NEW BBC POLL DISSES SOME OF OSCARS BEST PICTURES AND NOMINATIONS
by Janet Lawler 

This week the BBC conducted a new poll asking what are the 100 greatest American films. You might be surprised and shocked that many Oscar winners for Best Picture and Nominations didn't make the cut. The Deer Hunter?  Nope. Sorry.

Which movies are your favorites?  I've highlighted my picks. These movies impacted my life.  Probably did yours too.  Certain movies stick with you for a lifetime or remind us where we were when we first saw them.  I'm sure your list will be different than mine, but that's because different stories speak to different audiences.  Maybe you're a Billy Wilder fan, or a Alfred Hitchcock aficionado, or a lover of Sci-Fi.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

 But, seriously, how could they leave The Sound of Music off this list?

The 100 greatest American film

100. Ace in the Hole (Billy Wilder, 1951)
99. 12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen, 2013)
98. Heaven’s Gate (Michael Cimino, 1980)
97. Gone With the Wind (Victor Fleming, 1939)
96. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)
95. Duck Soup (Leo McCarey, 1933)
94. 25th Hour (Spike Lee, 2002)
93. Mean Streets (Martin Scorsese, 1973)
92. The Night of the Hunter (Charles Laughton, 1955)
91. ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (Steven Spielberg, 1982)
90. Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1979)
89. In a Lonely Place (Nicholas Ray, 1950)
88. West Side Story (Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, 1961)
87. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004)
86. The Lion King (Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, 1994)
85. Night of the Living Dead (George A Romero, 1968)  This movie terrified me as a kid!
84. Deliverance (John Boorman, 1972)
83. Bringing Up Baby (Howard Hawks, 1938)
82. Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981)
81. Thelma & Louise (Ridley Scott, 1991)
80. Meet Me in St Louis (Vincente Minnelli, 1944)
79. The Tree of Life (Terrence Malick, 2011)
78. Schindler’s List (Steven Spielberg, 1993)
77. Stagecoach (John Ford, 1939)
76. The Empire Strikes Back (Irvin Kershner, 1980)
75. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Steven Spielberg, 1977)
74. Forrest Gump (Robert Zemeckis, 1994)
73. Network (Sidney Lumet, 1976)   Sidney Lumet is one of my favorite directors.
72. The Shanghai Gesture (Josef von Sternberg, 1941)
71. Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
70. The Band Wagon (Vincente Minnelli, 1953)
69. Koyaanisqatsi (Godfrey Reggio, 1982)
68. Notorious (Alfred Hitchcock, 1946)
67. Modern Times (Charlie Chaplin, 1936)
66. Red River (Howard Hawks, 1948)
65. The Right Stuff (Philip Kaufman, 1983)
64. Johnny Guitar (Nicholas Ray, 1954)
63. Love Streams (John Cassavetes, 1984)
62. The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)
61. Eyes Wide Shut (Stanley Kubrick, 1999)
60. Blue Velvet (David Lynch, 1986)
59. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Miloš Forman, 1975)
58. The Shop Around the Corner (Ernst Lubitsch, 1940)
57. Crimes and Misdemeanors (Woody Allen, 1989)
56. Back to the Future (Robert Zemeckis, 1985)
55. The Graduate (Mike Nichols, 1967)   Mrs. Robinson... you know the rest.
54. Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950)
53. Grey Gardens (Albert and David Maysles, Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer, 1975)  Can't turn away.
52. The Wild Bunch (Sam Peckinpah, 1969)
51. Touch of Evil (Orson Welles, 1958)
50. His Girl Friday (Howard Hawks, 1940)  LOVE Rosalind Russell!
49. Days of Heaven (Terrence Malick, 1978)
48. A Place in the Sun (George Stevens, 1951)
47. Marnie (Alfred Hitchcock, 1964)
46. It’s a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946)   Speaks to my soul!
45. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (John Ford, 1962) John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, and a spectacular Lee Marvin as the meaner than mean Liberty Valance.  Rent it!
44. Sherlock Jr (Buster Keaton, 1924)
43. Letter from an Unknown Woman (Max Ophüls, 1948)
42. Dr Strangelove (Stanley Kubrick, 1964)
41. Rio Bravo (Howard Hawks, 1959)
40. Meshes of the Afternoon (Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid, 1943)
39. The Birth of a Nation (DW Griffith, 1915)
38. Jaws (Steven Spielberg, 1975)  Changed the movie business and summer movies. Love it!
37. Imitation of Life (Douglas Sirk, 1959)
36. Star Wars (George Lucas, 1977)   What can be said that hasn't already?  Theme song still gives us chills.
35. Double Indemnity (Billy Wilder, 1944)
34. The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939)  Come here, my pretty!
33. The Conversation (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974)  Now that's a thriller.
32. The Lady Eve (Preston Sturges, 1941)
31. A Woman Under the Influence (John Cassavetes, 1974)
30. Some Like It Hot (Billy Wilder, 1959)  "Well, nobody's perfect."  Amen to that!
29. Raging Bull (Martin Scorsese, 1980) 
28. Pulp Fiction (Quentin Tarantino, 1994) Had me scratching my head the first time I saw it, but then I came to admire every aspect of this film.
27. Barry Lyndon (Stanley Kubrick, 1975)
26. Killer of Sheep (Charles Burnett, 1978)
25. Do the Right Thing (Spike Lee, 1989)  Unfortunately, still relevant for our times.
24. The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960)  Shirley MacLaine stole hearts.
23. Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)   Ah, New York.
22. Greed (Erich von Stroheim, 1924)
21. Mulholland Drive (David Lynch, 2001)
20. Goodfellas (Martin Scorsese, 1990)    "I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh."
19. Taxi Driver (Martin Scorsese, 1976)  "You talkin' to... " you know the rest.
18. City Lights (Charlie Chaplin, 1931)
17. The Gold Rush (Charlie Chaplin, 1925)
16. McCabe & Mrs Miller (Robert Altman, 1971)
15. The Best Years of Our Lives (William Wyler, 1946)
14. Nashville (Robert Altman, 1975)
13. North by Northwest (Alfred Hitchcock, 1959)
12. Chinatown (Roman Polanski, 1974)  Screenwriter's bible
11. The Magnificent Ambersons (Orson Welles, 1942)
10. The Godfather Part II (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974)   "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." Michael Corleone
9. Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942)
8. Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960)   Still makes me shower with one eye open!
7. Singin’ in the Rain (Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, 1952)
6. Sunrise (FW Murnau, 1927)
5. The Searchers (John Ford, 1956)
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (Stanley Kubrick, 1968)
3. Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock, 1958)
2. The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972) "It's not personal, Sonny, it's strictly business."
Don Corleone: Tell me, do you spend time with your family?
Johnny Fontane: Sure I do.
Don Corleone: Good. Because a man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man.
1. Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941)

