All star cast picks for "Dream: If not for Katie..."

Below are the cast picks that I have made for the movie “Dream: If not for Katie.” Please feel free to comment or make your suggestions! Your input will be considered!  If anyone might have a suggestion for an elderly, Native American woman to play Winona, please leave a comment with your suggestion.

If you are not familiar with the characters, please read the novel!

Thank you,

Anita

Rick  (the bartender) :

             
Matthew McConaughey                                                 

Woody Harrelson

             

The Renegade:

Stone Cold Steve Austin                                                             

Kane

Mr. Fred Martin:

Hugh Jackman    

                                                           
Jason Lee

Mrs. Margaret Martin:

Tilda Swinton   

                                                                           
 Gwyneth Paltrow

Dirk Sternwall:

Zack Ward    

                                                  
Kevin McKidd

Abby Sternwall:

Nicole Kidman

Elisabeth Moss

Billy Sternwall:

              
Bobby Coleman    

                                                        
Asa Butterfield

Matthew Martin:

              
Cody Simpson  

                                                              
Greyson Chance

 

Jack LeShea:

              
Warren McCullough   

                                                  
Orlando Bloom

Sequoya:

              
Booboo Stewart    

                                                       
Eddie Spears

   

Alexandria:

              
Anne Hathaway   

                                                         
Olivia Wilde

Katie:

              
Taylor Swift      

                                                             
Kate Bosworth

The Pinkerton:

           
 Clint Eastwood  

Sam Elliott

The Wagon Master:

              
Robert Duvall 

                                             
Kevin Costner

  Now, let's hear your choices!             

Family history continued...

I had to add the informational comment from my cousin Karen.  I did not know the following and found it very interesting:

Hi Anita, cousin Karen here (Ed's daughter). Great documentation & history!

Did you know that Grandpa initially entered the US illegally, through Mexico, to see if he could find work? Grandma's ring was sold for funds. Then he went back to Austria to get Grandma, your dad, and Steve. It is sad that citizenship judges told immigrants to "Americanize" their names. One brother became Wood, one Smith, I think. I have as photo of Uncle Eddie's "Massiczek" mailbox.

Did your dad tell you that in 1931, the family traveled by train to NY, looking for work? NY sent them right back to CA, paying their passage. My dad chuckled while telling us that.

THANK YOU COUSIN!!

Anita

Family history

The documents above are a 1923 German passport and the birth certificates of my grandparents.  My grandfather (Stefon Massizek) and grandmother (Marie Massizek) came to America from Vienna, Austria.  Note the birth date of my grandparents (1896). 

Also pictured in the passport is my Uncle Steve (Stefon).  My father (Gottfried) was an infant and is listed under Kinder in the document, but was not included in the picture.  

The birth certificates of my grandparents show that the original spelling of the Massic family name was Mafsiczek.  How it got changed to Massizek prior to the passport, I do not know. 

The young family came to America through Ellis Island soon after this passport was made.  The officials there changed our family name to Massic.  Only one of my relatives, that I am aware of, escaped the naturalization process with the original family name and that was my Great Uncle Ed Massiczek. What a shame that history is distorted for the ease of spelling and pronunciation.

Award Award winners and “Dream: If not for Katie”

Looking back on the recent 2012 Oscar Awards, I could not help but choose the nominees that would fit in the cast of, “Dream: If not for Katie”.  Here is the list:

Demian Bichir (Fred Martin)

George Clooney  (The Wagonmaster)

Jean DuJardin (The Pinkerton)

Brad Pitt, (Jack, the Bartender)

Jonah Hill (Mr. Gardner)

Kenneth Branagh (Dirk Sternwall)

Max von Sydow (Pastor Robinson)

Nick Nolte (Mr. Sweeney)

Christopher Plummer (The General)

Glenn Close (Mrs. Smith, The General’s Wife)

Rooney Mara (Katie Martin)

Meryl Streep (The Independence Hotel Manager)

Michelle Williams (Margaret Martin)

Berenice Bejo (Mrs. LeShea)

Jessica Chastain (Katherine Jones)

Melissa McCarthy (Mrs. Gardner)

Janet McTeer (Abby Sternwall)

Please feel free to leave a comment with your vote!

