Car Related Movie- What do you think?

When I was still at my last job I threw out an editorial that a good car related movie was long overdue. I have been thinking about this story for a very long time, but just haven't made the contacts to make me want to write it down- and then I was really scared it would either just sit around or get copied into something else.
Let me know what you think about this opening scene. To make the visuals in your head a little more vivid the year is 1964, the Beatles have invaded, but in this southern California beach town surf music and drag racing are still wayyyy more important than the mop tops. Reversing the "Good car/Bad car" roles from American Graffiti (paid homage to a few times in this story) the good car is the beat up white '56 150 (Moby- that will get fixed up later in the story) and the bad car is a sinister black and crusty chopped '32 Ford 3-Window (Milner's coupe crossed with the scary elements of Christine and "The Car"). The '32 is outdated for the time period, but it has been around a lot longer than anyone initially knows.
There is a little Steven King going on, but I don't want to give away the best twist. Check it out.

Devil’s Ride

Startled from a deep sleep by the a series of wailing sirens and flashing lights, Skip Bing knew something very bad had just happened. In quiet and peaceful town of Middleton the sound of one siren (usually Officer Rayburn making his way home a little late for dinner) was a rarity, but to hear five or six screaming sirens echoing across town and down Main Street one after the other meant something very serious (and irresistible to Skip) was going on. By the sound of the sirens Skip felt like whatever was happening was somewhere near the traffic circle. He would have to see for himself what was going on.
Quickly throwing on the clothes he had dropped a the floor a few hours before, Skip tore down the staircase and out the front door where he found his uncle Steve on the front porch. Since loosing his dad Skip felt a lot better with his uncle Steve around, but at this moment the look in his uncle’s eyes did anything but calm Skip down. “What is it Steve?” Skip asked. Eyes glazed and pointed toward the center of town uncle Steve responded flatly, “It’s back”. “What Steve, what’s back?” Skip asked. “The coupe” was all Steve could say before Skip hopped on his bike and followed the trail of noise and flashing lights.
Skip pedaled though the darkness focused on what he would find. The rapid pumping of his heart deep in his throat mixed with the murmurs of his neighbors on their porches who had also been jolted out of the beds was all Skip could hear. He wondered if the commotion might be something as simple as a Ms. Murphy’s cat up a tree (no, that cat was far too old for that), or maybe it could be the second fire since the last one sometime during the great depression. If it was a fire, where could it be? Would it be Mr. Haskell’s store where he spent so much time reading the latest magazines on the newsstand? Or might it be the high school? That might mean a day off from school for Skip if it was as serious as it sounded. As much as day off from school appealed to him, that would only mean he would be another day away from getting his driver’s permit which was now so close he could taste it. Not that driving really mattered with the prospect of driving that rickety old heap his mom passed on after the dealership refused to take it in on trade when she splurged and bought herself the first Mustang to be delivered in town (a nice shiny red coupe). They always lovingly called the white Chevy “Moby” after Captain Ahab’s literary nemesis, but all the cigar chomping car salesman could call it was “a worthless piece a junk”. He offered to do them a favor and have the junkman haul it away for free, but knowing his driving days were just around the corner Skip pleaded that he could fix the old family friend up rather than tossing it on the scrap pile. It wasn’t his first choice, but at least he would have a back up if mom wouldn’t cut loose with the keys to her beloved Mustang.
The sirens were now very close. As he turned off his street on to Main Skip could see where the attention was focused. It wasn’t a fire, so no day off school and his favorite reading spot was safe too. Whatever it was, it was definitely more serious than Skip had originally supposed. Not only were all the local fire trucks (even old engine Number One, usually seen these days outside the fire station only during the annual 4th of July parade), but also an ambulance and both Middleton patrol cars. Officer Rayburn was the first person Skip recognized in the crowd and Officer Rayburn caught eyes with him at the very same time. “Stop Skippy” was the first thing to come from Officer Rayburn’s mouth, then he shouted it “Stop Skip. Stop!” He ran to Skip and grabbed him in one motion, “don’t look Skipper”. Looking over his shoulder Skip could see the tail of his brother’s car obscured by the emergency vehicles and thick crowd of people on the scene. Then as Skip caught the attention of each person their faces dropped like they had just seen a ghost. “Oh no” they would each mouth as the saw Skip. What could it be? What could be so horrible? Buck had never had an accident, he was 19 and already a champion driver- even if uncle Steve had almost forbidden him to race before Buck proved himself as a natural behind the wheel, just like their dad had been.
Making his way through all the people Skip could not believe his eyes. What he could not comprehend at first was where the front of his brother’s car was. It appeared that the monument in the center of the traffic circle had opened up and swallowed Buck’s car right to the middle. Despite all the commotion, as he got closer the noise lessened and lessened. He again heard his heart beating. The taillights of Buck’s car lit the scene, and that scene lacked one very important thing. What Skip could not see were any skid marks, his brother had driven right into that monument without ever touching the brakes.

