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| from the IMDb page |
Instead, I will trash a movie.
Available now!
Hero Lost
Mysteries of Death and Life
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Can a lost hero find redemption?
What if Death himself wanted to die? Can deliverance be found on a bloody battlefield? Could the gift of silvering become a prison for those who possessed it? Will an ancient warrior be forever the caretaker of a house of mystery?
Delving into the depths of the tortured hero, twelve authors explore the realms of fantasy in this enthralling and thought-provoking collection. Featuring the talents of Jen Chandler, L. Nahay, Renee Cheung, Roland Yeomans, Elizabeth Seckman, Olga Godim, Yvonne Ventresca, Ellen Jacobson, Sean McLachlan, Erika Beebe, Tyrean Martinson, and Sarah Foster.
I know-- movie makers work hard too, but this is for a good cause:
La La Land sucked.
And it's not because I don't like musicals, because I do. I love a good musical. This just wasn't one of them.
Here are my beefs:
I thought Emma Stone was stiff. Great actor, but I wasn't lost in any of her musical montages. Sorry Emma, but you're no Ginger Rogers. Why didn't they cast an unknown triple threat like a young Beyonce or Jennifer Lopez? You know there are some out there. Give them a shot!
I thought Mia (Emma Stone's character) was a bit of a whiner. I mean Sebastian made her a surprise dinner and she got her nose in a snit because he was doing well in his career and walked out.
And don't even get me started on the ending. I HATED it.
I hated it soooo much I no longer felt sorry for them for the bait and switch Oscar win.
No foreshadowing. No explanation. It felt like a cheap shot to the face-- and I don't think I'd enjoy one of those either.
What's the point of this?
Trust me, I do have a purpose for my meanness.
LaLa Land is obviously a "good" movie. It won 6 Academy awards. It made lots of money and picked up plenty of critical acclaim. And certainly there will be plenty of you who think I am insane and found this movie to be amazing.
The thing is, it just wasn't for me.
I looked forward to this movie for months. I was ready to fall in love and sing praises.
Instead I was left with a WTH happened here kinda feeling.
And that, my writer friends, is life. There will always be some bitch who nitpicks your work and gives you a thumb's down. It's reality.
No sense gettin' all insecure and losin' sleep over it.
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Thanks to our fearless host, Alex Cavanaugh and May's guest ninjas: Michelle Wallace,
Available now!
Hero Lost
Mysteries of Death and Life
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Can a lost hero find redemption?
What if Death himself wanted to die? Can deliverance be found on a bloody battlefield? Could the gift of silvering become a prison for those who possessed it? Will an ancient warrior be forever the caretaker of a house of mystery?
Delving into the depths of the tortured hero, twelve authors explore the realms of fantasy in this enthralling and thought-provoking collection. Featuring the talents of Jen Chandler, L. Nahay, Renee Cheung, Roland Yeomans, Elizabeth Seckman, Olga Godim, Yvonne Ventresca, Ellen Jacobson, Sean McLachlan, Erika Beebe, Tyrean Martinson, and Sarah Foster.
Elizabeth, that's it exactly!
ReplyDeleteI have no desire to see the film anyway.
Congratulations to you and the other authors. Proud to have you a part of our second anthology.
I got my copy of the book yesterday. Finally! One of my books appeals to the men in my family. They were far more intrigued with this cover than all the chick lit covers I usually have.
DeleteDon't hold back, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteI didn't. Maybe next month I should mention the positives of the movie, just to be nice.
DeleteYeah, always some bleep out there lol One thing we have to remember, is you can't please everyone. The moment you try, you fail. I have no interest in that movie, even less now. Once I heard it called "Hollywood Handjob" that was enough to keep me away lol
ReplyDeleteI never heard it called that. LOL. It did get a lot of hype. I was ready for the next Singing in the Rain.
DeleteI just watched the "Honest Trailers" video for La La Land, and I'm pretty sure I would feel the exact way you do based on what I learned. I totally hear you. I can't tell you how many books I was blown away by, went to give a 5 star review, and found they had an over 3.5, or something like that. Makes no sense to me, but this is a world of individuals. So be it.
ReplyDeleteThat is the beauty of having so many choices- there is surely something for everyone.
