Inside the Brain of E.C. Henry

27 Dresses Movie Review: The Whole Doesn't Always Equal the Sum of Its Parts; Exploring Issues in Rom-Com Movies Volume 31

Watched "27 Dresses" (2008: Director Anne Fletcher, Writer: Aline Brosh McKenna) for the 2nd time last weekend.  Did go out and see this one when it was theatrically released, but didn't remember too much about it.  So going in I was pretty distant and opened minded.  

So was it good?  Like the way my opinion of "Crazy, Stupid, Love" changed after validating it after a 2nd viewing2nd viewing?  Or was as it "Because I Said So" bad?  Sadly, upon a second viewing I'd hafta side with the latter.  Lemme explain why.

The whole isn't always better as a sum of its parts.  

Let's start out with the lead actress in "27 Dresses".  Katherine Heigl is a PHENOMENAL lead actress.  In "27 Dresses" Katherine Heigl plays Jane, a woman who carry's the torch for her boss, George (played by Edward Burns).  But over the course of the movie a new love interest takes over, Kevin (played by the incredibly handsome James Marsden).  Huge crush on James Marsden -- and no, I'm not gay!  I just recognize the obvious, he's a total hunk!  Over the course of the movie it becomes rather obvious that Kevin is the right man for Jane, and that she needs to get over her unhealthy infatuation with George. 

"27 Dresses" is a female lead, weighted romantic comedy (see link for further discussion what that term means).  Meaning that the story focuses primarily on Jane's dilemma and doesn't touch on Kevin's very much, and almost totally dismisses George's story. 

O-kay.  So when looking at a romantic comedy character's are typically king.  Besides Joan, Kevin and George who else is there?  Well, there's Tess Jane's younger sister.  Tess is played by Malin Akerman, a very gifted actress who has considerable experience doing rom-coms: Lila in "The Heartbreak Kid" (2007: Bobby and Peter Farrelly) opposite Ben Stiller, Ronnie in "Couples Retreat" (2009)" opposite Vince Vaughn, Gertrude the female romantic thwart for Ryan Reynold's character in "The Proposal" (2009: Sandra Bullock).

Speaking of a movie's magic point, the area of movie where it gets "good" and there's something genuinely pleasing about the movie (see "magic point" link to earlier post for further explanation) Tess is where "27 Dresses" gets good.  Yes, she's a romantic twart, but I was drawn into her, and I bought her character above all else in this movie.  Tess was the younger sister of Jane who was kind of a floozy who comes back to New York after a failed tryst and is ready to meet her next man, and mabye settle down.  Tess was fascinating.  Maybe that's an indictmentof sorts on the other characters: Jane, Kevin and George, and even Judy Greer's Casey (Jane's sacrcastic buddy from work), but in this movie Tess EASILY emerges as the most intersing character of the bunch.  Tess subversively hooks George, then gets exposed, eats some humble pie, then comes back as new version of herself, and in the last scene of the movie re-presents herself to George, and he smiles at her.  Winner!  Now, that worked for me.  That's where the story in "27 Dresses" got good.

But hey, this movie also had Judy Greer in it.  How'd she do?  Thumbs down.  One of the worst buddy characters I can remember seeing.  Typically the buddy character infuses some humor into the drama.  Not the case with Judy Greer's Casey.  Miss-fire at the writing level.  Come on guys, you can go better than that; this is Judy Greer we're talking about here.  Lucy Wyman from "13 Going on 30".  Anywho, Casey is a very boring character who only seams to exist to put pressure on Jane to confront George with Jane's not-so-secret torch that she carries for him.  

Making matters worse.  George is even a worse character than Casey.  The writers severely underwrit George's role.  He comes and goes in spots.  Has a few encounters with Jane, all of which are boring, and is given little to do.  George in underdeveloped at the story level and rest of the movie suffers for it.  Sure, George is the "wrong guy" for Jane, and the story is supposed have Jane eventually chose Kevin above George.  I get that, and I'm not saying the story should have been different in that regard.  But George doesn't feel at all believable.  He doesn't seam like a real person.  I didn't buy his character at all.  The only scene that I like with George was the one where Tess re-presented herself to him at Jane and Kevin's wedding at the end of the movie and George smilled at her, indicating that he still liked Tess and may be willing to start over with her.  That was good.  Rest of George; bad. 

I have mixed feelings about James Marsden's Kevin character.  His job as some sort of wedding reporter was a real stretch for me.  And ALL of his opinions about weddings and such, came across a very boring.  His persuit of Jane's affections were so-so, but I did like the bar scene where he and Jane got drunk and eventually ended up romping in their car.  Kevin wasn't real bad, but he wasn't real good either.  His job angle reminded me of Kate Hudson/Babe Newerth in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" but it wasn't nearly as interesting.  Another black mark on his movie.  

"27 Dresses" Summary Card:

1. Katherine Heigl's Jane: good.  Always love watching her act, and she holds her own in this movie.
2. Edward Burn's George: very bad!  Undeveloped "wrong guy". 
3. Judy Greer's Casey: very, very bad!  Not funny, didn't seam real, only seamed to exist to give Jane advice about George.
4. Marlin Akerman's Tess: very good!  Jane's romantic rival was very believable and for my money nearly saves the film.  I bought her character hook, line, and sinker.
5. James Marsden's Kevin: kinda bad.  Bought the budding romance with Jane, didn't buy his job at the newspaper.  
6. The story: sold / good.  I thought the story behind "27 Dresses" was very solid.  A life-long wedding enthusiast is suddenly forced to take a deeper look at her convctionsas a result of her own love-life new trials.  Bought the romance between Jane and Kevin.  Really liked the complication the Tess character brings as she sweeps George off his feet.  The story's structure was sound, it made sense.  Did think a higher onus needed to be placed on the comedy aspect of this script.  "27 Dresses" lacks set-piece laughs.  I think this story needed a few more comedy passes to draw the potential humor in the scenes.  

"27 Dresses": the whole doesn't always equal the sum of the parts.  You can have a great cast, but if the romantic comedy script doesn't have enough believable characters and comedy in it, that can torpedo what on the surface looks poised to be hailed as one of the all-time greats. 

