A memes, the lazy bloggers mana.
As taken from Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule
1) Second-favorite Coen Brothers movie.
Raising Arizona (following a Miller's Crossing, Big Lebowski tie)
2) Movie seen only on home format that you would pay to see on the biggest movie screen possible? (Question submitted by Peter Nellhaus)
Easy, Lawrence of Arabia. I got the itch when I saw a trailer for the restored print in front of Raiders. Everyone cheered including me. I've kept a lookout ever since.
3) Japan or France? (Question submitted by Bob Westal)
As of right now in my viewing history, Japan. But I plan to go deep into Rohmer and Godard soon so that might change.
4) Favorite moment/line from a western.
God is not on our side because he hates idiots also. -Blondie in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
and..
It ain't like it *used* to be; but it'll do. -Sykes, in Wild Bunch
5) Of all the arts the movies draw upon to become what they are, which is the most important, or the one you value most?
Which limb is the most valuable to you? Come on.
6) Most misunderstood movie of the 2000s (The Naughties?).
Speed Racer. Wait and see.
7) Name a filmmaker/actor/actress/film you once unashamedly loved who has fallen furthest in your esteem.
Harrison Ford. What happened man?
8) Herbert Lom or Patrick Magee?
Lom, Inspector Dreyfuss all the way.
9) Which is your least favorite David Lynch film (Submitted by Tony Dayoub)
No Lynch film I've seen I would consider bad, but I'm in no rush to return to Eraserhead.
10) Gordon Willis or Conrad Hall? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
Willis. I think he was the first DP's name I ever learned and I've never forgotten.
11) Second favorite Don Siegel movie.
Two Mules for Sister Serra
12) Last movie you saw on DVD/Blu-ray? In theaters?
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The Messengers.
13) Which DVD in your private collection screams hardest to be replaced by a Blu-ray? (Submitted by Peet Gelderblom)
The Third Man.
14) Eddie Deezen or Christopher Mintz-Plasse?
I had to look up Deezen and he's certainly had a fuller career. But come on, McLovin actually has SOME game in the movie. Eugene has zero game in both Greases (Greasii?)
15) Actor/actress who you feel automatically elevates whatever project they are in, or whom you would watch in virtually anything.
It changes from year to year. Though right now I'd be hard
16) Fight Club -- yes or no?
Yeah sure, but not when frat boys are too into it and missing the point.
17) Teresa Wright or Olivia De Havilland?
De Hallivand has the superior CV but Wright's performances have hit me harder.
18) Favorite moment/line from a film noir.
Oooo many contenders but it's got to be the end of Double Indemnity what a perfectly brutal final moment.
19) Best (or worst) death scene involving an obvious dummy substituting for a human or any other unsuccessful special effect(s)—see the wonderful blog Destructible Man for inspiration.
That melty guy getting hit by the car in Robocop. Glorious.
20) What's the least you've spent on a film and still regretted it? (Submitted by Lucas McNelly)
Free screening to Fun with Dick and Jane. Hated every second of it.
21) Van Johnson or Van Heflin?
Van Heflin. I like more of his films. Simple as that.
22) Favorite Alan Rudolph film.
I suck, haven't seen any.
23) Name a documentary that you believe more people should see.
The Corporation is a must for navigating the twenty-first century. Also everyone should see Grizzly Man because it perfectly codifies what Werner Herzog is all about.
24) In deference to this quiz’s professor, name a favorite film which revolves around someone becoming stranded.
I haven't seen Moon yet so for now I'll say E.T.
25) Is there a moment when your knowledge of film, or lack thereof, caused you an unusual degree of embarrassment and/or humiliation? If so, please share.
Nope.
26) Ann Sheridan or Geraldine Fitzgerald? (Submitted by Larry Aydlette)
Ann Sheridan-hello, Angels with Dirty Faces and The Man Who Came to Dinner
27) Do you or any of your family members physically resemble movie actors or other notable figures in the film world? If so, who?
My Dad has the bearing (but not the appearance) of Robert DeNiro.
28) Is there a movie you have purposely avoided seeing? If so, why?
Anything with the subtitle of Squeakquel.
29) Movie with the most palpable or otherwise effective wintry atmosphere or ambience.
Let the Right One In was pretty damn wintry. The Ice Storm is another solid contender.
30) Gerrit Graham or Jeffrey Jones?
Jeffrey Jones , I'll have to separate the art from the artist though. Yeesh.
31) The best cinematic antidote to a cultural stereotype (sexual, political, regional, whatever).
Can we count The Wire?
32) Second favorite John Wayne movie.
Rio Bravo (following The Searchers)
33) Favorite movie car chase.
Everyone talks about Bullitt and French Connection but for me it's To Live and Die in L.A.
34) In the spirit of His Girl Friday, propose a gender-switched remake of a classic or not-so-classic film. (Submitted by Patrick Robbins)
I'd like to see Humpday switched and not just for prurient reasons.
35) Barbara Rhoades or Barbara Feldon?
Long time Get Smart fan, so Feldon.
36) Favorite Andre De Toth movie.
House of Wax. Delightful.
37) If you could take one filmmaker's entire body of work and erase it from all time and memory, as if it had never happened, whose oeuvre would it be? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Todd Solondz. Sorry, I get it, but not for me.
38) Name a film you actively hated when you first encountered it, only to see it again later in life and fall in love with it.
Zoolander and The 400 Blows
39) Max Ophuls or Marcel Ophuls? (Submitted by Tom Sutpen)
Earrings of Madame de... gives it to Max.
40) In which club would you most want an active membership, the Delta Tau Chi fraternity, the Cutters or the Warriors? And which member would you most resemble, either physically or in personality?
