The Monday Movie Meme Returns! – An Officer and His Diamonds

The theme for this week’s Monday Movie Meme is inspired by my upcoming short film, Abyss. It is a story about marriage proposal gone wrong that leaves an Army officer stranded at a bus stop in Philadelphia. I’m not ready to do another military theme just yet, so let’s stick with one that is as simple as pie: Rules of Engagement.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies where someone proposes to his or her significant other. Here are my selections for this week’s theme.

Takers

One of the opening scenes in this movie feature a suave bank robber named Jake who proposes to his girlfriend while meeting up with her at a restaurant. “Proposal” is rather generous and better described as an offer -- he just slips a ring on her finger and she smiles before they enter a warm embrace. To tell you the truth, I don’t even remember this guy saying much before, during or after his proposal except “If you’ll have me” – I guess you don’t need to speak many words when you’re attractive and raking in millions from your heists – your mere presence, accompanied by a nice sized diamond, is communicative enough for a gal to accept your marriage offer.

Men of Honor

There is a scene in this movie where Carl Brashear proposes to his librarian tutor while chasing her on foot as she rides away in a taxicab. “Marry me Jo!” – He didn’t have a ring but who says he needed one? Those who’ve seen the movie might agree that Brashear’s (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) attempt at upgrading his position with the librarian is, arguably, one of the most romantic gestures in films – at least, where proposals are concerned.

The Best Man

This movie features a book author who proposes to his girlfriend during a wedding reception – after planning a booty call with someone else in the days prior to his pal’s nuptials. I guess there’s nothing like a botched sex appointment with an old friend-slash-person of interest to make you realize that you really, actually love your partner so much want to get married! Heh.

Funny Lessons learned from these Monday Movie Meme selections:

You don’t need a ring to propose and can compensate for the lack of jewelry by presenting your case in a heartfelt manner – or in a setting where marriage is being celebrated. Having a ring, however, might grant you a get-out-of-asking free card where you don’t even have to verbalize it. Just whip out some jewelry and be cool. Hmm, this may be interesting enough to whip up a guest post around it. I shall find out.

What movies have YOU watched that feature marriage proposals?

The Daniel Craig “Method” of Filming a Scene - Do Whatever Works! #indiefilm

"Method actors suggest that you do sense memory exercises every time you do a scene. I use every method I can. Whatever works, I'll use." - Daniel Craig on his nameless role in the gangster film "Layer Cake."

While initially shooting the main scenes for a short motion picture that I’m working on, it has become obvious that some of the rules taught in schools and books about production need not apply to this particular project. Blocking scenes -- an often essential part of the moviemaking process, is one of these rules. Most filmmakers, film professors and related experts will probably tell you that blocking is necessary for everyone including cast and crew to know where to stand or which directions to move in a scene.

Yes, blocking makes things move quicker and easier since people know how they are going to fulfill whatever role they’re playing (acting, makeup, focus pulling, cinematography, etc.) in the production. I won’t deny that. Blocking can also cause confusion, divides focus and lead to actors forgetting other important parts of the scene, such as the dialogue -- something that was brought to my attention this month. On this current project, I’ve started to realize that sometimes, blocking is not a useful method for which to set up some of the scenes that we’re shooting.

British actor Daniel Craig, who plays James Bond in “Skyfall” does not adhere to one particular method of preparing for a movie scene. Instead, Craig utilizes whatever helps him get into character for the particular role and production that he is involved in. Perhaps, it would do many filmmakers some good to take a page from his book of setups and preparation -- including me.

For the most part, it does not matter how you get to your destination, so long as you make it there. What started out to be so simple in concept became a little more involved than I anticipated. Now, I must adapt and adjust where necessary to make sure that the bigger picture is not lost in the shadows of minor details like whether a guy sips his cup of tea before or after he walks through a door. It doesn’t really fucking matter -- just get him moving; and no, this scenario is not from the production I’m in the middle of now. That would be too easy.

Thank You all for visiting and interacting with this blog. I know that it’s behind on the Monday Movie Meme (let’s just skip this week, ok?) and the King Dong series among other posts. I will do what I can to keep this thing going and not lose my mind in the process.

If you have any requests with regards to these blog series or any others (movie cocktails, reviews, festivals, events, interviews, etc.), feel free to send them my way.

Does Ang Lee’s ‘Life Of Pi’ Movie Share TMI on the CGI?

Photo Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Based on Yann Martel’s novel of the same name, “Life Of Pi” starring Suraji Sharma is considered to be the next “Avatar” -- at least, according to TIME Magazine.

Academy Award winning director Ang Lee helms this 3D adventure-drama about a young boy who develops a connection with a fearsome Bengal Tiger after both of them survive a disaster at sea.

Does knowing that the computer-generated tiger featured this film was made to match a real one take away some of the magic of watching it for the first time? I wonder if it's unecessary for audiences to already know that the production team created a fake tiger modeled after the realistic movements and appearance of an actual tiger. Yes, that tidbit likely won’t matter once moviegoers are thrust into a world where everything seems real – thanks to 3D glasses that add to the excitement of genre films.

Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film CorporationI’m not sure about the rest of you all, but when I go to the movies -- especially ones featuring animals or unimaginable stunts, it’s more fun to be able to at least consider the possibility that these elements were really present on sent, even if they were not. I'd rather know about all of the CGI tricks and tips after watching it.

The wow factor of having 15 artists in the Visual Effects department who worked solely on the fur for a CGI animal would be just as, if not more, fascinating to learn as part of a special features section when “Life Of Pi” is released on DVD.

People who already read the book probably won’t care either way but those of us who are being introduced to this fantasy adventure for the first time via its big screen adaptation could probably benefit from not knowing all of the intricate details that went into making the movie. It does, however, peak my curiosity -- how realistic will this tiger look? How well will the boy interact with the tiger? These are things that can only be found out by going to check out the movie and seeing for myself.

One thing's for sure -- I DO want to know whether this boy and his new tiger friend will forever remain castaways living on a boat in the sea or find a new home elsewhere. I’m also interested in finding out how the human in the story finds ways to communicate with a wild cat. 

“Life Of Pi” opens nationwide on Wednesday, November 21st. Check your local theater listings for showtimes.

 

Have YOU read “Life Of Pi” by Yann Martel?

Do YOU think “Life Of Pi” will be the next “Avatar?”

Can YOU draw a tiger by hand or on a computer?


The media and images in this sponsored post are made possible by the distributors. All opinions are my own. The Monday Movie Meme will be posted later today.