American Beauty vs. The Ice Storm Part II

"See, Doctor. God didn't kill that girl. Fate didn't butcher her. Destiny didn't feed her to those dogs. If God saw any of us that night, he didn't seem to mind. From then on I knew... God doesn't make the world this way. We do." (Rorshack from The Watchmen)

Much of what boys learn growing up is built upon the foundations of the comic book. Heroism, self-sacrifice, and even the power of the family are the most prolific aspects. Like real people, you only need to look a little deeper to see that its characters are more than just the super powers they possess. We’re all given our own talents which make us unique.

In Fact, The Ice Storm starts with Tobey Maguire's character reading from an issue of The Fantastic Four (co-created by the magnificent Jack Kirby & the self-aggrandizing Stan Lee. That's for you, Mark.) where Sue Storm & Reid Richards' son is in jeopardy. The setting as he rides alone late at night, then the power dies and the train creeps slowly to a halt, sets up the entire movie and hooks you into the foreshadowing peril that is to come.

The incredible way the faults of the parents of the two families in the story are mirrored by their children is perfectly symmetrical and profound. While Kevin Klein and Sigourney Weaver's characters engage in an affair, his daughter and her son explore sex as a matter of fact, without the passions of real feeling. Thus, the end of innocence is neither profound or romantic. So the human condition is more like the biology of the nature we study in school, and the highest life form on the planet is no different even though he has relatively limitless powers.

The story beautifully unfolds scene by scene as Joan Allen's character finds solace in the obvious freedom she perceives in her own daughter, but the decisions each of them make leads them down a dark and very "adult" path. The only true romantic in the story is Maguire’s character, and it is pure irony that he pursues love alone as a hero would. His character offers balance to the rest of his family, and it becomes all too bittersweet that when he rejoins them at the end of the movie, it isn’t until extreme loss is witnessed by both families. Elijah Wood is perfectly cast because we’re so used to seeing him in roles that are more “stock,” and love him despite his fallacies in the story.

This poetic sequence is far more poignant than with American Beauty. It’s characters are unreal, contrived, and the gag at the end of the story makes little sense. Still, whenever I see a plastic bag circling in the air, I say aloud, “look, American Beauty.” Sure, who wouldn’t want to drive a vintage Trans Am, waste your day away at a dead end job, and smoke marijuana in the garage? Well, some people would, I guess. But teenagers don’t sit naked in front of one another just to be naked, and a career man in the armed forces isn’t gay for no reason, especially when he isn’t born that way. American Beauty was a collage of indiscretions, though amusing to the world because it’s characters broke rules we would spend time in jail for, but was hardly even worth the attention of the Oscars.

“I don’t care what anybody says. That was a great movie.” I knew then why my employer put it that way.

“Would you smile if I admit I was wrong?”

“About what?” says Laurie.

“Miracles. It ends with astronomical odds of occurring, like oxygen turning to gold. I’ve longed to witness such an event, and yet, I neglect that in human coupling. Millions upon millions of cells competing to create life, for generation after generation. Until finally, your mother loves a man, Edward Blake the Comedian. A man she has every reason to hate, and out of that contradiction, against unfathomable odds, it’s you; only you that emerged, to distill so specific a form from all that chaos. Like turning air into gold. A miracle. And so I was wrong...” (Dr. Manhattan from The Watchmen)

Life isn’t poetic and symmetrical by any means. But it is up to human intelligence to derive and create order from the chaos. Hopefully, we can do so in an entertaining way...

“Now I lay me down in Dreamland

I know perfect's not for real

I thought we might get closer” - Neil Peart

American Beauty vs. The Ice Storm Part I

I don't want to get sucked into debates that are not worth the energy and thought that might go into them. Especially when neither side will change its position. This applies to religion, politics, and even art.

