Good evening.  It’s Gigi the parti poodle here again for another weekly post.  Today my novelist is going to do the blog she previously promised to do last week.  Today we’ll conclude this short series of movie lists and next week we will start on one of my favorite writing topics: personality types.  But for now, I am going to curl up in my soft leather chair while my novelist discusses movies passed over for screenwriting nominations by Oscar. 

It was surprising to me when I was putting this list together the number of great films which got past over for screenwriting nominations for the past two decades.  Let’s be honest.  This film era has not been stellar.  In the 90’s you couldn’t throw a wild cat without hitting a movie worth watching.  These days it takes a lot more hunting around.  The golden age of the independent film era ran from approximately 1989 until 2001.  And it’s been a dreary dry spell ever since.  Occasionally you’ll find a sleeper like the one I watched this last weekend, The Art of Self Defense.  If you haven’t had a chance to see this weird little gem, I strongly suggest you check it out.  Jesse Eisenberg is outstanding in the lead role.  It’s quirky, original and  its own animal.  If you’ve ever had any experience with self-defense training, you’ll have a ball with it.  It’s written and directed by Riley Stearns who may be one to watch.  I look forward to his next project.  

Now for the list. Why any of the films here were passed over is a complete mystery to me and you should make it a point to watch each one of them.  Here’s just a few examples:

I had the pleasure of re-watching Zodiac a week ago and what a pleasure it was.  The film is nearly thirteen years old and it still looks like it was made yesterday.  Its as chilling as ever and beautifully written.  What a job James Vanderbilt did piecing together such an expanse of time with utter deftness.  It never bogs, never confuses us, never looses its tension.  And yet its script was completely ignored by the Oscars. 

If you think this year’s Oscar winner Parasite was good you should look at his earlier film Memories of Murder.  Based on a true story about a Korean serial killer, the film is both funny and disturbing and resonates for days after viewing.  Much like the brilliant Citizen X the film explores the brutal toll hunting down a psychopath takes on its police force and the frustration of 1986 DNA technology.

If your looking for a love story its hard to dispute one more passionate than Head-On (Gegen Die Wand).  A gritty and beautiful film about a woman who wants her freedom and the man she marries to get it.  This won twenty-five international awards but apparently that’s not enough to merit an Oscar nod for its spectacular original script…and will probably be stolen and remade by Hollywood in years to come.

And if you really want something that slaps you in the face and knocks you to the ground check out 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, an absolutely riveting timebomb about a young Romanian woman who frantically attempts to assist her friend in getting an abortion in 1980’s Romania.  It will rip your guts out. 

I post every Thursday.  That’s the schedule.  While you’re waiting for my next post check out my novel Chicane currently available on Amazon.

25 GREAT SCREENPLAYS NOT NOMINATED FOR A SCREENWRITING OSCAR 2000-2019

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
21 Grams
Blue Ruin
Bubba Ho-Tep
Chicken Run
Donnie Darko
Head-On (2005)
Isle of Dogs
It Follows
Leave No Trace
Maria Full of Grace
Memories of Murder
Monster
Mud
Mulholland Drive
Oldboy (original)
Roger Dodger
Take Shelter
The Lives of Others
The Lookout
The Machinist
The Town
The Wrestler
Walk the Line
Zodiac

Good evening.  As most of you know my name is Gigi and I’m a parti poodle.  Love is in the air because tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.  I am here to wish you all the hearts and flowers and of course chocolate (white chocolate only for me because I’m canine) in the world.  My novelist and I were going to post a list of the best movies not to be nominated for an Oscar from the past two decades.  But as it’s the season of love, we decided to postpone that list until next week to bring you the following romance fest.  Without further ado, here’s my novelist.

Earlier this week I put together a list of twenty-five of the best scripts from 2000-2019 that never received an Oscar nomination to feature in this week’s blog post.  Then I realized tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.  So, instead of making those films the headliner I’m going to postpone that list until next week and dedicate this post to a list of twenty-five off-beat love stories. 

