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Post by Nalkarj on Feb 15, 2018 18:27:38 GMT
Marv“Curiouser and curiouser,” as Alice would put it! That was the original twist I had actually planned when I was first thinking out the plot, and I do think it’s a good idea, but I wonder[ed] if it might, perhaps, be too obvious. Roger Ebert once came up with what he called “the Law of Economy of Characters,” and I think that serves us well here: “any main character whose purpose is not readily apparent must be more important than he or she seems.” That would seem to apply to Mr. Bartender Hackman in this plot. Problem is, I couldn’t really formulate a better twist—which is why one of the “writers” is David Mamet, who is not only one of my favorite modern-day filmmakers but who also has the remarkable ability to use the viewer’s assumptions against him in a plot. Two of my favorite examples, may I add, are the book in The Spanish Prisoner and the grizzly L.Q. Jones character in The Edge. In some sense, this trick (or, more accurately, method?) is similar to Kevin Williamson’s in Scream and its sequels, but Mamet never tells us that he’s doing it; it’s much subtler, a well-placed wink at the audience without breaking that fourth wall and saying that he knows the convention he’s flouting. (Think, for example, of the play-on-expectations re: the Harold Perrineau character in The Edge—or, in fact, the whole brilliant movie.) Which leaves me up the creek without a paddle, somewhat, as I don’t know what twist to do. What else to come up with from that scenario? Not that there’s really a point for the reasoning, of course, as it’s just for a game on this message-board, and (failing my meeting a big-shot producer in the next year!) all theoretical.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2018 22:16:55 GMT
Next movie: The Salzmank Option.
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Post by JHA Durant on Feb 19, 2018 8:14:51 GMT
I'll go with Train to Tahoe.
Train to Tahoe An elderly man is dying, and his final wish is to travel to Lake Tahoe where he spent his childhood and early adolescence, which we see in flashbacks. On the way, however, he inadvertently stumbles upon a terrorist plot to destroy the train, which is unusually full of passengers due to strikes with the airport from where the train is from. As the only person aware of the terrorist's plan, the old man must find a way to avert a terrible tragedy. Will he succeed, will he even live long enough to stop the attack, and what became of the love of his life whom he left on the shores of Lake Tahoe all those years ago?
The Last Iceberg
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paislene
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Post by paislene on Feb 22, 2018 0:00:21 GMT
I'll go with Train to Tahoe. Train to TahoeAn elderly man is dying, and his final wish is to travel to Lake Tahoe where he spent his childhood and early adolescence, which we see in flashbacks. On the way, however, he inadvertently stumbles upon a terrorist plot to destroy the train, which is unusually full of passengers due to strikes with the airport from where the train is from. As the only person aware of the terrorist's plan, the old man must find a way to avert a terrible tragedy. Will he succeed, will he even live long enough to stop the attack, and what became of the love of his life whom he left on the shores of Lake Tahoe all those years ago? The Last IcebergI like the general premise JHA Durant . Gee , it could almost be my life . But to give it some gravity , I think I will have to watch Clint Eastwood's 15:17 to Paris (2018) to get a better idea . The Last Iceberg Directed by Kenneth Branagh . The year is 2100 and due to out-of-control industrialization , overpopulation and wars , global warming has reached a critical level . Dale Milius (*) leading green activist and his organisation The Green Switch are trying to prevent the Farrow Halson Group from harvesting icebergs from the North and South Pole . Farrow Halson (*) will stop at nothing to get the icebergs for his specialist ice-cream subsidiary , including buying off the UN environmental agency , and hiring mercenary shippers to ram Green Switch's protective electric atlantic tugs . Will Dale's girlfriend Louise Fromberg's (*) idea of surrounding the north and south pole with seaweed prevent the Halson ships from grabbing the last icebergs ? It has become personal between the two adversaries . Will Farrow Halson win in getting the last pure-made icecream , The Iceberg ? Fire Along The Horizon
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Post by Nalkarj on Feb 22, 2018 18:48:07 GMT
