Priest.

By Cory Goodman

I was intrigued by this exactly a year ago, as I knew it was another vampire-based story and so wanted to see if it would be anything to rave about. However, after the read back then, I was distracted from completing the usual report and I guess have been distracted ever since.

Going in the first time, I was dubious and equally open-minded as to whether this would offer up anything new and enjoyable. Based on a graphic novel, and attempting to do what many fail to achieve. Did this deliver? The verdict is: it does, if you like that sort of thing.

The story centres on a mysterious Man: head shaven, tattooed face bearing a black cross, well built, solid resolve, a formidable presence, as he saves a young girl from the clutches of a menace. A man, who we learn in the Prologue is a Priest: an old warrior trained in vampire combat and whose race helped to turn the tide of the war for humans. However, today vampires are an endangered species and protected by law, and the Priests have denounced their ways and integrated back into society. That is until he learns of a rare vampire attack on the outskirts of the city, and as it's a matter personal to him, intends to resolve despite the church's strict instructions not to do so.

The screenplay was an enjoyable read, full of action, suspense, mild humour, surprises and heart. It featured entertaining characters who were nicely written, well developed, and memorable. Priest, is a fascinating character who is torn between the ways he knows and has believed in, with doing what is right and what his heart tells him. His sidekick, Hicks, the local sheriff, is a humorous and ballsy man, and offers adequate support and conflict in their unfolding mission. The screenplay was visually compelling from the outset and like its action, conveyed in simple, lush descriptive detail. Despite a few telling not showing moments and heavy camera descriptions, it read well and with an enjoyable pace. It's a world full of ambiance and suspense that should transfer well on to the screen, and as a whole, into an exciting, damn cool and engrossing experience.

The story naturally centres around faith but not essentially in being bound to an ideal and a God. But a faith in yourself and doing what is right, in spite of what you have previously believed and how you are supposed to conform. It's about courage on the road to justice, and fighting against a cunning evil that threatens to engulf the world. If God was created in the image of man, then we need to step out from underneath His shadow.

I'm interested to see how well they interpret this for the screen, and whether it will be a solid, unique, real world based, powerhouse of an effort, or one that heavily favours CGI with cliched camerawork, poorly rendered villains and the uninspiring rock anthems placed over the action. However, in spite of the odds, I do have faith.

Armored

Written by James Simpson.

This one was a last minute choice for a read and impulsively favoured over three high profile screenplays, as I ended up craving something completely unknown. So going in with no clue, hopeful expectations, and a hint of the action, crime and thriller genres within the title. Did this unknown script deliver? The verdict is: Without question.

The story takes place in Detroit and centres on Tyler "Ty" Hackett, 27, who lives with his girlfriend and abandoned younger brother Jimmy. Whilst running two jobs and barely able to make ends meat, Ty realises he's not providing enough for his brother and their relationship is becoming even more dysfunctional. His girlfriend, on the other hand, is happy that they are spending Christmas together and isn't bothered by a lack of money, or currently, a lack of electricity. But this doesn't sit well with him and at the end of a day's work as a security guard (transporting money), he is given a way out and proposition by his veteran co-workers, which would see him walk away with a share of the contents of their next cash pick-up.

The screenplay was a heartfelt, suspenseful and exciting read. It's a lesson in the power of simplicity; a simple premise and set up, and its enhancement by housing believable and motivated characters, and a dramatic plot that fuses them so well together.

The main character of Ty was sympathetic from the start due to him being the underdog and struggling to help support his girlfriend, brother and himself. A man who's got it bad, but hasn't let it change him, not yet, at least. The supporting characters, work colleagues and especially, the antagonist, who was terrific, were nicely written; individual voices, believable, and one or two characters; dislikeable and pretty scary stuff at times, but in a good entertaining way. They all followed their own paths and motivation, and were consistent within that which made for a far more complex, exciting and suspenseful read.

Once the premise and character-choice came to fruition, everything was up in the air at all times and you didn't know what was going to happen next. The script's pace is relentless and is one of the fastest set ups and progressions of a story I've read so far. It was gripping, eventful and resourceful stuff. It won't make the most profound or dramatic film of the last ten years, but it was a great, suspenseful, action-roller coaster read, and one with heart.

