Here are the answers to the second six questions Goldstein asks on his podcast. To read the first six, see last week’s post.
What is the sexiest film? — Unfaithful with Diane Lane, Richard Gere, and Olivier Martinez. I had no idea what the film was about going into it – I just adored Richard Gere and would watch anything he was in. Looking back, I can say why I felt this way about the film, though I don’t think I could have verbalized it then – this was the first film I remember seeing where a woman was allowed to own and chase her desire (granted, she did it through an affair, which is not a laudable move). She wasn’t shamed by the writing for this desire/wanting – she was allowed to explore and live it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the film, but if memory serves, Martinez’s character did pursue her at first, but ultimately, she was the one who sought him out over and over. (The ending is terrible, though.)
Which film do you most relate to? — Feed the Fish. It was filmed and takes place in my home county – and there were so many times where a plot point would just really hit home about what it was like having grown up there. One bit was one of the characters had like twelve jobs, so they kept popping up everywhere. That was my life there every summer through college.
Which film is objectively the greatest ever? — Schindler’s List. (And I saw this before I understood the true magic of Liam Neeson.) It was during a film studies course that I was the TA for, and I remember being blown away by it. And devastated by it. This is probably, now that I think about it, the catalyst for my interest in WWII historical fiction novels. The acting was incredible. There were some truly beautiful shots and choices made. There is, of course, gruesome violence – so if you’ve never seen the film before, make sure you’re in the right mainframe to do so. My second choice for this would be the first John Wick movie – stick with me here a moment. Yes, there is a lot of violence in this film – but the skill with which it is pulled off is incredible. The story is heart-breaking – watching Wick pine for his dead wife. His motivation – well, I won’t spoil that one for you, but he becomes the reluctant hero to avenge another death. The thing that makes it for me, though, is the cinematography – it is outstanding! Violence aside, this is a beautiful film.
Which film is the one you’ve watched the most? — I can’t pick just one here because there are several that I watch repeatedly. Either when I’m too stressed to watch something new, or I need something to fall asleep to, or something I can listen to when I’m working. The American President, While You Were Sleeping, Kissing Jessica Stein, and I’ve recently added Free Guy to that list. All movies about people finding themselves (and, sometimes, love).
What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen? — Premonition. Now, I love Sandra Bullock as an actress. If she’s in a movie, I’m going to see it. But this one missed the mark for me. And if my love of Sandra Bullock isn’t enough to get me through it, then it must be bad. I think the concept was interesting (a woman living a terrible week of her life out of order), but the execution of it just missed so many marks. And the twist at the end… which I won’t spoil. Just – no.
What is the film that’s literally made you laugh out loud the most? — These days, I find it takes a lot to get my to the point of laughing out loud. I’m not a big fan of ‘low-brow’ comedy (and you can keep the fart/poop joke humor). But I remember a series of movies that came out in the late ’80s and early ’90s that would get my howling. Good Morning, Vietnam. Down Periscope. Grumpy Old Men. My sister and I used to watch these all the time and just holler. Though it’s been a bit since I’ve watched any of them. Should probably watch again and see if they hold up…
At the end of the podcast, Goldstein tells his guest that there is only enough room in the casket to take one film with them into the afterlife – so which one would they take? For me, Anne of Green Gables. If there turns out to be an afterlife, I’d like to sit and watch this with Nana again.
Ami Maxine 