David McMullen-Sullivan's Blog, page 11
August 9, 2018
Music Trivia
Question: Which 1990’s movie soundtrack is the best-selling soundtrack of all time?
Answer: The Bodyguard
The 1992 film's soundtrack sold more than 45 million copies worldwide. It featured five hit singles by Ms. Houston:
“I Will Always Love You”
“Run To You”
“I’m Every Woman”
“I Have Nothing”
“Queen of the Night”
The film was Houston’s acting debut and was the second highest grossing film of 1992 (second to Aladdin).
Answer: The Bodyguard
The 1992 film's soundtrack sold more than 45 million copies worldwide. It featured five hit singles by Ms. Houston:
“I Will Always Love You”
“Run To You”
“I’m Every Woman”
“I Have Nothing”
“Queen of the Night”
The film was Houston’s acting debut and was the second highest grossing film of 1992 (second to Aladdin).
August 3, 2018
To the Dark Room of Souls
Just one and a half chapters to go, and then I'll be finished writing the final book in the Moorehead Manor series. Thank God!
The first draft is pretty rough. I'll need to put some spit and polish on the second one. After that, I'll get someone to beta-read it and make final changes.
I even have the book cover finished. Hurray!
It should be out there soon. My thanks to everyone who inspired me along the way to get this story written.
The first draft is pretty rough. I'll need to put some spit and polish on the second one. After that, I'll get someone to beta-read it and make final changes.
I even have the book cover finished. Hurray!
It should be out there soon. My thanks to everyone who inspired me along the way to get this story written.
July 31, 2018
Unsung ABBA
If you go see Mama Mia! Here We Go Again this weekend, you’re sure to turn to your date and say, “Um. Is this an ABBA song?”
Yep. All the songs you never heard of because ― let’s face it, they can’t all be gems.
The film is mostly a flashback to 1979, the year Donna Sheridan, played by Lily James, found her man (well, men). That was also the year, apparently, that there wasn’t a condom to be had in the Greek islands.
The rest of the story you know. So, let’s dive over that plot line and get to the rest of the film.
Spoiler alert.
Donna is dead. Why? Because Meryl Streep was overbooked playing another frumpy, middle-aged woman in a man’s world, beating all the odds and doing it with a Dutch accent.
(Side note to Meryl here. Meryl. I love you honey, but maybe give the highbrow roles a break and do something fun. Live a little. Let yourself go. How about you play a witch in Hocus Pocus 2)
Now, back to dead Donna.
Everybody is sad most of the movie. It’s pretty much a downer except for two things: The Dancing Queen number and Cher.
It really is a pity they put her in at the end of the movie. Her first song brings the house down.
Oh, and there’s one more thing the director got right with this film. They didn’t let Pierce Brosnan sing. Sweet baby Jesus. If sandpaper could rub itself and sing off key, it'd sound like Julio Iglesias compared to that man.
If you’re an ABBA fan, then by all means go see this film. If you’re not, might I suggest you see the Onion’s YouTube video on this movie. It’ll shame you into the theaters.
Ciao Bella!
Yep. All the songs you never heard of because ― let’s face it, they can’t all be gems.
The film is mostly a flashback to 1979, the year Donna Sheridan, played by Lily James, found her man (well, men). That was also the year, apparently, that there wasn’t a condom to be had in the Greek islands.
The rest of the story you know. So, let’s dive over that plot line and get to the rest of the film.
Spoiler alert.
Donna is dead. Why? Because Meryl Streep was overbooked playing another frumpy, middle-aged woman in a man’s world, beating all the odds and doing it with a Dutch accent.
(Side note to Meryl here. Meryl. I love you honey, but maybe give the highbrow roles a break and do something fun. Live a little. Let yourself go. How about you play a witch in Hocus Pocus 2)
Now, back to dead Donna.
Everybody is sad most of the movie. It’s pretty much a downer except for two things: The Dancing Queen number and Cher.
It really is a pity they put her in at the end of the movie. Her first song brings the house down.
Oh, and there’s one more thing the director got right with this film. They didn’t let Pierce Brosnan sing. Sweet baby Jesus. If sandpaper could rub itself and sing off key, it'd sound like Julio Iglesias compared to that man.
If you’re an ABBA fan, then by all means go see this film. If you’re not, might I suggest you see the Onion’s YouTube video on this movie. It’ll shame you into the theaters.
Ciao Bella!
July 19, 2018
Dracula Goes on Vacation
Even if you're Dracula, you really need some time off from sucking blood and being the Prince of Darkness and all.
The 9(PM) to 5 job is such a grind. Am I right?
That's the general premise, I suppose, of the new film Hotel Transylvania 3.
Dracula, and the whole family, go on a cruise, which turns out to be the Love Boat for Nosferatu. He falls for a sweet woman with a real heart. It beats and everything.
Now such a relationship has challenges. What to do when you're immortal and your wife is aging? And, where does she go on that time of the month? As far away from you as possible.
The film doesn't have as much laughs as its two predecessors, but in exchange for comedy, it has more plot.
It's worth seeing. I encourage you to put it on your weekend movie list.
