You Can't Spell "Movies" Without I and Me

Since I've made my hatred of memes well-known, I wasn't upset that The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch didn't tag me with her Movie Meme. However, it's an example of the occasional meme that fits my format and is actually fun to do. Therefore, I'm swiping it from her blog and tagging myself.



1. One that made you laugh: Night Shift, 1982
I first saw this movie not long after its release, when it hit HBO. I was about 10 years old and probably shouldn't have been watching it. I'm sure there was a lot of stuff that went over my head, but it quickly became a favorite of mine after developing a huge crush on Pittsburgh boy, Michael Keaton. Years later, I still think it's one of the funniest movies ever made and, although my crush on Keaton is a thing of the past, I still adore his Night Shift character, Bill Blazejowski. Michael can put on all the superhero costumes he likes, but he'll always be Billy Blaze to me. Radical! Radical!!

2. One that made you cry: The Shawshank Redemption, 1994
Here's one of the many weird things about me - real life rarely makes me cry, but when it comes to sad movies, TV shows and even songs, I'm a giant wuss. I hate for people to see me cry though, which is why I try to avoid seeing emotional movies with other people. Luckily, the first time I watched The Shawkshank Redemption was during a solo Blockbuster night. I rented it with the intention of watching with my Dad and brother, but I was up late and didn't want to wait until the next day. I'm so glad I pre-screened it, let me tell you. I didn't think that there would be much to cry about in the movie, because I had read the Stephen King novella several years beforehand. I remembered it as kind of an interesting, slow-moving prison story with some tragic elements, but nothing really worth sobbing about. (By the way, if you've yet to see this film, stop reading now because there are spoilers ahead. And now that you're no longer reading, go rent this masterpiece already, knucklehead!) Well, let me tell ya. I love James Whitmore. He's my "adopted grandfather" back-up, after Burgess Meredith. Of course, I immediately fell in love with his character, Brooks Hatlen, and since it had been a long time since reading the Stephen King story, I totally forgot what happened to him. Then, after Brooks got paroled and the scene showing him trying to adapt to the outside world unfolded, I suddenly remembered. Right about the time poor Brooks was sitting on his park bench waiting for his bird, Jake, to show up, a torrent of tears like I had never experienced in my life came bursting out of me. It was like the crying of one of those old ladies on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition who just falls into the street upon seeing her new house, and rolls around screaming "Oh Lord," and you think she's going to have an aneurysm and die. It was awful. I was weeping so horribly that I couldn't even hear (or see) the TV, so I actually had to rewind the tape and watch that whole heartbreaking sequence again. Then I cried again. And every time I thought about it, I cried some more. I still cry every time I watch that movie when it gets to that part. I don't get nearly that upset anymore, thank God, but it still gets to me. Hell, I'm getting choked up just writing about it right now!

3. One movie you loved when you were a child: Xanadu, 1980
Look, I know that this movie is pure crap, but it will always have a special place in my heart. There were two things I wanted to be when I grew up: a professional roller-skater and/or Olivia Newton-John. So, as a kid, I thought this movie was made expressly for me. I adored it and, even though I recognize its supreme cheesiness now, I still enjoy checking it out every now and then. As far as the music goes, that has stood the test of time and I'll have no one bad-mouthing it. Check out one of my favorite bits from the movie - the scene where Gene Kelly's big band gets mixed with The Tubes!

4. One you’ve seen more than once: Grease, 1978
Big surprise, I've seen the greatest movie ever more than 1 time. In fact, I've seen it more than 100 times. What's that you say? There are people who have never seen it? Oh come on, Sandy, don't make me laugh...ha...ha...ha.

5. One you loved, but were embarrassed to admit it: Rock Star, 2001
This was a hard one to answer because I’m not really embarrassed to admit to liking anything. I just picked this because it's probably considered pretty lowbrow and lame by most people, if they consider it at all. I'm not a huge Mark Wahlberg fan, but this was one of the few movies I actually liked him in. Jennifer Aniston pretty much played Jennifer Aniston. The acting was really secondary to me though. I loved this movie because I loved the '80s, and this was a pretty dead-on representation of the hair bands of the day. The songs written for the movie were perfect...they really could've been hits by Dokken, Ratt or Skid Row. I also loved the cameos by real '80s metal dudes like Jason Bonham, Blas Elias (Slaughter) and Jeff Pilson (Dokken). The other thing I loved about this movie was that Mark Wahlberg's character was from Pittsburgh! Although, the movie loses a point for sending everyone to a concert at a venue that does not exist in ye good old hometowne.

6. One you hated: Mulholland Dr., 2001
I am convinced that anyone who claims to like this steaming turd of a movie only does so to show how "smart and artistic" they are. Because I've asked said people to explain the point of this movie, and they absolutely can't. The whole thing gave me a headache, but that scene with the weird, elderly couple in the paper bag nearly made me vomit in rage. I honestly think that David Lynch made this stinker to he could smoke weed and laugh at all the critics who pontificate about its brilliance.

7. One that scared you: Amityville II: The Possession, 1982
I can't really think of any recent movies that have truly scared me, so I have to pick one that freaked me out when I was younger. I haven't seen this since I was a kid, so I may have to check it out again and see if it's as spooky as I remember. There was one thing in particular about this movie that was very unsettling, and that was when the "demon" spoke to the possessed son through his headphones. I was so afraid to use headphones after seeing that. I still sometimes think of this movie when I wear headphones now. I'm happy to report though that I haven't been possessed as of yet, so you won't all have to die.

