Sunday Synopsis – Sleep Outs, Movie Titles and ‘Lighten Up’ (RELOADED)

An event planner in Philadelphia told me (when I attempted to plan a sleepout last month as part of the “ABYSS” premiere, to raise awareness about homelessness) that likely none of the residents would attend my film screening because no one likes sleeping on the ground in cold weather.

The irony of that reasoning was precisely my point, which is why I was glad to meet so many men and women from the business sector who united during the Covenant House Pennsylvania’s annual Sleep Out this past week; supporting homeless youth who are on the streets due to various circumstances such as child abuse, job loss, displacement following tragic events and related factors.

Geared up with just the clothes on their back, cardboard Home Depot boxes and sleeping bags, these individuals spent the night outside on the ground in chilly conditions – the very thing that someone told me earlier would not be done (willingly) in The City of Brotherly Love. Participants raised over $89,000 to support Covenant House’s many services while experiencing a small taste of what life is like for a homeless teenager.

During a candlelight vigil earlier that evening to kickoff this event, I was among the attendees who were introduced to a local University student who had to put her pursuit of higher education on hold after becoming homeless, as her family being split up among area shelters. Her story caused me to wonder what, if anything, are large Universities doing to assist in the wellbeing of students enrolled at their school who experience homelessness or are in danger of becoming homeless.

Anyway, although my premiere plans for “ABYSS” have changed, I will be launching an initiative in conjunction with the upcoming release of the movie, to help raise funds and awareness for the working homeless who are affiliated with organizations that provide jobs and housing assistance to the underemployed.

Speaking of “ABYSS” and changes, a modification – or rather addition -- to the film’s title is also coming soon. I decided to tweak the name of the movie so that it could give people a clearer picture of what this short film is about. Stay tuned for the title reveal!

In the meantime, here’s a one-minute comedy film called “Lighten Up,” that I wrote and directed a few years ago. It’s about a woman whose tolerance level is tested when her attempts at having fun with her boyfriend goes unnoticed due to him being preoccupied with office politics. She wants to enjoy their time together; he won’t let up about his beef with a company that doesn’t appreciate the contributions of their employees. The Monday Movie Meme is coming late, again, so hopefully this short film will hold you over.

Would YOU ever sleep outside for one night?

Do YOU know anyone who has experienced homelessness?

What’s YOUR favorite Monday Movie Meme theme, to date?

Monday Movie Meme - Game On!

Many people play the lottery for pure joy; Casinos in places such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City thrive on the temporary thrills that gambling brings to those who hope to hit the jackpot. We must not forget, however, that taking chances is not always about fun and games – especially for men and women who bet big on themselves while competing to win some type of prize.

It’s a funny thing about contests; you never know how much is at stake for participants who enter while at some type of crossroads or dire circumstance in their life. For some, winning means the difference between living and dying, whether they gain respect or lose prestige, whether they receive a second chance or glimmer of hope. That is the basis for of this week’s Monday Movie Meme theme: Game On!

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies featuring people who have a lot on the line, yet enter a contest that could have a huge bearing on their future circumstances. Here are my selections for this week’s Game On! theme.

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Members of a catholic school choir put all of their energies and faith into a statewide singing competition in this comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, Lauren Hill and Kathy Najimy.

Finding Forrester

The dude in this drama starring Sean Connery, Rob Brown and Anna Paquin, found himself involved in some type of alleged plagiarism scandal…I think…while participating in a writing contest.

Cinderella Man

A struggling and disabled fighter enters a dangerous boxing match in an attempt to earn enough to feed and care for his family in this biopic starring Russell Crowe.

Akeelah and the Bee

A young girl butts heads with her mother, peers and mentor while prepping for Regional and National spelling competitions.

The Karate Kid

Didn’t Jaden Smith’s character compete in some type of vicious martial arts tournament in this 2010 remake also starring Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson? I’ve only watched the movie once and am a little fuzzy on most of the scenes from that movie – except for the fact that the boy had an inflated ego and it took a while for him to learn the importance of something so simple as hanging his own jacket up and whatnot.

All about the Benjamins

A wanted crook wins the lottery and then joins a bounty hunter in a wild chase for diamond smugglers, in this comedy starring Mike Epps, Ice Cube and Eva Mendes.

What movies have YOU seen featuring people entering contests?

Monday Movie Meme – A Match Made in Hell

Happy Veteran’s Day! We’re back to our regularly scheduled Monday Movie Meme program, after a brief illness caused me to be out of commission last week. Years ago, I made a one-minute short comedy film about a woman whose boyfriend tests her patience when all she wants is some *ahem* extra special birthday attention.

In preparation for my re-posting of that movie on this blog, the scene has me thinking about dysfunctional couples; which brings us to the theme for this week’s Monday Movie Meme: A Match Made in Hell.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies featuring dysfunctional couples. It is just a matter of time before their relationship takes a turn for the worse. Or, they surprisingly operate well together despite you shaking your head wondering how these pairings came to be in the first place. Here are my selections for this week’s A Match Made in Hell meme.

Lighten Up

The fun loving girlfriend is all about enjoying the moment but her boyfriend is an egotistical and disgruntled employee who doesn’t know how to chill. I will be posting this movie – which I wrote and directed -- soon for your viewing pleasure.

The Best Man

I have to give props to this classic wedding movie starring Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut and many other talents – especially since “The Best Man Holiday” opens this weekend.

One of the groomsmen is dating an uptight woman who tries to control him, which reminds me of…

The Hangover

A dentist named Stu is in a long-term relationship with one of the most unpleasant, controlling girlfriends that I’ve ever seen in a movie.

Seems like Stu and the guy from “The Best Man” have something in common, especially since their friends are not that fond of their significant others.

Leaving Las Vegas

All arguments about everybody needing somebody aside, I doubt that the pair in this romantic drama starring Nicholas Cage comes to mind when people think of couples who are meant for each other. If the relationship between the suicidal drunken screenwriter and his hooker girlfriend isn’t dysfunctional, I don’t know what is.

Who are some of the most dysfunctional couples you’ve ever seen in a movie?