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

P.S. Yesterday I finished the 1st draft of "The Commune II".  Yay!!  It came in at 152 pages.  Yikes, not the 120 pages or less required, BUT it's a start.  Tomorrow I'll start with the editing process.  Already got some ideas how to shave the page count down.  But I also realize I need to hone the story with an emphasis on character arc.  Gots lots of villains in this one, a diverse batch of villains.  But you know what that means, gotta focus on the main protagonist and why an audience would care for him and her -- yes, in this one I do have a female protagonist too!  Can't wait to share more about "The Commune II" in the days and weeks to come.  Stay tuned!

The Schlub Rom-com Movie Lead Type: Exploring Issues in Rom-com Movies Volume 30

When I stop and think about the rom-com genre sometimes I think about the classification of the characters.  From what point of view, or place in society are they coming from?  One common "type" in the rom-comdomis the schlub character. 

But what exactly is a "schlub"?   Time to check a few sources... 

From the on-line Yiddish slang dictionary site:

Schlub: a stupid, unattractive, clumsy person.  That has the extra connotation of being uncultured and uneducated; akin to hick or yodel.  Comes from a Polish word from which we drive the term slob.  

From the Oxford on-line dictionary:

Schlub: a talentless, unatractive, boorish person (North American informal noun)

From my mom:

Schlub: someone who misses something.  {Then she added I WASN'T a schlub, thanks mom!   :-)  }

Okay, so how does this translate into the movies?  Well-p, I think the "schlub" type male lead in a romantic comedy has been done MANY times by a plethora of actors:

Jason Segal in "The 5 year Engagement"

Seth Rogen in "Knocked Up"

Ben Stiller in "There's Something About Mary", "Night at the Museum", "Meet the Fockers." And though I can't really say Derek Zoolanderis a schlub character, he's more of idot/dolt character I can't help but submit this image here because I think it's funny:

Steve Carell in "Dinner for Schmucks" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"

Keith Gordon as Jason Mellon in "Back to School" (1986)

Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman in "Weekend at Bernie's" (1989)

Michael Cera as Paulie Bleaker in "Juno" (2007)

Jesse Eisenberg in "Adventureland" (2009)

Jack Black: "School of Rock", "Nacho Libre", "Shallow Hal"

 I think the schlub character is a very important one -- that's why I posted on it, dumbass!  A schlub is an underdog, an average to below average every-day-Joe that an  audience can root for/pull to see them overcome the obstacles in their path, which usually is a more idealized male their their own self.  My favorite actor as a schlub?  That's easy, Ben Stiller. 

Something about Ben just works for me.  I thinks it's his quiet, contented look.  Anyway through Ben Stiller's vast lexicon of work as an actor in the movies he's earned in me the benefit of the doubt, and when I watch him in action, I'm ready to laugh.  And he's not goofy looking.  He's just kinda average with a twist of likability, an underdog I can readily root for.

The schlub type isn't the only kind of lead man who can helm a rom-com.  Here's some other male lead, rom-com "types" and actors who have played them:

Tough guy: Gerald Butler in "The Ugly Truth", Gerald Depardu in "Green Card" (1990).

On-top of the world hunk: Matthew McConahuey in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days", Ryan Gosling in "Crazy, Stupid, Love", Will Smith in "Hitch".

Nerd: Micheal Anthony Hall in "16 Candles", Robert Caradine in "Revenge of the Nerds", Dan Monahan who played "Pee Wee" in "Porky's" (1982).

Talkative oversensitive guy: Hugh Grant in just about every movie he's ever been in.

Middle class worker: Bill Pullman in "While You Were Sleeping", Mark Wallberg in "Ted", Ryan Reynolds in "The Proposal," Tom Hanks in "Sleepless in Seattle".     

Disturbed/mental case: Jim Carrey in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,"  Bradley Cooper in "Silver Linings Playbook," Adam Sandler in "Punch Drunk Love".

Wise-cracking jackass: Vince Vaughn in just about everything he's ever done, Billy Crystal, Rodney Dangerfield.

Adventurer: Michael Douglas in "Romancing the Stone", Mathew McConahuey in "Fool's Gold".

   

BUT all that said, I think the schlub is the most commonly used "type" of lead actor role emplored in the history of romantic comedies.  WHY?  You've gotta start paying attention, Holmes!  It's because that character type is ripe for an audience to empathize and root for.  Why root for Matthew McConahuey and Ryan Gossling?  Fuckers like that have ALWAYS gotten the girls -- and usually at MY FUCKING EXPENSE.  Yeah, I'm not to happy about that.  When I was in high school guess what side of the have's and have not's fence I was on as pertains to scoring hot chicks?!?

But back to the schlub...  Steve Carrell's "Andy" in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" was the best conceived, original take on the "schlub" type as a lead in romantic comedy.  The whole plot was about Andy getting "help".  Andy may not have been perfect, but he was perfectly conceived and brought to life by Judd Apatow and Steve Carrell.  The best schlub, lead character, of all time in the movies... in my opinion.   

So in conclusion just let me say, that many Hollywood rom-coms implore the schlub type as a lead.  It's a very common type of person, and a very import type for writers and enthusiasts in the genre to familiarize themselves with.  If nothing else I hope I've given you something to think about.

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

P.S. ALMOST done with the 1st draft of "The Commune II."  The main, last set-piece is written, now I just have to wrap things up.  Should have it done in a day or so.  THEN it's on to the re-write, AND I think I'm going to start work on an animated, coming-of-age script.  Very excited about that.  I really wanna write something innocent.  I don't wanna be known as a "dark" writer.  YES, I can do horror -- if need be, BUT that's NOT what I want to be known for, FYI.

Remembering Gary Shusett: Hollywood's Loveable Curmudgeon

Gary Shusett was a trip.  In the limited time I got to be around him I took a liking to how he conducted himself.  And it is with a heavy heart that I learned earlier this week by visiting the Sherwood Oaks Experimental College Website that Gary Shusett passed away after a battle with cancer.  Gary lived from 1941 to August 9, 2013.  

The Gary Shusett I knew, from limited time in three Sherwood Oak outreach events, was a curmudgeon -- with a distinct Hollywood twist.   Lemme explain.

At every Sherwood Oaks Experimental College event I went to Gary offered his critique services of any student willing to give their logline and a brief pitch about the script they were trying to sell.  In almoast every case Gary would not even allow the student to finish ONE sentence, before he interrupted with how they could improve or immediately distill what was wrong with their presentation.  

