It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.
The awesome co-hosts for the November 4 posting of the IWSG are Kalpana, Kim Lajevardi, Rebecca Douglass, Jennifer Lane, and Cathrina Constantine!
November 4 question - As a writer, do you have favorite themes that you like to explore in your stories? If so, what are they?
I think I use the theme of redemption in all of my stories. My heroes don’t always start out the most likeable as they have hang-ups and issues. But they redeem themselves over the course of the story, rising to the level of true hero. And I never realized I used that theme until my third book.
Movie Trailers!
Unfortunately we begin on a sad note as Patrick Stewart died last week…
November Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for November. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
6–
Godzilla Minus Zero
Director – Takashi Yamazaki
Stars - Minami Hamabe, Jun Kunimura, Ryûnosuke Kamiki Set in 1949, the Shikishima family confronts a fresh catastrophe two years after surviving their previous ordeal with the legendary monster.
The next one, Godzilla Plus One, will be Godzilla going to a wedding with a date… (In truth, I am geeked for this film!)
11 –
Ghost Soldier
Director – William Eubank
Stars - Jim Caviezel, Garret Dillahunt, Olivia Thirlby
A weapon systems engineer and former Green Beret protects his Wyoming neighbors against a ruthless corporation threatening their rural community.
I believe this is the one millionth time this plot has been followed. The audience should receive a free set of steak knives.
13 –
Ebenezer
Director – Ti West
Stars - Johnny Depp, Arthur Conti, Daisy Ridley
A thrilling ghost story set in Dickens' London, following one man's supernatural journey to face his past, present and future as he fights for a second chance at redemption.
I have a warm spot in my heart for all Christmas Carol movies. But no Kermit the Frog or Patrick Stewart? What the heck?
20 –
Paper Tiger
Director – James Gray
Stars - Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Miles Teller
Two brothers pursue the American Dream but get entangled in a dangerous Russian mafia scheme that terrorizes their family, testing their bond as betrayal becomes possible.
Looks like the kind of crime thriller made in the seventies. I’m not sure if I am old enough to watch it…
What are your favorite themes? Trailers look enticing? What movies are you seeing this month?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Some good films to look forward to there Alex. This past weekend I watched both Dune films again getting ready for pt3, but I'm not watching the clip you posted, I wanna watch it with no preconceptions. Great how Paul is flanked by he two ladies in his life. You just know there's gonna be trouble!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Alex
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG day to you.
The movie releases look good but what beats them are your comments. I wonder if I can watch Ghost Soldier without laughing quietly at your steak knives comment. Ebenezer seems the most tempting.
I am watching Sense and Sensibility this month. I don't plan to watch the Influencer Project but may watch Verity since it's about a ghostwriter.
Hi, Alex,
ReplyDeletei won't be watching any of them. I have a very sensitive soul.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Shalom Shalom
I think I'll watch "Ghost Soldier" because Jim Caviezel :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel the Mythmaker
Redemption is a great theme to explore!
ReplyDeleteEbeneezer with Johnny Depp! So...he's playing Scrooge?
High five for my redemption buddy! I don't know anyone who doesn't apprecaite a good redeption story.
ReplyDeleteRedemption is a great theme we can all relate to. We all make mistakes in life and then have to learn from them and redeem ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThe theme of redemption can demonstrate a compelling character arc for sure. I love Jim Caviezel so I'm eager for that movie--thanks for the heads up. Have you seen the TV series Person of Interest with him?
ReplyDeleteMy grandson loves Godzilla movies, me not so much :D I like heroes with hang-ups, makes a good read. And then the redemption theme is a plus! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Day! Thanks for another great hop. I do see the redemption theme in your writing. I enjoy the new Godzilla series- it's a throwback to the original iteration. I might be the only person completely over Depp's oddness. Does anyone else remember, Nick of Time? I'd love to see him play just a normal guy again.
ReplyDeleteYou do a good job with the redemption theme in your stories. Mine tend to be coming-of-age stories where the protagonist has to grow to overcome a challenge.
ReplyDeleteThe way you use the theme of redemption in your stories is inspiring and create a great story arc.
ReplyDeleteYou do redemption very well.
ReplyDeleteI do plan to see Godzilla.
Hi, Alex!
ReplyDeleteWell told stories of redemption inspire me. I'm not certain but, after watching the trailer, I'd say Godzilla seems pissed. Of the November releases, Ebenezer is the film I think I'd enjoy most.
Have a great month, good buddy Alex. I'll see you when I return to blogging around the 25th.
I might see Godzilla. But definitely going to watch Doomsday in December.
ReplyDeleteI love redemption stories, and I like how you have your hero start out flawed and grow into it. I'm with you on the Christmas Carol movies. Muppets is the best, but we also love the musical with Albert Finney.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how many movies can come out in a month without a single one that interests me... Except Paper Tiger. I'll probably see that one.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to learn as writers that our themes show up in our work even unconsciously. I hadn't given thought to my eugenics kick until someone mentioned it in on book and I realized, oh hey, I do that a lot. Huh.
