One of the cooler
blogs around, "Final Girl" most recently posted her answers on
the Christmastime Quiz from
Slatifr, and so inspired by her was
I that I decided to put in my own answers and post it for our
readers on Cinema Crazed, thus allowing me to act more like the
internet movie geek that I am, and less like the movie critic
smashing crappy movies to pieces. I had fun, it took a few
hours, and I thought it'd be a fun experience to break loose
without the confines of reviews to hold me down. Don't hesitate
to answer with your own choices on Cinema-Lunatics. Thanks,
Stacie. Hey, better late than never, I always say.
1) Your favorite
opening shot.
Well, that's a two fold question, because there have
been so many excellent opening shots, haven't there.
Webster's dictionary defines... kidding. Anyway, I
think the two best opening shots of all time have to
go to "Night of the Living Dead." I mean, you have a
vacant road, the deserted cemetery, the eerie music,
the groovy opening title, and the car arriving to
its fate. And there's "Saving Private Ryan" as the
soldiers prepare for their ultimate fates, they're
met with incredible booming gun shots that blast
through skulls and bring down America's armed forced
in one fell swoop leading to all out pandemonium
that proves the versatility of Spielberg. |
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2) Tuesday Weld
or Mia Farrow?
I'm not very familiar with Tuesday Weld, so I should go with Mia
Farrow, if only because I'm a huge Woody Allen fan. Farrow was
around during the great period of Allen's career when he was...
you know, relevant, and smart, and made movies that were
intelligent, funny, and void of polished actors and stories.
This was a long time ago, friend. Farrow was just outright
fantastic as an antithesis to Allen and kicked ass in films like
"The Purple Rose of Cairo," and "Shadows and Fog." You have to
love Allen's riffing on the scenery at times. I love it.
3) Name a comedy
you’re embarrassed to admit made you laugh
Where do I begin? But I laughed a lot in "Scary Movie 4." Now
before you chew me out, one of the reasons why I laughed was
because of the great spoofing of Spielberg's "War of the
Worlds," and the fantastic Tom Cruise impression by Craig Bierko
who is just daffy as Cruise. There's also "Scary Movie 3" which
brought me to tears on many such occasions. Simon Rex, Anna
Faris, Anthony Anderson, etc. all give their best, and it works
with me.
4) Best Movie of
1947
Miracle on 34th Street comes to mind. I hate to be the trite one
of the bunch, but it's a christmas movie that's touching, funny,
and outright entertaining all around. The line about "They act
like I'm pulling the wings off of butterflies" always crackes me
up.
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5) Burt Reynolds
was the Bandit. Jerry Reed was the Snowman. Paul
LeMat was Spider. Candy Clark was Electra. What’s
your movie handle?
Terminal, baby.
It's a long story where the name came from:
One of my favorite animated series "Batman Beyond"
had a cool third tier villain named Terminal who
stalked Batman and tried to kill his friends. He
wore a straight jacket, skull paint, and was voiced
by Michael Rosenbaum. So enamored with the character
was I that I branded myself Terminal for years, and
it's stuck.
That wasn't a long story after all.
6) Robert Vaughn or
David McCallum?
Robert Vaughn, because in spite of all of the
garbage he's been seen in, he starred with Steve
McQueen in "The Towering Inferno," "Bullitt," and
"The Magnificent Seven." Rock on, Bobby. |
7) Most
exotic/unusual place/location in which you've seen a movie
Well, it'd have to be the Dolby Screening Room in lovely
downtown Manhattan. I saw "Hot Fuzz" with my little brother and
it was a trip, for sure. It was private, there was a small
group, the room had reclining seating air conditioning, booming
sound, and of course there was the lovely publicists. It was a
wonderful January day.
8) Favorite Errol Morris movie
Was he Robin Hood? No... that was Errol Flynn. Wasn't he in
"Sidekicks"? No... that was Chuck Norris. I'd say "Mr. Death"
was my favorite mainly because it dealt in the holocaust, and
that's a constantly fascinating topic to research. Mr. Death
continues to deny the holocaust ever existed, created methods of
torture and death and he's American. I'm embarrassed by him. I
really am.