I knew global warming was all an ice-cream plot, paislene ! Fire Along the HorizonIn 1868, former Civil War soldier Cap. Mitchell Breen (Robert Redford), more and more disenchanted with civilization as he grows older, heads out west to the Idaho territory. Alone for several weeks, with no one around, he develops a kind of Thoreauvian self-reliance—until winter comes, and the cold becomes too much to bear. Almost half-hallucinating in the wintry winds, he sees a bonfire far off, along the horizon—the Cœur d’Alene Indians, he’s sure. Alone in the woods, afraid, he has to make it until the worst of the weather lets up… But is he truly seeing these fires, or—or… (I’m not even sure about my synopsis. If someone has something better, I can delete this one. As paislene pointed out to me in a PM, this is something as a spiritual-sequel to Jeremiah Johnson; I think it would be intriguing with an older Redford and a more psychological examination of whether or not there really are fires and Indians along the horizon.) Next: Therefore as a Stranger
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Post by teleadm on Feb 22, 2018 19:33:31 GMT
Therefore as a Stranger
A thirties style screwball comedy - science fiction thriller. As two separate dimensions meets because of two rifts on each separate dimensions that wasn't supposed to happen at the exact same time, the result is that two separate dimensions melts together as one dimension. The new two-some dimension that could end in disaster, and nearly does, until a martini sipping couple and a starfighter couple decides that they could work together using their separate skills to prevent a third rift that seems inevitable because of human stupidity, and the fear that an another third dimention interfering could create a chaos that would be impossible to handle and could mean the end of the world. A catchphrase is that handling with everyday things that is unfamiliar becomes "therefore as a stranger" followed by "I suggest" or "I need help" becomes a code for this movies good side heroes. Because the bad side would be too stoic to either suggest a solution or ask for help in any situation. This is offcourse only the layout for a possible trilogy in twelve parts and side parts so it can drag along for as many years as possible.
Saphires is a Boys Worst Enemy
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paislene
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Post by paislene on Feb 22, 2018 21:44:46 GMT
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Post by Nalkarj on Feb 24, 2018 23:14:52 GMT
( teleadm —“sapphires is” or “sapphires are”? The second would be grammatically correct in English, but I could make the first work too… Let me know.) Sapphires Are a Boy’s Worst Enemy
directed by Jonathan Lynn written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel Dr. Milos Andrikos (Chaim Topol), an elderly Greek scientist, invents a powerful laser, powered by sapphires, that can transport a person between the dimensions about which teleadm wrote in Therefore as a Stranger. As it could teleport vast armies from place to place in a matter of seconds, all the world’s most powerful countries want it—whether by begging, paying, or stealing. Secret agent Ross Cord (Pierce Brosnan), working for a combined Anglo-American force, is authorized to pay several trillion to Dr. Andrikos—or, if the Greek won’t accept it, to steal it before the Russians, led by FSB agent Natasha “Sapphires” Tarovav (Natalie Portman), get their hands on it. As both agents descend on it, though, Andrikos pulls the switch on the laser—blasting all of them across dimensions, where they must acquire enough sapphires to re-power the laser and send them back home. (Yes, I’m uniting several different plot-lines from other synopses I’ve written here!) Unfortunately, back in London, traitorous Sir Langdon Hadley (Anthony Hopkins), believing that what he is doing is right, is determined to keep them stuck in the parallel dimension, to keep the laser out of human hands… Next: Last at the Funeral
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Post by teleadm on Feb 24, 2018 23:22:16 GMT
