Author: Writer guy

Skeleton Key

Writer guy

A rare breed of thrillers deliver more than the average movie, and deserve greater box office business and word of mouth than they earn. Skeleton Key, staring Kate “Don’t call me Goldie Hawn” Hudson is an excellent example.

Set in the backwoods of New Orleans, the story follows a hospice care worker who develops close – breaching on enmeshed – ties with dying patients. Frustrated with hospital procedures, she responds to an ad for the resident based care of a terminal stroke victim. The clients accept her with as much reluctance as she approaches the job. Much of her unease comes from the strange, plantation home and odd, and some say unnatural, manner of the patient’s wife.

And then there’s the matter of a key that opens every door in the house, save one. But, that’s delving a bit far into the plot. And that’s exactly why Skeleton works: it draws the viewer inside the story, and carries them along, like a good thriller can.

What works about this movie:
1) Cast – the right actors for each role, and all did their job well.
2) Story – a unique take on an old voodoo legend.
3) Plot – well executed and realized.

What needs an improvement:
1) There’s subtleties about the characters that could stand further visual clarification. A few insights about the story hit one in the parking lot of the theater, or the ride home, instead of as they unfold on screen. Nothing so glaring that it makes the movie less enjoyable, however.

Verdict: As Skeleton Key is disappearing from theaters right now, buy the DVD in a few months.

Rough Week

Writer guy

In terms of sheer word count, this week was a blight with a net gain of five hundred words. Less than a stellar report card, I admit. Revisions figured largely into this shortfall. I sliced several chapters to the quick, and extricated a few points destined for loose end ville. A reduction in content deeply impacted the net word count.

Also, a paucity of time available for writing meant less writing overall. Preparing for an interview consumed one day, the actual interview and necessary follow-up, another.

Still, ultimately the failure is mine alone. Yuck. I hate writing that, but it is truth, and truth hurts. What I can state is that my efforts bettered what lies on the page, even if there are fewer new pages than I like.

Next week I’ll try harder.

Already the word count meter has benefits. It raised my awareness of where I stand on the manuscript.

A moment of silence…

Writer guy

…for those displaced, lost or hurt by Hurricane Katrina.

Though I’ve never been to Mississippi, I did visit New Orleans in December of 2003.

Neon. Liquor. Jazz. Transvestites. Good times. New Orleans had it all, and wrapped within a metropolis, the French Quarter dealt out everything your mother warned you against. Almost two years later, my liver still isn’t quite right.

Eventually, I expect New Orleans to rise again. Certainly, she’ll look different. A new take on an old masterpiece. Buildings tumble, foundations crack, but what makes a city is culture and history. New Orleans has a rich legacy of both.

Hell yeah, I’ll go back. In a heartbeat.