Movie of the Day: Moving Violations

Ah, the 80s.

Such a great time for film. Why? Because we were so politically incorrect; we didn’t give a shit about offending anyone. The goal was to entertain to whatever extent possible. That’s why we got slasher films, T&A flicks, and outrageous comedies like Moving Violations.

Released in 1985, Moving Violations stars John Murray (Bill’s brother), Jennifer Tilly (Meg’s sister), James Keach (Stacy’s brother), Sally Kellerman (the original “Hot Lips”), Clara “Where’s the Beef?” Peller, Wendie Jo Sperber and Fred Willard. Oh yeah, and it features the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it the film debut of Don Cheadle.

The plot is fairly simple: a misfit group of delinquent drivers are sent to a traffic school. Hilarity ensues. Check out the trailer below.

Monkey Business: Frustration With Writing Assignments, Part 1

I’ve always loved writing for a variety of reasons. It’s a wholly creative endeavor, one in which I am able to create characters, the worlds they inhabit, and the events they experience. Call it a God complex if you like, but I’ve always enjoyed that sense of creation and control. Because I can see everything so clearly in my mind’s eye, and also because I love movies so much, I figured that screenwriting would be the perfect medium to make use of my talents.

When I was younger, I had dreams of following in the footsteps of Black or Eszterhas, selling spec scripts for upwards of $3 million. In college, I bragged that I was going to become the Puff Daddy of Hollywood — whatever that meant — and take over the game. I almost came close once, actually. But then again, who hasn’t “almost come close,” right? Now that I’m older and wiser, however, I’ve come to accept that I may not sell that million dollar spec. It’s not going to stop me from trying, but now my focus is more on honing my craft and writing so well that I’m offered assignments. So far, so … well … just so.