DAMN I WISH I WROTE THAT!

Part one - TV shows & Movies

Have you ever stopped to wonder who wrote that fantastic movie or TV show that you just watched? Sure, they’re name was in the credits. But I’m willing to bet you know who the actors were, and maybe who directed it, but who wrote it? I’ll bet you have no idea who was the creative party behind that fabulous film or TV show. If they didn't write it, you couldn't watch it.

First I have to thank DJ - Jim Mitchell from Q107 for the idea for this blog post. Kim regularly has a spot on his radio show where he will play a song that he wishes he had written; therefore this blog is dedicated to things I wish I had written.  These are all pieces of writing that are just damn exquisite, eloquent and intriguing. As musicians are inspired by other musicians, these are pieces of writing that inspire me. In some cases it’s a specific scene, in others it’s the entire series, episode or film.

So here it is- DAMN I WISH I WROTE THAT -part 1

1      THE USUAL SUSPECTS: Film, 1985 written by Christopher McQuarrie. A truly superb movie, my favorite scene is the moment when Customs agent Dave Kujan looks up and realizes that he has been duped!- Who actually is Keyser Söze?

          CASABLANCA: Film 1942, screenplay by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch - A nearly perfect example of screen writing. There’s an example of some classic dialogue:
      Captain Renault: “What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
      Rick: “My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.
     Captain Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.
     Rick: I was misinformed.

    PLANET OF THE APES: Film 1968, screenplay by Michael Wilson and Rod Serling. Based upon the novel La Planète des singes by Pierre Boulle, Another ground breaking story. The most gripping scene is at the film’s end when Taylor and Nova have escaped from the apes and are ridding on horseback through the surf on a deserted beach. There they come across the remains of the Statue of Liberty which is half submerged in the surf. Just an incredible piece of writing.

     GAME OF THRONES: TV show, written by George R.R. Martin. - Seasons 1-4 brilliant in every way. Particularly good are the Death of Ned Stark, The Crown of Gold, the death of Kal Drogo and the birth of dragons, the Ed Wedding and the final climax between Tyrion, Shae and Tywin.

     LOST: TV show, 2004, Season 1, episode 2, written by Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof - That sublime and eerie moment when we realize that Locke had been confined to a wheelchair prior to the crash. Possibly the best moment in the entire series.

      MAN OF STEEL: Film 2013, written by David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan. - I just love the moment when Clark Kent’s father stands and sacrifices himself to the tornado in order to preserve his son’s secret identity. I get goose bumps every time I see this incredible scene.

     MASH : Season 3, episode 24, written by Everret Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell.- This was in general a very well written TV series. The shocking death of Lt. Colonel Henry Blake was perhaps it’s greatest moment. Does TV writing get any better than this?

     BREAKING BAD: TV show, 2008-2013 Season 1, episode 1, Season 4, episode 13, written by Vince Gilligan. Walter driving down the desert road in the meth RV is possibly the very best opening sequence in any TV show- ever. In the season 4 finale Walter’s final solution for Drug kingpin Gustavo Fring- brilliant, unexpected and explosive.

    The Duellists: Film 1977, written by Joseph Conrad (Based upon his short story- THE DUEL) & Gerald Vaughan-Hughes. Most people have never heard of this great film. A gripping tale of honor and dueling during the Napoleonic era. Just superb in every aspect.

 STAR WARS- Return of the Jedi: Film 1983, written by Lawrence Kasdan & George Lucas -“ Luke, I am your father.” Movie magic.

  THE SIXTH SENSE: Film 1999, written by M.Night Shyamalan. One of the greatest screenplays of all time. “I see dead people.” Chilling dialogue.

  HILL STREET BLUES: TV show 1982, Season 2, episode 11- Freedom’s Last Stand. Written by Michael Kozo & Steven Bocho. This episode made me cry!

4 OUT OF 5 STARS - for RAMBLE ON...

Here's another positive review for RAMBLE ON...   4 OUT OF 5 STARS

BY JENNIFER CAMERON-SMITH

The story opens with a middle-aged man, an apparently accomplished writer, having to tell the story of his youth during a twenty-four hour period. All will become clear to the reader towards the end of the story that then unfolds.

This is one man’s story of a life in the fast lane: drugs, sex and rock and roll. Jessie Cayne is a tough kid. Both of his parents have problems, but it’s his father Jessie lives with. And life in the Army means moving frequently, making it hard for Jessie to put down roots but probably an advantage given his involvement in drug-trafficking. So, in the spring of 1983 Jessie and his father move to El Paso. Jessie rides in on his vintage Harley and meets up with Moby McIntyre, the rich boy whose father has a lot of influence around town. Because of his football skill, Jessie quickly joins El Paso’s best high school football team (the Rio Grande Conquistadors). He equally quickly hooks up with the local drug cartel and starts selling drugs to the wealthy kids in his new school. Jessie has a straightforward plan: win a State football championship, earn a scholarship to one of the Ivy League schools and leave poverty behind. Can Jessie achieve his ambitions?

In many ways, while believable, Jessie is immature and unlikeable. Yes, he’s had a tough life and it’s easy to feel some sympathy for him but his choices seem to be made with little thought of the consequences.

‘This was one of those forks in the road moments, one choice leads to a long happy life, the other choice leads to ruin.’

And then, everything starts to go wrong. Jessie lets down his girlfriend Mary, falls foul of Moby, and loses his home and his job. Like a house of cards, Jessie’s plan for the future comes tumbling down. By the end of the story, I felt disappointed by Jessie. He did not appear to have any insight into his behaviour and situation. So this is a story about actions and activity rather than reflection and change. Jessie the man is no more self-aware than Jessie the teenager.

This is an interesting novel, and while I liked the inclusion of song titles and bands (I’m a big Led Zeppelin fan as well), Jessie’s life as a play list didn’t totally appeal to me. The story kept me engaged (a little like watching a train wreck in slow motion) and if reading about drugs, sex and rock and roll appeals, then you may well enjoy ‘Ramble On’.

‘Ramble on, ramble on, ramble on.’

Note: I was offered, and accepted, a copy of this novel for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

http://www.amazon.com/RAMBLE-JOHN-R-STUART-ebook/dp/B00JNCKEW0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1398785826&sr=1-1&keywords=ramble+on...

Twitter for author John R. Stuart - @jRstuart2

Twitter for author John R. Stuart

Took another step into the 21st century today and set up my Twitter account. I can be followed at @jRstuart2

Author of the series Rebel Empire, book 1- GETTYSBURG REDUX, book 2 - REBELS & DESPERADOS

RAMBLE ON... a tale of Sex, Drugs, Rock n Roll and Murder