Review of Looper
Time travel is a motif I love. It is so complex and confusing that I revel in discovering how different movies, shows or books will tackle the problem. I went into Looper with this same hunger since the film is centered on the interaction of Young Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Old Joe (Bruce Willis), both hit-men for the present and future mob. I know what you’re thinking, “There’s no way they could have chosen a more awesome duo.” You are correct.
The movie opens a bit slowly, introducing a cyclical Joe and his junkie lifestyle, surrounded by the not-so glamorous world of the mob. As far as catching my attention, I was remarkably uninterested after the first ten to twenty minutes. Drugs, girls, swearing, money, violence—definitely a boy movie to start. However gruesome it began, the general appeal pulled through when Joe realizes his life could go in two starkly different directions if he chooses to close his loop and kill his older self, or let Old Joe go.
For the rest of the movie, Young Joe struggles with the consequences he might face for letting Old Joe out of his sight while Old Joe uses his freedom to try and close the loop in a different manner: Take out the mob boss that doles out hits. The one hitch is that the mob boss of the future will be just a child in the present. The concept of these different types of loops keeps the intrigue strong for the remainder of the movie.
Meanwhile, the story becomes a character study of Young and Old Joe as well as the individuals they run into and how the are affected by their pasts. In each age, Joe is a troubled man who desperately wants to rectify his mistakes and it doesn’t take much to realize this in itself is another loop. One Joe creating and shaping the other. The scifi-thriller, time travel plot takes a backseat to some unexpected but cleverly foreshadowed twists that capture an otherwise bored audience. What Looper lacks in its primary plot, it makes up for in its subplots and superb ending. And again, no better duo could have been chosen to lead the film. B-
Guest Post on Blogging
Kat Ellis (@el_kat) graciously asked me to write a guest post for her blog about blogging! It was a lot of fun and made me realize how important it is for writers of all kinds to have a blog. Read it here!
Revolution Review
The fall television season returned and with it came a slew of new programs. 
Revolution. A show I had been anticipating since the spring and even more so during the summer Olympics when the hype reached a crescendo. It’s produced by JJ Abrams, one of my idols, and given its strong premise and great production team, I went in with lofty expectations. It finally aired and basically fell flat. The premise remained strong, but the delivery was weak. Now we’re three weeks in and I don’t feel any different.
Revolution is about a world where one day all the power suddenly stopped and never turned back on. Cars couldn’t work, computers and phones turned off and all electricity went out. This sends the United States into a frenzy and forces everyone back to square one: primitive culture and interactions based on the strength of the individual. It’s essentially the dystopian world going on outside of the Hunger Games. Not really, but it’s that sort of organized chaos. With swords*.
Charlie is the main character we follow, a young girl with deceased parents who has spent her time perfecting her crossbow technique. Her strong connection with her brother is snapped when he is taken by the fearsome Militia. She then brings along some reluctant adult friends to help locate her uncle who may or may not be able to help them save her brother. The characters are decently interesting, but they aren’t very relatable and their actions are often difficult to understand.
Overall, you can follow the well paced plot and the characters tugged along by it with little effort. Nothing challenges the viewer or keeps them on their toes since the twists are predictable and the “big reveal” moments have been told to the viewer before the characters so the admission doesn’t hit home. Different plot points meant to propel the story don’t really add up and are used by the producers to give an easy out to the primary gang when they often get caught in a corner.
Honestly, the side characters are more interesting than Charlie and her uncle Miles, but the flashbacks thrown into episodes offer a way to better understand the characters before the blackout. The greatest story it has to offer is why the power went out, how do some people have access to it now and how will it turn back on. The character set could be entirely different and those would remain the most interesting aspects of the show. Yes, I will probably keep watching. I’ve invested time in the narrative already and I want my answers. Knowing JJ Abrams and his constant use of questions, I’m sure it will be a while before the show satisfies me. C+
*This is honestly my biggest problem with the show. The guns are left over, sure. Ammunition is scarce, sure. But swords? Even if they plundered museums, those weapons would be dull and brittle. At best blacksmithing would need a massive and speedy resurgence and they’ve yet to even mention it. Ugh.
Writing Metaphors
Yeah, this isn’t a post about how to write metaphors. Although that would be a fun topic, huh? I’m talking about the two stages of the writing process that come after your completed draft. It’s easiest to comprehend when thought of as a metaphor, because let’s face it, saying that you’re editing or revising flat out kind of makes you want to puke.
The Editing Train:
Here we go on! Hoping on the Editing Train. It’s got a non-stop schedule to hit the
towns of Depressionville, Wanna-Pull-My-Hair-Out Junction, Decenton, Proudtown, and straight on to Success. Hey, if there can be a town named Celebration, there can be one named Success.
Editing is like being on a train because your story is already in motion. It’s constructed, moving and has a destination. You can make changes to the structure or body of your story. Or you could just change directions or add a new location it runs through to make the ride smoother.
The Revision Cave:
Now, the cave is an entirely different animal. It’s not a fun journey with some irritation along the way like the editing train, no, revisions plunge you into the depths of your own thoughts. For days, weeks, maybe even months on end until you can emerge again to see the sun. It’s one small step at a time to reach the surface.
For those reading who are currently running the writing marathon, I’m sure this post has enticed you to finish faster so you can enjoy the train and cave as well. It’s really great, honestly. You feel accomplished and in control. Never mind stressed to the max! But I digress.
Where are you on your writing journey? Share how you’re currently feeling and whatever challenges you might be facing.
Pitch Wars Mentee 2014
Awards