Also, the little kiddies just seem to love the Count, and why not? He's been on their cereal box for years. So be ready for many in attendance when you go to the theater.
Enjoy!
The 9(PM) to 5 job is such a grind. Am I right?
That's the general premise, I suppose, of the new film Hotel Transylvania 3.
Dracula, and the whole family, go on a cruise, which turns out to be the Love Boat for Nosferatu. He falls for a sweet woman with a real heart. It beats and everything.
Now such a relationship has challenges. What to do when you're immortal and your wife is aging? And, where does she go on that time of the month? As far away from you as possible.
The film doesn't have as much laughs as its two predecessors, but in exchange for comedy, it has more plot.
It's worth seeing. I encourage you to put it on your weekend movie list.
Also, the little kiddies just seem to love the Count, and why not? He's been on their cereal box for years. So be ready for many in attendance when you go to the theater.
Enjoy!
July 8, 2018
Book Excerpt
I'm doing Camp NaNoWriMo for inspiration to finish my book, To the Dark Room of Souls. I had posted an excerpt from one of the chapters and thought I would share it here as well. It is as follows:
It was eerily quiet – until it wasn’t.
Emily could swear she heard the faintest sound of wind chimes coming from ahead of her.
It wasn’t until she got closer to its unseen source that the sound became clearer.
It wasn’t wind chimes. It was voices, several of them. They were high and faint, rising to the ceiling and brushing at her ears from above.
Emily stopped.
Should she go back, call for the guard?
“Can we come out too,” spoke one of the voices.
“Will she be afraid?” said another.
“Oh, please hurry. Please hurry,” cried one in distress.
The deepest of these vocal raindrops spoke with decisive authority.
“It must be now, or it will never be.”
“Hello,” Emily called out, addressing the empty hallway.
Darkness answered her.
A black spot appeared in mid-air halfway down the passage. It grew, clawing and ripping at the fabric of reality to be born. It was a dark, ever expanding child, pulling itself out of the womb that it might come into being.
It was eerily quiet – until it wasn’t.
Emily could swear she heard the faintest sound of wind chimes coming from ahead of her.
It wasn’t until she got closer to its unseen source that the sound became clearer.
It wasn’t wind chimes. It was voices, several of them. They were high and faint, rising to the ceiling and brushing at her ears from above.
Emily stopped.
Should she go back, call for the guard?
“Can we come out too,” spoke one of the voices.
“Will she be afraid?” said another.
“Oh, please hurry. Please hurry,” cried one in distress.
The deepest of these vocal raindrops spoke with decisive authority.
“It must be now, or it will never be.”
“Hello,” Emily called out, addressing the empty hallway.
Darkness answered her.
A black spot appeared in mid-air halfway down the passage. It grew, clawing and ripping at the fabric of reality to be born. It was a dark, ever expanding child, pulling itself out of the womb that it might come into being.
July 7, 2018
50,000 and Counting
I'm not a prolific author. To date, I've written three short stories, and two novellas. As a matter of fact, I had always assumed I'd only ever reach a novella's word count on any of my projects. How could I ever have enough material in my head to write a full-length novel?
The rule of thumb on the word count for a novel is 50,000. Wow! I've never written 50,000 words in my life. I wasn't sure I could ever do it.
That was until today.
I've been working on finishing the third story in my Moorehead Manor series, and today, the word count for it reached 50,007.
I have officially written a book! An actual book. Mind you, I've got four more chapters to go. So, it's not finished yet. But it was a milestone, and this afternoon I crossed a very important threshold.
Needless to say, I'm thrilled.
I should finally have the first draft in two or three weeks. I'm practically giddy. It's been like giving birth.
So, what was my 50, 000th word? Shallow.
The rule of thumb on the word count for a novel is 50,000. Wow! I've never written 50,000 words in my life. I wasn't sure I could ever do it.
That was until today.
I've been working on finishing the third story in my Moorehead Manor series, and today, the word count for it reached 50,007.
I have officially written a book! An actual book. Mind you, I've got four more chapters to go. So, it's not finished yet. But it was a milestone, and this afternoon I crossed a very important threshold.
Needless to say, I'm thrilled.
I should finally have the first draft in two or three weeks. I'm practically giddy. It's been like giving birth.
So, what was my 50, 000th word? Shallow.
June 19, 2018
8 Ladies 8
Ocean’s 8 is an all-female jewel thief movie. The premise is a good one, but don’t expect them all to lift the diamonds dressed as Cat Woman. This isn’t that kind of film.
The story pulls off a big heist. What’s even better, they do it right out in the open during a huge gala party (with cameras rolling). The other thing this film has going for it is its cast and comedic dialogue.
Overall, it’s a movie that has good bones but has several key flaws as well.
Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, Danny Ocean’s sister. She’s been a small-time crook working the bingo parlors when she meets a guy who talks her into posing as an art buyer for several deals. The arrangement lands her in jail. When she gets out, somehow she’s a criminal mastermind despite no experience that would give her that kind of expertise.
