Nostra, over at myfilmviews.com, decided to kick start a new blogathon based on our movie confessions. Seeing as how I’m not a big church going individual, I figure any outlet that’s available for me to confess shouldn’t be passed up. Therefore, I trust that you all will keep this between just you and me as I make my Movie Confessions.
Which classic movie don’t you like/can’t you enjoy?
I’m going to go with what seems like a recent classic, Inglorious Basterds. I’ve enjoyed most of Tarantino’s films. Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. 2 are all great films in their own right. I didn’t like Death Proof, although I took it for what it was. When it comes to Inglorious Basterds, I thought Cristoph Waltz was exceptional and deserving of his Oscar, but the rest of the movie did nothing for me.
Which ten classic movies haven’t you seen yet?
I’m pretty sure there are movies that may be considered more classic then even these, of which I haven’t seen; but these are the 10 I was able to find after a short research. A few of these pictures have won a Best Picture award, which doesn’t necessarily make them classics, but for someone who follows the Oscars the way I do, they are films I should have seen. A few others are classics due to popularity, and usually after responding to someone that asks if I’ve seen said film by telling them I haven’t, it garners the response “How could you not have seen that?”
Gone with the Wind
2001: A Space Odyssey
Midnight Cowboy
Patton
Annie Hall
Gandhi
The Color Purple
A Clockwork Orange
Network
To Kill a Mockingbird
Have you ever sneaked into another movie at the cinema?
Yep, I sure have. When I was much younger, I used to travel 2+ hours to go and meet a girlfriend whose parents didn’t approve of me (don’t ask!). We’d hang out at the mall and depending on what was showing we’d see one movie and then just walk into another. The last time I remember us doing it was going to see Crimson Tide, and then afterwards sneaking into Batman Forever on its opening night. Most recently, technically I snuck in…but I have no guilt for doing so. After seeing Shark Night 3D, I decided to see the midnight showing of Drive. I waited at the counter for about 10 minutes for an employee, but eventually grew tired of waiting since it was a few minutes after midnight, and just went right into the theater.
Which actor/actress do you think is overrated?
Will Ferrell, and it’s not even close. I will admit to liking Ferrell in Old School, Elf and his short stint in Wedding Crashers, but it stops there. Aside from Elf, every other movie in which he’s the lead actor has been a disappointment to me. I think he tries too hard when he’s the film’s lead, as opposed to a brief appearance in which he usually nails the part and gives a more memorable performance.
From which big director have you never seen any movie (and why)?
Akira Kurosawa. For the longest time I refused to watch a film in black and white. I hadn’t yet matured to the point of understanding that color didn’t necessarily help make a great film. I’ve since matured, at least when it comes to watching films, and have seen a great many black and white movies. Unfortunately, I have no excuse other than I have never taken the time to actually watch any of the Kurosawa films, of which I own a handful on DVD or Blu-ray. Please don’t judge me…
Which movie do you love, but is generally hated?
It’s difficult to determine which movies are generally hated, but I’m going to go with a franchise movie that is considered the worst in the series (I won’t argue that) and an all around terrible film, Rocky V. What’s not to like about Rocky, Paulie, Adrian and even Mick (in flashbacks)? Okay, Sly’s son is terrible as Rocky’s son, and former boxing professional Tommy Morrison is beyond stiff as the terribly named Tommy Gunn; but how can you not love the name of promoter George Washington Duke, played in such a campy manner it’s impossible to laugh? Yes, I accept that movie isn’t as good as the four films that came before it, nor is it as good as Rocky Balboa, which came after. However, the film is littered with great lines “Yo Tommy! I didn’t hear no bell” and “Hey! You knock him down, how ‘bout you try knockin’ me down”. Also, the rap filled soundtrack is led by the Joey B. Ellis & Tynetta Hare song “Go For It (Heart and Fire)” which is great for getting kids all fired up during a basketball clinic; I’m speaking from experience.
Have you ever been “one of those annoying people” at the cinema?
Absolutely not! At least not as far as I can remember. I cherish the film going experience, as I recently wrote about. It’s a time to relax and take in the world that’s been created, and a time to make memories to last a lifetime. I only wish there were less inconsiderate, careless, selfish people who made movie going experiences uncomfortable for others.
Did you ever watch a movie, which you knew in advance would be bad, just because of a specific actor/actress was in it? Which one and why?
