Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you, And I'm wondering what it is I should do. It's so hard to keep this smile from my face. Losing control and running Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you, And I'm wondering what it is I should do. It's so hard to keep this smile from my face. Losing control and running all over the place. Clowns to the left of me! Jokers to the right! Here I am stuck in the middle with you. [image] I own less than ten screenplays and two of them are by Quentin Tarantino, a filmmaker who manages to capture such great stylised dialogue in his earlier movies. Saying that, after reading this, I can say without a doubt that the screenplay for this movie is pretty basic without the input of not only the actors, but also the astounding soundtrack. So my advice is to not bother with this book, and just go and watch the movie (again). 6 out of 12 [image] 2021 read...more
Travis Bickle (played by Robert De Niro), is looking for inner salvation and the salvation of New York and the wider world. The army and likely war veTravis Bickle (played by Robert De Niro), is looking for inner salvation and the salvation of New York and the wider world. The army and likely war veteran (although it's never confirmed), works as a taxi-driver at night, because he can't sleep. This is his story one hot, sticky summer on the mean streets of the failing New York city of the 1970s. [image] The screenplay easily captures the darkness and the spiral towards doom (or salvation?) of the film, mainly because there is as much, if not more stage direction than dialogue. Being a screenplay it also does not have some of the genius ad-lib touches that De Niro added (see GIF below!). All-in-all after reading this, I felt the same after watching the movie, I felt shaken AND stirred. Paul Schrader's screenplay is the movie! [image] When meeting Travis for coffee and pie, Betsy (Cybill Shepherd) says he reminded her of a line in Kris Kristofferson song "The Pilgrim, Chapter 33": "He's a prophet and a pusher, partly truth, partly fiction—a walking contradiction." Travis Bickle is like no movie lead, before or after, a must-see movie of a great screenplay. Also my edition has an amazing interview of Martin Scorsese by ...Paul Schrader! 8 out of 12 [image] 2020 read...more
Another perfectly captured screenplay, and this time of one of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest movies; a movie that is listed in most Top 100 movies of alAnother perfectly captured screenplay, and this time of one of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest movies; a movie that is listed in most Top 100 movies of all time lists, 'North by Northwest'. The dialogue is fast and furious, especially the male-female banter between leads Cary Grant Eva Marie Saint. The dialogue captures Grant perfectly and the stage directions epitomise the attention to detail beloved of Hitchcock. Plus there's one of the most famous scenes in 1950s movie making history: [image] This romantic thriller, which is very much more thriller than romantically minded, starts as it means to go on with advertising executive Cary Grant, in a case of mistaken identity, being hounded by organised crime and the police forces. Zipping across America to a classic Hollywood-esque climax at an American monument, it almost feels like a dedication to the golden Hollywood years earlier in the 20th century. [image] What I will say for play and movie fans, is pick up a film script or a screenplay, they are captivating reads, so hard to put down, I purposelessly tried to put this down on three occasions only to have to pick this back up again, and ended up reading it all, within a day (about three hours reading time). 7 out of 12 - firm Three Star read. I'll leave Cary Grant with the last words... [image] 2020 read...more
Having really enjoyed reading the Pulp Fiction: A Quentin Tarantino Screenplay, I got myself a copy of another one of my favourite movies the hot, darHaving really enjoyed reading the Pulp Fiction: A Quentin Tarantino Screenplay, I got myself a copy of another one of my favourite movies the hot, dark and grubby Chinatown. Directed by Roman Polański, with magnificent leads Jack Nicholson as private investigator Jake Gittes, Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Cross Mulwray, wife of the primary murder victim, a possible femme fatale or murder conspirator, and the legendary John Huston as the man in the shadows, and her father Noah Cross. But how do I judge a screenplay where I already have all the imagery, atmosphere and players firmly in my head from watching the movie a number of times? [image] On the face of it this nicely paced 1930s Los Angeles waterworks(!) conspiracy within a conspiracy is a tour de force of post-Depression American growth and the underbelly that fed it, but I do feel I get a lot of insight as a fan of the movie that the screenplay doesn't give. The sepia tones of Polanski's direction, Nicholson and Dunaway's amazing performances, Huston's gravitas as a patriarch. So as a standalone screen play it's OK, but the plot and dialogue leaves the reader feeling that they have missed out on some key information... although it could be argued, well argued that's he point, they're all unreliable characters. 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] It goes without saying that my real advice, is go see this amazing movie, it's probably free to stream nowadays. [image] 2020 read...more