DeleteToo funny! I haven't seen the movie, and I was kind of on the fence about it anyway.
ReplyDeleteWe can't please everyone, though, so we just have to focus on doing our own thing and doing it the best we can. :)
You should watch it. Never just take my word for it. I was glad I rented it. I tried to talk my husband into seeing it at the theater. So glad we never found the time- that tightwad would still be complaining about wasting $20 on the tickets.
DeleteLOL I have no interest in the movie but got so sick of the hype I loved your review. Loved your nitpicking bitch comment. :D :D
ReplyDeleteThe hype had me pulled in hook, line, and sinker. I love the Golden Age of Hollywood and thought this would be one of those. Maybe my hopes were just too high.
DeleteYou got that right. You can't please 'em all so just please yourself. I'm always so disappointed when I see or read something because of rave reviews only to find it's a stinker. Different strokes, thank goodness, or variety would be wasted.
ReplyDeleteMy husband ha a theory- if critics love it, he will hate it. Maybe he's onto something.
DeleteSo happy the anthology is out. Congrats to all involved. I haven't seen LaLa Land yet. Sorry you didn't like it, but that's life. I hope the popcorn or snacks were good :) Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to be part of the anthology. It's great to be lumped with so many talented writers!
DeleteThat's right! We writers need thick skins. It's all subjective in the end.
ReplyDeleteExactly. And sometimes we will take a hit based purely on hitting a personal nerve. This movie screwed with my ideas of romance and the whole movie was tainted by my disappointment.
DeleteI may be one of the few persons who have not seen LaLa Land. Congrats to the anthology writers!
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest renting it...see if I'm wrong.
DeleteI haven't seen it. I'm behind on every movie ever made. LOL. Hey, congrats on making it into the IWSG Anthology. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI'm usually behind too, but I pushed this one to the top because of the buzz.
DeleteIf it makes you feel any better, I didn't care for the movie, either. At best, it was a "meh" for me. And I love musicals. This was a poor imitation of what I expected.
ReplyDeleteThe anthology is out? Cool! I pre-ordered it so long ago, I forgot when it was coming out. Maybe it's already been sent to my Kindle... :)
It probably is on your kindle. I have to admit, I love how my pre-ordered books just appear on my kindle. It's like Christmas!
DeleteYes! You hit things right on the nose. Writing is such an opinion thing (like everything in the arts). I can't count the amount of times everyone around me was praising something, which I found terrible. As to Lala Land, I haven't seen it. Although I love a good musical.
ReplyDeleteIt is just par for the course that tastes will vary. I sometimes forget that when it's my own work on up for review.
DeleteGood for you, Elizabeth, for telling it as you see it. I haven't seen the movie, so I can't weigh in. Congratulations on being part of the new IWSG anthology. All best to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria! I was so happy to be included. It's a great book full of intersting tales.
DeleteI actually heard that Emma Watson was their first choice, but she turned down the role....
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine her in the role either, but only because I've never seen her sing or dance. Personally, it's about aspiring creative types, I'd have cast unknowns. Audrey Hepburn was an unknown actress and she made Roman Holiday a hit. Step outside the box, Hollywood!
DeleteI love musicals too, but strangely, this one didn't come up as one I wanted to see. As far as opinions go, I see it a lot in critique group. I'll hear someone praise a part that I didn't jive with, or nitpick over something I enjoyed. To each his own. I learned to trust those who have similar tastes as me when it came to taking recommendations. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point too. Usually, when I get feedback from betas, I go with my gut if there is a mixed opinion or go with changes if there is a consensus.
DeleteWe can't all love the same movie any more than we can all love the same book. I haven't seen La La Land, so I'm not sure where I stand.
ReplyDeleteAnd everyone should form their own opinions.
DeleteI am not going to see it, even before all the hullabaloo, I hated the name. I just bought the anthology!! Can't wait to read it. I loved the last one so am really looking forward to this one.
ReplyDeleteIt did get quite a bit of hullabaloo!
DeleteWoo hoo. I hope you enjoy it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't like LaLa Land. I thought maybe my expectations were too high. Now I think it just isn't that great, but I still adore Ryan Gosling.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
P.S. Emma Stone did not deserve the Academy Award.
