Two of my very favorite bloggers, Dan from Public Transportation Snob, and Josh from The Cinematic Spectacle, have been kind
enough to bestow this Liebster Blog Award onto me, so it’s time to dish
out some info about myself and pass the baton.
Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions the person giving the award has set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for the people you will be giving the award to.
4. Choose 11 people to award and send them a link to your post.
5. Go to their page and tell them.
6. No tag backs.
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions the person giving the award has set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for the people you will be giving the award to.
4. Choose 11 people to award and send them a link to your post.
5. Go to their page and tell them.
6. No tag backs.
1. I’m a serious health food junkie. My friends know that, unless they want to eat fully organic, vegan meals, they should bring their own food before coming over.
2. Every single script I have ever written has been influenced
by at least one song.
3. A friend recently reminded me that I don’t pick those songs.
They pick me.
4. When I was 14, my favorite musician of all time was Marvin
Gaye.
5. Today, my favorite musician of all time is Marvin Gaye.
6. I’m legally deaf in my right ear (I can hear decent out of
it, but not too well).
7. I’m legally blind in my right eye (I can see decent out of
it, but not too well).
8. Those are both old boxing injuries that will stay with me
forever.
9. When I was 15, my favorite film was Taxi Driver. Today, my
favorite film is Taxi Driver, for completely different reasons.
10. I was heavy into politics in ‘04, heavier in ‘08, and today,
I could not care less about the American political system. I understand that
talk like this can infuriate some people who stand behind the “There’s nothing
more important than voting” belief, but you could not pay me to vote in (or
care about) the election in November.
11. My religion is cinema, my church is a movie theater and my
bible is the films of Ingmar Bergman. This isn’t meant to be cute or
exaggerated. This is fact.
11 Questions by Public Transportation Snob
1. What's the best
movie of 2012 so far?
I think we’re going to have a spectacular fall, but as it
stands now, the best flick I’ve seen in ‘12 is The Dark Knight Rises. Sho’Nuff.
2. What's the worst movie of 2012 so far?
To Rome With Love
3.What is your favorite band or artist?
Currently, M83.
4. What's your opinion on singing karaoke?
Only acceptable (as a listener or participant) after a few
(dozen) alcoholic beverages.
5. Spike Lee: Overrated or underrated?
He’s not without his share of duds, but underrated, all the
way.
6. Although he won't admit it, does Tommy Wiseau realize that The Room is terrible?
I did a magazine story on an indie movie theater where, among
other things, Wiseau pops by every once in a while to screen a midnight showing
of The Room. He doesn’t think it’s a
masterpiece. He knows it is. Scary.
7. Beyond movies, what is your area of expertise for a trivia team?
Anything related to boxing.
8. What's your favorite brand of cereal?
As a kid, Fruity Pebbles. Now, something that is healthy
with no added sugar. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
9. Is The Tree of Life a brilliant movie, a self-indulgent mess, or somewhere in between?
Beyond brilliant.
10. Are you excited about the Olympics? If so, which competitions?
I am excited for them, but I haven’t had time to watch them
at all. Someone tell me which sport(s) I should be watching!
11. What's the last movie that you watched?
Bug, with William
Friedkin’s commentary on. So amped for Killer
Joe.
11 Questions by The Cinematic Spectacle
1. Do you prefer to see
films alone or with others?
Makes no difference to me, so long as they don’t talk.
2. What is your movie snack?
I haven’t had a movie snack in years. Real health food nut
here.
3. Favorite movie character.
Travis Bickle
4. Favorite movie soundtrack.
5. If you could give any artist or film an Oscar, who/what would it be and why?
Michael Fassbender for Shame.
Because. Just… because.
6. Favorite classic actor/actress.
Montgomery Clift/Ingrid Bergman
7. Favorite modern actor/actress.
Michael Fassbender/Marion Cotillard
8. Name a musician you would like to see act some day.
If, for some ungodly reason, they ever remake Pulp Fiction, Justin Bieber would make a
great Gimp.