She starts out gathering her team which is half the fun of the movie. Cate Blanchett, who plays her partner in crime, signs on first. Together they put together a diamond heist that never once encounters a problem. It’s smooth sailing all the way to the big payoff, and here lies the major problem for the story. There’s no tension or suspense. Sure, it has some twists, but they’re mild and unclever.
These blemishes, at times, turn Ocean’s 8 into the community pool’s 4 1/2.
The cast and comedy carry the movie for the most part, and it’s worth seeing. But, put it second or third on your weekend movie list.
The story pulls off a big heist. What’s even better, they do it right out in the open during a huge gala party (with cameras rolling). The other thing this film has going for it is its cast and comedic dialogue.
Overall, it’s a movie that has good bones but has several key flaws as well.
Sandra Bullock plays Debbie Ocean, Danny Ocean’s sister. She’s been a small-time crook working the bingo parlors when she meets a guy who talks her into posing as an art buyer for several deals. The arrangement lands her in jail. When she gets out, somehow she’s a criminal mastermind despite no experience that would give her that kind of expertise.
She starts out gathering her team which is half the fun of the movie. Cate Blanchett, who plays her partner in crime, signs on first. Together they put together a diamond heist that never once encounters a problem. It’s smooth sailing all the way to the big payoff, and here lies the major problem for the story. There’s no tension or suspense. Sure, it has some twists, but they’re mild and unclever.
These blemishes, at times, turn Ocean’s 8 into the community pool’s 4 1/2.
The cast and comedy carry the movie for the most part, and it’s worth seeing. But, put it second or third on your weekend movie list.
June 6, 2018
Trick or Treat
My parents had no imagination when I was a kid. For Halloween, I went as an accountant.
May 28, 2018
Fifty Shades of Womankind
Even grandmothers can be sex goddesses.
This is the basic theme of the movie Book Club starring Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton and Mary Steenburgen. It revolves around four longtime friends who decide to read the Fifty Shades of Grey series for their book club.
Ooh. Spank me!
Don't worry. You won't be seeing Diane Keaton in this movie looking for Mr. Goodbar. This time around, Jane Fonda takes on that role.
To clarify, this film isn't about bondage. It's about female sexuality and relationships later in life, and why not.
The movie isn't as organic as it should be, but it's cute, and the comedy helps carry it through.
So why aren't there more movies like this given that people are living longer. Why doesn't Hollywood honor this time of life with more starring roles for those 60 and up?
Really, there's an untapped market here. Plus, it's high time senior citizens got back to having date night again. The grandkids can take care of themselves for one night.
This is the basic theme of the movie Book Club starring Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Diane Keaton and Mary Steenburgen. It revolves around four longtime friends who decide to read the Fifty Shades of Grey series for their book club.
Ooh. Spank me!
Don't worry. You won't be seeing Diane Keaton in this movie looking for Mr. Goodbar. This time around, Jane Fonda takes on that role.
To clarify, this film isn't about bondage. It's about female sexuality and relationships later in life, and why not.
The movie isn't as organic as it should be, but it's cute, and the comedy helps carry it through.
So why aren't there more movies like this given that people are living longer. Why doesn't Hollywood honor this time of life with more starring roles for those 60 and up?
Really, there's an untapped market here. Plus, it's high time senior citizens got back to having date night again. The grandkids can take care of themselves for one night.
May 20, 2018
Groovy Words
Lately, I've been on a nostalgia craze listening in my car to the 70s station on Sirius XM.
It's been like dusting off old treasures in your attic.
Oh my gosh! Seasons in the Sun. Remember that one? What a sappy song that was (insert laughter here).
This is how I came across a song by Positive Force called We've Got the Funk. I hadn't heard it in 30 years. So, before I knew it, I was doing some embarrassing chair dancing at a stoplight while the guy parked next to me looked on in horror.
Later, I realized how much word meanings can change over time. Funk was a groovy word to use in the 70s. But I don't think it would be today. Nowadays, it sounds like an STD.
Hey! Everybody! Stay away from Tyler. He's got the Funk.
What was groovy almost forty plus years ago takes on the equivalent response to today's Ebola virus.
For that matter, who the heck uses groovy anymore.
Makes you think, what will they say forty years from now about our groovy words that we use today.
"Binge-watch" might be taken for a medical disease.
It's been like dusting off old treasures in your attic.
Oh my gosh! Seasons in the Sun. Remember that one? What a sappy song that was (insert laughter here).
This is how I came across a song by Positive Force called We've Got the Funk. I hadn't heard it in 30 years. So, before I knew it, I was doing some embarrassing chair dancing at a stoplight while the guy parked next to me looked on in horror.
Later, I realized how much word meanings can change over time. Funk was a groovy word to use in the 70s. But I don't think it would be today. Nowadays, it sounds like an STD.
Hey! Everybody! Stay away from Tyler. He's got the Funk.
What was groovy almost forty plus years ago takes on the equivalent response to today's Ebola virus.
For that matter, who the heck uses groovy anymore.
Makes you think, what will they say forty years from now about our groovy words that we use today.
"Binge-watch" might be taken for a medical disease.
