miscellany

Random thoughts, part two.

One of my favorites scenes from recent cinema (recent as in the past ten years or so) is from the extraordinary "American Beauty" (1999, written by Alan Ball and directed by Sam Mendes). The scene occurs in Ricky Fitts' (Wes Bentley) bedroom as he shows a videotape to his neighbor Jane Burnham (Thora Birch). The video footage is a simple, steady shot of a plastic grocery bag "dancing" in a wind gust:

"It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that's the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and... this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video's a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember - and I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in."

Succinct, moving dialogue and such an incredible scene. It always cuts through me like a spirit slivering my soul. And a few minutes ago I trekked up a block to the corner store for half & half and a Vitamin Water (go ahead and chortle - I drink Vitamin Water). And lo and behold, a white plastic grocery bag emblazoned with a red smiley face was caught in a wind gust off the East River. It "followed" me about a half block up and I could only recall that scene from "American Beauty." The memory brought me a plaintive smile. The bag skipped along beside me, or a little in front of me, smiley face pointed upward - "Like a little kid begging me to play with it." The wind gust died and the bag fell behind and for a solitary moment I felt just a little... dejected.

So I bought my half & half and Vitamin Water, and returning home, I did not see the bag anywhere.

Here at the Queens Compund last night there was an informal reading for the screenplay I recently completed. Four New York actors took time out of their lives to take on various roles and read and discuss, and It went well. I received a fresh perspective on the dialogue, continuity, and script flow. It's one thing to sit here in front of my monitor and pound out the words and read them to myself. It is something else entirely to hear those words dramatized by real actors. I received a few helpful suggestions in the constructive criticism vein, but much to my surprise the screenplay did not seem to need a lot of fixin' (or so I hope). Now comes the next step - to get this thing to an agent and sell it. I presently have a credible possibilty to at least get the script into the hands of an established industry writer (and/or his agent). I should know soon...

I like margaritas. Sure, I'm generally a beer (Bass, Heineken, Harp, Sam Adams) or Jim Beam and Coke kind of guy, but I have a weakness for margaritas... and fast-talkin' dime store noir dames ("Noir dames love tragic alcoholics. Show up at 2 a.m. drunk with a bullet wound and watch the sparks fly."). Jane Greer, Liz Scott, Anne Savage, Joan Bennett, Ida Lupino - where are you? Gee, ya' think I've been watching too much film noir lately?

I have a camera in my cell phone but I hardly ever use it. I think that's because I forget it's there...

And what quote shall I leave you with this time? I know - a song I was just listening to:

Well there’s a light in your eye that keeps shining
Like a star that can’t wait for the night
I hate to think I’ve been blinded baby
Why can’t I see you tonight?

And the warmth of your smile starts a-burnin’
And the thrill of your touch gives me fright
And I’m shaking so much, really yearning
Why don’t you show up, make it all right?
-Led Zeppelin, "Fool in the Rain" (Jones/Page/Plant)