Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Movie Madness

Okay, so I don't know if I can express this cogently, but I'm going to try because its funny.


So. The production designer for the movie that just might really be getting made of my book called me up and asked if we could get into our old apartment to take a look. I said I thought maybe not, because the "For Sale" sign that had been up in the cracked picture window for a year had just gone down and I thought my old landlady probably couldn't get us in anymore. So he decided he'd like to just wander around the area, take a look from the outside. I gave him a (it turns out wrong) address.

I get a call from him a few hours later, which I miss. He leaves a message saying the address doesn't seem to exist, wondering if I can help. I call him up a few minutes later, realizing my mistake, with the new address.

But he was standing in front of it. Not only that, but he'd several days previous come out on an LIC jaunt to make a preliminary photo tour, and he'd taken a picture of our buliding, not as a "this is where they lived" pic, but as a "wouldn't it be awesome if this is where they lived" pic.

Our lives really were just as picturesquely grotty as I wrote. Awesome.

PS In my favorite movie no one else likes, "Joe Vs the Volcano." Joe works in LIC. And though it's a stage set, the skyline makes clear that it's totally true to life.

21 Comments:

Blogger Elena said...

That is hilarious and so exciting! Whoever will play you? Fun. I'm really excited for you.

2:50 PM  
Blogger Lulu said...

I seriously love Joe versus the Volcano! I often quote "I have no response to that..." and no one gets how hilarious I am, jeez.
um to play Julie since its up to me (ha) -Katherine Heigl obviously or Kate WInslet (can she still paly 29? I love her!)
OR go local - Michelle Williams, Maggie Gyllenal and Hope Davis live only a few miles away from you! Meryl Streep's kid is quite the up and comer. Lets just prevent them from casting Kristin CHenowith she seems to be shoeing up everywhere! my two cents : )

11:29 AM  
Blogger Karin said...

Are you kidding me?
Joe vs. the Volcano is one of the all time classics. I miss that Tom Hanks. Once he did that horrible Forest Gump it was all over. Remember him in Bosom Buddies?
Another two movies that still crack me up: the Burbs (my brother and I can make each other giggle uncontrollably over the intro soundtrack, which is a dog bark programmed into a synthesizer - remember those??) and the Money Pit.

Anyway I'm totally thrilled to hear that your book may be a movie. It is one of my favorites, and I'm re-reading it right now (which is why I did a google search for you and found this other blog - huzzah!). Just make sure that whoever does it doesn't ruin it the way Under the Tuscan Sun was completely mangled.
It needs to be as funny and witty as you write!

4:50 PM  
Blogger Judy Merrill-Smith said...

Ah, the life of high irony!

1:42 PM  
Blogger Elizabeth Swan said...

Hi Julie, my name is Makala and I'm a sophomore at George Washington University. One of my University Writing assignments is to find a woman's blog and read it over the course of the semester. I'm just letting you know that I've picked your blog to read.

Thanks for your time,
Makala

2:49 PM  
Blogger oddlyme said...

Um, hello? Joe vs. The Volcano? Love it!

My fav part is after he has survived a "brain cloud", being sacrificed, blown out of a volcano etc. and he's STILL a worrier and Meg Ryan says (very patiently I might add) "It's always going to be something with you, isn't it Joe?"

I have my own "Joe" and it IS always something. So good to see that universal truth on screen!

Good luck on your very own movie!

9:16 PM  
Blogger megc said...

That's great to hear about the possible movie element to all of this. I just finished your book last week and enjoyed it very much. Good luck with the pre-production!

4:51 PM  
Blogger Alex Lesman said...

Julie,
I've just gotten around to reading Julie & Julia, having heard about it via the Amherst grapevine. Hilarious. Brava!
There was a lot about life in NYC, job dissatisfaction, and the comfort of cooking that I related to.
Even before looking at your current blog, I thought as I read the book that it would be attractive to Hollywood.
Maybe you will be one of those celebrity alums at the next '95 reunion . . . ?

11:49 AM  
Blogger Sarah said...

When I read the comment, "my favorite movie that no one else likes" my jaw dropped. Joe vs. the Volcano is word for word my favorite movie that no one else likes.
I have a strange affinity for the 4 trunks. I don't know why.

12:32 PM  
Blogger Jen said...

Julie, I have to say...I think you are terrific. I just finished your book and loved it. I wish you the best with all of your endeavors.

Favorite J vs the V moment: At the end when the two tribesmen swing through the air on vines in order to hit the gongs.

5:21 PM  
Blogger Jen A. Miller said...