9. Name your favorite director's worst film.
Bergman’s Crisis
does nothing for me, but it also did nothing for him (he detested it), so fair
enough.
10. What is the best film you've ever seen in theaters?
I saw Bergman’s Wild
Strawberries in a movie theater. It was magical.
11. Do you copy-and-paste your posts, or write them in Blogger?
Copy and paste.
11 Winners
Going with a handful of bloggers I’ve just recently
discovered, if you’ve already received this award, sorry for the repeat, and
congrats!
My 11 Questions
1. What is your favorite film of all time? Just one. Go.
2. What is your favorite song of all time? Just one. Go.
3. Who is your favorite film director of all time?
4. What is the best television show you have ever seen?
5. Which place would you feel more at ease: the woods of Deliverance, or Maynard’s basement in Pulp Fiction?
6. What is the best portrayal of addiction you’ve ever seen on
film?
7. Do you respond to comments left on your blog? If not, why?
8. Were you born a movie fan, or was there an event (or
specific film) that turned you on to films?
9. What’s the best looking film you’ve ever seen? Specifically
is it relates to cinematography.
10. Do you own any Criterion DVDs or Blu-Rays? If so, how many?
11. What is your favorite Criterion movie cover?
Nice job, Alex. You had to answer 22 questions, which is pretty crazy. M83 is a great band. Hurry Up, I'm Dreaming is an excellent album. I wanted to go see them when they were here a few months back but couldn't make it. It's too bad about To Rome with Love. I haven't seen it yet, but I had high hopes. I may be biased, but for the Olympics, I think you should be watching swimming.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the award, Dan! Ah I LOVE Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. That album changed my life. To Rome with Love was so disappointing for me, there was not one thing I enjoyed about it. Damn shame. I'll scope out some swimming soon!
DeleteI'm not into sports at all so cannot recommend anything as far as the Olympics are concerned; the only time I watch sports is during the soccer World Cup every four years.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I first watched Wild Strawberries last night. I'm doing a Bergman marathon as I've been feeling guilty for never seeing one of his films. I agree that Spike Lee is underrated. Miracle at St. Anna's was awful. But Do The Right Thing and his documentary 4 Little Girls were near perfect imo.
I love Monty Clift; I find Ingrid annoying. one is never too drunk for karaoke, ok?~
I honestly had trouble thinking of a favorite classical actress. I probably should've gone with Liv Ullmann, Harriet Andersson, Bibi Andersson, Ingrid Thulin or any of Bergman's women.
DeleteI'm really not a sports guy either. I do dig boxing, but I think that sport on a professional level has turned into a three ring circus, which is a damn shame. I do love the World Cup though.
Couldn't agree more about Miracle at St. Anna - just plain awful. But with Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, He Got Game, 25th Hour, 4 Little Girls, When the Levees Broke and on and on... Spike Lee will always be a master in my mind.
Thanks for reading, Teddy!
Awesome read! So sorry to hear about your injuries! Loved the point you made about cinema being your relligion. I saw Wild Strawberries in movie theatre too and I agree, it's just magical to witness that film on the big screen. And I so agree about tDKR being the best this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sati! Ah no worries about the battle scars haha, I knew what I was getting myself into when I chose that sport. Just one of those things!
DeleteYeah when I was looking over my favorite of the year so far, I was like, "TDKR...? Really? Awesome!"
Great post. That is a bummer about boxing injuries. My mom is a health food nut. (Do you want anything from trader joes?) The Dark Knight Rises was really great but I preferred Prometheus. That cinema as your religion was good. Are you ever going to do a "the Directors" on Bergman? (I noticed that you said you couldn't find Lee or Soderbergh, they're available, in less legal ways on TPB, if that's not a moral issue for you with that). Anyways, thank you and I will post my response tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAh thanks man. Fun, therapeutic sport, that boxing, but lasting injuries for sure. Trader Joes is the ish, but I typically prefer Whole Foods. I'm lucky enough to live right near one though.