Warriors come out to play-ay. But I probably belong with the Deltas.
41) Your favorite movie cliché.
The meanest, grumpiest guy secretly has the heart of gold.
42) Vincente Minnelli or Stanley Donen? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Argh. Don't make me choose. Ummm, ummmm, Minnelli. Gah. No wait, agh. Move on.
43) Favorite Christmas-themed horror movie or sequence.
Gremlins
44) Favorite moment of self- or selfless sacrifice in a movie.
Spoiler alert: 5 of the 7 Samurai
45) If you were the cinematic Spanish Inquisition, which movie cult (or cult movie) would you decimate? (Submitted by Bob Westal)
Fucking Avatards or Twi-hards.
46) Caroline Munro or Veronica Carlson?
Hmmm which bosomy Hammer regular? Ummm Munro, less of a butter face.
47) Favorite eye-patch wearing director. (Submitted by Patty Cozzalio)
Ford
48) Favorite ambiguous movie ending. (Original somewhat ambiguous submission---“Something about ambiguous movie endings!”-- by Jim Emerson, who may have some inspiration of his own to offer you.)
Does the Wrestler count?
49) In giving thanks for the movies this year, what are you most thankful for?
Christoph Waltz and Tarrantino finding his maturity again.
50) George Kennedy or Alan North?
Kennedy because he gave Frank Drebbin his marching orders.
Showing posts with label Memes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memes. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
DR. ZACHARY SMITH'S LOST IN THE SPACE AT THE END OF SUMMER MOVIE QUIZ
A Meme courtesy of the fine folks at Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule.
1) Your favorite musical moment in a movie Start me with a tough one huh? Do they mean from a musical? For non-musical A music cue? A performance? Arghhhh!
Ok for musical moment from a musical I will say "Make 'Em Laugh" from Singin' In the Rain, cause it is pretty definitively perfection.
For a non-musical film nothing raised me to blissful heights as much as "The Age of Aquarius" coming out of nowhere as performed by the entire cast in The 40-Year Old Virgin.
For a music cue I'd say when the zither comes in to reveal Harry Lime in The Third Man, that or when the Raiders March returns when Indy is on the sub in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
2) Ray Milland or Dana Andrews?
Not a super fan of either of these guys (is anyone?). I'd give it to Milland because he's been in two Billy Wilder movies.
3) Favorite Sidney Lumet movie?
My gut says 12 Angry Men but my head says Dog Day Afternoon. I'll split the difference and say Network.
4) Biggest surprise of the just-past summer movie season?
Speed Racer was charmingly awesome and silly fun and deserves a cult following.
5) Gene Tierney or Rita Hayworth?
You'd think I'd pick Rita because she's curvier and beloved by Stephen King characters, but you'd be wrong since Tierney is a better actress and a looker herself.
6) What’s the last movie you saw on DVD? In theaters?
I just saw Smart People on DVD and was pretty bored by it (hey look the feel and conventions of every mainstream-esque indie film of the last five years pushed through a duck-press). In theatres I saw Man on Wire and it may be favorite film of the year so far.
7) Irwin Allen’s finest hour?
Ugh, really? I guess the Poseidon Adventure. Kind of glad that this style of film is out of fashion. Not saying it won't come back and not saying it couldn't ever be good, but by-in-large I could do without.
8) What were the films where you would rather see the movie promised by the poster than the one that was actually made?
Most recently? Smokin' Aces.
9) Chow Yun-Fat or Tony Leung?
Ooo good one. I'll go with Fat.
10) Most pretentious movie ever?
Last Year at Marienbad is pretty rough-going. Any number of experimental films, what's the one where it's just lights flickering in a hallway for fifteen minutes? Anyone from my old film theory class want to help me out with this one?
11) Favorite Russ Meyer movie I am sadly pretty deficient when it comes to Russ Meyer films, the same for his Italian counter-part for bottoms Tinto Brass. I should work on this.
12) Name the movie that you feel best reflects yourself, a movie you would recommend to an acquaintance that most accurately says, “This is me.” Hmmm maybe Brazil. Or Horse Feathers. Or Manhattan. Definitely one of those three.
13) Marlene Dietrich or Greta Garbo Gut says Garbo for Ninotchka, but I need to see more to be sure.
14) Best movie snack? Most vile movie snack? Popcorn (hot and fresh, don't lie to me and tell me it's hot concession guy) with M&M's or Milk duds mixed in and a large (diet) soda. Most vile? Any food that's been under the heat lamp for years.
15) Current movie star who would be most comfortable in the classic Hollywood studio system Jon Hamm, does he count?
16) Fitzcarraldo—yes or no? What are you kidding? Yes, yes a thousand times yes.
17) Your assignment is to book the ultimate triple bill to inaugurate your own revival theater. What three movies will we see on opening night?
The opening night would be a celebration of movies called "Hooray for movies" and it would be a triple bill of The Bad and the Beautiful, 8 1/2 and The Muppet Movie.
18) What’s the name of your theater? (The all-time greatest answer to this question was once provided by Larry Aydlette, whose repertory cinema, the Demarest, is, I hope, still packing them in…)
My theater would be called The Xanadu.
19) Favorite Leo McCarey movie
Duck Soup
20) Most impressive debut performance by an actor/actress.
I'm stumped, any ideas?
21) Biggest disappointment of the just-past summer movie season Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Shattering Failure.
22) Michelle Yeoh or Maggie Cheung
Maggie hasn't crossed-over yet but her resume is a bit more thoughtful
23) 2008 inductee into the Academy of the Overrated
Mama Mia, I don't get it, just listen to an ABBA's greatest hits album and save the money.
