Movies for Boomers: The Last Movie Star

While surfing the many cable channels I chanced upon "The Last Movie Star" on The Movie Channel. It was one of Burt Reynolds's last films. And it was memorable. 

Reynolds was a mega-star during his heyday in Hollywood, gaining exposure in TV's "Gunsmoke" in the 1960s, the "Smokey and the Bandit" series in the '70s and '80s, "Boogie Nights" in the '90s and many more in a resume that includes 185 acting credits. He was the box-office king from 1978-82.

But back to "The Last Movie Star." Reynolds stars as Vic Edwards, an aging actor who is persuaded by his friend Sonny, played by Chevy Chase, to go to Nashville to receive a lifetime achievement award from the local film festival. He discovers it's a low-budget operation that's run by dedicated movie lovers.

It turns into a journey of self-discovery as Edwards comes to terms with his past glory and present situation. He takes a side trip to Knoxville, where he reflects on pre-movie days while seeing his childhood home, walking across the football field at Neyland Stadium where he was a star at the University of Tennessee, and seeking to find an old girlfriend at a nursing home.

The Adam Rifkin-directed movie (originally titled "Dog Years") was released in February 2018, six months before Reynolds's death at 82. It's a touching film on several levels, from Edwards's coming to terms with his life to the film festival's organizers who withstand his initial verbal abuse.

Another reason I enjoyed the film is that it was an honest depiction of aging. Reynolds wasn't dressed up to look like a hunky octogenarian. He used a cane, his bushy eyebrows weren't trimmed, and he took numerous meds. It was to Reynolds's credit that he played the role "as is."

The film features flashbacks to "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Deliverance," so there's bound to be some who see a parallel between lead character and Reynolds. 

Besides Chase, the movie features a strong supporting cast including Ariel Winter, Clark Duke, Al-Jaleel Knox, Ellar Coltrane, and Kathleen Nolan (remember her from "The Real McCoys?")

Click here to see a trailer from the movie.

Until the next time . . .

Pushing Pause on Facebook

I'm currently on the third day of a 30-day break from Facebook. 

I needed a hiatus from the time-consuming social website and all the real and faux drama it entails—from politics, pandemic, news, and opinions. And practically everything else under the sun.

I can't say that I've missed it that much. It's similar to when I quit smoking 42 years ago; a withdrawal that gets easier by the day. 

I'm able to read items that appear on Facebook but without being bombarded by the noise of uninformed opinions, demeaning comments, and mean-spirited attacks that often accompany the posts.

So what am I doing with my time? Here are a few things:

• More time reading books
• Watching a few movies
• Research my next novel
• Decluttering the house (the more I toss, the more I uncover)
• Minimal yard work (it was almost non-existent except for mowing the lawn)

I also may begin edits from my publisher on my next novel (John Ross Boomer Lit Series), which is scheduled to be released next February.

My life wasn't consumed by the social-media behemoth. At least I don't think so; you be the judge. I generally logged on in the morning for an hour or so to read notifications from friends and scroll the latest posts, and then again for about an hour in the evening. 

As an author, I use Facebook to post articles and memes pertaining to reading, writing, and other literary interests as well as updates on my writing endeavors. I also belong to several writing/author groups so I'd check on what others were doing.

I don't want to give the impression that I've withdrawn from everything. I still tweet, save articles on Pinterest, read blogs on Tumblr and Medium, and opinions and advice on Quora. I also subscribe to several blogs from fellow authors.

My time on Facebook is suspended until Sept. 15. I'm not sure what will happen after that, but my guess is that I'll spend a lot less time there in what is becoming a virtual wasteland. 

I'll provide an update when it's over and done. I also plan to post more here about various and sundry things in my free time so follow if interested (hint, hint).

Please share your thoughts on how Facebook, or other social media platforms, affect your life.

A thought from comedian/author/actor Jim Carrey:

“Solitude is dangerous. It’s very addictive. It becomes a habit after you realize how peaceful and calm it is. It’s like you don’t want to deal with people anymore because they drain your energy.”

Until the next time . . .

 

 

One Step Toward Publication

My manuscript is in the hands of my editor and now I have a publication date: Feb. 1, 2021. It will be the fourth novel in the John Ross Boomer Lit series.  

I submitted the 95,000-word novel to her three times. Usually, one time is enough. The reason is I found two words used too often. She's busy with other manuscripts so perhaps it'll save her some time when she gets to mine.

One word was found on a routine Find search I do after completing a work in progress for specific words. I neglected to do it for a particular word. I don't know why the word skipped my brain. My bad. 

The second time came after I learned my original title had been used by a fellow Wings ePress author in 2019. I ran another Find on some keywords and discovered another word used excessively and needlessly in some places. 

By the way, after two days of wracking my aging boomer brain, I came up with a new title. I'll disclose it in the near future when there's a cover. 

Now there might be a few other words that fall into that category. My editor has a keen eye and will let me know. And when I receive her edited copy, I may run across some more during the editing. 

Until the next time . . .

Quick Trips on TV: A Taste of Travel

Many of us are going stir crazy during this pandemic, especially those who love to travel to faraway places. I had a trip to Eastern Europe postponed until next spring, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't happen again in 2021. 

A program I discovered a month or so ago while walking on my treadmill (my healthy way to travel nowadays) was A Taste of Travel. It's an Australian production from 2016, with 13 episodes featuring four guides and is available on Amazon Prime.

The shows are quick hits, lasting about 20 minutes and taking viewers to four different destinations for five minutes or so. The episodes touch on landmarks, hidden treasures, travel tips, and food in places such as South Africa, Greece, France, England, Canada, China, Fiji, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and the United States. 

The photography is generally very good but I would caution that if you close your eyes for five seconds or more, you might miss something; it moves along that quickly.

Guides Carolyne, Lynton, Scott, Alana, and Savannah love to travel as evidenced by their enthusiastic and friendly presentations. They often bring along local guides to add more detail to their trips. Furthermore, you can sense they're having fun and that makes it even more enjoyable as it becomes a vicarious trip for the viewer.

So if you're looking for a travel show to watch, whether to take you to different places, whet your appetite for certain destinations, or simply to go along for the ride, you might want to give A Taste of Travel a view. 

Until the next time . . . 

 

Manuscript Finally Finished

The manuscript I have been working on for more than a year is now in the capable hands of my editor. For the next few weeks, I will take a break from the editing and rewriting that has dominated my life.

The manuscript, the fourth book in the John Ross Boomer Lit Series, is 95k words. Over the course of a year, and 10 rewrites, it doubled in size. By the way, this is my 10th novel and 14th book. I may have to go out and celebrate when it's published and the pandemic is over. 

My goal was to finish by July 31. I did submit the manuscript on that date, but I must confess, that after sleeping on it, I resubmitted it this morning with a couple additions that tied together loose ends. I promised my editor she wouldn't be hearing from me with any changes, edits, and whatevers. The next move will be hers, when she returns it with edits, suggested edits, and whatnots. 

I was hoping this novel would see the light of day by the end of this year, but that's doubtful. It's my fault for dragging my butt for a few months. I'll keep you posted when I hear something from the publisher. 

Be sure and check out the August releases from Wings ePress including a new novel, Divine Rebel, from friend Tom Wallace as well as Thomas Fenske's Penumbra, and Peggy P. Parsons's Apitcote. 

The title of my new novel? I'll let you know once I sign a contract. 

Until the next time . . .