"Limitless" and "Cleopatra"

With the sad loss of Elizabeth Taylor, one channel was showing Cleopatra all day long. Which I, of course, had to watch. This was the Titanic of its time. Gorgeous, epic, broad in scope and star power and with a wow factor off the charts. When Cleopatra first goes to Rome and is entering the city with all the spectacle, carried in on that ginormous Sphinx? Crazy awesome, right? Right! Not to mention the drama and betrayal and passion and politics - seriously, the four hours it runs keeps you watching. And it holds up over time. You never think - that's cheesy or anything. I actually found myself a little shocked by what they got away with back then. Nudity and sex, so blase' to us now, yet I knew they were probably cutting the edge of censorship at the time. And Elizabeth Taylor - good grief she was a looker and talented... there was one scene especially where she just learned that Marc Antony married someone else and she knocked my socks off - her emotion was so deep and raw. She will be missed. Last night, I saw Limitless with Bradley Cooper. I'm not ashamed to say that while the movie looked cool in concept, I really went to spend 2 hours with Bradley :) Could he be any more smokin' hot - I don't think so. But the movie was really cool too. The premise was interesting and the way they accomplished certain effects was well done. The premise, without giving too much away, is that there is a pill that allows you to use all of your brain, not just the small percentage we normally have accessible to us. So what happens when you have that ability - watch the movie! But, how they displayed time and progress was pretty cool and how they distinguished between normal and uber-aware was also very cool. If Bradley Cooper, the cool premise or the neat effects aren't enough to draw you in - how about Robert DeNiro? He's in it too troops, doing his usual stupendous best. Plus, there's Russian gangsters, murder, and sex. Just go see it, sit back and enjoy - with popcorn.

Me, a book festival, "Zombieland" and a gadget

Wow, back to my slacker ways, I see. What to talk about.... hmmmm...

I went to Tucson, AZ for their Festival of Books. That was terrific. It was free and had a ton of authors there signing books and doing informative panel discussions. So two thumbs up. If you get a chance to go next year, I say do it.

I'm reading a bunch of books right now, but nothing especially noteworthy at the moment.

On the movie front - I saw Zombieland. Can't say I'm a fan of zombies in any form, but I did like Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland had a similar irreverent feel to it that was amusing. There were some definite logic flaws you had to sort of overlook, but still, I enjoyed it for the most part.

I got a new gadget for my computer. It's a fan that sits underneath the laptop and keeps it cool. It plugs into an USB port and sends out a blue glow from under my laptop reminiscent of the cars that are all pimped out... kind of cool. Plus it's keeping my laptop cool (Duh - that's its purpose) which is total plus, since that last time I had computer problems, they were heat related. My mom got it for me for Christmas, but didn't find it until yesterday when she was moving her furniture around - funny huh?

Do I seem tired and not my usual perky self to ya'll? I feel tired and not my usual perky self. Sorry. We're having construction work done in the house and it's distracting and disruptive. It will be done soon I guess, but not soon enough :)
'Nuff for now. More soon.

"The Adjustment Bureau" and "Wristcutters: A Love Story"

You may be wondering what these two very different movies, The Adjustment Bureau and Wristcutters: A Love Story, have in common - wonder no more, friends, I'm going to tell you.

First, they are both worth watching. Second, they both have a plane or level of existence your average Joe knows nothing about. Third, they are both about love trumping all. So, lets look at them individually and I shall endeavor to convince you why both should be seen.

Let's start with the lesser known, lesser budgeted, lesser star-powered Wristcutters: A Love Story. It does have two stars in it that you may know: Shannyn Sossamon (remember her as Heath Ledger's hottie love interest in A Knight's Tale) and Will Arnett in a very small role. Mostly though, you won't recognize anyone - don't let that slow you down. What's it about? Calm your silly selves... I'm getting to it.

Ever wonder what might happen to you if you killed yourself? This is the answer to that question (whether you wondered or not). You go to another realm of existence that's pretty lackluster. And you can't smile. I know... bummer. But, what happens if you weren't supposed to be there or what if you were so in love that you had to find that loved one? Watch and see - the movie tells you. SPOILER ALERT at the bottom of the blog!!!!! I'll warn you again, don't worry. Keep reading.

Now, The Adjustment Bureau. Such a great movie. When it ended, I wanted to turn around and watch it again. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are so sweet, you just hate that they are being thwarted at every turn. This is love, people. Love, like L O V E. Get it? Love! And The Adjustment Bureau is trying to keep them apart. Bastards.

This is what happens when the powers-that-be (call "it/him/her/them" whatever floats your boat) are in charge and have other plans for you. And in this movie, we get to figure out, sort of, who they are and why they are controlling our fate/destiny. We get to figure out why free will may be an illusion. We get to figure out other important things too... like why all the hats? Or, how to get across town in NYC during rush hour by just going through a few doors. I know... cool.

On one level this is simply a terrific action-romance fit for guys and girls alike. But on another level, it's really quite philosophical. So, whether you want a great popcorn movie or to have an hours long debate about the meaning of life - you go check this out. I promise you won't be disappointed.

NOW...the SPOILER ALERT... AGAIN. Do not read further unless you want a small hint about how things turn out for those suicidal love birds.