The fact of the matter is, some people really love the world as it is. Not everyone shares the point of view expressed in the title song "Far Cry" from Rush's Snakes & Arrows album. "It's a far cry from the world we'd thought we'd live in..." I thought we'd be a heck of a lot more evolved, and technology would've pushed it farther along. But truth be told, that's why there are movies made to appeal to every clientele. Some people like crazy, silly movies, some like horror and graphic violence, and some like drama and romance. Some like it hot...

Ironically, I'm a huge Batman fan but didn't like "The Dark Knight" when I saw it at the theater because I'd been used to watching innocent "kid movies" with my children. Though I saw it alone, I was sensitive to their POV as if they were sitting beside me. I eventually got over it, and with the exception of it being a little long with the circumstance on the two ferries (and the fact Hollywood still can't cast someone who actually fits the Batman description), I think it's as close as they've ever come to the comic.

I promised when I started my blogsite in the "You've Got Mail" post in December (http://publishing-literaryagentswatch.blogspot.com/2009/12/youve-got-mail.html)

that I'd do a comparison between "American Beauty" and "The Ice Storm." So this should serve as a preface to that undertaking perfectly. How my comments are received depend greatly on what type of person you are, and what you expect. That line from "Return Of The Jedi" is just as true now as it was in 1983. "Luke. You're going to find that the truths we cling to depend greatly upon our point of view."

It was 1997 and I was taking a course in screenwriting at UCLA with Judy Burns. I can't say enough good things about her, her contributions to television and film, and the class. What she taught us has made a huge impact on the content of these blogs, and the way I've created stories as a writer. The one book she was emphatic about was Lajos Engri's The Art of Dramatic Writing. "The rest of Hollywood uses it, so you may want to as well." I would add Ray Bradbury's "Zen & the Art of Writing" to that list.

The funny thing was, when The Ice Storm came out at this little theater just west of the 405 on Santa Monica Boulevard, she and I both ran to see it before the next class met. She spoke about this movie extensively.

I read an article at that time where Katie Holmes' mother cried when she read the script her daughter was going to act in, shocked at its content. I might be rationalizing, but the theme of the picture had such a valuable lesson, it's portrayal of its characters though full of questionable vices, it was so real and worth the ride. But the film, directed by Ang Lee, fit Judy's formula for writing to a tee, of which I described in my first blog.

When American Beauty surfaced in 1999, two years before meeting my future wife, I was employed as a nanny and babysitter through a service in L.A. One of my repeat clients and his wife had just seen it, and made an intersting comment. This is how he put it. “I don’t care what people say, that was the best movie I’ve ever seen.” So I went to see it the following week at a theater just off Ventura Blvd. on Van Nuys.

What ruined it for me was a Mom there with her two young children. I knew from the rating it would be inappropriate and asked her why she’d brought them. “Well, their uncle had worked on the film.” Another person in line, who obviously read Huxley’s “Brave New World” and subscribed to descensitizing children by letting them run naked in the courtyards together, resented my question and asked how it was my business. But the whole movie, and you know what I’m talking about if you’ve seen it, I was overly conscious of the fact there was a 7 and 9 year old girl watching.

4:26 A.M.

I awoke with the shock of my cell phone playing "Stairway To Heaven," head too heavy to be fully aware of what was happening. The distinguishing names of my children lit the small screen, bringing an Adrenalin rush to all parts of my body. The voice was unrecognizable but stated flatly, "please call 911!" She repeated it again as I blurted out, "hang up the phone, and dial 911!"

The phone went dead and I dialed 911 in Utah, my mind frantically playing scenario after scenario, as to who this women was, what she was doing with my Ex-wife's phone, and what could be the emergency. Where were my children hurt? Was she sitting with my kids at 6:26 a.m. East Coast time?

I explained what happened to my local 911, and she worked to find the number in Georgia. I remember anxiously asking her to hurry. "I am," she said worried herself. "Do you have a pen?"

"Yes, I'm ready." I hung up the phone and dialed GA. I explained to the man again what had happened, and with speedy resolve, he said, "I'll transfer you to our 911."