The way Gary could immediately shoot down a person -- yet still add something and give them a takeaway that they could later use, was both very funny and interesting at the same time.  And there was one asshole at one of these events, a self-confident, smug, son-of-a-bitch, that I especially enjoyed watch Gary depants and shred to bits during one of these sessions. 

I never got my "big breakthrough" though attending a SherwoodOaks event.  Most SherwoodOaks events promised contact with Hollywood players.  But I almost always got the sense that none of these people were seriously looking for new projects from those attending screenwriters.  I never made a connection through a Sherwood Oaks event that changed my life, and was often times disappointed by the line-up they said they advertised only to have most of the heary hitters be no-shows.  Like Lynda Obst when we went to Sony Studios.  Shit, for that I even bought an Ipod with all my spec. script soundtracts that I was hoping to give to Lynda in effort to get her to consent to reading some of my romantic comedies.  Sigh...  Disappointment.  Got a lot of that going to Sherwood Oaks events.  Just being honest.  Just being real.

But Gary Shusett, the subject of this post, was a interesting person.  And I will miss him.  And wish I could have gotten to know him better.  Gary founded the Sherwood Oaks Experimental College, which was I started out as an actual training place for a while, but then morphed into place for contact for those wishing to enter Hollywood and getting to go on studio and meet actual Hollywood players; which is what brought me into contact with Gary.

Gary Shusett is the brother of Ron Shusett who was involved the movies: "Alien" (1979: Ridley Scott, Sigourney Weaver), and "Total Recall" (1990: Arnold Swartzenegger).  Gotta be hard to follow in the footsteops of a brother who knew such high success.  

Overstepping my bounds alert.  I see a lot of my own struggles with younger brouther in Gary's relationship with Ron.  Me and my brother are near polar opposites.  Me, trying to portray the image of the dashing older brother, while my brother is way more the salt-of-the-earth type.  

I don't know this to be a fact, but I surmise that Gary Shusett didn't have the inner talent to be a Hollywood player, BUT Gary didn't let that stop him, and by sheer force of will mixed with a blend of selflessness Gary Shusett carved out his own nitch in Tinseltown.  And in many ways that's more noble than having a lot of talent where everything is a lot more easier for you to find success.  I think Gary had a lot of exposure to highly famous people, and he wanted to belong with them.  Maybe I'm overstepping my bounds, but that's what my gut tells me.  Gary wanted to belong in Hollywood; he wanted a place at the table.  Lacking the traditional means of getting there, Gary got there a different way; Gary persued Hollywood's elect to teach to his students.

Did Gary really have a passion to see his students succeed?  Fuck, I don't know.  If he did I sure didn't see it.  He never stuck his neck out for me.  He could have hooked me up -- but he didn't!  Shit, I even gave him one of my one-sheets for his consideration when he was playing the role of a producer at one of his Sherwood Oaks event.  Never heard back from him on that...  So was Gary really passionate about seeing his students succeed.  Hmmm... from my own personal experience with him, I'd have to say, no.  You go to Sherwood Oaks event for one reason -- you want to get discovered!

Gary Shusett was a lovable curmudgeon.  He was high energy.  Jittery.  Dressed in a suit, yet looking a discheveled.  Not a glamorous personal at all, YET Gary prided himself on the famous people he could get to attend Sherwood Oaks events.  See the inherent contradiction there?  Scruffy guy yet able to land Hollywood's elect.  Pretty interesting dichotomy.  Makes you wonder how he managed to pull of such a feat for so many years.

I had the opportunity to drive Gary about to a SherwoodOaks destination on one of their outings.  And one night after one of those outing got to drive him home, and we went out for pizza together.  I filled the bill and bought Gary what he wanted: a cheese pizza and tea.  Strange combo, eh?  Well, that's what I thought when he asked for it.  Me, on the other hand, starting drinking a pitcher of Budweiser and had a Italian sausage pizza.  I was bound and determined that night to live out my out my own fantasy: eat and drink with a Hollywood player in at a restaurant where we talk about breaking down my scripts.  Well, the night didn't play-out that way...

Wish I hadn't drank at all that night so I could have had a clear mind to hear WHATEVER Gary had to say.  There was a glimmer of joy in Gary's eyes as he told me about a movie he wanted to make.  It was some kind of retro 60s thing, a kid following a circus caravan.  But what I think Gary was really telling me was his own story; a guy followed behind the movies from a distance and just wanted to be included.  It was in the subtext I got from him, and though I was drinking, I wasn't too far gone to take home this message: Gary just wanted to be part of the circus.  This was the night before I was due to fly back to Washington, and I had been drinking so I kinda cut Gary off and told him I had to leave, evenhough Gary was in high spirits that night and was willing to talk longer.  Sigh.  I should have let Gary go and and on, sucked it up, realizing that opportunities like that; to sit at Gary's feet and just learn from him don't come around everyday.  Once in a lifetime really.      

Gary, rest in peace, old friend.  You will always have a place at the table.  You do not have to be exactly like your brother to be liked and respected.  You carved out your own niche and did things your own way.  I will always respect the man you became, and honor the legacy you carved out for yourself.  It's not easy to badger people, but I'm so glad you did.  Because of Gary unique skill-set many of us wannabes out there got to go inside the castle and got to see the people behind the movies.  

I think Gary had a hard life.  Hopefully, along the way he found some joy in his journey.  There was a lot to like about Gary Shusett when you stop and think about why he did what he did, and what he willing to do to belong in Hollywood.  

So in Gary's passing will Sherwood Oaks Experimental College continue?  I hope not.  Sherwood Oaks Experimental College was Gary's baby, and I don't think anyone can do what he did.  No offense to Chistine Owens, but if I were you I'd bag Sherwood Oaks and set sail to to follow your own dreams -- not someone else's.  I think Christine Owens belongs on set as a production assistant.  She has the organizational skills, and interpersonal pzaz to pull that off.  I saw flashes of that in the way she kept the Sherwood Oaks events going.  I think the longer she stays at Sherwood Oaks Experimental College the longer she delays her own destiny.  No discredit to her, it's just she's not internally wired to be the next Gary Shusett.  