24) 2008 inductee into the Academy of the Underrated
In Bruges and all participants therein.
25) Fritz the Cat—yes or no?
Ummmm, no.
26) Trevor Howard or Richard Todd?
Trevor Howard, seriously is this a competition?
27) Antonioni once said, “I began taking liberties a long time ago; now it is standard practice for most directors to ignore the rules.” What filmmaker working today most fruitfully ignores the rules? What does ignoring the rules of cinema mean in 2008?
Todd Haynes, a stylist who consistently pushes boundaries and doesn't rest on his laurels.
28) Favorite William Castle movie?
As a director House on Haunted Hill, as a producer Rosemary's Baby.
29) Favorite ethnographically oriented movie?
I think most Scorsese movies are pretty ethnographically oriented whether it's Kundun or Goodfellas.
30) What’s the movie coming up in 2008 you’re most looking forward to? Why?
A four-way tie between:
Synendoche, New York-Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut
Australia-Baz Luhrman's first film since Moulin Rouge!
Doubt-Amy Adams goes dramatic
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button-A new epic from super genius David Finchner.
31) What deceased director would you want to resurrect in order that she/he might make one more film?
Billy Wilder, but no cussing allowed please because Avanti was kind of awkward
32) What director would you like to see, if not literally entombed, then at least go silent creatively?
Bury, BURY Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer.
33) Your first movie star crush?
Alicia Silverstone in Clueless. I was very young and very dumb, it's that thing she does when she pulls the gum out of her mouth.
1) Your favorite musical moment in a movie Start me with a tough one huh? Do they mean from a musical? For non-musical A music cue? A performance? Arghhhh!
Ok for musical moment from a musical I will say "Make 'Em Laugh" from Singin' In the Rain, cause it is pretty definitively perfection.
For a non-musical film nothing raised me to blissful heights as much as "The Age of Aquarius" coming out of nowhere as performed by the entire cast in The 40-Year Old Virgin.
For a music cue I'd say when the zither comes in to reveal Harry Lime in The Third Man, that or when the Raiders March returns when Indy is on the sub in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
2) Ray Milland or Dana Andrews?Not a super fan of either of these guys (is anyone?). I'd give it to Milland because he's been in two Billy Wilder movies.
3) Favorite Sidney Lumet movie?My gut says 12 Angry Men but my head says Dog Day Afternoon. I'll split the difference and say Network.
4) Biggest surprise of the just-past summer movie season?Speed Racer was charmingly awesome and silly fun and deserves a cult following.
5) Gene Tierney or Rita Hayworth?You'd think I'd pick Rita because she's curvier and beloved by Stephen King characters, but you'd be wrong since Tierney is a better actress and a looker herself.
6) What’s the last movie you saw on DVD? In theaters?
I just saw Smart People on DVD and was pretty bored by it (hey look the feel and conventions of every mainstream-esque indie film of the last five years pushed through a duck-press). In theatres I saw Man on Wire and it may be favorite film of the year so far.
7) Irwin Allen’s finest hour?Ugh, really? I guess the Poseidon Adventure. Kind of glad that this style of film is out of fashion. Not saying it won't come back and not saying it couldn't ever be good, but by-in-large I could do without.
8) What were the films where you would rather see the movie promised by the poster than the one that was actually made?Most recently? Smokin' Aces.
9) Chow Yun-Fat or Tony Leung?
Ooo good one. I'll go with Fat.
10) Most pretentious movie ever?Last Year at Marienbad is pretty rough-going. Any number of experimental films, what's the one where it's just lights flickering in a hallway for fifteen minutes? Anyone from my old film theory class want to help me out with this one?
11) Favorite Russ Meyer movie I am sadly pretty deficient when it comes to Russ Meyer films, the same for his Italian counter-part for bottoms Tinto Brass. I should work on this.
12) Name the movie that you feel best reflects yourself, a movie you would recommend to an acquaintance that most accurately says, “This is me.” Hmmm maybe Brazil. Or Horse Feathers. Or Manhattan. Definitely one of those three.13) Marlene Dietrich or Greta Garbo Gut says Garbo for Ninotchka, but I need to see more to be sure.
14) Best movie snack? Most vile movie snack? Popcorn (hot and fresh, don't lie to me and tell me it's hot concession guy) with M&M's or Milk duds mixed in and a large (diet) soda. Most vile? Any food that's been under the heat lamp for years.
15) Current movie star who would be most comfortable in the classic Hollywood studio system Jon Hamm, does he count?
16) Fitzcarraldo—yes or no? What are you kidding? Yes, yes a thousand times yes.17) Your assignment is to book the ultimate triple bill to inaugurate your own revival theater. What three movies will we see on opening night?
The opening night would be a celebration of movies called "Hooray for movies" and it would be a triple bill of The Bad and the Beautiful, 8 1/2 and The Muppet Movie.
18) What’s the name of your theater? (The all-time greatest answer to this question was once provided by Larry Aydlette, whose repertory cinema, the Demarest, is, I hope, still packing them in…)
My theater would be called The Xanadu.
19) Favorite Leo McCarey movie
Duck Soup
20) Most impressive debut performance by an actor/actress.
I'm stumped, any ideas?
21) Biggest disappointment of the just-past summer movie season Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Shattering Failure.
22) Michelle Yeoh or Maggie CheungMaggie hasn't crossed-over yet but her resume is a bit more thoughtful
23) 2008 inductee into the Academy of the Overrated
Mama Mia, I don't get it, just listen to an ABBA's greatest hits album and save the money.
