At the computer I find it hard to fight the temptation to click on Outlook or start in on my freelance article quota. When the afternoon shows its face and it’s time to pull out the script, my energy levels are at their lowest and that, “this can wait until tomorrow,” thought squeaks its way into my head.

Not today folks! I had chalked up my two hours of screenwriting time before breakfast.

Who saw movies this weekend? My wife and I supported a couple of our local theaters and caught THE documentary of the year, Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, as well as the huge blockbuster, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II. Both flicks are worth your $10, though I’d be at risk of growing a Pinocchio nose if I told you I wasn’t a little disappointed with Potter. But it’s entertaining, looks unbelievable, and watching strong performances such as those by Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith makes me excited to write for the screen.

So yes, it was a first-class weekend. The belt on our dryer broke, but I own about 90 pairs of underwear and I think I’ll be able to fix unit myself as soon as the replacement belt comes in the mail. The USA Women’s Soccer Team wasn’t able to shut the door against the Japanese, but if another country is going to take the World Cup, I’m glad it was Japan.

The week has started off on a great foot. I woke up to clear skies after a weekend of fog and it feels good to work. Plus, I received a beautiful tee from Mr. Phillip T. Annand and the Award Tour crew. Thanks for the quality piece and the handwritten note Phil!

Pariah: The Movie

Yes, at first it sounds like it could be another, “Oh whoa is me, I’m gay and life is hard,” lesbian film, but after watching the trailer, I was super impressed. 

The crew set out to raise $10,000 to finish the film and are currently at $10,596.  Half of the money they raise over their $10,000 goal is being donated to The Ali Forney Center, which provides homeless LGBT youth with support to put their lives back together.

 If you’d like to contribute to Rees’ efforts, you can do so via the film’s Kickstarter page.  You can also find Pariah: The Movie on Facebook and Twitter.

After this week, I may take a much needed break from the internet world to focus solely on knocking out this first draft and hanging out with friends and family.

Since I didn’t compile a collection of links on Tuesday, here are some things that have caught my eyes and ears as of late:

+ It hasn’t been my favorite year for movies, but this edited piece showcasing 270 films that came out over the past year still gets me excited.

+ Who’s read Water for Elephants and is thus excited for the flick?  The trailer was released yesterday.

+ The Madbury Club put together musical compilation, entitled The Ashburn Study, which is “intended to lift your spirits and enable the mind.” It features a wide array of artists, from Mos Def to Miles Davis to Fleetwood Mac.  It’s awesome.

photo of Ellen Page, spotted at Dorothy Surrenders

I’ve been experiencing a little bit of movie mania lately.  My wife and I hit up the movie theaters twice this weekend, and I’ve been trying to make my way through Julie Gray’s GASP list, throwing on movies while I’m writing freelance articles.

Lately I’ve seen…

Inception:  This movie is super cool.  Christopher Nolan brings the same tone and feel that he had in Batman Returns.  There are some plot holes, but it remains captivating and it’s visually stimulating.  And I’m an Ellen Page fan, but can anyone tell me why her character was necessary? My score: 4/5

Despicable Me:  This movie will make you laugh out loud.  It was more of a collection of hilarious scenes than a complete quality film, but it was definitely worth the cash to see it in theaters.  We blew it and didn’t go to a 3D screening, which I hear is super cool.  My score:  4/5

Close Encounters of the Third Kind:  This is one that I watched while writing freelance articles, which may play a part in me not being able to stay engaged into the film.  It’s an older flick, so the pacing probably wouldn’t fly today.  It’s a bit long for my taste.  My score:  3/5

Moonstruck:  I also watched this one while working, but had no problem paying attention to the movie.  Cher and Nicolas Cage are pretty great.  For some reason, I’ve avoided watching this, but it was really enjoyable.  My score:  4/5

I still need to go see The Kids Are All Right.  It’s only showing at theaters that are a bit of a drive to go to, but hopefully it’ll be in my nearby artsy theater next week.  I’ll probably catch it next weekend, along with Salt.

She breaks us into different “types” of writers, of which she’s discovered from her extensive experience of being around and working with writers.  One such type is…

Your young, intellectual, articulate type who is maybe 28 but who seems 54. Well put together, very informed, a real expert on film and literature. Personal challenge: Needs to lighten up. Julie says: Live a little, kid. You have plenty of time to write. Work on your “voice.” 

Stalker?  I’m close to 28, a complete nerd when it comes to absorbing information, and I definitely need to chill the hell out sometimes. 

Her descriptions of and advice for the various types of writers are pretty funny.  Read the rest of her post, here.

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No news yet on the top 3 finalists of the 2010 Cyberspace Open, though they did update their page with a, “Please be patient, we’re working on it,” statement.  Thanks for my newly-acquired anxiety disorder, guys.

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I’m slowly putting work into this site, so you may notice changes and updates periodically.  I put some time into the ABOUT section, as well as put together some fun new sidebar images.

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I’ve been on a movie-watching rampage, catching films such as A Clockwork Orange (what the hell), Breakfast at Tiffany’s, His Girl Friday, Harold and Maude, and Prince of Persia:  Sands of Time (don’t look at me sideways, I got dragged to it because my wife has a crush on Jake Gyllenhaal).  You can always find my own personal score for the movies I watch this year by clicking on Wall-E’s image over there to your right.

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Those interested in stepping up their query letter game can enter the Write On! Online: Query Contest for screenplays and teleplays.  There’s no fee to enter and prizes include having your query read by literary agent David Boxerbaum of APA and some other goodies.  Due date is June 30th.  Find additional info, here.

Bottom line, I’m doing this because need to step up my film knowledge.  If I’m going to try and get a job in Hollywood, it’s probably a good idea for me to know what the hell goes on in Gone With The Wind.  I doubt my ability to quote Liar Liar in its entirety would impress anybody.

Looking over the list of thirteen films I’ve seen this month, there are some classics and some…well, “crappics”.

1.  High Noon (1952)****

2.  Death At A Funeral **

3.  Bucket List **

4.  Iron Man 2 ***

5.  Unfaithful ***

6.  Babies ****

7.  How To Train Your Dragon ****

8.  Survival of the Dead ***

9.  Taxi Driver (1976) ***

10.  Arthur (1981) ***

11.  Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) ***

12.  Good Hair **

13.  Harold and Maude (1971) ****

Today I’m going to fit in His Girl Friday (1940), which was directed by Howard Hawks and features Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell.