Big Screen Meme
on Sep 18 in General by DanThose of you who are members of the Joseph Salmon Trust facebook group (and why wouldn’t you be) will have recently received the following email:
“We’re thinking of holding a Film Night at the Peacock Lounge in Huddersfield at some point over the coming months. It would involve watching a film…obviously!…and enjoying a few tasty beverages too :)
Please could you message me or post on the group wall what film you would love to come and watch. The one with the most votes wins!
Neil and Rachael”
Now, as you know I am a man of exquisite taste and sensibilities. And as such have felt duty bound to provide Neil and Rachael with a number exquisitely reasoned suggestions. These have spanned the entire gamut of celluloid artistry – from Smokey and the Bandit all the way through to Smokey and the Bandit 3. But strangely enough Neil has been resistive to my suggestions, citing the need to be democratic and put the decision to a vote.
He even rejected my idea of going a bit more art house cinema with something like Cannonball Run 2.
It seems however that Neil’s dedication to democracy only goes so far. Here’s an extract from a text he sent me the other day:
“Not decided on a film yet, although I don’t see how we can show the one with the highest votes, as its bloody Grease”
Quite right Neil, quite right. Just because something gets the most votes doesn’t mean that it is the correct choice. After all, George W Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Adolf Hitler, and Genghis Kahn were all democratically elected (although to be fair Kahn actually came to power after a series of rigorous interviews, presentations, and arduous group role-play scenarios).
So it’s time to wrestle the reins of this decision from the great unwashed and put it firmly in the hands of those more competent. We need to ask the movers and shakers of the world, the social elite, the people with their fingers on the pulse of the cultural zeitgeist. In short, its time to consult the blogosphere.
Lets do a meme!
So, what three movies would you most like to see on the big screen and why? Here’s my list:
Jaws
“You’re going to need a bigger boat”
If there is a tighter, tenser, and better put together film than Jaws then I have yet to see it. Its the best film Spielberg ever made, and that’s really saying something. Sure the special effects are a little frayed around the edges, but this is camouflaged superbly with wonderfully woven teasing tension. The rubber shark is only revealed in the final moments of the film – by which time your adrenaline levels are so high it could be a sock puppet and you wouldn’t notice.
The movie is powerful enough on TV, so what it must have been like for cinema goers seeing it for the first time on the big screen I can barely imagine.
The Italian Job
“You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off”
Unlike Jaws there are vast tracts within this film that are, quite frankly, a little boring – namely most of the first half. And I could also have seriously done without the stupid Benny Hill character too. But at the end of the day it’s worth it all for the car chase; which is arguably the finest such scene in the history of cinema (with perhaps the Blues Brothers coming in a close second).
Seeing those minis scramble through the streets of Turin on the big screen would be marvelous. To be honest even if it was only the five minutes of the cars going through the sewers I’d still pay my entrance fee. And what could be finer than singing along to the closing credits alongside your fellow intoxicated cinema audience. All together now! – “This is a self preservation society, This is a self preservation society …”
Zulu
At one hundred yards! Fall in by, present! Aim! Fire!
I’m not particularly a massive fan of Michael Cain, so it’s odd that two of my choices feature him (all three feature him if you count Jaws 4, which I most certainly don’t). Cain is pretty inconsequential in this film however. He doesn’t even ever say the oft quoted line “Don’t throw those bloody spears at me!”, which is a shame.
I’m not sure how prevalent Zulu is in the US, but you can usually find it on UK television at least once or twice a year. For those who don’t know, its the true story of the 1879 South Aftrican battle of Rorkes Drift in, where a small company off British solders held off a overwhelming force of Zulu warriors.
Yes, yes, there are all sorts of moral issues surrounding both the historical event and the film itself. It was made in 1964, which was not a time noted for it’s sensitivities to racial issues. But it’s a good film. In fact it’s a great film. I’m even very tempted to go and stick it in the DVD player once I’ve finished this post. The scene where the sturdy Welsh solders respond to the Zulu war chants by singing Men of Harlech never fails to give me the shivers.
So that’s my three, what are yours?
Time for a bit of tagging. We’ll start off with all the Hadrian’s Walk lot I think:
- Cathrine, from Some Vague Utopia
- Clair, from Moon In The Gutter
- Michael Clarke, from Green Tea Ice Cream
- Jo, from Jo Beaufoix
- Erin, from Fierce Beagle
- Idaho Dad, from A Family Runs Through It
- JJ Daddy-O, from JJ Daddy-O
- Arjan, from Dutchnid
- Martin, from Xbox4NappyRash
- Josie, from Life in Biscuit
- Ian, from Single Parent Dad
- ImPerceptible, from ImPerceptibility
- Whit, from Honea Express
- Tricia, fremo Turning Trix
- NYC Watchdog, from A Pile of dog Bones
- Poppy, from Poppy Cedes
- Ed, from Zoe’s Dad
- Garry from Jerry Chicken
- Sam from Rabbit Confused With Raisins
Also
- Daddy Geek Boy from Daddy Geek Boy
- Dad Who Writes from Dad Who Writes
- Insomniac Mummy from Insomniac Mummy
- Dan Leone from Cafe Leone
- MC from Culture Kills..