DeleteI've been planning to do a Director's profile on ol' Berg for a while now, just need to sit down and funny bang it out. I've actually now seen those Lee and Soderbergh flicks that I couldn't find back then. Good stuff all around.
Look forward to your post!
Great post. I've never heard any Marvin Gaye. Looks like I'm going to have to change that. Also sorry about the boxing injuries. How long have you had them for? I've been thinking about trying boxing but being partially blind and deaf isn't exactly pushing me towards it. Justin Bieber as the gimp would be hilarious is the most messed up way possible. Also cinema being your religion is something I can completely relate to.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much on passing it on to me!
You, bah, gah, never, heard, uh, any, bah, Marvin, Gaye? Okay, two things there: first, I am sorry you have not yet experienced the wonder and joy and fulfillment and tranquility and love and power and heartbreak and tenderness of the music of Marvin Gaye. Two: I almost envy you for not hearing him yet, because to discover Marvin Gaye is to discover absolute greatness, my friend.
DeleteBoxing and I met at a very critical time in my life. We had a very good, mutually fulfilling relationship, but in the end, yeah, I was left with a few lasting wounds. Would I take back practicing the sport? Not a chance.
Glad you like The Biebs as The Gimp, I think I may be on to gold right there!
Is there any specific Marvin Gaye album that I should start with?
DeleteWhat's Going On and Let's Get It On. Two of my favorite albums of all time. No need to highlight specific tracks. Hit play at track one and let it run through. Bliss.
DeleteM83 and Bieber as the Gimp.
ReplyDeleteBoth perfect answers.
Ha, thanks man! And thanks for the follow on Vimeo. Gonna check out your vids later today.
DeleteAlex interesting fact about the boxing injuries but your film was still visually beautiful. As a boxing man did you catch my recommendation for Fat City? If you haven't seen it you really should.
ReplyDeleteAs I said over at my place I've been working on answering Dans questions all week so I'll do a quick rundwon of your questions here if you don't mind and I didn't nominate you for one again but I'd love to get your opinion on some of my questions anyway when it goes up tomorrow.
1. What is your favorite film of all time? Just one. Go.
Brief Encounter
2. What is your favorite song of all time? Just one. Go.
Cute Without The E (Cut From The Team) by Taking Back Sunday
3. Who is your favorite film director of all time?
Too tough, I'm going to say Aaron Katz who is curently three for three in the great movie category for me.
4. What is the best television show you have ever seen?
The X Files still manages to beat The Wire after all these years.
5. Which place would you feel more at ease: the woods of Deliverance, or Maynard’s basement in Pulp Fiction?
Pulp Fiction, Bruce would save me before it was too late.
6. What is the best portrayal of addiction you’ve ever seen on film?
Nothing springs to mind although Nick Nolte going cold turkey in The Good Thief was done well.
7. Do you respond to comments left on your blog? If not, why?
Every single one.
8. Were you born a movie fan, or was there an event (or specific film) that turned you on to films?
From the moment we got a VCR I was hassling my mum to take me to the video shop, I must have been 6, so I guess that makes me born to this.
9. What’s the best looking film you’ve ever seen? Specifically is it relates to cinematography.
I just saw Love Is Colder Than Death, I don't recall being amazed by a narrative films visuals quite so consistently as that.
10. Do you own any Criterion DVDs or Blu-Rays? If so, how many?
I think I have three but then I rarely buy DVDs anymore.
11. What is your favorite Criterion movie cover?
I can't answer that. Every single one of them is a work of art. It's the kind of thing all companies that publish ny form of media should aspire to look like with their artwork.
I LOVE Fat City. Great great film there. Hey man, no problem about answering the questions here... sorry for the repeat! I'll gladly answer your question on your blog tomorrow.
DeleteLove your answer for 5. In Bruce We Trust.
Your 8 was a great answer too. I know 11 is tough, I'm honestly not sure I could pick just one. So many flawless covers there.