Until next time. 

You can follow The NY Screenwriting Life on Facebook.  Janet Lawler's debut novel From the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3CYSU8

GIDDY WITH GRATITUDE

I often ask myself, "Self, what ever made you want to become a screenwriter?"

Self only has one good answer -- you love movies!

Today, the Academy of Motion Pictures moved me a tad closer to my life-long dream with this e-mail about my script placing in the 2015 Nicholl Fellowship for Screenwriting:

July 17, 2015

Dear Janet,

Congratulations!  You have advanced to the Quarterfinal Round of the 2015 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.  By doing so, yours is one of only 375 entries to escape the First Round.

With 7,442 scripts entered, the initial round was extremely competitive and made the selection of quarterfinalists a difficult task.  You may already have an inkling of the quality of this year’s screenplays if you’ve been following the reader comment excerpts posted on the Academy Nicholl Facebook page.  

To give you an idea of the selection process, The Tenant was evaluated by three judges drawn from a diverse group of film professionals.  After the top three scores were tallied, the highest scoring scripts advanced to the Quarterfinals.

During the Quarterfinal Round, your script will be read by at least two additional judges.  As was the case in the First Round, these judges will read the scripts without seeing application forms, log lines or prior scores and comments; they will know nothing about you and your script other than what is on your script’s pages.  We expect that about 150 of the Quarterfinalist screenplays will advance to the Semifinal Round.

If earnings greater than $25,000 have recently made you ineligible, please let us know as soon as possible via email to nicholl@oscars.org.

Watch for a follow-up email regarding Quarterfinalist Contact List information and your log line. That will be sent in about a week or so.

Good luck through the remainder of the competition.

Sincerely,

Greg Beal
Director
Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
www.oscars.org/nicholl
www.facebook.com/nichollfellowships

BREAK OUT THE CHAMPAGNE!  Congratulations to ALL the Quarter Finalists. This is a great honor.  I'd like to thank the Academy... oh, and of course, my mother. Now fingers crossed for the semifinals round.

Until next time,

JANET

THE 2015 EMMY NOMINATIONS:  EMPIRE SNUBBED; TRANSPARENT GETS A NOD

Lucious and Cookie

The TV Academy won't have to deal with Cookie Lyon's wrath.  Although they snubbed her hit TV show EMPIRE for an Emmy nom, the actress Taraji P. Henson received one for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.  

Taraji delivers the heat and the best lines on the FOX show every week.  Unfortunately, Terrence Howard (EMPIRE) was overlooked for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.  The TV Academy may not want to diss Lucious Lyon next year.

Other Noms for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series include: Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Kyle Chandler (Bloodline), Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), Jeff Daniels (Newsroom), Liev Schreiber as Ray Donovan and Better Call Saul's Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill.  Pretty tough competition.

Outstanding Drama Series include: HOMELAND, HOUSE OF CARDS, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, DOWNTON ABBEY, BETTER CALL SAUL and GAME OF THRONES. 

There are the usual suspects for Outstanding Comedy Series: PARKS AND RECREATION, VEEP and MODERN FAMILY (that show gets funnier each year).  The fabulous Amazon show TRANSPARENT received a nod, as well as LOUIE, SILICON VALLEY and UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT.

Creator Jill Solloway and Cast of Transparent

  Outstanding Lead Actresses besides Taraji P. Henson in EMPIRE include Claire Danes in HOMELAND, Robin Wright in HOUSE OF CARDS, the amazing Tatiana Maslany in ORPHAN BLACK (who plays six characters on the show); MAD MEN's Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson and Viola Davis for HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER.

The Emmy Awards air on the FOX on Sept. 20th.  More categories below.   

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
black-ish • ABC • ABC Studios
Anthony Anderson as Andre Johnson
Episodes • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik Productions
Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc
House Of Lies • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, Crescendo Productions, Refugee Productions, Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan
The Last Man On Earth • FOX • 20th Century Fox Television
Will Forte as Phil Miller
Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc. and FX Productions
Louis C.K. as Louie
Shameless • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television
William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher
Transparent • Amazon Instant Video • Amazon Studios
Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
The Comeback • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Michael Patrick King Productions, Is or Isn’t Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television
Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish
Grace And Frankie • Netflix • Skydance Productions for Netflix
Lily Tomlin as Frankie
Inside Amy Schumer • Comedy Central • Jax Media
Amy Schumer as Amy
Nurse Jackie • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents, Lionsgate Television, Jackson Group Entertainment, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton
Parks And Recreation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Television
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope
Veep • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Dundee Productions
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as President Selina Meyer

Until next time.

