Archive for the 'Movie Queue' Category

June 30, 2010 | Adv Children's Lit,Life in General,Movie Queue,Reading is FUNdamental,Road Trip Wednesday

Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival”, where YA Highway‘s contributors post a weekly writing or reading-related question and answer it in on our own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

You’re more than welcome to participate! Just answer the question on your own blog, and leave a link to it in their comments.

Topic #35: What was your favorite book for the month of June?

A Boy Named Shel by Lisa Rogak

For my ACL course this semester, we have to read an autobiography about a children’s author. The assignment itself isn’t due until July 25th, but I wanted to get a head start so I chose to read about Shel Silverstein. Where the Sidewalk Ends is one of my favorite children’s books and it was given to me by my parents when I was young; I still have it. I actually just finished the autobiography today and am just….blown away. Even though he was most famous for his children’s books, he was first and foremost, a cartoonist (he was a longtime contributor to Playboy). He was also an accomplished singer (although he didn’t have the right voice for it), songwriter (he wrote “A Boy Named Sue” which was first sung by Johnny Cash), playwright (The Lady or The Tiger Show), and screenwriter (collaborated with director David Mamet on the movie THINGS CHANGE in 1998 starring Don Ameche and Joe Montegna). He never married, but fathered two children (his daughter died when she was 11 of a brain aneuerysm).

Last week, I was telling my best friend about all the stuff I’d learned about him so far and she said, “It sounds like you’re having a love affair with this author.” I laugh about it now because she was so right. This man was the ultimate creative being. He dabbled in every creative medium across the board and was very successful at all of them. Shel was a hardcore life observer and everything—and everyone—he came into contact with was inspiration for his work. He would get so in the zone with his creativity that if he wasn’t near a piece of paper to record his ideas, he would find whatever he could at that point in time: his arms, his hands, his clothes, a tablecloth, etc. He’d lived such a full, rich life by the time he passed away of a massive heart attack in May 1999 (he was born in 1930), I was a tad jealous.

He’s the male version of SARK, who’s one of my favorite authors. She has such a presence about her, a positive aura, that every time I left her company, I felt uplifted.

I think I would’ve felt the same had I ever met him.

He was just an amazing, amazing person, who touched so many lives—readers and friends alike. After reading this, I wanted to go out and buy more books that he wrote. As a writer, I liked this quote the best:

“You should never explain the philosophy behind anything you do, it’s not important. If your work is weak and needs to be explained, it isn’t clear enough.”

Technorati Tags: Road Trip Wednesday, YA Highway, A Boy Named Shel, Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Playboy, A Boy Named Sue, Johnny Cash, The Lady or The Tiger Show, David Mamet, THINGS CHANGE, Don Ameche, Joe Montegna, SARK

June 10, 2010 | "Whoa whoa I gotta go...back to schoooool...again",3rd Semester,A Whole Latte Trouble,Book Two,Creative Writing II,Life in General,Mentors,Movie Queue,Prescott College,School Daze,Summer 2010,The 4-1-1 on Me,Writer Moment

It’s the second week of school and I got feedback from my mentor regarding the first 100 pages of Book 2 earlier this week.

The story lacks focus. You say your main plot is about the investigation into this fellow yet from what I can nearly 100 pages in, Draven has does very little to show the reader that she is this awesome, kick-ass informant. We see much more of her at school or with her friends just talking about “stuff” that is arguably sub-plot and fails to move the main plot along.

I see very little tension at all in the book. I assume as a reader that a book which focuses on a sleuth will have elements of tension, danger not only from the investigation itself but from Draven’s cover being blown. I also assume that in her role, she will make enemies. So, that also adds to the danger/tension. But I see none here. In fact, she is just hanging out like nothing is going on at all.

So, that is the plot, sub-plot and story-telling side.

There are some issues with redundancy and consistency. I’ve highlighted them in some cases and made comments on others.

There are cases when I feel the dialogue is forced. Some pages of dialogue go on for too long and fail to move the story to the next level.

Also it is hard in some places to know who’s talking in your dialogue exchanges. Watch for it.

Consider your pop-culture references and how they might date you as an author and how a reader may take that reference. There are many. While they may be funny to you, your readers are teens today.

Consider your use of stereo-typical representation of Hispanic youth. “Chica, Chiquita, etc.” Just make sure that you are 100% comfortable with these references and they are genuine.

There’s a scene in CLUELESS where Brittany Murphy’s character said something hurtful to Alicia Silverstone and Alicia responded with, “That’s way harsh, TY.” That line was running through my head after reading this. LOL.

But I have to remember that it’s a first draft. The novel, not the feedback.

It’s not going to be good the first time. Nor is it going to be good the second, third, or fourth time.

It’s a story that I completed some time last year and then promptly put away because I didn’t want to look at it anymore. It was a hard write. Then I pulled it out—I don’t remember when—and started editing it. I got midway through Chapter 8 before putting it away to start Book 3 (NaNoWriMo 2009 Fail).

