Author D.R. Ransdell
  • Author D.R. Ransdell
  • News & Events
  • Books
    • Party Wine >
      • Party Wine Extras
    • Andy Veracruz Mysteries >
      • Mariachi Meddler >
        • Mariachi Meddler Reviews
        • Mariachi Meddler Extras
        • MM Questions for Discussion
      • Island Casualty >
        • Island Casualty Reviews
        • Island Casualty Extras
      • Dizzy in Durango >
        • Dizzy in Durango Reviews
        • Dizzy in Durango Extras
      • Substitute Soloist >
        • Substitute Soloist Reviews
        • Substitute Soloist Extras
        • SS Questions for Discussion
      • Brotherly Love >
        • Brotherly Love Extras
    • Campanello Novels >
      • Amirosian Nights
      • Thai Twist >
        • Thai Twist Reviews
        • Thai Twist Extras
      • Carillon Chase >
        • Carillon Chase Extras
        • The International Carillon Festival
    • Mariachi Memoir >
      • Mariachi Memoir Reviews
      • Mariachi Memoir Extras
  • Awards
  • Music Gigs
    • Mariachi Fun >
      • What Is Mariachi?
      • Mariachi CD--Diana canta la venganza
    • Italian Folk Songs
  • For Readers
    • Bio
    • Media Room
    • Mystery Book Club
    • Model Mysteries
    • Literary Trails >
      • John Grisham
      • W.B. Yeats
      • J.R.R.Tolkien
      • World Carillons
    • Travel Muse Blog
    • Cat Fun >
      • Sample Poem by Bandit
      • World Cats
  • Contact
For more info:

Oscars 2015: A Great Year For Writers

2/25/2015

4 Comments

 
There have been plenty of years when I was disappointed by the Oscars, especially when a movie I didn’t like swept through and won all the awards. This year I was much happier. While I think either Director or Original Screenplay or Best Picture might have gone to The Grand Budapest Hotel, I was delighted that both it and Birdman won so many awards (four each). I loved both movies; in fact, I already did blogs about each of them. (See Birdman blog below.)
 
Both movies do the same basic thing: They celebrate fine writing. As I complained in an earlier blog, as I sat watching The Grand Budapest Hotel, I thought, “Darn, I’m not clever enough to have written that.” When I watched Birdman, I didn’t have that same sensation because I was too busy marveling at how Iñárritu and co. were able to masterfully use Raymond Carver’s story and bring it to life in a whole new way. I’ll never be able to teach it again without thinking of the performances by Ed Norton and Michael Keating.
 
As a writer, I won’t stop dreaming either. When Matt Damon made a name for himself with Good Will Hunting, I thought: if this guy can come out of nowhere and put himself on the map, I can surely do the same thing. I haven’t written a great screenplay yet (although I’ve written several). I don’t have a novel famous enough to be adapted for the stage—yet. But I can certainly appreciate the fine writing I see at the movies, especially when it gets recognized in the most public way.

This is not to say that everyone I know loved these films. One friend thought The Grand Budapest Hotel was a simple, predictable story, but the guy has a CV about three hundred miles long, so perhaps he’s naturally critical. And another friend disliked Birdman. (What?!) But to me, both were fun, strong films. Wes Anderson captures a whimsical era and has fun with it in every moment. Alejandro González Iñárritu captures our fears of inadequacy while reminding us of the very difficult prospect of understanding and embracing true love.

We can’t go wrong either way.


To read about my novels:http://www.drransdellnovels.com


For my post on The Grand Budapest Hotel:
 
4 Comments
Elise
2/26/2015 02:01:56

Well, I certainly enjoyed the Grand Budapest Hotel too. I thought it was a great amount of fun. Haven't seen Birdman though. I did really enjoy the Imitation Game, and have heard lots about Boyhood, though I haven't made it to it yet (kids make you behind movie-wise. Although I am most up to date on the animated flicks!)

Happy movie watching!

Reply
D.R. Ransdell
2/28/2015 17:50:43

Although I liked both films a lot, I had a slight preference for The Grand Budapest Hotel. It was pure fun. Birdman was more serious..... although it had some funny elements as well. As to Boyhood, it was good, and a good experiment, and it had strong performances (I was rooting for Patricia Arquette), but I didn't think it was the top film. Hmm, and thanks to my sister and nieces, I actually saw the animated film that won--it's the only one I'd seen (although I hear the Leggo movie is really good)

Reply
Sandra Besso
3/3/2015 00:28:52

Interesting! You have convinced me to see Birdman immediately and not wait until it comes out on Netflix.

Reply
D.R. Ransdell
3/3/2015 19:43:14

It's worth seeing on a big screen. It did win an Oscar for the photography, and you can get the effect of that better in a theatre. (I got lucky last weekend. The Hobbit was still playing at the cheap theatre--that's another one that would have been hard to appreciate at home.)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Big News

    D.R's fifth Andy Veracruz mystery, Brotherly Love, just came out. Gina's new adventure, Carillon Chase, just came out as well. Happy reading!
    ​

    Archives

    November 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013

    RSS Feed