|
January 18, 2007 The Media Ho was not inspired by the shows this week. However, all is not lost. The big screen provided quite a bit of material… SCENE: The “Inside The Actors Studio” set. Host James Lipton (JL) is seated behind his desk and Dillon Quartermaine (DQ) is in the guest chair. JL: We’re speaking with a very special talent tonight. It’s not often that we go behind the scenes, but this is an occasion. First-time Oscar winner Dillon Quartermaine has deigned to sit for an interview. Welcome, Mr. Quartermaine. DQ: Thank you, James. It’s nice to be here. JL: You’re not yet 30, but you’ve been credited with reinventing a classic film genre. DQ: Yes. Well, film noir has always been a passion of mine. There have been times in my life when I felt like I was living and breathing that world. JL: What was it that inspired you to create this multi-award winning film? I don’t believe anyone’s ever won for best original screenplay and directing fresh out of the gate, except, perhaps, Orson Welles. DQ (chuckles): What a kind comparison. Well, my inspiration was actually my hometown, a little burg in upstate New York called Port Charles. It’s hard to imagine, but this harborside town was a hotbed of intrigue. Billionaires, whores, medical geniuses, and mobsters – and I was related to many of them. JL: You don’t say. DQ: I do say. All of this was the force behind “Sonny’s Girls.” JL: Let’s watch some key scenes, shall we? OPENING SHOT: It’s dark. In the distance, a flashing pink neon sign. As we pull closer, we can see that it reads “Paradise Lounge.” Cut to inside. A darkened stage, with three barely discernable figures on it. The lights slowly come up to reveal Karen Wexler, Sam McCall and Alexis Davis – the “Sonnyettes.” (MUSIC: “Move,” performed by the Sonnyettes) Move, move! Move right out of my life! Move, move! Move right out of my life! (KAREN WEXLER) You better move. You’re steppin’ on my heart. I said move. You’re tearing it apart, please move! Ohh, what am I gonna do, my heart! Ooh, breaking, breaking up over you. You’ve got such magnetic power that just keeps holding me down I feel just like a flower that you keep stomping into the ground. (SONNYETTES) Move, move! Move right out of my life! Move it, move it! Out of my life! Move, move! Move right out of my life! Move it, move it! Out of my life! Move, move! Move right out of my life! (SAM McCALL) You are so horribly Satanic, the way you lead me around. I feel just like the Titanic, I’m always going down, down, down, down! (SONNYETTES) Move, move! Move right out of my life! Move it, move it! Out of my life! Move, move! Move right out of my life! Move it, move it! Out of my life! Move, move! Move right out of my life! (ALEXIS DAVIS) Take the cat, kit and caboodle Your big flashy car Your broken-up bar And just move right outta my, move right outta my life! (SONNYETTES) Move, move! Move right out of my life! Move it, move it! Out of my life! Move, move! Move right out of my life! Move it, move it! Out of my life! Move, move! Move right out of my life! (SCREEN FADES TO BLACK) DQ: Sonny Corinthos was the mobster with the magic penis. He shared it with most of the women in town. Beautiful women. Smart women. The funny thing was, he met them everywhere he went. Take Brenda, for instance. JL: Brenda Barrett, the model? DQ: He met Brenda in a car dealership, of all places. SCENE: Inside a luxury car dealership. Sonny Corinthos is admiring a Jaguar. He bumps, literally, into Brenda Barrett, who is circling around a bright red Porsche. (MUSIC: “Porsche, Jaguar Car”) BRENDA: I got me a Porsche, I got me a Porsche car Got me a Porsche, look at me, mister, I’m a star. I’m on the move, I’m getting on, I’m breaking out, and it won’t take long Behind the wheel, got a song, pedals down, and I’m going, yeah I got me a Porsche, I got me a Porsche car Yes, I got me a Porsche, hey, hey, look at me mister, I’m a star! SONNY: Antennas up, top is down, heading out, don’t care where I’m bound These four wheels, spinning round, me and my two-toned Jag are gonna blow this town I’m moving out, moving up, moving out, moving up, moving up SONNY AND BRENDA: Move me, move me, move me right to the top Move me, move me, move me right to the top Move me, move me, move me right to the top Move me, move me, move me right to the top Move me, move me, move me (MUSIC FADES OUT) SONNY: You know, let’s switch cars. We should never do what’s expected of us. BRENDA: You’re right. I’ll take the Jag. What was your name? SONNY (smiles, flashes dimples) FADE TO BLACK DQ: Sonny actually took care of my cousin, a brain-damaged former star medical student and the pride of our family. He took him under his wing, as they say. SCENE: The docks of Port Charles. Sonny is talking to Jason, whose head is swaddled in bandages. SONNY: Ya know, I can relate to you. Ya got nobody, ya trust nobody, and nobody tells you the truth. ‘Cept me. JASON: Uh. Yeah. Okay. SONNY: I’ll take care of ya, just like I did Karen Wexler and my buddy, Stone. JASON: Uh. Yeah. How? SONNY: Well, it’s like this… (MUSIC: “Steppin’ To The Bad Side”) SONNY: Steppin’ to the bad side, gonna take a mean ride JASON: The smile I had has gone away SONNY: Those that steal from me gonna pay SONNY & JASON: Steppin’ to the bad side today, steppin’ to the bad side, ooh, ooh, ooh, gonna take a mean ride, ooh, ooh, ooh SONNY: I got you all the breaks you need, just two years, we’ll be in the lead Just sit back, it’s plain to see, open your eyes and trust in me JASON: The smile I had has gone away SONNY: Those that steal from me gonna pay SONNY & JASON: Steppin’ to the bad side today, steppin’ to the bad side, ooh, ooh, ooh, gonna take a mean ride, ooh, ooh, ooh Steppin’ to the bad side today, steppin’ to the bad side, ooh, ooh, ooh, gonna take a mean ride, ooh, ooh, ooh (MUSIC AND LIGHTS FADE) JL: This Sonny is a fascinating character, yet I’m also drawn to Brenda. DQ: You and what army, pal? Yeah, Brenda was hot. Hot but unlucky. SCENE: Outside a church, night. Brenda, in full bridal regalia, is on the steps, talking to Jason. BRENDA (tearfully): What do you mean Sonny’s gone? We’re supposed to be getting married! JASON: Uh, yeah. Bad idea. So, he left. You should leave, too. (He walks into the church and closes the door behind him. Brenda crumples on the steps. The music swells.) (MUSIC: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”) BRENDA: And I am telling you I’m not going You’re the best man I’ll ever know, there’s no way I can ever go No, no, there’s no way No, no, no, no way I’m living without you I’m not living without you I don’t wanna be free I’m staying, I’m staying And you, and you You’re gonna love me, ooh, ooh, mm, mm You’re gonna love me And I am telling you I’m not going Even though the rough times are showing There’s just no way, there’s no way We’re part of the same place We’re part of the same time We both share the same blood We both have the same mind And time and time, we’ve had so much to see and no, no, no, no, no, no I’m not waking up tomorrow morning and not seeing your greasy ol’ head And I mean there’s no way No, no, no, no, no, no way I’m living without you I’m not living without you You see there’s just no way, there’s no way Tear down the mountains Yell, scream, and shout like you can say what you want, I’m not walking out Throw all the crystal, push, strike and kill I’m not gonna leave you, there’s no way I will And I am telling you I’m not going You’re the best man I’ll ever know, there’s no way I can ever go No, no, there’s no way No, no, no, no way I’m living without you I’m not living without you I don’t wanna be free I’m staying, I’m staying And you, and you, and you You’re gonna love me You’re gonna love me, yes you are Ooh, ooh, love me, ooh, ooh, ooh, love me Love me, love me, love me, love me You’re gonna love me (FADE OUT ON BRENDA, STILL CRUMPLED ON THE STEPS, BEATING THEM WITH HER TINY FISTS) JL: She’s a powerful little thing, isn’t she? DQ: You don’t know the half of it. JL: You managed to pull off a Hitchcockian cameo of your own, yes? DQ: What I did was I stuck in a singer who wanted to do his own thing, not listen to the powers that be, which in my case was my grandfather. He wanted me to run the family conglomerate, but all I wanted to do was make films. Jimmy Squirrelly is me. SCENE: Spiky-haired Jimmy Squirrelly is on stage in a conservative three-piece suit. (MUSIC: “I Meant You No Harm/Jimmy’s Rap”) JIMMY: I meant you no harm, I never meant to make you cry You were the only one I’ve ever loved in my life And though it’s hard for me to show it, I have to let you know it Cuz Grandfather, I love you more each day, but ELQ got in my way… (Jimmy waves frantically at the band to stop) JIMMY: Hold it, hold it, hold it I can’t do it, I can’t study no more business stuff One, two, three, hit me! (MUSIC to “Jimmy’s Rap” starts. Jimmy rips off suit to reveal jeans and a “Young Spielberg” t-shirt underneath.) JIMMY: Hey, girls let’s rock with Jimmy Squirrelly Got a home in