( teleadm —“sapphires is” or “sapphires are”? The second would be grammatically correct in English, but I could make the first work too… Let me know.) Sapphires Are a Boy’s Worst Enemydirected by Jonathan Lynn written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel Dr. Milos Andrikos (Chaim Topol), an elderly Greek scientist, invents a powerful laser, powered by sapphires, that can transport a person between the dimensions about which teleadm wrote in Therefore as a Stranger. As it could teleport vast armies from place to place in a matter of seconds, all the world’s most powerful countries want it—whether by begging, paying, or stealing. Secret agent Russ Cord (Pierce Brosnan), working for a combined Anglo-American force, is authorized to pay several trillion to Dr. Andrikos—or, if the Greek won’t accept it, to steal it before the Russians, led by FSB agent Natasha “Sapphires” Tarovav (Natalie Portman), get their hands on it. As both agents descend on it, though, Andrikos pulls the switch on the laser—blasting all of them across dimensions, where they must acquire enough sapphires to re-power the laser and send them back home. (Yes, I’m uniting several different plot-lines from other synopses I’ve written here!) Unfortunately, back in London, traitorous Sir Langdon Hadley (Anthony Hopkins), believing that what he is doing is right, is determined to keep them stuck in the parallel dimension, to keep the laser out of human hands… Next: Last at the Funeral
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Post by teleadm on Feb 24, 2018 23:35:21 GMT
( teleadm —“sapphires is” or “sapphires are”? The second would be grammatically correct in English, but I could make the first work too… Let me know.) Sapphires Are a Boy’s Worst Enemy
directed by Jonathan Lynn written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel Dr. Milos Andrikos (Chaim Topol), an elderly Greek scientist, invents a powerful laser, powered by sapphires, that can transport a person between the dimensions about which teleadm wrote in Therefore as a Stranger. As it could teleport vast armies from place to place in a matter of seconds, all the world’s most powerful countries want it—whether by begging, paying, or stealing. Secret agent Russ Cord (Pierce Brosnan), working for a combined Anglo-American force, is authorized to pay several trillion to Dr. Andrikos—or, if the Greek won’t accept it, to steal it before the Russians, led by FSB agent Natasha “Sapphires” Tarovav (Natalie Portman), get their hands on it. As both agents descend on it, though, Andrikos pulls the switch on the laser—blasting all of them across dimensions, where they must acquire enough sapphires to re-power the laser and send them back home. (Yes, I’m uniting several different plot-lines from other synopses I’ve written here!) Unfortunately, back in London, traitorous Sir Langdon Hadley (Anthony Hopkins), believing that what he is doing is right, is determined to keep them stuck in the parallel dimension, to keep the laser out of human hands… Next: Last at the FuneralI like that you try to do someting with my Dimensions plot, but I never thought about teleportations! As for the Are and Is gramarcy I was leaning more on the Is (Not Isis) issue, but since I wrote Are, my own fault, I'm game with any plot...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2018 23:37:00 GMT
A 1930s thriller where the murder at a funeral was committed by the mourner who arrived late - and who was in fact the person whose funeral it was.
Dazed Continuum.
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Post by paislene on Feb 26, 2018 22:34:48 GMT
Dazed Continuum
A cleaner (Adam Sandler) working at the Nasa Research Laboratory in Pasadena is accidentally caught in the stream of a new phasic ion thrust , when a glitch in the control panel powers the engine on . In the momentary blast , before a safety system immediately shuts the engine down , he is changed .
After recovering from being dazed , and finishing his night's work , he returns to his apartment , where he begins to feel different . He feels more invigorated . As the days pass , his ability to understand people improves and he begins to understand them better . He finds his decision-making is getting better , and starts improving his schedule . Finding himself drawn to stand-up theatre , he attends comedy shows when he can , and is eventually drawn into attempting comedy , which attendees seem to enjoy .
Over the years , he notices he isn't ageing as much as other people , and he is developing an interest in physics too . Where will this lead ?
The Other Side of the Mountain
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Feb 26, 2018 22:49:29 GMT
The Other Side of the Mountain
The story of what happened to all those children the Pied Piper of Hamelin lured through the mountain side.
They grow up, forgetting about their lives before. Eventually, though, they begin to experience flashes of their previous lives and start questioning where they came from. They rally together and make plans to get back to where they came from.
Apologies for this^ rather basic premise. I know it's not as detailed or complex/well-thought-out as the premises other people have come up with.