The story is simply about being happy with your "lot" in life, not necessarily with the hand you've been dealt but the people and family around you. Life isn't about money, riches, or living comfortably or extravagantly; it's about family, the small things, and making the best out of what you have.

Naturally I'm looking forward to the film, as this has great screen potential and could be a pretty awesome film. It's nothing groundbreaking, just a great, suspenseful story/character action-situation, told well. Fingers crossed...

9

Written by Pamela Pettler.

Story by Shane Acker.

This one has been on my to-watch list for quite sometime, but at the last minute became my next read and strangely, first animation screenplay. Captivated by its trailer and visuals a year or so ago, as well as the powerhouse of talent behind it, it was a highly attractive premise and film to see. However, all details other than an unclear focus on the main character's look and its setting had been lost with time. So I went in happily with a clear head on this. But did it deliver to its potential? The verdict is: Absolutely!

The story centres on a newly created Ragdoll (a unique hybrid of disparate parts), as he comes to life and enters a world recently left in ruins by war and no longer with humans. Void of a voice box and understanding, he meets another ragdoll like himself, but one with older and more primitive features, who advocates himself as a friend. But soon the Ragdoll comes face to face with the horror that stalks the wasteland and finds himself separated from this companion and only friend.

The screenplay was an enjoyable, somewhat profound, and exciting on-the-edge read. It appears in headed sequences with various other shooting script style cues, which gives insight into the feature animation process (where primarily different teams of computer animators create a separate sequence of the script at the same time). It also features heavy cues to dialogue delivery, which aids voice/emotional performance and subsequently facial animation.

The main character is intriguing and sympathetic from the outset and exhibits human characteristics, predominantly; a likeable strong will to survive and motivation to do the right thing. The other characters are exceptionally written and portrayed as emotionally complex individuals with their own motivation, flaws and unique character traits. They are an interesting band of characters who could easily be realistic live-action characters and were a pleasure to read.

Its world and description was rich and vivid, and brought to life the atmosphere and carnage of post war. It carried a fleeting place with each moment and encounter propelling the story forward via new information and/or character development. There was never a dull moment and it was over far too soon. However, as a whole, the story and its characters followed an interesting and entertaining development arc that led to a satisfying and exciting conclusion. It ended as well as it began. Quality throughout.

The story is primarily about courage within an unknown and unstable environment and the importance of following your heart and embracing your right for survival and understanding. Not retreating to the shadows against a larger and more powerful foe to live in fear.

Under the surface, it's ultimately a message about war, and a strong indication to a future point in time when our advanced technology and machines of war will outgrow us. A time where instead of creating weapons to fight an enemy, we are creating them to inadvertently become our successors and carry out our own extinction. But ideally within that in some capacity, the human soul and its spirit will endure, and hopefully thrive.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this now and can't believe it's taken me so long to get around to it. I'm even more excited as it will be viewed on my new HD LCD television. There is a God!

You can read 9 here.

Up In The Air

By Jason Reitman.

Based on the novel by Walter Kirn.

This one has been on my 'to-read' list for some time and at last, it has been read, or rather, experienced. I wanted to see the film after seeing its captivating teaser trailer some months back, but I knew I would read it before seeing it. So I wasn't going in with a clean and fresh perspective on this. But despite the baggage left over from the trailer, did it deliver to its expected and hopeful, high? The verdict is: Bing! or rather, yes, it did.

The story centres on Ryan Bingham, a middle aged man, and retrenchment consultant, who lives out of a suitcase as he travels the U.S. to consult, or rather, to fire people on behalf of the companies themselves. His life is spiced up when he meets a woman, Alex, and constant high flyer like himself, and life seems that much brighter when grounded. But then, his boss hires Natalie, a young, ambitious woman, who wants to change the nature of the consulting they do and therefore the nature of Ryan's job. As a result of Ryan's protest, she accompanies him on his work travels in order to understand the job first-hand.