It’s pretty bad that 1 movie immediately came to my mind when I read this question…Zombie Strippers! starring Jenna Jameson; and for the record, this is not an Adults Only film. I had absolutely no expectations whatsoever for the movie, but will admit that the only reason I watched it all was because Jenna Jameson was in it. Needless to say the movie was HORRENDOUS and I have no memory of anything other than Robert England also being in the movie.
Did you ever not watch a specific movie because it had subtitles?
I can’t say that I have. I have no problem watching a movie with subtitles while at home, nor paying to see one in theaters.
Are there any movies in your collection that you have had for more than five years and never watched?
I’ve got a movie collection that’s upwards of 10 thousand, so I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that I’ve never watched a great deal of them. Here’s a list of the more notable ones:
American Gangster – I just never got around to watching it
Scarface (1932) – It was part of the Scarface Deluxe Gift Set
Which are the worst movies in your collection and why do you still own them?
Drive Angry – The Nicholas Cage movie was the first movie I ever reviewed, and when someone asks me what’s one of the worst films I’ve ever watched, I’ll have it handy to lend to them.
Showgirls (VIP Limited Edition) – The day I bought it, I opened it up just to play the “Pin the Pasties on the Showgirl” game….it’s worth keeping just for the game.
Do You Have Any Confessions About Your Movie Watching Setup At Home?
I don’t have, nor do I have any current plans to get surround sound.
Any other confessions you want to make?
I get the opportunity to go to 3-5 advanced screenings each month.
If there’s a Groupon or similar deal for Hollywood Movie Money or Fandango codes, I usually buy too many just so I can see movies in 3D or IMAX at the same price as the regular screening.
I cry at practically every movie I see. The worst was when I went to see A Beautiful Mind, expecting a spy movie and got so wrapped up in the story that an older woman sitting next to me handed me a full pack of tissues and said “you need these more than I do”. Regardless of the movie, if my kids are with me they’ll either check or ask me if I’m crying.
Joe
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Hey, same answer on Will Ferrell!
I’ve watched 5 from your classic movie list and I’d recommend; Gandhi & To Kill A Mockingbird.
That’s sweet crying on ‘A Beautiful Mind’. I’ve never seen it, but I want to. Often I found a movie is good because they made me cry.
I honestly don’t get the love affair with Will Ferrell. Although to be honest, I’m not a big fan of comedies.
To Kill a Mockingbird will probably be the first one from my list that I get around to seeing. I’ve people tell me directly that it “disappoints” them that I haven’t seen it yet.
I’m glad you think it’s sweet…my wife thinks I’m a sap and my kids think I’m a clown. I just tell them that I’m emotional…lol
You have over 10,000 movies! Where do you keep them all?
If not over 10k, I’m pretty damn close to it. I’ve got about 16 binders, spindles and then those that are still in their cases.
I started out with racks, and my wife got tired of seeing more and more racks taking up space in the basement. I had told her of my plans to have shelves built into a back basement wall surrounding my TV. One day I came home and she was building the shelves (she had always wanted to be a carpenter) and we installed them. They worked fine for a few years, but eventually I ran out of space and decided to go to the binders. I have to make time to put them in a spreadsheet so I can find what I’m looking for.
Wow!!!!! =) I can picture her in front of me with the toolbelt on after being fed up with your movie collection taking over your house. Cool story!
Joel, it was pretty damn funny. I cam walking in the house and heard this strange noise. I thought she’d gotten some new vacuum, or something. When I walked in the house, as I got to the kitchen I see all these planks of wood on our deck. I walked out the door, and there she was with safety goggles on, a plank of wood on the horse, and her circular saw in the process of cutting. To top it off, she made all the shelves adjustable. It was pretty darn impressive.
I didn’t see the greatness of Inglorious Basterds either. It was fine. I just didn’t understand all the fuss.
A Beautiful Mind had me in pieces! I’m a cryer too.
I’m glad that I’m not the only one. I caught a lot of slack because I didn’t think it was another great Tarantino film.
Jaina, I kid you not…I’ve actually gone into a movie with the intent to not allow myself to cry no matter what…but it never works, there’s always something. It may be the most subtle scene, something cheesy or something I think it cute or romantic…it doesn’t take much for the water pipes to open up. By the far the worst is when it relates to something between a father and a son…the dam bursts wide open.
Thanks again for joining and making this blogathon a success.
Oooh, you didn’t like Inglorious Basterds? Surprised by that. I’m not a big fan of Death Proof either.