Inside the ambulance Skip saw his brother’s girlfriend Sherry. He ran over and she appeared to be completely unharmed. She was shaking violently and deep in the grips of shock. “Sherry, what happened?” Skip pled. Sherry stared blankly and did not speak. Her mouth moved but no sound came out. Skip continued to beg, eventually she realized who it was and looked into his eyes. First she cried, and then she spoke. “ Oh Skip!” she blurted and then repeated it four more times as she cried harder and harder. Skip handed her some tissues to wipe her eyes. “Sherry, how did you get out of there unhurt?” Skip asked, “Buck’s car is destroyed”. She looked at him for a very long time and then started to speak. At first it was a whisper as she said, “It was that car, it was that car”. “What car?” Skip asked. “It was an old dirty car.” Sherry relied, “it followed us around all night. It really started to get Buck mad. He finally pulled over and waited for the creepy car to pull over. He talked to the driver and then came back and told me to get out of the car.” “But Buck promised uncle Steve no more street racing if he let him drive the digger” Skip said. Sherry returned, “I know, but he was so angry I didn’t know what to do. The two cars lined up and Buck tore out ahead. The old car kept up with him and just when Buck had the race won he ran straight into the monument. It was like he never saw it, but he know these streets better than anyone. Then the junk heap slowed down to look at the accident and then I swear I could hear the evilest laughing I’ve ever heard in my life. Then the creepy coupe just disappeared back into the darkness.”
“What did you say? Creepy coupe?” Skip asked as he remembered what his uncle said as he left the house. His uncle’s voice saying, “It’s back. The coupe” rang through Skip’s head as the hairs stood up on his neck. “Yes, creepy old coupe is what that jerk was driving” Sherry replied, “the one’s like they drive at the jalopy races”.

It was not until after the funeral when Skip could finally ask uncle Steve about what he said that night. “You don’t want to know about that” Steve replied. “Yes I do” Skip returned, “If it had anything to do with my brother I want to know about it”.

 

Damn, now I may not be able to get that picture out of my mind , not fair , now we have to figure out the rest of it,,,,,,,,,,Definate shads of the car only hopefully a little more in line with hot rods than demons..........love it , you are good ..............

 

Not a bad start JimA...need some help with it? Be glad to add my 13 cents if you want it.

R-

 

Hey, you know I thought a lot about you when I wrote this! Yeah- If I can get somebody interested in making me write more I would love some help from you on it. I know I don't have your stamina to make a good story that holds the attention without boring the audience by drifting off course. We will be talking- as soon as someone comes a knocking! Thanks Jim

 

im diggin it and it made the hairs on my neck stand up, i want more MORE!!! and if it gets made into a movie ill be willing to be skips cousin with a mean ass 32 pickup that takes out the coupe ahahahahah (insert evil laugh)

 

sweet, my only fear is that a movie made today will be full of political correctness and loose that kick as 50's feel that you need to have a great movie.

it would be hard to capture that "feel" like you have watching american graffitti made you feel like you were right there in 1960 because a film today would have to put in certain things to make the PC board happy.

 

Really? I hadn't thought of that. I think this story could be told without violence, adult language or sexual themes. I see the really interesting car race scenes with extreme angles with cameras mounted below the bumper and in front of the car and the roar of might engines like have never been heard in a theatre. And also intense surf music by the Ventures, Dick Dale & Link Wray along with some kick ass modern surf music interpretations by Metallica if I was really lucky

 

political correctness has nothing to do with violence or sex.

i'm talking about other shit, like how hollywood shuns any male actor that is macho.

i'm scared they would put ryan seacrest or clay aiken as your leading role, etc.


there are no robert mitchums or kirk douglas's, no real men in film these days,

they would metro-sexual the shit out of anything these days.

so let and independent filmer make it, not hollywood and it should be perfect!! great writing man.

 

Hell I think that is great! I rarely EVER lay out the cash to see a movie in the theather, I always wait for the DVD, BUT --I WOULD-- lay out the scratch for this one, and I have only read what you just penned down here! keep it going, I am sure lots would have an interest in a "REAL" hot rod movie!!! ...just my 1/2cent... Ken

 

I see. I only pictured Kurt Russell as uncle Steve. Skip is a loner, surfer- reluctant hero.

 

Jeez it's bad enough I got no life and am sitting around hanging out on the computer on a boring Saturday night but I find something really interesting to read and you just leave me hanging... thanks Mr. Aust!!
Good start Jim , now finish it.

 

Maybe borrow a page from Two Lane Blacktop and find your relunctant hero/
surfer in the current rock & roll industry (Some built in theme music too!) How old does that kid from Silverchair look now?
You'll have to find a filmaker that will stay true to the period and not turn it into something else like "Macon County Line" and the like. Too bad Charlie Sheen is too old to reprise his father's roll of California Kid in your piece!