Most of the films on my list did well with the critics but some got a bad rap and I want to encourage you to watch them despite their reviews.  One of the most polarizing subjects for critics is sex.  So, when a movie comes along that involves a lollypop and a strip club, reviewers seem to think there can’t be a story there.  That’s just snobbish and wrong.  The film I’m referring to is not a paint by numbers love story.  It provides a provocative look at love in the modern age.  And the two leads are fabulous actors who give great performances.  One of them is in another fantastic controversial love story which I will discuss later.

A second film that made my list also got the short end of the stick by the detractors.  But if you go to Rotten Tomatoes and look at just the top critics for this film, you’ll see three of the four gave it a positive review.  And all the performances in it are top notch.   Not to mention it’s a great deal more satisfying than a lot of eye rolling rom coms you’ll find on a bevy of other lists.  That isn’t to say there aren’t good rom coms.  There just aren’t very many of them. 

That said there were some rom coms which did make my list.  Five to be exact.  And none of them are the usual bill of fare.  One’s about an alcoholic.  One has public defecation.  One’s got a suicide attempt in it.  One suggests using sperm for hair gel.   And one’s about making pornography.  Not your usual warm and fuzzy kind of stuff.  But if you can get past some of those things you might find a genuine romance at the center of them. 

Now, there is another film on my list some critic said contained the rape of an underaged child.  This is complete bunk.  There’s no rape in that film at all.  In fact, it’s one of the least sexually explicit films on the list.  Now if you want to watch another one of this writer/director’s films about “happiness” in suburbia well then that’s a whole other ball of wax.  And it’s a love story too in its own way if you can get past…just about everything else in the film.    

Anyway, I hope you’ll take the time to see all the films on this list if you haven’t already.  They are well worth the effort.  Have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

I’ll post every Thursday.  That’s the schedule.  While you’re waiting for my next post check out my novel Chicane currently available on Amazon. Here’s the list:

TWENTY-FIVE LOVE STORIES YOU REALLY SHOULD SEE

9 ½ Weeks

A Patch of Blue

Arthur (original)

Blue Velvet

Bridesmaids

Buffalo 66

Chasing Amy

Harold & Maude

Head On

Keith

Leaving Las Vegas

The Long Hot Summer (either version)

Notorious

Secretary

Sex, Lies and Videotape

Sid and Nancy

Sweet Hostage (Welcome to Xanadu)

The Center of the World

The Graduate

The Piano

The Shop Around the Corner

There’s Something About Mary

Untamed Heart

Welcome to the Dollhouse

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Good morning.  My name is Gigi and I am a parti-poodle.  This has been a daunting week for my novelist and me.  We have been trying to decide on what the best 25 Oscar nominated screenplays are both adapted and original since the beginning of the century.  Next week we are going to do a second list of the best scripts NOT to get nominated for a screenplay Oscar since the beginning of the century. I am going to go pass out on my pillow by the window now as my novelist explains how we narrowed it down. 

I watch a lot of films.  I think a lot of writers watch a lot of films partly because they love story and partly to garner writing knowledge from them.  Some years ago, I took a short writing class where the teacher told us a story needs to be three things: Outstanding, Original and Outrageous.  I will add a fourth O to the list: Over time.  The story needs to stand the test of time.  In other words, it can be watched years later and still be great.  The films on this list in my opinion meet that criteria.    

After saying that you will note my list has two scripts up for nomination this year which means they have not yet been tested by time.  My gut instinct is that they will continue to stand up.  One of them was a slam dunk.  The other I vacillated on.  The problem with the film I vacillated on was the same problem I had with another film which didn’t make my list and would have made other peoples. And that’s often because there’s a flaw in the script. 

The film that didn’t make my list came out several years ago was a big hit with critics.  And I went into the theatre wanting the film to be a big hit with me.  However, from the first scene I sensed something was off.  It was a biopic and the writer had infused an integral character into the film who was fictional.  At the time I watched the movie I knew very little about the real events and had no idea this character was fictional.  I thought it was a real person. Still something about them bugged me…immensely.  Later when I found out the character was fake and never existed, I said, ah, that’s why the script faltered.  The writer did not successfully fuse the imaginary with the concrete.

