Well, not to be outdone, I must give my answers to Chris’s meme.
1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times. Well, THE WIZARD OF OZ is the obvious choice. But LI’L ABNER is the more interesting one.
2. Name a movie that you’ve seen multiple times in the theater. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is the best example, because it was an organized thing. One winter from December 1986 to January 1987 I must have seen it eight times in the theater.
3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie. Carol Channing. No kidding.
4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie. Um… Jennifer Jason Leigh gives me pause always. Ever since MRS. PARKER AND THE VICIOUS CIRCLE I’ve been very careful about my JJL viewings. But there are always delightful surprises like GEORGIA and the last couple episodes of “Twitch City”. I’m still kicking myself over THE ANIVERSARY PARTY, though.
5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from. There are many, but how about WITHOUT YOU, I’M NOTHING or AUNTIE MAME? Today, though, it was HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING — “I am unaccustomed to early arisal!”
6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs. Most of them. But LI’L ABNER (and all the parts) or CABARET are ones I could be tested on without the aid of the film playing in the background.
7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with. Again, most of them (musicals). But I’ve actually disturbed neighbors singing along with THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.
8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see. Everyone, EVERYONE?! If I take this as literally as possible, it must be THE WIZARD OF OZ. I don’t think one can function fully in most current civilizations without having seen this film.
9. Name a movie that you own. There are many of course, so I’ll mention one that I think very few others are likely to own: Anthony Newley’s CAN HIERONYMUS MERKIN EVER FORGET MERCY HUMPPE AND FIND TRUE HAPPINESS? It’s kind of (ahem) unavailable for sale.
10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops. A couple years ago, I would have said Jason Lee for his roles in Kevin Smith films, but “My Name Is Earl” has completely obliterated that possibility. So I’ll have to say that author Jason Miller gave the most brilliant debut performance in THE EXORCIST as Father Damien Karras.
11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what? Oh boy, yes. Jeesh, I grew up in the 1970’s so it was a big part of my childhood. But the most memorable lineup for me was when I was about 8 or 9. My dad took my brother and I to see the lousy but frightening (to me) Italian horror film BEYOND THE DOOR, PART II followed by CARRIE and SATAN’S CHEERLEADERS. I was too freaked out by the ending of CARRIE to stay for the sexploitation horror of SC, so we left. I still think my brother holds it against me.
12. Ever made out in a movie? I’m sure I have. But what comes to mind more is what I was doing during my first viewing of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, which strictly doesn’t count as “making out.” But Michael seems to think it was IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. Likely, it was both.
13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t yet gotten around to it. Dozens, but namely PEEPING TOM, STAGEDOOR, and SLEUTH (the original).
14. Ever walked out of a movie? The first one I actually initiated was the hideous EARTHBOUND starring Burl Ives when I was 12 or 13. It’s hard to be insulted by juvenile humor at that age, but somehow this film succeeded.
15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater. TARNATION.
16. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater? SOUTHLAND TALES. Though that may not count because I fell asleep about 15 minutes into the incomprehensible and annoying film. Before that, it was HOW TO COOK YOUR LIFE, which was quite enthralling.
17. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie? Musicals or speculative fiction. Good combinations of both are awesome.
18. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater? Either CINDERELLA or CINDERELLA LIBERTY. My mom wanted to see the latter and I was totally confused why there were no fairies or pumpkins. But I know I saw the Disney film around the same time too.
19. What movie do you wish you had never seen? INDEPENDENCE DAY. What utter crap.
20. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed? Well, most of the truly weird ones are enjoyable on some level. But let’s say LET ME DIE A WOMAN or MYRA BRECKINRIDGE.
21. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen? AUDITION. I didn’t have nightmares or anything, but the amount of nervous giggling it inspired in me is unparalleled.
22. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen? BRINGING UP BABY without a doubt. Nothing stands a chance against it, though AUNTIE MAME has a bit of sentimental value that makes it slightly favored for repeat viewings.