The screenplay was an enjoyable, thoughtful, amusing, and moving experience. The writer also directed the film, so there is a shooting script style adopted here with an awareness and direction to the camera. (This is a Hollywood writer/director and the exception). The main character of Ryan was compelling from the start, and his portrayal; effective, consistent and believable throughout. The secondary characters of Alex, Natalie, Ryan's sisters and boss, offered a nice mix of flair, conflict, humour and drama to the uneventful and dull routine of Ryan's job and life. They were effectively written and illuminated his own character in crucial ways and some in steps to self-development. The script flows nicely and much like Ryan's suitcase, is minimalist and sparse, but make for a pacey and direct read. It's a layered read and true to life, and unlike most Hollywood films doesn't offer any absolutes or sugar-coat its content and subsequently, the nature of life, and is all the better for it.

The story is about life and being an individual. It's about pursuing an ambition, whatever that may be, reaching a goal, making a connection with someone, or yourself, settling down or being constantly on the move. There is no right way to live. Just whichever way you are comfortable with. But there are no guarantees. Life is always up in the air.

I cannot wait to see this film and I'm hopeful that it will hold up to my expectations. Although, I will wait a few months as I don't want to go in too soon and have an average and unsurprising experience. Amnesia has to kick in first, which won't take long, then I can jump right in!

An Education

By Nick Hornby.

Adapted from the article 'An Education' by Lynn Barber.

I stumbled upon this with the intention of reading something else and remembered seeing its trailer a few months back. It was one that I fell in love with and in particular, its style, setting, youth romance and its coming of age story. And so inevitably, the former and weaker feelings gave way to the more pressing and stronger. It was written by About a Boy, High Fidelity and Fever Pitch best-selling author, Nick Hornby, and with that the expectations rose considerably, but in the least, I assumed that I was in good hands. But did it deliver? The verdict is: Oui, bien sûr il a fait, otherwise, Yes, of course it did.

The story takes place in a suburb of London in 1962 and centres on an straight-headed schoolgirl, Jenny, who with her father's ambitions for her is heading for a life at Oxford University. But then, one rainy day she is offered a lift home from a young gentleman, who in realisation of this strange situation, offers her cello a lift home to spare any water damage. But then she gets in and meets him; David, who will show her a world that schoolgirl dreams are made of.

The screenplay was a charming, nostalgic and enjoyable read. Although, some scene descriptions were overwritten in a few places and there were some moments of telling not showing, which was to be expected and easily forgiven. The main characters of Jenny and David were full of life and charm. They felt like real people and exhibited realistic dialogue, emotional depth and development. Much can be said of the secondary characters, most notably; Jenny's parents, school girlfriends and Miss Stubbs, who were well written and the former two, amusing company at times. It carried a nice fleeting pace mirroring the whirlwind of change and romance in Jenny's life, which works well as we witness snippets of moments and events in a much deeper and longer affair. Everything felt just right and natural within the world, its characters and the story. Its adaptation felt alive and complete.

The screenplay encapulates the folly of youth and demonstrates its fragile nature when placed in an adult world. It's about coming of age and the realisation that what you want isn't what you need. Growing up too fast has its price.

Naturally, I'm looking forward to seeing the film and will double-check whether it resides on the top of my LoveFilm rental list. It may even be worth a rare straight-to-buy, if the price is right.

Frozen River

By Courtney Hunt.

I decided to read this one after realising that I had the script to a film I recently added to my LoveFilm rental list. The film sounded good and was rated well, so I thought i'd go for it. But like most of the rental picks, I had forgotten what it was all about. So I went blindly into this one and with the usual deep desire and hope it would be good and inspiring. But did it deliver? The verdict is: it does, again, and again.

The story centres on a downtrodden mother, Ray, in her late-thirties, who lives with her two boys in a trailer park in Massena, New York. The father of the children has recently taken off with their savings to pursue his gambling addiction. But with Christmas approaching, rental bills to pay, food to put on the table and the remaining cost of a new larger trailer home, she finds herself in a desperate struggle to find the money before she loses everything.

The script was a compelling, moving and humbling read. Its main character jumped off the page from the outset and carried such empathy that you wanted to break the fourth wall, reach out and help her. The supporting characters were exceptionally written and carried relevant conflict, development and understanding. It moves at a somewhat fast pace, which mirrors the erratic heartbeat and mind state of the main character, as she delves deeper into a situation that's out of her control (but one that ultimately compels her). But despite the stark reality of the situation there is a subtle sense of humour that blends well with the pressing and dramatic matters of the story, and together offers a unique experience.