MOVING FROM NYC to CA
by Janet Lawler
Posted May 4, 2015

Recently, I did something I thought I'd never do.

I left New York.

Yes, I broke up with the greatest city on earth.  My city.  I didn't just leave it; I left it for another state. California. That sunny, palm-tree swaying, movie crazed, West Coast state.

 I took this photo in Central Park last fall

Why leave New York? In my opinion, there is a time to come to NYC and a time to leave it.  It was a hard decision. So, how do I feel now having left it? 

Like one feels after any breakup, even the inevitable one: guilty, relieved, sad and yet excited for the new challenges and changes. 

Moving Day - after 10 years in Astoria

I'll forever be a native New Yorker. My childhood and adult roots remain in that glorious, harsh, frantic, dazzling, loud, edgy, concrete jungle. 

My most memorable moments from living in NYC?

Oh. So many. Getting married at City Hall; watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve, Broadway shows, MSG concerts (Madonna and Fleetwood Mac), having my first play performed in the Big Apple, attending the World Series in 2001 at Yankee Stadium, just a month after 9/11. Game 5 against the AZ Diamondbacks. The Yankees won that game at home.  NYPD cops and baseball fans hugged and cried at the end of that World Series game as the song "New York, New York" bellowed at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

I'll especially miss all the fabulous friends I made living and working in Queens and Manhattan. From my coworkers, to my neighbors, to family and friends.  New Yorkers are a tough, loyal and witty group.  So are those I love in CT and NJ.
 
In March, we packed up the car and drove for 3,000 plus miles across the United States heading west.

It was a SPECTACULAR experience driving across so many states (NY, NJ, PA, OH, IN, IL, MO, OK, TX, AZ and CA) seeing how the "middle" of the country lives -- tasting new foods, meeting new people, staying in roadside hotels and cruising the interstates with truckers. We took our time and visited friends and family we hadn't seen in years.  (Sometimes Facebook or emails just don't cut it anymore. You have to make time to SEE people you care about.)

A great day in Chicago

Sunset on the Interstate. God bless all the truckers keeping America moving.

Great Texas chow

My random road observations: New York is still the charmer with its skyscrapers and Hudson River, but there is a vast, vibrant, diverse country in America.  It's not only the East and West Coasters that matter or power this great nation.  There are millions of people in between NY and LA that also make a difference. Their pace is slower .  There is lots of open land.  Gas and restaurants are much cheaper.  And, America is also a faithful country, filled with lovely small towns and back roads.

Sweet Austin, Texas

Superstition Mountains in AZ

 We loved Columbus, Ohio for it's quaint town and parks; Pennsylvania for it's Amish countryside and family-style restaurants; Indiana for its  Midwest easiness and universities; Missouri for its Gateway Arch; Texas for it's great steak, BBQ, wineries and Austin flare; Chicago for it's skyline and downtown sites; Oklahoma for its land; Arizona for it's breathtaking mountains, desert and southwestern fare.  And, finally, California, well, what can you say?  The Pacific Coast glistens. The sunshine lifts your soul.  The surfers. The fish tacos. It's a place where you can be whatever you want to be, however you want to be it, and do a little surfing too.

So, again you ask -- no seriously, why did you leave New York?

Well, life is about change.  It's about growing.  We stayed in the same apartment for over a decade (a 5 story walk up, old apartment).  The winters are getting tougher.  New York City is a costly place to live short-term and especially long-term.  You get more for your buck elsewhere (simple things like a free parking space in your driveway, washer and dryer in your unit, roomier bedrooms, kitchen and living room, stores close by and quality of life.)  Now, I wouldn't trade a second of my years in NYC, but it was time to say farewell, for now.  We may come back someday; we may not.  Who knows?

My other big reason for moving to California is because I love the movies and writing (especially screenplays). So what better place to be than in southern California?  It's a kick in the pants here.  I always wanted to move to southern California -- now I have. Dreams come true on their own timeline. 

Surfer in La Jolla, CA

So, now my dilemma is with this blog you're reading. The NY Screenwriting Life started in 2005.  That's right, over ten years ago!  It has over 30,000 hits, thanks to you!  So, should I rename it?  And if so, to what?  Or should I close up shop and start a new blog in CA.  I'd welcome any ideas or suggestions.

Well, that's it. I hope my cross country move inspires you to examine your own life.  Are you living where you want to live?  Working where you want to work?  If not, take a risk.  Maybe change jobs. Write that screenplay.  Make that short film, finally. Drive or fly to a state you've always wanted to visit but haven't found time to do. You'll meet some cool folks along the way.

Black Beach in La Jolla

It's a gorgeous day here in CA. Think I'll go for a walk on the beach.
Until next time.

Follow The NY Screenwriting Life on Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler is also a published author and playwright.  Her first novel From the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.  http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-Janet-Lawler-ebook/dp/B00F3CYSU8

SCREENWRITING CONTEST SEASON
Janet J. Lawler
Posted: May 2, 2015
San Diego, CA

It's that time of year when screenwriters across the globe enter their movie scripts in a plethora of writing contests. 

