Showing posts with label films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label films. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
My Top 10
I recently talked music with a friend. I mentioned a few artists I enjoyed, ones they had never heard of. Giving a song title, I referred my friend to YouTube so they could listen to one of my all-time most favorite songs.
Which they did.
Which they ended up becoming emotional over.
Which made me feel like, wow – maybe by sharing my taste in music with someone, I’d turned them on to an artist they might never have known, otherwise.
That got me thinking. Why not blog a Top 10 List.
But not about music. Not for this blog, anyway. That would be too easy, and expected. Especially with the opening paragraphs. Nope. I decided this blog, this Top 10 List, will deal with movies.
It’s kind of funny. Yes. I am a movie fanatic. Some fanatics I’ve met rationalize movies, and pick them apart and try to analyze and over-analyze, re-evaluate and analyze again. Sure, I’ve got director’s I prefer, or like, or have heard of. Same goes for actors and actresses. But when I judge a movie, I use three simple rules:
--Did I feel the urge to text or play on Twitter during the movie?
--Did I mentally create a shopping list of items I’d need on the way home during the climax?
--Could I remember what movie I’d seen while walking to my car in the parking lot?
Pretty standard, probably not much different from criteria used when you judge movies. I mean, I have a few other things. Was it visually stunning, purposely grainy, humorous, scary, sexy – as meant, or accidental.
The biggest thing I ask of myself – Did I like it.
That’s really all that matters. Truth is I like most movies. I can find the good in them, even if I have to dig some to get at it. Maybe I can see what the writer tried to have happen, or what the actor interpreted as his character’s motivation, or the simple fact the best was done with the shoelace budget available.
I’ve rambled a bit here. I’m sort of sorry. Sort of not. Regardless, it’s time to move forward. Below, behold, My Top 10 Favorite Films*:
10. National Treasure
9. Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Lost Crusade, Crystal Skull)
8. Jurassic Park
7. Reservoir Dogs
6. Matchstick Men
5. Donnie Brosco
4. Goodfellas
3. Toy Story (I, II, III)
2. Star Wars (I, II, III, IV, V, VI)
1. Lord of the Rings (The Hobbit, The Two Towers, Return of the King)
* I count trilogies as 1 Movie (or any cluster of films under the same title)
Let me tell you, coming up with just ten movies is tough. Very. What I’d like is to see YOUR list of top ten movies. Or argue with me about mine. Leave comments, or email me.
And next time, maybe I’ll do books, or pizza toppings. Vacation spots or types of potato chips … I don’t know yet. Could even be music. (Anyone wondering what artist/song I was referring to in the opening paragraph? Anyone care?)
As always, share the blog, post it, email it, Facebook it, Tweet it!
Sincerely and Always,
Phillip Tomasso
Pulse of Evil Book Trailer
Pulse of Evil For Sale
Other titles for sale for Kindle
Other titles for sale for Nook
The Molech Prophecy for sale on Nook/Paperback -- writing as Thomas Phillips
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Been There (Still Haven't) Done That
Back in 2001, an independent film company optioned the movie rights to my novel TENTH HOUSE. The back cover blurb reads:
"Private Investigator, Nicholas Tartaglia, is hired to stop a satanic cult before they sacrifice another victim. Amidst a mysterious web of deception and conspiracy, Tartaglia's investigations has him chasing a shadowy, elusive figure -- the cult's high priest. The search for answers turns into an urgent race against time when it becomes clear who the next victim to be sacrificed will be. Tartaglia must save the chosen one before the demented cult leader and his followers hold their next ceremony."
Lynda Carter was looking at the lead female role for the film. The scrtipt was started. And then, just when it looked like the ball was really, really going to get rolling, it died. The project stopped. The film company went under.
The cool thing was the fact that I'd made it that far. Not too many authors can say their novel was almost turned into a movie.
Here I am again. Same place. Hoping this time it will actually happen.
A film company is looking at the possibility of turning my novel JOHNNY BLADE into a movie!
It's a bit more gritty and hardcore of a story.
The back cover blurb reads:
"When a whoring, violent drunk loses everything--his job, his wife, his kids and his home--he quickly becomes enraged, and vengeful. He focuses his energy on killing prostitutes. When a college graduate winds up with a job on the city’s newspaper writing obituaries, it does not take much for him to spot opportunity. Taking a part-time job as a cook at a diner where the victimized hookers hung out, the journalist gets close to those closest to the murders. The journalist falls in love with one of the prostitutes, turning his world upside-down. When Johnny Blade takes this particular streetwalker for a ride, it is up to the journalist to save her life."