- Seattledad from Luke I am Your Father
- notSupermum from notSupermum
- Raging Dad from Raging Dad
- Not Rol from Sunset Over Slawit because he doesn’t do tagging
- Rosie Scribble from Rosie Scribble
And everyone else on my blogroll, who I would list but my tagging is getting bit ridiculous at this point.
Do it though, because I’m really interested in what you’d pick. Obviously I’m right, and you’ll be wrong – but its still interesting.
Related posts:
- Book Meme
- Photo Wallpaper and a shoehorned meme
- Now Showing
- Meme: A unit of cultural information which propagates from one mind to another
- A contest not sponsored by PR shills
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No explanations. It’s late. Just trust me on this.
.-= Steve´s last blog ..Long-distance Dad? =-.
@Steve, I’m ashamed to say I haven’t seen any of those films. I ahall add them to my lovefilm queue immediately.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
Hmmm… this is a tough one… since I am sort of an A/V and film nerd, I have to take into account the venue and the crowd dynamic. Since the “Peacock Lounge” sounds like a place where, a) people might be milling about socializing instead of concentrating on the film 100% and b) like it may not have a 20 foot wide screen with a 4K digital projector and THX approved sound system and c) there’s gonna be drinkin’, my list is the following:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail- Pros: everybody knows this one, so if they miss a few minutes while in the karsey (as you folks so quaintly call the bog) they can pick it right up again. Also suitable for costumes and contests, although that might be a bit too Rocky Horror. Looks like it was filmed with mud on the lens anyway, so who cares what the projector at the PL is like. Cons: maybe a bit too familiar, plus everybody’s wives will be rolling their eyes when Dan starts leading their husbands in a staged reading of the script.
The Commitments- Pros: filled with soul music and Irish people, and who doesn’t love that? Cons: Again, maybe overly familiar.
The Public Enemy- Pros: Old-school cops and gangsters, Cagney is awesome in this one. It’s also only 83 minutes, ’cause some people have short attention spans. Cons: Probably not one for the ladies. If you want to keep them happy, you’re probably going to have to show “Love, Actually” anyway.
.-= JJ Daddy-O´s last blog ..What I was doing this past April…. =-.
@JJ Daddy-O, I’m more of a life of brian man personally. The Commitments is a damn fine choice. and I haven’t seen Public Enemy
You are right about the venue though. They already hold regular film nights, so there must be at least a half decent AV setup. He’s planning on checking it out soon.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
Sunset Boulevard
Ed Wood
Evil Dead 2
Casablanca
Victim
My Name is Bruce
but if I had to pick one out of all those it would have to be Sunset Boulevard – beautifully filmed, fabulously scripted and some of the best acting ever. Clever, sad, poignant, funny and gripping – what more could you want from a tale of fading fame, obsessive love, vanity and Hollywood. Quite simply one of the best films ever made.
@Morticia, I’ve never seen Eil Dead, but am aware I really should do.
What, no dumb and Dumber on your list?
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
@Dan,
I’ve only seen bits of Dumb and Dumber and was very disappointed that it wasn’t a biopic of Charles and Lady Diane as i was hoping but it featured that awful Jim Carrey who unless he’s in The Mask really gets on my nerves.
Evil Dead is good but I prefer Evil Dead 2 as Ash is in it more and it includes some very funny jokes, the tree rape scene in 1 is too horrid for me.
Hmm. I’ll have a think. Am going back to this ID as well for purposes of walk though will also have to use other one for raising money.
Yes, I do love to make life complicated.
.-= Dad Who Writes´s last blog ..Reading, reading and reading =-.
@Dad Who Writes, I think you should set up a third persona just to tip me over the edge.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
Some good choices Dan. How about
Restless Natives – the Bill Forsyth movie (before he made Gregory’s Girl) with a fanatastic sound track by Big Country.
The Deer Hunter – still one of the best movies ever made and another fabulous sound track.
Carry on Camping – the first move I ever saw at the cinema.
@Mark, Any Carry on Film is a fantastic idea. My favorite is Carry on Regardless. And I haven’t seen Restless Native, but as Gregories girl is my fovorite film in the world I really should do. Adding it to the lovefilm list.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
gonna have a nights sleep on it (I haven’t had a decent one for a week). I’ll break up some study time tomorrow to post my 123 here.
*short hijack*
I might also find some time to post a part 2 of Dutch movies..it’s not that there aren’t any movies..but I’m not at home enough to watch long movies in the evening.. study/work/work/social life and sports (which left me crippled for at least another 2 days btw..) keep me away from my comfy chair and screen.
.-= Arjan´s last blog ..Blue Öyster Cult in concert! =-.