It's costly and time-consuming to fill out all the contest applications, but it's a chance to get your work read by industry big shots.

I just uploaded my script The Tenant to the Austin Film Festival, Scriptapalooza, Nicholls Fellowship, Sundance Screenwriting Lab, BlueCat, PAGE International, Big Break and the Writers Lab.

Meryl Streep funds writing lab for women over 40

The latter lab received mega publicity when it was announced that Meryl Streep funded the screenwriters lab for women writers over 40, to be run by New York Women in Film and Television and IRIS, a collective of women filmmakers.

How cool is THAT?!

You might recall Meryl Streep jumped out of her seat at this year's Oscars when Patricia Arquette mentioned women's equality during her Best Supporting Actress acceptance speech.  It struck a chord. Let's face it, Streep reads a lot of scripts.  She apparently sees a lack of women's narrative on the page (and screen) and is doing something about it.  Thanks, Meryl, from all the screenwriters (who just happen to be women) and want their voices heard down the cinema from The Avengers.

The official deadline for the Writers Lab is June 1, 2015 at 5PM EST.  So if you're a gal over 40, born on or before June 1, 1975 -- and you're a US citizen -- then you have a shot at this writers lab funded by Streep in NY.

You'll also need to have your script registered with the WGA , format your script as a PDF file and pony up the application fee ($25 for NYWIFT members and $55 for non-members). The Lab will take place September 18-20, 2015, at Wiawaka Center for Women, on Lake George. Here is the link to the Writers Lab http://www.nywift.org/article.aspx?id=5503

There are a gazillion contests out there for everyone.  So get busy and submit that killer script of yours before the final deadline, or better yet, before the early bird entry deadline.

GOOD LUCK, FELLOW WRITERS!

Until next time.


Be sure to follow The NY Screenwriting Life on Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler's novel from the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3CYSU8

BIG EYES, SONY RELEASES "THE INTERVIEW"JUST IN TIME FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS STOCKING
by Janet J. Lawler
Revised Dec. 24th, 2014

There are so many good movies coming out Christmas week, but one that hasn't received a lot of buzz, but definitely should, is BIG EYES.  It stars Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz.  It's the riveting story about a married couple, artists Margaret & Walter Keane.  Margaret paints pictures of moppets with huge, charcoal eyes.  It's her passion. She's reserved and not very self-assured about her life (recently divorced with a young daughter) and she's especially insecure about her art.  Her second husband, Walter, comes into her life and sweeps her off her feet with tales about his stay in Paris where he painted street scenes and lived the starving artist's life in Europe.  He's cocky, sociable and believes in his wife's talent.  So far so good... 

When Margaret's paintings begin to catch eyes (pardon the pun) and pull in money, Walter sees a gold mine in the making.  His own work isn't selling.  So he tells his wife that people don't buy "lady art" and he should claim to be the creator of her popular paintings.  He charms the unsuspecting public (collecting $5,000 a pop for Margaret's paintings, but signing HIS name on them).  He also sells posters and postcards of the work.  It becomes one big eyes fraud bringing them wealth and luxury.

Tim Burton directs

It takes awhile for Margaret (played superbly by Amy Adams) to stand up for herself, locked away in their new California house painting, losing friends and her identity along the way, not to mention her self-respect. But when Margaret finally finds the strength to confront her conniving, domineering husband, sparks fly and the conflict over ownership of the works land them in court.

As they say, it's not the crime, it's the cover up that does people in.

Big Eyes has one of the best courtroom scenes. Christoph Waltz is both amusing and yet a lunatic.  It's hard not to like him, until you realize what he's capable of doing to hold on to his dream of being a "famous painter".  This is a biopic  It took ten years to come to the big screen, directed by Tim Burton (every frame of this movie is captivating and a canvas of beauty from framing to lighting to costumes).  Screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski do a wonderful job of writing a tale about marriage and compromise in a dramatic, suspenseful and comical style.  The film is also beautifully shot with the colorfulness of San Francisco during the 50s and 60s.

Here is the trailer for the movie.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xD9uTlh5hI

SONY HACK ATTACK

This North Korea/Sony Pictures hacking invasion is one of the biggest stories to come along in awhile.  It has the entire country riveted, the entertainment industry paralyzed in fear and causing Americans to wonder just how secure their privacy is at their own corporate jobs.

Should Sony have pulled The Interview from release?  Would North Korea go so far as to blow up a movie theater or kill moviegoers during Christmas week?  Some people don't think it's worth the risk to take and others think, as Americans, we don't back down to threats.  I agree with the ladder.  As a New Yorker, I lived through 9/11 firsthand and we didn't stop going to restaurants, walking down the street, shopping on Fifth Avenue or going to the World Series in New York City that horrible fall.  Hit us and we'll hit you back harder, but we never run scared.  Never have, never will.  Not in New York, not in America.  I get that Sony is afraid to have more lawsuits or problems (and public email disclosures), but if all of Hollywood and all the movie chains stood firm together, North Korea wouldn't have the upper hand.  It's not too late.

This is too serious.  We can't allow another country, a dictator, to tell us what we can see, hear or create.  This is America.  We may not all get along here, have the same political or religious views, but we do value freedom.  It's a cyber war and we've lost the first battle, but it's far from over.  Stay tuned in 2015.

