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Blue Movies
THE DEBUT NOVEL OF WAYNE KRAMER, THE EDGAR-NOMINATED SCREENWRITER AND DIRECTOR BEHIND "THE COOLER" AND "RUNNING SCARED."
“Wayne Kramer, the filmmaker, writes and directs with heedless bliss.” (Roger Ebert)
"Wow. Just read Wayne Kramer’s hilarious book, BLUE MOVIES. It’s a witty, startling, sexy and unpredictable ride set in the 1970s world of South Africa illegal film print distribution. Filled with specifics only someone who lived in this world would know, Kramer’s snarky style reveals characters who are quirky on the highest level. This is going to make a knockout of an indie film, and I felt I was watching one while reading it." (Randal Kleiser - Director of GREASE and THE BLUE LAGOON)
The year is 1974 -- at the height of Apartheid in South Africa. Katrina Van Zyl, a single mother who couriers banned and pornographic 16mm film prints to rich clients across Johannesburg, gets her car stolen on a Saturday night, leaving her just under four hours to deliver the X-rated film “Behind the Green Door” to an influential arms dealer or suffer the consequences. We accompany Katrina on her frantic search for her prints over the course of one intense night as she runs afoul of the Jo'burg underworld and the Apartheid police state. For the first time ever, the McGuffin of a crime novel is not drugs, or weapons, or diamonds, or human trafficking… but controversial and pornographic American films! Possession of these films was punishable in South Africa by up to 10 years in prison. BLUE MOVIES offers a harrowing trip back to an all too real dystopian society where art was criminalized and the films we still revere today were considered the most dangerous contraband of all. Kramer's debut novel is a delight for fans of hardboiled crime fiction and movies alike. Inspired by real events.
Praise for the films of Wayne Kramer
“A ferociously energetic piece of filmmaking…”--Variety (Running Scared)
“Writer-director Wayne Kramer operates here out of a pre-Tarantino mentality, when it was still possible to present violent, over-the-top melodrama without turning it into an in-joke. Kramer shows the rewards of playing it straight.”--SFGATE (Running Scared)
“The story's strength is all in the telling; no synopsis will prepare you for the emotional charge that's eventually delivered. And it's unusual to find a screenplay that gives weight to parallel stories.” --Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times (The Cooler)
“It's got the kick, style and flavor of a straight-up story, before movies were watered down with the opinions of marketers, lawyers and committee heads.”--The Hollywood Reporter (The Cooler)
“Wayne Kramer makes a potent directing debut and strikes gold with the cast, including Paul Sorvino as a junkie lounge singer and Ron Livingston as the corporate voice of the new Las Vegas, a theme-park nightmare.”--Rolling Stone (The Cooler)
“The Cooler," directed by Wayne Kramer, is the sort of small, nicely crafted, character-driven picture that would have made barely a ripple had it been released 30 years ago. But today it's something of a small miracle, not just because it was clearly put together with intelligence and care, but because it singlehandedly revives the art of the sex scene. As far as its treatment of sex goes, "The Cooler" is that rare picture that actually seems to have been made by and for adults.”--Salon
"...
“Wayne Kramer, the filmmaker, writes and directs with heedless bliss.” (Roger Ebert)
"Wow. Just read Wayne Kramer’s hilarious book, BLUE MOVIES. It’s a witty, startling, sexy and unpredictable ride set in the 1970s world of South Africa illegal film print distribution. Filled with specifics only someone who lived in this world would know, Kramer’s snarky style reveals characters who are quirky on the highest level. This is going to make a knockout of an indie film, and I felt I was watching one while reading it." (Randal Kleiser - Director of GREASE and THE BLUE LAGOON)
The year is 1974 -- at the height of Apartheid in South Africa. Katrina Van Zyl, a single mother who couriers banned and pornographic 16mm film prints to rich clients across Johannesburg, gets her car stolen on a Saturday night, leaving her just under four hours to deliver the X-rated film “Behind the Green Door” to an influential arms dealer or suffer the consequences. We accompany Katrina on her frantic search for her prints over the course of one intense night as she runs afoul of the Jo'burg underworld and the Apartheid police state. For the first time ever, the McGuffin of a crime novel is not drugs, or weapons, or diamonds, or human trafficking… but controversial and pornographic American films! Possession of these films was punishable in South Africa by up to 10 years in prison. BLUE MOVIES offers a harrowing trip back to an all too real dystopian society where art was criminalized and the films we still revere today were considered the most dangerous contraband of all. Kramer's debut novel is a delight for fans of hardboiled crime fiction and movies alike. Inspired by real events.