'Dream: If not for Katie...': Another review

Anita,

Okay, I left off at chapter 5 the last time we spoke and I picked up the book today and finished it. I couldn't tear myself away. I cried 4 times and, yes, I did laugh and some parts and got...lol! I loved it, Anita, and you should continue to write, my gifted friend! I'm going to purchase another for my Mom. Will you sign it for her?

xxoo Peace

Karleen Hardy
 

Sam Elliott

Sam ELLIOTT is the perfect frontiersman.

Sam Elliott is, hands down, one of my favorite “old west” actors.  He has never disappointed me, no matter the genre, but in my opinion, he especially excels in a western.

Deep voiced and confident, his character shines virtuous, always doing right for his peers.  Straight faced and seriously composed, he is a fearless protector of his people.  Possessing high moral standards, his character is effortlessly heroic.   He is bigger than life and pulls it all off flawlessly, without the slightest hint of corniness.  He is a noble man with a “bad boy” attitude.

His tall frame and dignified posture; his bushy mustache, eye brows, and thick grey hair give him the appeal of his sex-symbol status.  The ability to be tough as nails, yet gentle, protective and loving with women hails with ease.  His mere essence is irresistible.  The young Sam Elliott, as well as the mature man, melts the hearts of women, no matter what age and most men can only envy his image.

Sam Elliott represents the image and persona of the perfect frontiersman.

Another nice review for 'Katie'

I bought your book when I happened to be in Dollar General in Thayer and
got to meet you. I started reading the book and couldn't put it down and
towards the end I started reading slower and putting it down because it
was coming to an end.

It's been a long time since I enjoyed a book this much. I can't wait for
your next book to come out.
 
Congratulations and Best of Luck.
 
Barbara Stary

Why Clint Eastwood should direct "Dream: If not for Katie..."

“Dream: If not for Katie” is a historical fiction novel I wrote about a young woman who travels across American during the gold rush.  Her journey begins in 1849 when the 16 year old girl leaves her home town with her parents bound for Independence, Missouri, the starting point of the Oregon Trail.  During this journey Katie is separated from her parents and barely survives an epic journey across the west. Dream is a heart-wrenching look at the unforgiving circumstances of those who tamed the west.

I recently traveled to Los Angeles for several meetings regarding the conversion of the novel to a screenplay. I spoke with several directors and during one very informative meeting, a director stated, “This story should be directed by Clint Eastwood.”  

I was surprised by his comment.  The thought of Clint Eastwood directing my story instantly humbled me. Dream is my first novel and the first screenplay that I have written.  Clint Eastwood seems so out of reach.  However, there is one thing that I have learned--when one does not ask; one does not get!

Clint Eastwood has starred in, directed and/or produced:  The Outlaw of Josey Wales, Two Mules for Sister Sara, Bronco Billy, Rawhide, Unforgiven, Pale Rider, A Fistful of Dollars just to name a few.  I found a list of 17 movies that link Clint Eastwood to the Old West.  His experience is unparalleled. Clint Eastwood is a household name.  We grew up with him. 

There is no man better for the job!  Clint Eastwood is the very best producer/director for “Dream: If not for Katie.”  Clint Eastwood would see these characters as would no other.

Stephen Mitchell reviews "Dream: If not for Katie..."

"Dream: If not for Katie..." by Anita Massic takes us effortlessly into America's past putting us at ease with the characters, their circumstances and the ways of the Old West with no hint of artifice or jarring shifts of perspective in the back and forth transitions from present to past. The interests and the concerns of the characters underscore the hardships and the joys that came with founding a new country--one where guarantees were neither offered nor expected.

There is, of course, more to the story than the documentation of life in early America. The intriguing link from the present to the past and the connectivity between the then and the now is at the center of this journey which is both rewarding and promising--there will be a sequel.