UPDATE:  Sony is releasing The Interview in time for Christmas in theaters and on demand.  You can exercise your rights by watching it on YouTube, Google Play and other digital outlets starting today and Christmas Day.  https://www.youtube.com/movies

CHRISTMAS IN NYC

Central Park in December

This is one of my favorite times of year living in New York.  The streets are full with tourists, the restaurants buzzing with company parties, couples taking horse and carriage rides through Central Park and Rockefeller Center welcoming skaters from around the world.  I'm headed to Ireland for New Year's Eve.  It's my first time traveling to Dublin and it's a dream come true to go to the land of my heritage.  I'll lift a pint and think of you all on New Year's Eve... until then, have a WONDERFUL, safe and healthy Christmas and holiday season!

See you in 2015.  It's going to be one of the best years ever!!
Happy Holidays.


Follow The NY Screenwriting Life on Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler is also a published author and playwright.  Her first novel From the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.  http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-Janet-Lawler-ebook/dp/B00F3CYSU8

CHASTAIN: Like Carmella Soprano... only with a gun.
by Janet J. Lawler
Updated: Dec. 11, 2014
New York

Jessica Chastain in A Most Violent Year

The Golden Globe Awards were announced today.  Jessica Chastain is nominated as Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for A Most Violent Year. 

Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaac and director J.C. Chandlor

I attended a screening sponsored by the Producer's Guild at the DGA Theater on W. 57th St. for this new film A Most Violent Year.  The movie comes out Dec. 31st.  If you love crime dramas in the vein of The French Connection, The Sopranos, Serpico or even, yes, The Godfather -- this movie is for you.

It's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I plan to see it again when it comes out in theaters.

A Most Violent Year stars outstanding actors  Oscar Isaac (INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS) and Jessica Chastain (ZERO DARK THIRTY).  Isaac portrays an immigrant who is trying to make his mark in the oil-and-heating industry in NYC in 1981 (one of the most violent years in NY history).  He's a moral, family man with quiet manner.  He takes pride in his business, his family and his word.  Soon, he finds himself the target of unprovoked attacks against his business from competitors who beat up his truck drivers and steal his oil.  Should be arm his drivers with pistols?  Fight back with the same dirty, corrupt tactics he's confronting?  

It's a moral dilemma that keeps the audience engaged and rooting for Isaac as he takes one hit after another.   

Chastain plays his tough Staten Island wife (with a helluva Armani wardrobe!).  She's the daughter of an ex-mobster, who knows her way around guns and political and industry tricks.  Imagine Carmella Soprano with a gun.  You don't want to mess with her or her family.

Chastain's character adds a nice balance to her hard-working, big-hearted, but sometimes naive, husband.  Chastain brings weight to any role she plays and has several key scenes that had the audience stunned by her actions.

J.C. Chandlor (ALL IS LOST) is the producer, director and writer of A Most Violent Year.  Chandlor keeps the story moving at a steady clip -- making us root for the businessman with the style and manner of Michael Corleone (slow, soft spoken and immigrant proud).  Except Chandlor's character is a moral man who plans to fight back in his own way without losing his soul.

Being a native New Yorker,  I know firsthand the time period (1981) this movie portrays with its spray-painted subway cars, crime on the streets and city corruption.  It was a bleak time for New York City. This movie captures that sense of fear, paranoia and desperation.

It reminds me of the iconic movies I grew up on and loved by acclaimed NY director Sidney Lumet (DOG DAY AFTERNOON, NETWORK, SERPICO, PRINCE OF THE CITY).

If you too miss those grimy, suspenseful crime-drama movies set in New York from a time gone by, don't miss seeing A MOST VIOLENT YEAR.

Watch the movie trailer here:  http://amostviolentyear.com/

Follow The NY Screenwriting Life on Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler is also a published author and playwright.  Her first novel From the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.  http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-Janet-Lawler-ebook/dp/B00F3CYSU8   

A MILLION STUFFED IN A MATTRESS IN IRELAND

by Janet J. Lawler

New York

New film released by Magnolia Picture

I'm interested in watching all things from Ireland since we just booked a flight there for next New Year's Eve.  It's a new film by Lance Daly.  Life's a Breeze gave us a fun taste of the land of saints and scholars.

It's a enjoyable tale about a family facing hard times in Ireland.  When the matriarch of the family seems stuck in a rut in her cluttered home, her family decide to surprise her by cleaning out her house top to bottom and renovating it (adding handles in the tub and shower, new toaster in the kitchen, throwing out old magazines and newspapers under the bed).

They decide to buy their mom a new mattress from Ikea and toss out her old lumpy one.  It comes as more of a surprise to her adult kids that the mattress contained her entire life's savings.  She tells them the mattress was stuffed "with close to a million euros".  The kids ask why not put the money in the bank and she replies "Have you been watching the news lately?" 

The family go on the hunt to get the mattress back which leads to several amusing scenes and exchanges between a solid cast of actors including: Kelly Thornton, Fionnula Flannagan, Pat Shortt, and Eva Birthistle.  The entire town and country try to find the mattress in hopes of getting rich.

The film gently shines a light on the stereotypes we heap on the elderly and how their voices are often drowned out by their well-meaning, but intrusive adult children.  

Will the family find the lost fortune?  And if so, will it bring them closer together in love and be the answer to their troubles, or does money only bring out the worst in people?

Life's a Breeze opens September 19th on VOD and in limited release in New York at The Quad Cinema, and Los Angeles at the Laemmle Music Hall.  This is a Magnolia Pictures release.

Follow The NY Screenwriting Life at Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler is a published author and playwright.  Her first novel From the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.  http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-Janet-Lawler-ebook/dp/B00F3CYSU8   Or visit the author's website at www.janetjlawler.com

THE 2014 PRIMETIME EMMYS ANNOUNCED...
by Janet J. Lawler
New York
July 10, 2014

And the Emmy goes to...