The phone rang twice, and as soon as a voice entered my ear I told her she needed to send the police to the following address, which I gave her. Then at the first pause, I told her what happened.

I gave her directions to the right building in the apartment complex, and she said she typed it in. She asked for my number, then said that a car was arriving and several more on the way. I waited. Then she said that another operator had the other woman on the phone, too.

"Are they alright?" I said.

"Yes. The call is to apartment "B."

"My kids are in apartment "A."

A few more moments went by, and she said "he's there."

"Is everyone alright?" I said.

"Yes. Your family is fine."

"What should I do, call back?"

"Yes," she said.

"Thank you."

I hung up and called my Ex-wife, who was surprised I was calling.

A neighbor borrowed her phone to call the police on her husband. She had dialed my number instead because it was her "my fave" with T Mobile. She actually apologized to me, and we hung up.

Needless to say, I was awake for hours after that, imagining if it had been an emergency, I would not be able to get to Georgia for hours. Even though I knew my children were safe, a dark cloud haunted me until I finally slept back...

Hours later the Ex called back and explained that this woman had woke her up, and her husband had threatened her with a knife. She had given her the phone, and locked the door again. She retrieved it after the police arrived.

This was truly a unique experience, but par for the course given the past year. Being a father, a parent, it makes you vulnerable. More than I'd like to admit. Of course nothing was discussed about the incident with my kids on the phone tonight. They slept through it all. But the experience made me even more aware of how badly they need me, and how I need them.

Home & Hearth & Angst

For the past several years, wanting to buy a home, a stationary place to call my own, has been the driving force in my life. Making the desire a reality has been bittersweet, however. And as last year's events came crashing down on top of me, my children have reminded me just how wonderful it was to have a home, and how happy they were in Ogden at the house I rented for 2 years.

Now, every time I call them in Georgia, where that woman they call a mother moved them, they talk about the times we had there. They miss their toys now in storage, the camping trips up the canyon around the lake, the basement they said they were afraid of, but now miss because of the two play-rooms; One with the "Playhut" 2 room tent with Leila's play kitchen, Saalem's tent and t-pee with connecting tunnels, and the other with the Thomas Train track and Lego Coast Guard set.

I have moved every two years since meeting Karima from Hollywood to North Hollywood, from Cedar City to Ogden, and now to Provo. Not to mention helping to pack HER apartment, driving to GA, and unpacking again. It is as if I am living on the road without the fun of it. Half of last year living in my car and moving twice in Provo, now to find myself sharing a room with a twin size bed and a closet to call my own.

I now long for two things: One, to own a condo at the end of N. University Ave in this wonderful little one level outdoor mall with restaurants and a movie theater, where I ironically took the kids to see Star Wars - Clone Wars when their mother wanted to see a concert in Orem. And two, to own that five acre parcel on Driftwood in Enoch (adjacent to Cedar City) where I could put an IRC manufactured home on a full basement with a 10:12 roof pitch and second story.

Even now, I'm procrastinating studying for this new job because I know just how much I'm really worth as a writer if I could only get published... If I had to live like this, I would prefer it out of a suitcase, traveling the country for book-signings, like George Clooney in "Up In The Air." Now my stories are something I could really sell...

The Watchmen Finale

Despite the differences between the movie and graphic novel, the ending of both beg for questions it raises to be answered. Questions like, is it possible to change the world into a harmonious place without such sacrifice? You can't tell me that every science fiction fan hasn't longed for a real utopia. In the Star Trek universe, Earth did face the nuclear war averted in The Watchmen, just not at the same magnitude. The A bombs of 1966 were less sophisticated when Gene Roddenberry created it.

Another question would be, what type of world would Dr. Manhattan go on to create? On a religious scale emotions always run high, and to some it may be blasphemy. Did God create us merely to be mindless puppets? How would you create life? Would there need to be consequences for certain actions? Would Manhattan finally need to keep his clothes on?