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9)
Best Movie of 1967
"Cool Hand Luke"! It's one of my favorite movies of
all time. While 1967 had wonderful masterpieces like
"The Graduate," and "Bonnie and Clyde," Paul
Newman's dramedy is one of my favorite films of all
time and is just a guy film. Newman rocks as Luke,
and the scenes of his surviving in the chain gang
are incredible, and you have to love the scene where
Luke is desperately outmatched by Dragline in a
boxing match. He's beaten, he goes down, he stands
up. He's beaten, he goes down, he stands up. He's
beaten, he goes down, he stands up. "You're going to
have to kill me," Luke growls to Dragline. It's a
moment of cinematic history that I always marvel at. |
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10) Describe a
profoundly (or not-so-profoundly) disturbing moment you’ve had
courtesy of the movies
I'm not sure I get what the question is referring to, I'm really
not, so I'll just answer it on a two fold basis.
The rottweiler getting his back broken by the abusive father in
"Tsotsi." This was the moment where Tsotsi lost his innocence
and realized that he wasn't being protected by anyone, and had
to rely on himself. Not to mention, when the dog was broken in
half, so was he. This scene has never left me, and I was
genuinely heartbroken. And as for disturbing moments courtesy of
movies, there was getting an erection during "Barbarella" and
being unable to bring it down when I had to go out to the store.
That damn movie is like Viagra.
11) Anne Francis
or Julie Newmar?
My inner horny fanboy has to side with Newmar for the simple
fact that she was the first hot catwoman and was a dynamite
beauty in her day. From the Batusi, to seducing the Boy Blunder,
Newmar took catwoman by the balls. Screw Princess Leia, I'm
dressing my girl as Catwoman and making her do the batusi for
me.
12) Describe your
favorite one sheet (include a link if possible)
Grindhouse, 28 Weeks Later, and "Spider Baby." Grindhouse
has that dusty grimy double feature decor that really makes me
wish I'd have been around during those days. I'd have probably
been robbed at the cineplex, but who cares? It'd be worth it.
"28 Weeks Later" screams viral marketing to me, but it's damn
great with the soldier bearing the gun and the poster warning of
infection, and there is "Spider Baby" with the tagline "So
Shocking it will Sliver your Liver." I love posters that rhyme,
and the movie was before its time.
13) Best Movie of 1987
Goddamn. It's a tie between "Lethal Weapon" and "Radio Days."
Allen's film is such a wonderful homage to the old days where
radio was everything and with the evolution of technology, there
was a certain soul lost. "Lethal Weapon" is all out balls to the
wall action for the guys with one of the best on-screen tussles
ever filmed. And this was before Mel Gibson became wacko.
14) Favorite
movie about obsession
"Trekkies" would take the cake for me. To have so much obsession
to the point where you invent trinkets is admirable, but like a
buddy told me "When it starts to ruin your life, it becomes an
addiction." I believe in that old adage that hobbies should take
up your spare time, not all of your time, and while these people
aren't that freaky, and have a logical obsession, they really
aren't popping their cherries without charging their credit
cards, any time soon. There are so many great titles about
obsession, but "Trekkies" proves that hobbies shouldn't take
over your life... except movies.
15) Your ideal Christmas movie triple feature
I'm going with the obvious here, so by all means roll your eyes:
Black Christmas (1974) - Bob Clark creates one of the scariest
movies ever made. And a slasher that pre-dates "Halloween" by
four
years completely bringing Carpenter to shame in many ways.
A Christmas Story (1983) - Clark's film has the same tone, the
same demented atmosphere, the same humor, and is set on
Christmas, but it's a family movie! And one of the best, if not
the best Christmas movie ever made.
Lethal Weapon (1987) - See question 13.
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16) Montgomery
Clift or James Dean?