Despite having read the original book twice, I had to read a play adaptation of one of my favourite books. And what a great play, a play that actuallyDespite having read the original book twice, I had to read a play adaptation of one of my favourite books. And what a great play, a play that actually captures a lot of the humour better than the book! 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2014 read...more
Three stories, about one story. The non-linear stylised crime fiction drama's screenplay probably gives as much pleasure as the film for someone like Three stories, about one story. The non-linear stylised crime fiction drama's screenplay probably gives as much pleasure as the film for someone like me who's seen the film a number of times. If I'd read this 20 years ago it'd be a Five Star read, but the troubling use of the N-word, by a White male (Tarantino as 'Jimmie') just really looks like, and reads like, Quentin wanted to see himself on film using it in the way that he does. [image] Aside from that, so much of this is golden, the weird relationship that 'Butch' has with his partner; how 'Marsellus' and 'Butch' make peace; the respect given and received by 'Wolf'. It's such a clever plot in so many ways, and the stylised dialogue works to a tee as does the dark comedy, which had me chuckling aloud despite having watched the film so many times. 9 out of 12, Four Star fabulous read. [image] 2020 read...more
A heavy in suspense and horror screenplay written for a series of TV specials - and the result -a very very good, nail-biting and fraught tale. The LiA heavy in suspense and horror screenplay written for a series of TV specials - and the result -a very very good, nail-biting and fraught tale. The Little Tall Island is under siege by the Storm of the Century, it is also under siege by the homicidal stranger, Andre Linoge. Linoge is seriously, one of King's most scary villains, and that's saying something. I dare anyone to read this and not be like "damn, how did I not know that this was that good!" 9 out of 12. [image] 2016 read...more
Just when I thought I was beginning to 'get' Shakespeare along comes a 1 out of 12 in my opinion play, that is Julius Caesar! Harsh? [image] One of the Just when I thought I was beginning to 'get' Shakespeare along comes a 1 out of 12 in my opinion play, that is Julius Caesar! Harsh? [image] One of the playwright's Roman History set plays - this one centres around the moral dilemma that Brutus has on joining the Cassius led conspiracy to murder Julius Caesar supposedly for the good of Rome. Following Caesar's death, Rome is thrust into a period of civil war, and the republic the balancing the demands of honour, friendship and Rome itself! It sounds so good written like that, but I am afraid I just didn't get it or get Brutus' struggles in the language used. I can only apologise to purists - 1 out of 12, One Star, I had little idea of what was going on - read. Please note that I read this 19 years ago. [image] 2006 read...more
So after a rather grim start for me reading Shakespeare, I persevered and picked up a third play - Much Ado About Nothing. Shakespeare includes two veSo after a rather grim start for me reading Shakespeare, I persevered and picked up a third play - Much Ado About Nothing. Shakespeare includes two very different stories of romantic love - love at first sight with Hero and Claudio, whose love has to defeat the machinations of Don John; and Beatrice and Benedick's personalities see them keep themselves apart until others decide to try and play Cupid. [image]Maybe after reading two plays previously I am better understanding the language as in these plays I genuinely was intrigued and wanted to know the outcomes; I also felt more empathy with the characters. A Shakespearean high of 5 out of 12, strong Two Stars for me :) [image] 2006 read...more
My second attempt at reading Shakespeare outside of school, saw me attempt to try to get to grips with Othello... Shakespeare's powerful drama set aroMy second attempt at reading Shakespeare outside of school, saw me attempt to try to get to grips with Othello... Shakespeare's powerful drama set around an inter-racial marriage! A truly immense piece of work as the love of the couple (Othello and Desdemona) looks like it can overcome their multitude of differences, but for the machinations of Iago. Set in Venice and Cyprus to boot! [image] I enjoyed this a lot more than MacBeth, but still struggled with the language and the nuances, and also kind of pissed off with what feels like the bass stupidity of Othello! 4 out of 12, Two Star read. [image] 2006 read...more
General Macbeth encounters those 3 witches and what they foretell. One of the many key dramatic works of Shakespeare, and my first reading of any of hGeneral Macbeth encounters those 3 witches and what they foretell. One of the many key dramatic works of Shakespeare, and my first reading of any of his plays. . Now maybe because I didn't enjoy studying Shakespeare at school, or refused (subconsciously?) to get to understand the language of his plays, I found it really difficult to know what people were saying or doing which removed any chance of me enjoying this classic play. . Apologies to all - 2 out of 12. . [image]...more
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