David McMullen-Sullivan's Blog, page 13
February 25, 2018
A Throne of Panthers
Black Panther is the latest release from the Marvel Comics juggernaut. The movie has had an amazing opening, grossing over a half billion dollars. It’s really having an impact out there, as Jimmy Kimmel found out when his show discovered people who think Wakanda is a real country.
For the record, Wakanda, the nation of King T’Challa (the Black Panther), is fictitious. Also, for the record, so is King T’Challa.
There’s a lot to recommend this movie. It’s got a noble and just King (and those are hard to come by these days). Its cast of characters has the King’s little sister who’s so smart she invents weapons and spaceships. Really, she’s Africa's version of Bond’s M. Then there’s the bald, female general who really is so kick-ass she needs a movie of her own.
The fight scenes are good. Every Marvel movie is required to come with a lot of action. But, the overall story could be a little grittier – and it’s way too long. Editing the film down would have helped to eliminate some of its dull spots.
Given that it has made so much money, there’s sure to be a sequel. Maybe the writers can put some weight into the plot so it doesn’t seem, at its core, so formulaic. A little more Deadpool and a little less King Solomon.
For the record, Wakanda, the nation of King T’Challa (the Black Panther), is fictitious. Also, for the record, so is King T’Challa.
There’s a lot to recommend this movie. It’s got a noble and just King (and those are hard to come by these days). Its cast of characters has the King’s little sister who’s so smart she invents weapons and spaceships. Really, she’s Africa's version of Bond’s M. Then there’s the bald, female general who really is so kick-ass she needs a movie of her own.
The fight scenes are good. Every Marvel movie is required to come with a lot of action. But, the overall story could be a little grittier – and it’s way too long. Editing the film down would have helped to eliminate some of its dull spots.
Given that it has made so much money, there’s sure to be a sequel. Maybe the writers can put some weight into the plot so it doesn’t seem, at its core, so formulaic. A little more Deadpool and a little less King Solomon.
February 24, 2018
(More) Worst Dialog Ever Written
"We finally got to the boat, but it wasn't there!"
- House of the Dead
- House of the Dead
February 19, 2018
Lady Bird Flies Away
Lady Bird is a film that falls into a curious genre: movies that aren't really about anything.
Such films, by their nature, are geared toward niche audiences. Lost in Translation is a perfect example of this. Unless you got Japanese culture - forget about getting that movie.
The film, starring Saoirse Ronan as "Lady Bird" and Laurie Metcalf as her nitpicking mother, got a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes (and is up for Best Picture). But, I think the Russian bots were at work on this one.
This movie has some great dialog, but that's really its major selling point, and even that has some issues because the mother's quips, although funny, are also very cruel when you stop to think about it. So, the comedy often leads you to do some awkward laughing that can have you feeling like you just laughed at a school shooting joke.
Word of advice on that last one - don't.
If you're someone who finds teenage angst over getting into a good college riveting then this is your movie. If you're terrible at math, and ever other subject, but somehow get on a waiting list for NYU and inexplicably actually get in - walk, don't run, to this film because your life is now up on the big screen!!
And the Oscar goes to...
Such films, by their nature, are geared toward niche audiences. Lost in Translation is a perfect example of this. Unless you got Japanese culture - forget about getting that movie.
The film, starring Saoirse Ronan as "Lady Bird" and Laurie Metcalf as her nitpicking mother, got a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes (and is up for Best Picture). But, I think the Russian bots were at work on this one.
This movie has some great dialog, but that's really its major selling point, and even that has some issues because the mother's quips, although funny, are also very cruel when you stop to think about it. So, the comedy often leads you to do some awkward laughing that can have you feeling like you just laughed at a school shooting joke.
Word of advice on that last one - don't.
If you're someone who finds teenage angst over getting into a good college riveting then this is your movie. If you're terrible at math, and ever other subject, but somehow get on a waiting list for NYU and inexplicably actually get in - walk, don't run, to this film because your life is now up on the big screen!!
And the Oscar goes to...
February 11, 2018
Fifty Shades of 'Nay'
The Fifty Shades of Grey movies are not the type of films I'd go see. If I wanted to see a female version of softcore, bondage porn, I'd tie myself up with insecurities and watch The Notebook.
There's no right or wrong, just a difference in taste.
So it was that my spouse and I came to be babysitting our nephew while his mother went to watch the film with a group of girlfriends.
