Something to be Thankful About – Sunshine Blogger Award

 

On this day (okay, technically the day after), when many folks in my country are stuffing their faces and celebrating manifest destiny, I felt it was only appropriate to reflect on something I’m truly thankful for – being nominated by Virginie Pronovost of The Wonderful World of Cinema for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Greater than the wheelbarrows full of money that I rake in from my site or the throngs of adoring fans,* I’m absolutely chuffed to hear that I’ve been acknowledged by a fellow blogger. It makes me feel that I must have done something right in my 15 years of blogging to receive this accolade. All kidding aside though, this nomination really made my day. 

* Both of these things are false, and merely the product of my overactive imagination.

In the grand tradition of the Sunshine Blogger Award, it’s time to pay it forward and show my appreciation by answering Ginnie’s questions, below, followed by the passing of the torch to some of my fellow bloggers. 

Here are the rules, should you choose to accept your nomination… 

1. Post the award on your blog.
2. Thank the person who nominated you.
3. Answer the 11 questions they sent.
4. Pick another 11 bloggers and let them know they are nominated.
5. Give them 11 new questions.

My responses to Ginnie’s questions: 

1)     You can only watch Cary Grant films or James Stewart films for the rest of your life. Which actor do you choose? James Stewart – I never tire of his infectious everyman persona. Even when he’s cranky he always seems so freaking affable.

2)     You have to learn a (sic) choreography from a film for a talent show. Which choreography do you choose to learn? Having been born with two left feet (figuratively, of course), I can only dream of hoofing it as effortlessly as Gene Kelly from Singing in the Rain. I don’t envy the dance teacher who’d be bold enough to take me on as a student.

3)     Do you consider yourself to be some film’s number one fan? If yes, which film and why? This is a hard one, since my blog mainly focuses on movies that seem to have slipped through the cracks, but I can’t stop crowing about the 2007 documentary Crazy Love (not to be confused with another personal favorite, Mad Love), featuring a twist that no one would believe if it were a work of fiction. Everyone should see it!

4)     You are put in solitary confinement with the main character of the last film you watched. Who is it and how does it go? I’m locked in with the ersatz medium Alexis (Turhan Bey) from The Amazing Mr. X (1948). Invariably, things go south when he claims to make contact with my dear departed parents, and their endless bickering drives him nuts.

5)     You have the power to go back in time and release in color a film that is currently in black and white. (For example, you decide that The Shop Around the Corner should be in color). Which film do you choose? I can think of some color films that might benefit from being black and white, but I can’t think of anything that deserves to be colorized.

6)     Which film do you think actually deserves a sequel? Without a doubt, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai – Across the Eighth Dimension (1984). The end credits promised a sequel, Buckaroo Banzai vs. The World Crime League, and I’m still waiting for it.

7)     How do you spend your ideal movie night? At home, watching a Blu-ray with no seat-kickers, talkers, or annoying pre-movie ads. Of course, no proper movie night would be complete without a host of unhealthy snacks – the emptier the calories, the better (bonus points if I’m enjoying takeout from one of my favorite restaurants).

8)     A film character is invited as a guest writer on your blog. Who is this character, and what would he or she be writing about? Enid (Thora Birch) from Ghost World (2001), writing her observations about the wonders of Bollywood.

9)     Film noir debate time. Who had the best hair: Rita Hayworth or Veronica Lake? Well, being a follicly challenged individual, myself, I’m rather envious of both, but if I had to choose, I’d say Hayworth, because I’m a sucker for redheads (let’s just pretend her look in Lady from Shanghai didn’t happen).

10) You are travelling abroad on your birthday, but get the chance to celebrate with three movie directors of your choosing. Who do you choose, and what gifts do you think you would receive from them? Guillermo del Toro, David Cronenberg, and John Carpenter I can’t imagine a better gift than their years of collected anecdotes, which would be more valuable to me than any mere trinket.

11) Finally, is there a certain meal or food from a film you would like to taste? I would love to taste any of the food depicted in Spirited Away. Even though it’s animated, it looks delicious (Miyazaki is some kind of wizard)! 