Yes, Ryan is still adorable and his character was my favorite in the movie.
DeleteI agree, not an Oscar worthy performance. She's had many other roles that were way better.
It's funny, I love musicals. Adore them. Obsess over them. But I have no desire to see this movie. *shrug*
ReplyDeleteThis is no Singing in the Rain, that's for sure!
DeleteCan't wait to read the anthology.
ReplyDeleteLast time I felt that way about a movie was Mulan Rouge, Yuck! Songs just didn't fit! Story was good, songs sucked! In my opinion. La la Land didn't even look interesting, not sure why all the acclaim! Great review!
I've never seen that movie. The trailers never pulled me in.
DeleteI love your honest thoughts on this and how you applied it to writing! Go, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteI've heard bad things about La La Land so I've avoided it even though I like musicals usually.
Happy book day!
I'd not talked to anyone who had seen it. That probably should have been my first clue.
DeleteNot seen it myself Liz, but a good friend went and panned it much as you did. She too loves musicals and was looking forward to it. Congrats on the anthology and having your work included.
ReplyDeleteWord of mouth beats pro reviews- always!
DeleteThanks! I'm super excited to be in this group of writers.
Just because you like the author, or genre, doesn't mean you have to love everything in it. My favorite author is Stephen King, and I've trash talked at least two of his books. Hey, sometimes even the greats miss one.
ReplyDeleteThat is, an excellent point! I sometimes think once an author is selling, the need to get more books out fast can kill the quality.
DeleteI know of a couple online movie reviewers who panned the movie too. I plan to see it for myself when I can but at least it's opening the door for Hollywood to do musicals again. Besides Disney who can do anything whether it's a blockbuster or not. Love Disney so much. Anyway we all love, like or hate something. Congrats on being part of the anthology Liz. I like reviewing so everyone's fair game. *evil laugh* :p
ReplyDeleteIt would have opened the door wider if it had been awesome. But that's just me, still disappointed that it lacked the star dusted quality of a Golden Age musical.
DeleteDisney has mastered the musical!
You made your point with a solid argument. Well done! I haven't seen La La Land, do (or did) want to, but now I'm not sure. I kinda feel elated for the bait and switch team. And all of Hollywood (and the publishing world) seems closed off to new talent. So yeah, glad for that Oscar embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your part in Hero Lost.
Cheers and another round of mai tais.
Go ahead and rent it. It's worth the $1.50 to join the chorus of nay sayers. LOL.
DeleteAt first, I felt so bad for them being on stage and having it yanked out from under them, I thought- shucks, let them keep it. After seeing it I'd have lost all respect (not that I have a lot to begin with, mind you) for the Academy. I haven't seen the winner, but it has to be a better movie.
I still haven't seen it!! Although I have heard a few negative reviews so I can't say I'm particularly looking forward to watching it. Maybe I'll just wait for it to appear on TV in a few years lol!
ReplyDeleteSuzy xx
www.suzyturner.com
The more I hear from people, the more I'm hearing the general public was uninspired. But boy did it get the hype!
DeleteI haven't seen it yet....
ReplyDeleteGrab it for the weekend and let me know if I'm being overly picky.
DeleteGreat point! Someone is always going to hate what you do, but that doesn't mean what you do it bad. Great lesson to take to heart, especially for those of us just starting out with this whole writing thing. Cheers - Ellen
ReplyDeleteYep, you know what they say about another man's trash is another's treasure. I suppose the reverse is true also.
DeleteThis is how out of it I am. I've never even heard of LaLa Land. Sigh, I'm always so behind. You have valid points though, and you're right, not everything is for everyone. So as long as your respectful, voicing your opinion isn't 'trashing'. You're fine.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're a little behind, but in your defense, you've been moving with kids. I'd be behind too!
DeleteSo how do you feel about Strictly Ballroom?
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen La La Land and probably won't. I rarely see any movies these days unless my kids are dying to see it.
I've never seen it? Is it good?
DeleteI have seen plenty movies like that, where I'm so excited, I'm there and then ... and then ... I struggle to keep my eyes open. Yawn. Great post!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we just get too excited for them.
Delete