Not Magical.

So I've started to learn about screenwriting. I've read several books, including Save The Cat. This doesn't make me an expert or anything. Far from it. The opposite of it. I probably know just enough to be dangerous. I've watched a lot of moview the past few months as well with an eye to understanding storytelling more. Today I watched The Sorcerer's Apprentice on Netflix.  I vaguely remembered bad reviews. And the fact that Nicholas Cage is in it made me figure it wasn't exactly the greatest. I just looked it up and it got a whopping 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. There are lots of issues with this film. But the very first is the set up. The exposition. In the film there is all this backstory they fly through at the beginning. It's boring. And bad storytelling. They don't reveal as we go. They tell us. And we don't care. We don't actually need  all of that information at that point to be engaged in the film. It seems very very elementary. If I can figure it out... By the way Jay Baruchel is charming even in a terrible film.

Secret Movie I Love: Over the Edge (1979)

What is it that I love about this film? The clothes and hair? The casting to age? The disaffected youth? Dystopia? The closing song over the credits? Yes to all.

I Am David (not me, that's the name of it)

I just saw "I Am David" on IFC. It's not the type of movie I would have gone to see in the theaters, but perfect for a lazy Saturday (see my previous post, Mood Movies). This film is about a boy who escapes from a prison camp in Bulgaria in the 1950's. One of the key characters is played by James Caveziel (a.k.a. Jesus). This casting tells you that there may be Christ-like sacrifice and redemption ahead. Sure enough, those suspicions are proved true. I won't give away any more, but I recommend it. Here's the trailer.