And finally, does ambition always lead to greed? Could we have been created any other way, or are we our makers fault? Some would say that we are creations without a maker, like Manhattan says. If that were so, and there is no "higher authority," then doesn't that make life even more precious?

I cannot imagine a mind watching Avatar, as I did yesterday, and relate to the greedy, war-mongering soldiers who attempt to destroy the Aborigine's world on Pandora. I cannot imagine the mind of a human who sides against the type of transformation Jake Scully experiences, or John J. Dunbar from Dances With Wolves. I suppose there are though. And as I can imagine people who walk this planet now who are more perfect than I, we must all imagine that there are talents in them we do not possess. This is the theme of my story "The Fire & the Butterfly" that I am trying to get published.

I tell my little son all the time, "choose this day who you're going to be," and I know that this is totally beyond his scope of understanding, but he will be greater than me because he has so much more than I ever had. A father.

I have to think that as the Russians wanted more for their sons and daughters than annihilation, and the greedy, self-centered of this world, and this country must want more than people like Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh to be the spokesmen for this world. On the flip side, I don't want Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi to be my definitive representatives, but for the meantime I accept Barack Obama.

There are people smart enough and inspired enough to think they can solve the worlds problems. As arrogant as it may sound, I'm one of them. I'm not afraid to look for answers that make the difference...

My brain thinks in detail. I create worlds. Wouldn't it be nice to make a living doing just what you've been put here to do?

The Watchmen Part II

The Comedian is the central figure in the first scene. Unlike the Joker character, he makes no attempt to be funny. It is no coincidence that he is the only super in the story who mirrors other humans by using their favorite weapon, a gun. Unlike the Batman character who despises them and would never cross that line, the Comedian, part soldier part super hero, has made his reputation upon being the anti-hero. We learn just how the other supers feel about him as they are made aware of his death, and at the funeral we see flash-backs from each of the supers own experience with him.

The second scene begins by witnessing the alienation of Dr. Manhattan from life. He finishes his work with another hero, Adrian Veidt, creating an infinite power source, but looses his love Silk Spectre II when she walks out on him. Giving credit to the makers of this film, following details of the book meticulously, we learn how he came to be. Manhattan is as smart as he is powerful, and he and Veidt have gifts of intellect which they attempt use to make the world a better place in an economic, scientific, and sociological way. He is accused of causing cancer in those closest to him from his past in a televised interview, and leaves the planet for Mars.

My favorite part of the story is Veidt's confrontation with the businessmen, including Lee Iacocca (who ironically supported Bush in the 2000 election, and Kerry in the '04 election). They accuse him of being a socialist because he intends to make energy free. In the present political world, the desire to help people live without fear is the great dichotomy. Capitalism as defined by the "conservatives," another contradiction, is in direct conflict with helping people because they only see how it will hurt their pocket book. It's the naive of our population who think it's about morality. Is it not immoral to ignore those in need? Even if it's 18% of the population of America? How many millions of people does that translate into? I'm sorry to say that religion feeds the fear of the ignorant masses. Fear of communism is reborn. Veidt, "the smartest man on the planet," looks their greed in the eyes and defies them, and an attempt is made on his life by a man who appears from the elevator.

Rorschack is framed and put in prison, and we learn his background while he's questioned by a "shrink." Night Owl and Silk Spectre hook up, and defy the Keene Act which outlawed masks by saving people from a building fire.

After springing him, the third scene begins with Night Owl and Rorschack following leads that end at Veidt's doorstep. Spectre convinces Dr. Manhattan on Mars to return to Earth and try to prevent the nuclear war as the US and USSR face off. All super heroes converge on Veidt who plans on attaching the population with the technology Manhattan gives him. They are too late as explosions on specific cities kill millions. His real intention is revealed once captured by Manhattan, and TVs show a world reeling from these attacks, apparently caused by Manhattan, unite in peace, and two super-powers retreat against a new foe.

