— Ava Gardner
[Read more…] about Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions
Friday Photos: True Hollywood Confessions
— Ava Gardner
Brittany Murphy
— Ava Gardner
Confessions of a Shomer Shabbos Hollywood Screenwriter
Act I:
Exposition—In Which the Main Characters and Primary Drama Are Introduced
It’s Shabbat morning. I’m in synagogue, praying, where an undertone of chatter is definitely not the norm. For me, a frum-from-birth screenwriter, this synagogue, where my wife and I have been members since we moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn, is my fortress of solitude. It’s where my Hollywood identity is securely tucked away and I can revert to my true self, which is: husband, father and grandfather, shomer Shabbos Jew, Religious Zionist and a man who tries to live a Torah life as best as he can.
In the midst of praying, a friend whispers: “I just saw that movie you made a few years ago. Very exciting story. ”
“Um, thanks so much.”
I figure the conversation is over and go back to my prayers.
“The thing I was wondering is,” continues my friend, “what’s she really like?” She being the famous and glamorous star of the movie my friend has recently seen on Netflix.
[Read more…] about Confessions of a Shomer Shabbos Hollywood Screenwriter
Tisha B’Av, 2012
Today we observe Tisha B’Av, a solemn day of mourning and fasting in which we commemorate the destruction of the first and second Temples, both of which were destroyed on the ninth of Av. The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 70 C.E.
Today is actually the tenth of Av, but because of Shabbat—a day of joy—the fasting and mourning of Tisha B’Av were deferred until today.
On this day it is appropriate to watch my movie, The Devil’s Arithmetic, for whose screenplay I won the Emmy Award.
Here’s Part One:
The Devil’s Arithmetic
Today is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day.
I’m posting Part I of my movie, The Devil’s Arithmetic for viewing. The film stars Kirsten Dunst and the late Brittany Murphy in spectacular performances. The rest of the film is available, but I’d greatly appreciate it if you ordered the DVD and gave it to friends, schools and libraries.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agE8s8Lfunw[/youtube]