Here Comes the Sun(shine)

Somebody out there likes me (well, my blog at least)!  Vern, owner and evil mastermind of the blogs VideoVanguard and Video Vortex, has honored me with the coveted Sunshine Award.  I’m awed and amazed that anyone would take time out of their day to read my little ‘ol blog, and for that I’m eternally grateful.  Before I pay it forward, however…

Ahoy mateys!  Thar be rules here:

1. Include the award’s logo in a post or on your blog.

2. Link to the person who nominated you.

3. Answer 10 questions about yourself (use these or come up with your own).

4. Nominate 10 bloggers.

5. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated. 

1. Most shameful movie confession?

I’ve never seen a Laurel & Hardy film, despite the fact that I once worked at a mom and pop video store (the long-defunct Video Valley in Granada Hills, California) which featured the comedic duo in their logo.  And yes, I hope to remedy this gross oversight as soon as possible.

2. Favorite animal?

Dolphin.  I know I’m looking at them with rose-colored glasses, but they always seem to be having such a great time, frolicking in the waves.

3. Favorite non-alcoholic drink?

Coke or Dr. Pepper, depending on which day of the week you ask me.

4. Favorite music?

Punk, new wave and post-punk (Ramones, XTC, Talking Heads, etc…), along with 60s psychedelia.

5. Favorite TV-show?

For classic TV, it’s a tie between Star Trek and Twilight Zone.  My favorite show of the moment is Game of Thrones, although I don’t have HBO, and must wait for Season 3 on Blu-ray, so please don’t spoil it for me.

6. Favorite movie-going memory?

Seeing Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on opening weekend at the Mann National in Westwood, California, with my older brothers.  The film broke in the middle, and chaos ensued as hundreds of angry Trekkies stormed the box office.  We had to wait until a new 70 mm print was delivered, and ended up watching it twice.  Good times!

7. Movie most people love that I dislike?

I’m sure I’ll take some flak for this, but I just can’t stomach Larry Blamire’s cult favorite The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra.  It might have worked as a short subject, but stretched to feature length, it’s a tedious exercise, and not nearly as entertaining as many of the 50s genre films that it mocked.  I wondered if I was the only person who felt this way until I read the late great Roger Ebert’s book Your Movie Sucks, and practically wept tears of joy when I discovered this title on his list of scorn. 

8.  Favorite short film?

Back before Star Wars became a parody of itself, there was Hardware Wars by writer/director Ernie Fosselius.  (“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll kiss three bucks goodbye.”)

9. My passion?

Spending quality time with my family, riding rollercoasters whenever I get a chance (Hey, I’m very immature for my age), photography, writing my blog, and fostering a commitment to lifelong learning (I work at a university).

10. Favorite soundtrack?

Repo Man, because Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole.

Nominees:

Congratulations, fellow nominees!  Enjoy your moment in the sun, or if you’re not really into awards, simply bask in the glow of adulation from a fellow movie blogger.

Michaël Parent, Le Mot du Cinephiliaque: http://cinephiliaque.blogspot.com/

Goregirl, Goregirl’s Dungeon: http://goregirl.wordpress.com/

Matt Poirier, Direct to Video Connoisseur: http://www.mattmovieguy.com/

Page, My Love of Old Hollywood: http://myloveofoldhollywood.blogspot.com/

David Arrate, My Kind of Story: http://mykindofstory.wordpress.com/

Victor De Leon, Vic’s Movie Reviews: http://vicsmovieden.wordpress.com/

Maynard Morrissey, Maynard’s Horror Movie Diary: http://www.horrormoviediary.net/

Rich, Exploitation Movie Review: http://exploitationmoviereview.blogspot.co.uk/

Dave B., 2,500 Movies Challenge: http://www.dvdinfatuation.com/

Ryan C., Trash Film Guru: http://trashfilmguru.wordpress.com/