I love love love Joe Versus the Volcano. The movie's so ridiculous, like Halloween costumes on dogs, that you can help but stare, laugh and enjoy.

Jen
downtheshorewithjen.blogspot.com

3:42 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Julie,

I just finished your book. I purchased it after coming across your initial blog. So. Now that I've been immersed in Julie/Julia for three weeks, I feel like I should actually know you, which of course is ridiculous and more than a little cliche.

I'm a recent PhD grad, new in my academic career, and I just turned 30. For my 30th I got my first tattoo after losing 50 pounds. I have a best-friend-husband and four cats.

I wanted to write and say thank you. See, I read a lot; I cook a lot. I'm a foodie with an ongoing weight problem. I'm the youngest person among the faculty at my university. And I have that offbeat, morose, sarcastic, speak-before-I-think humor that seems to get me into trouble. You managed to write a book, and a blog, that "gets" me. I enjoyed it immensely. It helped me put into perspective a great deal. And it made me laugh, which is always appreciated.

My very best to you.

Suzy

7:54 PM  
Blogger Liza said...

Hi Julie,
I'm using your blog's title and Julia's quote as my guide to posting this comment. I enjoyed reading your book when I was a pa on No Reservations last year. You can't see it, but we bought it for the shelves of CZJ's shelves. I'm a wannabe nonunion prop person looking to join the Julie/Julia film crew. Film is a desperate industry when you're an outsider. Although I have the contact number for the production company, I don't want to leave a message that will be ignored. My hope is that you will drop a hint about the production designer's identity in another blog entry, and I can figure it out. Or if you could contact me directly, my blogger account has an email. Best of luck on your travels.

11:46 AM  
Blogger Esther said...

I loved the book and I'm really looking forward to the movie. I thought the ending was especially moving.

8:06 PM  
Blogger CeliacChick said...

I think it will be great fun to watch all of the so called A-list cyber mafia food bloggers who tried to snub you start trying to court you now that you have broken through to yet another huge media outlet.

12:13 PM  
Blogger Mesquite Chiropractic Health Center said...

Hey Julie, I read your book when it first came out. I loved it. It inspired me to cook my way through a few books that I love. I heard Meryl Streep is playing Julia Child in the movie. My 15 year old daughter has a total fascination with Meryl. My 10 year old daughter loves Julia Child and did a school project on her. And of course, I love you and your book. So now they are all coming together in a movie. All of your names (Meryl, Julia, Julie) are all household names at out house! Can't wait to see the movie!! I'm way too excited for you!!

7:43 AM  
Blogger elizabeth said...

Like everyone else who comments here, I'm reading Julie and Julia and thought I'd check out your blog. Been paging through idly... and then this.

I LOVE Joe vs. the Volcano. My family (because none of my friends know it or care for it)quotes a few lines incessantly:

"I have no response to that."
AND
"I'm not arguing that with you!"

And then there's that fabulous luggage, which I really wanted to make a reappearance in Castaway. Sigh. It really is a great, great movie. Glad you like it.

12:29 PM  
Blogger jenny Eklof said...

The jackets that we sell are replicas of the coats worn by top television celebrities because it is a growing trend to copy them when it comes to fashion. These celebrities have really become the trendsetters. This leisure was hitherto in reach of only the rich and the rest could only dream about it. But now these jackets are available for all people who want to buy them because of our affordable prices. So we welcome you to come and buy celebrity jackets of excellent quality and know more about us and our products!
Genuine Leather Jacket Womens

2:23 PM  
Blogger Ooddles Natural Premium Dog Food - Grain Free & Hypoallergenic Dog Food By Ooddles Kitchen said...

Ooddles has been developing dog food since 2016; it all started when a family member of a breeder became aware of the low-quality ingredients used in many dog foods commonly available. After extensive research, they developed two formulas with leading UK manufacturers. They launched two dry food products, the original two lines called Game On and The Catch which became very popular, very quickly, and still very popular today, these formulas were aimed at crossbreeds, although suitable for all breeds. Always selling out of the two lines, it became apparent the food was well received.

Ooddles - Natural & Made With The Finest "Fresh" Meat.

10:46 PM  
Blogger Thomas Murphy said...

Proctored Exam Online boost grades and provides reliable online exam help for students looking up professionals to take my online exam for me or Can I Pay Someone To Take My Online Exam

5:16 AM  
Blogger Gabby said...

Mind craft and all joy is pushed for the apprehension for the goals. The tentative means of the Fractional CTO are fit for the terms. Cycle is held for the options. The theme is embedded for the things for the top of the topic for humans.

2:46 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home