Friday, May 7, 2010

AWW DARN

Did you ever really look forward to something only to have it be sadly disappointing? In 2006, I was an extra in an independent movie called War Eagle Arkansas. I had never seen a movie being made and was of course curious. I was rather new to Arkansas so it seemed like a good idea when I read about the call for extras in the paper.


So I put on the clothes the ad recommended (Arkansas Razorback attire) and headed for Fayetteville Arkansas. I really had a good time as a face in the crowd, enjoyed the experience, met some nice people and wrote about it here.

Well that was 4 years ago. Patiently I followed the movie's progress on line and finally it was released to the theaters. Well a couple of theaters anyway. It seemed to have done well at festivals so I had high hopes for the movie. I was only part of a crowd scene for a high school baseball game but since it wasn't a really large crowd and I was close to the main actors, I was hopeful that at least a part of me would make the big screen. I was really pulling for my right ear, but my left ear held promise also of making the big screen.

The movie didn't do well and was recently released on DVD. I climbed all over Netflix to get a copy. When it came. honestly, my hands shook a bit when I put it into the DVD player. The opening scene held great promise, then the movie for me went down hill from there. I am certainly no movie critic. Give me a good story line which can either make me laugh or cry and I am usually happy.

I really really wanted this to be good. To me, the camera work was not stellar and the action either dragged or jerked from scene to scene with no cohesion. It had a few special moments but as much as I really wanted to like it, I couldn't. Somehow I feel a good film editor might have pulled it off. For me, it widely missed the mark. I felt sad for the story held promise.

This is a true story about a young high school baseball pitcher with college prospects. He has a severe stuttering problem and I do mean severe. His best friend has cerebral palsy and is wheel chair bound. They have been friends since childhood and together they seem to complete the other.This had the makings of a beautiful story.

Brian Dennehy, who is a personal favorite of mine, plays the ball players grandfather. I always liked his "teddy bear" appeal. Oddly all my old favorites are now grandfather types. Go figure.

There was one very good scene where Wheels is driving his electric wheel chair down the highway at night when the battery suddenly dies. He is stuck on the edge of the highway, unable to move. As headlights bear down on him, he raises his helpless hands in the air and whispers, "Don't kill me. Please don't kill me," over and over as car after car buzzes past him in the dark. I really felt his helplessness. That was the highlight of the film for me.

Now I hope I am not coloring my opinion of the movie due to the fact that even by playing the crowd scene frame by frame, I could see zero trace of me. Not a shirt sleeve and definitely no ear. There went my ear's 15 seconds of fame. My carefully scrubbed ear is somewhere on a cutting room floor.

I guess my lack of appearance is actually good. Now I don't have to buy a wad of the DVD's to send to family and friends and guilting them into watching a mediocre movie. See, if you look sharply enough, there is good even in disappointment. Hay, my glass is always half full.

22 comments :

  1. So sorry your acting career EAR did not take off.

    You life is so interesting it would make a good movie. Maybe you will get a second chance???!!!

    I'll recommend you!.

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  2. It sounds like it should be a good story. Too bad they could not quite pull it off. I'm sure a panning shot of you would have made all the difference!

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  3. I hEAR ya on this one! Disappointing for sure! ;)

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  4. That really says a lot, if you're glad that your famous ear made it to the cutting room floor. I always liked Brian Dennehy too.

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  5. Damn....!
    I was hoping i could say...."I knew her when..."

    Enjoy

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  6. I hate that the movie didn't turn out better than that and even worse that you didn't get to be in it! Such potential - both the movie's and yours - lost. :) blessings, marlene

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  7. Well, for goodness' sakes, what kind of nitwit film editor can't recognize an ear star? Your ear deserves better!

    Bryan Dennehy has played so many wonderful roles!

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  8. nitwit,
    It sure tanked in a hurry didn't it?
    If you ever get the opportunity, do it, it was fun. Thanks for the recommendation.

    Olga,
    Hay,if it had happened, they would have at least sold some more copies of the DVD. Maybe next time.

    Lynda G.
    Such a bummer but I'm Ok with it. My ear is really torn up about it though.

    robin,
    It just wasn't my ear's time. Brian always seemed to have good roles and he is cuddly.

