yes, Yes, YES!
Jun 26th 2007
Karen RoseOn Writing!
No, I’m not talking about that scene in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, altho that was a great scene. I’m talking moments - the satisfying moments when you say “YES!” and fling your fist at the universe in elation. That was primarily metaphorical. I’m not advocating flinging your fists all over the place, especially if you’re driving. There are crazy people out there who’d shoot you for that.
I hope you’ve had lots of YES moments in your life. I’ve had my share and I’m grateful for every one.
Today I’m talking about YES moments in books and movies. Goddess Sabrina got me thinking about this a few days ago when she blogged about tidy endings and I thought about the movie SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and that wonderful scene at the end of the flick where you know it’ll all be okay. I said “YES.”
But the YES moments don’t always have to come at the end. Som
etimes it’s the characters’ “turning point” - the moment they morph into the person you always knew they could be. Like in GROUNDHOG DAY when Bill Murray finally gets it right. Or when the bully gets theirs - like in CHRISTMAS STORY when Ralphie whales into Skut Farkus. Every person who’d ever been terrorized by a playground bully said YES! I loved the moment in ALMOST HEAVEN when Ian Thorton put the meanspirited Valerie - the one whose misspelled notes had started all the pain for him and Elizabeth - in her place. That was definitely a YES moment.
Conversely, maybe there is never a YES moment and you’re left dissatisfied. I always thought Charlie Brown should have aimed for Lucy instead of the ball - just once.
What are your favorite YES moments in books and movies? When were you denied a YES moment that still rankles inside you?
53 Comments »
53 Responses to “yes, Yes, YES!”
cail on 26 Jun 2007 at 7:48 am #
i think for me this is usually evident in live action on tv… for instance, when a favorite ball player gets a great hit or the pitcher pitches a great game. that makes me pump my fist and yell!
movie wise, in The Notebook when Noah and Allie have that great love scene after she comes back. That’s a fist pumping moment. And sexy to boot!
SuzyQ on 26 Jun 2007 at 9:38 am #
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
In Double Jeopardy, Libby (Ashlee Judd) finds her husband, who she supposedly murdered and went to jail for a crime she did not commit. As she holds a gun to him, he tells her she can’t kill him. She in turn tells him she could shoot him in the middle of Mardi Gras and nothing would happen to her since she can’t be tried for the same crime twice. YES!
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Jun 2007 at 10:06 am #
Here’s a scene that sort of did both for me:
In While You You Were Sleeping, the wedding scene. I had a Yes moment when she tells everyone the truth. But I wanted to kick the hero for not only letting her walk out, but not going to her apartment right away.
Of course, I know why the writers did it. They really, REALLY wanted a dark moment. And they needed to set up their lovely little scene at the train station. I’m a writer, I understand that. But it still frustrated me.
When I coaxed my family into watching the movie, they loved it, too. But when that part came and my mom cried, “Why isn’t he going after her?”, I felt compelled to do what I always do–explain it with some made-up reason that was missing in the movie but satisfied my sense of narrative. You should have seen the looks on their faces. My brother said, “You’ve really thought this through, sheesh!” And the other brother said, “It’s just a movie, you know.” Don’t they understand that it’s NEVER just a movie???
Karen Rose on 26 Jun 2007 at 10:37 am #
It’s never just a book or just a movie. I never thought that about WYWSleeping, interestingly. I just felt numb, like Jack did. Kind of like when David Duchovny needed time to process before going after Grace in RETURN TO ME. Maybe that appeals to the inner me that needs time to think on stuff.
Karen Rose on 26 Jun 2007 at 10:38 am #
I just had a real life YES moment!!! I just found out COUNT TO TEN which was just released in the United Kingdom last week hit 21 on the UK bestseller list of paperback sales!!!!! Woot!!!!
