Movie: The Great Gatsby Remake

 

OH SNAP.

They are making another adaptation of my favorite author’s novel The Great Gatsby. I had no idea this was happening until I saw an ad on Facebook about it (Go figure..).

Anything being made that has to do with Fitzgerald is going to have my attention immediately. I was just talking about the book with someone a couple of days ago and I put Nick Carraway as one of the top 15 characters that have had an effect on my life so far.

The cast so far appears to be somewhat decent: Leonardo Dicaprio for Gatsby, Toby McGuire for Nick and Carey Mulligan was just casted as Daisy. I’m also surprised to find out that Baz Luhrmann is directing it.

There have been several adaptations of this novel, but the most noted was made in 1974. It won two Academy Awards and grossed over $23 million, which was a lot for its time. However, the film was criticized for lacking any emotion in regards to characters, which actually has several critics wondering if it would be wise to remake the movie to begin with. It is set to be released in 2012.

I would have to agree with them on this. It is quite hard to express the emotion and mental thought of the characters in Fitzgerald’s novels. His choice of prose is lovely, but to try to act that out in a movie is not an easy task.

But I won’t judge anything until I see some promotions and trailers for the movie. I’m still excited either way. Seems like Hollywood is on a Fitzgerald kick lately. I don’t blame them.

Fiction – Lies

I often write fiction in my spare time (when I have it, that is…), and at times, it is very difficult to get it all out because of my lack of time. So, instead of keeping it all saved on my MacBook to waste away, I figured I may as well put some of it on this blog for viewing, critiques, or what have you.

Short Story – Lies

I was growing impatient. I had been waiting for about a good hour, incognito since that was how I was suppose to appear. The little bistro on the corner was where I sat, annoyed by the waitress that continued to pester me about getting a refill on my water. The only reason I would agree was because I only wanted to chew on the ice and imagine it to be you. I wanted to tear you into pieces for making me wait so long.

Annoyed, irritated, angry…

Was I being stood up?

If so, then it would only make the situation between us worsen.

I hadn’t seen you in weeks. I figured that the odd call in the middle of the night was nothing more than an accident. Why in the world would you call me so late at night?

Luckily I was alone.

I had been for about a week. He wasn’t going to return for another week or so.

Work was much more important at the time. But, when he was to return home, I was to be gone.

And you knew that already. You were waiting for the time for when I would leave on business anyway. You prepared the whole event in your mind…

I arrive in another week, attending meetings and working normally as if everything was fine. Then you would call me…

But at 4 am?  I am barely alive when I answer the phone, tempted to curse at the very thought of some… hotel official calling me.

And then I hear your voice…

It was tired, low, and sensual. You spoke instantly at the sound of my hello, not taking the time to use small words to keep a conversation with me.

You told me you longed for me, wanted to see me and was pained by the fact that we had been too separate for far too long.

I agreed, but didn’t say anything to interrupt. I just listened to you speak, having not heard from you in days, and the sound of your voice was good enough for me.

But, your words veered off of romantic sentences to a plan of secrecy.

You told me to meet you at the corner bistro, about two blocks from my hotel, to dress in black and cover my eyes with sunglasses, and to sit at a table that rested near the sidewalk.

Why I had to appear in such a form was strange enough, but the fact that you made it sound so exciting and exhilarating, that I finally spoke, saying that I would meet you there after my last appointment with some old man, a client of mine, around 3.

At that, you bid me goodnight and hung up the phone.

It was abrupt, short, and lovely at the same time.

But, it’s now 5:15… I have been waiting for about 2 hours now. I’m growing tied, my bottom is getting uncomfortable with the seat, and if that damn waitress comes to me one more time, I’m going to grab her head and pound it into the table.

Seeing that maybe this idea to meet was a mistake; a joke to be more specific, I got to my feet and began walking out.

I figured a cab would be best. I was too tired to walk back to the hotel, and I didn’t mind paying for the fare.

Making my way to the curb, distressed and disappointed to have come, knowing that it was just another false promise that we could never keep, I was yanked aside by a forced grab, turning me around with a spin.

Getting ready to knee the bastard in the crotch, I looked up to see someone that I would never expect.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

He was supposed to be home. Not here, he was supposed to end his conference a while ago. A week ago. Why the hell was HE here?

“Why don’t you tell me that first? You’re supposed to be at home.” I said, watching his expression change from a threatening glare, to a confused and bewildered look.

“I had another meeting that lasted longer here…”

He was lying. I could tell because he couldn’t look me in the face. Releasing myself from his grip, I straightened myself.

“I told you… I had a meeting here last week. Did you ignore me while you were so busy reading the morning paper?” I said, my tone sharp.

His gaze averted once again, and I stared at him, amazed. “Meeting someone?” I asked, a smile on my face.

He instantly looked over to me, protesting. “Impossible! You know I would never do that! Why would you say such a thing?”

I just smiled, reaching up to take his check in my hand gently. “I was kidding. You just seemed… suspicious to me…”

He let out a small sigh, seeming to have been frustrated. “I apologize.” he said quietly, before looking over me. “Where are you off to dressed like that?”

Not really having a plan for such an encounter, I quickly came up with an excuse. “I’m meeting a client at a private club. We have a business transaction to discuss…”

He gave a nod in understanding, his face turning to place a kiss along the palm of my hand softly.

Any other day I would take that as a sign to return to the hotel and prepare myself to be dominated once again.

But not today.

Today… I was meeting the only one who I would welcome to do such a thing.

“Well… I’m running late. It’s not too far from here, so I’m going to go ahead and walk.”

“Alright then… I’m sure we’re in the same hotel. I’ll call you on your cell phone so that we can meet later, dear…” he said, placing a kiss on my cheek as he waved a cab over.

“That would be fine… I will chat with you later.” I said quickly, wanting to get as far away as possible without being seen.

“I love you.”

I watched him get into the cab, having said those painful words once again that made my heart squeeze in pain.

“I love you too..” I said, as fake, but believable as I could.

It was a joke to say that to him all the time. Yet, I didn’t feel anything when I said it. But, having a heart, it felt guilty.

After seeing him drive away, I tried my best to force that strange event out of my mind and began looking for the one person that I was restless to see.

Having left the bistro, I knew that it would be too late to see him anytime soon if he had arrived there already.

I was beginning to give up hope. He led me along.

Was this my punishment? Having heard his voice that had called me, begged me no less to see him?

The real pain of being heartbroken began to surface as I made my way back to the curbside, getting ready to wave a cab over.

But before I could even raise my hand to do so, someone grabbed it, giving it a gentle squeeze.

I felt a breath at my ear, not giving me the chance to turn around.

“Are you angry? Because if you are, then you can use that anger for something else when we return to my home…”

I was no longer angry…

I was anxious and aroused.

Damn that voice of his…