Great post man. Thanks for answering my questions. If Dan tagged you first, you could've just done his.
ReplyDeleteSongs influence my writing too. How can they not?
At least you have interesting stories about your boxing injuries. I've always been into less dangerous sports like basketball and tennis.
I'm surprised you didn't give your Oscar to Taxi Driver. :)
Love your actor picks, especially Bergman.
Haha. Bieber! (in stitches right now)
Looks like we both tagged Northwest Movies and Such Moving Pictures. Great minds...
I really liked your questions, so I didn't wanna pass them up, brother man! Nice to hear that music influences what you write as well. I love that about my writing process.
DeleteHey man, tennis is hard as shit. I dunno how many injuries are spawned from it, but that is a seriously underrated sport, in terms of athletic ability.
I thought about Taxi Driver for the Oscar! But Shame, man... Shame. Ahh sorry I repeated Northwest Movies and Such Moving Picture. Definitely great sites right there!
It was fun reading your answers, and I am still laughing out loud over the image of Justin Bieber as the gimp. So wrong ... and so hilarious. Thanks for including my blog ... I'll post mine soon.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! Can't you just picture them bringing lil Biebs out in full Gimp gear? Whatta vision.
DeleteYou used to box? Crazy. Do you like "Million Dollar Baby?" (Only answer that if yes. Because if it's no I might go into a serious depression.)
ReplyDeleteAnd "Taxi Driver" at 15......that is intense. I wonder how I would have reacted if I'd seen that at 15.
Do I like Million Dollar Baby, pleeeaaseee haha. I said it was one of the best films of the 2000s and (arguably more importantly) one of the most accurate depictions of the act of boxing ever put on film (story is here if you're interested: http://www.andsoitbeginsfilms.com/2012/06/best-boxing-scenes-from-boxing-movies.html)
DeleteAnd believe it or not, I actually first saw Taxi Driver when I was 11. I had (and have) really cool parents who let me watch whatever I wanted to. Good shit man.
Wow great answers Alex! Some quite personal stuff there. What made you change your lifestyle into that of a "health nut"? Great choice of a movie soundtrack - every movie I love has a great soundtrack or score, it's so important to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam! The health nut thing wasn't overnight, believe me. It's actually a pretty long answer, but the quickest way to sum it up is to say that I love how my body feels as a result of the food I eat. I've always had an abnormally high level of energy, and my diet is the chief reason behind that. So eating like this just suits me personally. It's weird, when you get used to healthy food, you don't crave junk food anymore, you crave organic raw vegetables. Crazy, right?
DeleteThank you, Alex for the award. I feel so privileged :D
ReplyDeleteDon't know that you like boxing. I think it's nice that despite you can overcome your limitations and direct a movie, that's quite something. That's awesome actually.
What songs have inspired you in the past? That's actually a great fact.
My pleasure, Andina!
DeleteYou know, it's funny, but the songs that have inspired me are very very personal. Some (obvious) highlights are definitely "How to Disappear Completely" by Radiohead, and the music of M83, specifically "Intro" and "Outro." When I heard "Intro" for the first time, I finally understood what I wanted Earrings to be. That song made the movie come together.
The amount of other songs are countless, Mogwai's "Auto Rock" was a primary influence of my first film, but the list is on and on. Literally, every single script I've ever written, no matter the length, was influenced and propelled by music.
Been listening to quite a bit of Marvin Gaye lately. Great artist. Equally adept with socially conscious and purely sexy music.
ReplyDeleteI think that, when the dust clears (is that the standard post-apocalyptic cliche? my mind's completely drawing a blank) people will discover "The Room" and realise it to be the work of genius that it truly is. And then cinema will be rebuilt in its image.
And stop saying Woody's new film is so bad. You are tearing me apart, Alex!
Glad you dig Marvin, man. Dude had IT.
DeleteNot sure if you're being serious about The Room. If you are, then I suppose it is best to offer what someone told me on Twitter today, which is: "It's a dirty job liking that film but someone has to do it. And as long as I don't have to join you, go for it."
