Writers in the Movies

Screenwriting is an essential part of the movie making process, so it can be even more exciting to watch films with plots that incorporate authors or other types of writers in one way or another. This week, The Bumbles asks to share movies on our blogs that feature “writers authors, poets and scribes.” I considered highlighting a film like “Sex and the City: The Movie” based on Carrie’s writing career but I think that is way too easy. So, here are two other movies that fit the writing bill a little more closely and have more complex plots than this Sarah Jessica Parker centered box office hit.

“Love Jones”

Starring Nia Long and Larenz Tate, “Love Jones” is among the best dating movies because it is not overly sappy so it has enough depth to avoid being classified as a chick flick. This movie is about a budding photographer who relocates to a new city, where she meets an author who is working on his first book. As the story progresses, the ups and downs of their relationship seem to also have an impact on the career decisions that each character makes.

The couple and their friends also frequent a jazz club where they socialize and enjoy live poetry performances.....a main staple throughout the movie. In fact, poetry is how the two main characters first got acquainted and later becomes the vehicle that opens up a major turning point in their lives.

“Perfect Stranger”

This crime thriller starring Halle Berry and Bruce Willis is a shocker that seems to use writing as the foundation or background for everything else in the story. Berry plays an journalist who goes undercover as a temp worker at an advertising firm owned by a man who she suspects has murdered her best friend.

She poses as two different women to try and catch him but the deeper her personal investigation gets, the more dangerous this movie becomes for the characters involved. I watched this movie based on the recommendation of a friend and while I liked it.....it’s a bit creepy so I doubt I’ll watch it again.....unless I’m really jonesing to get another look at Bruce Willis!

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Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow Style Highlights

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is dominating the box office this weekend after being released on Friday. This movie, starring Johnny Depp earned over $300 million worldwide according to the Wall Street Journal....and it’s only Sunday, so far. While moviegoers enjoy the adventures of their favorite pirate on the big screen, the May 13th issue of Entertainment Weekly features actor Johnny Depp on the cover and offers a deeper look into several elements of Captain Jack Sparrow’s costume from the actor’s perspective.

In a feature titled “Johnny Depp’s Guide to Captain Jack’s Style” within the magazine’s cover story, Depp shares some rather off-putting thoughts on the gold tooth hanging from the character’s bandanna. He claims that Captain Jack Sparrow swallowed one of his gold teeth.... “ad then...well, he waited for it.” Um, okay....what moviegoer wouldn’t find that to be pretty disgusting?

Johnny Depp also mentions how he worked with the costume designer for “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” to add antique lace to Jack Sparrow’s list of arm and hand accessories for suggesting that it came from a former lover but the 80s ring belonging to Depp that features a green stone and skulls may be more interesting because it has become a significant part of Jack Sparrow’s wardrobe on retail products based on this movie character.

The ring also adds a unique touch to the costume since it is an item owned by the actor who has to play this pirate role. Maybe it helps to bring Depp closer to Sparrow or something....who knows?! This would not be the first time that an actor used his or her own belongings in a film but where “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is concerned, it appears that the little things matter more than I thought when creating certain traits for a movie character.

This King Dong series post is dedicated to Alana of Writercize.

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The Erotic Nature of 'Stuck'

How many erotic films have you seen in the last 12 months? I had to think about this today while trying to come up with a post based on the topic of “something erotic.” This subject is the 21st prompt in a 30 Day Creative Writing Challenge hosted by Heck Yeah Tumblr Challenges.....a site that I visit often to find ideas on what to blog about during times (like today) when get a case of writer’s block.

The only movie that comes to mind is “Stuck” by Steve Balderson. There is a jail scene before the main character is scheduled to be executed that I find to be very erotic. What makes it so is not only the fact that there is no sex in this particular scene, but also because the anxiety surrounding a prisoner about to be put to death is not would many people would consider to be a turn-on.....yet somehow, Balderson makes it work.

The director’s next movie, “The Casserole Club” is being released next month but I would recommend watching “Stuck” in the meantime if you want to see “something erotic.” If you haven't done so already, you are welcome to read all about the making of this movie by checking out my interview with Steve Balderson in April.

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