The film I did put on my list has a different flaw altogether and that is towards the end of the second act the writer gives both the audience and the characters a reveal.  Now the fact he gives a reveal is not the problem.  Psycho for example has a reveal early in its story. The problem is the reveal in this film reveals too much.  The ending, which is quite strong, is weakened by this.  And I think the problem is the character who provides the reveal is too trustable.  There’s no question this character is telling the truth because the character also shows us the truth.  The character would be that much more interesting, and the story would be that much better if we weren’t sure the information provided was honest and if both the audience and characters did not get a clear look at one of the secrets.  However, as the film is clearly Outstanding, Original and Outrageous, more so even than some of the other films I chose, I decided it should be included.

Strangely, this writer also has a film on the list I will post next week which I believe clearly belongs there.  And I would go so far as to say I think that film is their best work despite the accolades this film is presently receiving. 

Now looking at the list you might be thinking I’ve got a film there which mixes fictional characters and real characters.  Why, yes it does.  And it’s not the first time the writer has done this, albeit to a lesser result.  But this infusion doesn’t ruin the story.  Possibly because it is a fictional story infused with real people instead of the other way around.  And unlike the other film which jeopardizes its ending by lifting its suspense right before the third act, this film builds suspense brilliantly till the very end. 

I’ll post every Thursday.  That’s the schedule.  While you’re waiting for my next post check out my novel Chicane currently available on Amazon.  

Here’s the list in alphabetical order:

THE BEST 25 OSCAR NOMINATED SCREENPLAYS 2000-2019

A History of Violence

Almost Famous

Argo

City of God

Children of Men

Dallas Buyers Club

Dirty Pretty Things

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

First Reformed

Frozen River

Hotel Rwanda

Lost in Translation

Memento

Million Dollar Baby

No Country for Old Men

Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood

Parasite

Precious

Room

Sideways

The Pianist

The Royal Tennenbaums

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri

Traffic

WALL-E

Good evening.   As you may know my name is Gigi.  I am a parti poodle and owner of a novelist.  This week my novelist and I have been catching up on some of the films nominated for the Oscars and next week we will do a post on the subject.  This week however she would like to tell you about something she’s been participating in for the past two years and encourages all writers to do if it is available in their area.  So, without further ado, here is my novelist. 

Every year I participate in my library’s local reading challenge.  This is my third year in a row where I’ve taken on the task of reading ten books before the end of the year.  Each book must fulfill one of ten categories.  The following is this year’s list:

Retelling of a fairytale or myth

About a journey

About a person you’d like to meet

About music or a musician

Recommended by the library staff

Teaches you a new skill

With a friend

About nature

About current events

By an author whose gender is different from yours 

It’s not always a simple task finding time to read and write a book at the same time.  But I like getting the finisher pinback button at the end of the year when I turn in my completed bookmark. There’s a wonderful line Abbe de Coulmier has in Quills which is: “The writer who produces more than he reads – the sure mark of an amateur.” (Quills by Doug Write, The Dramatists Play Service Inc. Page 29). 

It’s not necessarily fun to read things you don’t want to.  And I don’t always like all the categories they choose.  But it makes me keep up a pace and keep reading.  One thing I suggest is if you can find books that fit the categories and serve as research for the story you’re working on, do it.  I did that with the first book I read last year. It was one of my favorites of last year’s ten.

Doing a reading challenge is more work than blowing through a television series on Netflix or Amazon or whatever you may subscribe to but it’s good for you.  Reading as opposed to watching film or television makes you empathize with the characters better.  It also gives you knowledge, vocabulary, improved memory, sharpens your analytic skills, helps you concentrate better, improves your mood and yes, it makes you a better writer. So, if your library offers it, do the reading challenge.  You’ll be glad you did.  

I’ll post every Thursday.  That’s the schedule.  While you’re waiting for my next post check out my novel Chicane currently available on Amazon.

Good evening and welcome to Gigi Catches Air.  My name is Gigi, parti poodle.  Tonight, we begin a new series which is based on the bloggings of my pet, Karen.  And might I add she is a marvelous companion on walks, a warm lap when I watch television and always prompt in providing meals and treats.  Even the baths she gives me are uncommonly tolerable.  She has fared well under my tutelage and I expect her to express her thoughts brilliantly on this page.  The only drawback I can deduce about her is she has chosen to adopt a Maltese.  But we shall not speak of that disconcerting indiscretion at this time.  So, without further ado here is my human.     

