30 Favorite Fictional Characters

Reposting my #30DaysofFavorites project here on my blog. Sharing my 30 Favorite Fictional Characters.

 

 

 

30 Favorite Movies

Reposting my #30DaysofFavorites project here on my blog. Sharing my 30 Favorite Movies.

 

 

 

 

 

30 Favorite Books

Reposting my #30DaysofFavorites project here on my blog. Sharing my 30 Favorite Books.

 

 

 

 

 

Shark Week Movie Recommendations

It’s Shark Week! So, I thought I would re-share my Shark Movie reviews from last year’s celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Scene Ever!

Reposting some older pieces from my other blog.

 

It is no secret to anyone that knows me that Jaws is my favorite film and I rarely let an opportunity to watch even the smallest scene pass me by. So it should come as no surprise that when I happened upon it on satellite the other day (and in HD no less) I, of course, stopped to watch. My timing, it was revealed, was quite perfect. The first shot I saw was the shark falling back into the ocean, followed by Brody telling Quint, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” The next scene is perhaps the most noted, Quint’s monologue about the U.S.S. Indianapolis. I believe this is the best scene in the movie and it is all due to Robert Shaw’s performance.

Shaw starts off the speech with an explanation to Brody about what the mission of the Indianapolis was then quickly goes into a description of the horrors he faced following the sinking of the ship. Now, this entire scene is a credit to Shaw’s brilliant acting abilities. All you need as proof of his talent are the looks on his two fellow actors at the end of the scene. Those expressions are real and they are reactions to Shaw’s performance. They look simply dumbfounded. I have seen this movie countless times and I have been astonished every time I watch this scene at how expressive Shaw’s eyes are. He goes back and forth in the story between several emotions. At one point he is angry and the next second scared, then insane. All of these he shows through not only the pitch in his voice and the movement of his body but also in the changing shade and look in his eyes. When he delivers the line, “They didn’t even list us overdue for a week,” his voice is angry and his eyes dark. When he says, “The thing about a shark … he’s got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll’s eyes. When he comes at ya he doesn’t seem to be livin’ until those black eyes roll over white and then … oh then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin’. The ocean turns red and despite all that poundin’ and hollerin’, they all come in and … they rip you to pieces,” he seems to be staring off into space and gets a glazed look in his eyes and cracks a smile, showing that Quint is clearly traumatized from this incident and has lost some hold on sanity. Finally when he speaks of being picked up by the PBY his eyes widen and his face loses some color. Clearly he was afraid he was going to die just before he was saved. He confirms this by claiming he’ll never put on a lifejacket again. He would rather drown than wait to be ripped apart by something more terrible.

It is a crime that Robert Shaw never won an Oscar, let alone that he wasn’t even nominated for this role. Shaw was a truly amazing performer.

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Steven Spielberg Spotlight: From Page to Screen

Reposting an older piece from my other blog.

 

This post is part of the SPIELBERG BLOGATHON hosted by Outspoken & Freckled, It Rains… You Get Wet, and Citizen Screenings taking place August 23-24 2014. Please visit these host blogs for a full list of participating blogs.
Spielberg is a wonderful storyteller. I’ve known this since I was four-years-old and my parents showed my sister and me Jaws for the first time. Don’t worry, they were diligent and covered our eyes and ears at the scary parts. Unfortunately, later that week when our grandmother was babysitting us, and we had picked it as the film we wanted to watch, she did not know this. I’m pretty sure I have permanent psychological damage, seeing as I have a deep fear of the ocean to this day.
While there are a great many things Spielberg excels at, telling stories is what he does best. Nowhere is this more clear than in the films he has made that have been adapted from others’ stories. I know that there are several films in his catalog that are adaptations but for the purpose of this post, I am focusing on Jaws, Jurassic Park, and The Lost World.

 

Though I may be scarred from having seen Jaws at such a young age, it has also been my favorite movie for the last twenty-two years. I have never read the book, nor do I have any plans to in the future. Various people have told me that because of my love of the film, I would not enjoy the novel. However, I know enough of the plot of the book to know that Spielberg took a great concept but slightly convoluted story and turned it into a masterpiece. Many things tend to get lost in the move from page to screen but the mark of a good filmmaker is in keeping the most important story elements. Of course, we can’t have a discussion about the adaptation of Jaws without giving credit to both Peter Benchley, the author of the novel, and screenwriter Carl Gottlieb. Benchley came up with an incredible concept, and Gottlieb did an outstanding job with the screenplay. However, it was Spielberg’s direction that tied the two together, and managed to create a masterpiece, despite troubles with the script before and during shooting, issues with the mechanical shark, and a seasick cast and crew.

