- "Away From Her" - A Review By : Leslie Halpern
Among the many wonderful independent spotlight films in this year's Florida Film Festival, "Away From Her" stands out as an exceptionally tender tale of loving, aging, and suffering with dignity. Directed by Canadian actress Sarah Polley and based on the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" by Alice Munro, the movie introduces an aging couple married for almost 50 years. Fiona (Julie Christie) shows symptoms of progressing Alzheimer's disease and her husband Grant (Gordon Pinsent) is faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to place her in a permanent care facility. - "Blood and Chocolate" – A Review By : Leslie Halpern
Life is confusing for the beautiful 19-year-old Vivian (Agnes Bruckner). She's an orphan living with a single aunt who seems to harbor resentment towards her. Her cousin is uncomfortably possessive. Her family is forcing her into a union with a much-older man whom she doesn’t love. She found a handsome young artist who wants a relationship with her despite her family's resistance. Oh, and she's a werewolf. - "Breach" - A Review By : Leslie Halpern
Lesson to employers: Be careful to whom you assign the offices with windows – and without. Based on the true story of FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who sold government secrets to the Russians for 22 years in the worst case of treason in modern American history, "Breach" delivers on its promise of suspense and thrills. We follow the final two nail-biting months before Hanssen's arrest as a young FBI trainee spies on him. - "Breakfast on Pluto" Is Really Not About an Alien from Outer Space By : Ed Bagley
Breakfast on Pluto is a gender preference movie about a boy who really wants to be a girl, and settles for being a transvestite trying to find a place in a world that curses his very existence. I endured Boys Don't Cry and Transamerica and am pleased to say I did not have to endure Breakfast on Pluto. I think that Neil Jordan is the reason why. Jordan achieves something that few of his counterparts have been able to do and that is direct and write and produce a good product. This film is worth viewing for its message: to thine ownself be true. - "Cards on the Table" Murder Mystery Stumps Even the Clever Little Belgian By : Ed Bagley
English mystery writer Agatha Christie must have had her gray cells working overtime in 1936 when she created Cards on the Table, another crime novel featuring her clever little Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. It is unusual to see Poirot be flummoxed over a murder investigation, but he is in this one. In Cards on the Table, Poirot almost meets his match in the mysterious Mr. Shaitana, who apparently will go to any lengths to prove his fascination with the perfect murder. - "Chicago" Shows Two Murderesses Who Beat the Rap in a Fight for Fame By : Ed Bagley
The musical "Chicago" is absolutely everything it was cracked up to be. A superb cast of singers and dancers under the direction of Rob Marshall brought Chicago together in a super professional, entertaining romp that generated 13 Oscar nominations and won 6 in addition to 30 wins and 52 nominations from other award groups. Winning Oscars at the Academy Awards were Catherine Zeta-Jones for Best Supporting Actress, Chicago for Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Editing, Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction. - "Coach Carter" Sends an Outstanding Message About a Coach with Integrity, Honor and Goodness By : Ed Bagley
Samuel L. Jackson plays Coach Ken Carter in a good sports drama with an outstanding message for today's high school basketball players who see playing with the pros as their only objective in life. Carter believes that scholarship and ethics should go hand in hand with outstanding basketball play. This is an incredible story of a coach who will not compromise his values by not compromising his integrity. Coach Carter has the guts and audacity to stand fast and right wills out in the end. - "Finding Nemo" Earns an Oscar and Wins the Hearts of Children Everywhere By : Ed Bagley
In the never ending battle to find good family films without filth and nasty surprises, Walt Disney Pictures comes to the rescue with "Finding Nemo", an animated film about a fish rescue. Finding Nemo is everything that your average Hollywood film is not, a good, clean, entertaining story with likeable characters. Finding Nemo is anything but all wet, it will give you a good feeling in the dry comfort of your home. Add popcorn and low-sugar drinks, and it makes for a good family night together. - "High School Musical" Gives an Outstanding Message About Acceptance by Teenagers By : Ed Bagley
"High School Musical" represents everything that is right about today's teenagers. We see quality athletes, quality academic students, quality relationships and personal growth which leads to right thinking, right motives and right actions at the appropriate time. High School Musical gets quality direction by Kenny Ortega and quality writing by Peter Barsocchini, who sends an excellent message about acceptance that every teen struggles with growing up. - "Kamp Katrina" – A Review By : Leslie Halpern
"Kamp Katrina," a moving documentary about a small group of Hurricane Katrina survivors in New Orleans, had its East Coast premiere at the Florida Film Festival recently. Ms. Pearl, a native American and lifetime New Orleans resident, offers her backyard garden as a temporary tent city for 14 residents who lost their homes because of the hurricane and subsequent flooding. For up to six months, Ms. Pearl and her construction-worker husband generously provide space, hot and cold running water, and comfort to the displaced survivors, many of whom have problems with substance abuse and mental illness. - "Meet the Fockers" Gets a Real Boost From De Niro and Hoffman By : Ed Bagley
