Friday, May 31, 2013

Inspiration Friday!


Okay so again before I post, I have to say that I have been very slack on my blogging this week. I have wanted to get to everyone's great post and leave comments and be a good blogger, but mostly I have been writing like a mad man. August will be here sooner than I want it to(for writing and birthday reasons) and I need to have a finished copy of Ashes by July so I can get edits done. Anyway, if anyone has felt ignored I apologize and I will do better this week.

Inspiration Friday. Every Friday I find a topic and give three things from that topic that inspire me. This is not a favorites list necessarily, though they are some of my favorite things. This weeks topic is movies.

Movies for me are little bits of magic brought into the world. I would probably sit in a theater all day just watching back to back movies if I could. I know things are overpriced and as an "artist" I'm supposed to say things like, "There is nothing good anymore," and "It is all rehashed crap these days." I just don't feel that way. Movies inspire me and even bad movies can be enjoyed to some level or another.   



First up we have The Lord of the Rings trilogy. During the course of these movies coming out I began working a new job for the city, my daughter was born and my son was born. It was an eventful three years. I used to drive a truck to pick up curb-side trash or brush. As I would wait for my truck to be called, I'd write in this notepad or do my mental note thing. From the time these movies came out to their release on DVD, I built the majority of my "Epic Fantasy" world. I remember watching all the extra features almost religiously for each movie. I think the actors were perfect for the parts they were given and the grandfather of most fantasy stories was beautifully transitioned to film by an amazing director.



Next is a movie called Finding Neverland. First I want to say I find it hard to locate a movie with Johnny Depp in it that I have not enjoyed. In this movie he plays the playwright J. M. Barrie and follows how he came to be inspired to write the play The Boy Who Never Grew Up(Peter Pan). I think the Wiki describes it as semi-biographical, I can assume this means liberties were taken, but as a story in itself it is wonderful. It is sad and enlightening, Freddie Highmore gave a wonderful performance as Peter. This movie was a great look into a writer's mind and how he sees the world, I recommend a watch if you haven't seen it.



Last is a movie that is a bit of my childhood, a bit of who I am as a story teller and something that has stayed with me and probably will stay with me for as long as I am of sound mind. I was probably too young to watch this movie when I did. I often would take advantage of the fact my single mom had to work so much. Still anyone who has been reading my blog knows of my love for Bruce Lee, with his death occurring before my birth it was only natural for me to cling to the next closest thing. 

This being Brandon Lee his son. I owned at the time both Showdown in Little Tokyo and Rapid Fire. I also enjoyed the Kung Fu: the movie he was in. so when I heard he was going to be playing in some movie called The Crow I couldn't wait. Of course as most of you know Brandon Lee was killed during the shooting of the movie when he was shot by accident while filming a scene. 

I was not able to coerce anyone into letting me see the rated R film in theaters, but as soon it came out on video I used all my wiles to obtain a copy. Sometimes when an artist dies we tend to pay attention to their art with a clarity we may otherwise leave out. I can recite you the words to this movie from front to back I have watched it so much. I have my video tape version, my DVD version and last birthday my wife bought it for me on Blu-Ray. I am inspired in so many ways by this movie. 

There is a line in the film that says, "Little things used to mean so much to Shelley. I used to think they were trivial. Trust me, nothing is trivial." A truer statement can't be said when referring to those you love, each moment means something and should be enjoyed. I try to take this to my life and my writing.

Anyway these are some things that inspire me, what about you? As always have fun and keep writing.

15 comments:

  1. Sadly, The Crow was all the more powerful because of Lee's death. Part of his soul was in that movie and it was evident when you watched it. They talk of remaking it, but you can't duplicate that feeling.
    Lord of the Rings - yeah, could watch those all day. I keep meaning to take a Saturday and watch the extended editions back to back.
    And Finding Neverland was just bittersweet.

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    1. I know, I am not looking forward to the remake and I don't often say that, but this one is just too personal to me.

