I always find when I’m writing that it’s a good idea to set some goals / time frames, but it becomes increasingly annoying when they inevitably start to fall out of my grasp. Something or other always seems to get in the way and time flies at great velocity – I mean it’s SEPTEMBER ALREADY!
I have a part time job and a family, so sometimes writing takes a back seat, although like most writers I never, ever seem to stop writing in my head. Thank goodness for my phone which is always handy for me to grab and jot some notes down on. And, thank you Twitter, the place where you can share your struggles and encourage others who share your passion.
One of my habits – I haven’t decided if it’s bad yet, is buying book covers – (there are some great sites out there with very reasonable prices) coming up with a title and writing a short story around it. As I give my short stories away for free with the exception of Amazon…don’t get me going on that one, I’ve had great success with this with thousands of downloads.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, everyone’s writing experience is different, so just go with the flow and under no circumstances, ever give up…
Being a fan of Mr DiCaprio, and with a bit of time on my hands, (be it at the expense of the ironing), I decided to compile a list of my top five Leo films:
Number Five: Inception (2010)
Movie synopsis: A thief who steals corporate secrets through use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a CEO. Via IMDb
Tagline: The dream is real.
My synopsis: Wow! A hot young cast, amazing graphics, and a tortured hero makes for a clever, mind blowing thriller. Watch it more then once to see the things you missed the first time. There’s a good deal of sleeping in Inception, but I was never tempted to rest my eyes. This film is thought provoking, and if this kind of thing happened in the future… blimey, watch out.
My rating: 8/10
Number Four: Gangs of New York (2002)
Movie synopsis: In 1863, Amsterdam Vallon returns to the Five Points area of New York City seeking revenge against Bill the Butcher, his father’s killer. Via: IMDb
My synopsis: Daniel Day Lewis plays Bill the Butcher brilliantly. Unhinged, scary and sinister, he’s unforgettable in this part. Amsterdam Vallon played by Leo, is at first a quiet young man, but just wait until he goes postal. Cameron Diaz plays Jenny, a young Irish girl under the wing of Bill, with a bit of a dodgy accent, but her and Leo share some on screen chemistry. I love the setting and the period costumes. Gangs of New York is a brutally violent visual treat. Thank you, Mr Scorsese. Love it!
My rating: 8/10
Number Three: Django Unchained (2012)
Movie Synopsis: With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner. Via: IMDb
My Synopsis: A dark tale of slavery with a stellar cast. Leo doesn’t appear until a good way through the movie, but for me, he steals the show. Not for the faint hearted, Django Unchained is a sometimes humorous, jaw dropping, bloody story from the master of thinking out of the box: Quentin Tarantino. And, I loved the fact that Jamie Foxx used his own horse in the movie. Bravo.
My rating: 9/10
Number Two: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Movie Synopsis: Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. Via: IMDb
My Synopsis: An utterly brilliant tale of corruption, and excessive greed. Leo and Jonah Hill are a genius combination providing some laugh out loud moments. My favourite scene has to be when Jordan takes his car for a spin whilst under the influence of drugs. I loved Leo taking on a comedic role. And, some of the sex scenes with Margot Robbie are scorching hot. On a serious note, this film shows the decadent excesses of the period, that for me are cringe worthy. Another Scorsese masterpiece. Superb.
My rating: 9/10
Number One: The Departed (2006)
Movie Synopsis: An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston. Via: IMDb
My Synopsis: A tale of gangsters, police corruption and downright badness. This film has a plethora of talent. Leo plays Billy, one of the good guys opposite Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson as the baddies. Mark Wahlberg is brilliant in this too. I have watched this film so many times, I’ve lost count, and it always makes me cry. It’s a fast paced, shocking movie, and my number one. Here’s a great scene regarding cranberry juice… I’m off to join the Martin Scorsese fan club.
I love blue, and since I began writing, I have come to the conclusion that I am completely and utterly obsessed with it.
Blue book covers.
Protagonists with blue eyes.
Stories set in locations close to water.
So, it got me thinking back to when this fascination with all things blue began…
I discovered most likely from birth.
I live on the coast, with a sea view, and I get a bit jittery if I’m too far away from the water. And I know why. My descendants hail from Shetland; a mixture of fisherman, merchant navy masters, and a founding member of The Shetland Times.
My love of blue is clearly in the genes…
Marske by the Sea beach – My picture
M. L. Smith Author 