down the retro road

Most of the Walt Whitman High School Class of 1988 is turning 40 this year. Having a January birthday, I got the head start, but I've been observing (via Facebook) the behaviors of my former classmates and fellow Gen-Xers, and they're all retreating to the 80s. They're posting You Tube videos of the music we listened to back then. They're joining adult soccer leagues. They're having 80s-themed birthday parties. And all I can think is, "Well at least it's not just me."

Not that I'm joining soccer leagues (although dammit, I would've been good), but I get this retro-journey we're on. For example, my apartment walls are sorely crying out for art, and I was thinking about framing more album covers (I've already got four Duran albums hanging in the hall) and making my own art, painting Warhol-esque still-lifes of New Coke, Atari joysticks, and Rubick's Cubes. Or maybe I'd find some vintage Patrick Nagel re-prints (I have two of those in my hallway too).

And the other day while channel-surfing (and I don't have many channels to surf, so I suppose it was more like wading), I stumbled upon a Christian Slater movie. Imdb just now informed me that it was called "Pump Up the Volume" and claims that it was made in 1990, but I could've sworn it was at least three years earlier. I was not really interested in this movie-- it seemed to be filled w/ a lot of John-Hughes-wannabe, cheesy teenage angst (how John Hughes managed to get away w/ cheesy teenage angst, I don't know -- and yet, there I am, lapping it up). Kinda dumb plot too. Christian Slater is dork by day, radio shock-jock by night. The voice of his generation railing against high school oppression. Ok, so high school really is oppressive, but it's so hard to take that oppression seriously when one of the teachers is wearing a bolo tie.

I kept watching the movie not out of boredom, but observation. I was studying the clothes. And scarier still, liking them.

Ok, maybe not the acid-washed jeans -- those clearly were a mistake -- but the big t-shirts and denim skirts over the spandex leggings (which are back in style), the frosted bangs (see my previous blog post about that), guys wearing colorful checkered shirts (I wore those more than I wore girls' shirts in those days), the big round glasses, and all that mousse... I watched all of it with a strange fascination and coming to the conclusion that a) teens had much cooler clothes than adults in the 80s, and b) Christian Slater was quite the young hottie back then.

It's not that I want to wear any of that stuff again (although my friends will testify that earlier this year I bought the same kind of captain-style hat that Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes used to wear because I always wanted one, and I bought a straw summer fedora -- so un-John Taylor, but age-appropriate), and I would NEVER -- I repeat, NEVER want to return to my teenage years, or high school. But there was something oddly comforting about seeing something that was once the norm captured in a film that had little else to offer other than canned messages of free speech and rebellion.

I'm not sure what makes us go back to those days. It sure as hell wasn't a simpler time -- not for me, anyway. Whatever it is, it's calling to the writer in me. I'm jotting down notes for another novel, coming up with names, hearing little bits and pieces of backstory. And I think I know where it's going. That's all I'm willing to say for now, and I can't promise that I'll keep the acid-washed denim out of it (although lord knows I'll try). But maybe Christian Slater will get a part in the movie adaptation.

guest blogger Holly Christine

Today "I'll Have What She's Having" welcomes guest author Holly Christine, who wants to share a couple of her passions: movies, and Robert Downey, Jr.!

Top Five Robert Downey Jr. Movies

With the love of Iron Man 2 in the air, it is only fitting to pay tribute to Robert Downey Jr.’s charm and witty characters. Apart from being a huge Downey fan, the reason why I love Iron Man is because of his ability to change. He transforms his life when he becomes Iron Man, going from man who helps villains to man who fights them. He goes against his business practice for the better good. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all had this admirable ability: Going against our financial reasoning and fighting evil, instead of being a part of it. So Iron Man, in all his Robert Downey Jr-ness, dressed in enviable armor can face life, and inspire us to face it too. Here are my top five favorite Downey films of all time:

#5: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

In this comedic murder mystery, Robert Downey Jr. plays Harry Lockhart, a small time criminal on the run from the cops. He finds himself at an acting audition, where he spots his high school crush and gets tangled up in a mind-bending murder mystery. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is screenwriter Shane Black’s (of Lethal Weapon and The Last Boy Scout) directorial debut.

Each role in the movie is stereotyped, each line carefully placed, each turn delicately maneuvered to keep us on our toes. This is one of those movies that you can watch over and over again, picking up pieces that you may have missed, appreciating it all the more. Downey’s humor and wit make Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang all the more enticing.

#4: The Soloist

In this thought provoking tear-jerker, Robert Downey Jr. plays Steve Lopez, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. While searching for a story, he finds Nathaniel Ayers, that’s A-Y-E-R-S (played by Jamie Foxx) playing a beat up violin on the street. Ayers, his facial expressions, his fascinating dedication to music and his back-story capture Lopez. While Ayers plays the violin, he sees colors, dancing colors like the Northern Lights, flashing across his mind and it made me think of the fabulously famous Kerouac quote from On the Road... “the only people for me are the mad ones.”

Downey’s role is heartbreaking. He captures the side that all of us have somewhere deep inside our souls: wanting to help, succeeding and failing. The movie is based on the book and true story of Steve Lopez.

#3: Iron Man

What’s not to love about a comic series sent to the big screen? Throw Robert Downey Jr. into the mix and call it a blockbuster hit. Downey plays billionaire Tony Starks and the movie begins with Starks held captive by Middle East terrorists, attempting to force him to create weapons of mass destruction for them. Instead, Starks develops the Iron Man suit and the rest is history.

Downey’s irresistible charm and dedication to character combined with action packed scenes make fans anxious for the big comeback this summer.