Meet the Fockers is the best comedy I have seen in a long time. This movie could have been easily over-the-top with its descriptive title, but there is no hint of it in the presentation. A believable story line and an all-star cast with former Oscar-winners Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand (yes, Streisand won as Best Actress in Funny Girl) gave this comedy a real boost of professionalism. By reducing Ben Stiller to a lesser role and playing up the acting and timing talents of Hoffman and De Niro, this movie is so much better than the first that there can be no comparison between the two. - "Sad Cypress" Is a Woman Scorned Who Becomes a Suspect in 2 Murders By : Ed Bagley
Sad Cypress presents a suspected "murderer" with so much incriminating evidence that it seems unlikely that she did not do it. Even Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) has cause to question the innocence of Elinor Carlisle (Elisabeth Dermot Walsh) who had the means, the motive and the opportunity to commit two murders and is even convicted of doing so. But Poirot is nobody's fool and does not tolerate apparent murders without intensive and thoughtful investigation. - "The Number 23" – A Review By : Leslie Halpern
It's no accident that the release date for the film "The Number 23" is February 23. In fact, in the world of Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey), nothing about 23 is a coincidence: Everything he sees, hears, and especially reads relates to that cursed number. - "The Secret" and TV: How Watching TV May Help Manifest Violence, Poverty, and General Negativity By : Katherine Westphal
"The Secret" proposed a startling idea: we create our experiences with our thoughts through the "Law of Attraction". If you are trying to attract positive experiences into your life using the principles in "The Secret", then you need to know how the TV may be sabotaging your efforts. - "The TV Set" - A Review By : Leslie Halpern
As the opening night selection at the Florida Film Festival, "The TV Set" establishes just the right tone for a 10-day celebration of movies: intelligent, funny, thought-provoking, and star-studded. Written and directed by Jake Kasdan, who has worked on television shows such as "Freaks and Geeks" and directed films including "Orange County," this new independent comedy peeks behind the doors of a television network as it struggles to bring a new show to the small screen. - "Waking Ned Devine" by Kirk Jones Is the Best Comedy I Have Ever Seen By : Ed Bagley
In crafting "Waking Ned Devine" Kirk Jones has done what dozens of his peers have not done on their best day, and that is both write and direct a film worthy of being called the best. I would put Kirk Jones in the same incredible class of writer/directors as Tim McCanlies in Secondhand Lions. Kirk Jones has given this story heart, risk, honor, integrity, unity, romance, love, tolerance, chicanery and Irish whiskey all rolled into a masterpiece of storytelling. Waking Ned Devine is the funniest film I have ever seen and is also a study in relationships. - 'Casino Royale' and the Spectacle of Violence By : Lynette Tan
This article discusses the spectacle of violence in movies. It looks at an interesting theory made by Richard Dyer, and raises questions about the legitimacy of cinematic violence as an acceptable source of pleasure. - 'FINGERPRINTS' Brings The San Antonio Ghost Children Back To Life By : Bill Knell
FINGERPRINTS will not be a film like Ghost unless you can visualize a remake where Sam comes back from the dead and puts Molly through a wood chipper. But then, most people mistakenly look at the ghost children mystery as an urban legend, rather than a real ghost story anyway. - 'Rocky' Worth Look for Long-time Fans By : Ed Valentine
Rocky Balboa is a worthy addition to the series of Rocky movies. - 'The Fairly Pointless Show' or the madness of Do Not Adjust Your Set By : Michelle Duffy
As part of a string of satirical and more openly, topical non descriptive shows of that time, Do Not Adjust Your Set, was seen not just as a tweenie programme but even bosses felt the financial pinch when it was discovered adults sneaking out of work early one particular day of the week to rush home for this unusual yet absurdly brilliant laughter show. Fellow humorous dialogues were already haunting the airwaves in honour of The Goon Show that had gone a decade before. Casual mixes of song and sketch came in the current affair form of 'Round The Horne', 'Beyond Our Ken' and 'Sorry I'll Read That Again'; the latter comprising of another ready made Python, John Cleese. - 10 Great Oscar Moments By : Murphy James
Invite a couple of friends over, throw some popcorn in the microwave, and sit back to watch the annual Oscars show from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. - 10 Steps to Getting Your Dream Job in Film Special Effects By : sean blakeley
Getting a break in film special effects is hard, but not as hard as you may think. The following ten things will go a long way to help you achieve your dream job. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Abbreviated 15 By : Kal Bishop
The Mentor or Supernatural Aid often knows a lot about the Hero. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde knows all about Bonnie - the guys, the cafe, wondering how she is going to get away from it. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Abbreviated Excerpts 24 By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Abbreviated Screenwriting Tips 2 By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know aboutThe Hero, having conquered all challenges and vanquished all antagonisms - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Antagonism And The Id By : Kal Bishop
