Novels Aren't As Easy As I Thought

I've been putting off updating the blog recently due to starting out on a long process of writing my own novel just for the fuck of it. It's hard. Like, really hard. A Spanish screenwriter married to the mother from Pan's Labyrinth once told me that you cannot wait for inspiration, and instead must move forward with writing as if it were a job in order to get what you want finished. Taking that advice to heart, I actually managed to produce more finished products (2 short film scripts vs. my 0 finished items before talking with him) than ever before and I'm feeling much better about my career choice.

However, this book proves to be a horse of a different color. So far, I've typed up about 3,000 words worth of outlining and still have 2 more documents to flesh out before I even consider trying to start writing the narrative.

(little image must be clicked)

So, what's next on GT's list of things to do? Get all the back-stories for each character in order, and then do all the research it's going to require to write about certain things in the book itself. What is the subject, you may ask? Well, Post-Apocalyptic fiction, of course. I can't get enough of the stuff.

All this aside, here's some thoughts on some movies:

The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008, Ji-woon Kim)

This "Kimchee Western" (as dubbed so by the director, meaning Korean Western) follows in line with a lot of other foreign efforts at the Western genre. I was discussing the phenomena of the Western abroad with a friend of mine on the way to the theater, and we both shared the surprise at such an "American" genre being so wildly popular across the seas. I suppose I'd equate it to the popularity of Kung Fu flicks here (Hi, Wu-Tang); the difference being that Spagghetti/Kimchee/Japanese Western movies are actually good while American efforts at martial arts often flounders (Lol Ninja).

Good, Bad, Weird is a sprawling tale that centers around an eccentric outlaw who happens upon a treasure map during a train robbery. Multiple groups of people are hot on his tail, all desiring to find the map and the treasure it promises, and what ensues is not only one of the most extravagant Korean films I've ever seen, but one of the best, too. Ji-woon Kim proves again what a talented Director he is (after seeing A Tale of Two Sisters, I was thoroughly impressed with him, and to learn he was doing this film too had me giddy), and Kang-ho Song (of The Host and Thirst fame) steals the show with his performance of "The Weird". If you live in Eugene, go catch this flick at the Bijou as fast as you can before it leaves town. The action is stunning, the acting is comical and yet well done, and the story is engrossing enough that you don't feel the over-2-hour length at all.

I'll give it:

"You're the coldest Korean I've ever met"/10

(Note: If you're looking for more Oriental Western movies, check out Sukiyaki Western Django)

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

I hadn't really thought about how much of a super-nerd I am until the girlfriend and I went on this journey to Middle Earth by marathoning all 3 of these massive movies. Though enthused about the story, it must be said that Gutter Trash has never ever read the Tolkien books and for this, I am very sorry.

The movies are long, much like Frodo's journey with the ring, but you never really feel the length until you glance over at a clock and realize that nearly 3 hours have passed. Jackson built a rich visually enchanting world while at the same time managing to direct the actors to deliver a performance that marks the careers of many of the participants. Obviously someone like Viggo Mortenson has done plenty of other work (all of it good, the guy is so solid) but I'll always think of him as Aragorn, heir to the throne of Gondor.

I know plenty of the lines, I know which parts of Sam and Frodo's journey can be skipped without losing anything (let's be honest, it's usually the most boring part of the story) and get all excited whenever Gimli's kicking ass. A super nerd indeed.

As a side note, while viewing these movies, imagine that Sam and Frodo, Merry and Pippin, and even Legolas and Gimli are gay couples. There's plenty of evidence in the film that could lead to the insinuation of such, and it's fun in a way. Obviously, Tolkien seems to have been ahead of his time in creating the "Bromance" genre without even knowing it. Whoever wrote I Love You, Man owes everything to him.

I'll give the Trilogy:

I cannot jump the distance, you'll have to toss me/10

And that's all for now. Expect an "After" conclusion to the room makeover, more thoughts on movies, and maybe some youtube videos of music in the coming week. For now, this has been your beloved Gutter Trash saying: