December 16th, 2009 | by Devyn Quinn |
I am not a person who looks forward to holidays. In fact, I would be happy if they didn’t exist at all. I don’t like being obligated to celebrate something I don’t believe in, I don’t like having to pretend cheer when I am not feeling it, and I definitely don’t like having to decorate because people say I should. Does it sound like I am a grinch? Well, I am, damn it (and I have a Grinch t-shirt, too, to prove it). From the last Thursday of November to the the first of the New year, I go into hibernation mode. There’s nothing happening I’m interested in, so I just withdraw from the world and wait out the good cheer, bypass the fattening goodies and generally try to ignore life as I know it.
To get through the days, I have a passion I call “movie stalking”. Yes, you read that right. In fact, I’ve been discussing my latest stalking with Kate Douglas, one of the few people able to stand the bull I toss her way.
What is movie stalking, you ask? Well, I will tell you. I look for movies about people who are miserable, twisted and depressed as I am. For the sake of my sanity that is not hard to do. My lastest craze is A Single Man, with Colin Firth. For those of you who haven’t stalked down every review of this flick, it is about a homosexual in the 60′s who has recently lost his lover to an accident. He’s living closeted, miserable and–much to my delight–is plotting his death. No, I haven’t seen the movie. But I love the idea of it. Therefore I have began to follow everything about the flick, reading every tidbit I can in anticipation of the day when I will get to revel in the misery. I’m so thrilled that someone’s life is worse than mine, even if that life is a fictional one.
I’ve done this for 30 some odd years, which may be how I’ve managed to make it to middle age relatively intact. Some movies I’ve stalked include Ordinary People (Timothy Hutton falling to pieces), In Bruges (Colin Farrell disintegrating), Man on Fire (Denzel Washington maginificently broody), Fallen (my man Denzel again), Heathers and Girl Interrupted (ah, magnificent mess Wynona Ryder and in the second Angelina Jolie wonderfully psycho). To round it out, I’ll add Reign Over Me. I think I am the only person I know who liked watching Adam Sandler fall apart on screen and loving every minute of it. My list goes on and on, but I won bore you with the entire run down of suicidal performances. Suffice to say, I need my misery movies the way some people need their Rom Coms or their dramas.
They just make me feel better. Happier.
So I will continue to stalk A Single Man until it lands on DVD, where I can rent it and watch it dozens of time, revelling in Colin Firth’s excellent portrayal (so I have read) of a miserable life. There’s even Oscar buzz around his role. I love that even more. I do so love to see misery earn its due reward.
Because no one wants to read about all misery, I am sure, I’ll toss readers a bone and announce that Possession (along with Kate Douglas’s Wolf Tales VIII) has been nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. You coulda knocked me over with a feather. That book (in my mind) so did not deserve to land anywhere but the nearest trash can. It was the book I liked least and wanted to vanish without a trace. Karma obviously came around and nipped me on the butt. Why. I dunno. Needless to say, I am honored. The nominees are awesome and to be included in their group is just mind boggling. (and my mind isn’t easily boggled, LOL)
If you would like to have a copy of Possession, just leave a comment. I’ll pick a winner on the 20th of Dec and announce it here. If you want to make Devyn happy, take a minute and recommend your own movies and why you love them. Maybe you’ll give me some ideas as to what I could rent during the holidays…
(Note: If you already own Possession and your name is drawn, you can pick another title from my backlist.)
Oh my Devyn!!! I kinda like those kind of dark movies too. Sometimes I like light and fluffy, but only sometimes, mostly I like dark and broody….maybe that’s why I love your books….hehe!!!!
Valerie
by Valerie · December 16th, 2009 at 2:18 pmin Germany
LOL, Valerie, dark and broody is what I do best!
by Devyn Quinn · December 16th, 2009 at 2:26 pmYes, I like my movies and books dark and broody too! I’s very hard for me and my hubby to find a movie, he likes funny and light ones. Usually he watches the movie and I read a book….
by Eva S · December 16th, 2009 at 3:01 pmSometimes those Broody movies make me feel better! Its something about watchign people suffer and go thru the pain tha tmakes you feel better about your own issues….. While I love a good funny movie and a comedy sometimes….. you dont get the same fulfilling feeling that you get when you watch someone else brood and act up!
by Aurora · December 16th, 2009 at 3:26 pmSorry, no, you’re not the only one who likes Reign Over Me. My husband & I love that movie! Especially the part where Adam’s character finally talks to his in-laws & tells them at least you two have each other. Awesome movie!
by Susan S. · December 16th, 2009 at 4:10 pmI can’t believe you haven’t stalked Anger Management with Adam Sandler, now that’s twisted.
(You can leave my name out of the contest.) I have most of your books and love every single one.
Just visited to post my two cents re: movies.
I don’t watch movies, so have no recommendations.
by Estella · December 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pmLOL…my goal in life is to crack Devyn up…so far I’m failing miserably, but Pollyanna that I am, I persevere with the full knowledge and unshakable believe that I WILL PREVAIL! I HATE broody movies–hell, I can barely sit through an happy one–I always think in terms of a glass half full and whenever I pick up the mail I just KNOW there will be a check in the box. Obviously, I have nothing to add to Devyn’s conversation, because if there were two souls more different than she and I, I really can’t think of them.
However, I truly admire talent, and Devyn’s got it in spades. And, as dark as her books may be, they always leave the reader with a sense of something wonderful having happened. Talent like hers is a truly admirable thing, so I’ll put up with the dark scowls and depressing outlook, as long as she’ll just keep writing those amazing stories.