24) 2008 inductee into the Academy of the Underrated In Bruges and all participants therein.
25) Fritz the Cat—yes or no?
Ummmm, no.
26) Trevor Howard or Richard Todd?
Trevor Howard, seriously is this a competition?
27) Antonioni once said, “I began taking liberties a long time ago; now it is standard practice for most directors to ignore the rules.” What filmmaker working today most fruitfully ignores the rules? What does ignoring the rules of cinema mean in 2008?
Todd Haynes, a stylist who consistently pushes boundaries and doesn't rest on his laurels.
28) Favorite William Castle movie? As a director House on Haunted Hill, as a producer Rosemary's Baby.
29) Favorite ethnographically oriented movie?
I think most Scorsese movies are pretty ethnographically oriented whether it's Kundun or Goodfellas.
30) What’s the movie coming up in 2008 you’re most looking forward to? Why? A four-way tie between:
Synendoche, New York-Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut
Australia-Baz Luhrman's first film since Moulin Rouge!
Doubt-Amy Adams goes dramatic
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button-A new epic from super genius David Finchner.
31) What deceased director would you want to resurrect in order that she/he might make one more film?
Billy Wilder, but no cussing allowed please because Avanti was kind of awkward
32) What director would you like to see, if not literally entombed, then at least go silent creatively?
Bury, BURY Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer.
33) Your first movie star crush?Alicia Silverstone in Clueless. I was very young and very dumb, it's that thing she does when she pulls the gum out of her mouth.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Classic Movie Meme
Taken from the most excellent (and quite prolific blogger) Electronic Cerebrectomy.
So, get the American Film Institutes's 100 Years... 100 Movies list and answer the following questions
1) Your favorite 5 movies that are on the list:
This was hard, I went with my gut. The Third Man, Harold and Maude, Double Indemnity and Annie Hall got SO close.
The Godfather
The Apartment
Singin' in the Rain
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Dr. Strangelove
2) 5 movies on the list that you didn't like at all:
The Birth of A Nation
High Noon
Forrest Gump
Giant
The Jazz Singer
3) 5 movies on the list you haven't seen but want to:
The only one I haven't seen is Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, I don't know if I want to haring how dated and didactic it is, but in the end I must complete the list.
4) 5 movies on the list that you haven't seen and have no interest in seeing:
None.
5) Your favorite 5 movies that aren't on the list:
I'll follow Samurai Frog's criteria here: "Well, assuming I should only pick movies that it would be reasonable to call one of the hundred greatest American movies of those 100 years, I think these five."
Manhattan
There Will Be Blood
Rio Bravo
The General (1927)
Bride of Frankenstein
Feel free to post your own responses in the comments.
So, get the American Film Institutes's 100 Years... 100 Movies list and answer the following questions
1) Your favorite 5 movies that are on the list:
This was hard, I went with my gut. The Third Man, Harold and Maude, Double Indemnity and Annie Hall got SO close.
The Godfather
The Apartment
Singin' in the Rain
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Dr. Strangelove
2) 5 movies on the list that you didn't like at all:
The Birth of A Nation
High Noon
Forrest Gump
Giant
The Jazz Singer
3) 5 movies on the list you haven't seen but want to:
The only one I haven't seen is Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, I don't know if I want to haring how dated and didactic it is, but in the end I must complete the list.
4) 5 movies on the list that you haven't seen and have no interest in seeing:
None.
5) Your favorite 5 movies that aren't on the list:
I'll follow Samurai Frog's criteria here: "Well, assuming I should only pick movies that it would be reasonable to call one of the hundred greatest American movies of those 100 years, I think these five."
Manhattan
There Will Be Blood
Rio Bravo
The General (1927)
Bride of Frankenstein
Feel free to post your own responses in the comments.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A Post-Memorial Day Meme
I'm cherry picking this Memorial Day movie meme from Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule feel free to answer in the comments.
1) Best transition from movies to TV (actor, actress, producer/director, movie/show)?
I think that High Laurie and Dominic West are dynamite on their respective TV shows and tend to get bogged down on the big screen. Paul Feig and Ken Kwapis also probably better off directing TV than movies (as Unaccompanied Minors and License to Wed demonstrated).
2) Living film director you're most missing seeing on the cultural landscape regularly?
Michael Mann, one of the finest working directors in American cinema seemed to have disappeared after the unfortunately titled Miami Vice.
3) Eugene Pallette or Charles Coburn?
It's close but Charles Coburn OWNS Lady Eve. "Let us be crooked but never common."
4) Fill in the blank: “I pray that no one ever turns _____________ into a movie.”
With the right script, production and director there is no such thing. Naked Lunch, Unbearable Lightness of Being and Pirates of Caribbean should in theory all be "un-filmable" and they're all wonderful.
5) Jane Greer or Veronica Lake?
Jane Greer for Out of the Past.
6) What was the last movie you saw in a theater? On DVD? And why?
I caught Iron Man again (my friend Jesse hadn't seen it) and hope to see Reprise very soon. On DVD I finally watched the brilliant French noir Rififi on the recommendation of my friend Matt who knows a ton about the genre). That is one gorgeous brutal ending.
7) Name an actor you think should be a star.
Judy Greer is being wasted in funny friend roles, Lee Pace should be what Ewan McGregor was supposed to be.
8) Foxy Brown or Coffy
Coffy is just a little more gritty.
9) Favorite TV show still without its own DVD box set.
Spaced, but soon, oh so soon.
10) Jack Elam or Neville Brand
Jack Elam has the face of a titan.
11) What movies would top your list of movies you need to revisit, for whatever reason?