 

Here are my eleven nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award:

·       John Harmon – Tales from the Freakboyzone

·       Gill Jacob – Realweeigiemidget Reviews

·       Brian Schuck – Films from Beyond

·       Black Cats & Poppies

·       Amber – No active blog, but her Instagram movie write-ups and observations are never less than fascinating. Check ‘em out if you can!)

·       Stacia Kissick Jones – She Blogged by Night

·       Eric Binford – Diary of a Movie Maniac

·       Terence Towles Canote – A Shroud of Thoughts

·       Michael and Andrew – Maniacs & Monsters (Counts as two, because I said so)

·       Baron Greystone – The Michlin Guide

 

Here are my questions for you, dear bloggers:

1.     What famous (or infamous) lost film would you love to be re-discovered?

2.     What hobbies do you enjoy outside of movie blogging?

3.     What do you believe to be the most annoying trend in modern cinema?

4.     Which actor or actress was your first film crush?

5.     Name a non-musical film that would make an excellent musical.

6.     Name a movie that you love, even though it’s not objectively “good.” What do you like about it?

7.     What was your most memorable moment visiting the movie theatre?

8.     Name a movie within the past 20 years that seems destined to be regarded as a classic someday.

9.     Do you still collect physical media (DVDs, Blu-rays, etc..)? Why or why not?

10.  Do you have a signed piece of movie memorabilia? If so, what’s your most treasured item?

11.  If you could attend the premiere of any film from the past, which one would it be?

Who, Me? It’s Awards Time

First, I’d like to thank the wonderful folks who double-nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award and my first-time nomination for the Blogger Recognition Award: Ernie Fink from Until the Lights Go Up, Paul Batters from Silver Screen Classics, and Gill Jacob from Realweegiemidget Reviews, respectively. I apologize that it took so long to acknowledge these accolades. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.

As I would imagine is the case for many, these past several months have been difficult emotionally, physically and financially, making it especially hard to stay motivated and focused. Also, as you may have noticed, I’ve refrained from further blogathon announcements for the moment. After discussing things with my blogathon partner Gill, from Realweegiemidget Reviews, we decided to postpone the next installment of the Hammer/Amicus Blogathon until next year. On the other hand, the blog is still chugging along after all these years, albeit at a slower rate. Right now, any progress is good progress.  

I’ve never been much of rule follower, so I’ve modified them for the purposes of this overly verbose appreciation post. Nah, who am I kidding? I’ve thrown them out. Instead, here are my responses to Ernie, Paul, and Gill’s questions…

 Ernie’s Questions 

1.     What topic do you blog most about?

This is a film blog, so I try to keep things as movie-related as possible. I keep an emphasis on horror and science fiction, although I’m not strictly confined to those genres. While I’ll blog about the occasional blockbuster, my mission is to discuss the movies that somehow slipped through the cracks. 

2.     Do you only blog about one topic, or do you blog about other things, even occasionally?

Movie reviews, long and short, are my bread and butter, but my blog is peppered with the occasional rant about pets in film, physical media, star ratings, or whatever strikes my fancy at the moment. 

3.     Do you have someone or something you love to write about more than others? If so, why?

Anyone who knows my Twitter presence probably associates me with Mad Love-era Peter Lorre. I’m not sure exactly when I adopted Peter Lorre (Or should I say he adopted me?) as the official Cinematic Catharsis mascot, but it was love at first fright. Why? I’m not quite, sure, but I think it might have something to do with the old TNT promos for the 100% Weird show. 

4.     Is your blogging by a schedule, or done as ideas come to you?

I try to adhere to a loose schedule, averaging a minimum of four posts per month. These normally consist of a few longer reviews and a collection of capsule reviews, Quick Picks and Pans (as of this post, I’ve done 118 of ‘em). 

5.     What subject would you never blog about? Why?

I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed a Rom Com, but I wouldn’t rule it out if the right one came along. I stray from religion and politics, and anyone who’s read my posts over the years probably knows that I have no tolerance for intolerance (see #15 of my Film TwitterSurvival Guide). 