So there!
by Kate Douglas · December 16th, 2009 at 5:49 pmI watch alot of romantic comedies. lol
by amanda · December 16th, 2009 at 5:52 pmLOL, Susan, I watched the movie compulsively for weeks before I finally gave up the ghost and returned it. I loved every freaking second of Adam’s meltdown!
Estella, how do you get by without movies!
Kate, can I borrow those rose colored glasses of yours? I broke mine at about age 13 and haven’t been able to find a pair since.
Amanda, you probably smile a lot more than I do, LOL!
by Devyn Quinn · December 16th, 2009 at 6:03 pmThe holidays are fun and stressful at the same time so I’ve been watching a lot of comedies. I just saw “The Hangover” and “The Proposal.” I’m always up for a good laugh.
by Jane · December 16th, 2009 at 6:33 pmHow about 50 First Dates, with forgetful Drew? Not dark unless you figure in the guy who can only remember about 10 seconds. That is pretty sad. lol
Deidre
by Deidre · December 16th, 2009 at 7:08 pmI like all kinds of movies. Saw In Bruges with my hubby and really enjoyed it. Colin Farrell was great in that movie. I don’t know how I missed Reign over Me, but I think I’m going to have to check that one out. Sounds good!
Congratulations on “Possession” being nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. That’s wonderful!
by annalisa · December 16th, 2009 at 8:51 pmSo not a dark movie but I saw Blind Side in the theater and loved it. Going to see Avatar next week and then Sherlock Holmes.
I have never seen any clips outside of music videos but Donnie Darko is dark and weird so it may fit what you are looking for.
When are the winners of the nominations announced?
by Lindsey Ekland · December 17th, 2009 at 4:53 amCongrats on the nod for Possession. I guess others didn’t think it was bad as you did
There was a film that came out a couple of months ago in limited release that I wanted to see so badly called Bright Star. It is a fictionalized movie about the real life love affair of the poet Keats and Fanny Browne. It isn’t a happy go lucky romance because he does die…is that dark and broody enough for you?
You can view at http://www.brightstar-movie.com/.
Dear John is also coming out soon also a love story but from what I know about the movie the girl leaves him to marry someone else why he is a soldier in the middle east. Sure to be a tear jearker….at least for me.
Sorry I could not be more help. I tend to go for happy movies like Bridget Jones, and You’ve Got Mail which I am sure is probably making you shield your eyes in horror, but there it is
Happy Holidays and I hope you enjoy your hibernation with some great movies!
by Booklover1335 · December 17th, 2009 at 8:13 amYou don’t have to borrow Kate’s rose colored glasses; you can have your own. I found a place where you can get rose colored glasses. No, really. I had seen them so I Googled and found them If you believe in chakras (or even if you don’t, they are still supposed to work), there are color therapy glasses. Moods or emotions associated with the color (one per chakra) are enhanced if you wear rose (or green or blue) colored glasses! And you can buy them here, with more info on how they work (not advertising, no connection to them, just an easy link I found) This is the second year I am celebrating Yule (Winter Solstice) rather than Christmas, so I’m picking and choosing the parts of Christmas that I can deal with that will make my family happy.
Bright Blessings on your season, Devyn; may you can come out of hibernation a calm and happy person.
by Amy T · December 17th, 2009 at 12:15 pmWell, shoot. I don’t know what I did to get half my post Red! I did have two links in there – do they have to be moderated? Or should I ask you to delete for me, and I’ll start over, LOL! Forgive me; I’m old, blond, and organizationally challenged.
by Amy T · December 17th, 2009 at 12:17 pmYah, someone else who hates Christmas as much as I do! I don’t like the obligations this season puts on me–it’s like I HAVE to do things that I don’t want to. I get through it by re-writing the lyrics to Christmas songs . . . and no, you really don’t want me to share.
Congrats to you and all on the RT noms!
by Anitra Lynn McLeod · December 17th, 2009 at 12:36 pmLOL, Amy, I just wish I had Kate’s state of mind (and I do wish I had her brain, too!)
Anitra, I don’t like the commercialization of religion and I don’t like having it shoved in my face for two months. hehe, I have a rewrite too: One night, when into the bar, strode Rudolf the reindeer with a big long cigar….
by Devyn Quinn · December 17th, 2009 at 12:55 pmHave you seen Atonement? It’s not the traditional romance. Nor is The Reader. Both movies have a dark edge and bittersweet moments.
by Sue A. · December 17th, 2009 at 6:37 pmYes, I did see Atonement! Haven’t seen The Reader, yet, so may rent it.
by Devyn Quinn · December 17th, 2009 at 6:39 pmHey Dev, just peeking in without wanting a copy of Possession (already have this sexxxxy book!). Just have to ask out of curiosity, girl, have you ever watched Fritz Lang’s “M”? And which “Cape Fear” do you like best, the original or the Robert De Niro re-make?
by Anya Howard · December 18th, 2009 at 12:29 pmHi Devynn,
I recommend watching “Jack Be Nimble” with Alexis Arquette. This is a very dark horror movie!
by Terri · December 19th, 2009 at 3:12 amEeek, Devyn! We can’t be movie watching buddies, I’m sorry! I don’t do dark and angsty and frightening very well! For this time of year, I’m all about stuff like A Charlie Brown Christmas–bring on the sap
Hope you find some more good movies to enjoy!
And while Possession isn’t the kind of book I often choose, I’m glad I read it–it was really a gripping story, and so well told, Devyn!
by Fedora · December 19th, 2009 at 3:27 amAurora,
Congratulations. Your name was picked in the drawing!
Thanks to all who commented.
Devyn (running a bit late)
by Devyn Quinn · December 21st, 2009 at 9:17 pmThank You SO MUCH!!!!!! I am off to pick a title now!!!
by Aurora · December 21st, 2009 at 9:26 pm