Blogathon: Life, Love, and the Movies

Lots of us bloggers have thought about how life, love, and the movies are intertwined. Now, I have an excuse to write about it. I swung by Mettel Ray and came across her post yesterday entitled just that. It is part of a blogathon put together by My Filviews and Karamel Kinema. Of course, the only logical thing for me to do was swing by those sites and see what was going on. When I got there, I saw an open invitation to participate in the Life, Love, and the Movies blogathon. It started up yesterday. so if you wish you can take a crack at it if you wish. Here's mine...

1. What was the first movie you saw in the cinema and what do you remember about that visit?
The first movie I remember seeing in the theater was one I blogged about a couple weeks ago, Enter the Dragon. I remember that it was a triple feature! Man, those were the days. I have no clue what the other two movies were, or even if we stayed to watch them all. The only thing I really remember is being completely under the spell of Bruce Lee.

2. Are there any movies you have very strong memories of which are not because of the movie (for example something which happened at the time you were watching it)?
I have a few of these. When I went to see House Party, a huge fight broke out in the aisle less than 20 feet away from me. When I saw Tim Burton's original Batman, my date and I got there early and saw a number of celebrities stroll into the theater. Another celebrity moment happened when I went to see Species. NBA star Grant Hill sat right across the aisle from me. More importantly though, it was the first date for my wife and I. I remember the eerie silence and stillness of the theater after the conclusion of The Passion of the Christ. My most recent odd theater experience happened when I took my family to see The Dark Knight Rises. It was the second weekend it was out and therefore after the shooting that took place in a Colorado theater where it was showing. My daughters were very concerned that something was going to happen. I comforted them, but couldn't help but be a little unnerved whenever one of the exit doors opened which happened several times.

3. Which movies had a big impact on you and changed a (small) part of your view on life?
One that immediately comes to mind is Spike Lee's School Daze. The movie's message about how stupid it is that we, as black people, spent so much energy discriminating against each other on the basis of complexion struck a chord with me. I had not only experienced this, but often participated in this as a youngster. From then on, I've tried my best to steer clear of such stupidity. It was tough when I was young, but part of who I am, now.

4. Do you have any comfort movies which you return to because you are in a specific mood (for example if you are feeling down/nursing a heartbreak)?
There are probably too many to name. From time to time, I'll just get in a mood for a specific genre and grab something that fits. Or, I'll just want to revisit something from my youth. I don't think I've ever picked a movie based on my emotional state.

5. If a movie would be made about your life, what type of movie would it be and who would you like to portray you?
It would be a "dramedy" and plenty of the secondary characters would be outlandish people. As for who I would like to portray me, I've no clue. Physically, Kevin Hart is about the closest thing to a match I can think of. However, I'm not that guy. Therefore, I'd prefer someone unknown who can bring across some of my unique qualities.

6. Which existing movie best represents you?
I have to return to Spike Lee again. In this case, two of his movies probably combine to do the trick. The first is Do the Right Thing and second is Crooklyn. I actually grew up in Queens, New York, not Brooklyn. Still, these two movies are perhaps the best representations of my formative years. In both, the screen is filled with people who seem like I've crossed paths with them while growing up.

7. If you knew you would die tomorrow, what would be the last movie you would want to see?
That's a tough one. I might have to go with Do the Right Thing. It's just a masterpiece as far as I'm concerned.

8. If you can spend your life working in the film industry, what would you be and why? (you know, director, producer, actor, cinematographer, costume designer, sound designer etc?)
I would definitely be a writer. It's what I love to do. Though I certainly wouldn't turn down the opportunity to direct.

1. Did you ever have a first kiss with someone while at the cinema and if so which movie was playing?
Honestly, I don't think so. I've had kisses at the theater, but none that I can remember as the first between myself and the person I was kissing.

2. What is your favorite movie relationship and why?
Another tough one. At the risk of turning this whole post into an ad for Spike Lee movies, I'm going to that well one more time. I'm a guy who grew up without my father around anywhere near as much as I would have liked. I am also someone who now cherishes my relationship with my own son. Therefore, I have to go with the relationship between Denzel Washington (as the father) and Ray Allen (as the son) in He Got Game. It represents both ends of the spectrum for me. And it's a wonderful movie, to boot.

3. When did your love for movies start and how has it grown?

It really started with Star Wars, the young'uns now call it A New Hope. It was just so huge in scope with really cool special fx, lots of action, the whole good vs. evil thing, and a funny love triangle to boot. As a wee tyke all of six years old, it just blew me away. For a long time, I watched almost exclusively what would be called 'guy flicks.' However, over the years I've grown to appreciate movies of all sorts. What remains with me specifically from Star Wars is the sense of wonder I have whenever I watch films with great special fx whether the movies themselves are any good, or not.

4. If you have to choose one film to watch with your loved one, what would it be and why?

I'd probably say Love Jones. It's one movie my wife and I both love and it's perfect for a date night. Added bonus for me, I can get away with ogling Nia Long.

5. If you can choose one character from a movie to be your significant other who would it be and why?

I did just mention Nia Long, didn't I? Therefore, I'd probably say just about any character she plays.

6. What was the first movie that made you fall in in love with film and cinema?

Star Wars really is "the one" for me. See my answer to question number three in this section.

7. How did your passion for movies turn you into a movie blogger?

A forum I used to frequent had a thread discussing movies. I started posting short reviews there. Before long, I created my own thread just for my reviews. At the time, I was working at Blockbuster and watching more movies than I ever had before. Continuing to do the reviews combined two of my great passions: movies and writing. It was only logical that I would become a movie blogger.

8. What is your favorite date from a movie?
Since Love Jones is now fresh in my mind, I'll go with one from there. It's actually the second date for our two leads played by Ms. Long, of course, and the very underrated and underused Larenz Tate. She regretted sleeping with him after their first date and wanted to see if there was something there besides sex. The two had just a wonderful "movie" date: lots of laughing and dancing and then ended the night trying in vain to keep their hands off one another. 

Okay, I've fulfilled my requirements for class participation. You can also be down. Just follow the rules below:

- Give answers to the 16 questions above
- Write a blog post about it
- Include one of the blogathon logos in your post
- Add a link to the blogathon announcement so others can participate as well
- Leave a comment with a link to your post