originally posted
MARCH 15, 2007
[old stuff from the now gone "Refined Picture Show" blogspot]
Another great quiz by Dennis Cozzalio.
1) WHAT MOVIE DID YOU HAVE TO SEE MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER YOU LIKED OR DISLIKED IT?
One I initially disliked but ended up digging quite a bit was DONNIE DARKO (2001).
A movie I started to hate after multiple viewings was A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001).
One I initially disliked but ended up digging quite a bit was DONNIE DARKO (2001).
A movie I started to hate after multiple viewings was A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001).
2) INAUGURAL ENTRY INTO THE ACADEMY OF THE OVERRATED
Paul Greengrass
Paul Greengrass
3) FAVORITE SLY OR NOT-SO-SLY REFERENCE TO ANOTHER FILM OR BIT OF POP CULTURE WITHIN ANOTHER FILM
I love the homage to Sergio Leone in THE 'BURBS (1989) when Art & Ray approach the neighbor's creepy house. The staging & music are so spot on.
I love the homage to Sergio Leone in THE 'BURBS (1989) when Art & Ray approach the neighbor's creepy house. The staging & music are so spot on.
 |
| direct nods to GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY and ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST |
4) FAVORITE POWELL /
PRESSBURGER MOVIE
THE RED SHOES (1948)
THE RED SHOES (1948)
5) FAVORITE OSCAR MOMENT
Those reels where they used to edit Billy Crystal into all the nominated films.
6) HUGO WEAVING
OR GUY PEARCE?
Guy
Guy
7) MOVIE THAT YOU FEEL GAVE YOU THE GREATEST INSIGHT INTO A WORLD/CULTURE/PERSON/PLACE/EVENT THAT YOU HAD NO UNDERSTANDING OF BEFORE SEEING IT
Loads of documentaries come to mind immediately. A few feature films too. CHILDREN UNDERGROUND (2001) hit me with the clarity of Col. Kurtz's proverbial diamond bullet. A horrible reproductive health policy for the women of your country equals disastrous results for generations to come. Holy shit what a heartbreaking nightmare.
Jane Goodall's excellent short documentary called CHIMPS: SO LIKE US really opened my eyes to the tribalism and complex politics that exist among Chimpanzees. I imagine it must be similar to how most great ape species interact in the wild.
As far as narrative live action movies go, MY LEFT FOOT (1989) offers a raw & humanistic insight into the life of artist Christy Brown & the day-to-day struggles he faced with cerebral palsy. Seeing it at a young age made a big impact on me. I always try to be mindful of the needs of disabled people.
Loads of documentaries come to mind immediately. A few feature films too. CHILDREN UNDERGROUND (2001) hit me with the clarity of Col. Kurtz's proverbial diamond bullet. A horrible reproductive health policy for the women of your country equals disastrous results for generations to come. Holy shit what a heartbreaking nightmare.
8) FAVORITE SAMUEL FULLER
THE STEEL HELMET (1951)
THE STEEL HELMET (1951)
9) MONICA BELLUCCI
OR MARIA GRAZIA CUCINOTTA
Monica.. mamma mia!
10) WHAT MOVIE CAN TAKE A NOTHING DAY AND SUDDENLY MAKE IT ALL SEEM WORTHWHILE
Miller's ROAD WARRIOR.
11) CONVERSELY, WHAT MOVIE CAN DESTROY A DAY'S WORTH OF GOOD HUMOR JUST BY CATCHING A GLIMPSE OF IT WHILE CHANNEL SURFING?
This sad Japanese movie called NOBODY KNOWS (2004) about child abandonment.
12) FAVORITE JOHN BOORMAN
personally it's EXCALIBUR (1981).
though I think DELIVERANCE (1972) is probably his best.
13) WARREN OATES
Monica.. mamma mia!
10) WHAT MOVIE CAN TAKE A NOTHING DAY AND SUDDENLY MAKE IT ALL SEEM WORTHWHILE
Miller's ROAD WARRIOR.
11) CONVERSELY, WHAT MOVIE CAN DESTROY A DAY'S WORTH OF GOOD HUMOR JUST BY CATCHING A GLIMPSE OF IT WHILE CHANNEL SURFING?
This sad Japanese movie called NOBODY KNOWS (2004) about child abandonment.
12) FAVORITE JOHN BOORMAN
personally it's EXCALIBUR (1981).
13) WARREN OATES
OR BRUCE DERN?
Both men are great in their own right, but if I'm forced to choose I go with Warren Oates.
14)
Both men are great in their own right, but if I'm forced to choose I go with Warren Oates.
14)
FAVORITE ASPECT RATIO
15) BEFORE HE DIED IN 1984, FRANCOIS TRUFFAUT ONCE SAID: "THE FILM OF TOMORROW WILL RESEMBLE THE PERSON WHO MADE IT." IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT TRUFFAUT WAS RIGHT? IS IT TRUFFAUT'S TOMORROW YET?
I'd like to say yes but I think more and more personal films are having a harder time getting funding now. Studios definitely seem to want to play it safe more often & rely on formula and established brands. I guess it really just depends on the filmmaker. There are still "auteurs" and personal storytellers but not anymore or any less than there were in Truffaut's day. I thought that should've definitely been the case by now with the way digital is democratizing the medium, but so few small movies find an audience.
16) FAVORITE HERZOG MOVIE
AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD (1972)
17) FAVORITE MOVIE FEATURING A RAMPAGING, OVERSIZED OR OTHERWISE MUTATED BEAST, OR BEASTS
I adore TREMORS (1990).