ReplyDeleteI just saw the trailer for Ghost Soldier this morning and thought that same thing. Really? That plot AGAIN?
Howdy, Captain! What a great theme, and it suit you;-) Thanks for all you do. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteRedemption is a pretty common theme that goes back to the Bible.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any Godzilla movie will be as good as the 1954 original Japanese version. Loved that one as a child and it still holds up for me.
Lee
Ray, I need to watch both movies again as well.
ReplyDeleteKalpana, I am here to amuse.
Elizabeth, it would appear so!
Jennifer, I've seen a few episodes.
Toi, I don't think he knows how.
Shady, he's a bit angry all right.
Jenni, Muppets rock!
Lee, this new Japanese series is just as good.
I think the best and strongest themes are the ones that you don't set out to include, but grow organically out of your own convictions.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how certain themes get into our writing without us realizing. For you, it was redemption. For me, it was family. I wrote a dozen Sci-Fi short stories before my editor pointed out they were all, in one way or another, family dramas.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of family dramas, I really hope Godzilla Minus Zero is good. Godzilla Minus One was such a beautiful movie!
Yes, Alex, I was sad to see Patrick go. Another Scrooge movie? Jonny Depp would make it his own, of course. But I have a warm spot in my heart for Alistair Sim's Scrooge. Godzilla looks scary. So unlike the rubber monster from the first movie that I watched on Saturday mornings.
ReplyDeleteGodzilla plus one? Snort.
ReplyDeleteRedemption as a theme was used by a number of great books. You're in good company.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your movie reviews, Alex. While several look enticing, my husband and I are deeply embroiled in The Diplomat with another Netflix to follow
ReplyDeleteI'm also super psyched for the new Godzilla! (and redemption is a great theme!). @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
I'm a huge Godzilla fan. I'm looking forward to seeing that one.
ReplyDeleteGhost Soldier's theme might have been done a bunch but that won't stop me from watching this movie. lol
Personally, I think the Godzilla plus one is the best option of all the movies you listed!
ReplyDeleteI'm not feeling any of the movies this time. But I've not felt like watching anything.
ReplyDeleteRedemption has great potential in terms of character arcs, conflict, and crafting emotional resonance.
ReplyDeleteLove your review of "Ghost Soldier"
ReplyDeleteSome actually good looking choices for movies coming out, I may go see one or two! I really respect Miles Teller, Scarlett Johannsen, and Adam Driver. They're all really high quality actors. So a movie all three of them are in is one I think I need to see.
ReplyDeleteI was so sad about Patrick Stewart. He was an incredible and inspirational actor.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the Christmas Carol movies! I'll have to see the new one.
ReplyDeleteRIP Patrick Stewart 😢
JS, it's getting great reviews!
ReplyDeleteI love a good redemption story!
ReplyDeleteAs for November movies, I'll go see the new Hunger Games film, but that's probably it.
So sad about Patrick Stewart. I have so many wonderful memories of watching Next Generation so many years ago. What a marvelous actor.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite themes is the theme of redemption and so I try looking for it in stories that I read. I hope for it to show up in my own stories, although I try not to intentionally write to a theme too much hoping the story will unfold naturally.
ReplyDeleteWhile my themes focus on the struggle for survival, redemption resonates as well. Your post will help me think through the impacts of my characters' decisions. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Ebenezer. Patrick Stewart is a huge loss. We've lost some seriously talented humanitarians recently.
ReplyDeleteDid they kick Godzilla out of his bed aka the Coloseum? Just can't let him nap.
ReplyDeleteThere had been a really excellent movie about Dickens writing a Christmas Carol, that's gonna be hard to top. Speaking of Johnny Deep trying to remake roles that have been perfected, did you see the Wonka reality tv show on Netflix where teams live in the factory for a few days, facing challenges and each other, for a huge prize? It was better than expected.
Movies in the 70s were notorious for having horrible endings.
ReplyDeleteThose movies sure do look interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think for themes, I try to add a very healthy dose of the mundane real world issues that the average can go through. I don't think that everything can be peaches and cream, but I do think adding just a tiny bit of real world issues does give the story a heavier feel.
Nerd that I am, I am so going to see "Avengers: Doomsday."
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, BY FAR, the best Christmas Carol movie was the Mr. Magoo Christmas Carol movie.
I LOVE GODZILLA , I love it so much
ReplyDeleteI’m late here but I am here:)) I love the psychology of what makes people tick. What makes a person do things, good or bad. Except for the Jim Cazeviel flick( I forgot how to spell his name), I’d like to see all of those films. I still have to see the other Godzilla movies, to be honest. I would like to see that Godzilla sequel with Godzilla in the role instead of Julia Roberts. In the Marvel movies, who was the guy at the end? This must be the great Patrick Stewart’s last film? I still can’t believe he died.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Alex!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, I'm not seeing any movies these days.
Cheers.