@Arjan, You seem to have a busy life at the moment. Perhaps cut down on the work, spots and social life. That stuff is pointless anyhow.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
I shall post my three on my blog tomorrow as I’m devoid of ideas anyway.
However, I feel that I need to make a proviso to one of your three choices Dan, you need to add the phrase “the original Italian Job” to your second choice for there are parts of the world who will not understand that the Sly Stallone version was not even a pale imitation of the original but indeed a complete waste of celluloid or its digital equivalent.
Come the revolution any film producer who even ponders on the suggestion “hmmm, we could do a really good remake of that film…” will be stood against a wall and given 30 seconds to repent his sins before the firing squad are led in…
.-= Gary´s last blog ..The Kings Arms, Seaton Sluice =-.
@Gary, it was Marky Mark rather than sly, but I take your point.
actually I didn’t think the remake was too bad a film, as long as you ignored the fact it was a remake. The only thing it had in common with the first one was the name really.
But I am a sucker for popcorn films.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
I can’t think of any movies that I would want to see that I missed. Maybe the Godfather Part II? I don’t really watch many movies that were made before 1980, so I saw a lot of the movies I know in the theater originally.
.-= Avitable´s last blog ..Yes, YOU are invited! =-.
@Avitable, These are all mainly movies from my childhood – stuff i taped from TV and watched over and over again.
Ooo American Werewolf in London, that’s another one.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
Forrest gump..just because he keeps on running like we should keep on walking *yes I know..I dunno where that came from*
Boondock saints: just awesome.
Crank: a crazy entertaining movie
@Arjan, I’ve only seen Gump out of those, another bunch to add to the lovefilm list.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
@Arjan, Crank and Boondock Saints: I could see both of those as booze-up filmfest movies. However, I just watched Crank 2 this weekend, and boy did it suck.
I have a soft spot for Forrest Gump because it was filmed right here in Savannah.
.-= JJ Daddy-O´s last blog ..What I was doing this past April…. =-.
@JJ Daddy-O, yeah Crank 2 couldn’t come near Crank (1).
.-= Arjan´s last blog ..Blue Öyster Cult in concert! =-.
Can’t argue with Jaws of The Italian Job – Both awesome. Haven’t yet seen Zulu, but it sounds great.
I think on this one and perhaps post the results. Boring, I know, but am blanking right now.
.-= SeattleDad´s last blog ..We’re Golden =-.
@SeattleDad, A meme such as this requires careful deliberation
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
Pulp Fiction. And then you can spend hours debating what’s in the case
Gladiator. Because nobody does action stuff better than Mr Scott
The Sound of Music….singalong version. Goes so well with beer and wine
.-= Nota Bene´s last blog ..What shall I buy? =-.
@Nota Bene, the case is full of the same stuff that was in repo man.
And I think I’ll give the sound of music a miss if that’s ok. I’m not the biggest musical fan.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
Blimey Dan, I haven’t done your last tag yet. I’ll do it tonight if I get chance and then it’ll sort me for this one. I did say to Neil ‘anything except films with Jean Claude Van Dam/Damme whathisface’ in them, so I’ve set myself up for a quite possibly iffy night by the sounds of it…though I love the Italian Job, and I don’t mind Jaws though it tends to scare me sometimes. Has Jaws got crabs in it?? If so then I’d probably be ok what with me being infested etc.
.-= Jo Beaufoix´s last blog ..It’s a worry =-.
@Jo Beaufoix, Neil’s not a van damme man, but more of a groundhog day man.
Any man who likes grease is not a man.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
I was thinking something all lovely and fluffy with smashing scenery like – the Fox and The Child and for some reason I have thought of The Big Blue. Why French films should have popped up is beyond me. But definitely not the big pile of stinking poo that is Betty Blue.
.-= Linda´s last blog ..How my twins kept me awake at night, and top tips to stop it happening to you =-.
@Linda, I knew I should have banned soppy girls from this meme
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
first off, if you’ve never seen any evil dead films, i don’t know how you can call yourself a man, frankly.
ok, my three:
A HARD DAYS NIGHT—the beatles, young, exuberant and in glorious black and white.
FINDING NEMO—or nearly any pixar movie really. you’re missing all the subtleties on a small screen.
SPIRITED AWAY— although i often confuse one Hayao Miyazaki film with another because they’re all insane…visually stunning though, that’s key.
.-= bon bon´s last blog ..apple maple pie =-.
@bon bon, The Beatles is a good idea. and strangely rather topical what with all the current hoo ha.
I’m not a horror man at all I’m afraid. I just don’t like the sensation of being scared or jumping with surprise. So I’ve avoided the evil dead movies.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Big Screen Meme =-.
I’m still thinking about this one, but will post my choices on my blog sometime this week. If I can stop changing my mind about them, that is.
.-= notSupermum´s last blog ..Over The Top? Moi? =-.
Oh god don’t make me think.
.-= Xbox4NappyRash´s last blog ..Half way home =-.