The Antagonism is, in reality, the Hero's Id. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Apotheosis And Limiting Factors By : Kal Bishop
Limiting factors are removed [during the Apotheosis]. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis and Alma divorce. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Divergence Of Allies And Ideology By : Kal Bishop
A physical and / or ideological separation occurs previous to the Journey to the Sword. In Dances with Wolves (1990), Kicking Bird and Wind in his Hair go off to fight the Pawnee. In Goodfellas (1990), Henry is separated from Karen upon entering prison. In The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Obi Wan cannot help Luke. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Every Hero Acts Like A Bull In A China Shop By : Kal Bishop
The Hero clumsily begins the Transformation (on the Road of Trials) - like a bull in a china shop. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - In No Mans Land By : Kal Bishop
It is in No Mans Land that the Hero's New Self becomes apparent. In Brokeback Mountain (2005) - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Place Of The Communion By : Kal Bishop
The Communion is often held in a place where water is abundant, a pool, sauna, bog or similar. Water is representative of cleanliness, wiping away the Old Self and Renewal - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Process Of The Final Conflict By : Kal Bishop
The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - The Return Threshold By : Kal Bishop
Engagement in the Final Conflict has certain characteristics, including: - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Abbreviated Excerpts 12 By : Kal Bishop
188+ stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Abridged Tips and Excerpts 5 By : Kal Bishop
188+ stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about Abridged TipsThe terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Allies, Enemies By : Kal Bishop
The Hero will meet new allies here. These form the core of any subplot - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Evolution in the First Threshold By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about Evolution of the Hero[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)]. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Freedom to Live in The Godfather (1972) By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know aboutFreedom to Live in The Godfather (1972). Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Godfather (1972) Refusal of the Return By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know aboutGodfather (!972); Refusal of the ReturnEvery Hero transforms from an Ordinary Self to a New Self. It is the New Self that has the capacity to conquer challenges that the Old Self could not. Progression of the New Self is demonstrated at the stage of - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Periods of Reflection By : Kal Bishop
The Hero reflects on his arrival in the World of the Transformation and whether he has made the right decision. In The Matrix (1999), Neo doesn't agree with Cypher that he took the wrong pill. In Dances with Wolves (1990), John writes in his diary that these people are nothing like he was told. He made the right choice. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Rebirth and Redemption By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know aboutGoodbye to the Old Self. In Dances with Wolves (1990), John Dunbar literally says "Goodbye" as he walks into the tent. In Syriana (2005), Arash says goodbye to his Father. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Red Herring And Illusion By : Kal Bishop
The shape shifter's true nature becomes apparent [post the Rebirth through Death]. In The Incredibles (2004), Bomb Voyage assists the Incredibles to escape.. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - The Underestimated Use Of Symbolism By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about Symbolism is underestimated. In Brokeback Mountain (2005) - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Washing Away the Old Self By : Kal Bishop
Symbolism is underrated. Post the First Threshold, a washing away of the old self is normal. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack washes his clothes. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - World of the Sword By : Kal Bishop
The World of the Sword (and getting there) contains specific characteristics, including: - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Abridged Tips and Excerpts 2 By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about.It is during the First Threshold Outer Cave Trial that a physical change (most often a wound) is inflicted. This is where blood is most often - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Atonement with the Father By : Kal Bishop
A pull takes the detective hero back to the treasure, to discover its true nature. A battle occurs here, In The Maltese Falcon (1939), the boy takes Sam back to the Fat Man. Sam battles the kid and again, the hero demonstrates superior capabilities. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Belly of the Whale By : Kal Bishop
The Loyal Ally (female secretary) introduces the detective hero to a second client (often male [counter to the femme fatale]) who reveals that the crime is linked to a treasure and offers the detective hero the assignment of finding it. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Cairo arrives in Sam’s office. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Femme Fatale 2 By : Kal Bishop
Time pressure increases with the good cop bad cop linking the deceased's death to the detective hero. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Tom and Dundy knock on Sam's door. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Hero's Deceit By : Kal Bishop
