Thursday Movie Picks: Movies About Writing a Novel.
1) The Shining
I thought of Misery first, but I already used it in another week. The Shining may be less about the writing process itself, but Jack writing in a cursed hotel makes for some interesting developments to say the least.
2) Ruby Sparks
This little indie starring real life couple Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan is about an author who writes his dream girl for a story, and she suddenly comes to life.
3) Stranger Than Fiction
Harold stars hearing someone narrate his life. He eventually realizes the voice belongs to an author named Karen who is famous for killing her main character at the end of every book.
I liked how you picked all the gifs to be the typewriters! The Shining is deff a good choice and I wasn't really a fan of Stranger Than Fiction, fun idea though.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I felt like I was stretching it a bit with The Shining so I'm glad you thought it worked. lol
DeleteI love the graphics you chose for this week! All are fantastic movies.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI join with the others about liking the shots you used for your picks. A nice tie together.
ReplyDeleteThe Shining absolutely works within the theme even if Nicholson's character doesn't spend much time actually writing. I liked the film well enough but it's not a patch on the book.
Stranger than Fiction is the title of the week, it didn't occur to me, but my three came immediately to mind so I didn't have to cast around like I do some weeks. I enjoyed the film despite Ferrell rather than because of him but then I usually can't tolerate him so I guess that's an improvement. Loved Emma Thompson & Dustin Hoffman in it and the film had a novel approach.
I totally detested Ruby Sparks. It had been recommended to me by someone who loved it but I couldn't share their passion for it. I hate both lead characters.
As I said this week was a snap, all three films are favorites of mine.
Swimming Pool (2003)-Writer Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) is blocked working on her new detective novel so her publisher suggests she get out of London to refresh herself and lends her his home in the French countryside. On arrival she luxuriates in the sunshine and solitude but that is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of the publisher’s wild child daughter Julie (Ludivine Sagnier). After a rocky beginning the two form a bond, one that is challenged by a serious turn of events. Strange, moody and captivating with a brilliant Charlotte Rampling performance.
Wonder Boys (2000)-Shaggy dog college professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas) drifts through his days in a pot induced haze avoiding the various crisis that are swirling just below the surface of his life. He’s a noted author suffering from a strange sort of writer’s block-he can’t seem to end the follow up novel to his first hot book, his third wife has just left him, his mistress, the college chancellor (Frances McDormand), is married to the chair of Grady’s department and has just discovered she’s pregnant by Grady, his editor is in town hounding him for a completed manuscript and he has a new odd wonder boy writer James Leer (Tobey Maguire) in his class stirring memories of when Grady was the hot young kid on the block. Oh and the department chair’s dead dog, accidently shot by James Leer, is in the trunk of Grady’s car! Somewhat shambling film is kept centered by Michael Douglas in perhaps his best ever performance.
In a Lonely Place (1950)-Hot headed screenwriter Dixon Steele (Humphrey Bogart) is considering adapting a novel he knows is trash. Rather than reading it he invites a hat check girl at his favorite watering hole to his apartment to tell him the story. After she leaves she’s murdered and Dix is suspected, however his neighbor Laurel (Gloria Grahame) is able to provide him with an alibi. Only nodding acquaintances previously they strike up a friendship which rapidly turns serious and they plan to marry. Everything seems rosy until Dix’s violent outbursts start to create doubt in Laurel’s mind. Both Bogart and Grahame are just great. Brooding nihilistic Nicholas Ray directed film is an essential noir.
Aww I'm sorry you didn't like Ruby Sparks. I haven't seen your picks, but out of all of them, Swimming Pool sounds like something I'd enjoy. Especially after seeing Ramplings's amazing performance in 45 Years recently.
DeleteCount me as another who loves the gifs. Great work. The Shining and Stranger Than Fiction are both great. I still need to see Ruby Sparks.
ReplyDeleteAs a massive Paul Dano fan, I love Ruby Sparks. Zoe Kazan is so great in it as well.
DeleteStranger than Fiction is the movie of the week. I've never seen it but I want to. I also would love to see Ruby Sparks because that sounds quite good. Love The Shining! It is so eerie and those girls freak me out
ReplyDeleteBoth are wonderful films. I hope you get to see them.
DeleteI love your choices. All great picks.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThe Shining! Such a brilliant movie. Haven't seen the other two but they sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteThey're good, you should check them out!
DeleteAll of these are solid picks, and I love the typewriter gifs. I especially love Stranger Than Fiction. Great picks!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteExcellent picks - The Shining is actually one of the few films I like of Kubrick's. Ruby Sparks is a sweet messed up story, loved the ending.
ReplyDeleteThe Shining is the best Kubrick, IMO. I wasn't that into everything he did either.
DeleteI love that you use typewriter gifs from the movies
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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