More Movie Meme Madness
Another of those movie memes making its way ‘cross social networks. If I’m going to do it, might as well be here. Pitiful, I know, but here goes.
Most Hated Movie Of All Time
God, I hate this motion picture. Immediately wanted those two-plus hours back after sitting in a movie theater; hated it even more after the damn thing won Best Picture.
Movie I Think Is Overrated
Now, I think this a fine film, but “the greatest” as many others do? I think not. It’s not even the director’s best (cough…Boogie Nights)1. There, I said it.
Movie I Think Is Underrated
For what’s generally considered “a genre flick” and a paycheck movie for Spike Lee, its clever script and the social criticism one expects from this filmmaker, his “heist movie” is way undervalued.
Movie I Love
Another of my annual watches, and it only gets better each time I do. The best work for the actor (James Stewart) and director (Frank Capra).
Movie I Secretly Love
Yeah, it’s not the most true adaptation of my all-time favorite sci-fi novel, but David Lynch’s film still closest in spirit…even with that damn “Weirding Module” thingy hanging off people’s necks.
Favorite Action Movie
Has two of my all-time fave action sequences (Ripley’s Marine Rescue and LV-426 Escape-Newt Rescue-Fight With Queen), one of the all-time best sequels ever, and one Hell of an emotional ending; how can I not pick it?
Favorite Drama
While a “crime saga”, a thriller, even an action junkie’s favorite, at its core, Michael Mann’s best is a two-man drama — with indubitable screen legends helming each role. Had to know I’d find a place for this here.
Favorite Horror
Saw it first-run, even read the late-William Peter Blatty’s novel because of it, and it’s never left me. Horrifying, scary, and emotional, just everything you’d want in this genre. Keeps delivering upon re-watch, too.
Favorite Comedy
Howard Hawks’ and my top AFI pick still stands the test of time: “Funny, smart, and lightning quick on its feet, the film is one of the few remakes that surpassed the original by leaps and bounds.”
Favorite Disney Movie
Everything you’d expect in a great Disney movie — animation that dazzles, heartfelt underdog story, and fantastic voice acting… tone-deaf stereotyping…but still. And of course, the late-Robin Williams.
Favorite Sci-Fi Movie
Said it before: “Haunting, visionary, strangely touching and insightful as only science-fiction can, and regularly does, intrigue and absorb those who follow it, I could not have chosen otherwise.”
Favorite Animated Movie
“Simply, this one is the epitome of what’s great about a film of animation. Images of characters that not only tell a story, but breathe life into those drawn figures and make you feel something you didn’t walk in the movie theater with.”
Favorite Superhero Movie
Again, covered this already: “A comic book superhero movie, of all things, that had something to say about our security state (post-9/11) and loss of privacy.” Would have listed Superman The Movie (1978) otherwise.
Favorite Musical
Essentially Bob Fosse’s “8½”, but a film that not only stands on its own, but the perfect send-off for the tumultuous decade that spawned a unique musical such as this. “It’s showtime, folks!”
Favorite Documentary
Fascinating to learn things about your hometown.
Favorite Western
Besides Eastwood’s masterwork, “It also should be mentioned that this was the most noirish of Westerns. Cinematographer Jack N. Green accomplished an extraordinarily beautiful job in his lensing of the film.”
Favorite Martial Arts
“Fist of Fury” (aka “The Chinese Connection” in the U.S.) and Bruce Lee changed my feeling toward the genre that became known as the Kung Fu Craze, but my general assumption of who the default lead had to be.
Favorite Indie
Quentin Tarantino’s sophomore effort, even after it pissed me off initially, the motion picture that convinced me this budding filmmaker was worth following.
Favorite Bad Movie
All of the women I know who’ve seen this, think it terrible. Including my daughter and spouse, the latter wanted to trash the disc after seeing it. At least the late-Roger Ebert and I love this Alex Proyas mess.
Childhood Favorite
Likely one of the very first ’50s Sci-Fi/Monster flick I saw growing up that set a high standard for story and character for this genre, regardless of any atomic bomb testing fallout lingering.
Favorite Franchise
“Bond…James Bond.”
Best Trilogy
For a sci-fi movie trilogy it has everything I need: a time-travel tale, definitive music, multiple character-arcs, Drew Struzan poster art, wonderfully imaginative storytelling, and lastly…a beating heart.
Guilty Pleasure
Seriously, love this movie. My favorite of only a handful noted scribe Robert Towne directed; it’s Casablancaesque, set in my backyard of the South Bay with ’80s drug smuggling…and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Favorite Director
Warts and all, still my favorite to have at the helm.