I'd like to take another look at Birth (always worth another look), Network (the last piece on the filmexperience really motivated me), Tootsie (missing Pollack already), The Mist (cause that it was one cool DVD) and The Thief of Baghdad (want a crack at that new Criterion collection disc).
12) Zodiac or All the President’s Men
Hmm maybe I should take another look at All the President's Men, I haven't watched it in about a decade. On the other hand Zodiac is a modern masterpiece in it's own right. Maybe I should add them to the above list. OK, gut instinct...Zodiac. Just to get another look at that picnic scene.
13) Using our best reviewer-speak, what is an “important” film comedy? And what is to you the most important film comedy of the last 35 years?
The most important comedy in the last 35 years is Anchorman. Here's why, it ushered in Judd Apatow as a major producer, announced Will Ferrell as a major box-office draw in a non-family comedy, introduced key comedy clique members Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and David Koechner to a broad audience and ushered in the arrested adolsecent style of comedy couple with non-sequiters.
14) Describe the ideal environment for watching a movie.
A theater with the proper sound and projection that is filled with a polite but enthusiastic and interested audience.
15) Michelle Williams or Eva Mendes?
Eva Mendes has only ever been sexy and yet to impress me even slightly dramatically. Michelle Williams on the other hand has demonstrated tremendous versatility from Brokeback Mountain, The Baxter to the Station Agent.
16) What’s the worst movie title of all time?
Any title ending with a "z" where an "s" should be is probably a bad sign.
17) Best movie about teaching and/or learning?
I was thinking about School of Rock the other day and was pretty damn inspired. It really captures the joy created in a classroom between teachers and students.
18) Dracula (1931) or Horror of Dracula (1958)
Horror of Dracula is a little bigger (in melodrama, scope and gore) and as one of film professor's once infamously said of the original Dracula, "It's so bleedin' slow."
19) Why do you blog? Or if you don’t, why do you read blogs? (Thanks, Girish)
To keep my creative writing muscles limber, to organize my thoughts on film, to entertain my friends, take your pick.
20) Most memorable/disturbing death scene.
Hard to say but most recently I was pretty impressed when Victor Crowley ripped a woman's face off from the jaw in Hatchet. In terms of disturbing I'd say any of the deaths in Funny Games.
21) Jason Robards or Robert Shaw?
Quint, no contest. Also my favorite Henry VIII ever.
22) A good candidate for Most Blasphemous Movie Ever
There was some pretty blasphemous shit going down in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
23) Rio Bravo or Red River?
Ugh, make me pick one child over the other why don't you. Rio Bravo has better chracaters and a WAY better ending so I guess Bravo.
24) Werner Herzog is remaking Bad Lieutenant with Nicolas Cage—that’s reality. Try to outdo reality by concocting a match-up of director and title for a really strange imaginary remake.
John Waters remaking Top Gun. Oh please God.
25) Bulle Ogier or Charlotte Rampling?
Rampling is breathtaking.
26) In the Realm of the Senses— yes or no?
Haven't seen it yet, but I've heard it's pretty rough going.
27) Name a movie you think of as your own (Thanks, Jim!)
Terry Gilliam's Brazil feels like how I look at the world.
28) Winged Migration or Microcosmos?
Micorocosmos, I can't look down and see what I see in that movie. I can look up and see Winged Migration.
29) Your favorite football game featured in a movie
The climax of Rudy, I'm not made of stone.
30) Wendy Hiller or Deborah Kerr?
Deborah Kerr for Black Narcissus, I've got favorites.
31) Dirtiest secret you have that is related to the movies?
I've seen the Hot Chick multiple times. I'm not proud of it. But I can't help myself.
32) Name a favorite film and describe how it is illuminated and is enriched by another favorite film.
Mullholand Dr. reflects back rather well on it's parallel street namesake Sunset Blvd. Both movies are thematically similar but Mullholand is more twisty.
33) It’s a Gift or Horsefeathers?
The Marx Brothers take it every time; Horsefeathers.
34) Your best story about seeing a movie at a drive-in?
No drive-in's for me. :(
35) Victor Mature or Tyrone Power?
Victor Mature, truly the Sly Stallone of his time.
36) What does film criticism mean to you? Where do you think it’s headed?
The best film criticism can illuminate and inform, can direct and suggest but it is never a substitute for your own opinion. I've heard it's heading online, I hope it doesn't devolve into mere reviews.
1) Best transition from movies to TV (actor, actress, producer/director, movie/show)?
I think that High Laurie and Dominic West are dynamite on their respective TV shows and tend to get bogged down on the big screen. Paul Feig and Ken Kwapis also probably better off directing TV than movies (as Unaccompanied Minors and License to Wed demonstrated).
2) Living film director you're most missing seeing on the cultural landscape regularly?
Michael Mann, one of the finest working directors in American cinema seemed to have disappeared after the unfortunately titled Miami Vice.
3) Eugene Pallette or Charles Coburn?
It's close but Charles Coburn OWNS Lady Eve. "Let us be crooked but never common."
4) Fill in the blank: “I pray that no one ever turns _____________ into a movie.”
With the right script, production and director there is no such thing. Naked Lunch, Unbearable Lightness of Being and Pirates of Caribbean should in theory all be "un-filmable" and they're all wonderful.
5) Jane Greer or Veronica Lake?
Jane Greer for Out of the Past.
6) What was the last movie you saw in a theater? On DVD? And why?
I caught Iron Man again (my friend Jesse hadn't seen it) and hope to see Reprise very soon. On DVD I finally watched the brilliant French noir Rififi on the recommendation of my friend Matt who knows a ton about the genre). That is one gorgeous brutal ending.