Okay, return to your regulary scheduled blog
Kasey on 26 Jun 2007 at 11:01 am #
Sabrina - I thought the same thing in While You Where Sleeping (I love that movie, now I must go home and watch it). I understand why the did it but when he doesn’t follow her I get so angry. I thoguth the same thing in Ever After when her stepmom gives her up for being a commoner and he doesn’t give her time to explain. Ugghh, and then he almost marries the Spanish Princess, when he finally stopped the wedding….now that was a yes moment.
Another Yes moment is in Never Been Kissed when he comes to the baseball field to give her a kiss in front of everyone. Talk about prolonging the agony when the time on the clock runs out and he still hasn’t showed up. But when he starts running down the stadium stairs and the beach boys music starts. That was a definate yess moment.
Julia London on 26 Jun 2007 at 11:17 am #
Congratulations, Karen! That’s fabulous!
I can’t think of any yes, yes, yes moments. I can think of plenty of Nooooooo!! moments (the recent sopranos ending being one. But I repeat myself).
ArkansasCyndi on 26 Jun 2007 at 11:59 am #
Congrats Karen! Way to go.
And thanks for the ALMOST HEAVEN memory. It’s been a long time since I’ve read that book. It is one of my favorites, too.
My husband had to force me to watch SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and the ending was a total YES.
Just finished THE DEVIL’S WALTZ by Annie Stewart and it has a great YES moment at the end.
Have to give some thought to this…
colinfirthfan on 26 Jun 2007 at 12:01 pm #
One of favourite YES moments - when Darth Vader throughs the Emperor down the chute.
…and in LOTR - Return of the King - when the gandalf comes in and saves Faramir and his idiot father burns!!!!
(there are too many YES moments in LOTR so Iwon’t list them all here)
Keri Ford on 26 Jun 2007 at 12:22 pm #
YES! moment in real life: The day I found out I was pregnant. Took me a year to get that way.
There’s so many great yes moments in books and movies I’d be here everyday. I normally find myself totally lost in a story, so I’m feeling the YES moment a lot.
NO! moment in the movies: When Jack dies in the Atlantic. Dude couldn’t find one other piece of debris scattered about to climb on??? Come on.
Keri Ford on 26 Jun 2007 at 12:23 pm #
Congrats Karen! that’s great news!!!
Karen Rose on 26 Jun 2007 at 12:28 pm #
Thanks for the congrats! I’m a happy girl.
Yes, colinfirthfan, that LOTR moment was a Yes. That father was an idiot. I think I see a pattern here. Most of my yes moments are when bad people “get theirs.” Hmmm.
How about in real life when people with too much money and too much time and not enough sense actually have to go to jail when they do bad things? Hmmm? That’s a YES.
colinfirthfan on 26 Jun 2007 at 12:28 pm #
I really meant THROWS in my post….. I was up until 1:00 AM last ngiht watchign The Starter Wife and The Closer.
Luckily a slow day at work.
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Jun 2007 at 12:29 pm #
Congratulations, Karen!!! That’s definitely a BIG yes moment!!
Karen Rose on 26 Jun 2007 at 12:33 pm #
Agree on Titanic. Don’t get me started on that one.
A parody Yes moment - on Saturday Night Live years ago when Dana Carvey was on the cast and he played George Bailey in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE and they “found” an alternate ending to the movie where everyone in town beats up Mr. Potter. Obviously I wasn’t the only one who felt they’d been denied a Yes there. I still chuckle at that one.
colinfirthfan on 26 Jun 2007 at 12:35 pm #
Congrats Karen. Awesome news.
I agree Karen!! Some people need to go to jail and I wish the media would stop continously covering the story.
A big YES moment for me would be when pedophiles and other sexual predators get punished for their crimes. I fantasize about all the things that should happen to them…… (and not just throwing them in jail and leaving them to rot forever)
*evil grin*
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 1:23 pm #
(Spoiler Alert: POTC: At World’s End)
I was so denied my YES moment in that movie when Davy Jones stabs Will and then to save Will, Jack and Elizabeth help Will to stab Davy’s heart. My heart was hanging on the edge, holding to hope that somehow he would be saved and NOT have to captain the Flying Dutchman, but NOOOOOOOOO, they couldn’t let them have a happily ever after, could they? What kind of crap is once every ten years anyway?
