Blog Archives

The Unexpected Thrill of Singularity

While it’s a good thing not all movies are made in this format, it’s a blessing that one film every so often is bravely written and acted within such a simple and isolated storytelling dynamic.

Driving at night with a hands-free phone.

That’s it.

Ironically, this mundane, constrained seat appears to be the perfect setting for a nerve-racking, pulse-pounding thrill ride.

http://youtu.be/xdaofZfgV_Q

It’s called Locke and it features the talented, yet under-the-radar star Tom Hardy. Although it had an April 25th release date, it’s now entering major theaters, like in Columbus, Ohio. Be sure to check your local listings.

What’s driving you this weekend?

Applying Creativity to Unforgettable Visions

As the weekend is now only hours away from its inception, there are surely a myriad of great activities to do and interesting places to go and visit this Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. There are new restaurants and menus to try and stores to shop at with unapologetic purpose. However, on March 14, 2014, Jimmy’s Daily Planet encourages you to schedule at least a couple hours for one specific endeavor in between your individual quests: take in an art museum.

Why?

Why not is a better question, but the reason for today’s recommendation stems from a reaction of rejuvenated curiosity from watching a video interview with a famed movie director who has produced multiple films told and shown with imaginatively epic storytelling for all to see on the silver screen.

Only the ambiguous dynamics and complexities of art directly bonds Francis Bacon with the modern Joker.

Let a painting put a smile on your face this weekend!

Books of Epic Proportions

Dan Brown. J.K. Rowling. Tom Clancy.

And now J.J. Abrams apparently.

Reading books is still a popular leisure activity, despite how it may pale in comparison to venturing off to the movie theater to see the next big blockbuster sensation. The bottom line is that people enjoy stories of all genres with varying temptations and hooks. One day it may be action or adventure, the next could be drama and romance and the weekend may be primed for mystery or humor. The imagination has no limitations and is, therefore, eternally receptive to stories of all variations and styles.

In recent years, the word, “epic” has flown into our lexicon as nearly the same speed as Superman himself. There was even an animated film titled, “Epic” released earlier this year. While book releases rarely create epic fanfare or global pandemonium, there was one yesterday that just might expand literature into an unseen dimension of creativity.

Famed filmmaker J.J. Abrams, who is prepping the Disney reboot of “Star Wars,” had his book (co-written with established writer Doug Dorst) debut to the public yesterday. The title of the nearly 500-page mystery, “S,” may be the beginning of a new style and era of creative writing.

Yesterday, it was J.J. Abrams releasing an original novel. Who will be next? Steven Spielberg? James Cameron? Kathryn Bigelow?

Dare I dream for an original novel by Christopher Nolan?

There is no singular style, method, genre or process to writing, acting, directing and producing an epic blockbuster. There are unequivocal similarities, no doubt: original story, great characters, plot twists, big, yet believable action for the setting, stunning cinematography, hints of ambiguity, etc. But each crew has done it differently with a certain trademark.

Imagine this formula translated into an original novel that reads like an epic Hollywood movie that instinctively provokes intrigue and that relentlessly illustrates vivid scenes in our minds like the flow of some of our favorite movies?

Incredible books with the similar qualities listed above have and are being written. However, the scale of these literary adventures, mysteries, romances, etc. would be new with a particular cast of writers.

Try to envision a movie in IMAX with a powerfully unforgettable soundtrack somehow captured and placed within the binding restraints of a book.

There is a grandiose expectation with J.J. Abrams’ book because of his acclaimed cinematic skill set and storytelling accomplishments behind the camera. People will be expecting that “it” factor that will definitively distinguish “S” above the other available mysteries on the shelf.

Adapting popular books into movies is a common practice in Hollywood. And these scripts usually sound as if it were penned by an author instead of a screenwriter. The pace and style of the dialogue and the patience paid to character development is discernible. It’s not always absolutely good or bad, but it certainly is noticeable to the audience.