18) SANDRA BERNHARD
2.35:1
PANAVISION ANAMORPHIC
 |
| ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981) |
15) BEFORE HE DIED IN 1984, FRANCOIS TRUFFAUT ONCE SAID: "THE FILM OF TOMORROW WILL RESEMBLE THE PERSON WHO MADE IT." IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT TRUFFAUT WAS RIGHT? IS IT TRUFFAUT'S TOMORROW YET?
I'd like to say yes but I think more and more personal films are having a harder time getting funding now. Studios definitely seem to want to play it safe more often & rely on formula and established brands. I guess it really just depends on the filmmaker. There are still "auteurs" and personal storytellers but not anymore or any less than there were in Truffaut's day. I thought that should've definitely been the case by now with the way digital is democratizing the medium, but so few small movies find an audience.
16) FAVORITE HERZOG MOVIE
AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD (1972)
17) FAVORITE MOVIE FEATURING A RAMPAGING, OVERSIZED OR OTHERWISE MUTATED BEAST, OR BEASTS
I adore TREMORS (1990).
18) SANDRA BERNHARD
OR SARAH SILVERMAN?
Ms. Silverman! she makes me laugh a bit more. I'm admittedly way more attracted to Sandra, though.. That's right, I said it!
Ms. Silverman! she makes me laugh a bit more. I'm admittedly way more attracted to Sandra, though.. That's right, I said it!
19) YOUR FAVORITE, OR MOST DESPISED, MOVIE CLICHE
One of my favorites is when a car suddenly won't start in a horror film. hehe. It's just a funny & cheap way to fuck with the audience.
I hate when characters fake cough insults under their breath.
20) INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM-- YES OR NO?
Yes!.. not as great as RAIDERS (1981), but still a great ride.
21) FAVORITE NICHOLAS RAY
One of my favorites is when a car suddenly won't start in a horror film. hehe. It's just a funny & cheap way to fuck with the audience.
20) INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM-- YES OR NO?
Yes!.. not as great as RAIDERS (1981), but still a great ride.
21) FAVORITE NICHOLAS RAY
JOHNNY GUITAR (1954)
22) INAUGURAL ENTRY INTO THE ACADEMY OF THE UNDERRATED
Nicolas Winding Refn
23) FAVORITE MOVIE DEALING W/THE SUBJECT OF TELEVISION
Cronenberg's VIDEODROME (1983).
I also love QUIZ SHOW (1994) and NETWORK (1976).
24) BRUNO GANZ
Nicolas Winding Refn
23) FAVORITE MOVIE DEALING W/THE SUBJECT OF TELEVISION
Cronenberg's VIDEODROME (1983).
24) BRUNO GANZ
OR PATRICK BUACHAU?
Bruno!
25)
Bruno!
25)
YOUR FAVORITE DOCUMENTARY,
OR NON-FICTION FILM
KOYAANISQATSI (1983)
KOYAANISQATSI (1983)
26) ACCORDING TO ORSON WELLES, THE DIRECTOR'S JOB IS TO "PRESIDE OVER ACCIDENTS." NAME A FAVORITE MOMENT FROM A MOVIE THAT SEEMS LIKE AN ACCIDENT, OR A UNINTENDED, PRIVILEGED MOMENT. HOW DID IT ENHANCE OR DISTRACT FROM THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE OF THE MOVIE?
One of the more recent happy accidents I've loved was in Malick's THE NEW WORLD (2005). The steadi-cam operator was moving around the lead (Q'orianka Kilcher) as she strolls on a shore during a gathering storm. As the camera makes a 180 degree turn around her (starting on her smile & ending over her shoulder) it caught lightning striking in the distance.
One of the more recent happy accidents I've loved was in Malick's THE NEW WORLD (2005). The steadi-cam operator was moving around the lead (Q'orianka Kilcher) as she strolls on a shore during a gathering storm. As the camera makes a 180 degree turn around her (starting on her smile & ending over her shoulder) it caught lightning striking in the distance.
sublime
27) FAVORITE WENDERS MOVIE
WINGS OF DESIRE (1988)
28) ELIZABETH PENA
WINGS OF DESIRE (1988)
28) ELIZABETH PENA
OR PENELOPE CRUZ?
I love both these women but I'd pick Penelope.
I love both these women but I'd pick Penelope.
29) FAVORITE MOVIE TAG LINE
I love the singular obsessiveness of "He had to find her... he had to find her" on old posters for THE SEARCHERS (1956).
ALIEN ('79) & SPACE ODYSSEY ('68) have cool tag lines too.
I love the singular obsessiveness of "He had to find her... he had to find her" on old posters for THE SEARCHERS (1956).
30) AS A READER, FILMGOER, OR FILM CRITIC, WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM A FILM CRITIC, OR FROM FILM CRITICISM? AND WHERE DO YOU SEE FILM CRITICISM IN GENERAL HEADED?
I don't care if our tastes in film are opposite or identical-- as long as a writer has interesting ideas about movies I will continue to seek them out. Make me think critically about any aspect of a film & you've done your job. As to the future of film criticism, I'm not sure. Print sales definitely seem to keep falling. Which is bad. Maybe more and more film critics will end up writing for online outlets or hosting podcasts?? idk.
I don't care if our tastes in film are opposite or identical-- as long as a writer has interesting ideas about movies I will continue to seek them out. Make me think critically about any aspect of a film & you've done your job. As to the future of film criticism, I'm not sure. Print sales definitely seem to keep falling. Which is bad. Maybe more and more film critics will end up writing for online outlets or hosting podcasts?? idk.
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