It’s breathtaking, really, the trivial or stupid or deeply cheesy things that will suffice to whip me into a froth of excitement.
Witness these ….
First, I’m a HUGE sucker for survivalist type movies — man against the elements type movies. And they don’t even have to be particularly good. They just have to BE and I’m quite satisfied.
Movies like “White Fang,” “White Squall” (which I really watched for Jeff Bridges, because he can do NO wrong — ever!) or “Alive” (based on that gruesome, chilling true story. Read the book, if you dare.) or “Touching the Void” (Another true story, which you simply MUST rent. YOU MUST RENT IT!)
But if it’s an ANIMAL against the elements type movie? Fuggedaboudit. I’m toast.
So break out the butter and jiggle the jam, baby, because now there’s THIS:
A new movie (unfortunately) titled “Eight Below.” Here’s the synopsis from the website:
“Inspired by a true story, a sudden accident leaves eight sled dogs stranded in
Antarctica where they must struggle to survive the frozen wilderness while a
team of adventurers mounts a rescue mission.”
Okay. Well …. hmmm. Really not the best synopsis. And it’s from Disney. Sooo …. okay, also dicey. But … but … but would it help if I tell you the dogs are huskies? Beautiful, fluffy huskies?!
No? I’m not selling this well.
Okay. Here’s the trailer. (All right. You have to click on “Eight Below” once you’re there.) And, yes, it’s kinda cheesy in the beginning and — I’m still not selling it — but it gets better once the humans are not the focus, so stay with it and you may just decide you want to see it, too.
As I said, I’m a HUGE sucker for stuff like this. Think what you must of me!
NOW, for something not stupid or cheesy, but no less exciting —
I am head-over-heels in love with William Goldman, that great, Academy Award winning screenwriter.
It’s bad. I mean, throw in some slight psychosis here and I could definitely revert to stalking and such …. because I’m a little obsessed. My Beloved is fully aware and completely understands. And is totally supportive, actually …. because, please ….
“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”? Love it. Who doesn’t?
“Marathan Man”? Brilliant and horrifying and … brilliant.
“All the President’s Men”? Genius.
And let’s not forget —
“The Princess Bride.” Wrote the book AND the screenplay. One of my all-time favorite books. Wickedly clever and fun and with that trademark Goldman humor. (And, don’t hate me, but I LOVED the book, liked the movie.)
But NOW — Oh, NOW!
WILLIAM GOLDMAN IS CURRENTLY ADAPTING “THE PRINCESS BRIDE” FOR BROADWAY!!!
A MUSICAL, NO LESS!!
HOORAY!!
OHHH, HOOORAAAY AND HAPPPPY DAAAY!!!!
It’s true. He’s collaborating with Adam Guettel, this year’s Tony winner for Best Original Score for “The Light in the Piazza.” So no slouch, either, with that guy. The only thing that could possibly add MORE exclamation points to this post would be the news that William Goldman is collaborating with Stephen Sondheim —
Mr. “Sweeney Todd”
and “A Little Night Music”
and “West Side Story”
and “Sunday in the Park with George”
and “Gypsy”
and “Into the Woods”
and “Passion”
and …. well, that’s just a few off the top of my head. You get the picture. Another genius with whom I am thoroughly in love.
But if I can’t have my dream — a Goldman/Sondheim collaboration on “The Princess Bride,” I’ll be quite happy with the sweet, sweet REALITY.
Just hurry up, William Goldman! You’re no spring chicken and your adoring public WAITS!!
Oh, and people?
Get behind me in the ticket line.
I’m there first.
Tracey, the guy is old enough to be your father! Maybe your grandfather! But far be it from me to spoil your fantasy, so I’ll switch to a little biographical note. Before he decided to get rich in Hollywood, Goldman was a terrific novelist. I’m sorry his books had no lasting legacy, but the first three are still worth reading if you can find them somewhere: “The Temple of Gold,” “Your Turn to Curtsy, My Turn to Bow,” and “Boys and Girls Together,” all written in the late ’50s or early to mid 60s. All three had an emotional impact on me, with laughter along the way.
Dave — I know. I know! It’s just his talent, of course, but he IS an attractive older gentleman. 😉
And yes, I know of his novels, too. He’s always said he considers himself a novelist. I need to get me some of these books!
And, really, Dave, I only want to chase him down and make him talk to me and make him drink coffee with me and I’d buy it, of course, and I’d secretly hope he’d drink something like hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings or peppermint crunchies — which I’d also pay for, of course.
The hot chocolate, not the crunchies, which I’d assume come with it.
I mean, that’s all I want. Is that so wrong?
“The Edge”: Best Survival Movie Ever.
The original “Flight of the Phoenix” and not that foul re-make.
Having just been involved with our high school production of “Peter Pan”, I’m kind of musicaled-out at the moment, but I share your happiness. Have always been a big fan of Goldman – do get the novels.
And I, along with all the PBS-watching women in America, had a huge old-guy crush on the late Shelby Foote, Civil War historian and geriatric hottie.
There is a photo of him and Walker Percy, who was a close friend, in the group biography “The Life You Save May Be Your Own”. Gorgeous as a young man.
Can’t believe I forgot “The Bear.”
“The Bear” — what a GREAT movie!
So, so, so wrong…it just has to be right (which sounds like a promotional line for a to-be-named motion picture with screenwriting by William Goldman).
Can’t say much, I’ve a secret crush on Brit Hume. He’s just so… smart. And… pedantic. I just love watching him chew up Juan and Neil on “The Panel”… *sigh*
The Princess Bride, the Musical? Do you think they would mind if I quoted the movie along with them?
Age means nothing when it comes to intellectual crushes. I am deeply in love with David McCullough.
Deeply.
That’s fabulous, red. Fabulous.
Red, yes, he’s wonderful.
I dunno, AmStaff Mom – that might be the equivalent of giving them a nice paper cut and pouring lemon juice on it…
ASM — Well, you know, it’s funny — I’ve had that happen onstage — someone quoting my lines as I was saying them.
I recommend just *soundlessly* moving your mouth along with the dialog. 😉
Tracey,
If you love animal survival movies, you must see “March of the Penguins” I promise you will laugh and cry at this amazing documentary. It is narrated by Morgan Freeman.