Movies

A Movie To Watch While In Quarantine: Final Cut Ladies and Gentlemen

March 31, 2020 by Robert J. Avrech 1 Comment

Final Cut Ladies and Gentlemen from Julien Lahmi on Vimeo.

During this time of quarantine because of the Chinese Communist Virus, people are binging on various series, and catching up on the movies.

Friends have been texting, asking for recommendations.

I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite movies — a film of which very few are aware.

Final Cut Ladies and Gentleman (2012) is a feature film composed entirely of clips from different films throughout film history. But this film is not a highlight reel. It is, in fact, a traditional narrative, a love story that not only dazzles with the brilliance of its editing, but reaches emotional depths that are entirely unexpected.

Final Cut Ladies and Gentlemen was directed by Hungarian György Pálfi and stars pretty much everyone in film history.

Enjoy!

Books On My Night Table

March 12, 2020 by Robert J. Avrech Leave a Comment

The King’s Persons by Joanne Greenberg

Paul on Mazursky by Sam Wasson

Medieval Bodies by Jack Hartnell

Director Michael Powell and Zionist Leader Chaim Weizmann

February 21, 2018 by Robert J. Avrech 3 Comments

Director Michael Powell and screenwriter Emeric Pressburger were responsible for some of the finest, most distinctive movies made in Britain from the late 30s to the late 40s: The Spy in Black (1939), The Thief of Bagdad (1940), 49th Parallel (1941), One of Our Aircraft is Missing (1942), The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), I Know Where I’m Going (1945), Stairway to Heaven ((1946), Black Narcissus (1947), The Red Shoes (1948).

Of course, like all of us who work in the movie business, Powell labored over numerous beloved projects that were, for one reason or another, never produced.

In his luminous biography Million Dollar Movie, Powell writes of his passion to make a movie about the great Zionist leader, Chaim Weizmann, who went on to become Israel’s first President.

A Great Thanksgiving Movie: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

November 23, 2016 by Robert J. Avrech 3 Comments

Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, 1987. — Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, a great movie to watch on Thanksgiving.

Seraphic Secret usually recommends classic Hollywood movies to help celebrate our national holidays. But this year we’re going to switch gears and recommend one of our favorite Thanksgiving movies, Plains, Trains and Automobiles, 1987.

Not only is this one of the finest, most touching Thanksgiving movie ever made, but it’s also the best film written, directed and produced by the late, great John Hughes, best remembered for his legendary teen comedies.

How to Write a Screenplay

September 21, 2016 by Robert J. Avrech 17 Comments

Casablanca Screenplay by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch Based onEverybody Comes to Rick's by Murray Burnett, Joan Alison — Casablanca, screenplay by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch
Based on Everybody Comes to Rick’s by Murray Burnett, Joan Alison

I get a fair amount of email from readers asking me about writing.

More specifically, how do I go about writing a movie?

Writing is ninety percent perspiration, ten percent inspiration. In other words do not wait to get struck with inspiration. That’s a load of romantic nonsense. In fact, that’s a sure way not to write. The biggest secret in Hollywood—at least for writers who actually work and make money—is how hard they work. Discipline is the name of the game. Organization is vital. An obsession with the minutae of a story is a requirement. G-d is in the details.