 

The Sonics, Pyramids and the Astronauts would be good as well.

 

oh, i stand corrected.

at least they put Mickey Rourke in some movies.

don't know if you guys like Sin City since it's a comic, but he's in that..

see mickey is like a regular guy, he used to be a boxer, then he turned actor.

 

JimA, I Like your thinking far to many movies made in these lack of original thought sequel/prequel pushing days substitute a plot and story line for language, sex, violence and a whole bunch of cheesy CG special effects. I for one am pretty sick of it and so consequently I don't see many movies at a theater until I can read some real honest and informative reviews on them. I feel there is no since wasting my money and filling my mind with a bunch of useless garbage all for the sake of entertainment. Save that money for fuel. That being said I'm a sucker for a good car movie and I like the way yours is heading I only hope is that it will end as good as it's started and that if it gets produced it will stay true to your original concept and not changed into some worthless piece of trash That you cannot take you family to see. Keep up the good work and keep us all informed.

 

Jim, I was "there" shivers down my spine, I could picture the whole thing!
The deck, Skip pedalling his schwimmer etc.
Skip will build that 150 and it will be badass! (Insert, injected HEMI or similar sponsored by (read, plucked off the engine stand and shoehorned in at the 11th hour) an old racer with all the gear!) "Skip, you know what you need to do, Godspeed!!"
But it will take time and the coupe will come back from time to time and drive by Skip's place late at night while he is in bed, as if it knows there will be a showdown, or baiting him...
The old racer will take Skip under his wing as Skip will be working for him after school, to pay for shed space and tech. help.
The old Racer will warn Skip off racing, but in his deepest heart of hearts he will realise there will be another "Race" to the end!
Anyway, I am happy to offer my 5c worth if needed.
I am still working on my book, similar but different...
Keep it real!
Cheers,
Cruisin'

 

Hopefully you are just reading my mind and my story is not that predictable because those are many of the exact elements I have in mind. I guess the "good vs. evil" story is nothing new, but I hope a couple twists will make it interesting. What's your story about? Yes, I put this out to glean a little help and take it to the next level. I want to see a car movie with big screen quality and none of that computer generated cartoon garbage. Thanks Jim

 

I don't usually bring my own stuff back up, but just incase some missed it on the weekend, please give this a look. Thanks Jim

 

You mean this doesn't count?

 

OK, now you need the coupe to come to the impound yard and steal some fluids(blood, oil, trans fluid). Like a mechanical vampire, it needs the life blood of a victim. Did you plan for the Bad Car to be supernatural? Evil?

Yeah, Kurt Russell in a sort of Vic Morrow role. I would suggest you stick to vintage music. Metalica is a good band, but you should go with old surf music for the good guys and fine, old soul music for the baddies. Keep the driver of the coupe sort of mysterous, like the driver of the tanker in Duel. Remember, all the pretty girls want to ride in the bad ol' taildragger, all the boys want to beat the coupe. You have a great start. I'd pay to see it. And you're absolutely correct, the time for a real good ol' hot rod saga is way past due. Is it time for Primedia to go into the film biz?? Perhaps, perhaps.

cp

 

Yes, the car is evil. The driver will stay a mystery until the reluctant hero meets him face to face- and then is forced to avenge what he has done to his family (or meet the same fate). I feel that while we love the old familiar surf music- kicking it up a notch with new bands and modern recording techniques will make it possible for the music to raise the hairs on your arms the way the music did the first time you heard it so long ago. Even blending original Ventures members and Dick Dale with current artists would give a fresh spark to the music.

 

MMMMMM????? NO!

 

I agree on the music. It needs to fit the time period but done by new bands. I'd be super stoked at a chance to contribute a tune when/if you are ready.

That's a good read. Would make a killer indie movie. No big studio will touch it, and that is a good thing.

I dig it.

 

I have a couple of indy movies I am currently working on. Indy low budget projects that are shot and edited on digital.

One is a short about passing the torch so to speak, from an old school rodder ina built street racing musclecar to a new school guy in a turbo'd honda. Its all about respect, and how its earned between two people on the opposite ends of the spectrum from each other. Only about 20 minutes long and most of it is them hiding with their rides in a garbage impound while the cops book everyone for street racing around them. Was supposed to do it this summer but the actors went and flaked out. This one is produced, directed, and written by me, so there is no real schedule. I do it as money allows, and right now I have no money.

Another is a horror/thriller feature length that we are still working on the script for. This one is a secret since the script hasn't been registered yet.

Would you mind if I futz'd about on your idea? Maybe write a script and if anything actually turns out good, get some funding, and make a indy movie HAMB style!

 

Awesome start Jim! Be sure and keep us posted here on the board, of any forward motion on the story and flick possibilites.
Don