I'd actually had the entire plot typed out that I came up with for the 'Bullets, Burritos, and Barbecue Sauce' movie title...but was beaten to the punch. Anyway, I hope this^ is okay.
Next movie title: Thar She Blows!
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paislene
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Post by paislene on Feb 26, 2018 22:57:07 GMT
'The Other Side of the Mountain' The story of what happened to all those children the Pied Piper of Hamelin lured through the mountain side. They grow up, forgetting about their lives before. Eventually, though, they begin to experience flashes of their previous lives and start questioning where they came from. They rally together and make plans to get back to where they came from. Apologies for this^ rather basic premise. I know it's not as detailed or complex/well-thought-out as the premises other people have come up with. I'd actually had the entire plot typed out that I came up with for the 'Bullets, Burritos, and Barbecue Sauce' movie title...but was beaten to the punch. Anyway, I hope this^ is okay. Next movie title: 'Thar She Blows!' Please put up your plot for 'Bullets, Burritos, and barbecue Sauce' , I would very much like to hear it , Chalice !
Thar She Blows!
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Post by Nalkarj on Mar 2, 2018 23:15:30 GMT
I too would enjoy reading your synopsis for Bullets, Burritos, and Barbecue Sauce, Chalice_Of_Evil . We’re very lax in this game… Thar She Blows!directed by Peter Weir written by John Collee and Tim Powers Jim Thorsell, a young lad from an old Boston Brahmin family, is entranced by the romance of the sea, so he goes off and joins the crew of a whaling ship. As the ship heads north, however, it is captured near the Isles of Shoals by pirate captain “Black Sam” Bellamy and the crew of the Whydah. Bellamy has a reputation for mercy and is willing to let young Jim and most of the crew live, but—that night—Jim hears the Whydah’s crew plotting to mutiny against Bellamy. When Jim tells the captain, Bellamy offers him a position in the crew, which he accepts. Years later, Jim captains a ship of his own, but he is forced by a sudden storm to sail into Boston harbor. He unintentionally meets up with the family and friends he had left a decade before…and must convince them that he and his ratty crew are still whalers! Can he succeed, or will they find out about his career in piracy? Next: The Tartarus Club
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Post by koskiewicz on Mar 3, 2018 2:30:08 GMT
Tartarus Club
A group of wayfaring adventurers form a club and decide to explore the River Styx hoping it will take them to Hades. Lots of very strange imagery and creatures. Styx creatures attempt to stop the adventurers, but it turns out the wayfarers are demons trying to find their way home, and devastate everything that gets in their way.
NEXT: Face Invaders
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Post by Fox in the Snow on Mar 3, 2018 2:43:11 GMT
Face Invaders
Short animation, the main characters are pimples trying to survive an onslaught of various creams and inevitable squeezing.
Next: The Cursed Coffee Cup
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2018 15:24:22 GMT
80s indie film about a relationship breakup told from the POV of the man, who thinks back to the day they met, and shared a single cup of coffee, and how he blames it for cursing their relationship. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe.
The Eyes of Sheila.
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Post by Nalkarj on Mar 3, 2018 15:38:54 GMT
^^^Sequel to The Last of…, perhaps? (And how much would this one be worth, BATouttaheck? $1.73?)
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Post by paislene on Mar 3, 2018 23:18:14 GMT
80s indie film about a relationship breakup told from the POV of the man, who thinks back to the day they met, and shared a single cup of coffee, and how he blames it for cursing their relationship. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe. The Eyes of Sheila. And Russell Crowe producing and lead actor !
I would also like to give The Cursed Coffee Cup a go !
Black George Bartok was born in 1800 a slave in the south , in New Orleans , eventually bought by a plantation owner , Walter Minsch , who sold up and moved to the New York Dock area in 1820 to run a Warehouse for Wool import .
