Likewise, there are years when the right movie wins when others are just as deserving. That’s the fun of the Oscars. Everyone has their favorites. Everyone makes their picks.
Cameron Crowe’s films have always been hit or miss for me. I had high expectations for films like Vanilla Sky and Elizabethtown but they didn’t inspire me like Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous. The thing about Cameron’s work is that it’s easy to love if you fall for the wonderful characters he creates.
That’s the genius of his writing. Whether you love his characters or not you can’t deny how real and relatable they are in their own unique way. For me, Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous are absolute masterpieces and I constantly hold them up as examples of the type of screenwriter I strive to be.
So with the release of the trailer for his next film ‘We Bought A Zoo’, I have high hopes once again that his work will inspire my writing once more.
Jerry Maguire
As a movie fan addicted to screenwriting and a sports nut, it doesn’t get much better than Cameron Crowe’s ‘you had me at hello’ sports agent. I loved Jerry Maguire.
While the entire film is spectacular, it’s the first 15 minutes that inspire. I am a writer after all and watching Tom Cruise piece together his memo (or mission statement) always makes me feel like writing. The idea of seizing a creative burst and filling countless pages with passionate thoughts you believe in is an incredible feeling.
“It was the oddest most unexpected thing…”
Screenwriters around the world know what it’s like to pull an all-nighter solo with nothing but silence and darkness for company. It’s just you, your story and a glowing screen. The next morning you wake up refreshed but also terrified that your work might not be accepted when you send it out into the world. But you’re proud regardless because you didn’t let the opportunity slip away.
I loved Almost Famous for similar reasons. Here is a young writer who wants nothing more than to accomplish his goal of becoming a rock writer.
I love listening to the characters talk about what music means to them. It makes it so easy to love the story when it deals with passion and creativity. As a screenwriter, I love how one article could make or break William’s chances at success. Every word has to be carefully selected. Every quote skillfully chosen. Does he stay true to himself and take the honest approach or risk disappointing the editor of Rolling Stone in exchange for social acceptance.
It’s that choice that inspires me. Writing is hard after all and while I mainly write fiction, the characters are real to me. I owe it to them to be honest and choose every single word carefully. It’s the same way I feel when I’m watching these two films.
We Bought a Zoo
I hope this film will find it’s way next to Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous on my shelf. Who knows how I will relate to the film. The same can be said for any movie really. Fans of film spend their entire lives looking for the special moments that light up their imaginations. Cameron Crowe is responsible for several moments like that but there is always room for more.
Rainy Sundays was one of the first features I created for this blog.
It was about appreciated those lazy days when you put on your favorite movies and escape.
Who doesn’t love a good Sunday afternoon indoors watching movies?
Personally, my ideal Rainy Sunday includes a good drama, a comforter, a massive sandwich or pizza and some form of candy. It’s even better when there’s enough time to sneak in a double feature.
What movies do you love to watch on rainy days?
After more than 30 picks, I’ve decided to move on so this will be the FINAL Rainy Sunday post.
Below you’ll find the complete Rainy Sunday Series.
Perhaps, I’ll resurrect the feature someday but I think I’ve made my point. There’s nothing like a good movie on a lazy day.
Movies that explore one character’s rise and/or fall fascinate me.
Movies with interesting and iconic characters that reasonate are incredible achievement. Every movie fan has a different connection to these powerful characters and that’s what makes them unique.
Everyone relates differently. Everyone has a favorite.
At the end of the day, movies that focus on one character’s life and the challenges they encounter are truly works of art.
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are absolute masterpieces and I constantly hold them up as examples of the type of 