Old West slang

Please take a look at the following website…

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~poindexterfamily/OldWestSlang.html

This is a very useful and amusing website for any history buff or novelist! The phrases are reminiscent of years past! If you write stories, you can certainly add flavor by knowing these phrases and what they mean. I recognized many that my late Uncle used and some that are still used today. There are many that I did not know. 

It would be great fun to use the slang on all ages and catalog the results. For instance, an older gentleman might remember Arbuckle’s and a younger fellow might say, “Oh, you mean Java!” Someone “to ride the river with” back then, might be a “Mac Daddy” now.  

If re-introduced into the modern world, there might be a new trend in slang. A completion of a circle you might say. One might bring back an old trend in slang like an old trend in fashion.

"Dream: If not for Katie...": A reader's review

Hello Anita,

I met you briefly at the Elks Lodge in West Plains where I purchased your novel “Dream".

I wanted to let you know it took me two evenings to read it and I just loved it. There are very few books that I have read where I felt like I was right there with the characters and could visualize all that was happening. But this novel did that for me, also for my mother-in-law who read it.

I am sure by the ending and what transpired with Katherine that there is a second novel in the works (I hope) and was wondering when you were planning on releasing it. This would also make a fantastic movie or mini-series! Any thought to this?

Thank you for an exceptional “read”. Looking forward to more!

 Sincerely

 Bonnie Davis

Historical Novels

Have you ever run out of good historical fiction choices?  If so, I have a wonderful website to share with you. Historical Novels.info  or http://www.historicalnovels.info/Old-West-Novels.html has information on  a huge selection of novels.  Over 5000 novels are listed! You will recognize many famous writers and titles.

Just select a time period from the list on the left and a list of authors, titles and even brief descriptions are available.  There is a blog to follow.  There are articles and over 300 book reviews to read. 

Join in on the conversations regarding novels.  Satisfy your curiosity in the up close and personal interviews with authors. There are even resources and writing tips for aspiring young authors.    

There is a mountain of information to be found at this website for any historical fiction buff and I would recommend it for any reader or writer. 

Wolf Mountain Sanctuary

This website was brought to my attention just a few moments ago, and I could not wait to share it with everyone that I know.  What beautiful, proud and majestic creatures. Take some time out to look closely at the photo of each wolf.  They are truly spiritual.

 I want to pass this link on to all of you so that you can pass it on to everyone that you know.  These animals should not be the burden of this gracious woman alone.  Please contribute.  These are wild creatures of “our” wonderful nation.  And we should all pitch in to take care of them.  Just think of what a pity it would be if we no longer had them in our world.

Please pass this website on to all of your friends.  Tonya could not say it any better:  “Who needs diamonds when they can have wolves?“  

http://www.wolfmountain.com/ 

True Grit: Then and now

Just last week I was persuaded to view the new version of “True Grit”.  I was never very interested in doing so because I felt that trying to redo a classic like this one would be futile.  Growing up watching John Wayne, I was a little narrow-minded toward the thought of someone else trying to replay his part.  

Nonetheless, I was reassured that this remake was worth watching, so I did.  I reviewed the old classic with John Wayne and three days later, I watched the new movie.

I must say, this was a wonderful movie.  The undisturbed, wide and spanning scenery shots were awesome, giving a nostalgic feeling of the old west.  Much care was given to every detail and authentication of the time period. 

 

Some of the scenes were much more graphic compared to the bloodless shots of the old “shoot ‘em ups,” but depicted a less “cheesy,” more realistic feeling.

The acting was superb.  Hailee Steinfield played Mattie and did a great job with the part.  Fearful, but just sassy enough to make you fall in love with own “True Grit!”  And Jeff Bridges was incredible.  He was nothing like John Wayne, but was a perfect match for Rooster Cogburn.

There are many differences and each movie has its own personality.  There will always be a place for an old classic, but there is room for perfection, too.   In any case, I have to hand it to Ethan Coen and Joel Coen and the cast in making a perfect movie.