    BlueRidge Boomer,
    Well you can still say that but it just won't get you any points. My ear is still an unknown.

    Stitchinbythelake,
    It was so close. In one scene, I am 6 inches to the right of the screen. Guess it wasn't meant to be.

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  9. We recently rented a movie just because a friends house was used for an exterior in the film. The movie company paid them for the use of their yard and front porch. We watched in it's entirety the absolute worst movie I have ever seen, and there was no sign of our friends house.

    The movie was Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans

    An Arkies Musings

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  10. Aw, I don't blame you for being disappointed, but if the movie was not good - it's better than you're not associated with it, right?

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  11. Marylee
    Sometimes talent can go its whole life and never be discovered. Sigh, I'm sure I am not alone:)
    He is a cuddly fellow.

    richies,
    Sorry your friends lost their bragging rites but at least they got paid. All I got was an empty Pepsi container to pretend to drink out of and to pay for my trip my self.
    Thanks for the warning about that movie. Looks like we both wasted almost two hours one day watching rubbish.

    kenju,
    You are so right. It would have been embarrassing had I been in it and had obligated my family to watch. Phew, sure dodged that bullet.

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  12. :-) That's hilarious. I can't stop smiling..But then , have heart..maybe someone will notice your nicely scrubbed ear in the cutting room & call you. Then your car-ear will truly take off!!!!

    Yet another awesome post. You're a riot .. :-)

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  13. I usually hear about the movies made in Arkansas but somehow this one missed me.

    I am so sorry they left you on the cutting room floor. As I was reading your post I was telling myself I would go find that movie so I could see you in the movie. I was disappointed to read that you were cut out of the movie.

    It sounds like a great story and if I get a chance I will watch the movie. I love movies like that.

    Hugs

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  14. lostworld,
    Thanks. I love your play on words, "car-ear". Now why couldn't I have thought of that? You are so clever.

    Mumsy,
    The idea for the movie was great, it just wasn't put together well. Hope you aren't too disappointed. If you are familiar with War Eagle, you will recognize the scenes of the town.

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  15. What a shame a great story was told badly ....too early for a remake.... one day maybe.
    I know you were EARgerly waiting stardome ...but glad you ARE (anogram hear!!!) too disappointed xx

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  16. Sorry the movie was disappointing, Patti. I've read where that happens so much of the time. Glad you were in it though...

    We're home from the beach --and I'll post in the morning. Had a wonderful time --but it's nice to be home.

    One of my sons is visiting me on my 'special' day (Mother's Day) today!!!!!

    Hope you have a wonderful day.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  17. Oh, you NEVER cease to amaze me!!! You are such an adventurous lady! Is there anything legal that you have NOT done? I absolutely LOVE your stories...even your disappointments...because you have a unique and wonderfully upbeat approach to everything you do and say! Hope you had a wonderful day today! Love, Janine XO

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  18. Oh the anticipation and then the let down, but as you say your glass is half full because you wouldn't want to ruin your acting career on a bad movie, lol.

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  19. Angie,
    It was a shame and especially for the young men whose story it was. They deserved better.

    Betsy,
    Welcome home gal. Looking forward to pictures and am so glad your area was spared. Hope you had a wonderful time with your son.

    covnitkepr,
    Welcome to TNS. Thanks for stopping by and following. I will check out your blog.

    Sniffles and smiles,
    Thanks so much. I have found laughing about things really takes the sting out.

    Linda Starr,
    Oh, good thought. I really hadn't considered how that could have effected my "career"-- he he. Its true, they only remember what you have done lately.

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  20. So many things go into the making of a film, I am always amazed when a film is really really Wonderful. Having all the elements come together is a miracle, really.
    But it still must have been fun to be an "extra". Waaaay back when I was at USC, (1949-50) I was an extra, too....It was great fun...And unless you actually knew I was in that film...you would miss me completely...15 seconds was just about the time, too...lol!

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  21. OOLOH
    It must be an awesome task to get everything to gel. Funny though, I do look at crowd scenes much differently now. I actually look at the faces. I am honoring their 15 seconds.

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  22. I am so sorry...of all people to get cut, why? oh why you? It's just wrong.
    I have noticed your glass is always half full - I like that about you. Even if you did not become a star on the big screen - I think you are a major star.

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