The story is about the lengths a mother will go to protect and take care of her children and how the line between right and wrong blurs when the well-being of your most dearest are at stake. It's about the pursuit of a better life and through means that attempt to justify the end. Desperate people do desperate things.

I am very much looking forward to the film and have faith that the material would attract those filmmakers who are only interested in being faithful to the script and its journey.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not!

By Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszeski.

First Draft, 2005.

I've been intrigued by this screenplay for awhile, as I knew it was based on an old television series and the oddity exhibition and phenomenon. I hadn't seen any of the television show, exhibition/museum content, or read any of the stories behind the scenes. I was just aware of the reputation and nature of the phenomenon. So a screenplay based on that is an interesting idea and an attractive read, not to mention, a possibly strange experience. But did it deliver? The verdict is: it does, however...

The story begins in 1930s New York and centres on Robert L. Ripley, an eccentric man who has gained celebrity status through a newspaper column that chronicles his search for the greatest oddities in the world. His next adventure and potential money-spinning attraction is the mythic tale of the Horn Man, and so with a handpicked entourage of odd and uniquely gifted friends, he heads for China.

The screenplay was an enjoyable read; amusing, eventful, touching and driven by the highly likable, wonderful and unique, Ripley himself. The supporting cast and band of friends were nicely written and executed, each with their own talent and weirdness. It carried a pressing pace, which like the force of Ripley's childlike wonder, and ambition, makes you feel like part of the gang as the scenery and events are passing you by without time to think. However, at the end of an enjoyable, relentless and grounded two-thirds, the story settles into a strange third act and ending, which didn't compliment what had gone before and took things into an unsatisfying direction. This may be the nature of the Ripley television show and therefore my own bias isn't a negative against the screenplay, just my lack of understanding within its wider context.

The story is about the pursuit of the extraordinary and unlikely truths and the ignorance and disrespect that goes into the pursuit of such a goal. Everyone is the Centre of the Universe within their own perspective, but it's wrong to act selfishly without conscience and in disregard of others. Everyone deserves respect, no matter how different.

It was an enjoyable, unique and fast paced read and I'm interested in the film when it comes out in 2011. I may skip the cinema visit and be content with the DVD rental instead, although, that does depend on who will play Ripley (as there's really only one person), and of course, who the director will be...

The Superconducting Supercollider of Sparkle Creek, Wisconsin

By David Koepp and John Kamps.

This was a random pick for a read and a rewarding one at that. The title alone is enough to entice anyone to have a peek and wonder what the Superconducting Supercollider is, does, and what could possibly be its story.

I had some expectations going in on this one but no knowledge, as I assumed it was a David Koepp/John Kamps dream spec due to the long and rather wacky title. David Koepp's produced screenplays that I've seen have offered a high quality and particular blend of suspense, drama, humour and tenderness i.e Secret Window, and polar opposite, Zathura. I enjoyed both films and so wondered whether this could live up to its expectation of being something completely different, unique, out there, consuming and immersing. And the verdict is: it does -- it does.

The story centres around twice divorced, Karen Krauthafer, the local sheriff, as she and a man, Howard, a local scientist, collide on a stretch of road, but more specifically, his body to the bonnet of her squad car. Shortly after the abrupt meeting, a strange phenomenon startles the town and causes a panic, which sends Karen out to investigate.

The screenplay is a wonderful, charming and exciting read. It offers an interesting, ultra cool, and challenging story with unique characters who are realistic, humorous and empathetic. It's a fantastical story that exists in reality and is believable yet makes for a magical read. As its opening credit reads: 'This is a true story. It just hasn't happened yet,' it's one to be remembered.

The story is about the pursuit of knowledge and knowing all there is to know, and at the same time whether that knowledge would deprive you of the very essence, pursuit and wonder of living. Would there be any fun in knowing everything?

I'm glad that I took the chance on this as it was one of the most original, wonderful and interesting screenplays I've read. I hope that the film is being made and isn't just a spec screenplay that won't see the light of day.

Dan In Real Life

By Pierce Gardener.

Revisions by Peter Hedges.

This is another one of those: 'I wanted to read awhile ago and has taken awhile to get around to' screenplays and I'm glad that I have now finally read it.