8. One that bored you: I Love Your Work, 2003
Because it was so boring, I don't remember much about it. I just know it starred Giovanni Ribisi as an actor who was falling apart, and I think someone was following him. My roommate and I were watching this flick one night, and I was getting progressively angrier as it became progressively dumber. Then, with about 20-30 minutes left in the movie, my roommate asked if we could turn it off for an hour so he could watch some TV show. I was like, "If we turn this off now, I'm not watching the rest of it." He turned it off, I went to bed and never did watch the rest of it. I've never regretted that decision.

9. One that made you happy: Music and Lyrics, 2007
I guess I'll choose this one since I can't use Grease again. I've already reviewed this movie here, so I won't get too in-depth. I'll just say that the combination of Hugh Grant's charm and the fantastic fake '80s songs had me grinning from ear to ear through the entire film.

10. One that made you miserable: Waterloo Bridge, 1940
Strangely enough, even though it makes me miserable, this is one of my favorite movies! (Warning: spoilers ahead!) The first time I saw this was on a lazy weekend when I had absolutely nothing to do. I was flipping through the dial and this was just starting so I figured I'd check it out. It didn't hurt that the lead actor, Robert Taylor, was kind of a hottie. I'd always liked Vivien Leigh too, so it seemed to have promise. It sucked me in right away and I became very invested in the characters and then...Vivien Leigh steps out in front of a damn truck?? WHAT THE HELL??? I was ready to kick in my TV set. Oh, I was so mad at this movie for a long time, but then I realized that it was just too good not to love. I own it on VHS, but I should probably upgrade to the DVD.

11. One movie you weren’t brave enough to see: Jaws, 1975
I hate sharks. That is all.

12. One movie character you’ve fallen in love with: There are so many, but since there's nothing I love more than a complete goofball, I'll say Cosmo Brown, from Singin' in the Rain.


13. The last movie you saw: Sex and the City was the last one I saw in the theater, but I just saw Shrek the Third on HBO the other night. I liked them both. I got what I expected out of SATC, and I was pleasantly surprised by Shrek the Third, which was almost as enjoyable as the original. Shrek 2 was shite.

14. The next movie you hope to see: I rarely go to the theater, so whatever’s next in my Netflix queue, I guess. If I would venture out to the theater, it would probably be to see The Dark Knight, although I still haven’t seen Batman Begins. Perhaps I should move that up to the top of my Netflix list?

I won't tag anyone, but feel free to borrow this movie meme for your own bloggy enjoyment!

Comments

Distributorcap said…
boy we could never go to the movies together

LOL

nice listing
Anonymous said…
LOVED Night Shift! Mission in life ... make Chuck a man!!!!

Do you mind if I borrow this? I like it a lot. We have a lot of the same childhood movie interests.

Knot
Joe said…
Great list! I'll be stealing this one for sure.
I have never watched Grease and I don't intend to either. Here's an idea - I should do this meme so that you can scoff at my choices.
Jenna said…
You and I couldn't go to the movie together either. Jaws is so awesome, and the very thought of Grease sends shivers down my spine. Yech.
Anonymous said…
You're scaring me a little. Our respective opinions on Mulholland Drive are exactly the same, right down to suspecting that Lynch did it as a big joke on critics and movie snobs who would praise his bowel movements as works of art.
Gifted Typist said…
How do you feel about Spinal Tap
Tootsie said…
What were you... drinker? Big drinker? Doper! Toothead! Nose candy! Coke! I got to see you cry, and it's funny, you hold it in until your face is all red and your head is ready to explode. You know what else I find amusing? You all laughed at me for loving musicals and it seems like there are a few song filled movies on your list, looks like some of big sis if rubbing off on you.
Mountjoy said…
I saw Grease at the cinema when I was 11 during mid year school vacation back in 1978... and then again a few years ago I took Lady Mountjoy as they were having 25th anniversary rescreening, cos Lady M, while having seen in a dozen times, has only ever had it on video and DVD. Nothing compares to seeing stuff like that on the big screen. How skinny was John Travolta?
Scott said…
hmmm I'm not a movie person but I could even do this one... or maybe I'll change it to make it work with music...

the shawshank redemption is one of the best films i've ever seen.
You know, I actually do much prefer Grease to High School Musical, which is what I'm supposed to like.
And I am SO borrowing this!
Fran said…
Once upon a time I was such a pop culture geek and did I know my movies and music.

While that is no longer the case for various reasons, I love coming here even if I have little of value to say.

To use a phrase you just did in regard to Music and Lyrics (a film I have yet to see), I often come here, stay here and leave here grinning from ear to ear.

Brava BeckEye! And of course, thank you.

Back to my previously scheduled boring life!
Red said…
Yeah, I don't get David Lynch either. And I turned off I Love Your Work about 45mins in. WTF was that about?!?

I should do this meme, but I'll probably get lazy and forget.
Claire said…
I always sniffle at that scene in The Shawshank Redemption. Poor old man, so lonely...see, now I bet I have you started again. And I a. Love to swim in the ocean and b. Am afraid of sharks. Meaning I will NEVER watch Jaws.
Surprise...my answers would be so different from yours!

LOL

Though I did enjoy night shift and it is one of those movies I will start watching if I catch it on TV
Great meme Becks, but I gotta motor if I'm gonna make this funeral on time....

I am slightly concerned about your girl-crush on Oliva N-J. Did you see her CMTVM where she was a mannequin that came to life to be some little girl's mom? I think that was her at least.
Metal Mark said…
I still watch Night Shift every couple of months.
Some of us happen to like Mulholland Drive for the girl on girl action, okay?

Still, 'Silencioooooo...." is one of the worst endings ever.
gennifer6 said…
Great list! I won't be stealing the concept, I don't see enough movies to warrant a post on all that, but I absolutely loved the Mullholand Drive comment. I LOVE David Lynch but I totally agree with you. There seemed to be no real point tothat movie at all.
Tony Alva said…
"That Barney Rubble... What an actor..."