So many wonderful picks this year.  I'm finding The Emmys as exciting, if not more, than The Oscars.  That says a lot about television these days.  Who can stop watching all these incredible series and performances?

The HBO movie The Normal Heart received major nominations for best supporting actress Julia Roberts, best actor Mark Ruffalo, Outstanding TV Movie and many supporting nominations for that powerful film about the AIDS crisis in America during the 1980s.

Julia Roberts gets an Emmy nomination for The Normal Heart

 The Best Actor nominations for Drama are amazing.  Check it out.

Best Actor - Drama
Bryan Cranston - "Breaking Bad"
Jeff Daniels - "The Newsroom"
Jon Hamm - "Mad Men"
Woody Harrelson - "True Detective"
Matthew McConaughey - "True Detective"
Kevin Spacey - "House of Cards"

Every actor named above is deserving of an Emmy.  That's a hard pick.  I love Kevin Spacey on House of Cards... but then Matthew McConaughey's haunting performance in True Detective is hard to ignore. 

True Detective

Best Actress for Drama is just as mindblowing when it comes to talent and terrific performances.

Best Actress - Drama
Lizzy Caplan - "Masters of Sex"
Claire Danes - "Homeland"
Michelle Dockery - "Downton Abbey"
Julianna Marguilles - "The Good Wife"
Kerry Washington - "Scandal"
Robin Wright - "House of Cards"

I'll go with either Robin Wright or Julianna Marguilles.

Robin Wright in House of Cards

Orange is the New Black got a nom for Best Comedy.  This may be their year to bring home the Emmy. Taylor Schilling is nominated as Piper. I'm rooting for her, but she's got stiff competition. See below.

Best Actress - Comedy
Lena Dunham - "Girls"
Edie Falco - "Nurse Jackie"
Julie Louis-Dreyfus - "Veep"
Melissa McCarthy - "Mike and Molly"
Amy Poehler - "Parks and Recreation"
Taylor Schilling - "Orange is the New Black"

Don't mess with Red (Kate Mullgrew)

Piper's prison cellmate Red (the fab Kate Mullgrew) also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress Comedy.

Best Supporting Actress - Comedy
Mayim Bialik - "The Big Bang Theory"
Julie Bowen - "Modern Family"
Allison Janney - "Mom"
Kate Mulgrew - "Orange is the New Black"
Kate McKinnon - "Saturday Night Live"
Anna Chlumsky - "Veep"

And if trying to pick a winner out of all these tremendous performances, we also have to look at the shows themselves.  Take a glance at the Outstanding Drama Series.

Outstanding Drama Series
"Breaking Bad"
"Downton Abbey"
"Game of Thrones"
"House of Cards"
"Mad Men"
"True Detective"

Is it any wonder people are calling the last few years of TV the NEW Golden Age for Television?
Move over, Oscar.  TV actors and actresses deserve to shine this year.

Tune in for the Primetime Emmys on August 25th on NBC.

Follow The NY Screenwriting Life at Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler is a published author and playwright.  Her first novel From the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.  http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-Janet-Lawler-ebook/dp/B00F3CYSU8   Or visit www.janetjlawler.com

ORANGE IS THE NEW SMASH HIT 
by Janet J. Lawler
New York
June 24, 2014

Cast of Orange is the New Black

 I just finished binging on Season 2 of Orange is the New Black.  All I can say is, Wow!

It's like doing time in the best sense of the word. 

Who new going to prison could be this much fun? What can I say, except the characters on Orange is the New Black are some of the most riveting, deranged, hilarious people you'll ever see on TV/online.

Who can beat Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) at her calm, shrewd demeanor? Her nickname may be Dandelion, but she's no blushing flower. 

Chapman/Schilling

What about Crazy Eyes' antics and threats?

Red's Russian revenge?

Vee's vindictiveness?

Pennsatucky's  raunchy putdowns and preachy rants?  

How about Nicky's sexcapades and constant craving for heroin? 

Who can forget Morello's stalker tendencies and tender heart?  The scene when her stalkee comes to the prison to confront her is one of the best scenes I've seen on TV -- when her delusional love fantasy is shattered, not only for herself, but in front of her prison mate/friend Nicky (Natasha Lyonne).

And the actors who play the correction officers?  Pornstache?  Caputo? Healy and his support group? Each so convincing, scary and compassionate on some level.  Each trying to find a place to belong, even if it's inside a drab prison.

The writing is sharp, clever and witty.  Some lines make you wince and stick with you long after the episode dissolves to orange.  This isn't your mother's prison movie.  It ain't Charlie's Angels going to jail for one episode.  This show is as down and dirty as it can be... with lots of nudity and sex... and in your face reality...  it both repulses and captivates us to keep watching. 

What caused these women to be locked up?  Season 2 gives us snippets of their back stories and what landed them behind bars.  We disover Morello (Yael Stone) isn't engaged to "Christifer"... but that she tormented the poor guy after only one date and got locked up for it. We find out that Vee (Lorraine Touissaint) had one of her own "kids" shot down for double crossing her on drug runs.  We learn that Red (Kate Mulgrew) will do anything to protect her family, inside the prison and out. She can run a kitchen and a greenhouse like no other mother.

There are too many wonderful characters to all mention here. 