Rorschack refuses to let the lie be hidden from the population, and Manhattan is forced to kill him, as his body forms a rorschack pattern in the snow.

Two points must be made. One, as the theme of The Watchmen plays out, it is Rorschack who states it plainly. It isn't God who creates this world, the way it is, it is men. We choose. That's why most people live in fear. Fear of trying to make the world better. The confusion that distracts our world prevents real change. Two, the miracle that Dr. Manhattan realizes on Mars is the very act of creation that is placed in our hands. It is man-kinds right to choose the wrong path that belittles the miracles, "so specific a form." Out of all the contradictions in life, life is the reason we're here... And free agency is the prime directive.

The Watchmen Part I

I am tempted to entitle this blog "Worlds Collide." Isn't that what happens when different aspects in life come together intellectually, coincidentally, and if I might indulge in a little grey area, spiritually?

People are more likely to recognize the name Neil Gaiman than Alan Moore, especially since the latter won't attach his name to anything Hollywood does. Both are comic book writers, but Moore revolutionized the industry with a little title everyone knows, but hardly knows anything about. And that is the Swamp Thing. The Swamp Thing comic book combined horror, profound metaphysics, science, love, and the evolution of the soul. My favorite depiction of Swampy has roses growing out of his hands, his feet rising out of the Earth, a frog on his shoulder, and the most regal look peering from his red eyes. He is a type of Christ figure.

Swamp Thing is an elemental, which means he has a connection to nature in a very special way. One story had a certain breed of vampires living under the depths of a lake, and Swamp Thing became the whole valley raising the vampires out into the the sunlight to their obvious end. His human connection is his wife Abagail from before the accident which changed him. At one point in the comic run, he travels through space, inferring that we all come from the cosmos where God created us. This is of course my interpretation.

Moore wrote two very powerful graphic novels which look into the heart of man and show his fatal flaws. One was "V For Vendetta," and another "The Watchmen." I admit never reading "V," but The Watchmen was a milestone that typifies what it was like growing up with the fear of nuclear war with the USSR. In the 70s and early 80s the threat seemed so real. Now it has been replaced with "terrorism," and dirty bombs. Fear is a lie, but a powerful tool used to control people and make them loose hope (mixing a little Bible with The Never-ending Story).

The reason my own worlds collided today was because in the middle of my real life strife with divorce and starting over professionally, I'm living in limbo waiting for a license to be reviewed by the State before I can work. So I went to see Avatar and The Blind Side. We see the same lessons of greed played out in our fantasies alongside the extreme needs of real people who are victims of the world we've created. And the primary theme of The Watchmen goes hand in hand with what is wrong with the world, and whether we have the courage to change it; at what price, too.

In the "hook" at the very beginning of scene one, someone breaks into the condo of an older man who does his best to defend himself. It is obvious immediately that these two have super-strength as fists take out corners of walls, and the older man takes a beating that would kill a normal man. He's finally thrown out the window crashing to his death hundreds of feet below, the symbol of his alter-ego is a button of a smiling face on the sidewalk that came off in the struggle.

The credits expertly tell the back story of the rise of super heroes inserted into American history, their demise, and the dawn of those who replaced them. Then my favorite character is introduced investigating the death of the Comedian. Rorschach's POV is so important because he acts as a medium between the polarized super-heroes in the story, half of them overly brilliant and the others typical and normal. He gives his opinion about the world he lives through voice-over from his journal entries, and warns the other members of their team that someone may be "gunning" for super- heroes. In the comic, they were not called "The Watchmen."

Rorschach is unconventional for two reasons. One, he talks like an Old Testament prophet about the depravity of mankind, even lives on the street unmasked carrying a sign "The End Is Coming," and two, is wanted by the authorities because he is not afraid of killing the bad guys. The psychology of his character is masterful, and Moore shows his genius by the randomness nature gave them these gifts. They could easily turn to evil. They skirt and cross that line of right and wrong, just as real people do.