But on a positive note, I got a very big YES moment in that movie when Will and Elizabeth got married. I think it was the PERFECT wedding for those two. I loved it.
Oh, and I loved Lisa Kleypas’ “Scandal in Spring.” That had such a huge YES moment for me. I won’t ruin it for those that haven’t read it, but it was different from the standard romance in such a refreshing way. Loved it.
And Julia, “Highlander Unbound” was a good YES book for me, too. I love the cover of that, and really loved the whole book. I read the trilogy!
Kasey on 26 Jun 2007 at 1:28 pm #
Colinfirthfan - you are right there are tons of yes moments in LOTR - my favorite is when Eowyn thursts says, “I am no Man” and thursts her sword into the Ringwraith. That is one of my favorite Yes moments.
colinfirthfan on 26 Jun 2007 at 1:36 pm #
Ooh Kasey, I had forgotten that. I loved that part.
Anytime Legolas appeared on the screen was a YES moment for me.
Karen Rose on 26 Jun 2007 at 1:39 pm #
Colinfirthfan - I’m going to promo one of my own books here. Read I’M WATCHING YOU. The killer will act out some of your wishes, I’m certain. Because they were my wishes too. My husband was a mental therapist for years working with very bad people who never really got theirs, not as bad as they should have at least, even when the courts threw the proverbial book at them, which didn’t happen nearly often enough.
Writing I’M WATCHING YOU was remarkably cathartic in that respect.
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 2:15 pm #
Oh, colinfirthfan, Legolas is a big YES for me!
Susan K on 26 Jun 2007 at 2:22 pm #
Hey Twolilhahas, did you stay till the end of the credits for Pirates: At World’s End? There was a little bit of a surprise.
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 2:45 pm #
Susan K, I did and while I’m a hopeless romantic that just crushed me completely! I loved Will in that shot, though. He was so hot. However, I couldn’t help but seeing the daring Elizabeth completely tied down as a single mother with no living family to help her raise a baby. Guess I’m a realist, too…maybe I’ve been a single mother too long. haha I think I’d have been happier to see her go off pirating with Jack and them meeting up with Will on the high seas at the 10 year mark.
Susan K on 26 Jun 2007 at 2:47 pm #
They completely left the ending open for another movie. And I know Johnny Depp said he would definitely do another one. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if a 4th movie shows up.
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 2:54 pm #
I thought the ending was very appropriate for every one of them, except Will and Elizabeth.
It is open for another one, but it’s also a good ending. I mean, what else would Jack do but go in search of another adventure? I would watch another one, but I have to admit that Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) played a big role in why I fell so hard for the trilogy. So, if he wasn’t on board for a fourth, I’d have a little bit of a problem with it. But I do love Captain Jack.
Kasey on 26 Jun 2007 at 2:56 pm #
I will second that colingfirthfan! Anytime I see Orlando Bloom on screen it is a big YES moment for me!
Kasey on 26 Jun 2007 at 2:58 pm #
I am hoping that in the 4th one they can break the curse of the flying dutchman so that will and elizabeth will be able to be together. That is if they do have a 4th installment, but with Johnny Depp a yes, I think it might be a very likely possibility.
Susan K on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:11 pm #
I’m with you Kasey! If there is a 4th one they definitely need to find a way to break the curse. I do believe that Orlando and Kiera have both said they would also do another one but who knows if it’s true or just rumor. A happier ending would be nice though!
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:21 pm #
If they make a fourth one and in it they break the curse, that means it has to be at least 10 years later. That leaves a lot of time in between films (in their time, not ours, obviously), so I’m not sure how they’d do that. However, I’d love to see that Will and Elizabeth had found a way around the one step on land every ten years thing, like maybe with her going to him or something. I’m really not ready for their adventures to be over, and the thought of her being alone and strapped down really bugs me. I’d like to see her sailing the high seas with Will and the boy or something.
Kasey on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:25 pm #
Anything for it to be a happier ending. I mean the 3rd one was a happy ending in the sense that Will didn’t die, but I want the romantic happily ever after too!