Alex Returns

If you haven't watched the show on NetFlix, get busy and start watching.  Season 1 lays the groundwork for a kick-ass Season 2.  NetFlix pulls out all the stops recruiting top acting, writing and directing.  You'll notice a few famous names behind the scenes  (Jodie Foster directs).

Season 3 can't come fast enough for me.  What will happen when Alex (Laura Prepon) returns to prison and is reunited with ex-love Piper?  Will Red learn her lesson from her beat-down and hospital stay? Will Daya have her baby? Will her C.O. boyfriend pay a price for being the baby daddy? What happens now that Caputo is the new assistant warden?

Season 3 will let us know.

Until then, we're all on furlough.  Enjoy your time away from Litchfield.

Follow The NY Screenwriting Life at Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler is a published author and playwright.  Her first novel From the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.  http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-Janet-Lawler-ebook/dp/B00F3CYSU8   Or visit www.janetjlawler.com

"YOU WRITIN' FOR ME?"  
By Janet J. Lawler
May 18, 2014
New York City

New screenplay, hot off the hard drive

The Tenant.  My new screenplay. Urban tale.  Suspense drama. Two male leads.

The idea came to me about a year ago.  I've lived in New York half of my life.  I grew up in The Bronx, until I was 13.  Then we moved up "to the country" which was about two hours north, but it had grass and cows, so it was called the country.  In my late 30s, I returned to live in New York City (to Manhattan and then to Queens) to be closer for work.  My day job is in TV News.  I've lived the apartment life for a long time... and I know about being a tenant and about living with other tenants (good and bad).  Tenants are like roommates -- you're grateful for the good ones and have nightmares about the bad ones.

My screenplay is about a tenant you will not soon forget, nor his circumstances.  It's an urban tale in the flavor of say, A Bronx Tale, with humor (hey, it's New York) and suspense and paranoia ( I just said...it's New York!). 

De Niro and Scorsese

Casting?  Robert De Niro as The Tenant. I wrote it with him in mind.  Robert is from New York City.  My story takes place in Astoria, Queens.  His good friend Martin Scorsese could direct it.  Ya never know, right?  Marty's originally from Queens. Marty and Bobby are due to work together again on a movie.  They haven't collaborated in years. They've made 9 movies together.  Let's make it 10. 

Scorsese can shoot The Tenant at Silver Cups Studios,  right down the block from me in Astoria (we have great Greek food here, not to mention endless bakeries).  My movie (a budget of about $20 million) is ideal. 

I've written three drafts of The Tenant on spec.  I gave it to five trusted readers.  So far the feedback is solid, but I'm not done.  There's more work to come. 

My writing space in NYC

So back to the laptop I go.  Draft four coming up.  Just take it scene by scene, page by page, act by act.  Don't give up the dream.

Bobby and Marty are counting on me.
Until next time.
Janet

Follow The NY Screenwriting Life at Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler is a published author and playwright.  Her first novel From the Ground Up is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online.  http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-Janet-Lawler-ebook/dp/B00F3CYSU8   Or visit www.janetjlawler.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

It's Mother's Day.  A bittersweet day for me.

I lost my mother fourteen years ago ( a day doesn't go by that I don't think of her).  I wish I could say it gets easier -- time does heal -- but the world is a very different place when you mother has left it. 

My mother taught me about humor and often kept me breathless with laughter.  My Mom was smart, insightful and open-minded.  She was curious about everything.  She loved movies (she gave me that gift), books (she enjoyed reading for hours every day), faith (she showed me how to love, forgive and to be kind to others).  She taught me to pray.  We used to enjoy going to an empty church together and being still.  She taught me to keep my faith and to never lose hope, no matter what.

I miss my mother, Catherine, in my life. She lives on in my heart.  She told me once that because I was born in the month of May that I was God's gift to her for Mother's Day.  I actually received the gift. There is nothing like a mother's unconditional love to lift you up.

I love you, Mom.  

To all the wonderful mothers out there, THANK YOU, for all you give and sacrifice for your children.  They will remember and cherish the memories you create together now.  So take time to make memories.

Until next time,
Janet

MOVIE THEATERS TO SLASH PRICES TO GET YOU BACK...
by Janet J. Lawler
New York

Did you hear the great news?  Movie theaters want you back.  You're staying home way too much.  Or playing on your tablets.  Put down that phone.  Is that really the problem?

Are we just distracted?  Too hooked into our tablets to go see a movie this weekend?

If the theaters cut the price for one day a week, as they're proposing, will that make me go to the movies more often?

Hmm... probably not.  I'll tell you why.

It's not the price of a good movie that keeps me away -- it's that there are fewer good movies.

I'm a movie junkie.  I fell in love with the movies as a kid.  My mother took me often.  My father took us on summer nights to the Drive In.  Going to the movies was an experience.

I still get excited on Fridays... because that's when all the new movies come into theaters.

But guess what?  I'm not so thrilled these days by new releases.  As a colleague of mine always asks, "Is it WORTH seeing in the theater?  Or should I wait for NetFlix?"  The only movie I told him that was worth going to see last year on the big screen was GRAVITY.  I'm sure there were others worth seeing like ALL IS LOST... CAPTAIN PHILLIPS... THE HUNGER GAME movies, etc.  But now we can see those on our big home entertainment centers.

At my house, we splurged for one of those Smart TVs last year and now we hardly go out to the movies, unless invited to a free "screener".  I work in media, so sometimes that's a perk.  Sign me up!  But I wouldn't have seen half the movies I saw last year if I had to open my wallet.