My name is not Gigi.  It is Karen.  Gigi is my toy parti poodle who catches air when she sees me come home by jumping up and down in front of the window.  But Gigi Catches Air is a more beguiling name for a blog than Karen Rolls so we’re going to call it Gigi Catches Air. 

I (Karen that is) have written seriously for over a decade and a half.  My mission is to publish every bizarre tale I have penned.  My goal is to tell you about how I go about writing and how I do it almost every day.  I’ll share with you all the wacky ways I create my stories and perhaps you’ll find something to either spark your imagination or add to your toolbox or throw in the trash.  In addition, I will talk randomly about film, television and my outré view of the world at large.  My philosophy is writing should make you happy.  Even if your dog just died, your boyfriend dumped you and the giant tree the neighbor refused to cut down just fell on your car you should have a happy writing session that day.   

I am or was a trained actor and I love film and television.  I believe acting is good for writers even if it isn’t their goal in life.  I’ve learned as much about storytelling from acting classes as I did from writing classes.  I also worked at a video store for three years and have watched thousands of films.  Because of this my novels have a lot of dialogue.  I put more emphasis on what people say rather than what they’re wearing or the scenery around them.  My stories are primarily dark comedies or seriocomic in nature.  When I have done public readings of my work some people have laughed, and others have left the room in terror.  I consider both reactions a triumph.   

I’ll post every Thursday.  That’s the schedule.  While you’re waiting for my next post check out my novel Chicane currently available on Amazon.

Good evening.  My human is now going to present her first blog post. She has decided the subject with be how she goes about a common everyday writing session.  I would like to mention that during her writing time I like to lie on my designated pillow by the window and make certain all goes well and micromanage the session as it were.  I am quiet most of the time but if I hear someone come to the door it is my job to go ballistic and bark at the top of my lungs. 

I thought a great place to start…

Notice I didn’t say I felt a great place to start.  I said I thought a great place to start.  This is important, and I will get back to it in a later post. 

I thought a great place to start my blog would be to talk about how I go about a day in the life writing.  And the answer is simply I write almost every day at the same time.  There are writers who don’t like to do that.  They don’t want a schedule, or they would rather do all their writing with their writing group, or they prefer to walk around and jot down wise little thoughts when inspiration strikes.  But not me.  I like a schedule and I like to stick to it.    

I write for two to three hours a day.  Do I write straight through without a break?  No.  That’s crazy and stupid.  Sometimes I surf the internet and think.  Sometimes I listen to music.  Sometimes I get up from my chair and do something else for a little while. Why?  Because if I’m stuck, getting up may be just enough to jolt my brain into coming up with the escape plan out of the corner I’ve written myself into.  Writing shouldn’t be a chore.  It should be a joy.

To start my writing time I make myself a cup of tea, a small cup (probably a half cup in measurement) of fruit and a small cup of a combination of nuts (usually Costco nuts which rock), Annie’s Bunny Cookies and the most important ingredient of all six to seven Dilettante chocolate covered coffee beans which I buy in bulk because otherwise I would be broke. When I first started out the fruit was a couple of large strips of Just Mangos from Trader Joe’s.  Later I tried Costco berries.  Sometimes I have an apple.  Sometimes I switch out the bunny cookies out for dried apples or something else.  It just depends.  On Friday, Saturday and Sunday I make espresso instead of tea.  And when I say I make espresso I make it.  I do not stick a plastic cup into a machine and push a button.  I brew the espresso on a little espresso machine, and I froth the milk.   I like Torriano and Ghirardelli syrups which I use sparingly to give my latte some flavor.  See, I worked as a barista in college and so I don’t have a problem making my own coffee.  A lot cheaper and less sugary than buying it from a stand. 

I have tried different teas through the years and my favorite is Harney’s & Sons.  They are excellent.  I like their green and white teas.  They cost a little more, but they do have sales on their site and their teas are worth it.  And their shipping is free, and the tea comes in tins not cardboard boxes.  Awesome.  

Anyway, that’s essentially my ritual because all those stupid little things are part of what I look forward to.  Every writer should make their writing time something to look forward to because it makes it more fun and you deserve it. 

I’ll post every Thursday.  That’s the schedule.  While you’re waiting for my next post check out my novel Chicane currently available on Amazon.