6.     Do you get comments from your readers?

I always look forward to comments from my “regulars” as well as new visitors to the blog. Sure, there are the odd spam messages and a few irritating comments now and then, but keeping an open (albeit moderated) forum is worth it. 

7.     How do those comments affect you?

As mentioned above, I invite and enjoy comments from my readers. While most comments have been overwhelmingly positive and respectful (which doesn’t mean that my readers always agree with me), I recall a few comments (always from “randos”) that irritated me (lecturing about their take on a film). I’m still baffled by one reader who once took offense when I joked that a movie (Whisper of the Heart) had too much John Denver music. 

8.     Was there a time when you considered giving up blogging? Why?

Nope. I love doing this, and even if my output slows, I’m glad to do what I’m doing. 

9.     Has blogging led to other writing activities? Or is it the other way around?

Blogging has definitely opened doors that were closed before. I’m a semi-regular contributor to The Dark Pages newsletter, and I’m currently researching a book project, which will be a direct offshoot of my blog. 

10.  How important are pictures to your blog?

I believe screenshots and posters are essential for readers to get a taste for the movie I’m writing about. I try to keep things PG-13 around here, so even if the movie is of a more (ahem) adult nature, I purposely refrain from posting more explicit pics. I figure readers know what they’re getting into when they read one of my reviews, and can just watch the movie if they’d like to see more. Besides, there are already plenty of other places on the web if they really need to see that sort of thing. 

11.  Do you have any wisdom that you'd like to pass along about blogging?

Don’t write for other people. Write what you enjoy, and your audience will find you.

 

Paul’s Questions 

What British or International film would you recommend to a friend who has never seen one?

Japanese cinema continually fascinates and baffles me, so much so that I devote an entire month each year, and could probably write about it until the end of time. Here’s a handful of suggestions… Animated: Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro (1988) or Spirited Away (2001) are simply magical gateways to the world of anime; Takashi Miike’s extensive filmography is well worth investigating. Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) is one of his most fun and accessible titles; If you’re looking for more classic fare, you can’t go wrong with Yasujirō Ozu’s Late Spring (1949) or Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1954). Oops! I guess I recommended more than one.

Which classic film director do you prefer and what is your favorite of their films?

The works of Fritz Lang continue to entrance and inspire. I’m still exploring his diverse filmography, and finding hidden treasures. Any director who could make Metropolis (1927) and The Big Heat (1953) demands my attention. 

Which character actor or actress do you think would have made a great lead?

Dick Miller was a favorite of Roger Corman and Joe Dante, but rarely got his due. Although he proved he could carry a film with A Bucket of Blood (1959), he should have headlined many more. 

What child actor do you believe should have had success as an adult but didn’t?

Haley Joel Osment. After his breakout roles with The Sixth Sense (1999) and A.I. (2001), he seemed to fall into a black hole. I hope his recent appearance in What We Do in the Shadows will be the shot in the arm his career deserves. 

What film do you love, but dislike the ending?

Unbreakable (2000) always keeps me captivated with its performances and low-fi approach to superhero movies, but oh, what a corny ending. That final caption (about Elijah Price’s fate) before the end credits has got to go.   

Whose onscreen wardrobe do you covet and would like to claim for your own?

Do costumes count? I’m not much of a clothes-horse, but I think it would be a hoot to wear one of Raymond Massey’s “future” outfits from Things to Come (1936) for a Halloween costume party. 

Which original film do you think could be improved as a remake and who would you cast?

Damnation Alley. If the filmmakers stuck closer to Roger Zelazny’s 1969 novella (which has more in common with Escape from New York than the 1977 film), I might cast Michael B. Jordan or Christian Bale (played by Jan Michael Vincent in the original) as the lead, or perhaps for a gender switch, Charlize Theron. 

Which classic film actor or actress do you think would be successful in today’s film industry?

Katherine Hepburn, who often portrayed tough and savvy, yet vulnerable characters. She held her own against her contemporaries, and would easily measure up against anyone today. 

What film trope do you never tire of seeing?

Sure, it’s a tired trope, but I always enjoy seeing the hero knocked down, only to rise up to fight another day (Hey, it works for Godzilla and Gamera). 