So why shouldn't Sherwood Oaks Experimental College live on until infinity?  I mean come on E.C. doesn't the pre-pro NEED outlets like Sherwood Oaks Experimental College?  YES, we do.  But I don't think anyone in this modern era can do as good a job as Gary Shusett did.  For starters that guy earned his strips in by-gone era.  A new badgerer of talent is not going to be put-up with the way that Gary Shusett was put-up with.  Gary earned his street cred.  And that's no disrespect to Christine or anyone else who tries to fill Gary's shoes.  You just can't.  Gary was unique, and what he was willing to do to have a place at the table is uber unique, and I don't think anyone has that unique dispostion to do what he did, or put up with what he did for over 40 years.  But I would like to see some new outreach to Hollywood come into being and do the same thing that Sherwood Oaks Experimental College did.  It's just time for a fresh approach to that.

I never got to know Gary Shusett in the early years.  Would have like to know him earlier in his life.  There is so much to like about Gary Shusett.  The brother of someone highly talented, who overcame own limitations and carved out a niche for himself in a very competitive and hostile Tinseltown environment.  And I think it was that subtext of Gary Shusett that people in the Industry responded to.  The saw how hard he fought to be in their midst, the limbs that Gary was willing to go out on, and they respected that.  A singleness of vision, a determination to make it in hostile waters.  Gary's was the underdog's story writing itself in their midst in uncoventionable fashion.        

Gary Shusett; Hollywood's lovable curmudgeon.  Rest in peace.  You will always have a place at the table.  I love you.  We love you.  You will be missed.      

Crazy, Stupid, Love: An Essay in Romantic Disillusionment; Exploring Issues in Rom-com Movies Volume XXVIIII

Seems to me I remember a time when one of the major gripes with the romantic comedy genre was that it was too "pie in the sky", wish-fulfillment fantasy fluff, primary targeting women.  But in recent years as my lexicon, savvy, and knowledge base of the romantic comedy genre has grown I'm finding more and more of these movies are quite deep and actually deal with issues and have subliminal, well deveopled, themes.  And after a 2nd viewing I definitely found such a movie in  "Crazy, Stupid, Love." (2011: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore).

There are three main love stories that are interwoven in this gem of a movie.  The primary love story is marriage in mid-life crisis between Cal and Emily Weaver, played by Steve Carell and Julianne Moore respectively.  The 2nd love story is an emerging romance between bar playboy Jacob Palmer, and a romantic-hope-dashed young woman named Hannah; played by Ryan Gossling and Emma Stone, respectively.  The 3rd love story comes in form of a high school aged girl, Jessica (Analeigh Tipton) and a junior high school aged boy, Robbie Weaver (Jonah Bobo) who deal with their own romantic infatuations; Robbie is infatuated with Jessica, BUT Jessica is infatuated with Robbie's father, Cal Weaver.

All three romantic stories work.  And all three deal with the theme of romantic disillusionment.

Hey, wait a minute, romantic disillusionment?  I thought romantic comedies were light fare that only dealt with fluff and wish fulfillment?  Well, even in this gem of a movie, there is SOME wish fulfillment, and that comes via the Ryan Gossling, Jesse character.  A total male hottie in the vein of Mathew McConahuey, dude is a beacon of male sexuality.  The kind of guy who just can't keep a shirt on, and girl's are dying to look at his chest.  And YES there is a scene in the movie where Ryan goes shirtless.  Total eye candy for heterosexual females.

Ahem.  Ladies.  Time to get back on point.  Rom-com's CAN deal with issues, and actually have themes.

The main couple, Cal and Emily, are facing a moment of crisis at the beginning of the movie: Emily has just asked Cal for a divorce and discloses that she's slept with another man, David Linghagen, an associate she knows from work.  Emily is disillusion with Cal, which leads Cal on a soul searching quest of his own; a disillusioned Cal re-enters the bar scene dating foray, where he meets playboy Jacob.  

Jacob and Emily face disillusionment from different perspectives.  Jacob's character arc is very fresh, a nice discovery that the writer of "Crazy, Stupid, Love", Dan Fogelman, should take a lot of pride in.  When we first meet Jacob he appears as this very cold, womanizer.  A guy who can just pick-up any old girl he so chooses.  BUT later in the script, as Jacob warms up to Hannah, a big reveal is made on how Jacob got the way he got.  And I bought that, and it worked for me.  

Jacob's romantic disillusionmentcomes from his mother.  The way he carries himself is a reflection of the way he was brought up.  He needs the warm-hearted blabbermouth Hannah to bring him out of the cold shell that his mother set him up to live in.  That's some BRILLIANT work there, screenwriter Dan Fogelman.  And how he set that up so that the audience would be suprised by this character was genius.  I can't say enough about the subtle work Dan Fogelman did here.  And, yes, this done at the script level.  It is done so a mature audience would see it and put the pieces together themselves.  An adult romantic comedy.  

Hannah (Emma Stone's character) romantic disillusionmentis not nearly as interesting as Jacob's, but it's there none-the-less; she's disappointed that her boyfriend of some time isn't even close to asking her to marry her.  Hannah has been waisting her time with the wrong guy, she's disillusioned and is determined to rebound immediately.  Enter Ryan Gossling.  Every girl should be so lucky to "rebound" with a hunk like that.  Their is your genre pandering, wish fullfilment angle.

The  3rd romantic storyline in "Crazy, Stupid, Love." deals with teenagers foray into love with the wrong person.  The high schooler Jessica loves Cal, who she babysits for.  The middle schooler Robbie Weaver has his heart set on winning Jessica over, and constantly goes overboard and beyond the realm of good taste in expressing his feelings for Jessica.  Jessica and Robbie's determination to show the object of their affection there feeling border on side of destructive.  Jessica resorts to taking nude picture of herself and giving them in a card to Cal.  Robbie makes public declarations of his love to Jessica at school that clearly make her feel uncomfortable.  Both teenagers appear bound for heartache, or romantic disillusionment. 

"Crazy, Stupid, Love." is a brilliant romantic comedy.  This is the kind of movie that is actually WAY BETTER the 2nd time you view it.  This story has a lot of balls up in the air.  It has a lot of funny character moments too.  Like Robbie's english teacher, Kate Taffety (played by Marisa Tomei), who one night while looking for love has a tryst with Cal, that later gets exposed at a teacher/parent conference.  