What was their verdict? It was awful. It was so bad it was good, but seeing the film required many alcoholic beverages to enjoy its cinematic kink.
Actually, I'll have to say that that assessment sounds like a fun girls' night out.
Valentine's Day is coming up, and if your a single woman, why not have a similar excursion. It could be a blast.
Hashtag MeToo.
There's no right or wrong, just a difference in taste.
So it was that my spouse and I came to be babysitting our nephew while his mother went to watch the film with a group of girlfriends.
What was their verdict? It was awful. It was so bad it was good, but seeing the film required many alcoholic beverages to enjoy its cinematic kink.
Actually, I'll have to say that that assessment sounds like a fun girls' night out.
Valentine's Day is coming up, and if your a single woman, why not have a similar excursion. It could be a blast.
Hashtag MeToo.
January 27, 2018
Mrs. Maisel Takes a Bow
One thing I've never divulged about myself in this forum is that I use to do stand-up comedy. I didn't do it as a profession, just for fun. So my skillset always remained at the amateur level.
A dear friend, who's known me so long that he was there for that phase of my life, recently suggested I watch Amazon's new drama/comedy The Marvelous Ms. Maisel.
The show is frigging amazing, and as an amateur comic (and now writer), I appreciate this show on many levels. The story, characters and dialogue come together like ingredients in a delicious rugelach.
The series centers around Miriam Maisel, an upper-middle class Jewish housewife in 1950s New York City. She's a pampered Jewish princess who wakes up before her husband every morning so she can dawn full hair and makeup. The husband, not being too bright, thinks she just wakes up that way.
It's the typical "do what you have to to keep your man" attitude of the era. The problem is, her husband is schtupping his secretary and announces that he is leaving her.
What's a girl to do?
In a rage she goes down to the club that her husband has been doing open mic comedy at and delivers a blistering comedic monologue.
Her husband sucked at it, but she's brilliant, using comedy to go down a laundry list of gripes women have had with men for years.
Throw in hilarious, Jewish family dynamics, spot-on dialogue and a storyline with a solid framework and you've got Golden Globes gold.
This show is not to be missed. So jump on board the bandwagon, and enjoy the ride.
Mazel tov.
A dear friend, who's known me so long that he was there for that phase of my life, recently suggested I watch Amazon's new drama/comedy The Marvelous Ms. Maisel.
The show is frigging amazing, and as an amateur comic (and now writer), I appreciate this show on many levels. The story, characters and dialogue come together like ingredients in a delicious rugelach.
The series centers around Miriam Maisel, an upper-middle class Jewish housewife in 1950s New York City. She's a pampered Jewish princess who wakes up before her husband every morning so she can dawn full hair and makeup. The husband, not being too bright, thinks she just wakes up that way.
It's the typical "do what you have to to keep your man" attitude of the era. The problem is, her husband is schtupping his secretary and announces that he is leaving her.
What's a girl to do?
In a rage she goes down to the club that her husband has been doing open mic comedy at and delivers a blistering comedic monologue.
Her husband sucked at it, but she's brilliant, using comedy to go down a laundry list of gripes women have had with men for years.
Throw in hilarious, Jewish family dynamics, spot-on dialogue and a storyline with a solid framework and you've got Golden Globes gold.
This show is not to be missed. So jump on board the bandwagon, and enjoy the ride.
Mazel tov.
January 15, 2018
Call Me by Your Name
What makes for a truly timeless love story? In Call Me by Your Name we see what one is by seeing what one isn't.
It's 1983, and young Emilio (played by Timothée Chalamet) and his family are spending several seasons in their home in northern Italy. Along comes Oliver (played by Armie Hammer) to stay for the summer and work with Emilio's father as a research assistant.
Emilio develops feelings for Oliver over the course of these warm weeks. Oliver, though not denying interest, rebuffs the young man in a series of back-and-forths that pull him closer and push him away.
In the classic romance, even a gay one, the two lovers are meant to be opposed to their counterpart until each can no longer refute the love they feel for the other. The main characters' core relationship starts out this way, but it carries on for so long that it hedges on the cruel, and this is the reason why the film isn't a genuine love story.
As a filmgoer, it's difficult to believe in the strength of Oliver's love for Emilio given the way he sometimes treats him. Indeed, we can't feel that we can count on his love to be steadfast, and this reaction is prophetic since Oliver does end up leaving Emilio behind and goes on with his life as if the whole thing was a meaningless summer fling.