#2: Sherlock Holmes

In the behind the scenes of the DVD, Guy Ritchie states that after casting Robert Downey Jr., he realized that there was no other actor who could successfully master his vision of Sherlock Holmes. I think that fans would have to agree. Downey plays Sherlock Holmes, who, with his ever-famous sidekick Watson (Jude Law), takes on a mysterious/just returned from the grave man of black magic.

Holmes is a master of martial arts, a scientist, clever and witty. And shirtless. And tied to a bed by Rachel McAdams. Lovely. Simply lovely.

#1: Wonder Boys

Based on the book by Michael Chabon, Robert Downey Jr. plays relentless editor Terry Crabtree aside Professor and award-winning writer Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas). Tripp is in the process of writing a follow-up to his first novel and finds himself on page 2611, writing a story that will never end. Crabtree is sent to discover how much longer this highly anticipated novel will take and the all-star cast is taken on a pot smoking roller coaster ride of strange events.

The chemistry between Downey and Douglas makes Wonder Boys, without doubt, one of the best films about the writing process.

What is your favorite Robert Downey, Jr. film? Let us know!

Holly Christine is the author of Tuesday Tells it Slant, which is quickly moving up the Amazon Kindle Store rankings. Get your copy -- in print or Kindle form -- today!

make 'em laugh

I sometimes wonder why I'm not a screenwriter, since so many of my influences for novel-writing come from films and TV. I suppose it'll be just a matter of time (since I can already envision the novel I'm co-writing as a TV series), but for now, novel-writing is my love, and I'll take my muses wherever they come.

Here are four of my favorite film comedies (in no particular order), and what makes them so great for a novel-writer like me.

Animal Crackers (1930)
Many of the Marx Brothers movies started out as plays, not surprising since the Marx Bros. were vaudeville stars. It's hard to say which Marx Bros movie is the best (although I'm sure you'll have no trouble choosing the worst), but I love Animal Crackers because it's pure silliness (but it's smart silliness, if that makes any sense) mixed with brilliant timing and delivery. What's more, it's a linguistic tennis match of puns and metaphor and one-liners and exchanges that make you fall over laughing, perfectly complimented by Harpo, who nonverbally manages to speak the loudest and get the biggest laughs.

Besides, who doesn't love to see Groucho confound Margaret Dumont on a regular basis?

The story is secondary to the shtick, and the ending really isn't much of an ending, but that's fine by us. Because the shtick is so good, so delicious, you'll appreciate the seeming effortlessness of the banter that is so finely honed.

Of course, it's possible that I'm just nostalgic for Animal Crackers because it reminds me of spending quality time with my older brother, but that's just bonus.


When Harry Met Sally (1989)
I know. A given.
If you want to learn how to write great dialogue, start by putting two people in a room together (preferably a small room) and have them disagree on something. Aaron Sorkin has this down to a science. Nora Ephron did it fabulously in WHMS from the opening ten minutes of the film when Harry and Sally have to drive from Chicago to New York together. Dare I say fabulous yet again. Those ten minutes set the tone for the entire film -- and the relationship -- and keep us rooting for these two all the way.

I have said in many interviews that I am drawn to relationships with chemistry. The Marx Bros had chemistry. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan had chemistry. Chemistry plus dialogue equals fire (the good kind, life-affirming and sustaining rather than destructive and ravaging). Add characters with depth, characters who are put someplace where they don't want to be, and you've got gold. (hmmm... am I mixing alchemical metaphors here? Fire? Gold? What can I say, I failed these courses in high school.)


The Odd Couple (1968)
See my explanation for When Harry Met Sally. Two people who have nothing in common put into a room together. Add to that Neil Simon's unique ability to make pain funny. The Odd Couple also encompasses a lot of physical comedy that is way more subtle than the Marx Bros' antics yet just as funny. The TV series had a life of its own, and the Tony Randall/Jack Klugman duo really shined. But see the classic Jack Lemmon on Walter Matthau, if for no other reason than Matthau's deadpan look at no one in particular as he says "Murray, I'll give you two hundred dollars for your gun" and you just know he's at his wit's end.


Young Frankenstein (1974)
Mel Brooks loves what he calls "juxtaposition of texture". A hideous creature, donning a top hat and tails and breaking into "Puttin' on the Ritz" is an example of juxtaposition of texture. I try to replicate that juxtaposition of texture wherever I can. Whether it's Andi reading a poorly written eulogy in a cocktail dress, or a typically cool-cat character having a meltdown over something as insignificant as a traffic light taking too long to turn.

This film is one of my favorites for so many reasons. The stellar cast of characters, the reverance the original Frankenstein films (yes, in order to produce a parody that good, there need to be reverance), and the sight gags, one-liners, and vaudevillian-like sketches throughout.

Good parody is a tribute to the original work of art. What makes this one truly great is that its own infamy will keep the originals alive.


Why I like writing comedy.
Comedy is regenerative. It lives on. Homer Simpson can get his ass kicked and then live another day for another beer at Moe's. Comedy is also the fountain of youth. Groucho Marx will forever be that guy with bushy hair, thick black mustache, and round glasses in coattails. Sally Alright will forever be that woman in Katz's deli, pounding the table in feigned ecstacy. Besides all that, it just feels so damn good to laugh until you cry. Especially when you're with others.

Each of these films have contributed to my craft, be it timing, style, delivery, invention, improvisation, or just a good ol' sight gag. The well of great prose will never run dry. But inpsiration is everywhere. Find it wherever you can.

What are your favorite comedies, either in film, television, or literature?