I could go on and on about this movie, "Crazy, Stupid, Love." their is so much to like about it.  First and foremest I love that this is an adult-based romantic comedy.  It deals with issues that adults can relate too.

1. A marriage in crisis: Cal and Emily Weaver after years of marrage are on the cusp of divorce after Emily has an extra-marital affair with a co-worker.
2. How a man can escape the cold bonds of himself, and experience the magic of a romantic relationship that goes beyond a one-night stand sexual relationship.
3. Dangerous teenage infatuations.   The dangers of loving the wrong person, and not being emotionally developed enough to see those pratfalls.

Wow!  Three deep issues dealt with in the same movie.  Is this really a romantic comedy?  Check it out, Holmes.  Dan Fogelman is a brilliant writer, and all the cast members put in fine performances.  Romantic disillusionment, who'd a thought such a theme could work in a romantic comedy?  The rom-com genre is ripe with surprises.  And "Crazy, Stupid, Love." is one of those surprises.  A pleasant surprise, well worth a 2nd viewing.     

P.S. I'm writing this post early Monday morning on the eve of a deteriorating situation at work that has me worried I may show up to work today and get fired; part of that comes from problems with coworkers and part of that is the fact that the company I'm working for isn't selling as my many parts as they used to (ah the ebb and flow of specialized manufacturing).  O and my brother just hit a deer with his car! 

P.S.S. Still hard at work on "The Commune II" 137 + pages into a first draft...  But it should end soon.  Got a lot of "darlings to kill" and story honing to do.  Will take at least 4-5 drafts before I have a story I feel good enough to show.  Yeah, I got some good stuff in it now, but I tend to write a put a lot of characters in my stories.  And them be the "darlings" that I need to kill...  Writing is re-writing. 

P.S.S.S. I'm thinking of updating this blog with a new sidebar of my best posts.  Will probably do that in the next two weeks or so.

P.S.S.S.S. With the Lord's help I was able to fix my mom's dryer this weekend.  The heating element burned out.  Was surprised at how easy it was to diagnose and find the problem.  In the knob area of the dryer was a wiring schematic of the dryer, that really helped.  And I was able to buy a new element from a place near where I work. 

P.S.S.S.S.S.  Calvary Community Church had a guest pastor give the sermon yesterday and he did a great job.  I feel in my heart a deepening desire to follow Jesus and get to know Him better.  So weird how in this life that comes and goes, when it should always be my primary focus.  Because without God their is no life.  Point: live deep, and make knowing and communing with God a priority in your life.

Life is Best When You're Living it with Friends

O if I had to do it all over again how I'd do things differently.  I would have went to film school and instead of worrying about grades, I'd worry about making a film with my friends.

Look at those bastards from NBC's old hit TV show "Friends."  Does a one of look unhappy?  Fuck no!  And why are they happy?  They have friends.  They have each other, and one of 'em even gets to sleep with Jennifer Aniston.  (Juvenile) He-he-he.  

Ya know I NEVER got roped in by NBC's "Friends", it never really struck a chord with me or was funny enough for me to warrant waisting any amount of timing watching it.  LA-OVED "Sienfeld", "The Office" and "30 Rock", and even "Parks and Recreation" and "Community" too a lesser extent, but "Friends" was never "must see" TV for me.  

BUT I love the premise, friends!  Yeah, buddies you can share your life with, and maybe even get to bag Jennifer Aniston for time-to-time.  (More juvenile) He-he-he.

This very blog itself is a daily reminder of how big of a fuck-up I really am.  Over 140 posts now and only 19 responses -- and about half of that total is me thanking the few that ever bothered to respond.  That's fucked-up.  

Yes, I get down on myself all the time for my lack of a social life.  Sometimes I try to soothe my soul by trying to convince myself that's just part of the territory when you want to be a writer: solitude.  Fuck that, miseryis no way to live.  Their's gotta be a better way of living than the way I'm living now. 

Was man meant to be a solitary creature?  I say no.  I say God crafted us all to be connected to each other in some capacity.  

If I had to do it all over again I would make a film with my friends.  That would be my A, # 1 goal.  Not selling a spec. script.  Not making a name for myself.  I would have liked to make a movie with my friends.  Thankfully I have some scripts that would do the trick, my dark urban drama, "The Judas Project" and "Give It Up for Chimpy."  Too bad I never had the friends to do something like that with.  But that's one of drawback of being a fuck-up; people generally don't want to be around you.

And the sad thing is, though need people in my life, I constantly reject them too.  The older I get the harder it is for me to connect with people that have families of their own. 

It's like I'm trapped in Alonesville -- and I'm the one responsible for the perpetual snowstrom that keeps me trapped inside away from everyone else!

Guess a lot of this post comes from latest lament; my desire to make a movie.  That's right I now actually want to make a movie.  After reading this book I really want to try my hand at editing film and syncing dialog and adding in music.  Sure, I'm still writing, one of these days I'll finish a draft of that pesky dark, shoot 'em up, sci-fi I'm working on, "The Commune II".  I think I'm at page 139 now, got about 10-15 pages to go.  Don't worry this is a first draft, and I know I have some serious honing to do, that's part of my problem; while writing the first draft I'm already comprising lists of this script's problems... 

Writing = a commitment to perpetual misery.

Naw, I don't believe that.  I do feel the magic of writing from time-to-time.  BUT there are a lot of down days that they don't tell you about in the brochure.

Friends.  Enjoy them if you got them.  Wish I had them, cause if I did I'd be a happier person.

Criteria for Grading Romantic Comedies and Why Some Rom-Com's Don't Make the Cut: Exploring Issues in Rom-Com Movies Volume XXVIII

Ever wonder what thoughts creep through the mind of a pretentious fuck like me who dares to rank the top 25 romantic comedy movies of all-time -- and even include an additional 5 -- where you don't even have (what some people herald as) classics such as "When Harry Met Sally," "Groundhog Day", "Shakespeare in Love", "Some Like It Hot", or "Moonstruck"  ANYWHERE on that list?!  Rue the day.  Who does this pretentious prick think he is?  Says he loves the genre -- yet his list doesn't match up with other people's lists?  Ahhh, the audacity?  Does this guy know jack shit about anything?!