Black George , a lean fine featured man worked in the household kitchen . The household owner was short and stocky who always had his eye on the the business finances , although he had failed as a plantation owner not really knowing how to run a plantation . His marriage to his wife , Imelda , had been arranged by her New York family . She was too social for him , and he knew that she and her family owned him . Yet , he loved his wife , and her him . But he didn't like his position and nor did he like the slaves . His only relief was the simple glazed clay mug with brown leaves on it and one word in brown on it , Coffee . The mug and the rare coffee had come from a business friend on the docks . This was his relief and relaxation .
Black George at heart was a sensitive slave . He enjoyed being in the kitchen with the cooks mainly female , preparing vegetables and meat , and cleaning the kitchen when everyone had left . His job was also to prepare the master's coffee in the morning and evening . He loved it's aroma and smell . Unfortunately , that Christmas evening in 1821 the coffee's aroma overcame his senses , and by impulse his lips went to the mug and he sipped the delicious liquid . Walter had tired of the festive air with his wife and her friends in the lounge and ventured to the kitchen to hurry to his coffee , only to behold Black George with his favorite mug , halfway through it's precious contents . From outside the kitchen one could only hear this somewhat inhuman growl and bark from within .
Black George's circumstances changed dramatically . He was moved to the warehouse where he lived and worked from now on . For two decades Black George dreamed of the good food and life he had had in the household , and his greatest dream was of the coffee . Was it worth being caught drinking that forbidden elixir ? Probably not , he dimly thought .
In 1840 , fortunes changed and business for the warehouse started to fall away and then completely stopped . But no-one came to tell them why . And they had to fend for themselves . Black George decided to steal back to the household to see what was happening . He knew roughly the way and after two weeks eventually found it . There were no candles or lamps on in the house and everything was quiet . He tried the front door handle and it opened . The house seemed empty , and much of the furniture had been removed . George decided to go to the kitchen . He froze as he entered . In the evening light in the kitchen a squat figure sat at the kitchen table slumped slightly . It took a minute or two for George to quietly approach the unmoving figure . He looked at him . The man's eyes were open . They slowly looked up at him . His master gently smiled at him and sighed . Then was still again , and was gone . Through the fright , George felt sadness . On the table in front of his deceased owner was the coffee cup . George knew he was supposed to take it .
With the mug , some coffee and remaining food George returned to the warehouse . Eventually , some associates of Walter Minsch arrived at the warehouse and locked it . The slaves lived in the arches of the warehouse packing them with hessian bags and wool . The docks began to hire them as cheap labor , and this was George's life for the next 40 years . His favorite possession being his former master's coffee mug .
As the years passed , George was introduced to the joy of alchohol , especially whiskey , which he liked to add to his coffee . And he eventually took up with Maree Bletsch , a local cook who had worked in the pubs and was known for her happy and easy disposition . She had seen a kindred spirit in George , and he in her . She had fallen on hard times recently due to a growing reliance on the bottle and George needing companionship badly had offered her a place with him in the arches . He had never been happier . Maree was short and plump with twinkly blue eyes and still had an attractive look about her . He had obtained an old violin with only two strings , and in the cold of the evening when they enjoyed a half bottle of whiskey between them , he would sing simple old songs while scratching away on the broken violin .
The docks were changing and guards were being introduced to protect the warehouses . George's was still derelict but a guard with a dog would patrol the area . The dog would always sniff George , and George had a healthy respect for the large wrinkled guard dog .
Maree and George had a good 15 years together , but the drink destroyed his love , and one day with George cradling his love , with her smiling sweetly into his eyes , she faded away . The patrolling Guard liked George and helped with taking Maree away and burying her , but George was distraught . He raged and poured drink after into his coffee cup . And when he looked at his cup , it always seemed empty .
Then one night in his drunken state , as the guard and dog approached he stood and savagely howled , and in his hand waved his violin about . The guard dog became unsettled and started barking . George got down and inhumanely howled at the dog . Then it attacked . George grabbed at the dog and it attacked again . George was old and it was the end for him . He continued howling and the dog bit again . As George's body lay on the ground , the dog whimpered for it had liked old george and hadn't meant to hurt him .
To be continued...
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