I remember seeing a brief trailer some time ago and the instant feeling I got was that 'this is one for me.' It belongs in the wide genre of indie type films that centre around family, a longing from the norm and feature a great blend of humour and drama. So I was eager to know if it would hold up to its initial impact and deliver. And the verdict is: it does.

The story is about a widowed father and newspaper advice columnist who has his hands full with raising his three daughters and being practical to let go and enjoy something in life. But then the family head off on vacation and his rational and in control side is put to the test when he falls for a woman.

The screenplay is a heartfelt and feel good read. It embodies a strong driving force via realistic characters and the humour and drama that they bring. It has a unique blend of humour, familial conflict and emotional upheaval that makes for a warming and layered read. It has a great balance and rhythm to its scene and content that keeps it pacey and interesting. However, there are one or two potentially cheesy and questionable moments, which are to be expected within this type of story.

The screenplay is ultimately about family and personal happiness, what that is, how it should be approached and how the two can exist in harmony. It's about finding a balance with the mundane rational side and zest for the irrational and unpredictable side in order to live in real life now and again.

I can't wait to see the film and I hope it holds up to my now high hopes and expectations.

The Lovely Bones, The Visitor, Last Chance Harvey. - [Notes on Last Screenplays Read]

Yesterday I read three screenplays and so I thought I'd have a collective round up of thoughts and offer up an Award for the Best Screenplay of the Day. (Note: There are no spoilers).

Firstly, The Lovely Bones, written by the team behind The Lord of the Rings and based on the best selling book of the same name. It was an interesting read simply because it was different from any script I have read or film I have seen.

Going in I was aware it was the story of a murdered young girl who narrates her story from heaven, which is known from the outset. But instead of entering a potentially dark drama about the loss of a child, I was swept up and surprised with its often light-hearted nature at times and from within her viewpoint of death from heaven. It offers such an interesting contrast to the events and emotions on the ground and a very brave way of approaching such poignant and horrific subject matter.

It is a heartbreaking and tragic story but those emotions aren't solely relied upon and enforced to carry you through, as that's not so much the angle of the story being told. It's achieved in an often light-hearted way with dramatic and suspenseful moments. It's interesting that as an audience you're so angry at the crime but find yourself forgetting about it at moments and being amused at some of the things the girl says or a moment or two within the family as we pass through the years; offering some much needed relief from the unapproachable and quite frankly inconceivable thing that's happened.

However, it wasn't an incredible read, (although the more i think about it, it kind of is) but it was different, structured in a way i hadn't seen or read before, naturally powerful due its nature and subject matter, but handled in such a unique and sheltered way. I did want it to go to those high emotional and dramatic places, which the characters didn't as such, but then again, I suppose that has been done many times before and like i said, this was different to anything I've read or seen. I applaud them for adapting/making it and just hope that the film turns out really well because it deserves to.

Second is, The Visitor. It was an interesting read for one major reason and that it didn't appear to be good enough to be made.

At first, I expected a horror or thriller of some kind as I went blindly into it, which is the way I like to go into screenplays. But I was surprised with a drama essentially about illegal immigrants from the view point of a lost and lonesome college professor.

At the end, I was aware that although it was naturally a powerful story, it just had something missing, some personality and real drama. It didn't go to the emotional places i wanted it to and generally thought as a film, it would go to. I was unsure to whether it was the real deal and wondered if it had been made. I thought the potential was avoided and was left with a sour thought of 'How can that be it?' I wanted more. The script was so basic in its detail and personality or lacking rather that it didn't feel like a professional screenplay. It was a competent read but just not what I thought would be enough.

Bare with me...

Anyway, so i hopped over to Apple Trailers and found its trailer. It was nominated for an Oscar and has won many, many awards! And the trailer, is awesome! The performances looked great and the cast spot on. It looked like it held together really well on such simple and basic drama. It was a little shock and nice surprise because the script was so basic in every detail and i thought missed out on its potential in drama and character bonding. It glided lightly over the surface, I thought.

That then told me two things, the actors and actresses on the film did an incredible job because i didn't feel or read much emotion in the script, everybody was constantly coming and going and hardly stayed for long, and two, there can be scripts that are so subtle, simple and only briefly touch on the drama potential, and that is enough itself. I am aware of that last one, but the script was such a surprisingly sparse and lacking read that I did wonder if it would be enough.