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:30 pm #
Me, too, Kasey. Me, too!
Susan K on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:40 pm #
I’m with both of you on the romantic happy ending
colinfirthfan on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:51 pm #
I’ve had to skip so many posts coz I haven’t yet seen the 3rd POTC. aaaggh!!
Have to see it soon.
I don’t think they are going to do a 4th one anytime soon. Orlando Bloom has returned to the stage. *sob sob*
Karen, I will definitely read your book. Putting it on my list right now.
cail on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:55 pm #
twolilhahas, i’m totally on my like 3rd re-read of the wallflower series. i adore Devil in Winter, but i agree about S in Spring. they have tons of YES moments.
and anytime Orlando Bloom is on screen is a YES moment for me too. While my friends argue over who is going to end up with Johnny Depp, I admit defeat and quickly claim my boy Orlando. Sigh.
Kasey on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:57 pm #
Hmm - where is Orlando appearing on stage and in what? (Is now thinking about plotting a fun little trip to see him.)
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 3:57 pm #
Cail, Devil in Winter was good, too…but that Matthew Swift in “Scandal in Spring” had me from hello! Can’t wait for Cam’s story this August.
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 4:02 pm #
Kasey, he’s going to be appearing on stage in London. Google Orlando Bloom stage and it’ll set you up with lots of articles about it. Wish London wasn’t so far from Florida! lol
Susan K on 26 Jun 2007 at 4:06 pm #
Colinfirthfan, make sure you stay through the credits when you finally do see it. And you never know about a 4th one. It could unexpectedly pop up in a couple of years.
Kasey on 26 Jun 2007 at 4:07 pm #
It’s even further from Minnesota but my aunt and I have been talking about taking a trip to London next spring to see my cousin while she is studying abroad for a semester. Maybe I will luck out and the two will overlap!
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 4:12 pm #
He’s on stage this month and next, I believe, Kasey.
Suzanne Enoch on 26 Jun 2007 at 4:45 pm #
Oh, come on, you guys, didn’t you see the scene with Davy Jones in the bucket of water on the sandbar? Will and Elizabeth totally have bathtub sex every Saturday night.
And LOL, colinfirthfan, the Darth Vader/Emperor moment was the first “Yes” idea that came into my head.
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 5:07 pm #
Oh Suzanne! I’ve thought about that scene over and over trying so hard to believe that that’s true. I long for that, but I can’t quite accept it. The way I understand it is that Davy Jones was breaking protocol to be in the living realm when his duty was to be carting the dead souls through the abyss. When he stopped doing his job, that’s when he started turning into the ship…and sea creatures and things. So, if Will were to do that, then all would be lost. Of course, I’d love for you to know a detail I’ve forgotten or missed and for you to say that they really do have bathtub sex without him turning into a sea monster!
Karen Rose on 26 Jun 2007 at 5:26 pm #
I have a confession to make - I don’t get the Pirate movies or Johnny Depp. I’m sorry. This has me feeling very left out.
But the phrase “bathtub sex” has me instantly perking up right there. So I guess I have to go see what you all are talking about.
Have you seen “The Big Country”? It stars Gregory Peck who is my favorite movie star. If you haven’t watched it, you should! It’s about what it takes to be a man. Peck seems to be overshadowed by Charlton Heston’s character, who’s this brawling stud that, while intelligent, proves his manliness with a fight - public where everyone can see. Peck proves he’s the better man and the better person (of course, as he’s the star!). There are several “yes” moments just for the viewer as he proves himself - to himself, not needing to do so in front of everyone else.
colinfirthfan on 26 Jun 2007 at 6:29 pm #
Suzanne, great minds and all that…..
(I was quoting to my grumpy 7 yr older yesterday - Fear leads to anger, anger leads hate, hate leads to suffering… He loves Star Wars)
London is a 10 hr flight from San Francisco. I have done that flight too many times to want to do it again anytime in the near future - though seeing Orlando on stage might be worth it.
colinfirthfan on 26 Jun 2007 at 6:31 pm #
Karen, talking about Gergory Peck - have you seen - The Scarlet and the Black?