If you could adapt a piece of classic literature that has not yet been made into a film, what book would you choose and who would you cast in the main roles?

John Kennedy Toole’s posthumous novel, A Confederacy of Dunces. After some consideration, I thought it would be amusing to cast Mark Proksch (the guy who plays Colin Robinson in the What We Do in the Shadows TV series) as Ignatius J. Reilly, and Kathy Bates as his long-suffering mother, Irene Reilly. 

Which of today’s modern actors or actresses do you think would have been successful in classic films and why? 

With his fast-talking persona and unique features, Steve Buscemi would be ideal for a 1930s screwball comedy or 1940s film noir. 

Gill's Questions

Share the reason you started your blog. 

Cinematic Catharsis started as a byproduct of completing my master’s degree. I had grown so accustomed to writing for numerous assignments that I felt I didn’t care to stop. The blog’s title refers to how movies have always been a release for me, my refuge from the rest of the world. I love watching them and sharing my thoughts. As of October, this will be my 10^th year blogging, and I have no plans to stop!

 

Share two pieces of advice for new bloggers. 

First (and I can’t stress this enough), write about what you love. Don’t write for pageviews, Twitter retweets, or because you hope to gain some modicum of notoriety. Write about the things you enjoy the most. It’s good to have an audience in mind, but write for yourself first. I’ve seen too many blogs come and go, and the main reason cited (if the blogger decided to write an epitaph) was that it just wasn’t fun anymore. Blogging should never seem like a chore. If it seems like it’s heading that way, this is the perfect time to reevaluate why you’re doing this in the first place. So, go forth and create the kind of content you want to see! 

Second, set reasonable goals for yourself. We’re in the middle of a pandemic, and no one knows when this crazy ride is coming to a complete stop. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t meet all your goals. One of the secrets to blog longevity is pacing yourself. Pushing yourself to post when you’re not ready is the quickest road to burnout. By all means, post on a regular basis, however many that means to you. Depending on your comfort level, you can always go up or down from there.

 Because I like to do things a little differently, I’m taking this opportunity to present The Cinematic Catharsis Hall of Fame – A rotating list of notable blogs you should check out!

 

TarsTarkas,net 

SilverScreenings 

Talesfrom the Freakboy Zone 

RealweegiemidgetReviews 

Untilthe Lights Go Up 

StatelyWayne Manor 

SilverScreen Classics 

TakingUp Room 

TheOak Drive-in 

AShroud of Thoughts 

Filmsfrom Beyond the Time Barrier 

Nuts4 R2 

Maniacsand Monsters  

Shrine of the Missing (but not forgotten)

StabfordDeathrage Shoots His Mouth Off  – Wherever you are, Mr. Deathrage, I hope you’re doing well, and look forward to reading more of your inimitable musings someday soon.

 

 

Some Belated Acknowledgements

Time has a nasty habit of getting away before you know it. Way back in January, I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by the hardest working blogger on the web, Gill Jacob of Realweegie MidgetReviews. Fast forward several months to September, and I was nominated for the LiebsterAward by the wise and powerful Rebecca Deniston of Taking Up Room.  But as ‘80s TV pitchmen hawking their wares would say, “Wait, there’s more!” About a week ago, the dynamic duo of Michael Denney and Andrew Stephen from Maniacs and Monsters nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I’m truly fortunate to have met such wonderful people through Twitter and the movie blogging community.

 Rules? Where we’re going, we don’t need rules.  

Since this is a joint Versatile Blogger/Liebster/Sunshine post, I’m throwing out the rules, and simply acknowledging a few bloggers you ought to know. If you’re listed below, there’s no need to do anything – just give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done! If I’ve left anyone out, I sincerely apologize, and hope to get to you on the rebound.

Just to show that I haven’t gone completely off the rails I’ve listed seven facts about myself (per Gill’s challenge), and answered 11 questions apiece from Rebecca and the Maniacs and Monsters team.