For Emilio's part, this is his first love. It's apparent that he has deep feeling for Oliver, the magnitude of which the object of his affection can never match.
Viewed in its most distilled form, the movie's theme is more "young love" than "endless love". So, the heartbreak is just a few reels away.
The life experience the story depicts is one that many walk on the path to adulthood. But it's not one that has the payoff of a great romance.
The film is beautifully shot. I just wish more of that beauty had been put into the love story rather than the scenery.
It's 1983, and young Emilio (played by Timothée Chalamet) and his family are spending several seasons in their home in northern Italy. Along comes Oliver (played by Armie Hammer) to stay for the summer and work with Emilio's father as a research assistant.
Emilio develops feelings for Oliver over the course of these warm weeks. Oliver, though not denying interest, rebuffs the young man in a series of back-and-forths that pull him closer and push him away.
In the classic romance, even a gay one, the two lovers are meant to be opposed to their counterpart until each can no longer refute the love they feel for the other. The main characters' core relationship starts out this way, but it carries on for so long that it hedges on the cruel, and this is the reason why the film isn't a genuine love story.
As a filmgoer, it's difficult to believe in the strength of Oliver's love for Emilio given the way he sometimes treats him. Indeed, we can't feel that we can count on his love to be steadfast, and this reaction is prophetic since Oliver does end up leaving Emilio behind and goes on with his life as if the whole thing was a meaningless summer fling.
For Emilio's part, this is his first love. It's apparent that he has deep feeling for Oliver, the magnitude of which the object of his affection can never match.
Viewed in its most distilled form, the movie's theme is more "young love" than "endless love". So, the heartbreak is just a few reels away.
The life experience the story depicts is one that many walk on the path to adulthood. But it's not one that has the payoff of a great romance.
The film is beautifully shot. I just wish more of that beauty had been put into the love story rather than the scenery.
January 7, 2018
Words I L-O-V-E
Many people are collectors. It's a common enough thing to do. Where it gets into the uncommon has to do with what is being collected.
I used to collect nutcrackers, but since delving into my desires to write, I've begun to collect words.
I've also branched out into collecting things I hear people say and things I read.
You may think this is a boring thing to gather up, but let me take you around and show you my collection.
Diabolical. Now there's a great word. I put it up on the top shelf, along with marrow, thievery and pensively. But there are also those that fill you up like a hearty, warm stew. Some examples I have of those are: balderdash, emboldened and bounty.
The things I've heard and read are equally as noteworthy. Feast your eyes of the following:
"They've been the best of enemies for years"
"Because everyone in God and country..."
"The alluring conceit of supply side economics"
"Dutch courage"
Other people collect fine art, wine and vintage cars, but I like my hobby better. Their chosen fixations never took them to the heights of lofty verbosity or the lows of a lurking prose.
Hmm, hmm, good!
I used to collect nutcrackers, but since delving into my desires to write, I've begun to collect words.
I've also branched out into collecting things I hear people say and things I read.
You may think this is a boring thing to gather up, but let me take you around and show you my collection.
Diabolical. Now there's a great word. I put it up on the top shelf, along with marrow, thievery and pensively. But there are also those that fill you up like a hearty, warm stew. Some examples I have of those are: balderdash, emboldened and bounty.
The things I've heard and read are equally as noteworthy. Feast your eyes of the following:
"They've been the best of enemies for years"
"Because everyone in God and country..."
"The alluring conceit of supply side economics"
"Dutch courage"
Other people collect fine art, wine and vintage cars, but I like my hobby better. Their chosen fixations never took them to the heights of lofty verbosity or the lows of a lurking prose.
Hmm, hmm, good!
January 6, 2018
The Pitches are Back
Pitch Perfect 3 hit the theaters this last December 22nd. I enjoyed the first two. So, I was disappointed to see that this film is singing off key.
Why?
Spoiler alert: Stop reading now if you don't want to know what happens in the film.
So, here's why. The story line is eye-rolling silly.
When one of the girls inherits a lot of money and then also gets some ninja-like super powers with meat nunchucks, things have gone too far.
The movie by that point has already "jumped the shark", but why stop there. Go for the full Evil Knievel. The plot leads to a yacht blowing up and a dramatic rescue.
Lions and tigers and bears. Oh my!
The music is good. So, that counts for something.
Maybe if they make a Pitch Perfect 4, the girls can be kidnapped by space aliens and whisked away. Mars needs women after all, especially those that can sing.
Why?