 

I actually just read Jurassic Park, and can now fully appreciate just how well the story was adapted. The movie and the book are pretty close as far as the plot. There are a few additional characters in the book, and the ending is slightly different (in Spielberg’s version there are a couple of extra characters that make it off the island). The things that are left out, while interesting to read, would add too much complexity to the film. Spielberg keeps the concept, and focuses on a couple of solid characters and a smart idea to tell a story. Again, we must give credit where it is due. Michael Crichton did a good job with the novel, and David Koepp helped make the screenplay successful. It is Spielberg though that carries the story through. He directs his actors to great performances, demands groundbreaking special effects, and delivers a film that defined an entire generation of future filmmakers’ childhoods.

 

I also recently read The Lost World for the first time, and it is the example from the three I have chosen where Spielberg’s influence did the most to change the story. There are very few similarities between the book and the film. There are dinosaurs, a Site B, and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) is one of the main characters. That is about where the similarities end. While Crichton deserves acclaim for creating the world that this story takes place in, the novel consists of a series of episodic-like events that don’t hold much logic in the context of the story. For example, in the book the group on the island keeps returning to the trailers, and then sets out again to investigate some new issue. In the movie, the group has to move through the island to get to the center where the radio is, and as they travel, they keep bumping into dinosaurs, rather than seeking them out. Again, David Koepp helped with the screenplay but it was Spielberg’s direction that created an exciting thrill-ride that kept audiences on the edges of their seats. While the novel and screenplay provide the base and blueprints for the film, Spielberg is the contractor that saw brought the vision to life. He knew exactly how to build the tension, and turn the film into a chase. It is a much more satisfying experience. The novel has some interesting elements but it gets lost in some of the scientific language, and is too quick to go from action scene to action scene, without worrying how you get there. The movie is tighter and feels very much like a rollercoaster, going from high excitement to building anticipation, to high excitement again effortlessly, an indication that its director knew what the audience wanted, and how to deliver it to them.
Steven Spielberg is my favorite director. I have seen all of his feature films, and he is the only director I have done this with. I am more likely to see a Steven Spielberg directed film simply because his name is attached to it, than I am to see any film because a certain actor is attached to it (although Keira Knightley comes close). I have been fascinated by film since my first viewing of Jaws and that is due in large part to Spielberg’s excellence as a visual storyteller. Spielberg recognizes a good story when he sees one, and he understands that film is a very different medium than books are, and each needs to be approached with a specific vision in mind. I enjoy reading almost as much as I enjoy watching a good film, and I know it is impossible to please everyone with an adaptation but Spielberg comes pretty darn close.

#30DaysofFavorites: Favorite Movie Posters

Today’s post is the last entry for my 30 Days of Favorites project so I thought I’d end on a fun note. In case you couldn’t tell by the name of my blog, or the last few posts, I’m a big movie fan, and one of my favorite things about movies are the gorgeous posters designed to promote them. Now, I could sit here and bitch about the decline in the art of the movie poster, and bemoan the use of photoshop and giant floating heads but I’m not going to do that. Instead, I’m just going to show you what I consider are pretty great posters. Some of them are older, some are newer. Some feature that dreaded use of photoshop, and some are hand drawn/painted. All of them, in my opinion, are works of art.

 

 

#30 – Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

 

#29 – Elivis & Nixon (2016)

 

#28 – Wonder Woman (2017)

 

#27 – Ant-Man (2015)

 

#26 – Chappaquiddick (2018)

 

#25 – Bullitt (1968)

 

#24 – DragonHeart (1996)

 

#23 – Snakes on a Plane (2006)

 

#22 – La La Land (2016)

 

#21 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows P1 & P2 (2010/2011)

 

#20 – Beauty and the Beast (1991)

 

#19 – The Babadook (2014)

 

#18 – Spectre (2015)

 

#17 – The Nice Guys (2016)
(Bench Ad)

 

#16 – 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

 

#15 – Chinatown (1974)

 

#14 – The Rocketeer (1991)

 

#13 – Back to the Future III (1990)

 

#12 – Back to the Future II (1989)

 

#11 – Back to the Future (1985)

 

#10 – Star Wars (1977)

 

#9 – West Side Story (1961)

 

#8 – Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

 

#7 – Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

 

#6 – Revenge of the Jedi (1983)

 

#5 – Walk the Line (2005)

 

#4 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

 

#3 – Baby Driver (2017)

 

#2 – Jaws (1975)

 

#1 – John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982)

#30DaysofFavorites: Favorite Actors

All throughout June I have been celebrating the fact that I’m turning 30 on the 30th by talking about some of my favorite things. I’ve posted several vlogs on my YouTube channel, and I’ve shared my 30 favorite movie moments, and my 30 favorite albums here on my blog.