To win the confidence of the femme fatale, the hero engineers a conflict with opposing forces in order to win her confidence. The sexual relationship between them develops. It is unclear who is manipulating who. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Journey to the Sword By : Kal Bishop
A battle between the dark lord's lieutenant and the hero occurs, in which the hero wins. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam takes the gun from the boy. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Mataphoric Battle By : Kal Bishop
A battle between treasure hunters occurs in which the hero, again, demonstrates his superiority. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam, O'Shaugnessey and Cairo argue in the room. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Near Death Experience By : Kal Bishop
Forces pile up against the detective hero. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Cairo is in league with the Fat Man. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Pulling the Hero in By : Kal Bishop
The detective hero confronts the femme fatale client with the arrival of male client and the knowledge of the treasure. The hero's cynicism is further increased. The female client attempts to persuade the hero to side with her. A sexual relationship develops. It is made explicit that the hero is (or could be) overly infatuated with his client. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam plays along with the O'Shaugnessey's game. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Shape Shifter By : Kal Bishop
A battle between the hero and shape shifter occurs, in which both the hero's superiority and the shape shifter's threat is made explicit. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam knocks out Cairo. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - The Dark Lord By : Kal Bishop
A dark lord's lieutenant pursues the detective hero. The hero easily escapes him, again demonstrating his superiority. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam quickly evades the boy. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Time Pressure By : Kal Bishop
Following the near death experience, it becomes clearer that the detective hero has little time to clear his own name. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), the meeting with the chief of police convinces Sam to hurry up. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Trial 2 By : Kal Bishop
The hero arranges a meeting with all his clients, who confront each other. They are familiar with each other and know that they are competitors for the treasure. Further, they acknowledge the presence of the dark lord. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Psychological Refusal and Resistance By : Kal Bishop
Stories are all about Transformation, but change is never easy, especially the Changing of the Self. The Hero resists the Call to Adventure and this can take various forms, including: - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Abbreviated Excerpts 8 By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about Abbreviated Excerpts 8 - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Abridged Tips and Excerpts 3 By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know aboutRoad of Transformation and Trials - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)-Ultimate Boon By : Kal Bishop
This is the prize that the Hero receives once Inner Challenges have been conquered, once he (or she) has broken through personal limitations. Characteristics include: - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): A Joy of Infancy Regained By : Kal Bishop
It is post the Seizing of the Sword (a tangible representation of an Expansion of Consciousness), where the Hero experiences the Joy of Infancy regained. This is the fifth part of this reward (treasure, power, bride, expansion of consciousness, joy of infancy regained). - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Apotheosis By : Kal Bishop
The apotheosis is that stage of the journey where the hero is free from the limitations that were the result of an inner challenge. Once free, the hero is freer. The ultimate boon is the prize that is the result of that freedom. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Atonement with the Father By : Kal Bishop
It is the confrontation with the Inner Challenge that is the atonement. Often represented symbolically by the presence (and replacement) of a mentor figure (the father), this is where the hero resolve the inner challenge (the at-one-ment). - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Concept of the Loop By : Kal Bishop
Links the start of the story to the endnot necessarily the first scene to the last. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), we see the Wyoming landscape. Represents the closing of the story but not necessarily the resolution of all challenges. In Star Wars (197), Vader disappears but is not vanquished. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Engagement By : Kal Bishop
A number of things occur in the Final Conflict. One of them is, obviously, the engagement. The initial phase of the battle involves heavy losses on the hero's side. Facing defeat and loss, there is a distinct lack of confidence, not usually from the hero himself, but from others. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Final Battle Of The Final Conflict By : Kal Bishop
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. It is during the final battle during the final conflict that the hero experiences a disadvantage. In Straw Dogs (1971), Charlie points a gun at David but it is empty. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Final Conflict Breakout By : Kal Bishop