At this point, it's just talking.
The film company has the info on the book. A working script has already been written by my good, and talented friend Greg Palmer. They have that, too.
The company claims they want to make a go of this project. So while my fingers are crossed, I am apprehensive about holding my breath, just yet.
People never believe me when I say writing isn't about the money. Of course I'd love to do this full time. Love to leave my job and stay in a bathrobe all day writing. Who wouldn't? (Maybe someone who doesn't own a bathrobe?)
It isn't about the money.
I am a storyteller. A writer. Dare I say, an artist?
What matters most to me is creating, and then sharing that creation.
Regardless of a movie deal or not; of hitting the best seller list or not; of having to work a full time job or not ... I write because I love it. Getting published is icing on the cake.
Getting paid, or landing a movie deal ... well, my firends, that's getting to eat my cake, too!
Know what I say? Don't wait for the movie. If you haven't read JOHNNY BLADE (which, by the way, won a Bloody Daggar Award in 2002) -- read it now! Love to know who you "picture" as actors for parts in the film!
Take care,
Phillip Tomasso
Pulse of Evil Book Trailer
Pulse of Evil For Sale (Just click on the book cover)
Other titles for sale for Kindle
The Molech Prophecy for sale on Nook/Paperback -- writing as Thomas Phillips
"Private Investigator, Nicholas Tartaglia, is hired to stop a satanic cult before they sacrifice another victim. Amidst a mysterious web of deception and conspiracy, Tartaglia's investigations has him chasing a shadowy, elusive figure -- the cult's high priest. The search for answers turns into an urgent race against time when it becomes clear who the next victim to be sacrificed will be. Tartaglia must save the chosen one before the demented cult leader and his followers hold their next ceremony."
Lynda Carter was looking at the lead female role for the film. The scrtipt was started. And then, just when it looked like the ball was really, really going to get rolling, it died. The project stopped. The film company went under.
The cool thing was the fact that I'd made it that far. Not too many authors can say their novel was almost turned into a movie.
Here I am again. Same place. Hoping this time it will actually happen.
A film company is looking at the possibility of turning my novel JOHNNY BLADE into a movie!
It's a bit more gritty and hardcore of a story.
The back cover blurb reads:
"When a whoring, violent drunk loses everything--his job, his wife, his kids and his home--he quickly becomes enraged, and vengeful. He focuses his energy on killing prostitutes. When a college graduate winds up with a job on the city’s newspaper writing obituaries, it does not take much for him to spot opportunity. Taking a part-time job as a cook at a diner where the victimized hookers hung out, the journalist gets close to those closest to the murders. The journalist falls in love with one of the prostitutes, turning his world upside-down. When Johnny Blade takes this particular streetwalker for a ride, it is up to the journalist to save her life."
At this point, it's just talking.
The film company has the info on the book. A working script has already been written by my good, and talented friend Greg Palmer. They have that, too.
The company claims they want to make a go of this project. So while my fingers are crossed, I am apprehensive about holding my breath, just yet.
People never believe me when I say writing isn't about the money. Of course I'd love to do this full time. Love to leave my job and stay in a bathrobe all day writing. Who wouldn't? (Maybe someone who doesn't own a bathrobe?)
It isn't about the money.
I am a storyteller. A writer. Dare I say, an artist?
What matters most to me is creating, and then sharing that creation.
Regardless of a movie deal or not; of hitting the best seller list or not; of having to work a full time job or not ... I write because I love it. Getting published is icing on the cake.
Getting paid, or landing a movie deal ... well, my firends, that's getting to eat my cake, too!
Know what I say? Don't wait for the movie. If you haven't read JOHNNY BLADE (which, by the way, won a Bloody Daggar Award in 2002) -- read it now! Love to know who you "picture" as actors for parts in the film!
Take care,
Phillip Tomasso
Pulse of Evil Book Trailer
Pulse of Evil For Sale (Just click on the book cover)
Other titles for sale for Kindle
The Molech Prophecy for sale on Nook/Paperback -- writing as Thomas Phillips
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