Today, I’m sharing a list of my 30 Favorite Actors.

 

#30 – Emily Blunt
Favorite Role: Rita, Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

 

#29 – Nicole Kidman
Favorite Role: Gillian Owens, Practical Magic (1998)

 

#28 – Amy Adams
Favorite Role: Louise Banks, Arrival (2016)

 

#27 – Paul Rudd
Favorite Role: Danny, Role Models (2008)

 

#26 – Ryan Gosling
Favorite Role: Holland March, The Nice Guys (2016)

 

#25 – Uma Thurman
Favorite Role: The Bride, Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003)

 

#24 – Chris Pine
Favorite Role: James Tiberius Kirk, Star Trek (2009)

 

#23 – Timothy Olyphant
Favorite Role: Raylan Givens, Justified (2010-2015)

 

#22 – Sebastian Stan
Favorite Role: James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes / Winter Soldier, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

 

#21 – Joe Anderson
Favorite Role: Russell, The Crazies (2010)

 

#20 – Sigourney Weaver
Favorite Role: Ellen Ripley, Alien/Aliens (1979/1986)

 

#19 – Gene Kelly
Favorite Role: Don Lockwood, Singin’ In the Rain (1952)

 

#18 – Paul Newman
Favorite Role: Luke, Cool Hand Luke (1967)

 

#17 – Errol Flynn
Favorite Role: Robin Hood, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

 

#16 – Howard Keel
Favorite Role: Adam, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

 

#15 – Burt Reynolds
Favorite Role: Paul Crewe, The Longest Yard (1974)

 

#14 – Richard Harris
Favorite Role: Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(2001)

 

#13 – Danny Kaye
Favorite Role: Hubert Hawkins, The Court Jester (1955)

 

#12 – Alan Rickman
Favorite Role: Hans Gruber, Die Hard (1988)

 

#11 – Harrison Ford
Favorite Role: Han Solo, Star Wars (1977)

 

#10 – Joaquin Phoenix
Favorite Role: Johnny Cash, Walk the Line (2005)

 

#9 – Keira Knightley
Favorite Role: Elizabeth Bennet, Pride & Prejudice (2005)

 

#8 – Sean Connery
Favorite Role: James Bond, From Russia With Love (1963)

 

#7 – Roy Scheider
Favorite Role: Chief Brody,  Jaws (1975)

 

#6 – Walton Goggins
Favorite Role: Boyd Crowder, Justified (2010-2015)

 

#5 – Jake Gyllenhaal
Favorite Role: Louis Bloom, Nightcrawler (2014)

 

#4 – Sam Rockwell
Favorite Role: Owen, The Way Way Back (2013)

 

#3 – Kurt Russell
Favorite Role: RJ MacReady, John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982)

 

#2 – Peter O’Toole
Favorite Role: T.E. Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

 

#1 – Robert Shaw
Favorite Role: Quint, Jaws (1975)

 

#30DaysofFavorites: Favorite Movie Moments (6-1)

If you missed my explanation of this project, I’m turning 30 at the end of June. I thought it would be fun to celebrate by talking about my favorite things. In this case, my favorite Movie Moments. Today I finish counting down my favorite Movie Moments with my number 6 to my number 1.

 

#6 – Full Moon Transformation
Movie: An American Werewolf in London (1981)

This movie is almost 40 years old and still looks great. That’s largely due to the amazing special effects, which won the first ever Academy Award for Makeup. I am a fan of practical effects over computer graphics, and this scene demonstrates why real life effects work so much better than CG.

 

#5 – Pellet with the Poison
Movie: The Court Jester (1955)

Danny Kaye is a master of verbal and physical comedy and showcases both in this wonderful scene.

 

#4 – The trick is not minding.
Movie: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

All of T.E. Lawrence’s quirkiness summed up in one scene, followed by that sweeping score from Maurice Jarre. Also, the best part of Prometheus.

 

#3 – Underwear Showdown.
Movie: Silverado (1985)

Paden is a sharp shot, and his horse is loyal. And he demonstrates this all in just his underwear.

 

#2 – It’s weird and pissed off.
Movie: The Thing (1982)

Another great example of practical effects and a disturbing sequence that kicks off the terror at this isolated camp.

 

#1 – USS Indianapolis Speech.
Movie: Jaws (1982)

It is a crime that Robert Shaw never won an Academy Award, and every time I watch this scene I feel like boycotting the show in protest.

 

Thanks for stopping by. I’m continuing my #30DaysofFavorites project with the next round on my YouTube channel in which I discuss my favorite movies starting tomorrow. Check it out here.