Last year, in late November, director Christopher Nolan made a rare public appearance to participate in a solo forum in New York City with a small audience to discuss his current, “Dark Knight” trilogy, his past movies and his then upcoming role in “The Man of Steel.” In fact, it happened on a Wednesday. Due to a contradictory statement given to me about a conflict at work that Wednesday and following Thursday, I had to refrain from securing one of those rare tickets when one was remarkably available.

I digress.

Christopher Nolan had agreed to answer a few questions from fans and/or attendees during this gathering. The question I submitted was essentially this: “Have you ever created your own original superhero with a corresponding universe and enemy(ies)? If so, who is it? What are his or her superhero powers? If not, would you ever be interested in such a venture?”

I was interested in not only my question, but all of the questions, plus his responses of course.

Maybe he read my question, maybe he didn’t. But if he did and the answer is yes, the possibilities and excitement among his fans would be difficult to contain.

The aura that surrounds “S” was palpable the moment I held it in my hands. There is a unique power and influence that radiates and thrills from the work of creative cinematic storytellers. Imaginations simply run wild with the stories they tell.

I just hope more will soon put it in writing.

Reality Check

The influx of Emmy nominations for shows featured on Netflix was no anomaly. Fellow dramas on cable networks that were nominated for Emmy’s were also no fluke. Even PBS has a stellar hour-long journey that takes us back to the sensationally proper early 20th century England. Shows like, “House of Cards,” “Mad Men,” “Game of Thrones,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Homeland” and the remarkably addictive “Downton Abbey” have projected themselves as thoroughly entertaining with great settings, engaging storytelling and, above all, superb acting and originality.

The shows listed above, along with some shows on the major networks (“The Big Bang Theory,” “Person of Interest” and “How I Met Your Mother” as a few examples) have gone to painstaking lengths to present a story and set of characters that an audience will enjoy and care about. Relationships have been formed and they are long-term.

The specific revelation about Netflix’s evolution as a leading entertainment provider of new content is indicative of the ever-changing face of the modern television viewer and his/her expectations and preferences.

Contemplate this: Five years ago, Paul Giamatti became John Adams for the HBO series, “John Adams,” Steven Spielberg co-executive produced, “The Pacific” on HBO with Tom Hanks in 2010, Kevin Spacey stars in “House of Cards,” Maggie Smith dominates, “Downton Abbey,” Michael Shannon and Steve Buscemi light up “Boardwalk Empire” and January Jones realistically portrays the wife/divorcee of an advertising giant in the 1960s on, “Mad Men.”

If only I recognized just one of those names?

Within the last decade, the word “epic” has been a common adjective to describe some major motion pictures. Writers and directors made a cogent decision to create entire worlds filled with exciting action, seductive drama, story lines the size of the Empire State Building and plot twists that, figuratively speaking, “blow our minds.” And don’t forget about those omnipresent soundtracks that alone gives us goosebumps, swing our emotions and get our hearts racing in just a matter of seconds. While the movies of recent memory are not the first to project an “epic” story on the silver screen, they have nonetheless set the standard for movies, television and all relative media alike today.

Interestingly, many people will refrain from watching the newest episodes of the aforementioned shows listed above and instead sit down and watch an entire season during the weekend. Thus, it feels more like a movie with multiple sequels than it does a routine television show. “24” sure was great…

And there are many things said about the reality television shows that dominate the major networks (sans “The Amazing Race”), but superb acting, rich characters and original storytelling are not among them.

Among the convoluted world of modern television that is overcrowded with reality shows about anything and everything (literally), one certainty is shining a hopeful bright light through this overcast cloud of reality noise: more and more fans are investing their time and imaginations in shows that portray grand stories with compelling characters woven together with clever writing. For Heaven’s sake, The History Channel produced a blockbuster hit with, “The Bible” (sadly, I think NBC only saw dollar signs and not the great story when it bought the rights to the series sequel). National Geographic struck presidential gold with, “Killing Lincoln” (narrated by Tom Hanks).

The dynamic of watching television is continuing to change on a seemingly monthly basis.

In fact, it’s quite epic.

That’s the reality.