Seeking Inspiration
08 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Plinky prompts Tags: Alan Rickman, cinema, film, Jeremy Northam, movies, plinky
When I need inspiration, I watch movies. I love all kinds including foreign films. I watch not only for the plot, but for the pacing, the dialogue and the scenery. Any one of those things can be the impetus for some new inspiration for me. Sometimes even a character in the film may trigger an idea. I love cinema- of any era.
And then, there is always these two guys: 
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Happy Birthday, Mr. Rickman
21 Feb 2012 2 Comments
in random thoughts Tags: Alan Rickman, birthday, Youtube
It’s that time of year again. Alan Rickman’s birthday. I hope everyone has a piece to cake to celebrate. I borrowed this video from You-tube. Follow the link to show the creator some love. Guest blogging, too: http://www.caseycrow.com/blog/
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“Seminar” On Broadway- A Review
08 Dec 2011 2 Comments
in writing Tags: Alan Rickman, Broadway, Hamish Linklater, Hettienne Park, Jerry O'Connell, Lily Rabe, New York City, NYC, play, Richard Griffiths, Seminar on Broadway, Theresa Rebeck
I’ve been back from my trip to New York to see Seminar for a while now and wanted to post this review but life has been getting in the way. On top of work at the day job and trying to finish the first draft of my latest novel, I’ve been sick off and on, but here we go with the long-awaited review.
First and foremost, Alan Rickman was spectacular. I have long admired his work and was a bit fearful that seeing him at long last in person would be a disappointment. I’m happy to say he is all I imagined and more in the flesh. He’s so relaxed and confident on stage. He doesn’t seem to be acting; rather, he seems to be having a real conversation with the other characters. So natural and unaffected. I’ve been to many plays over the years and believe me, I’ve seen some actors who are not as at ease on stage as Mr. Rickman was in this role. The only other actor I’ve seen that has this same quality to the same extent onstage is Richard Griffiths.
The rest of the members of the ensemble cast were well-chosen by the casting director. Jerry O’Connell seemed a little rushed in his first lines, but he soon settled in and did a wonderful job. Hamish Linklater was spot on in his role – he was one of my favorite people in the play with his understated angst. In fact, no one in the play over-emoted which can sometimes be a distraction.
As to the women in the cast, Lily Rabe was wonderful as the hostess of the writing class. When she grabbed all the snacks after the first session, that hit home. As a writer myself, I’ve indulged in those binges of rejection-eating. Ms. Rabe carried herself well.
Hettienne Parker was very natural in her role. There were several times she interjected comments into the group that seemed like they were off the cuff and real. Knowing they were lines she’d spoken many times, I was impressed at how fresh and new they sounded. Bravo for her.
Theresa Rebeck has razor-sharp wit and I enjoyed her writing very much. My seventeen year old son also thought the play was wonderful and he enjoyed the wit as much as I did. The references to Tin House and The New Yorker were appreciated by this writer.
I love the tag line on the sign outside the theatre: Young writers are like good books, you can’t enjoy them until you’ve broken their spines. I believe there are a lot of agents and editors who believe that and there may even be some truth to it!
In short. if you can get to New York while this play is showing, do it. It’s worth the trip. If you’re an Alan Rickman fan, this is a must see.
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Super Excited
08 Nov 2011 3 Comments
in random thoughts Tags: Actor, Alan Rickman, Broadway, NYC, Seminar, tread the boards
I’m super excited to be flying to New York on Friday to see Alan Rickman in a play called Seminar on Saturday. He’s absolutely my favorite living actor and I’ve got 4th row tickets. I’m terrified that I’ll hyperventilate and pass out when he steps out onto the boards. Of course, if I die of a heart attack, I’ll go happy, right?
I’ll be sure to blog about the experience if I survive. They may haul me out in one of these like he has on:
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“The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine”
21 Oct 2011 2 Comments
in films Tags: Alan Rickman, films, Juliet Stevenson, love, movies, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine, Truly Madly Deeply
I love this song and I especially love this movie version. Whenever I talk about my love for Alan Rickman’s work, I get the old song and dance about him always playing the bad guy. Au contraire, mon amis. He’s got quite a few films under his belt where he’s a wonderful person and this is one of my particular favorites. This film, Truly, Madly, Deeply is a great flick and the role of Jamie is played by Alan to perfection. Juliet Stevenson is awesome as well. Check out this video of Alan singing The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine, which really is a sad song but they sing it in a fun manner in this scene from the movie. AND, isn’t he handsome?