Everyone has two things: an opinion, and an asshole.  And some people's personality are a definite combination of the two.  But I digress...

Just kidding there folks.  Trying to infuse a little levity into the subject matter.  With the hopes that broaching this subject doesn't lead to something like this: 

But seeing as we're all rational adults, no need to resort to this.  Let's try reasoning this out.  Let's start by assessing the guy making these lists.

I, E.C. Henry, am a pre-pro screenwriter.  Which means that I am trying to write feature length scripts that are movies.  I am very passionate about one genre in particular, that being: the romantic comedy.  NO, I do not always write in the romantic comedy genre.  I don't think it's in any writer's best interest to JUST focus on one genre.  Rather, I write where the stories in my head take me.  Not always romantic comedy, wish it were that I'd probably be a happier person. 

I, E.C. Henry, DO NOT profess to be a know-it-all when it comes to romantic comedies.  Nor do I even wish to watch every romantic comedy, especially the old stuff.  (More to come on that)

I, E.C. Henry, am very passionate about the romantic comedy genre because in my heart and mind I believe it is the most important movie genre of them all.  As through watching them the audience sees a fictional take what it's like to love someone.  What it's like to love.  And what it's like to be loved.  Very powerful stuff.  Stuff that I don't think gets enough conscious thought about.  Just sayin'.

Because I'm so passionate about the genre, this passion (hopefully) leaks out in this blog I've created.  There are specific reasons why I feel so strongly about the romantic comedy movies I think are the best.  They are not willy-nilly, half-baked, no-thought-went-into-this reasons.   And I do not impose them on you, and say you must look at romantic comedy movies the way I do.  That's totally unfair, and more apt if way we were all living in Nazi Germany or some totalitarian society like that.  We're not.  You're entitled to think the way you so chose.  I just hope that in reading my post about the romantic comedy movie genre it rouses your own passion for the romantic comedy genre.  Why?  Haven't you been listening to a goddamn thing I've said!?!?  The romantic comedy is an important genre; through it we learn how to love...

So how does E.C. Henry grade a romantic comedy movie?

Well, for starters E.C. Henry doesn't have an official grading sheet.  It's more intuitive.   And lately I'm changing in the way I look at romantic comedies.  Now started to put an added emphasis on how I react to them after a 2nd and 3rd viewing.  Sometimes a second viewing changes your perspective, sometimes not.  I was hoping that by watching "Prometheus" a bunch of times my perspective of it would change.  I was hoping I'd actually like it more.  But alas that didn't happen.  Some movies are actually worse the 2nd time you watch them, "Because I Said So" comes to mind.  BUT what is really amazing is that movie that you watch over, and over, and over again and is still good and doesn't feel like a waste of time.   There are only about 4-5 rom-coms that stand the test of time -- for me that is.  And I could rave about these movies for hours if you'd let me.

And like I eluded to, there is no checklist when I watch a movie.  Rather it's how the movie moves me.

Factors E.C. Henry does and does not consider when evaluating romantic comedy movies:

1. Does this movie move me at an emotional level?  Does the romantic plight register with me on a personal level?  Can I identify with the theme and character arcs.  
2. Forget formal teaching when evaluating a movie.  Sure, you can reverse engineer a well-made movie and study its plot points, structure and the way it advances the genre and all that shit.  But LOVING a movie goes beyond an academic case-study.  If you compose a list of your favorite rom-coms based what you value leaning off them, this shows  a very low level of actual love and appreciation for the genre.  Sorry to be blunt, but it's true.  Some people just study a romantic comedy to see how it ticks.  But in taking an anatamy approach they miss the real magic of the genre.
3. Is the female lead hot?   YES, this a consideration.  And if the female is not hot, you've got a real serious issue to deal with in selling romance to me.  Guys like hot women.  In a romantic comedy movie it is very important to actually see the main heroine as being attractive.  
4. Is the male lead annoying?  I have watched a lot of romantic comedies where the male character lead "rubbed me the wrong way" and because I didn't like him, I devalued the rest of the ride the movie took me on.
5. Is the movie too sappy?  Is it too serious with not enough comedy?  I'm not talking normal story beats, cause I'll easily buy into most of those.  But if you try to get to cute with me and be sentimental, I just start squirming about, and it's no longer a fun ride for me.  
6. Is there enough comedy? It's called a romantic comedy for a reason.  And for me it is FAAAR more important that a romantic comedy be funny than romantic.  
7. Does the movie feel too predictable?  You can have a well-plotted out rom-com, but does it have SOME thrills to, or does it follow the same course as other movies?  Is the movie boring?  
8. Do the supporting characters add anything to movie going experience?  YES, your supporting cast matters.  What they do matters.  Not that I'm expecting their every move to be an extension of the main characters, but are they interesting?  Do they seam believable, or just as function characters occupying space.   
9. Is the movie cinematic?  I do not wanna watch two people jiber-jabber at each other for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  I like movies that break-up the natural tendencies and have physical humor in them, and have cinematic moments and creative camera shots. 
10. Does the "buzz" factor actully work against the movie?  If so many people say it's great, it better be great.  Ultimately, the movie has to deliver.  I'm not a robot, and regardless how many people rave or pooh-pooh about a given movie ultimately I judge it based on what I think, not by what someone else thinks. 
11. Does the movie insult your sensitives?  Too raunchy for too long a time?  Too pornographic?  If that's the case, yes, I will tune you out.
12. Does the age of the movie work against it?  Classics of old mean little to me.  Yes, maybe they help set the bar and became forerunners for later, better movies, BUT that's not enough to warrant me watching them.  And, yes, I do have a bias against old movies.  That bias is this, I can't stand the way actors and actresses of old recited their lines so emotionlessly, like they were reading the phone book.  Limited emotion when speaking is a big turn-off for me. 

A lot of people think, "When Harry Met Sally" is a romantic comedy classic.  But it didn't crack my top 30 because of reasons: 1, 2, 4, and 10. 

A lot of people think, "Groundhog Day" is a romantic comedy classic.  But it didn't crack my top 30 because of reasons: 1, 3 and 4.

"Shakespeare in Love" won Academy awards, but it didn't crack my top 30 because of reasons: 1, 5, 6, 8, and 10.