Spoiler alert: Stop reading now if you don't want to know what happens in the film.
So, here's why. The story line is eye-rolling silly.
When one of the girls inherits a lot of money and then also gets some ninja-like super powers with meat nunchucks, things have gone too far.
The movie by that point has already "jumped the shark", but why stop there. Go for the full Evil Knievel. The plot leads to a yacht blowing up and a dramatic rescue.
Lions and tigers and bears. Oh my!
The music is good. So, that counts for something.
Maybe if they make a Pitch Perfect 4, the girls can be kidnapped by space aliens and whisked away. Mars needs women after all, especially those that can sing.
December 17, 2017
Contemporary Hieroglyphics
Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing was a visual language of mystery and wonder. I can only imagine Howard Carter, upon discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun, reading the walls.
Something like this:
"Oh, look! Here we see the God Ra carrying the Pharaoh across the Nile to the afterlife. Amazing!"
But 100 years from now when explorers find the digital records of today's hieroglyphics, the conversation will go something like this:
"Eggplant, middle finger, fuming smiley face?"
Whereupon, finding nothing of value, they close up the time capsule and burn it.
Something like this:
"Oh, look! Here we see the God Ra carrying the Pharaoh across the Nile to the afterlife. Amazing!"
But 100 years from now when explorers find the digital records of today's hieroglyphics, the conversation will go something like this:
"Eggplant, middle finger, fuming smiley face?"
Whereupon, finding nothing of value, they close up the time capsule and burn it.
December 15, 2017
Modern Family: Day at the Gym
I often have scenes pop into my head that I think would be funny in a movie or TV show. The one I've formatted below is one that I've always pictured in a Modern Family episode starring Cameron.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA
Cameron is standing in front of a stair stepper. He eyes the machine with fear and determination.
CAMERON
Ok.
(gulp)
You can do this.
He mounts the machine, and gingerly pushes the START button. The timer starts counting (0 seconds, 1 second). The steps buck into motion.
CAMERON
Ohhh. Okay.
Cameron starts to climb.
INT. BUSY GYM – FRONT DESK
The front desk clerk welcomes people in as they come through the door.
CLERK
Hello. Welcome.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA
Cameron is starting to sweat. He mops his brow, looks around at the other people on the machines next to him.
CAMERON
Is it hot in here?
(fans his face with his hand)
They must be saving on electricity.
INT. BUSY GYM – CORNER
Two woman are chatting and laughing.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA
Cameron is sweating profusely. He is disheveled and is flamboyantly gasping and moaning.
CAMERON
My mouth feels like a dust bowl.
INT. BUSY GYM – WEIGHT ROOM
Grown men are pumping serious iron. Several yelling at their workout partners to get another rep, etc.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA
Cameron is dripping in sweat. His face is a waterfall. The man has been running a marathon. He is acting like he’s about to die. There is a startled look on his face as his legs give out.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA – OVERHEAD VIEW OF CAMERON’S MACHINE
Cameron screams and is pulled away. The timer is counting – 7 seconds, 8 seconds.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA
Cameron is standing in front of a stair stepper. He eyes the machine with fear and determination.
CAMERON
Ok.
(gulp)
You can do this.
He mounts the machine, and gingerly pushes the START button. The timer starts counting (0 seconds, 1 second). The steps buck into motion.
CAMERON
Ohhh. Okay.
Cameron starts to climb.
INT. BUSY GYM – FRONT DESK
The front desk clerk welcomes people in as they come through the door.
CLERK
Hello. Welcome.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA
Cameron is starting to sweat. He mops his brow, looks around at the other people on the machines next to him.
CAMERON
Is it hot in here?
(fans his face with his hand)
They must be saving on electricity.
INT. BUSY GYM – CORNER
Two woman are chatting and laughing.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA
Cameron is sweating profusely. He is disheveled and is flamboyantly gasping and moaning.
CAMERON
My mouth feels like a dust bowl.
INT. BUSY GYM – WEIGHT ROOM
Grown men are pumping serious iron. Several yelling at their workout partners to get another rep, etc.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA
Cameron is dripping in sweat. His face is a waterfall. The man has been running a marathon. He is acting like he’s about to die. There is a startled look on his face as his legs give out.
INT. BUSY GYM – CARDIO AREA – OVERHEAD VIEW OF CAMERON’S MACHINE
Cameron screams and is pulled away. The timer is counting – 7 seconds, 8 seconds.
