New Novel: THE TWO SISTERS

My new novel, THE TWO SISTERS, is available for purchase: The Two Sisters by Terri Dawn Arnold. The story has crime, drama, and mystery. Lannie and Kellie suffer from manic depression. They are unable to manage the mental health problem, and clash with university classmates.

The Good Liar

Honesty is usually best. It saves time and one does not need to remember a fantasy narrative. However, some choose to master in manipulation for personal gain. This is the plot of the crime thriller movie, THE GOOD LIAR, starring Helen Mirren (Betty) and Ian McKellen (Roy). It is based on the novel of the same title written by Nicholas Searle.

Roy is a con artist. Betty is a widow with millions. Roy enters Betty's life with the intention of taking all her savings. Watching Roy play out his scam makes viewers feel sympathy for Betty.

The story takes an alternate route, providing unexpected circumstances. It is unpredictable and the audience observes Betty's courage. THE GOOD LIAR could serve as a cautionary tale. The movie is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is https://www.goodliarmovie.com/.

Widows

WIDOWS has a racially diverse cast and female characters are prominently featured. A movie like this realistically represents American society. Viola Davis (Veronica Rawlings) plays a central character; Michelle Rodriguez (Linda Perelli) and Elizabeth Debicki (Alice Gunner) play the other widows who experience financial difficulty after their husbands pass away.

The three women resort to crime after Veronica is threatened by a politician named Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry). Daniel Kaluuya gives an excellent performance as Jatemme, Jamal's brother and mob enforcer. In fact, the entire cast is excellent. It is an impressive ensemble that includes Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Liam Neeson, and Lukas Haas.

WIDOWS is directed and produced by Steve McQueen. The screenplay, based on the British crime drama television series Widows, is written by Gillian Flynn and Steve McQueen. Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt makes noteworthy artistic choices.

WIDOWS is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is https://www.foxmovies.com/movies/widows.

Gotti

GOTTI is a fun movie. The film is cut (edited) in a way that keeps a serious subject light (by inserting some humor). The lively mood is also due to the splendid cast, including lead actor John Travolta, who plays John "Dapper Don" Gotti, the real life New York City mobster and Kelly Preston (Travolta's real life wife) who plays his wife, Victoria Gotti. In addition, the film stars Stacy Keach (Niel Dellacroce) and Pruitt Taylor Vince (Angelo Ruggiero).

GOTTI is written by Lem Dobbs and actor Leo Rossi, who plays Bobby Boriello. The movie is directed by actor and director Kevin Connolly, and covers the three decades that Gotti reigned as a crime boss. Also, viewers see how his son, John Gotti, Jr., played by Spencer Lofranco, is brought into the Gambino crime family. GOTTI is very different from most mob films, as it focuses more on Gotti as a family man and how his community acknowledges him for his generosity. However, his unmerciful crimes are shown.

GOTTI is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is http://gotti-movie.com/.

Proud Mary

Taraji P. Henson is an outstanding actress. PROUD MARY shows audiences she has action film star skills. Henson is starting to produce more projects; hopefully there will be more action movies.

PROUD MARY also includes another fine performance by Danny Glover. He is the patriarch of the organized crime family Mary (Henson) works for. Also, Jahi Di'Allo Winston, who plays Danny, the young orphan boy Mary protects after feeling guilty about killing his father, gives an exceptional performance.

PROUD MARY is currently playing in theatres.  The official Web site is http://www.proudmary-movie.com/.

Creative Writing: The Mystery, Suspense, Crime Story

I am teaching Creative Writing: The Mystery, Suspense, Crime Story on the Udemy Web site. The course is intended for beginning mystery-suspense-crime writers, literature students, and writers interested in writing thrillers.  In the class I show the creative writing process (plot structure) and how to maintain awareness of the genres of mystery, suspense, and/or crime.

I teach students how to get started by planning the story with an outline and a treatment. During the course, students will write either a novel, teleplay, or screenplay. Since I have written all three, I include instruction for the different formats: novel, teleplay, and screenplay.

When writing a story, research is important and I share the research process I utilized for my crime-drama screenplay, THE TWO SISTERS, which is an independent film I also produced and directed, receiving Best Screenplay award nominations from film festivals.  Overall, the course is for people who enjoy mystery, suspense and crime, and individuals who want to learn the story writing process. For more information and to enroll visit https://www.udemy.com/creative-writing-the-mystery-suspense-crime-story/.

Going In Style

GOING IN STYLE stars Alan Arkin ("Albert"), Michael Caine ("Joe"), and Morgan Freeman ("Willie"). The movie is a humorous tale that shows how wisdom is an asset. In the story, these gentlemen approach their scheme differently than young people would, and it is beneficial for them.

Overall, the performances are excellent, and it is great seeing Ann-Margret in such a vibrant role. She plays Annie, Albert's lady friend. This is significant, considering she is one of few female characters in the film.

GOING IN STYLE is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is http://goinginstylemovie.com/.

Hell or High Water

This movie is captivating from the start. Viewers are drawn into the lives of Toby Howard (Chris Pine) and Tanner Howard (Ben Foster), two brothers who rob banks in Texas for what they believe is a good cause. They are desperate.

Jeff Bridges is excellent as Marcus Hamilton, the Texas Ranger who is after the brothers. Marcus and his partner Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham) are radically different from each other, but make a great team. Their dialogue is playful and funny. Other comical moments in this crime drama are via actors playing common folks that the brothers and Texas Rangers encounter.

HELL OR HIGH WATER is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is http://hellorhighwater.movie/#home.

The Infiltrator

Bryan Cranston is outstanding as U.S. Customs Special Agent Robert Mazur, whose autobiography is the subject of the movie THE INFILTRATOR. In the film Mazur goes undercover as Bob Musella who infiltrates the world's largest cartel and discovers the money laundering organization of drug cartel Pablo Escobar.

John Leguizamo's performance is exceptional. He plays Emir Abreu, a fellow agent working undercover. The movie also stars the astonishing Diane Kruger as Kathy Ertz, an undercover agent, and the always awesome Benjamin Bratt as Roberto Alcaino. Alcaino is Mazur's contact to Escobar and other cartel board members. In addition, Olympia Dukakis is remarkable as Mazur's Aunt Vicky.

These events happen during the 1980's. Music and a television clip of President Ronald Reagan accentuate this fact.  Screenwriter, Ellen Brown Furman, includes Mazur's home life with his wife and their two children. The audience sees complications experienced by a special agent undercover maintaining a traditional family in his real life.

The official Web site for the film is http://www.theinfiltrator.com/.