It is a story of twists and turns that are connected and reconnected.  In particular, the characters of Stein and Hemingway were outstanding, not to mention the character Owen Wilson who played Gil.  Wilson was in his element with humor, but the humor was not overt.  As with a lot of Woody Allen films, one must think to get the joke, and as said, it is cleverly subtle this time.  The plot line had me enmeshed in the story and I didn’t want it to end.  This is a film I plan on buying when it comes out.

Check out these sites below!

Facebook has a page for Midnight in Paris

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sonyclassics.com%2Fmidnightinparis%2Fdates.html&h=999c7

Box Office Shocker: ‘Midnight in Paris’ Set to Become Woody Allen’s Highest-Grossing Film in 25 Year

www.hollywoodreporter.com

“Some observers believe the film, starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams, will ultimately surpass “Hannah and Her Sisters” to become his top earner ever.”

Definitely one of the most amazing films I’ve seen to date is The First Grader.  This film was shown at the Ancaster Film Fest.  Since this film was written about so well by the staff of the Ancaster Film Fest, I will merely cut & paste their words for you.  It is a must see film.

Runner up to the King’s Speech for the Audience Award, 2010 Toronto International Film Festival

Winner of Best Film at the Palm Beach International Film Festival

Winner Audience Award at the Doha/Tribeca International Film Festival

Picked up by National Geographic for North American Distribution

Official selection also at the London and Telluride International Film Festivals

The First Grader Synopsis
By the Ancaster Film Fest 

“In a small, remote mountain top primary school in the Kenyan bush, hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the Kenyan government. One new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge (Oliver Litondo), an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life. He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied – even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds.

Moved by his passionate plea, head teacher Jane Obinchu (Naomie Harris), supports his struggle to gain admission and together they face fierce opposition from parents and officials who don’t want to waste a precious school place on such an old man.

Full of vitality and humour, the film explores the remarkable relationships Maruge builds with his classmates some eighty years his junior. Through Maruge’s journey, we are taken back to the shocking untold story of British colonial rule 50 years earlier where Maruge fought for the freedom of his country.

Directed by Justin Chadwick (THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL/BLEAK HOUSE) from a script by Emmy-winner Ann Peacock (THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, NIGHTS IN RODANTHE, KIT KITTRIDGE), THE FIRST GRADER is a heart warming and inspiring true story of one man’s fight for what he believes is his right in order to overcome the burdens of his past. It is a triumphant testimony to the transforming force of education.

The filming process itself was quite extraordinary, as the children in the film – who are in many ways the stars – had never even seen a film or television set before let alone been involved in the filming process. Their involvement in the shoot was a totally novel experience for them and their enthusiasm and energy is captured beautifully on screen.”

This film unfolds in a fascinating way.  It has many facets that intertwine, converge, then diverge & re-submerge.  There is a surprise ending that will knock your socks off.   I would like to be more specific, but if I did that, I would likely ruin the film for you.  I have placed a trailer to this film below, but I advise only seeing this if you want to know some of the secrets that are highlighted in the film before they become known to you in the film itself.  Just know that most people came out of this film saying “Wow”!

I hope this nominated film wins Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards this Sunday!

The setting of the film literally set “In Bruges” is magnificent and “fairytale like” (a line used by three film characters).

The actors are out of this world.  Whomever cast this film knew the script well enough to get these top notch people.  Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Zeljko Ivanek, along with the rest of the cast, help spin a tale that is captivating.  I highly recommend it.  

Promoting one’s own work, takes time, patience, luck, perseverance, and the ability to ride a roller-coaster of emotions.  With both Inktip and on my own, I have gotten so close to having my work recognized I could taste it.  However, whomever tells you you have a great idea in the film & television industry, if you can’t get it out the starting gate, you are back to where you have started.  This has happened to me several times.  As I always deemed it “I was so close, yet so far”.

Thankfully I have two mentors who are producers who are pushing me to try as many avenues as I can.  One has even forwarded me to other people.  I think it is this sort of support and relationship you need in this industry.

Riding the wave of on the Inktip website makes you feel good when your logline, synopsis, or even your script is visited, but unless it is what that particular company is looking for, your idea will not see the light of day. Another thing is some people at a company might like it, but the higher ups ultimately decide whether or not it will fly.

If you want to try Inktip.com with pursuing things yourself, there might be a better chance in store for you, but remember, “nothing is written in stone” until an agreement is signed.  The likeliness of most people who are not already in the industry, will find it hard getting their foot in the door and keeping it there.

My advice to Jerrol at Inktip, is have a way where the scripts, etc., get randomly shuffled more frequently so the submissions aren’t stuck at the bottom for long periods of time.

In the meantime my Reality TV idea is posted there till mid-October.

Outdoor Funeral scene at cemetery – Mourner

Royal York hotel – Woman in the Red Dress, ballroom dancing, dignitary’s receiving line

Inside & outside Trinity Church – Mourner

Exit Wounds (2001)

I was in the audience of the few who were seated; I was seated behind Steven Segal.

Cadet Kelly (2002) (TV)

Mother of a cadet; multiple shots during drill team demonstrations.

Of course I did protect my idea by submitting it to the WGAW or the Writers Guild of America West first.  Always protect your idea before discussing it with anyone, or posting it anywhere.  See my post on how to protect your scripts.