But first, a tip of the hat to:

John Harmon of Tales from the Freakboy Zone 

Nuts 4R2 

Dick, The Oak Drive-In

Ernie Fink of Until the Lights Go Up

Tars Tarkas.NET 

Hanley Peterson of Patron Devil Book Reviews

Terence Towles Canote: A Shroud of Thoughts

…And a hearty “back at ‘ya” to: Realweegie Midget Reviews, Taking Up Room, and Maniacs and Monsters.

Seven Facts About Myself (Note: My apologies if some of these are recycled from earlier posts)

1. I’ve lived in four states: California (my birthplace), Washington State, Texas and Pennsylvania.
2. I've flown in a glider (what a view!).
3. My wife and I met while working at a mom & pop video store – We will be celebrating our 27^th wedding anniversary in February.
4. My most prized convention trinket is a Hellraiser puzzle box signed by Clive Barker.
5. I have an M.A. in Counseling, and two bachelor’s degrees, in English and Psychology.
6. I’m an incurable roller coaster junkie. Many, many moons ago, I worked at Six Flags Magic Mountain (No, I wasn’t a ride operator).
7.  I love the ocean and all things nautical. I don’t think I could ever live in a landlocked state.

My answers to Rebecca’s questions:

1. If you were a plant, what kind would you be and why?

My knee-jerk reaction would be some sort of carnivorous plant, like Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors. I’m not necessarily enamored by the diet, but world domination is a nice perk.

2. What’s a talent you wish you had?

I wish I had some graphic arts training, so my blog was more aesthetically pleasing.

3. Would you rather have coffee or tea?

Coffee is the fuel that got me through grad school a decade ago, and it keeps me blogging.

4. You can own costumes and props from one film. Any era, any genre. Which film would you pick?

I’d go with Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet (1956), although I understand he was recently purchased by a private collector for a princely sum.

5. If you could have anyone follow your blog or your social media accounts, who would it be?

Guillermo del Toro. I think he’d be…mildly interested.

6. Do you think vampires should sparkle?

Nope. Never, unless it’s for comic effect.

7. Who’s your favorite film critic or historian?

Roger Ebert – His love of movies was contagious. He had such a lively writing style and an encyclopedic knowledge of film, yet somehow never sounded pedantic or pretentious. His writing continues to provide inspiration for me to do what I do.

8. What are your top three must-play songs for a road trip?

Oh, it’s too hard to narrow down to three songs, but three artists I often feature on road trips are: David Bowie, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and T-Rex.

9. Which film or films should not be remade under any circumstances?

Any of Hayao Miyazaki’s movies. They’re absolutely perfect as they are.

10. Do you ever think you’d like to work in films instead of just writing about them?

At one time, I wanted to be a screenwriter, but that ship has sailed. I’d still love to appear in films in small but memorable roles. Hey if Sydney Greenstreet could do it, why can’t I?

11. What’s your favorite thing about blogging?

Without question, my favorite thing is hearing readers comment that they learned about a movie they never knew about through my blog, and were prompted to watch it, based on my recommendation. It’s times like that that remind me why I blog about movies.   

And last but certainly not least, here are my responses to 11 more questions from Maniacs and Monsters:

1. Do you consider yourself a fan of horror, averse to horror, or a patron of any genre including horror if it is entertaining?

I’m a lifelong fan of horror in its many forms, although slashers are generally not my thing.

2. What is the first horror film you remember watching and what was your reaction?

The first I recall was Frankenstein (1931), watching it through my fingers (when the monster appeared) on my parents’ small RCA TV in their bedroom. Shameless plug: For more musings about the stuff that kept me awake at night, see my piece, “Scared Sh*tless in the ‘70s.” 

3. What is your opinion of real-world paranormal activities such as ghosts, spiritualism, UFOs, cryptozoology, or extrasensory perception?

To quote Winston Zeddmore, “If there’s a steady paycheck, I’ll believe anything you say.” But seriously, I consider myself an empiricist – if it can’t be recorded or measured in some way, it’s not a real phenomenon. However, I remain open to the possibility of any of these things. As the late great Arthur C. Clarke was fond of saying, “I don’t believe in ghosts, but I’m afraid of them.”

