Movie Meme

I'd be remiss if I didn't repost this, seeing as I went to film school and all. I do have, like, a meaningful post about Life and all somewhere in my head, but until I get it worked out, I offer you this morsel ('cause it's like, a total morsel, and shit. That's how I roll: with morsels.)

Name your (current) top 5 movies of all time.
I don't ever like this question. Seriously? Five? But up there are: Rushmore, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Talk to Her, You Can Count on Me and Lost in Translation. There. That's an interesting cross-section, I think.

What is your favorite movie line ever?
I can't think of mere lines, I keep thinking of exchanges. Like "I wrote a suicide note right before I did it." "Can we read it?" "No." "Can you paraphrase it for us?" "No." "Is it dark?" "Of course it's dark--it's a suicide note."

Who is your favorite movie character?
Max Fisher, baby. I also really like The Bride, aka Beatrice Kiddo.

What movie do you love that most people hate?
I can't think of anything specifically. I'm sure there are one or two romantic comedies that are really dumb but that I'm really fond of. In all honesty, I have really excellent taste in film. ( I have a degree in it, people.) (And I'm totally just joking with you. Seriously, I know there are some dumb movies that I like, I'm just not thinking of them off-hand.)

What movie do you hate that most people love?
Oh, this is SO easy. CLERKS. I watched it three times in a sincere effort to like it. But the verdict is absolutely out: I motherfucking hate Kevin Smith and every film he has ever made. Seriously. I'm real vitriolic about this, I know. But I hate that guy. Hate him.

What is the last movie you saw in the theatre?
Spiderman 3. (Same as Molly.) It was fun, but I've already told you that I thought it could have been a masterpiece if they'd kept it to one story line and developed the hell out of it.

What was the last movie you watched on DVD or via Video OnDemand?
Hmm. I think it was You, Me and Everyone We Know, and it was a while ago. Quality film, though I don't think I was as knocked out about it as most people. I do have a TON of respect for Miranda July, though. I saw her speak (or rather, I saw her performance art--in action) at South by Southwest several years ago. I am NOT a "performance art" person, but holy hell was she impressive.

Can you remember what the first DVD that you purchased was? What was it?
I think Alison gave me my first DVD--Rushmore, of course. I wonder if that's right. I can't remember anything before that, at any rate.

(For us old fogies ... ) Can you remember the first VHS movie you purchased? What was it?
God, I doubt I can remember this. My family did the "tape movies from television" thing, so like, I carted around a VHS copy of Terminator 2 for years (a fine, fine film. I will always love T2, despite my active dislike of Arnold's politics.)

What movie have you seen that you never want to see again?
Platoon. I saw it once and I doubt I'll ever be able to watch it again. And also--Dancer in the Dark. (I'm sorry Molly.) Now, to be fair, I have never seen Dancer in the Dark the whole way through. I've only seen parts of it, but I was seriously terrifyingly disturbed and deeply depressed by what I saw. I still plan on sitting down and watching the whole thing at some point, because there are certain people (like Molly) who LOVE it and I totally almost always love the films they love, so. I think I have some weird issues with Lars von Trier. I found Dogville really dark as well, but was totally hypnotized by it. He really hates Americans, dude.

What is your least favorite movie ever?
Clerks. And I have to also agree with Molly. I hated Crash. I mean, seriously. What? What? So what you're saying is, racism is, like, bad? Man! I had NO fucking idea. Hmm. Racism is bad. I'll have to mull this one over for a while. Is there a memo on this that I could somehow reference while I'm mulling?

What song or soundtrack would you choose as your life's theme?
Hmm. Hard question. Of course, I really love love love all the Wes Anderson soundtracks. I also like the Kill Bill soundtracks. I don't know. At the end of the day, I would have to ultimately make my own mix CD, and that would involve songs culled from many various resources.

Which actor or actress would you like to look like?
You all might hate me for this, but I've always really thought Jennifer Aniston was a knockout. Also, I really respect her because she seems like a supremely poised person. Like, I feel like she's got honest presence. I love Uma Thurman as well.

What classic movie are you embarassed to admit you've never seen?
Okay, here's where you guys will want to fly/drive to Seattle and kick my sorry ass. This is the first time I've ever admitted it in a public forum, so I'm really making myself vulnerable right now: I've never seen The Godfather. Either of them. (I don't really count the 3rd one, naturally, which I actually saw parts of in a hotel room in Idaho years ago.) Okay, go ahead and commence with the railing. I deserve it.

What is your favorite movie genre?
I like them all, obviously, but I have to say that dramedies are sort of my fave. A great funny, tragic movie is really what compels me. When people ask me what kinds of scripts I write, that's what I tell them. Because that's, like, the truth.

What is your least-favorite movie genre?
I don't really have a least favorite genre. I guess if I had to pick one, it'd be war movies. There are some terrific films in this genre, but war movies are never first on my list unless I hear (from reliable sources) that they're awesome.

Is there an actor/actress/director whose movies you refuse to see?
The guy who plays Ernest as in "Ernest Goes to Camp" and such. I suppose. (Ditto, Molly. Good answer. I hate that guy. He and Kevin Smith can die in a tragic train accident together. I'll write the script.)

What is your favorite movie concession stand snack?
Medium popcorn with butter and salt and a cherry coke. Every time.

Front row, back row, center seats, aisle seats - where do you prefer to sit in a theater?
Close up, middle row, left aisle seat. Every time.