Lots of YES moments in that one.
Another clasisc that comes to mind - Audrey Hepburn’s - Wait Until Dark.
Love that movie.
Sherri on 26 Jun 2007 at 6:43 pm #
I hate to admit my most recent Yes! moment. Two of my best friends from high school and I recently went to Indianapolis to visit our other friend. The four of us haven’t all been in the same room to hang out since my wedding, and that was almost eleven years ago, so this was really an emotional time for us with memories and catching up with each other. My friend Janet and I went to use the bathroom and as I sat on the toilet, I noticed that the 4th friend had placed the toilet paper roll on the wrong way. I like my toilet paper facing downward. Not wanting to sound too anal (I often am teased for stupid little anal-retentive habits), I didn’t say anything. As I washed my hands and waited for Janet to go, she says, “Oh, I better fix this for Amanda.” When I asked her what she was talking about, she giggled and said it was nothing. She just had to have the toilet paper facing downward. At that moment, I laughed aloud and did a little Yes! pump in my mind. I’m not the only one!
DebMarlowe on 26 Jun 2007 at 6:51 pm #
One of my favorite ‘yes!’ moments is in the A&E Pride and Predjudice–when Lizzie is playing the piano badly and Darcy is sitting on the settee just staring at her with adoration in his eyes. Sigh. Yes!
I pretty much felt that way in the new version when Darcy walks out of the mist. I know lots of people have problems with that movie, but that moment still hits me every time. Ahh.
twolilhahas on 26 Jun 2007 at 8:30 pm #
DebMarlowe, I love the new Pride and Prejudice. I love when he walks out of the mist. Of course, I like the A&E Pride and Prejudice, too…but I actually saw the new one before I saw the old one, so the new one has a very special place for me.
dbrown3400 on 26 Jun 2007 at 9:12 pm #
Kudos to you, Karen, on your big YES from across the pond.
Will I be placed in some sort of limbo if I pass through this life never having seen/and or read LOTR, POTC or HP? None of those really interest me, although I loved The Hobbit and read the trilogy I never wanted to see the films.
My first big YES moment came when I was delivering my 28yo. My OB/GYN said, “Here he comes,” then corrected himself to say, “it’s a girl.” My huge sigh was a definite YES moment as I had wanted a daughter for as long as I could remember. The second YES came when my 23yo daughter was born five years later and completed my desire to have the two girls.
Apart from the YES moments I have in books and films, especially when the good guys beat the stuffing out of the villains, I have snarky YESSES. . .
dbrown3400 on 26 Jun 2007 at 9:21 pm #
A good snarky YES would be when the car fell on Sara Sidle on CSI leaving only her poor little hand waving feebly (is that a word?) for assistance. Maybe no one was looking.
I can’t think of an example but a good YES for me is when a member/s of the A team shows up in disguise or just to help out. They are usually from another book in the series. I like the Malory series for that a/w/a some of the Goddess books I’ve just read.
Donna
Kasey on 27 Jun 2007 at 6:39 am #
Well, I guess I am not going to get to see him if it is only this month and next, but it was worth thinking about.
Nicole Jordan on 27 Jun 2007 at 8:58 am #
I’m with DebM about the Lizzie scene.
Also loved the scene in A&E’s THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL when Marguerite enters the prison to find Percy and he realizes she loves him enough to join his cause.
NicoleJ
Karen Hawkins on 28 Jun 2007 at 8:06 am #
Ohhh! I love these! I’m making a list of movies I now need to re-see. Sorry I’ve been out of pocket — traveling a bit.
One of my fave YES! moments is in The Princess Bride when the hero looks at Buttercup and says “As you wish.” I just melt. I sooo want a guy to look me in the eye and say that and MEAN it.
Ok, ok. It won’t happen. And I’d probably laugh if it did, and completely ruin the moment. But ohhh, when I see that in the movie, I have a definite YES! moment!