Authors Anonymous (2014)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

As in the TV series "The Office", which I never watched, a group of writers who meet periodically and call themselves "Authors Anonymous" is the subject of a documentary. In some scenes one or more members are being interviewed by someone we can't see or hear. In others it appears cameras are not following the group members, but occasionally someone talks to the camera or a character who is not part of the group asks about the cameras, so we can assume they are there.In the first scene, Alan and Colette are together at home. The first thing Colette does is talk baby talk to a dog. To me dogs aren't cute, so Colette is not scoring any points with me already. Adam is an eye doctor who carries a recording device constantly so he can record story ideas. Colette is a former masseuse who still likes yoga and meditation and is spoiled. Dr. Xiroman, who has taken a vow of silence, is her spiritual adviser.I think we see the entire group in the next scene, but I will go ahead and introduce the characters anyway.John K. Butzin (who, like Ed LaSalle, the most memorable character in a Mary Tyler Moore sitcom I can't remember the name of, uses his full name when talking about himself) is an older man who served in Vietnam and has written the book "Roaring Lion" about his experience. He is quite annoying but still a pleasure to watch somehow. Sigrid is his pretty German girlfriend.Hannah comes across as a dumb blonde in the interviews but seems more intelligent, if not educated, when talking with the other characters. Her book is called "Sleeping on the Moon". She lives with her divorced mother Maureen, who is nice.Henry delivers pizzas, cleans carpets, and struggles to produce anything as a writer. He wants to date Hannah, but is discouraged when she gets an agent Bernie, and later when she meets famous author Richard Brodwell. It is uncertain Henry and Hannah will ever be anything but friends.William is good-looking but very annoying, and I don't mean that in a good way. He doesn't produce much work either, but he gets on the nerves of people in restaurants as he writes down what they say for inspiration.The members of the group seem to get along pretty well at first, but over time they get on each others' nerves. Hannah is the first published author. Okay, that's not true. John K. Butzin pays $250 to have his book published, though there are mistakes. As each member of the group does something to upset one or more of the others, one wonders if the group will even be able to stay together. Hannah doesn't want to brag, but of course some in the group think her success means she is the star of the group so she is better than they are.Hannah and Henry try hard. Henry even introduces her to "The Great Gatsby", which she has never read. She has never read anything. Even a pretty waitress where they are eating has read the book and is impressed. I was going to say the actress has one line but makes the most of it, but she actually has many more lines later and shows that she was capable of more.David Kelleher is a memorable patient of Alan who might be able to help one or more members of the group make it as a writer.Kaley Cuoco was my main reason for being interested in this movie, even when it looked like a failure. She gives a great performance and is of course quite good-looking, especially in a tank top or shorts or both, or nothing but a man's dress shirt. She wears a spaghetti-strap top in one scene. But she has such a great personality. I won't say her looks don't matter because they are important to the plot, but they're not that necessary. And she's great with Henry, but not all that romantic. She wears glasses to read, but while I wasn't crazy about her first pair, her second pair look worse. No, in the photo representing the movie on IMDb, she's wearing a pair she tried but didn't like.Dennis Farina once again reminds us how much we have lost. He's not a particularly likable character, but one we can love to hate. His misfortunes are hilarious, helped along by Tricia Helfer.Teri Polo and I have a history. Her character in "Northern Exposure" was so unpleasant I all but quit watching the show. That's how bad it had gotten. And she's just as terrible here, at least to me. In the first scene she has pretty hair but not a pretty face. Later, with more makeup, she's somewhat good-looking. But her personality is really hard to take. She does have some good scenes that even I couldn't criticize. I believe people will like her. Just not me.Chris Klein is someone you want to root for, but watching his difficulties is actually kind of fun. He's pleasant enough.Overall, it was pretty good.

At first, I was excited to watch this movie. Many of the actors I have seen in previous movies, and have enjoyed! This however, was not one of those movies. I found this movie very hard to get into. It has a very slow start...middle...and...Well I did not even make it that far. I had to turn it off. I found the characters to be annoying and whinny the whole movies. I was also disappointed that this was filmed as a "reality show". I love B rated corny films, but this is unwatchable. There was nothing funny or comical about it as I was hoping for. If you are thinking about watching it, I would suggest finding another movie. If you do end up watching it, I hope you enjoy it more than I did :)

Having been in several small writers groups in different Nevada and California locations I found it true to life in that a non-writer controls the group. The one problem I had with the film was the screenwriters identifying a Vanity Press indicating Roaring Lion as a Print-On=Demand. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I have found POD to be quite rewarding and not nearly as expensive as depicted in the film. I do believe that all three writers landed publishing contracts not because of what was written, but who they knew. I am sure that is the way it works in Hollywood and I understand it working in the print world as well.There were some chuckles, but as I found it too true to life in the writers group segments, I couldn't give it higher than 4 stars. For someone who has never experienced the writers groups BS they may find it extremely funny.Seal A retired porn star fights political corruption, intrigue and murder in... Not Much of a Crime - 2013 ABNA Quarter Finalist http://www.stevenwjohnson.com

This is one of those little gems of a movie that belongs on any writer's list. At one time or another, each of these characters has been me. (I was cute and young and sexy once...maybe not as cute as Kaley Cuoco or as sexy as Dennis Farina, but still...) "Authors" swipes at issues that most writers face. Dennis Farina is simply wonderful, and the film makes me miss this fine actor enormously. "Authors" should be required watching in all creative writing classes, especially for young and/or beginning writers. With humor, wit and poignancy, writer Congalton spotlights feelings that are ripe for deeper discussion, such as writers' block, insecurity, envy, and the unanswerable question: what makes a writer a writer? Success? Persistence? Work? A more accessible movie than Kaufman's fierce "Adaptation," this movie has less...what are they called again? (Oh, right: metaphors!) Still the film made me laugh and cry. To me, Teri Polo gives the most visceral performance. The "rich wife" thing was often funny, but Polo really shines in a solo scene that occurs right after she explodes at Hannah outside a bookstore, with the group. Home alone, sitting with vodka, the slightly stewed and slightly remorseful Colette (Polo) tries to behave better by referring to Hannah (Cuoco) as a "good girl" -- but then her raw feelings flare, and Colette rages at how unfair life is. I have been there, Colette. I salute you. You want an excuse NOT to write this afternoon? watch "Authors Anonymous."