the hills, Mercedes Benz, hot swimming pool, got lots of friends Got clothes by the acre, credit to space, I could wake up tomorrow and find nobody there But Jimmy want more, Jimmy want more, Jimmy want, Jimmy want, Jimmy want more Jimmy wanna film, Jimmy wanna write, Jimmy wanna make a new movie tonight And more than all that, Jimmy want digital, cuz Jimmy got film, Jimmy got film Jimmy got, Jimmy got, Jimmy got film Sooner or later the time comes around For a man to be a man to take back his sound I gotta do something to shake things up I like Warren Buffett, but I can’t do that stuff Cuz Jimmy got film, Jimmy got film, Jimmy got F-I-L-M film! I can’t do E, L or Q What I can do baby is show my film Cuz Jimmy got, Jimmy got, Jimmy got FILM! (Jimmy strikes triumphant pose, holding reel of film above his head as scene fades to black) JL: Very clever. Tell me, did Sonny and Brenda make it back to one another? DQ: That’s a hard question. Sonny had two main women, Brenda and Carly. He managed to drive them both insane. They both rebounded with this Aussie guy named Jax, but Sonny connived to screw those relationships up, too. SCENE: Brenda and Jax, in full wedding dress, holding hands at an altar in front of a minister and the entire population of Port Charles. JAX (slowly and deliberately): I…do…NOT. BRENDA (shocked): Excuse me? JAX: I saw you kiss Sonny. We’re done. Whore. BRENDA: I can explain! JAX: Yes, and I suppose I could have done this in private, but this was infinitely more satisfying. (STALKS AWAY DOWN THE AISLE) BRENDA (crumples to floor): Wait, Jax! I can explain! (MUSIC: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” -- Reprise) BRENDA: And I am telling you I’m not going You’re the best man I’ll ever know, there’s no way I can ever go No, no, there’s no way No, no, no, no way I’m living without you I’m not living without you I don’t wanna be free I’m staying, I’m staying And you, and you You’re gonna love me, ooh, ooh, mm, mm You’re gonna love me And I am telling you I’m not going Even though the rough times are showing There’s just no way, there’s no way We’re part of the same place We’re part of the same time We both share the same blood We both have the same mind And time and time, we’ve had so much to see and no, no, no, no, no, no I’m not waking up tomorrow morning and not seeing your spiky ol’ head And I mean there’s no way No, no, no, no, no, no way I’m living without you I’m not living without you You see there’s just no way, there’s no way Tear down the mountains Yell, scream, and shout like you can say what you want, I’m not walking out Fly your little jet plane, push, strike and kill I’m not gonna leave you, there’s no way I will And I am telling you I’m not going You’re the best man I’ll ever know, there’s no way I can ever go No, no, there’s no way No, no, no, no way I’m living without you I’m not living without you I don’t wanna be free I’m staying, I’m staying And you, and you, and you You’re gonna love me You’re gonna love me, yes you are Ooh, ooh, love me, ooh, ooh, ooh, love me Love me, love me, love me, love me You’re gonna love me (FADE OUT ON BRENDA, STILL CRUMPLED IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR, BEATING THE FLOOR WITH HER TINY FISTS) JL: She certainly likes that little tune. DQ: If I’d had a bigger budget, you’d have seen it a couple more times. JL: You mentioned another woman. Carly? DQ: Ah, yes, Carly. Sonny eventually causes her to lose her mind, too, but not before he shot her in her sex brain. JL: Ahem. Yes, well, let’s not go there. DQ: She finally broke away from him, though. SCENE: Outside Rose Lawn Sanitarium. Carly steps outside with Dr. Lainey Winters, carrying several large Louis Vuitton bags, and breaks into song. (MUSIC: “I Am Changing”) CARLY (to Dr. Winters): Look at me, look at me I am changing, trying every way I can I am changing, I’ll be better than I am I’m trying to find a way to understand But I need you, I need you, I need a hand I am changing, seeing everything so clear I am changing, I’m gonna start right now, right here I’m hoping to work it out, and I know that I can But I need you, I need a hand All of my life I’ve been a fool, who said I can do it on my own How many good friends have I already lost? How many dog nights have I known? Walking down that wrong road, there was nothing I could find All those years of darkness, looking for some light But now I can see I am changing, trying every way I can I am changing, I’ll be better than I am But I need a