I have been a bit slack with the blog this week, but with good reason as this week has been extremely busy, with a few late nights and early starts to meet those all important deadlines.

With that in mind I will attempt to make up for it today by answering all the questions our fearless leader, Richard “Tatts” Tattershaw asked me earlier in the week…

What are my favourite movies (Tatts even got into specific genres, so I will attempt to answer all of them). Now asking someone who goes to a lot of movies to answer these questions
is kind of like asking Moses to prove he actually talked to God, i.e. almost impossible but I will give it a go.

3 Favourite Sci Fi Movies:

Blade Runner: Over the years BR’s story does tend to let it down in places, but the sheer attention to detail, the crafting of a strange but authentic reality/world, and the rooftop finale put this one at the top. Some people would say BR is flim noir not sci-fi but it’s heart belongs in this genre. And finally to end the argument once and for all Harrison Ford is an android!

2001: A Space Odyssey: Ahead of its time in so many ways, 2001 is a fantastic journey from the Dawn of Man to a trippy psychadelic ride around Jupiter, you have to be patient to watch it, but it is worth it. Rumor had it for years the Academy did not give 2001 the award for best make-up because they thought the monkeys were real, but that is bogus cos it didn’t even get nominated (maybe because they thought the monkeys were real!)

Starship Troopers: Yes it is ultimately a cheesy popcorn action flick, but it was one of best Sci-fi flicks of the 90s, a decade barren for dedicated fans of the genre. Overlooked by critics, I feel this is a modern classic.

Honorable mention: Moon, with Sam Rockwell, for it’s sheer simplicity.  THX1138, George Lucas shows us what he is good at… sound design!

Now of course one movie which stands above all of these is Star Wars, the original and the best. Unfortunately George Lucas has pissed on that dream so much in the last few years that it is hard to recapture the thrill of the ride anymore, but every now and again to see the Death Star get blown up against all odds is a fun way to pass the time.

3 Favourite Drama Movies:

Donnie Brasco: Al Pacino and Jonny Depp at there best, enough said.

The Conversation: Gene Hackman at the top of his game. Not everyone’s cup of tea but a slow boiler which leaves you thinking. (See Enemy of the State, regarded as a “sort of” sequel)

Taxi Driver: Are you talking to me! Probably the most parodied movie line in the last 30 years, but that is because it is from such a memorable movie. De Niro is great as the quiet nut job who is disgusted by the underbelly of New York.

Honourable mention: Bringing out the Dead: Scorsese does for ambulance drivers what he did for Taxi Drivers.  Scent of A Woman: HOOAH! I would love to quote this movie word for word, but honestly it aint material for this blog  Master and Commander, Rusty Crowe at his best.

3 Favourite Crime Movies:

The Godfather: Yes, predictable I know, but how can you resist this epic family drama which basically redefined movie making in the 70s and paved the way for Coppola alumni Lucas, Speilberg, and Scorsese to make there move on hollywood. GF2 is also a classic, while I am in the minority of people who like GF3 as well.

James Bond: Can I put these in crime? Crimes are committed so I think I will… The Spy Who Loved Me, Roger Moore (love that name) at his womanizing best, and… On Her Majesty Secret Service, hated by most because of George Lazenby, this is definitely of the best JB stories, faithful to the book, and taking JB on his most heart felt and revenge filled journey.

 Matchstick Men: One of those little movies with a big name star and director everyone missed, well worth a look.

3 Favourite 70′s TV shows:

Blakes 7: In the Sci-fi genre this is great bit of BBC TV, flimsy sets, terrible effects, Shakesparean actors, 50 cent budgets. Everything that makes TV from this decade better than the drivel thats on now.

BattleStar Galactica: Enough with the recent redux / Iraq war influenced drama, and bring back the glory of 70′s cheese, cylons so shiny the glare blinded the good guys and awesome sound effects. BY YOUR COMMAND!

I, Claudius: I have written about this before, so enough said.

3 Favourite 80′s TV shows:

Monkey Magic: Born from an egg on a mountain top, the funkiest monkey that ever was! Kung Fu, dubbed over voices, and awful story lines… what can I say I was a kid.

What Now!: Back in the 80′s this was a fun Saturday morning show, with Steve Parr, Frank Flash, and Constable Keith and Sniff. It never has and never will recapture the glory days of the early 80′s, but then again I’m not hip with the kids anymore so it might be awesome.

The A-Team: On after my bedtime, to catch an episode of the A-Team was always something to brag about at school, only to say “I pity the fool that doesn’t watch the A-Team”, and when the excuses came out rebutting with “Stop your Jibber Jabber”.

Tatts also asked me to name my 3 favourite NZ cricketers, but I think I am bit too old to run on the pitch seeking autographs, so I will dwell on the past and name those who I followed in my youth…

John Wright: Along with Bruce Edgar these guys were known as Poke and Prod, not exciting to watch but made the runs and were solid, and doggedly determined. I would take 2 new John Wrights anytime to firm up NZ’s top order.

Andrew Jones: When he first came into the team he had a Symonds Super Tusker bat which has Rhino stickers on it, which sounded cool so I got behind him. My first back was a Junior Rhino bat from the same bat makers, it was crap bat with no meat so I upgraded to the Gray Nicolls double scoop something something, and started smacking fours everywhere. Jones moved on the GM.

Willie Watson: Only because he had the same birthday, and when your a kid and dumb that means something to you.

Well, that about wraps it up. I am sure Tatts will enjoy reading this, and will head down to the local video store to hire a few of the picks above. I also highly recommend he tracks down a copy of Martin Crowes Winning Cricket before he dusts of the pads for the new Fenders season, they need all the help they can get.

I will leave with a couple of clips from the above movies…

This was a one time only shot, the camera guy thought he had missed the ultimate moment, but actually had one of the most golden James Bond moments on film.

 

You talking to me!

Tim