been around. During the Fall TV season my dvr is busy keeping me on track as I watch 40 hours a week (it’s a lot but I have to watch cable if I want to keep it)
TVWW has been a big help and-while at times I disagree-I take your suggestions (and Best Bets) to heart and give every series a chance. I tell whoever will listen about shows I discover and even started my own blog (don’t worry TVWW still has way more readers).
TV is my life and, from the TV Upfronts, to the stories behind series, to dissecting the good, bad and in-between, David Bianculli and everyone who writes for TVWW are a main source for my daily viewing

Jun 22, 2015   |  Reply

1.         

David Bianculli—TV critic

Dear Sarah -- Obviously, you're a kindred spirit. Very funny about "Fraggle Rock" -- my daughter, in her early 30s, definitely could relate. And 40 fours a week of TV viewing may sound like a lot -- but we here at TVWW clock in even more, because we have to KEEP watching the bad stuff. The pilot episodes, anyway. So consider yourself fortunate, and never feel guilty about your viewing hours, if it's good stuff you're watching. So glad to have you around...

Well at least one person listens to and understands me.

A quick take on Tomorrowland the movie

Ok I have read mixed reviews on Tomorrowland some seemed to really enjoy this marketed as a teen who discovers a wonderful future world, to tweens and teens movie, others not so much. You can add me to the like column.

Yes the film feels too long and is slow at times and some of the special effects seem to be from Walt Disney’s time instead of today but I need to give high praise to the acting, especially by the two young girls Athena played by Raffey Cassidy and Casey played by Britt Robertson.        What a concept kids acting like kids who want to and can help for a better future. George Clooney and Hugh Laurie also star.

The TV ads may have shown little and been a bit deceiving (I would had liked to have seen/spent more time in Tomorrowland) but better then giving away the end in the first scene of the trailer.

In the end Writer and Director Brad Bird and Producer Damon Lindelof shared a positive and inspiring message to the audience (seriously not all sci-fi movies/TV shows have to have a dystopian future full of fear and hate) and if I was worthy enough to be given a pin that transported me to Tomorrowland I would jump at the opportunity!

Entourage Movie-A fun summer romp

I know I say over and over that Hollywood needs to start making better and more original movies, I am so sick of remakes, sequels and remaking sequels - cut to the one exception I will make – A film based on a TV series about the “ins and outs” of Hollywood itself.  Entourage is that movie!

If you have been living under a rock for the past 10 years let me sum up the plot of both show and movie. Vincent Chase is an actor living in LA (in the same house) with his two best friends and older brother, he has an agent and a PR person each helping him (in their own way) as he makes movies, money and growing fame.

The movie Written and Directed by Doug Ellin and Produced by Mark Wahlberg, picks up a few months after the show ended and the boys don’t miss a beat. There is Vince played by Adrian Grenier, our Hollywood crush and star still at the top of his game and in the middle of yet another sexy party (on a yacht) when he meets up again with his entourage. He is in the middle of deciding what project to do next when he calls Ari Gold ( I want an Ari) played by the magnificent Jeremy Piven, his ex-agent now head of the studio who already has the perfect movie lined up for him, there’s a catch Vince wants to direct and that's all I can say. It sounds like a simple plot and it is but the movie isn’t about the sex, silliness and macho whatever that some would want you to believe. It’s really a story about these five guys who would do anything for each other.

There is Eric “E” Murphy played by Kevin Connelly, who if Vince is the heart of the group E is the soul. He started as Vince’s friend, turned manager and now producer. A character who has had his share of love interest but with his on again, off again girlfriend Sloan played by Emmanuelle Chrqui about to have his baby he has a few personal choices to make. There is “Turtle”  played by Jerry Ferrara who stayed out of showbiz but is always there to drive Vince wherever he needed to be. No longer the chubby other friend living on Vince’s dime Turtle has made it big, “not telling anyone how much money he has made”, in the tequila business and now allows his friends to sleep on his “couch”. And where would Vince be without his brother Johnny Drama played by Kevin Dillon. Drama’s career has had its ups and downs and so Vince gives him a part, "only four scenes," in his new film but Johnny’s personal and professional drama never ends.

