FrankenScript :: Lee Gabel's Screenwriting Journal/Blog

The fact that this really happened is more interesting than the actual film. How can people take advantage of others without expecting any consequences? The characters are all played with confidence, especially Spacey, but I just could not feel any sympathy for these thieves. There’s a powerful scene at Abramoff’s Senate hearing, but it’s a [...]

Be warned. This movie is  not for the faint of heart. It is extremely violent and gory, and although the violence portrayed is equally against both men and women, the story thread feels focused more on violence against women. This will be the deal breaker for some. I think the story still would have stood [...]

I like Kristen Bell. She’s talented, looks great and has great comedic timing. Much of the cast does as well. However the script they were given was just weak and rife with cliche. First of all, you know going in that it’s going to be a happy ending. That’s no spoiler. How about something different [...]

Wow. I didn’t think I would like this film, but it really got me involved. The story centers on Penny Chenery Tweedy, played brilliantly by Diane Lane, and her training staff. Her family plays a smaller, less developed part, and that’s okay since this is about Penny and Secretariat. Even though we know the outcome [...]

This is a remake of the brilliant Norwegian film Let The Right One In (and based on the novel of the same name). I have no idea why this was remade, except maybe for those in North America who can’t or are too lazy to read subtitles. There’s a lot of that going around Hollywood [...]

Perfectly cast and powerfully acted, this film documents yet another example of corruption and abuse of power in the hands of the US government. Doug Liman keep the story moving briskly, and gives us a good look into the lives and perils of a CIA agent. Even though we know the outcome, this “David versus [...]