      A few weeks ago me and the family sat down and watched all three extended movies back to back. I am not as excited for the Hobbit, but I can't wait to try for a six movie weekend when they are all out.

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  2. I never get tired of the Lord of the Rings. I liked the Crow too, sad Lee died. I am sorry I am notifying you this late but I awarded you with the Versatile Blog Award. http://fatherdragon.blogspot.mx/2013/05/healthy-smile-toss-dwarf-in-woven-tale.html Have fun this weekend!

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    1. Yeah they don't get old do they? Thanks for the award and enjoy your weekend as well.

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  3. Lord of the Rings is a definite favourite. I've seen the films several times, but not yet the Hobbit or Finding Neverland. They're on the list of ones to watch. Have a great weekend.

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  4. Great post. You know I love movies, and I quite often find them inspirational, especially when they incorporate my favorite theme of the interconnectedness of humankind. Books inspire me, too, and my friends, including many blogger friends, and my children -- probably my children most of all. Finding Neverland plays fast and loose with the truth, but so what? It's a lovely movie. It bothers me, though, when people think that everything they see in a docudrama or biographical movie is the absolute truth. Most of us have seen The Sound of Music. Most people seem to think that the events in the movie actually occurred, but they didn't. We need to separate fact from fiction. When I read a novel v. a biography, I don't think the events in the novel actually took place. Sorry for the long comment, but yeah, you're right about great minds. My daughter, The Hurricane, loves The Lord of the Rings movies and used to watch them every time she came home on break from college. She might still watch them regularly, but she's so far away that I don't know.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Oh, I forgot to say that I always love your drawings.

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    2. I agree I usually look at something for the enjoyment of it in a personal to itself sort of way. If I am interested about the real life subjects I go research it. Yes Sound of Music is not such a great representation of facts lol.

      Thank you, I am enjoying drawing them, they have taken on a life of their own.

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  5. I have not watched The Crow yet but I Loved Finding Neverland. Now The Lord of the Rings? My husband and I have marathons every so often, we never get tired of it! This last time we couldn't find one of the DVD's, mind you we didn't look long enough for it, we just decided it meant we had to buy the Blu-Ray versions too :D

    Movies are always a source of inspiration for me as well, I agree that even the bad ones have something to teach if nothing else to show us what doesn't work lol

    As usual, love the drawing.... tell Bax to get his own popcorn for next time ;)

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    1. That sounds like a good enough reason to me for buying Blu-Rays lol.

      Go watch The Crow now, to be honest I don't often recommend that movie to people because I fear I will judge them too harshly for not liking it. Still I do know it is a personal thing for me.

      That Bax, why Axie puts up with him we will never know.

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  6. Totally understand the urgency to write versus blogging. Sometimes real life takes the reins.

    The Crow is my alltime favorite movie. Nobody could play the part like Brandon Lee. All the other versions couldn't come close. (Hugs) Indigo

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    1. Yeah got to do what I have to so I can get the book done.

      I feel the same way, I am not saying I won't see the knew movie at some point, but there will never be another like the first.

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  7. While I was in college, my roommate and I kept the extended versions playing pretty much nonstop. Then with actors' commentary. Then with director commentary. And I was sad each time it ended!
    Finding Neverland is an obscure movie to have on this list. And yet, it's one that changed my life as well. My memory of the film (granted I was pretty distracted while watching) is of Depp's character seeing the world in strange and crazy ways and always jotting things down. It was after I watched this movie that I began carrying a notepad. I haven't stopped since.

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    1. Yes I think for a good year no one wanted me to play LotRs in the house because I played it so many many times.

      That is awesome that it helped you find a way to stay creative while out and about. For me it made me start watching everyday life just a bit more. I remember after watching that movie looking at my cat and thinking it would make an amazing dragon.

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  8. We have the same taste in movies, Brandon! I loved FINDING NEVERLAND, and I could watch LOTR over and over and over and never get sick of it. If they ever remade the trilogy (which I am hoping they DON'T) I could probably play any character because I know all of the lines. #nerd

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