Tuesday, April 20, 2010

10 movie-related bio bits...

As per stipulated by Andrew at Encore Entertainment, I've been added to the long list of film bloggers who've been asked to 'fess up with 10 random movie-related facts about themselves. So, as long as I'm understanding the rules correctly, here are 10 random (and mostly embarrassing) movie facts about yours truly...


1. The first movie, I'm told, I saw in theaters was Beauty and the Beast in 1991. As far as other movie-attending milestones, the first PG-13 movie I saw in theaters was Batman Forever in 1994 - but the first PG-13 movie I saw unchaperoned? That stellar entry in the James Bond franchise, The World is Not Enough.

2. Time to admit the shameful stances I hold: I fell asleep during Citizen Kane when I first watched it - and I have yet to give it another view six years later; I've never seen Lawrence of Arabia or Raging Bull, and I don't see it happening anytime in the near future; the first time I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey I absolutely hated it (granted, I was about 12), and I'm still not so sure I even like it; and finally, possibly the worst confession, there was a time in my life (chalk it up to pre-teen madness) when Batman & Robin was deemed my "favorite" movie.

3. The films I've watched more times than any others are The First Wives Club, Clue, and I am Sam - and, if it counts, A&E's Pride & Prejudice miniseries.

4. The first time I ever remember crying at a movie was in 1995 at Apollo 13. I recall being very confused as to what was happening, but I've certainly done the same at many movies since. Ol' softie, I am.

5. Despite the backlash and constant revulsion from many movie fans, John Williams will always be my favorite score composer. And Gabriel Yared, Bernard Hermann, and James Horner follow close behind.


6. The only times I ever recall standing outside a theater in line to get into a movie were for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and While You Were Sleeping (Sandra Bullock is kind of a staple back in my small-town Minnesotan homeland).

7. Most of the worst movies I've ever seen - including Dumb and Dumber, the Adam Sandler filmography, and The Hot Chick - can be attributed to repeat forced viewings on marching band bus trips. Damn you Happy Gilmore.

8. I own about 500 DVDs (Obsessive? Maybe.) - the first one I bought was The Sixth Sense, though I went halvsies on it with my brother. The first one I bought on my own was Cast Away. The last DVD I bought was Election.

9. The first time I took in a double feature at a movie theater was in 1998 with The Parent Trap and The Mask of Zorro. The last time I did it, it was Nine and Up in the Air.

10. The Michael Jackson "Thriller" video scarred me more in terms of horror than any other horror movie did in my childhood. The closest in terms of sheer volume of related nightmares was probably the heart-wrenching scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

5 comments:

Simon said...

Fuck you, Happy Gilmore. I'll see you in hell.

Notas Sobre Creación Cultural e Imaginarios Sociales said...

I loved Thriller growing up. I was terrified of it but asked my parents to play it for me every single day!

Jude said...

The Parent Trap will always be one of my personal favorites. RIP Natasha Richardson. That's still such a a devastating loss.

Castor said...

I've done a double feature at the theater only once. I feel it detracts from the experience of a movie where you watch it and can reflect over it for the next few hours (or days) instead of jumping right into another movie after the first one is done.

Luke said...

Simon: Ha! You. :)

Jose: Now see, that's the definition of insanity. :)

Jude: Yeah, Natasha was so great in that role...

Castor: I partially agree with you. I guess it probably takes away from that first movie. I guess what makes me do it on occasion is the fun all-day experience of it all...