I thought that was perfectly diplomatic.
All's I can say about To Rome with Love is that I am very curious to hear what you think about it come September. I love Woody Allen and I hated everything about that movie. Very conflicting.
Haha, obviously the Room is completely terrible. I'm not gonna seriously defend that shit. It's just perversely awesome. "Ha ha ha! What a story, Mark!"
DeleteHa well dude, I have met more people then I care to admit who consider that film brilliant.
DeleteDid you know that it cost... $7 million to make. Really. He shot every single scene with two cameras: one film, one digital, as a way to stay ahead of trends. Madness man. Madness.
Interesting and revelatory post. I've just received this wonderful award from two fellow bloggers so I have to get on my post quickly. The thing about your bible being Bergman movies put a huge smile on my face. I absolutely agree (also there is a film worse than Crisis in his career; its name is The Serpent's Egg).
ReplyDeleteOh man, I was so close to putting The Serpent's Egg on here, definitely not one of his finest efforts. But Crisis is just so... worthless to me. There's nothing at all to it.
DeleteCan't wait to read your post!
So, your answers are masterful.
ReplyDelete1. What is your favorite film of all time? Just one. Go.
The Godfather when I was 12 because was excellent, now The Godfather because I didn't saw a better film.
2. What is your favorite song of all time? Just one. Go.
Too hard to choose, but any Queen song. For me Queen is like Bergman for you.
3. Who is your favorite film director of all time?
Hard, for the best film Francis Ford Coppola. For his style to make films, PTA. For all his films Quentine Tarantino.
4. What is the best television show you have ever seen?
From all: Seinfeld. For drama: House M.D. For Sci fi: Doctor Who.
5. Which place would you feel more at ease: the woods of Deliverance, or Maynard’s basement in Pulp Fiction?
I never saw Deliverance, so I'd feel SAFER at the sets of Pulp Fiction.
6. What is the best portrayal of addiction you’ve ever seen on film?
Addiction of any kind: Robert DeNiro as Jake LaMotta and his addiction of rage.
Addiction of drugs: Ewan McGregor as Rent Boy.
7. Do you respond to comments left on your blog? If not, why?
I don't have a Blog.
8. Were you born a movie fan, or was there an event (or specific film) that turned you on to films?
That "specific film" was The Godfather. At my 12 years that was the film that made my rethink my life and what I like. I decided to become a director, but here in Romania are so many schools about films so I am going to a college theater and I learn english to go in USA to learn about filmmaking.
9. What’s the best looking film you’ve ever seen? Specifically is it relates to cinematography.
There Will Be Blood
10. Do you own any Criterion DVDs or Blu-Rays? If so, how many?
25
11. What is your favorite Criterion movie cover?
The Godfather
Great stuff man. I love that your passion for The Godfather bleeds through your every word here. That was Pulp Fiction and Taxi Driver for me. I saw them very close together, and they made me realize for certain that I had to be involved in film in some way. Good luck on your schooling by the way, I'll be very interested to hear how it develops.
DeleteAlex, I'm so sorry I just seen this post. It must've that time when I was quite busy. Thank you for the award. I think I have received an award like this but with different questions, so I'm going to answer it here :
ReplyDelete1. This is hard. Ok. I guess, Persona.
2. Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglorva
3. Cameron Crowe
4. Heroes, at least the first season
5. I haven't seen Deliverance, so I'd say...neither XD
6. Hard question. I just saw Gia, so maybe that.
7. Yes, because they took their precious time to comment on my (little) blog
8. A specific film, or rather a year of film, 2009
9. Tree of Life. Persona. Avatar. Yes
10. I had In The Mood For Love, but I gave it away in the last blog's birthday giveaway
11. I really don't know, haven't seen much :)
It's all good, better late than never ;)
DeleteI had no idea you like Persona that much! One of my all-time favorites as well. I absolutely adore it.