The director also wrote it, which is a factor and one where I can imagine specifically allowed the freedom for the actors and actresses to portray the roles and had confidence in himself as a director to achieve the performances, and so didn't feel the need to write them into the script as such.

But I have more respect for it now as a whole and it was a great lesson to fully realise with a proven and successful example.

The Third was, Last Chance Harvey. It was an interesting read for many reasons. The first is due to the fact I had seen the trailer awhile back, and thought, 'A funny stiff-upper-lip scene,' but hasn't all this awkward romance meeting stuff been done before? It was intriguing nonetheless. But the main factor was that I was aware of the actor and actress who played the two lead roles. So they were obviously coming along for the journey as well.

So going in with decidedly low expectations and hoping to be proved wrong - I was and pleasantly so. I found a moving and often amusing story of an estranged father who arrives in London for his daughter's wedding and subsequently meets a woman, suffering from the pressures of being single and reaching forty. They get off on the wrong foot and in a situation that would see most guys would walk embarrassingly away from and with some dignity. But not Harvey.

It was a delight to read and I didn't want it to end. It had such a great blend of subtle humour and drama that made it a really pleasant and mature read. It's a testament to the writer because I feel like I know these characters and that they are people I have met and spent time with. And ultimately, I think that's the goal of a good screenplay to achieve such a personal connection with the audience and this one had it. I really loved it. Kudos.

And so without further ado and all that malarkey...

The Award for Best Screenplay of the Day goes to:

LAST CHANCE HARVEY.

The Award for Special Jury Prize of the Day goes to:

THE LOVELY BONES.

Till next time.

The Book of Eli

By Gary Whitta.

I've been wanting to read this for over a year and finally got around to it yesterday. Everything in the universe felt correctly aligned and so I went for it.

Since knowing what the screenplay was about, I was intrigued mostly to see if it would hold up as another post-apocalyptic yarn. And the verdict is: it does.

The story is about a lone man who's been travelling a long time on the word of God and is determined to reach his destination. This means keeping himself to himself and not entering into situations or conversations with people because they're not important to his journey. No matter what, he must keep on moving west.

The screenplay is well written, naturally and in such incredible detail from the outset it had me reading with awe. How such simple and mundane things were described with such elegance and purpose to it. The characters were vivid and carried interesting traits and stories and were handled nicely within the confines of such a world. The standout element was how it played with our (my) expectations of such a desolate world and its pre-set conventions. It offered up new ways of doing things or unexpected events and characters. It's nicely paced and works so well in creating effective intrigue/suspense and the slow delivery of the main character and his meeting with the opposition that you know is out in the wasteland.

The screenplay is more than the sum of its part and ultimately is about faith, what is it and what it means to a person, which can mean a different thing to another. It's about following your path and doing what you feel is right even if there's no proof or guarantee of success.

I'm looking forward to seeing the film and how well it transferred.

Synecdoche, New York

By Charlie Kaufman.

It's the first Kaufman screenplay I've read and I'm in complete awe and respect of the man. I was already aware of his reputation and unique way of story telling so I knew what I had let myself in for. But I was pleasently surprised and pleasently not confused. The verdict is: 'Wow.' I really loved this and wish I could go back and read it again for the first time.

It's an epic at 157 pages long and spans at least tweny years in the life of Caden Cotard as he attempts to put together his next play (which calls for a large set of New York City) and his relationships with a number of women.

The script went by in what seemed like two seconds and I loved both of them. As a whole it reminded me of the play 'Death of a Salesman' and I've found myself adopting the same fondness for it. Caden, the main character is the embodiment of Willie Lowman and his quest for self-fullfilment and happiness. The story offers a sad and moving view on aging and the desperate quest for love and finding a home for oneself. We move through life at such a pace making brief connections with people and by the time you realise what or who you want; your whole life has passed you by.

The screenplay is incredible in every way and portrays realistic characters who jump off the page and come to life. The story carries a great blend of black humour and drama and one that carries tragic undertones. It was a truly unique experience and really inspiring. Its made a big impact on me and I'm sure like 'Death of a Salesman' it will follow me around for the rest of my life.

Charlie Kaufman is also directing the film, which will be his first. So I'm confident that the film will do justice to the version in my head.

I just can't wait to see it.