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The Last Installment of the Harry Potter Films
14 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in films Tags: Alan Rickman, Deathly Hollows Part II, films, Harry Potter, movie review, movies
I was probably one of the last people to see this one. It wasn’t for lack of trying, but things kept coming up to prevent me from getting to the theatre. I finally saw it on Friday and there were only about eight of us in the room, so I figure that the rest of the population has seen it.
I have to confess that I was a bit disappointed in it. The first thing that annoyed me was the lighting. Yes, I get that it was supposed to be an Armageddon type battle but the cinematography was terrible. There was a lot of this film that I couldn’t see. I had to peer at the screen to determine what action was occurring. In the scene with the horde on the hill, the hill was black, the death eaters wore black, the sky was black… See where I’m going with this? It was quite hard to discern what was what. Very annoying and it took me right out of the story.
As to the flash back scene with Snape, I was highly disappointed with that. As anyone who has read this blog knows, Alan Rickman is my absolute favorite actor and I’ve always felt like he was underutilized in this series of films. Again, we have the same issue. This scene was beautifully written in the book and the film version made short shrift of it and didn’t engage my emotions as the written word did. It could have been done so much better but I think the film maker wanted to focus on flash and action, not emotion. We were saying goodbye to characters we loved and I wanted it to be more poignant.
The film seemed disjointed and more about the special effects than the story. I mean, really, why did the director spend so much time in Bellatrix’s vault and in the room of requirement? Just to show off the special effects? That”s how it felt to me.
Don’t get me wrong, there were parts I liked but overall, this one was not the best of the films. I’m sure a lot of people will disagree with me and remember, this is only my opinion so don’t crucify me in the comments. We can agree to disagree if need be.
So, all in all, in my opinion, the final movie fell short of my expectations. Sad, really, as I hoped the series would go out with a bang, not a whimper.
From Warner Bros Site
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I Can’t Help It: My Celeb Crush
13 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
in Plinky prompts Tags: Alan Rickman, plinky
Alan Rickman. He’s so versatile. He totally becomes his characters. He can do evil and he can do the lead. He has some great movies that are not in the mainstream but they are all awesome. Check out “Close My Eyes”, “Dark Harbor,” and “An Awfully Big Adventure” for a few.
He’s funny in interviews and he’s just one sexy guy-
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Just Because I Got a Re-Write Request
10 Aug 2010 2 Comments
in writing Tags: Alan Rickman, Redemption for the Devil
under my pen name, I thought I’d share a photo of my inspiration for my hero in Redemption for the Devil.
He has longer hair than this in my mind in the story but ain’t he pretty?
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Post Number 100
28 Jun 2010 4 Comments
in stories, Uncategorized Tags: Alan Rickman
Don’t really have anything to say but I noticed this was post #100 and I wanted to memorialize the occasion by saying hi and reminding you all of the inspiration for most of the heroes in my fiction work.
Another just because picture
Alan- Just because
Alan as I picture him as Liam in "Redemption for the Devil"
Alan as I picture him as Angus in novella "Gray's Inn"
Alan as Alec in novella "Weekend at Upper Eaves"
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Neglect
10 Dec 2009 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: 1920s, Alan Rickman, annual reports, characters, day job, Liam, NaNoWriMo, prohibition
I’ve been neglecting this little blog a bit. I’m sorry. Life has gotten away from me lately. Am in the throes of year end reporting for the day job and have had no energy for anything else. Shamed to say that I have not gotten back to my NaNo work since I hit the word count. I’m falling down on the job here! My characters have probably moved across the country in a land grab and I dont even know it. Ah. The 1920s, so much opportunity for trouble. Even in the midst of prohibition!
Leaving you with some eye candy for the time being- Yes. Liam From my NaNo book is Irish but here is a guy in a kilt for you (Still on the British Isles) 