I wish this was the only class I was taking this summer, because I won’t be as focused on the process as I normally would be. The revisions won’t be as good as I want them to be, or should be. Yeah, I know it was my bright idea to create a book revision college course, but even though my concentration is going to be pulled in three different directions, I still expect this to be a learning experience I can carry through to future books.

Technorati Tags: CLUELESS, Brittany Murphy, Alicia Silverstone

June 1, 2010 | "Whoa whoa I gotta go...back to schoooool...again",3rd Semester,Financial Mgmt,Life in General,Mentors,Movie Queue,Prescott College,Summer 2010,The 4-1-1 on Me,Weekend Wrap-Up

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day holiday. 3-day weekends always seem to be so short. And is it just me or does TV suck on week-day holidays? There was nothing good on last night.

Saturday – My intention was to go to Phoenix Comic-Con. John Shneider (I’m a DUKES OF HAZZARD fan) and James Marsters (Spike from BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER)—among other celebs—made an appearance and I’d wanted to get my picture taken with them. But I didn’t want to wait nearly all day to do it. I guess I could’ve gone and just gotten pictures of them. But I didn’t want to deal with paying for parking. Or parking and walking. Because, really, it’s starting to get hotter than a witch’s tittie here, and if I had gotten my pic taken with them, I would’ve been all sweaty and stinky. From the parking and walking, that is. So I skipped it, went to eat at our Usual Place, then went shopping while Babendude hung out with his BF.

I ended up buying a bathing suit.

For $161.

That’s what I get for shopping in Scottsdale. I’d gone to Scottsdale Fashion Square to hit up a particular store: Roxy. But they didn’t have the kind of bathing suits I was looking for: tankinis. I ended up going to Everything But Water and paying $95 for the top and $66 for the little skirted bottom. I, then, of course, end up at Old Navy later (I’m really diggin’ their 2 for $5 flip flops. I’ve not a nice little rainbow of colors. Got a cute sundress, too) and notice their tankinis.

For $12. I think the bottoms were, like $16.50. Or something like that.

I know what you’re saying. “You should’ve waited. DOOFUS!” I know, I know. Needless to say, I’m having buyer’s remorse. Babendude and I went to the same mall yesterday and I should’ve returned it. The tags were cut off, but I still had the receipt.

Anyhoo, to soothe the guilt, I went to see SEX AND THE CITY 2.

Liked the outfits. Almost made me wish I was fashion conscious.

Loved Abudabi. Fabulously beautiful country, but would never want to visit for fear of being kidnapped into a harem or something.

Didn’t like Liza Minelli singing “Single Ladies.” Really could’ve done without hearing/seeing that. Bad enough I get tired of hearing Beyonce sing it, but I really wanted to fast forward this part of the film.

And SJP really isn’t attractive. At all. She’s got man hands. Just sayin’.

Later that night, I watched the saddest. Movie. Ever. Well, maybe not ever, but it was close: MY SISTER’S KEEPER. It’s based off a YA novel by Jodi Piccoult and Lordy, it was a tearjerker. There was nothing happy about this movie. It put you in a constant state of sadness and pissiness (there were a couple of times I wanted to slap Cameron Diaz upside the head). Pass the Kleenex, please.

Sunday – Ate breakfast at the Usual Place, saw PRINCE OF PERSIA (And wow, a buffed-out Jake Gyllenhaal. Wow), bought some Capri pants for work at TJ Maxx, had some ice cream at Baskin Robbins. We used to have one of those near our house and it closed down and was replaced with Thrifty ice cream! *nastyassgenericicecream*. Oh, the horror!

Monday – Breakfast at our Usual Place. I know! Three days in a row. When Ron, the owner, saw us, he laughed and shook his head. He came over and said to me, “Don’t you cook?” “Yes, but we like your breakfast better,” I told him. LOL. Which is why we’re there every weekend. LOL. We walked around the mall and Babendude bought me a couple of pairs of sandals at Shiekh. Buy one get one free. And they gave us the more expensive ones for free. Sweet!

I also got a little head start on homework. The summer session starts in two days and I’ve already got an assignment due on Friday. Ugh! I just ordered books for my Financial Mgmt course last week. LOL. Yeah. My name is Celise, but you can call me Mrs. Procrastination. *sigh* I wasn’t sure if one of the books was going to arrive before the assignment was due, but thank God my mentor, Chantal, was able to loan it to me. I’m used to buying books at BN. I forgot that when you order books on Amazon, you’re sometimes at the mercy of others. *double sigh*.

That’s it for me. How was your weekend? I’m looking forward to the short work week and celebrating my birthday at the water park this weekend (hence the bathing suit purchase). Whoo-hoo! Pics will be posted.

