Monday, March 18, 2013

Top Ten Movie Countdown

Time to get your Movie Grove on with Alex Cavanaugh! Travel Blog Space with the Ninja Captain, and see what movies are selling popcorn and engaging the imagination of your friends. What makes you want to buy a movie ticket or love a movie so much that you have to own it, one that you could watch over and over again? Here is my top ten list in no particular order, I figure that since they are the first movies that came to mind, they warrant their place on this list:

The Green Mile 
Based on a novel by Stephen King and staring Tom Hanks, two of my all time favorites. This is a story about death row and a mysterious inmate.
The Shawshank Redemption 
Yes another prison movie written by Stephen King,This is a touching movie about finding redemption through common decency. Not much of a Tim Robbins fan but I love Morgan Freeman.
The lord of the Rings:The fellowship of the Ring 
Needs no explanation. Peter Jackson knows how to make movies!

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 
Of all the Star War movies this one is my favorite. Master Yoda rules! 
Forest Gump 
Tom Hanks is a brilliant actor and his portrayal of a rather simple minded man is unforgetable.
The Matrix 
The first time that special effects really amazed me. Love the philosophical undertone in the movie and of course Keanu Reeves is a hunk.
The Shining 
Well what do you know, Stephen King once again with another great movie. This one gave me bad dreams for a long time. Jack Nicholson was absolutely terrifying. Last year I visited the hotel used in this movie and chills went up my spine the whole time.
Alien 
The first Alien movie impressed me the most. I will never forget that scene...you know which one, talk about creepy!
The Pianist
Roman Polanski really tugged at my heart strings with this tale of a talented pianist trying to survive in a Warsaw Ghetto during WW2.

The Dark Knight
I love Batman! Christian Bale makes a great batman and Heath Ledger gave an unforgetable performance as The Joker. I love most of the batman movies, and although the latest one was great, (The Dark Knight Rises) I think this is still my favorite.

There you have it, a list of movies that I find worth remembering and there are so many more. Have you seen any of these, what do you think about them and what are your favorites?

Enjoy your week!
 







Wednesday, March 6, 2013

He said, she said! IWSG


Another month has flown by and once again it is time for the Insecure Writers Support Group, a group created by Alex Cavanaugh for writers to share their frustrations and offer support to others. 

Today I am seeking advice on Dialogue. I have reached what I believe is the half-way point of my book, Secrets of the Ash Tree, and I am stuck at a crossroads. Not sure which way to turn with my story I decided to go back to the beginning and start editing. What I noticed was how terrible my dialogue is. There are too many, he said or she said, and then he said…etc…etc…I don’t dare do a work count on the word Said in my document. Now I am looking for other words. You know, like this…Siv wiped a tiny tear from the corner of her eye and moaned, “Why do my characters have to talk at all?”

Another question I have is when do you write he said, before or after the dialogue?

Some of you out there have some valuable tips for me, I am sure of it! Let’s hear them please. I know that I cannot be the only one trying to wade through Dialogue Quicksand. 

Have a great hump day everyone! Just think, spring is around the corner and the days are getting longer.