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. The breakout in the final conflict comes when the hero defeats a significant antagonism or overcomes a significant obstacle. In Straw Dogs (1971), David defeats the Demon King (makes Tom shoot himself in the foot). - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Final Conflict: Hand To Hand Battle By : Kal Bishop
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. One element of this stage of the journey is the direct conflict with the antagonist. They do not battle from afar. In Straw Dogs (1971), David takes Tom's son out with a crowbar. Then he takes on and kills Ratboy. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Guardians of the Sword By : Kal Bishop
Seizing the Sword (the tangible representation of the Expansion of Consciousness) is no easy thing. Guardians protect it. The hero often demonstrates his dissimilarity from ordinary men by easily overcoming it. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Heroes Cannot go Backwards By : Kal Bishop
The Hero is warned or it is made obvious that past this place (First Threshold), there will be no going back. In The Matrix (1999), Neo must choose between the red and blue pills, there is no way back if he decides to proceed. In The Godfather (1972), once Michael Corleone shoots Sollozo and Captain McCluskey, there is no going back. In Raging Bull (1980), the physical crossing - the no going back - is represented by the marriage to Vickie. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Journey to a Dangerous Place By : Kal Bishop
A number of things occur in the Final Conflict. One of them is the setting of the scene, which is in a dangerous place. In Spiderman (2003), Peter Parker travels to meets the Green goblin high up on the San Francisco bridge. In Annie Hall (1977), Alvie must go to LA, a place he despises, to convince Annie to come back to New York with him. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Meeting the Oracle By : Kal Bishop
The Oracle is that which guides the hero toward his expansion of consciousness, represented by the tangible (bride, power, treasure). Often all three are gained - with the attainment of the treasure comes the power and the reward (the bride). In Scarface (1983), Tony takes Frank's empire, the money that comes with it and his bride, Elvira. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Polarization of Characters By : Kal Bishop
The gap between the Hero and Shape Shifter increases or decreases (polarization or de-polarization), depending on the exact stage of the Journey and whether the Shape Shifter will turn from good to bad or vice versa. In The Incredibles (2004), Bomb Voyage's attitudes and opinions increasingly fall in line with those of Mr Incredible. In Gladiator (2000), the attitudes and beliefs of Lucilla increasingly fall in line with those of Maximus. In Alien (1979), Ash and Ripley drift further apart. In The Matrix (1999), Neo and Cypher's differences are developed. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Sadness Of The Necessity Of Death By : Kal Bishop
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. One element of this stage is the quite ofen the sadness of the battle. In order to defeat an antagonism, death must occur. For Gods to conquer a kingdom, they must destroy. The antagonism is a shadow of the hero's own self, and it must die. For kings to retain a kingdom, they must kill invaders. There is sadness in all this. In Straw Dogs (1971), David is sad at the murder of Tom's son and even ratboy. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Screenwriting Structure 1 By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know aboutPost the Unbearable Antagonism - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Screenwriting Tips By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Screenwriting Tips 2 By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Screenwriting Tips 7 By : Kal Bishop
188+ stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about- - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Towards a Hand-Hand Battle By : Kal Bishop
Following the distinct lack of confidence, the situation worsens [during the Final Conflict]; the antagonist and hero are pulled together to engage in a hand to hand battle, which the hero often initially loses. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Transformation Mentors and Guardians By : Kal Bishop
A preliminary stage of the Road of Trials involves the meeting of mentors (supernatural aids), known as transformation mentors and threshold guardians (of this stage, who may or may not be shape shifters). In The Godfather (1972), Michael meets his Sicilian Don and Fabrizio. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Ultimate Boon By : Kal Bishop
What may be the ultimate boon for the antihero can quite often be a negative for others. When the antihero receives his gift, it is at the expense of others. In The Godfather (1972), when Michael is handed the reigns by his father, Tessio and Clemenza object. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): A Push to the Call to Adventure By : Kal Bishop
Guardians block the Herald from meeting the Hero and so a Push is needed to overcome resistance. In Alien (1979), Ash tells Dallas that Mother has a message for him. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie dares Clyde to use the gun. In The King of Comedy (1983), Pupkin pushes his way into the car. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero Battle By : Kal Bishop
The antihero often loses the battle with the antagonist or Threshold Guardian until he is rescued by allies, demonstrating their worth. If the antihero required the supernatural aid to be present, this indicates that he is unable to complete his transformation alone. Blood and physical wounds are common here, representing the beginning of the transmogrification. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero's Allies By : Kal Bishop