Why doth thou beg thee questions that are difficult
on the cranium? I'd say James Dean only because
"Rebel Without a Cause" was fantastic, and he set
the bar for young stars forever becoming an analogy
for stars who rise up and then tragically fall with
a whimper. And he's almost an American film icon, so
there's plenty of reasons. I love Clift, too, don't
worry.17)
Favorite Les Blank Movie
I have no idea who Les Blank is, nor do I know his
films. I'm drawing a Blank. Bad joke. |
18) This past
summer food critic Anton Ego made the following statement: “In
many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet
enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their
selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which
is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics
must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average
piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating
it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something,
and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. Last night,
I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a
singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its
maker have challenged my preconceptions is a gross
understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I
have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous
motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize that only now do I truly
understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great
artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.” Your
thoughts?
I think Brad Bird and co. have no idea what they're trying
to say here. Is this an affront to movie critics proclaiming
that movies will be movies and they're of no clear importance in
the grand scheme of things, or is this paying homage to the
importance of criticism and how it can mold giants and how
people in the profession can find artists before anyone? It's
either one or the other, it really can't be both.
19) The last movie you watched on DVD? In a theater?
The last movie I saw on DVD was "Dorm of the Dead." I wish I
could come to you with praise, but I can't. It just wasn't good.
The last movie I saw in theaters was "Cloverfield," a giant
monster movie, a giant bowl of fun, and a giant kick ass ninety
minutes with explosions, drama, and a wicked monster. Respek.
20) Best Movie of
2007
There's "No Country for Old Men" that pops into my head
immediately. It's a powerful, creepy, and absolutely incredible
masterpiece from the Coen brothers who return from the depths of
remakes and cash in comedies to create this immaculate work of
art. Chigurh was so well realized, that I actually had a
nightmare with him. I'm as serious as cancer. The best "indie"
of 2007 was by far "Paranormal Activity." Scary, wonderful, and
outright nerve wracking.
21) Worst Movie of 2007
"Spider-Man 3" for the simple fact that it was overblown,
overhyped, overexposed, and ended up being an overwrought,
overcrowded, and super inflated piece of garbage with horrible
acting, terrible moments of dark comedy, and a horrible rushed
ending. It was awful, beyond awful.
22) Describe the stages of your cinephilia
Kid: Watching everything, loving everything, and watching
whatever the parents allowed me to watch.
Teen: Watching anything, experimenting, being a little more
discerning.
Young Adult: Watching the classics, being selective with titles,
experimenting with classics and foreign film.
Adult: Watching everything, super critical, dissecting every
film, and has outgrown many favorites.
23) What is the one film you’ve had more difficulty than any
other in convincing people to see or appreciate?
"28 Days Later" bafflingly. It's one of the greatest horror
movies ever made, and some people prefer its dumber,
hyperactive, aggressive sister "28 Weeks Later." While that one
is great, the more mature, rich, and incredible forefather rocks
my cock from here to Egypt. It's a masterpiece. It's a
masterpiece!
24) Gene Tierney
or Rita Hayworth?
Well, if you have to ask then you don't know me, do
you? Rita Hayworth is the tragic beauty, the woman
who rarely found happiness, and yet deserved to have
it. She was absolutely incredible to look at, a
presence on-screen, had a booming voice and she was
a latina princess in need of some TLC. In a past
life, I'm the lover who got away. Hey, I'm a movie
geek, I can have delusions of grandeur, so back off.
Hayworth is a doll, she's my doll.
25) The Japanese word
wabi denotes simplicity and quietude, but it can
also mean an accidental or happenstance element (or
perhaps even a small flaw) which gives elegance and
uniqueness to the whole. What film or moment from a
film best represents wabi to you? |
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I'd have to say
Alvie and Annie's conversation in "Annie Hall." It's both so
simplistically sweet and quiet, but incredibly based around flaw
of human character. Alvie has no idea what to talk about, he
doesn't want an awkward silence, and he doesn't want to look
like an idiot, so he discusses the intricacises of photography,
while Annie has the same worries and assumes she seems like a
numbskull, all the while the subtitles reveal what they truly
feel, and they're both ultimately ruining a date that
surprisingly goes well, in the end. It's so based on human fear
and awkwardness, that it's a genius moment in film.