Praise for the films of Wayne Kramer
“A ferociously energetic piece of filmmaking…”--Variety (Running Scared)
“Writer-director Wayne Kramer operates here out of a pre-Tarantino mentality, when it was still possible to present violent, over-the-top melodrama without turning it into an in-joke. Kramer shows the rewards of playing it straight.”--SFGATE (Running Scared)
“The story's strength is all in the telling; no synopsis will prepare you for the emotional charge that's eventually delivered. And it's unusual to find a screenplay that gives weight to parallel stories.” --Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times (The Cooler)
“It's got the kick, style and flavor of a straight-up story, before movies were watered down with the opinions of marketers, lawyers and committee heads.”--The Hollywood Reporter (The Cooler)
“Wayne Kramer makes a potent directing debut and strikes gold with the cast, including Paul Sorvino as a junkie lounge singer and Ron Livingston as the corporate voice of the new Las Vegas, a theme-park nightmare.”--Rolling Stone (The Cooler)
“The Cooler," directed by Wayne Kramer, is the sort of small, nicely crafted, character-driven picture that would have made barely a ripple had it been released 30 years ago. But today it's something of a small miracle, not just because it was clearly put together with intelligence and care, but because it singlehandedly revives the art of the sex scene. As far as its treatment of sex goes, "The Cooler" is that rare picture that actually seems to have been made by and for adults.”--Salon
"...
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2023
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8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 24, 2024
At first, I thought this was going to be a riff on the Terry Southern book, BLUE MOVIE of the same name that Stanley Kubrick infamously really wanted to film as an actual movie. As Terry Southern was a co-writer on the film Dr. Strangelove. no this book literally deals with blue movies or more.
The main character deals them in South Africa certain classic movies are banned there. As they are thought to be too suggestive and corrupting the minds of innocence and adults who might see them. Now some of these films are deemed pornographic like deep throat, and behind the green door in America were still on the big screen and treated like any other release. Other films that were more made by the studios such as LAST TANGO IN PARIS, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, THE WILD BUNCH, etc, those or deemed abominable to be openly shown or viewed
Now I will admit I am a fan of Writer-Director, Wayne Kramer‘s previous movies and Work, (CROSSING OVER, THE COOLER, RUNNING SCARED, PAWN SHOP CHRONICLES) so I had no doubt that I would most likely not be disappointed
And I was right luckily, as this is pulse pounding, and a thrill ride from beginning to end, especially dealing with film or more dealing with the black market of classic movies back in the day it had peaked my interest. Though the main character is pretty much a tough kick ass ass type. You also believe the more tender moments and you believe in her vulnerability.
The book and his films, having in common a crime story, memorable characters, surreal moments and descriptions that are so visual you can’t help but see them in your head as you read. Also a kind of gonzo energy, but a poignant calm at certain points. That keeps you interested throughout. Leaving you never truly wanting to put it down as it feels so moment to moment..
Throughout the book as the main character on her adventures and experiences gives her own review of these films are more her thoughts on them. It’s all the more exciting.
You could definitely see this as a screen, action thriller that manages to surprise you and care about the main character, who is great and memorable in the standalone book, but could easily see as a hero and a franchise of adventures
She’s one of a kind, memorable, bad ass human being with flaws beauty failure, but definitely a spirit that can’t be sunken or trampled on or destroyed
The is filled with slang that does actually have a glossy in the back. It also deals with the politics and culture of South Africa at the time in the 1970s, and even gets into some of the political and racial problems and injustices of the time.
