Movie Meme

[mamagotcha]

Quoting stonebender, who created the meme, via serenejournal: "I'm not much for best or favorite kind of lists. I can always think of several whatevers that would fit in whatever category. So feel free to pick more than one to answer any of these. Context and stories are encouraged."

Note: I'll put a blank set of questions into comments.


1. What movies do you like to talk about?

Miyazaki's films come to mind. On the surface, they are often light-hearted and entertaining stories, but dig a little deeper and you'll uncover all sorts of social commentary and inspiring attitudes, character shifts and historical observations.

2. Are there any directors you particularly follow?

The afore-mentioned Miyazaki, Jean-Paul Jeunet (Amelie, Delicatessen, City of Lost Children), Brad Bird (Iron Giant, Incredibles, 1906). Pixar isn't a director, but I'll see all their movies.

3. Are there any actors that will motivate you to see a film that wouldn't generally interest you?

Bill Murray comes to mind. Kenneth Branaugh. Emma Thompson. Robin Williams. I'm sure there are others, but I can't think of them right now.

4. Are there any movies that you wish you hadn't seen?

Plenty. I quit the Star Wars movies after the fourth one. If I get a bad feeling from a movie right off the bat, I've learned to get up and walk away (I got my money back from "Dances with Wolves" after the first nasty scene). Life's too short to waste it filling your head with things you don't want in there.

5. What genres do you particularly like?

Smart comedies, especially offbeat slightly dark ones. Harold & Maude, Heathers, Strictly Ballroom, Dead Again, Flirting with Disaster, Stranger than Fiction come to mind. I also like to become immersed in alternative worlds, like the LotR trilogy. I'm pretty much a sucker for really good storytelling. I like animation, both shorts and feature lengths.

6. What genres do you avoid like the plague?

Anything with gratuitous violence and blood. The only exception that comes to mind is "Silence of the Lambs," and it was the incredible storytelling, characters and plot that kept me in my seat. I also get annoyed by stupid movies... things happen that don't make sense just to get a laugh (Napoleon Dynamite comes to mind). Giant blockbusters tend to turn me off... Avatar and Titanic weren't things I had any interest in seeing. Maybe it's my rebel streak, and not wanting to be a sheeple, but even if someone gave me the DVDs for free, I'd have no interest in watching them.

7. Are there any movies that are really popular that you just don't get?

Plenty. I know I'm pretty picky about movies, so I don't stress on it. Different strokes for different folks.

8. Are there any movies that you love that most of your friends haven't seen?

I'm amazed more people aren't as captivated by the Miyazaki films. Maybe it's a California thing.

9. Are there any movies that you thought you would hate, but ended up really enjoying?

Demolition Man. Maybe it was the knitting reference. But I think in general it was far smarter than most action flicks, didn't take itself too seriously and had lots of aside-type jokes.

10. Are there any scenes or monologues that have stayed with you long after you've seen the movie?

Hmm. I'm sure there have been, but nothing is leaping to mind.

11. Any movies that you think should have a sequel?

No. I'm a big fan of leaving well enough alone.

12. Any movies that the sequel ruined?

Lots. Star Wars comes to mind. In general, I don't see sequels unless I hear really wonderful things about them. The Toy Story films surprised me with how good they were.

13. What movies do you think about from your childhood?

I remember watching "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" several times in the 25-cent theater with my cousins, and loving it. "Wizard of Oz" was a pretty big deal when it came on, and so was "Yellow Submarine." I saved up to go see "Star Wars" in the surround-sound theater in San Francisco when it first came out, and was blown away. Not having a way to pause or rewatch movies made them more of an event for us. Also, it was kind of rare to watch the same movie more than once. I saw "Ghostbusters" about ten times in the theater (having a boyfriend who worked there didn't hurt).

14. What movies can you watch again and again?

Strictly Ballroom. Ghostbusters. Amelie. Any Miyazaki movie (except "Grave of the Fireflies"). Harold and Maude.

15. Any cool chase scenes?

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (and its contemporary, Rat Race) struck me as pretty funny. I'm not huge on Three-Stooges-type slapstick, but I do love the artistry and incredible skill displayed in the Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton movies, including the chase scenes.

16. Any really hot scenes?

That final bit of Cinema Paradiso was pretty scorching. ;)

17. Any cool fights?

Fight scenes in general make me wince. I'd rather the characters thought their way out of a predicament. I do remember a half-hearted fistfight between Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones that ended in laughter that made me smile, but I can't for the life of me remember the movie.

18. Any movies that really changed how you think about something?

I'm sure, but I think my belief patterns are probably changed more via subtle, unconscious ways rather than earthshaking sudden shifts.

19. Any good adaptations of a book to the screen?

LotR wasn't perfect, but it was really good. I saw a few Discworld movies that captured the flavor of the books beautifully. While they weren't movies, the Laurie/Fry adaptations of the Jeeves stories were lovely (ditto for the James Herriot books).

20. What movies make you really laugh?

I'm not much of a LOLer these days. But Ghostbusters, Flirting with Disaster, most of the Pixar films all have bits that get me giggling.

21. What movies get you weepy?

I cry easily. If a story has managed to immerse me, I'll willingly sob or grin along with it.

22. Any movies that you're a little embarrassed that you like so much?

Not really. A movie has to earn my admiration, and once it's done that, I'm pretty happy to admit that I like it. A few movies like "Silence of the Lambs" surprised me, but I'm not ashamed to say so.

Comments

[mamagotcha.livejournal.com]

1. What movies do you like to talk about?
2. Are there any directors you particularly follow?
3. Are there any actors that will motivate you to see a film that wouldn't generally interest you?
4. Are there any movies that you wish you hadn't seen?
5. What genres do you particularly like?
6. What genres do you avoid like the plague?
7. Are there any movies that are really popular that you just don't get?
8. Are there any movies that you love that most of your friends haven't seen?
9. Are there any movies that you thought you would hate, but ended up really enjoying?
10. Are there any scenes or monologues that have stayed with you long after you've seen the movie?
11. Any movies that you think should have a sequel?
12. Any movies that the sequel ruined?
13. What movies do you think about from your childhood?
14. What movies can you watch again and again?
15. Any cool chase scenes?
16. Any really hot scenes?
17. Any cool fights?
18. Any movies that really changed how you think about something?
19. Any good adaptations of a book to the screen?
20. What movies make you really laugh?
21. What movies get you weepy?
22. Any movies that you're a little embarrassed that you like so much?

[justme8800.livejournal.com]

Interesting! For the record, "Grave of the Fireflies" isn't a Miyazaki film.

The monologue question is interesting... it's almost like asking, "what is your favorite PART of a movie?" I don't have an answer either, but it sure makes you think.

[mamagotcha.livejournal.com]

You're right! We got it in a set of Studio Ghibli flims, and all the rest were Miyazaki movies.

I'm simultaneously relieved and disappointed. Thanks for straightening me out.