26) Favorite Documentary
I am asked this a lot, surprisingly, and I have to go with the
indie documentary "Monster Camp." It's made by Cullen Hoback and
it's about people who dress as fantasy characters and battle in
real scenery. Now so I won't sound like an elitist asshole, I'll
also say "Cutting Edge" a surprisingly wonderful documentary
about the editing process in film and how utterly important it
is to telling a good story.
27) Favorite opening credit sequence
"Dawn of the Dead" has a wonderful opening credit sequence in
which the trademark title for the movie is washed amidst utter
chaos in a news station. There's also the opening shot to
"Salem's Lot" that is just filled with foreboding dread, and
there's the opening to "The Big Lebowski" which has the Dude
being beaten by two thugs, then dissolving into the wonderful
theme song "The Man in Me" that plays over endless sequences of
bowlers. You just have to love it. You just have to.
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28) Is there a
film that has influenced your lifestyle in a
significant or notable way? If so, what was it and
how did it do so?
So many films have changed me, but off the top of my
head: "High Noon" reminded me that sometimes you
have to fend for yourself against impossible odds
and no one can change that; you just have to stare
down your fears and take it as best as you can
hoping to come out of it unscathed and a better
person for it. The "40 Year Old Virgin" reminds me
that good friends mean everything, and that growing
up isn't always a fun thing, but it has to be done.
"On the Beach" reminds me that life is too short to
dwell on small battles, and meaningless quibbles.
Some day it will all end, and you have to appreciate
life while it lasts. And "Dawn of the Dead" reminds
me never to underestimate the chopping power of
helicopters. |
29) Glenn Ford or
Dana Andrews?
Glenn Ford was Jonathan Kent who found Clark Kent and helped
build him into the upstanding citizen known as Superman! Now you
know the rest of the story.
30) Make a single prediction, cynical or hopeful, regarding
the upcoming Academy Awards
That they won't invite those idiots to form weird objects with
their bodies behind a sheet again. That was just idiotic. Look
they formed a plane! If I were six or a pompous prick I'd love
it!
31) Best Actor of 2007
You have to go with either Javier Bardem or Eli Roth. Bardem was
incredible as Chigurh and was just more than human. He was
sneaky, silent, stealth, and a brutally merciless killer who
felt it was his duty to deal death to innocents. And Eli Roth
really sold the performance of 2007 convinced "Hostel II" was a
masterpiece, and blaming us for his movie failing. What a
performance!
32) Best Actress
of 2007
And he climbed the mountains, he braved the cold
dogs of winter, and stared down the face of death,
held his sword high to the heavens, and gave a
mighty bellow: ELLEN PAGE! ELLLLLEEEENN PAAAAGGGEE!!!!
33) Best Director of
2007
Dude, it's a sincher! It's either Oren Peli (see
#20), Scott Glosserman for "Leslie Vernon," and or
The Coen Brothers for "No Country for Old Men." |
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34) Best
Screenplay of 2007
I'd say "There Will Be Blood." The screenplay is so brilliant, I
mean it's rare that films can competently establish characters,
settings, tone, and plot in the first ten minutes of a film with
absolute silence and zero dialogue. That's tight, as the kids
say.
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35) Favorite
single movie moment of 2007
Do I have to choose one? It's Leonard Schiller in
the closing shot that's incredibly similar to the
opening shot of "Starting out in the Evening." Fame,
fortune, obscurity, failure, ailing health, old age,
the writer still has to write, and we'll do so
regardless of what stands in our way. It's brilliant
in its poetry.
36) What’s your wish/hope for the movies in 2008? |
That we see Heath
Ledger sign off with an incredible performance as the Joker. And
that it's a better year than 2007. Don't get me wrong, 2007 was
an incredible year for film, I tell people that a lot, but I
want more excellence. With "Iron Man," "The Dark Knight," "Hellboy
2," and "Doomsday" on the way, I think we may just get there.
Maybe.
Tell us your choices
in Cinema-Lunatics! Thanks Final Girl!
-
Felix Vasquez Jr.
1/23/08