friend to help me start all over again That would be just fine I know it’s gonna work out this time ‘Cause this time I am, this time I am I am changing, I’ll get my life together now I am changing, yes, I know how I’m gonna start again, I’m gonna leave my past behind I’ll change my life I’ll make a vow and nothing’s gonna stop me now (Carly drops all her baggage and hugs Dr. Winters. Fade to black.) JL: Quite a triumph. DQ: Oh, yes. Then she ended up with Jax. They planned to marry, but Sonny wasn’t happy about that. She did everything she could to convince him that she belonged to Jax, not him. SCENE: Carly’s living room. It’s piled high with boxes of frozen pizza and bags of potato chips. Carly is confronting Sonny. CARLY: Sonny, take your bribes and go. I’m marrying Jax and you have to accept that. SONNY: No way you’re marrying Candy Boy. You’re the mother of my sons. CARLY: Just the one. SONNY: Slut. CARLY: You always have to have it your way, right, Sonny? Well, you’re no longer my burger king. Jax is. SONNY (in a sing-song voice): I’m – not – listening (puts hands over ears). CARLY: You have to, Sonny. (MUSIC: “Listen”) CARLY: Listen, to the song here in my heat A melody I’ve start but can’t complete Listen, to the sound from deep within, it’s only beginning to find release Oh, the time has come, for my dreams to be heard They will not be pushed aside and turned into your own All ‘cause you won’t listen Listen I am alone at a crossroads I’m not at home in my own home And I tried and tried to say what’s on my mind You should have known Oh, now I’m done believin’ you You don’t know what I’m feelin’ I’m more than what you made of me I followed the voice you gave to me But now I gotta find my own You should have listened There is someone here inside Someone I’d thought had died Soooo long ago Oh, I’m free now and my dreams to be heard They will not be pushed aside on words Into your arms All ‘cause you won’t listen Listen I am alone at a crossroads I’m not at home in my own home And I tried and tried to say what’s on my mind You should have known Oh, now I’m done believin’ you You don’t know what I’m feelin’ I’m more than what you made of me I followed the voice you gave to me But now I gotta find my own I don’t know where I belong, but I’ll be movin’ on If you don’t… If you won’t… LISTEN! To the song here in my heart A melody I’ve start but I will complete Oh, now I’m done believin’ you You don’t know what I’m feelin’ I’m more than what you made of me I followed the voice you think you gave to me But now I gotta find my own, my own…..(FADE TO BLACK) JL (choking back tears): My heart is breaking. Poor Sonny. DQ: Things work out in the end. They usually do. SCENE: The Port Charles docks, night. Sonny emerges from the fog. A solitary figure is silhouetted near the water. As the music swells, the solitary figure turns to face Sonny. It’s Jason. (MUSIC: “When I First Saw You”) SONNY: When I first saw you I said, oh my That’s my dream That’s my dream Oh, I needed a dream When it all seemed to go bad Then I found you And I have had the most beautiful dreams any man’s ever had JASON: When I first saw you I said, uh, my That’s my dream That’s my dream I needed a dream To make me strong You were the only reason I had to go on SONNY & JASON: You were my dream All the things that I never knew You were my dream Who could believe they would ever come true And who would believe The world would believe In my dreams, too SONNY: Before you appeared life was only a game And day in And day out Were the same JASON: Now the dream’s Coming true Like a star See it shine A dream That is yours That is mine Now I’ve got dreams of my own All the things I could never be Dreams you never know SONNY & JASON: You won’t take my dream from me SONNY: When I first saw you I said, oh, my I said, oh, my SONNY & JASON: That’s my dream! (FADE TO BLACK AND END) The Media Ho would like to give props to the original “Dreamgirls” composer and lyricist, Henry Krieger and the late Tom Eyen, as well as the composers of the original song, “Listen,” music by Henry Krieger and lyrics by Scott Cutler, Anne Preven and Beyonce Knowles. What’s scary is that only a few key words were changed by me to better fit this imaginary movie! Many of the lyrics were left completely untouched. If you have not yet done so, please go see “Dreamgirls.” It nearly swept the Golden Globe awards this week, and The Media Ho predicts that it will be the big Oscar winner this year. It is, quite simply, fantastic.
|