7) Name an actor you think should be a star.
Judy Greer is being wasted in funny friend roles, Lee Pace should be what Ewan McGregor was supposed to be.
8) Foxy Brown or Coffy
Coffy is just a little more gritty.
9) Favorite TV show still without its own DVD box set.
Spaced, but soon, oh so soon.
10) Jack Elam or Neville Brand
Jack Elam has the face of a titan.
11) What movies would top your list of movies you need to revisit, for whatever reason?
I'd like to take another look at Birth (always worth another look), Network (the last piece on the filmexperience really motivated me), Tootsie (missing Pollack already), The Mist (cause that it was one cool DVD) and The Thief of Baghdad (want a crack at that new Criterion collection disc).
12) Zodiac or All the President’s Men
Hmm maybe I should take another look at All the President's Men, I haven't watched it in about a decade. On the other hand Zodiac is a modern masterpiece in it's own right. Maybe I should add them to the above list. OK, gut instinct...Zodiac. Just to get another look at that picnic scene.
13) Using our best reviewer-speak, what is an “important” film comedy? And what is to you the most important film comedy of the last 35 years?
The most important comedy in the last 35 years is Anchorman. Here's why, it ushered in Judd Apatow as a major producer, announced Will Ferrell as a major box-office draw in a non-family comedy, introduced key comedy clique members Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and David Koechner to a broad audience and ushered in the arrested adolsecent style of comedy couple with non-sequiters.
14) Describe the ideal environment for watching a movie.
A theater with the proper sound and projection that is filled with a polite but enthusiastic and interested audience.
15) Michelle Williams or Eva Mendes?
Eva Mendes has only ever been sexy and yet to impress me even slightly dramatically. Michelle Williams on the other hand has demonstrated tremendous versatility from Brokeback Mountain, The Baxter to the Station Agent.
16) What’s the worst movie title of all time?
Any title ending with a "z" where an "s" should be is probably a bad sign.
17) Best movie about teaching and/or learning?
I was thinking about School of Rock the other day and was pretty damn inspired. It really captures the joy created in a classroom between teachers and students.
18) Dracula (1931) or Horror of Dracula (1958)
Horror of Dracula is a little bigger (in melodrama, scope and gore) and as one of film professor's once infamously said of the original Dracula, "It's so bleedin' slow."
19) Why do you blog? Or if you don’t, why do you read blogs? (Thanks, Girish)
To keep my creative writing muscles limber, to organize my thoughts on film, to entertain my friends, take your pick.
20) Most memorable/disturbing death scene.
Hard to say but most recently I was pretty impressed when Victor Crowley ripped a woman's face off from the jaw in Hatchet. In terms of disturbing I'd say any of the deaths in Funny Games.
21) Jason Robards or Robert Shaw?
Quint, no contest. Also my favorite Henry VIII ever.
22) A good candidate for Most Blasphemous Movie Ever
There was some pretty blasphemous shit going down in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
23) Rio Bravo or Red River?
Ugh, make me pick one child over the other why don't you. Rio Bravo has better chracaters and a WAY better ending so I guess Bravo.
24) Werner Herzog is remaking Bad Lieutenant with Nicolas Cage—that’s reality. Try to outdo reality by concocting a match-up of director and title for a really strange imaginary remake.
John Waters remaking Top Gun. Oh please God.
25) Bulle Ogier or Charlotte Rampling?
Rampling is breathtaking.
26) In the Realm of the Senses— yes or no?
Haven't seen it yet, but I've heard it's pretty rough going.
27) Name a movie you think of as your own (Thanks, Jim!)
Terry Gilliam's Brazil feels like how I look at the world.
28) Winged Migration or Microcosmos?
Micorocosmos, I can't look down and see what I see in that movie. I can look up and see Winged Migration.
29) Your favorite football game featured in a movie
The climax of Rudy, I'm not made of stone.
30) Wendy Hiller or Deborah Kerr?
Deborah Kerr for Black Narcissus, I've got favorites.
31) Dirtiest secret you have that is related to the movies?
I've seen the Hot Chick multiple times. I'm not proud of it. But I can't help myself.
32) Name a favorite film and describe how it is illuminated and is enriched by another favorite film.
Mullholand Dr. reflects back rather well on it's parallel street namesake Sunset Blvd. Both movies are thematically similar but Mullholand is more twisty.
33) It’s a Gift or Horsefeathers?
The Marx Brothers take it every time; Horsefeathers.
34) Your best story about seeing a movie at a drive-in?
No drive-in's for me. :(
35) Victor Mature or Tyrone Power?
Victor Mature, truly the Sly Stallone of his time.
36) What does film criticism mean to you? Where do you think it’s headed?
The best film criticism can illuminate and inform, can direct and suggest but it is never a substitute for your own opinion. I've heard it's heading online, I hope it doesn't devolve into mere reviews.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Little Blogger's First Meme
Here we go, an inaugural Meme that you can fill out in the comments or if you have a blog of your own you can fill out your answers there and link back here.
The First Sickness Cinema Meme:
What is your...?
1. Favorite movie: The Godfather or Mary Poppins, depends on my mood
2. Favorite movie to come back to time and again: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
3. Best movie that you never want to see again: United 93
4. Last great movie you saw in a theater: Iron Man
5. Last great movie you saw on DVD: Fritz Lang's The Fury
How do you feel about...?
1. The ending of Iron Man: Amazing, bring on the Avengers asap.
2. Jason Segel taking control of the Muppets: Brilliance, can't wait.
3. Manolha Dagis' last editorial in the New York Times about women in film: I think yesterday;s post made it more than clear.