Hey, Hollywood executives and movie theater owners -- HEAR THIS -- it's not the price of a movie ticket these days that bothers us (although they are high) but its the content.  Why are movies getting longer rather than shorter?  3 hour movies?  Is that necessary?  When half of the movie is repetitive... like THE WOLF OF WALL STREET.

Also, staying home in my pjs is a lot more appealing than being in a theater with someone texting next to me, or kicking my seat, or munching popcorn in my ear.  I have to say that most New Yorkers are well-behaved movie-goers... you'll get shushed in a NY minute if you're not... but every once in awhile... I get that one person who grates on my nerves. 

I remember seeing a movie with my mother years ago.  The theater was half-empty.  This tall guy sat in front of us... he LEANED WAY back in his seat... his head practically in her lap.  She looked over at me as only my mom could and said, "I could wash his hair." Oh, I loved going to the movies with my mother.  Never a dull moment.

Speaking about movie seats, my friends rave about the "recliner" seats in theaters.  I have to check those out.  Some theaters even let you order an entree and someone brings it to your seat.  Wow.
"Yes, I'll have the Sea Bass, please.  Wine?  Sure, I prefer red.  Australian grape perhaps, a Shiraz.  Thank you."

How about you, fellow Movie Lover?  What will you have?

Does this new movie theater experience beat staying parked at home on your sofa with someone you love (maybe just your dog or cat), snuggled, watching a movie you can't wait to see? There is a new release on Amazon Prime or NetFlix.

Oh yeah.

I love the communal experience of seeing a movie with an audience.  The first movie I saw with a packed audience was JAWS.  It was like taking a ride at a theme park.  The audience kept SCREAMING.  Our hearts thumping along with the theme music.

Or ROCKY when Balboa floored Apollo Creed early in the match.

Or seeing SILENCE OF THE LAMBS on a dreary, rainy matinee day with a bunch of seniors citizens and housewives... we were all TERRIFIED in the dark theater.... JUMPING and shouting for Clarice to "get out of that house!  The girl is down a well in the basement!"

I will NEVER stop going to the movies. Want to charge me $50 dollars someday for a ticket and make me take a small loan for popcorn and a soda combo?  Fine.  I don't need all the gimmicks.  I don't need to lie down and get a mini massage to enjoy the movie...

All I need, Movie Owner, is one thing only.

A good movie.

And then, you'll see me every Friday night.

                                                                          **

Don't forget to Follow The NY Screenwriting Life on Facebook.  Janet J. Lawler recently published her debut novel FROM THE GROUND UP available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  http://www.amazon.com/From-Ground-Up-Janet-Lawler-ebook/dp/B00F3CYSU8   Or visit www.janetjlawler.com

IT'S OSCAR WEEKEND...

It's finally here... Oscar weekend!

Are you ready to watch The Oscars on Sunday night on ABC?  Are you staying home in your jammies to watch the show?  Going to a glamorous party?

Most people I know stay home.  The Academy Awards should be fun with Ellen DeGeneres hosting this year.  She's witty and classy -- Ellen won't make anyone squirm on the most anxious night in Hollywood.  She plans to go into the audience and have fun with the stars... and that will be exciting.  That's why we watch... to see the celebs up close on the industry's biggest night.

Ellen will Tweet during the show to make it more a social media event around the world.  So watch with your tablet on your lap.  https://twitter.com/TheRealEllenD

It's a hard night... filled with anticipation... and expectations... and hopes and dreams at the start of the show when everyone looks glam and hopeful.  The red carpet is all about potential winners.  And as the show slowly ticks by, half the room soon fills with losers and a disappointed energy... until the big final awards.  I'm always a little sad when the show wraps.  It's like seeing Times Square hours after the ball falls on New Year's Eve.  When the parties are over.  Did the night live up to the hype? 

I'm rooting for Matthew McConaughey for Best Actor.  Kate Blanchett for Best Actress (with Amy Adams a close second).  Best Picture?  I've only seen 6 out of 10... I'll pick Gravity.  It was a cinematic experience. 

No matter where you plan to watch, have fun!  Join that office Oscar pool, order in your favorite food, or buy snacks... and for one night... dream big.  It's a night about glamor, possibilities and dreams coming true.  After the show, you can give your Oscar speech in your bathroom mirror... don't forget to thank your mother. 

Here is the list of nominees for the 86th Academy Awards on ABC:   http://oscar.go.com/nominees

Want to know who is showing up at The Oscars?  Here is the official list of presenters:

Amy Adams
Kristen Bell
Jessica Biel
Jim Carrey
Glenn Close
Bradley Cooper
Penélope Cruz
Benedict Cumberbatch
Viola Davis
Daniel Day-Lewis
Robert De Niro
Zac Efron
Sally Field
Harrison Ford
Jamie Foxx
Andrew Garfield
Jennifer Garner
Whoopi Goldberg
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Anne Hathaway
Goldie Hawn
Chris Hemsworth
Kate Hudson
Samuel L. Jackson
Angelina Jolie
Michael B. Jordan
Anna Kendrick
Jennifer Lawrence
Matthew McConaughey
Ewan McGregor
Bill Murray
Kim Novak
Tyler Perry
Brad Pitt
Sidney Poitier
Gabourey Sidibe
Will Smith
Kevin Spacey
Jason Sudeikis
Channing Tatum
Charlize Theron
John Travolta
Christoph Waltz
Kerry Washington
Emma Watson
Naomi Watts

And the Oscar goes to....			while you're at it, check out my new writing website at www.janetjlawler.com  And Like us on Facebook at The NY Screenwriting Life.