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I really wanted to keep writing, I really did. In fact I have been, only not posting it because the writing I am doing is for graduate school applications. It has been invigorating and excruciating for the same reasons, being the topics and the outlooks of them. It is strange, at one point I felt that all of these samples were amazing in their scope and structure, but come deadline time I couldn't admit they were finished for the fear that my creativity wasn't quite yet conveyed. Needless to say I did some rewrites, which is a good thing in the long run, and some thinking about my abilities as a writer and felt that I can make it as I am.
Looking back at the recent box office records I tried to fathom how a movie like "Four Christmases" can bring in nearly $100 million in its first three weeks whereas something like the heartfelt and highly award buzzing "Slumdog Millionaire" can barely get attention in its second month. I know about promotions and word of mouth advertising, but why do some families take their kids out to see one film verses another. Is it about the popularity or the believability? Because on one hand there is something about a child going home and thinking about growing up to be something or someone based on a movie, but it is completely different when they come home and imagine flying or having superpowers.
What I am trying to say is, the writing of a film is all about marketing. When a studio sees a script their first thoughts before reading it are 'who is going to see this movie'. Other thoughts come up like 'when will it be released' and 'who could we cast for the part' but the audience is key and without it the film wouldn't exist. So what is it that makes a film successful at the box office? I strongly believe that the most important character behind this is casting. Track records live for actors, directors, and producers and they use it in their trailers to get people interested. This is why a film with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon can garner as much as it did while Danny Boyle is left pondering personal triumph.
But all this aside, I recently read an old article from the times featuring short blurbs from famous directors and actors about what their favourite holiday films are and why based on what occurs during their holiday. I was Glad to see "Die Hard" in there, but sad that nobody admitted the "2046" was their choice. For me it is the quintessential holiday movie because it captures the essence of what everyone hopes for on the holidays, love. Some people get it, others don't, but we all strive for it at the holidays and this movie proves it in a number of ways. Yes, there are undertones and it isn't exactly a family friendly movie, but if you want to know what you really need for the holidays this movie will tell you.
I bring this up because recently I have been spending the holidays with my fiance, switching between both mine and her families, but I have thought of them more for the Christmas aspect. This is because my family has been changing the dates for Hanuakah based on when people will be available, which I feel takes away from the actual spirit, while Christmas is all about December 24th and 25th.
What I am getting at is this will be the first time I celebrate the holidays alone, in New York. Suzanne will be back in the cities, and my family will wait for me to celebrate, but the whole holiday feeling will be quite different for me this year because I will actually be alone. Yes I will have "2046" to console me and I may even grace the actual date with a "Die hard" showing, but I will actually celebrate alone. This is a first for me, and now I can say I have experienced this feeling from both ends, which will teach me to be a better person based on what I have learned from "2046".
I hope everyone has a good holidays with their families this year and appreciates their time with them. It is special and something you should enjoy, even if you can only stand the people you are with for an extended time. It comes once a year and it is always good to catch up with them, so enjoy it while you have it.