Stuck in no-mans-land (very similar to the antihero's ordinary world, from where he has just journeyed), the loyal ally's character will be developed – he (or she) will have some deviant personality attribute that differentiates him from the antihero. The loyal ally is at home in this environment and does not have the drive to escape that the antihero does. The antihero will also meet a sacrificial lamb here. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero's backstory By : Kal Bishop
The antihero's back-story will become apparent. His life in the disaffected world and the punishments he has endured. He will use this as a rationalisation for whatever action he has and wishes to engage in. This will have little affect on the guardians, who do not allow him to progress. The guardians themselves are impure and their reasons will be highly dubious. This reaction and behaviour by others is a normal experience for the antihero; he has always experienced exclusion. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero: Middle Cave By : Kal Bishop
The antihero (and hero) encounters a dangerous antagonist within the outer cave of the first threshold. A battle ensues between the antihero and antagonist where the sacrificial lamb is sacrificed. The antihero does have the opportunity to prevent this sacrifice if he wishes not to proceed further on his journey, but he refuses to do so. This demonstrates an aspect of the antihero's nature and determination. In Scarface (1983), Tony doesn't give up the ice even though Angel is about to die. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero: Outer Cave By : Kal Bishop
The antihero (and hero) encounters a dangerous antagonist within the outer cave of the first threshold. In fact, all the creatures in the outer cave are in league, dangerous and threaten the antihero for some reason, preventing him from fulfilling his trivial task. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Atonement (foreshadow of) By : Kal Bishop
The Atonement (facing and conquering the Inner Challenge) is often alluded to. A Father Figure is often involved. In Straw Dogs (1971), the Reverend and his wife are there to invite them to the church social. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Boon Post the Apotheosis By : Kal Bishop
This is the prize that the Hero receives once Inner Challenges have been conquered, once he (or she) has broken through personal limitations. Characteristics include: - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Crossing the Return Threshold By : Kal Bishop
188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about Crossing the Return ThresholdApotheosis is the overcoming of the limitations of Inner Challenges. The Hero no longer requires Mentor figures and here, most often - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Evolution During the Road of Trials By : Kal Bishop
Trial 3 often shows the Hero evolving (becoming closer to his New Self), In Straw Dogs (1971), David enters the pub but this time is not afraid of Tom and buys them all a drink. Further, he is accepted - the Major invites him over. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Expansion of Consciousness By : Kal Bishop
The seizure of the sword is accompanied by an Expansion of Consciousness, represented by the gaining of some knowledge. In the Godfather (1972), after their marriage, Appollonia starts to learn English and to drive. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Final Conflict By : Kal Bishop
Often in the Final Conflict, it is the Hero that travels to a place of great danger (from his perspective). But the danger can come to him (or her). In Straw Dogs (1971), Tom et al drive to David's house and once inside, become antagonistic (the pointing and pushing). - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Final Conflict: Allies Against The Hero By : Kal Bishop
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. One aspect of this stage is the possibility of allied forces turning against the hero. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy decides to go against David and give then Henry. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Function of the Trivial Task By : Kal Bishop
The commonality of the Trivial Task is frightening. We know it from our fairytales (take these cakes to Grandma - go sell these pigs at market - go pick some flowers from the field). The Trivial Task most often leads the Hero from one stage of the Journey to another. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy asks David - " -can you please get some lettuce and fix the damn toaster." - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Greater Antagonism By : Kal Bishop
Refusal is simply the refusal, impossibility, denial, disgust or resistance to the facing of the final challenge [the problem with story structure is that it must explain the goings on of an infinite number of stories, hence the thesaurus of words]. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Hero's Journey: Seizing the Sword By : Kal Bishop
The detective hero meets the guardian of the treasure (sword). And deceives him in order to learn more about it (take it from him). In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam pretends he's interested in the Falcon to find out how much it’s worth. The value of the treasure becomes apparent. The hero commits a deceit that enhances his threat to the dark lord. - 188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Improbability By : Kal Bishop
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. One element is the initial weakness of the hero and the improbability of him defeating the antagonist(s). In Straw Dogs (1971), it seems improbable that David can defeat Cawsy and Charlie, let alone Tom.
|