"Moonstruck" likewise was heralded as a giant in the genre, but it didn't crack my top 30 because of reasons: 1, 6 and 8.

"Something about Marry" was a trend-setting movie.  A real launching off point for the raunch-com, yet it didn't crack by top 30 for reasons: 1, 10 and 11.

"Some Like it Hot" never saw it, and have no plans to ever see it.  Thus unless compelling factors draw me to watch it will never make an all-time best list of mine.  It suffers from reasons: 1 and 12.

See any similarities of the rom-com movies I've sited?  Reasons why the didn't make my all-time list?  Try reason # 1, dumbass; they failed to connect with me on an emotional level.  Or in other words, they're movies I really don't give a fuck about. 

You gotta make me care!!! 

Get me to care, then a whole world of possibilities opens up to you...  Who know I may gush about your movie like gushed about rom-coms such as: "13 Going on 30", "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days," and "Dan in Real Life".

How do you get me to care?  Make a good movie.  Have a theme I can relate too, and draws me in.  Couple that with exciting, sexy leads who are funny in various scenes.  It's not real hard to reel me in and get me to like your romantic comedy movie.  And trust me, I have a wide bandwidith of what I consider to be great romantic comedies. 

Never claimed to be the guardian of the genre.  Merely, a excitable spectator; an eager participant.  No, I have never had one of my romantic comedy scripts made into a movie -- yet!  But, if you read ANY of my scripts, there is some level of romance in them. 

Well-p, I've said enough.  If you have comments please leave them comment section below.

Another Month in the Books

My-my how time flys.  Its now AUGUST 2013.  July kinda sucked for me.  Looking forward to working on our property with my dad and whoever else is willing.  FUCK the heat.  Shit needs to get done.  One of these days I'm going to post some picture of my dad's property and all the work that needs to get done. 

My dad turns 68 on Friday, and I got this itch my heart that I need to be taking the mantle more and improving things.  Big drawback, I'm all that handy.  Willing to work?  Yes, sometimes...  But fuck man when it comes to all the shit that needs to get done arroundhere, I'm in over my head: new roof, re-stain the house, STILL need to fix the antenna, wood needs to be cut, ivey on tree need to be cut off, at least two old sheds need to be torn down, a garage in complete disarray...  Sigh; it wears me out just thinking about it all. 

Script-wise I'm 108 pages or so into a first draft of "The Commune II".  Near the end.  Wanted to have it done by August 1st, but I'm not that far off that target.  Hopefully the 1st draft will end at page 148 or so.  I actually like long first drafts.  It's always nicer to have to pair down rather than add more material.  To date I don't I've ever had a "short" feature movie script, and by that I mean < 95 pages. 

So what comes next?  Well-p I finish that 1st draft and get off my lazy butt and do so work around the house.  Am going to find time to sneak off and go to the movies this weekend.  Really want to see "The Spectacular Now."  I got jazzed about after reading one of Carson Reaves posts on this upcoming movie at this blog site, Scriptshaddow. 

Got my rejection e-mail from the Nicholls Fellowship yesterday.  I don't know if I'm ever going to participate in that competition anymore.  I've entered it for over 10 years now, and that's gotten me nowhere.  Gosh, does that ever get old. 

On the positive front, I am reading a very interesting book right now, "Movie Making Course" by Ted Jones and Chris Patmore.  YES, I do want to make a movie of my own someday.  And part of that requires that I get very educated on the process.  I'm very excited to learn more about the editing process.  "Movie Making Course" is a very good book and I am learning a lot.  I'll probably buy 2-3 more guerrilla film-making books in next week or so. 

Someday Chimpy, someday...

Sorry, no images with this post.  Just my bumblings.  Will craft a more in-depth post sometime over the weekend.  During the typing of this post I drank 2 Miller Genuine Draft beers.  All this after an 8 hour shift at the day job, and being bummed about not making it to next round of the Nicholls qualifiers.  Yeah, it's not all roses in E.C. Henry land these days.  It may be sunny outside, but trust me it's cloudy inside.

Top 25 Romantic Comedy Movies of All-Time: Exploring Issues in Rom-Com Movies Volume XXVII

It dawned on while planning in my mind future rom-com posts in this series: Exploring Issues in Rom-Com Movies; that I needed a top 25 post list that I can update from time-to-time as my tastes change, new movies enter the mix, and movies rise and fall out of favor.

Going off two past posts, Warmth dated December 1, 2012: which had my top 10 list, and 11-20 Favorite Rom-coms of All-time dated April 14, 2013 I have re-thought the list. So now I submit my new and updated top 25 list, with a brief justification for its rank.

(Note: This list was updated: 7-24-2015, 3-13-2015, 1-9-2015, 7-10-2014, 3-30-2014, 9-1-2013)

E.C. Henry's Top 25 Romantic Comedies of All-Time:

1. "While You Were Sleeping" Justification: This is the movie that really kicked it all off for me.  I paid to watch this movie in the theatres 5 times, which is a record for me.  This movie has a lot of heart and warmth.  I also love the comedy brought in by a buffoon, wrong guy/Bellamy, "Joe Fusco Jr." as played by Michael Rispoli.  Note: this movie moved up in my rankings following a very favorable re-watch of the movie, where I found myself smiling the whole way through this, eventhough I knew EXACTLY what was going to happen next.  
2. "13 Going on 30" Justification: Inner story of a girl flash-forwarding in her life to see the ramifications if her wish came true and she dismissed her childhood sweetheart.  The way this story chose to handle this wish-fulfillment theme really resonated with me.  It's like the popular girls at school reconsidering their choices post high school...  Deep stuff.  Goes WAYYY beyond a mere coming-of-age, cautionary tale.  And the acting by Judy Greer as "Lucy Wyman" Jennifer Garner as "Jenna Rink", Mark Ruffalo as "Matt Flemhaff", Sean Marquette as "Young Matt" and Andy Serkis as "Richard" are all top notch.
3. "Dan in Real Life" Justification: Huge fan of Steve Carrell.  Thought his romance with Juliette Binochette worked.  Liked the dance-off scene in the bar.  Was VERY impressed by the work done by the actresses who play Dan's daughters.  This movie has some real warmth too it, AND it's based on the East Coast which has a big attraction for me.
4. "How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days" Justification: Love how the screenwriters dealt with the dueling agendas of Andie Anderson and Benjamin Barry which leads to a lot of comedy in a bevy of different settings.  This was a very well thought out movie.  Best acting by a romantic pair in this history of rom-com movies by Matthew McConanhuey and Kate Hudson.  And the supporting actors and actresses are very well thought out and add nicely to the main story. 
5. "Splash" Justification: Nice balance of romance and humor.  Darryl Hannah is gorgeous; the most beautiful heroine in romantic comedy of all-time.  John Candy is funny, as is Eugine Levy in his attempt at exposing Madison's secret.  (Note: I re-watched this movie on cable January 8,2015 and was pleasantly reminded how good of an actor Tom Hanks; one of the best jobs as a lead in rom-com of all-time!)
6. "Sleepless In Seattle" Justification: Meg Ryan.  HUGE fan of her.  I loved watching her work her magic in its full glory in this movie.   The theme plays off destiny and how that works in romance is pretty high concept and makes you think.  And the ending where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are holding hands, looking at each other and smiling is priceless.  Just genius stuff on display there, both the filmmakers sensitivityNOT to have too much talking when you come to the realization that you've just met your romantic soulmate for life, and the fine job both actors to pull that moment off.  
7. "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" Justification: This is one of the funniest movies ever made, and the late blooming romance between Andy and Trish is just enough.  Andy's friends from work played by Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, and Seth Rogen all work.  Steve Carell is perfectly cast as the lead, and Elizabeth Banks and Leslie Mann both do great jobs in scenes as the wrong girl/female Bellamy.
8. "As Good as It Gets" Justification: Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Melvin Udall grows on you over time.  If someone like Mevin Udall can fall in love, their is hope for us all. 
9. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" Justification: Interesting take on a high concept theme: can a great love survive a chaotic family?  Great acting by Michael Constantine as "Gus Portacolos", and Nia Vadalos is a solid protagonist for the audience to follow. 
10. "Crazy, Stupid, Love" Justification: I like it when rom-com's try to have more than one relationship in them, and this one has three: Steve Carrell's strained marriage, then his foray with other women.  Steve Carrell's son's infactuation with an older girl at school.  And Ryan Gosling trading in his playboy ways for a more serious relationship with Steve Carrell's oldest daughter played by Emma Stone. 
11. "Ted" Justification: The Ted character is very funny.  The farce of having a teddy bear, who helps the boy who wished him to life, now scoring pot so the two of them can get high yields a lot of laughs.  
12.  "(500) Days of Summer" Justification: Most realistic depiction of the true heartache involved with falling in love with the wrong person that I can ever remember watching.   Great acting by both Joesph Gordon Levitt as "Tom" and Zoey Deschanell as "Summer Finn".  I really liked Tom's dance number to the Hall and Oats song, "You Make My Dreams Come True", and the ending to this movie where Tom meets a new love interest at a job interview was really good.
13. "Enchanted" Justification: Amy Adams steals the show as a come-to-life ex-cartoon princess who finds her great love in the real world.
14. "A Fish Called Wanda" Justification: John Cleese, and a nice blend of sophisticated, British hummor. 
15. "Silver Linings Playbook" Justification: Jennifer Lawrence's great acting, and over time Bradley Cooper's character becomes more and more bareable.  The plot of this story has bit of a mystery eliment to it too, as the attemped romatic manipulated set-up isn't clear untill the end.  And this movie has a very strong ending after a slow start.
16. "Romancing the Stone" Justification: Nice blend of action, occassional comedy and romance.  And Kathleen Turner is totally hot!
17. "The Proposal" Justification: Great acting turned in by Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock.  
18. "Green Card" Justification: Late blooming charm between Gerald Dipardeu and Andie MacDowel.
19. "Definately, Maybe" Justification: A well plotted romance over a man and the three love interests in his life: Ilsa Fisher, Elizabeth Banks, and Rachel Weitz.
20. "Love Actually" Justification: I really liked the romance between Hugh Grant and the Martine McCutcheon, especially where they're caught kissing at the kid's play.
21. "Alex and Emma" Justification: Huge fan of Luke Wilson.  A very likable performance turned in by Kate Hudson.
22. "What Women Want" Justification: Solid acting by Mel Gibson and Hellen Hunt.
23. "Happy Gilmore" Justification: Best Adam Sandler movie.   Got me to laugh a lot.
24. "Hitch"  Justification: I wasn't real sold on the main love storyline between Hitch and Sara (Will Smith/Eva Mendez) but the Albert and Allegra (Kevin Smith/Amber Valletta) B romantic storyline made me smile a lot.  
25. "Adventureland" Justification: I'm a sucker for coming of age movies.  Really identified with the Jessie Eisner's character.  And for him to end up with a hottie like Kristen Steward, buddy I'm all in!!  Where the fuck was Kristen Stewart when I was 16 years old?  O shit, I don't even think she was born yet.  Gotta quit dating myself.  

Other Worthwile Rom-coms That Just Missed the Cut:

1. "Weekend at Bernies" Justification: A guilty pleasure.  Lots of black humor that you need to be in right mood for before you watch this.  Love the farce of putting up a front that your boss is still alive to improve your chances and not not upset the apple cart as you pursue a love interest.
2. "50 First Dates" Justification: This movie comes on late.  Drew Barrymore at her cutest.
3. "Stranger than Fiction" Justification:I kinda liked the Maggie Gylenhal/Will Farrell romance. 
4. "The Spectacluar Now" Justification: This coming of age at the end of your high school experience has much the same appeal as "Adventureland."  But this show has a theme that I could really relate to: a boy who was faced with drifing through life, or chosing a deepen a mature, steadyminded girl who was on the right track in life and could help him.  No laughs in this movie, but it is an OUTSTANDING teen drama.
5. "Trainwreck" Justification: A very solid story.  Amy Schumer's dramatic acting was a pleasant suprise.  Lots of different forms of comedy in this one, but this raunch-com wasn't near as funny as Apatow's other classic film, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin", and some off the raunch was rather excessive and was a turn-off to me.  Still, a worthwhile film to watch, study and enjoy.

So there it is, my top 25 romantic comedies of all-time.  I plan on revisiting this list from time to time and updating it.  And when I do I'll add a note citing its revision.