Small hint: it has a happy ending :)

An interview I participated in with Sherrilyn Kenyon

A friend of mine, Moses, did an audio interview with paranormal romance writer, Sherrilyn Kenyon. And, I got to give an assist!!
Here is the link (look for the audio play link at the bottom). The interview with Sherrilyn starts near minute 20 and ends at minute 43.
It was so much fun, and Sherrilyn is the sweetest, coolest lady - not to mention one of my favorite authors. Enjoy...

http://www.adventuresinscifipublishing.com/2011/02/aisfp-116-sherrilyn-kenyon/

"The King's Speech"

I haven't seen a new movie in several weeks. I was feeling wicked deprived : (
Today I saw The King's Speech starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. It was as good or better than I'd heard and what I'd heard was awesome.

Small stuff first - Helena Bonham-Carter is wonderful as Firth's wife. Guy Pearce is perfect for the role of King Edward (who abdicated his throne so he could marry Wallace Simpson). Timothy Spall is a convincing Winston Churchill (gold stars for all who remember him as Wormtail in Harry Potter). The casting across the board is so good. The setting and costuming are wonderful. The music - let's just say this: During King George VI's 'big' speech, Beethoven's 7th played in the background to brilliant effect - It gave me goosebumps and I teared up (be quiet).

Big stuff next - Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were brilliant. Really, truly, I'm-getting-chills-thinking-about-it-now brilliant. I was enthralled by this movie. Swept away and involved. And most importantly - inspired.

If you don't know, it's based on the true story of Bertie, the eventual King George VI (before and after he becomes King) trying to get over his stammer or stutter so he can give public speeches. Bertie is played by Firth and his speech therapist is played by Rush.

It made me want to fight any problem, tackle any quest, succeed at any venture - because anything is possible if you are brave and try. You will walk away a more motivated and inspired person for having seen this film. And there are quite a few very funny moments too - in case I was sounding too serious : )

Classic goodness, "My Man Godfrey"

There are two versions of this wonderful movie - the 1936 b/w version with William Powell and Carole Lombard and the 1957 version with David Niven and June Allyson. I love both. I can't even tell you how many times I've seen both of them. It's a lot.

The stories are slightly different, but essentially both are about a man, Godfrey, found living as a bum, who is rescued by a wealthy socialite. She is one of the two daughters of a screwball family and Godfrey becomes their butler. Did I mention it's a screwball comedy? It is. The nice daughter who saves Godfrey falls for him and makes his life a little uncomfortable, the other daughter is a vindictive wretch who tries to make his life a misery. The other fun characters include the housekeeper who also has a crush on Godfrey, the dingbat mother, her talentless protege, and the beleaguered father who has to deal with the insanity.

The thing with both of them is that they are both wonderful (did I already say that?). They are both funny, both different enough to make both worth watching, and have sweet messages. Like you never know where you might find love, that people can change, that you shouldn't take people for granted, and other stuff like that. They are really funny if you like screwball comedies and their silly humor. I do. I love old classic comedies. I love all the actors who star in these two great films. So, if this is your thing, or you just want to watch a movie with a nice story and good acting that has no violence, sex, swearing or special effects, then here ya go.

SPOILER ALERT!! I'm about to tell you the ending. So, stop here if you don't want a general idea of how they end. You probably know anyway, but still...

We eventually find out Godfrey is actually from a wealthy family, but hiding out from his status and past. And at the end, Godfrey embraces who he is and his love for our rescuing heroine.

Books and First Lines

I just read ten blog articles on the importance of first lines in books. They're important. A lot of suggestions were thrown out. I liked many of the ones they named. I couldn't think of any that stuck in my mind, but I may not be paying attention.

If I'm ready to read your book based on the blurb or excerpt, then you pretty much have me committed for at least the first 30-50 pages (less if it really, really sucks). If it kind of blows, then I'll stop. But as long as I really like at least one character, or the premise, or the story, or the writer's voice - I'll finish it. Some get better as the book goes on, some don't. Some I end up loving after being dubious for the first 50 pages. You just never know. It's only a handful that I don't finish at all - but boy-o, if you are one of them, I will never - never ever - read your writing again. Period.

Back to topic... I read the back cover blurbs, I read the tag lines, but I have never read the first line or even the first few lines and thought, 'Boring, I'll move on'. Many people do, apparently. So, I see the importance. You don't want to lose those readers.

But in all honesty, the first line is important, the first page is important, the first and last lines of each chapter are important. They say that the last page/paragraph/line of your book sells your next book. Don't ask me who they are. So, what part of your book isn't important? You gotta love the characters. The setting can pull you in. The dialogue can be authentic or witty. It all has a place and the combination of these elements is what makes you great or not.

This was compared to pick-up lines in a bar. I get that - to some degree. If a guy walks up and says, 'what's your sign, doll?' - I may think he is a jerk, but if he's cute enough or smells good enough or is wearing the concert tee that I have too - then I may give him a few more moments to prove that perhaps he is just clueless about meeting girls, but has charm lurking somewhere.

I am not dismissing the important first line. I want mine to be great whether it is the basis by which my entire book is judged or not. So, what's the point of my musings? I dunno - maybe that's it, just thoughts. I wasn't consciously aware that first lines mean nothing to me as a reader until I started thinking about this. As a writer, well...that's a different story.