4. Have you ever had what you believe to be a paranormal experience or at least an experience you could not explain?

Not exactly, but I’ve visited places that had a strange “aura” about them, for lack of a better term. Nothing’s convinced me there were supernatural forces at work…yet.

5. If you were cast in a horror movie, which of the following roles would you want and why:
• last girl/guy
• killer/monster
• fodder for the slaughter
• evil genius/mad scientist/cult leader
• tortured soul
• kick-ass hero/military leader
• creepy caretaker/gas station attendant/neighbor/sea captain
• member of the faceless zombie/demon/alien horde
• wise stranger that warned those reckless kids

I’d probably be the “wise stranger,” although no one ever believes him//her. Just look at Crazy Ralph from the first two Friday the 13^th movies, and see what happened to him. Hmm… On second thought, is it too late to opt for the “last guy?”

6. Horror films, much like comedies, have been historically ignored by the Oscars. What horror film or horror performance do you feel deserved, but did not receive, recognition by the Academy?

I don’t hold a lot of stock in the Academy Awards – It seems the rule rather than exception that something I’d care to see wins. A couple of glaring omissions that spring to mind: Let the Right One In (2008) at least deserved a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film; Zelda Rubinstein should have received a Best Supporting Actress nod for Poltergeist (1982)

7. Which subgenre of horror is most appealing to you (noting that these subgenres often overlap):
• action horror
• ‘B’ movies/camp
• body horror
• comedy horror
• disaster/natural horror
• giallo
• gothic horror
• horror thriller
• kaiju
• psychological horror
• science fiction horror
• slasher
• splatter
• supernatural horror

Psychological Horror (e.g., The Haunting) is my “go to” sub-genre. I love films that respect the intelligence of the audience, allowing us the freedom to fill in the blanks. On the other hand, there are times when only a good gothic horror from Hammer or Amicus will do.

8. Assuming you observe Halloween, describe a favorite costume (scary or otherwise) that you have worn.

Nothing beats my old Megathor mask kit (see video below). I got a lot of mileage out of that mask over the years, adding LEDs to the eyes. To complete my costume, I wore a sweatshirt with a homemade glittery insignia and a bath towel cape. I miss my Megathor mask.  

9. What is your greatest fear/phobia?

Crowds and social gatherings freak me out. I’m not a very social creature by design.

  

10. You die only to awaken as a ghost, vampire, or zombie. What do you do?

After the initial shock has worn off, I accept my new reality. Sure, there’s the existential dread that goes along with being an ex-human, but I’ll try to make the best of things (Hey, this is me at my most optimistic).

11. Darkness falls across the land. The alien invasion has begun. Civilization is collapsing.  The dead are returning from the grave. Cthulhu is rising from his eternal slumber. The Horsemen of the Apocalypse are on the ride. It’s the end of the world. You are among a small group boarding an experimental starship to escape to another galaxy. You are allowed to bring any three items of your choosing. What do you bring (and no fair bringing something ‘useful’)?

Does my Blu-ray/DVD collection count as one thing? If not, I’d have to flip a coin or choose a random number. I’d probably bring my camera (so I can document my journey) and new TV (I just bought it this year – I’m not parting with it).

Good Day Sunshine

I was in the midst of a big move when Cinephile Crocodile bestowed a pleasant surprise upon me, with a nomination for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Now that I’m relatively settled, it’s been tougher than I anticipated to jump back into the swing of things, but I couldn’t allow this recognition to go unnoticed. It’s always a blast to receive recognition from a fellow film blogger, especially one with the same penchant for alliterative blog titles. Just when I worry the toils of my labors have fallen into a black hole (along with an untold number of socks), here’s a gentle reminder that someone out there is paying attention (to the blog, not the socks).

As a recipient of this honor, it’s my duty to pass it along to some other worthy bloggers. Sure, the whole blogging award thing sounds a bit like the 21^st century equivalent of  

a chain letter, but participation is strictly optional, and no earth-shattering calamity will befall you, should you decide to decline. However, if you choose to accept, there are some rules that are part and parcel to the nomination:

1. Post the award on your blog.
2. Thank the person who nominated you.
3. Answer the 11 questions they sent.
4. Pick another 11 bloggers and let them know they are nominated.
5. Give them 11 new questions.

