Academy Award movies

As a writer I want to talk about a couple of movies I watched on the weekend. Okay, first up was Departed. The Academy Award winner of, I think, four Oscars. Best picture for sure and best adapted screenplay. I totally disagree with these awards. I can't tell you how disappointed I was when the credits rolled at the end of the movie. This movie was so violent that I really wonder why it was picked by the Academy. What are they trying to tell us? That violence is okay? That this kind of violence is normal? That is how I felt they depicted violence. That is really was okay and normal. I also think that the writing wasn't worth an academy award. They used the "f" bomb more than they needed to for sure. I'm not against swearing, but this was way over the top and to me, swearing should be used sparingly to give a message. This was way overdone as was the talk of "bj's" and sex. Maybe I missed something with this movie. I thought the acting was great though and any one of them could have been nominated for that category. But the movie as a movie was not Academy material for sure. I think it was okay, but not an academy award winner. Okay, next movie of the weekend was Babel. This movie I enjoyed a whole lot more because it gave us something to talk about around the dinner table. The depth was far greater in Babel then The Departed. Although, I did think the ending was a but rushed. I guess they were trying to get back to the beginning of why? (I'm purposely not saying anything about the plot in case you haven't watched either movie.) This movie had substance and not just guns being shot constantly. Interesting that both movies were about guns and that this is what our society at this particular time likes. Obviously, we want movies with guns and violence. It's what is selling and what the Academy prefers. Although to me The Departed glorified gun violence while Babel told the story of how many people are affected by an innocent gun shot. I have to say, that contrast made me think. Any comments? Tell me what I missed in the Departed.

Western High School Career Day

Hello, It's been awhile because I've been writing. I find blogging takes away from my writing time. Not good when you're under contract. But I must post about my morning. I was asked by my daughter's friend to participate in the Western High School career day as an author. Now, this school is one of the top schools academically in Alberta. I wondered what I would say to students who are trying to get into Harvard and Princeton. But you know, both of my sessions had students who were passionate about writing. Some of these high school students have books they've finished. They asked questions about where to send, how to write a query. I was thrilled. They are so young and vibrant that I left with a feeling of pride in my work and what I do. Kids are aspiring to be writers. I tried to tell them not to give up on their dream but...they may have to find a way to write to make money first, before they actually have that book published. The publishing business has a lot of options as does the writing world. If I had to do it over again, I would enroll in a Creative Writing program at a University. That would be so exciting! I have a piece of paper that says--BSc. Yes, I graduated with a BSc in Kinesiology. Okay, so about this career day. I was so impressed with who they had speaking and the booths that were set up in the job fair. They didn't just focus on academics, even though the school is well known for academics. They had information on trades, cosmetology, massage therapy, sports psychology, the Red Cross, graphic art, design, fashion and on and on. The list was endless. They even had a stunt person/actor and a dancer from the Alberta Ballet. And of course they had a firemen, police officer, paramedic, vet, and lots of info on different universities. It was a wonderful event and I'm sure the students left feeling a little more secure about their future. Or maybe overwhelmed too. I guess I was impressed that they would include the arts!!! And thrilled. What a great day. Oh to be young again and filled with so many options and so much future. Onwards!