Favorite Actor
There’s only ever been one.
Favorite Actress
Still my all-time favorite Hepburn.
Favorite Foreign Film
Ang Lee’s that I can watch on a loop.
Favorite Movie This Year So Far
The popular pick, but it’s mine, too.
Worst Movie So Far This Year
Just on general principle.
Movie I Have Recently Seen
What I Thought Of It: “No wonder many had this film as one that could/should have won Best Picture.”
Most Anticipated Film Of This Year
Favorite Movie Of All Time
Self-explanatory, really.
- And liked Daniel Day-Lewis doing the same scene-chewing schtick better in Gangs From New York, come to think of it. ↩
28 Responses to “More Movie Meme Madness”
Heat, His Girl Friday and Tequila Sunrise! Yes, yes , yes! I’m sounding like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally…
I do share your opinion of There Will be Blood, although seeing as I gave up on it halfway through, I should probably give it another chance.
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I understand your feeling towards TWBB and its first half. Pays off in the second, though. But not enough for me to think it’s PTA’s best. Glad we’re on the same wavelength on many, Paul. Thanks, my friend. 🙂
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Too funny. Loved your post and comments, Michael. Especially the part about DDL and PTA. I just watched ‘Hidden Figures’ last night and loved it, too. I couldn’t believe I’d never heard of them before! Crazy!
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Agreed. Great to see you back, Cindy. I suspect your novel is still keeping you busy, yes? Thanks so much. 🙂
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I am not back full time, just wanted to check in after a month. Your post was worth the time to comment. 😉
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That is, they’ve never been in a textbook I’ve ever seen or taught….
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Oh, yes. My wife loved this treatment of the book, which she read. Thank you.
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Great post, Michael. Imagine you squeezing Heat in there 😉
Love the love for Blade Runner and even though you say it’s a guilty pleasure, I remember really liking Tequila Sunrise too. In fact, I recently got hold of a copy for a rewatch. It’s been years.
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Yeah, you know me well enough, Mark. 😉
And yes, had to fit Tequila Sunrise somewhere into this and that was the closest fit. Thanks so much, my friend. 🙂
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+1 for your Boogie Nights shout-out. Hard to imagine me *ever* liking another PTA film MORE than that one. TWBB is an excellent film; I have no problem with DDL’s performance. I may never forgive PTA for “Inherent Vice”. (I’m praying “Phantom Thread” makes up for it.)
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Yes, we’re in agreement regarding ‘Boogie Nights’. In the years since the film has only grown in achievement. Looking forward to ‘Phantom Thread’, too. Many thanks, W. 🙂
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Fun list. (Lists are always fun!)
Isn’t there a new version of Dune in the pipeline?
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Oh, yes. Denis Villeneuve’s and indeed so looking forward to it. Thanks so much, Bruce. 🙂
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Love your choices although me and Superman take your Winter Soldier milkshake and we drink it. We drink it up! 🙂
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Yeah, Richard Donner ’78 film remains the standard all others compare themselves to. No question. Many thanks, Lloyd. 🙂
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If they’re old enough to remember. 😦 Well for me Christopher Reeve was, is and always shall be Superman.
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A great reflection of your excellet taste and hopefully I’ll get around to doing a similar post.
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Thank you very kindly, Lloyd. As always, much appreciated, my friend. 🙂
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These are very fun posts.
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Thank you, Lloyd. 🙂
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Hi Michael! Hope you’re well. Been swamped with my short film project, as you likely already know. Oooh I like this idea for a post, and of course I so agree w/ your answers for HEAT, The Winter Soldier and 007 franchise 😀 Oh and now I REALLY want to check out DUNE!
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Glad to see you back, for however long it may be, knowing your plate is full, at the moment. Thank you so much, Ruth. 😀
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I try to visit my friends when I find time but yeah it’s getting scarce… but hey, can’t complain when you’re living the dream 😀
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[…] long has it been since one of these showed up? Approaching four months, really? Well, I’ve last Monday’s meme to at least chide another memory download to the surface. Why the following clip showcased […]
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We agree with much on your list here mate, but I love There Will Be Blood. In fact there will be of that film on my blog soon…
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I see that it’ll be in your Decades Blogathon. Awesome. I look forward to reading it, Mark. Thanks.
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Ooh, some controversial picks there at the start, my friend. But overall, a pretty solid list!
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Thank you very kindly, Fernando. 🙂
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