O.M.D. The Music of the -

Obscure Movie Day again!

While I've been having way too much fun with old TV shows on Disney+, I feel as though I need to branch out. To leave the little Disney bubble I find myself in.

So - in honor of finding the following video, I'm going to discuss a little something I like to call "The Phantom of the Opera".

The year is 1988.

The story - The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux.

The twist: a modern Julliard student is going to audition for a musical. She and her friend, Meg, go into the archives of the school to find an obscure piece of music to use to make her stand out more. Christine Day finds a copy of Don Juan by Erik Destler.

During the audition something happens and Christine is taken back to Victorian London.

We see what looks like Jack the Ripper stalking the streets.

The Phantom is taking people out. This time using various methods besides the Punjab. Included forms of death: skinning alive, removing a head with a razor, beheading, fear, Iron Mary-esq trap, flames, stabbing, and of course, the lasso.

This is a version of my favorite tale that sets the mood for the slasher styles reminiscence of the 80's. Complete with Freddy Kruger himself.

The cast includes:
Robert Englund as Erik Deslter/The Phantom
Jill Schoelen as Christine Day
Alex Hyde-White - Richard Dutton
Bill Nighy - Marton Barton

While this film is rated R for the rather grapic forms of dismantling, it intones the fright of the novel in a unique form. It also gives us a background into how the phantom became disfigured. As well as how and what he uses for his mask.

This film has one of the best scores added to its thrills and chills as well. I highly recommend watching it if you love slasher films, '80s horror flicks, or the Phantom in general.

But remember:

Only Love and Music are Forever.

W.I.P. Editing is Everything

This week for my Work in Progress, I'll share a little bit of one of my NaNo stories that I was typing up. I'm going back through editing them and here is a little snippet.

I covered my ears with both hands, trying not to let the words seep into my mind – to let them affect me. None of them were true. I knew that. None of them existed to me.

“You can’t keep out the truth anymore. The truth of what you’ve known since this whole journey began. The truth that will always be –”

I tipped the scarf from around my face, shouting, “Quiet!”

I opened my eyes wide, then blinked.

I blinked again.

The fog was gone.

The room was full of people once again.

The noise shattered, breaking into the silence.

I closed my mouth, grimacing. I wondered if they’d all heard my outburst. If the scene before this one had been merely an illusion of my own making. If –

The noise came soon after, filling the empty space with music and chatter.

It was as though the past amount of time hadn’t happened at all. I quickly and quietly slipped backstage, barely shifting the curtain at all as I hid behind it. Taking the scarf I held it in my hands, a barrier to what might come next, staring at the stain blooming upon it.

I hadn’t realized what sort of thing had transpired.

“Map – Mira, are you back there?”

I was tempted to keep quiet. I didn’t want to have to explain what had happened, why I’d had the sudden outburst.

Shaking off the haze I replaced the scarf on my head, adjusting it so the stain didn’t show, before Andrea poked her head around the curtain.

I had no idea how she’d found me.

“Yeah, I had to check some of the wiring for the DJ,” I adjusted my costume a bit, pretending to look through the wiring. I pretended to flip a few switches (not actually doing so), and to adjust some of the cords. I also pretended to brush off some dust or lint from my costume. It was easy. I was great at pretending with Andrea, “I just needed a minute.”

What are you working on this week?

Book Nook: A Twist on the Detective

I've been reading a lot of books on my phone recently. Mostly while waiting for work to start or while travelling. Though I do keep a regular book with me at all times, sometimes it's fun to mix the mediums up a little.

Title: Poison in Paddington
Author: Samantha Silver

This is novel that is akin to Sherlock Holmes.

Seriously - the entire time I read it I got the Doyle-vibes. It was an excellent read through and I highly recommend it.

Lots of wit and sarcasm.

Science.

(Tune in next week for an exclusive DISNEY PIN GIVEAWAY!)

Happy Thoughts from 2019

Last year I did a "Good thought per day" jar.

Each night I would list a few good things that happened throughout the day - or good thoughts I had. I plan on continuing it this year as we move into 2020.

Here are a few good things that happened last year.

·      A day off to regroup and organize things in my life (room)

·      Going to class

·      Remembering Past Notes to write upon

·      A warm, fuzzy Le Chat

·      Books to listen to

·      Music to sleep by

What were some of your best happy moments from 2019? Leave a comment below and let me know!