Out of those ten movies there are three I have not seen. Out of the movies you haven’t seen my favorite would be Network.
Understandable that you are nog a big fan of Ferrell. I think he’s pretty funny, although he does have some movies that shouldn’t be watched
I had seen Ran years before but didn’t know it was a Kurosawa movie. The first one I did see knowing that was Seven Samurai, which was probably 2 years ago.
Can’t remember much about Rocky V, so don’t have an opinion about it.
Why the distinction between subtitles in the theatre and at home?
Upwards of 10 thousand movies in your collection? That makes me want to ask lots of questions. How many of them have you seen? Where do you keep all of them? Any system to find what you already own and don’t buy things doubles? How do you sort it? Do you rewatch any of them?
My thanks to you Nostra! I had a lot of fun putting this together.
I’ve come to realize that I’m in the minority when it comes to Inglorious Basterds. At some point in the near future I’m planning on giving it a rewatching to see if maybe I missed something or had been a different frame of mind.
I’ve tried to make it a point to see older films that come highly recommended, and hope to have half of these off this list within the next 12 months.
I’ve got friends who think Ron Burgundy is the greatest thing to come to movies…I just don’t get it.
I’m seriously ashamed that I haven’t seen anything Kurosawa…I disappoint even myself, especially considering I have some of his films on DVD or Blu-ray.
There was a point in time when I was younger in which I wouldn’t pay to see a movie with subtitles, but that changed with Brotherhood of the Wolf. I would only watch movies with subtitles at home, but now it doesn’t matter. I’ll watch them anywhere.
Feel free to ask away. I’ve seen maybe 30%-35% of them, and that number is probably higher when considering how many TV shows I’ve watched that I have. I’ve got binders that hold 540 discs in each, the majority are in those. Most of the time I take the discs out of the cases (which are all stored in boxes in my attic, to my wife’s dismay), so whatever isn’t in a binder is in a spindle. I do have a few large stacks that are in the cases, and they are just on shelves. I don’t really have a system, but can say that I’ve only come across 3-5 doubles (X2 and Double Indemnity being the most recent I’ve found). I don’t count the 3 different copies of Jaws that I have, because they are different versions that were released. I haven’t made time to put together an excell spreadsheet to keep track of what I have, and where discs are located. They are broken down my movies, TV shows, kids films, and kids tv shows. I’ve rewatched a large number. I typically watch a lot of movies on my own, and if it’s something I know my wife will like I’ll rewatch it with here, the same goes for my son.
Thanks for answering those questions, I’m impressed by that collection
The pleasure was all mine Nostra! I’m pretty proud of it as well.
WOW, we have the same answer for director’s work we haven’t seen: Kurosawa. I have seen only 2 classics on your list, the first and the last one, and both I highly recommend, especially ‘Mockingbird’ as it’s such an important film.
I’m so w/ you about Ferrell, seems like a lot of the SNL grads get overrated quick, Adam Sandler is also another one.
Ruth, I feel just as bad about not seeing any Kurosawa films as I do about not having seen To Kill a Mockingbird as of yet for the very reason you mention…the film’s importance.
I didn’t mind Sandler’s earlier films, like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy and Big Daddy….but it’s been nothing but downhill since then.
Ruth, Joe: You are in store for greatness with Kurosawa! He is the master of doing great universal (remakeable) stories as you certainly will notice!
I’ve decided that this is going to be the week that I finally watch Seven Samurai.
I definitely don’t feel the love for Will Ferrell either. For some reason, just seeing him onscreen annoys me.
Zombie Strippers? Now that sounds truly bad. But we all need a bit of campy badness every now and then.
Stephanie, it sounds like there are a lot more Ferrell haters than I ever thought…it makes me happy to know that.
Yeah, Zombie Strippers! was exactly what I’d thought it would be. It’s that same reason I went to see Piranha 3DD in the theaters. Sometimes we just need to lose ourselves in something so deliriously ridiculous to lighten up the every day calamities of life.
Yeah I would onsider myself a Ferrell hater too. I never got the love for that guy!
It’s becoming more and more apparent to me that there are more Ferrell haters than there are fans.
Shame on you for Inglorious Basterds. lol
As for Drive Angry, it’s a terrible movie, but dammit I love the hell out of it. William Fichtner alone makes the movie for me as the Accountant.
Hey, I openly admitted to being in the minority when it comes to Inglorious Basterds.
I did like William Fichtner’s Accountant, but damn man…the movie was downright terrible!