Screenwriting Blog
Ruminations about screenwriting, movies, Hollywood, and the Seattle filmmaking scene by NWSG President, Aadip Desai
January 2008:
Since most of us dream about winning an Oscar, here's the list of nominees for 2008:
Writing (Original Screenplay):
Juno by Dibalo Cody
Lars and the Real Girl by Nancy Oliver
Michael Clayton by Tony Gilroy
Ratatouille by Brad Bird. Story by Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Brad Bird
The Savages by Tamara Jenkins
Writing (Adapted Screenplay):
Atonement by Christopher Hampton (based on Ian McEwan's novel)
Away From Her by Sarah Polley (based on Alice Munro's The Bear Came Over The Mountain)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Ronald Harwood (based on Jean-Dominique Bauby's novel, Le Scaphandre et le Papillon)
No Country For Old Men by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (based on Cormac McCarthy's novel)
There Will Be Blood by Paul Thomas Anderson (baed on Upton Sinclair's Oil)
January 24, 2008 - Hug-A-Writer Day (Canada)
Apparently today is Canada's Hug-A-Writer Day. According to the site, "This new Canadian annual holiday (which, strangely, has yet to be endorsed by the Canadian government) is dedicated to all writers – especially the copywriters who toil in anonymity through weekends and nights."
January 16, 2008 - Back in the Saddle
I'm happy to report that after our first Board Meeting of 2008, we have some great programs in the works. Check out the Events page for more details.
We just applied for a 2008 AMPAS institutional grant. If we get it again this year, it'll mean more financial support for our upcoming slate of A-List speakers.
I'd also like to welcome two new Board Members, Danny Walter and Pat White, to fill positions left by Judy Furlong, Deb Kellogg, and Wally Lane. Danny has been involved in local theatre (or theater) for many years, while Pat is a published novelist.
Finally, I wanted to remind everyone that it's time to renew your Membership, and if you're an Associate Member, it's also a great time to apply for Compendium Membership. This year will feature several opportunities for Compendium Members to pitch their ideas.
January 3, 2008 - Recent Films
With the holidays behind us (thank goodness), I'd like to reflect on some films
that have come out in 2007.
- American Gangster - A gritty, simmering gangster film that almost reaches epic levels, but doesn't quite make it. It's tough to have two of the biggest stars in Hollywood NOT be in a scene together until the end.
- Golden Compass - There's one McGuffin to bind us all, or something. I call it the Golden Exposition.
- Charlie Wilson's War - I think I saw boobs, yep, I did. Is there conflict in this movie? I couldn't find any.
- Eastern Promises - Cronenberg brings it again with this near-classic Russian gangster film set in London. Viggo chews the scenery, as they say.
- Bourne Ultimatum - A little convuluted, but still satisfying.
- Ratatouille - Perfect.
- 3:10 to Yuma - Nice to see a Western again.
- Babel - Heart-wrenching.
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Good adaptation of the book.
- Hot Fuzz - Fun send-up of Hollywood Buddy Cop movies. Hilarious. "By the power of Greyskull!"
- Knocked Up - Best Comedy of the year.
- Last King of Scotland - Is this Idi Amin waiting for me behind that corner, in that alley? I'm scared.
- Sherry Baby - b-o-r-i-n-g.
- This Is England - skinheads (good and bad), rude boys/girls, the Balkan War, great kid actor, and stellar soundtrack. A must see.
- Zodiac - Jake, Mark, and Robert are men in this movie.
- 28 Weeks Later - Quite possibly better than the original, which is hard to do.
- Blades of Glory - I started laughing BEFORE the movie started. Very very awkward/funny.
- Shrek The 3rd - Shrek has kids, goes on a quest. Still funny.
- Pirates 3/Spiderman 3 - What the hell is going on here? Too many characters, too many subplots, good actors used badly.
- Die Hard 4.0 - John McClean has still got it. Bruce Willis and Justin Long (Apple kid) are a good team. Kevin Smith was a nice touch. Some overacting, but mostly kept me smiling.
- Death Proof/Planet Terror - Quentin Tarantino tires. Robert Rodriguez inspires. It's lame that he left his wife for Rose McGowan.
- Rocky Balboa - I forgot how endearing this character is. Along with Milo V (from Heroes) there is a lot of stellar acting going on here. Story is beautifully told.
- Breach - Never heats up. I love CC and LL, but they are pretty underutilized.
- Hostel 2 - Some call it torture porn. I actually like these kinds of movies for some reason.
- The Number 23 - Could have been cool. Some good acting here, but story kind of meanders.
- The Host - A fun, fast thriller/horror!
- Hannibal Rising - I liked It. Shoot me.
Movies I still need to see: No Country For Old Men, Sicko, The Simpsons Movie, Sunshine, There Will Be Blood 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Juno, Once, Michael Clayton, Waitress