My responses to Cinephile Crocodile’s questions:

1. What makes you angriest about modern cinema?

Bloated, effects-laden productions that favor overblown action sequences over story. Too many blockbusters try to top one another with elaborate explosion-filled climaxes, full of dizzying CGI-laden scenes and questionable physics. More often than not, the end result is overdone, exhausting and boring.

2. What makes you happiest about modern cinema?

As much as I rant about the state of the film industry, it’s worth it to hang in for some of the independent gems that seemingly turn up out of nowhere. The Babadook, Ex Machina, and Under the Shadow are some noteworthy recent examples.

3. What is your favorite bad movie? The movie that is undeniably awful but you love anyway?

Plan 9 from Outer Space is cinematic comfort food. There’s not a hint of nutrition to be found, but it feeds my soul. Like many of Ed Wood’s other productions, there’s a level of sincerity to be found amongst the dreck.

4. If you had to be eaten alive by a movie villain, who would it be and why?

The idea of being devoured by any massive creature doesn’t exactly float my boat, but if I had to choose, it would be the island-sized fish creature from The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989). Sure, it’s not much of a life living in the shipwreck-strewn belly of the beast, but at least there’d be company.

5. Who would you want to play you in the movie of your life but who would be most likely?

Steve Buscemi (think Donny from The Big Lebowski) or Paul Giamatti (as Harvey Pekar in American Splendor) would be ideal candidates to play my self-effacing, persona. In reality, it would probably be an understudy from a small town dinner theatre.

6. What is your favorite movie quote?

Wow... There are so many, but the one that stands out would be:

“Life mocks me even in death.” (uttered by Griffin Dunne as David’s cursed friend Jack in An American Werewolf in London)

7. Name the sequel you'd most like to happen even though you know it's never going to happen?

I would love to see a sequel to The Fifth Element, but I suppose the closest we’re going to get is Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

8. Sweet, salt or mixed popcorn?

I’m a traditionalist, so I’d have to side with salty popcorn.

9. Have you ever been haunted by a film? A film that was either so shocking/disturbing/poignant that you just couldn't get it out of your head for weeks?

The original Alien (1979) burrowed into my impressionable 11-year-old brain with Giger’s singular aesthetic, and of course, the nightmarish title creature.

10. What non-musical film would you most like to see turned into a musical?

Hellboy (directed by Guillermo del Toro, of course!)

11. Do you feel lucky Punk?

Well, actually, yeah. I kind of do.

Here are my nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award:

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

JT Williams, Blogferatu: https://blogferatu.com/

Stabford Deathrage, Stabford Deathrage Shoots His Mouth Off: http://stabforddeathrage.blogspot.com/

Joey, The Last Drive In: https://thelastdrivein.com/

Silver Screenings: https://silverscreenings.org/

Kristina, Speakeasy: https://hqofk.wordpress.com/

Lyz, And You Call Yourself a Scientist: https://andyoucallyourselfascientist.com/

Dick, The Oak Drive-In: http://theoakdrivein.blogspot.com/

Evan, From the Wastes: https://fromthewastes11811.wordpress.com/

Kerry, Prowler Needs a Jump: https://twitter.com/echidnabot          

Bill Meeker, Frisco Kid at the Movies: http://friscokidtx.com/

And my questions for you, dear bloggers:

1. Name a favorite overlooked film that you can’t stop yakking about (even though other people probably wish you would).
2. What book would you like to see adapted into a movie?
3. Why do you write about movies?
4. What’s one of your true passions outside of films or blogging?
5. Going to the movie theatre: Is it a necessary component for enjoying films, or just a big hassle?
6. What’s one of your fondest childhood memories of going to the movies?
7. If you suddenly became unstuck in time like Billy Pilgrim, what era would you want to live in?
8. Where do you stand on the physical media vs. streaming debate?
9. What’s your least favorite film genre?
10. Name a favorite film that’s not in the Criterion Collection, but should be.
11. Name an acclaimed film that you’re ashamed to admit you haven’t seen.