As it chose that naturally in a repressed society, there are always going to be those who are rebellious seeking what they’re not supposed to be able to be exposed to, as it might actually give them ideas and make them realize the freedom that they don’t have or aren’t allowed. Either way, the rich and successful will always somehow find a way around the rules and be given the privilege to not only have that honor, but somehow make a profit off of it, but yet never find a way to be prosecuted for it.
Even reading it, it feels like either a a story inspired by the times that it is said, or a smart look back of those times from a more progressive viewpoint in the future. That is both nostalgic of a tail that could only be told at that time with a bit of modern sensibility. Seems a bit inspired by the films that are discussed and dealt in the tale. This one could certainly stay side-by-side with them. Maybe not as classic, but definitely a product of those times.
The book is when you read where you constantly feel like you were writing with the character by the seat of your pants, and also trying to beat a deadline.
For those looking for a book that goes down easy despite the roughness involved yet always feel smooth and visual. I would definitely recommend this book.
Though this is more in-depth then a screenplay or movie, Hopefully one day it will be put on screen by its author, but until then you’re thankful for his creative storytelling and sharing his vision and imagination. I can’t wait to read more of his writing and books.
Grade: B+
The main character deals them in South Africa certain classic movies are banned there. As they are thought to be too suggestive and corrupting the minds of innocence and adults who might see them. Now some of these films are deemed pornographic like deep throat, and behind the green door in America were still on the big screen and treated like any other release. Other films that were more made by the studios such as LAST TANGO IN PARIS, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, THE WILD BUNCH, etc, those or deemed abominable to be openly shown or viewed
Now I will admit I am a fan of Writer-Director, Wayne Kramer‘s previous movies and Work, (CROSSING OVER, THE COOLER, RUNNING SCARED, PAWN SHOP CHRONICLES) so I had no doubt that I would most likely not be disappointed
And I was right luckily, as this is pulse pounding, and a thrill ride from beginning to end, especially dealing with film or more dealing with the black market of classic movies back in the day it had peaked my interest. Though the main character is pretty much a tough kick ass ass type. You also believe the more tender moments and you believe in her vulnerability.
The book and his films, having in common a crime story, memorable characters, surreal moments and descriptions that are so visual you can’t help but see them in your head as you read. Also a kind of gonzo energy, but a poignant calm at certain points. That keeps you interested throughout. Leaving you never truly wanting to put it down as it feels so moment to moment..
Throughout the book as the main character on her adventures and experiences gives her own review of these films are more her thoughts on them. It’s all the more exciting.
You could definitely see this as a screen, action thriller that manages to surprise you and care about the main character, who is great and memorable in the standalone book, but could easily see as a hero and a franchise of adventures
She’s one of a kind, memorable, bad ass human being with flaws beauty failure, but definitely a spirit that can’t be sunken or trampled on or destroyed
The is filled with slang that does actually have a glossy in the back. It also deals with the politics and culture of South Africa at the time in the 1970s, and even gets into some of the political and racial problems and injustices of the time.
As it chose that naturally in a repressed society, there are always going to be those who are rebellious seeking what they’re not supposed to be able to be exposed to, as it might actually give them ideas and make them realize the freedom that they don’t have or aren’t allowed. Either way, the rich and successful will always somehow find a way around the rules and be given the privilege to not only have that honor, but somehow make a profit off of it, but yet never find a way to be prosecuted for it.
Even reading it, it feels like either a a story inspired by the times that it is said, or a smart look back of those times from a more progressive viewpoint in the future. That is both nostalgic of a tail that could only be told at that time with a bit of modern sensibility. Seems a bit inspired by the films that are discussed and dealt in the tale. This one could certainly stay side-by-side with them. Maybe not as classic, but definitely a product of those times.
The book is when you read where you constantly feel like you were writing with the character by the seat of your pants, and also trying to beat a deadline.
For those looking for a book that goes down easy despite the roughness involved yet always feel smooth and visual. I would definitely recommend this book.
Though this is more in-depth then a screenplay or movie, Hopefully one day it will be put on screen by its author, but until then you’re thankful for his creative storytelling and sharing his vision and imagination. I can’t wait to read more of his writing and books.
Grade: B+
Displaying 1 of 1 review