4. The MTV movie awards: Cute, but dispensable. Plus now you can watch the highlights on youtube so why bother with the tedium of the whole broadcast. I am excited about multiple Amy Adams nominations.
5. Ellen Page as Jane Eyre: She can do pretty much anything, why not costume drama.
Who is your...?
1. Favorite actor: Paul Giamatti
2. Favorite actress: Amy Adams
3. Favorite actor (deceased): Cary Grant...maybe Jack Lemmon
4. Favorite actress (deceased): Katherine Hepburn
5. Favorite Director: Terry Gilliam
Which do you prefer...?
1. Sub-titles or dubbing: Sub-titles, no question.
2. Kurt Russel or Bruce Campbell: Bruce Campbell, hail to the king baby.
3. Buttered Popcorn or Salted Popcorn: Buttered
4. Ambiguity or clarity: Ambiguity, I don't mind a little confusion if it doesn't REQUIRE clarity.
5. Characters or plot: You can have a movie with the best plotting ever but no one will watch if there aren't intriguing characters. No one will come back anyway.
The First Sickness Cinema Meme:
What is your...?
1. Favorite movie: The Godfather or Mary Poppins, depends on my mood
2. Favorite movie to come back to time and again: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
3. Best movie that you never want to see again: United 93
4. Last great movie you saw in a theater: Iron Man
5. Last great movie you saw on DVD: Fritz Lang's The Fury
How do you feel about...?
1. The ending of Iron Man: Amazing, bring on the Avengers asap.
2. Jason Segel taking control of the Muppets: Brilliance, can't wait.
3. Manolha Dagis' last editorial in the New York Times about women in film: I think yesterday;s post made it more than clear.
4. The MTV movie awards: Cute, but dispensable. Plus now you can watch the highlights on youtube so why bother with the tedium of the whole broadcast. I am excited about multiple Amy Adams nominations.
5. Ellen Page as Jane Eyre: She can do pretty much anything, why not costume drama.
Who is your...?
1. Favorite actor: Paul Giamatti
2. Favorite actress: Amy Adams
3. Favorite actor (deceased): Cary Grant...maybe Jack Lemmon
4. Favorite actress (deceased): Katherine Hepburn
5. Favorite Director: Terry Gilliam
Which do you prefer...?
1. Sub-titles or dubbing: Sub-titles, no question.
2. Kurt Russel or Bruce Campbell: Bruce Campbell, hail to the king baby.
3. Buttered Popcorn or Salted Popcorn: Buttered
4. Ambiguity or clarity: Ambiguity, I don't mind a little confusion if it doesn't REQUIRE clarity.
5. Characters or plot: You can have a movie with the best plotting ever but no one will watch if there aren't intriguing characters. No one will come back anyway.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Listing away
SamuraiFrog over at Electronic Cerebrectomy (still love a blog that names itself after an obscure Muppet Movie device) is spreading this pseudo meme that is a sort of checklist based off the imdb's top 250. Mind you the list being internet user generated has transformed over the years, there are fewer foreign films and films that pre-date the 1970's, still this list represents a pretty solid grouping of films. How many have I seen? I've bolded them.
1. The Godfather (1972)
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
3. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
4. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
5. Pulp Fiction (1994)
6. Schindler’s List (1993)
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
8. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
9. Casablanca (1942)
10. Seven Samurai (1954)
11. Star Wars (1977)
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
13. 12 Angry Men (1957)
14. Rear Window (1954)
15. Goodfellas (1990)
16. City of God (2002)
17. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
18. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
19. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
20. The Usual Suspects (1995)
21. Psycho (1960)
22. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
23. Fight Club (1999)
24. Citizen Kane (1941)
25. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
26. North by Northwest (1959)
27. Memento (2000)
28. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
29. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
30. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
31. The Matrix (1999)
32. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
33. There Will Be Blood (2007)
34. Se7en (1995)
35. Apocalypse Now (1979)
36. Taxi Driver (1976)
37. American Beauty (1999)
38. Léon (1994)
39. Vertigo (1958)
40. Amélie (2001)
41. American History X (1998)
42. The Departed (2006)
43. No Country for Old Men (2007)
44. Paths of Glory (1957)
45. M (1931)
46. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
47. Chinatown (1974)
48. The Third Man (1949)
49. The Lives of Others (2006)
50. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
51. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
52. Alien (1979)
53. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
54. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
55. The Shining (1980)
56. Spirited Away (2001)
57. The Pianist (2002)
58. Double Indemnity (1944)
59. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
60. Forrest Gump (1994)
61. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
62. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
63. L.A. Confidential (1997)
64. Das Boot (1981)
65. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
66. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
67. Downfall (2004)
68. Aliens (1986)
69. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
70. Raging Bull (1980)
71. Metropolis (1927)
72. Rashômon (1950)
73. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
74. Modern Times (1936)
75. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
76. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
77. Sin City (2005)
78. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
79. Rebecca (1940)
80. The Seventh Seal (1957)
81. All About Eve (1950)
82. Some Like It Hot (1959)
83. City Lights (1931)
84. Amadeus (1984)
85. On the Waterfront (1954)
86. Life Is Beautiful (1997)
87. The Great Escape (1963)
88. Touch of Evil (1958)
89. The Prestige (2006)
90. The Elephant Man (1980)
91. Jaws (1975)
92. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
93. The Sting (1973)
94. Cinema Paradiso (1988)
95. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
96. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
97. The Apartment (1960)
98. Braveheart (1995)
99. The Great Dictator (1940)
100. Blade Runner (1982)
Hell yeah. That's right, 100 out of 100. Not that I don't have some problems with this list, there are couple that just flat-out do not belong on a 100 top list. Counting up from 100 I can see that The Prestige is a brilliantly constructed puzzle-box but it's too soon to call it an all-time classic. That's the problem with a lot of these, they've got their spots from recent enthusiasm. It's just too soon to tell. The same could be said for The Pianist, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood. Time has shown Life is Beautiful to be a rather mawkish, manipulative and ultimately forgettable film (man did people get over Roberto Begnini fast). Sin City is a solid, nasty, b-movie for grown-ups but greatest of all-time? No. Downfall is an epic look at the last days of Hitler but for me didn't provide a lot of insight. I do think the film works well as a parable discussing the crumbling of a regime but I do not think it will endure. Hotel Rwanda has some moving performances and hopefully put some well-intentioned eyes on African genocide but is not particularly remarkable in it's film-making (though I did read an excellent article about the passionate production of the film in Premiere [back when such a thing existed]). Saving Private Ryan and Forest Gump present a thorny sent of problems, I think both get bumps of praise from Greatest Generation fans and Baby Boomers respectively. I'm not wild about either film but respect them for the advances both films made in forwarding HOW films are made.
