Why Movies?
You might be asking yourself what Waves of Gray has to do with movies. Well, there’s actually more in common than one might think. (Read more…)
My Favorite
by Jamie Neben
Everybody has a favorite movie, right? Actually, I happen to know many people who cannot or will not choose just one above all of the rest and that’s very understandable. How does one reach a decision when considering there could be so many good candidates among multiple genres vying for the honor? It’s difficult enough to make a selection in a single category. For instance, I’d be hard-pressed to name a favorite Hitchcock spy thriller or Stephen King adaptation. Don’t even ask me about 1980’s teen angst movies because I’ll be here all day trying to pick one. However, as it turns out, I do have an all-time favorite film, and this site would be completely bogus if I didn’t share it with you. And remember….there’s no disputing matters of taste!
Matters of Taste
by Jamie Neben
I have a confession to make that won’t sit well with many of you. I cannot watch The Sound of Music. The film might indeed be among the most popular of all time, but when I find it on television, I get no further than Julie Andrews twirling around on the hilltop in the opening scene. Then I’m searching for something—anything—better. Better meaning different. Now, I’m not suggesting the movie was poorly made or doesn’t deserve the critical and financial success it achieved. I just didn’t like it. While I’m being honest, I am also none too fond of Office Space, Fried Green Tomatoes, and stories that involve wizards, dragons, or hobbits.
On the other hand, sometimes I get thrown for a loop when people don’t admire my favorite films. For instance, I thought It’s a Wonderful Life was a timeless classic for every person. Apparently not, as I’ve found out the hard way. On one particular occasion, while I introduced a so-called friend to the David Lynch masterpiece Blue Velvet, he actually fell asleep in the middle of it. That was quite the rude awakening for me (and later for my friend when he began to snore). Another time, not long ago, and not so far, far away, I met someone who told me she “couldn’t get into” the original Star Wars trilogy. I could hardly contain my dark side when confronted with that inconvenient truth.
In reality, Star Wars isn’t necessarily a good movie. Just like The Sound of Music isn’t necessarily bad. There is no disputing matters of taste.
La La Lessons
by Jamie Neben
Like many of you, I’ve watched the Academy Awards every year since I was a child, and the 2006 telecast was certainly no exception. The nominated films, all released the prior year, included Brokeback Mountain, the odds-on favorite to win Best Picture. After all, it had already collected numerous awards throughout the season, and when its director, Ang Lee, received a statue at the Oscar ceremony, the grand prize seemed to be within easy reach.
Jack Nicholson was on hand to present the final award, which I assumed was a formality at that point. However, to my great shock, the title Jack announced to the audience was actually Crash. I could not believe my ears and instantly concluded there must have been some kind of mistake, perhaps even an inappropriate joke. Alas, there was no funny business, but that night put a thought in my head which has remained all these years. I wondered what would happen if the wrong winner was announced, whether it be an accident or on purpose.
We all found out on February 26, 2017.
We need not investigate the chain of events which led to the producers of La La Land delivering speeches instead of the Moonlight producers. Many details are now widely available, and more importantly, the real story began as the winning ensemble suddenly realized they had lost.
In the most awkward of circumstances, human error put the human condition on full display.
Favorites: Time Travel Movies
by Jamie Neben
While I love films pretty much across the board, there’s a genre or two that piques my interest a little more than all the others. One of them happens to be science-fiction, and that’s especially the case when the storyline involves time travel. The possibility to visit the past or future has always driven my imagination, and makes me want to see those tales being told.
I often used to daydream about what I could do if I were to go back or forward through time. Where would I go and what would I see? Would I try to change anything for my own benefit, the good of the world, or preferably both? Think about it – don’t we all win if I swipe a sports almanac from the future to place bets and use my winnings to help people? These were pressing questions in my mind when I was younger that desperately needed answered. But as I got older, I realized it’s more than likely I’d screw everything up, and it’s better to leave history well enough alone.
At least we always have movies to turn to, where the most catastrophic events can happen without the real world being put in any danger (we’ve got enough of our own problems already). Since I love time travel films so much, I have compiled a list of my favorites I’d like to share.
Before we start, I have to admit that my original list had far too many movies on it. Quite frankly, it was out of control and needed whittling down or else it wouldn’t be meaningful. I had to make some ground rules to guide me on this process. So I think some explaining is in order as to how I decided on these particular selections.
More coming soon!