Technorati Tags: Phoenix Comic-Con., John Shneider, DUKES OF HAZZARD, James Marsters, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, Scottsdale Fashion Square, Roxy, Everything But Water, Old Navy, SEX AND THE CITY 2., Abudabi, Liza Minelli, Single Ladies, Beyonce, MY SISTER’S KEEPER, Jodi Piccoult, Cameron Diaz, PRINCE OF PERSIA, Jake Gyllenhaal, TJ Maxx, Baskin Robbins, Shiekh, Amazon

May 17, 2010 | Life in General,Movie Queue,The 4-1-1 on Me,Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday – Babendude hung out with his BF, so I had a little “me” time and went to see LETTERS TO JULIET. Cute movie. And just like UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, this movie slapped me upside the head with the reminder that I really, really, really, need to visit Italy. And that I need to check out the house of Juliet. I loved the concept of the wall and Juliet’s “secretaries.” Also went to Charlotte Russe and picked up a cute little floral sundress. In which the strap promptly broke when I wore it the next day. Nice.

Saturday – Babendude and I went to breakfast at our usual place, then went to a car show my Dad’s classic car club was hosting. He built a ’33 Ford from the ground up and shows it whenever he gets a chance.

It’s in their will and I get dibs. Don’t worry Dad, Babendude and I shall continue to show it after you’re gone. LOL. There were over a hundred cars on display, two of which were Mustangs billed as “Bumblebee” (TRANSFORMERS). They were pretty cool, actually. The one I liked best had seat belts like the kind you find in a race car and the Autobot (or whatever the name is for the good guys) symbol etched in the seats. That night was date night: dinner at Macaroni Grill followed by ROBIN HOOD with the free tickets we got from the movie theater mishap the previous weekend. Russell Crowe was okay. He was more spectacular in GLADIATOR. But Cate Blanchette…she was made for period pieces. I think she does them a lot and they suit her. I can’t really see her doing contemporary films (or maybe she has). Maybe as a ghostly spirit or something. She’s got the skin for it. And I mean that as the highest form of compliment. She’s got great skin.

Sunday – We saw the morning showing of GLEE Live.

So. Much. Fun. And the opening act? LXD aka the League of Xtraordinary Dancers. Phenomonally. Awesome. The dancers really are extraordinary. Makes you wonder how big the League really is because before each routine, there was a like video “lead-in” skit: it would give you the name of the dancers and their member number. From what I could tell, there are over 400 members. One of the dancers looked like Channing Tatum. LOL. The show was just fantastic. The whole cast was there except for Mr. Shue, the teacher. They’re only touring 4 cities, so if you’re a big fan of the show—and can get tickets—DO IT. If you’re worried that they might be lip-synching, don’t. They sound just like they do on the T.V. show and during the course of the performance, you’ll be able to tell that they’re not. At the beginning of the show, “Cheerios” passed out Barf Bags…courtesy of Sue Sylvester. LOL And I now have a shirt claiming that “i’m a gleek.”

Fun times. Really looking forward to this weekend, too. Will talk about that next week.

Technorati Tags: LETTERS TO JULIET, UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, Charlotte Russe, TRANSFORMERS, Macaroni Grill, ROBIN HOOD, Russell Crowe, GLADIATOR, Cate Blanchette, GLEE Live, League of Xtraordinary Dancers, Channing Tatum

May 10, 2010 | Life in General,Movie Queue,The 4-1-1 on Me,Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday – date night for Babendude and I. We went to eat at Kabuki. I tried a new fish: cod. It had the consistency of a scallop. It was okay, but I doubt I’ll eat it again. However, their peach iced tea was really good. It was sweet enough that I didn’t have to put any sugar in it.

Saturday – Got my hair done, bought a wedding gift and then headed to watch a couple of DSG members get married. We got there a little bit late. Just as the bridesmaids were walking down the aisle. Babendude’s all “What the French, toast? When do weddings ever start on time?” Um, that one did. LOL. And ours did, too, now that I think about it. And just like our ceremony, theirs was outside. Unlike ours, their vows were shorter, so it ended a lot quicker. LOL. The food was good, the cake delish and the tunes were taken care of by other DSG members, One Kitty Gone. Good times. Here’s the happy couple, Mark and Becky.

Sunday – Mother’s Day! We went out to breakfast with my parents. It’s been a 5 yr tradition that we’ve shared with longtime family friends. Unfortunately, the mother had just gotten out of the hospital and wasn’t strong enough yet to join us. They were missed, but she’s recovering nicely. After that, we went to see IRON MAN 2. An hr into the movie, the film melted. MELTED, people. It was the weirdest thing. LOL. You see stuff like that happen in the movies and yet it apparently happens in real life, too. They fixed the film, but then ended up having projector problems. They gave us free movie passes and told us to go to another showing. Thank goodness it was playing every hr on the hr. So, we basically spent 3 hrs at the movie theater today. Good times.

I’m really looking forward to the upcoming weekend: Dad’s ’33 Ford is being displayed in a car show on Saturday and we got tickets to the Sunday morning GLEE concert. Woot!

Technorati Tags: IRON MAN 2, GLEE