Entourage is and has always been a story about friendship and those who are some of the most important people in our lives (including they relationship between Ari and his ex- assistant, yes even Lloyd played by Rex Lee has return for the film and watching them is just as wonderful as before). Yes there are a lot of cameos in the movie but there were a lot in the show too, in fact some of the cameos (like Bob Saget and Andrew Dice Clay) are those who appeared (more than once) in the series and after all that is what happens in LA you drive around and the next thing you know so and so is parked at the stop light next to you (so I’ve heard)

The movie also stars Billy Bob Thorton, Haley Joel Osment, Alan Dale, Perry Reeves back as Ari's "long and suffering" wife, Debi Mazar back as Shauna and Constance Zimmer back as Dana.

In the end like the show did Entourage moves at a fast pace and the (almost) two hours go by quick. It has everything that a celebrity watcher like myself wants in a movie about movies (The viewer even gets a quick peak at the film within the film and like with Aquaman and Medellin I want to see Vincent Chase’s directorial debut “Hyde”) and from the opening credits that included the original TV show theme music and font style to the happy Hollywood ending I smiled, laughed and enjoyed getting to spend some (more) time with Vince and his Entourage.

GREEN DAY and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The year was 1994. My parents, my sister and I packed up the car with our camping supplies and started on our way to Saugerties, NY.  I was all of 14 and was about to have the craziest weekend of my life (so far). Woodstock ’94 was happening and my family was right in the thick of it. It’s been over 20 years and I can’t remember everything but I do recall that we set up our tent and sleeping bags on the side of a hill, my older sister going off on her own late into the night, being covered in mud from head to toe (thank goodness for those ponchos) and most importantly watching Green Day perform live! You could say that the chance to see this amazing and very entertaining band was the entire reason I went.

         I forgot which of the “Two More Days of Peace and Music” it was but the stage was a close walk from our home away from home. We got to it as early as possible to get the best view we could, it was early enough that the pervious band playing reggae music were still on the stage.  The crowd grew and grew, I don’t know when, who or why it started but all of a sudden all those who had gathered were chanting Green Day! Green Day! Green Day! Green Day! Green Day! (Looking back on it I feel sorry for the guys on stage, I mean they were a good band in their own right) but the fans came to see Billie Joe Armstrong, Tre Cool and Mike Drint and they did not let us down.

          I don’t remember their set list (I’m sure all their hits from Dookie were part of the concert) but what happened while they were preforming was insane and became the best concert I have ever attended.

         Again I don’t know who threw the first shot but soon mud was flying everywhere on stage and off. The stage became a huge slippery mess but that did not stop people from jumping up on to it to get up close and person with the band. Security stepped in and began throwing them off, my family was so close that those being “gently” tossed off were practically landing on top of us. According to legend one or the guards miss-took Mike as one of those crazy fans and chipped one of the bassist teeth.*

It really was one great and (mostly) unforgettable weekend and for posterity I still have the muddy shoes and back when MTV cared about music they attendant and aired some of the concerts and perhaps somewhere in their vaults there is footage of a tall man with dark hair and a beard just enjoying a nice vacation with his wife and two teenaged daughters.

Congrats and cheers to Billie Joe, Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month (Concert with other inductees Saturday at 8pm on HBO) you guys truly deserve this great honor.

*Woodstock '94 has also been referred to as Mudstock, or Mudstock '94, partly due to Green Day's performance, during which guitarist and lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong started a mudfight with the crowd. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with many fans jumping onstage. This resulted in the security team mistaking bassist Mike Dirnt for a fan and tackling him, resulting in Dirnt requiring emergency orthodontia. (Wikipedia)