Ultimately there are a lot of great movies on this list but it's a popularity contest. A striaght-male heavy popularity contest. I still think it's a good foundation for start-up film fans, but if you really want to branch out check THIS site here. I will say this though, The Godfather is a worthy number one. Anything you think belongs on this list or absolutely does not? Anything you haven't seen you want a recommendation on? Put it in the comments.
1. The Godfather (1972)
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
3. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
4. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
5. Pulp Fiction (1994)
6. Schindler’s List (1993)
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
8. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
9. Casablanca (1942)
10. Seven Samurai (1954)
11. Star Wars (1977)
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
13. 12 Angry Men (1957)
14. Rear Window (1954)
15. Goodfellas (1990)
16. City of God (2002)
17. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
18. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
19. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
20. The Usual Suspects (1995)
21. Psycho (1960)
22. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
23. Fight Club (1999)
24. Citizen Kane (1941)
25. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
26. North by Northwest (1959)
27. Memento (2000)
28. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
29. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
30. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
31. The Matrix (1999)
32. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
33. There Will Be Blood (2007)
34. Se7en (1995)
35. Apocalypse Now (1979)
36. Taxi Driver (1976)
37. American Beauty (1999)
38. Léon (1994)
39. Vertigo (1958)
40. Amélie (2001)
41. American History X (1998)
42. The Departed (2006)
43. No Country for Old Men (2007)
44. Paths of Glory (1957)
45. M (1931)
46. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
47. Chinatown (1974)
48. The Third Man (1949)
49. The Lives of Others (2006)
50. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
51. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
52. Alien (1979)
53. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
54. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
55. The Shining (1980)
56. Spirited Away (2001)
57. The Pianist (2002)
58. Double Indemnity (1944)
59. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
60. Forrest Gump (1994)
61. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
62. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
63. L.A. Confidential (1997)
64. Das Boot (1981)
65. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
66. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
67. Downfall (2004)
68. Aliens (1986)
69. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
70. Raging Bull (1980)
71. Metropolis (1927)
72. Rashômon (1950)
73. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
74. Modern Times (1936)
75. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
76. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
77. Sin City (2005)
78. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
79. Rebecca (1940)
80. The Seventh Seal (1957)
81. All About Eve (1950)
82. Some Like It Hot (1959)
83. City Lights (1931)
84. Amadeus (1984)
85. On the Waterfront (1954)
86. Life Is Beautiful (1997)
87. The Great Escape (1963)
88. Touch of Evil (1958)
89. The Prestige (2006)
90. The Elephant Man (1980)
91. Jaws (1975)
92. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
93. The Sting (1973)
94. Cinema Paradiso (1988)
95. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
96. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
97. The Apartment (1960)
98. Braveheart (1995)
99. The Great Dictator (1940)
100. Blade Runner (1982)
Hell yeah. That's right, 100 out of 100. Not that I don't have some problems with this list, there are couple that just flat-out do not belong on a 100 top list. Counting up from 100 I can see that The Prestige is a brilliantly constructed puzzle-box but it's too soon to call it an all-time classic. That's the problem with a lot of these, they've got their spots from recent enthusiasm. It's just too soon to tell. The same could be said for The Pianist, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood. Time has shown Life is Beautiful to be a rather mawkish, manipulative and ultimately forgettable film (man did people get over Roberto Begnini fast). Sin City is a solid, nasty, b-movie for grown-ups but greatest of all-time? No. Downfall is an epic look at the last days of Hitler but for me didn't provide a lot of insight. I do think the film works well as a parable discussing the crumbling of a regime but I do not think it will endure. Hotel Rwanda has some moving performances and hopefully put some well-intentioned eyes on African genocide but is not particularly remarkable in it's film-making (though I did read an excellent article about the passionate production of the film in Premiere [back when such a thing existed]). Saving Private Ryan and Forest Gump present a thorny sent of problems, I think both get bumps of praise from Greatest Generation fans and Baby Boomers respectively. I'm not wild about either film but respect them for the advances both films made in forwarding HOW films are made.
Ultimately there are a lot of great movies on this list but it's a popularity contest. A striaght-male heavy popularity contest. I still think it's a good foundation for start-up film fans, but if you really want to branch out check THIS site here. I will say this though, The Godfather is a worthy number one. Anything you think belongs on this list or absolutely does not? Anything you haven't seen you want a recommendation on? Put it in the comments.
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