Random Factoid #280

4 05 2010

I like to give my mind a challenge (why else would I take AP US History and study like crazy), and I love doing riddles and puzzles to bend it.  Sudoku, KenKen, word games – you name it, I love it.

But some of that stuff is HARD.  Ever tried one of those intense difficulty Sudoku puzzles?  You can spend an hour on them and think you are finished, then realize you made a mistake way back at the beginning.  I try my hand at the New York Times crossword puzzles occasionally thanks to my nifty iPhone app.  I can toil away and exhaust all my knowledge and not solve anything more than a Monday.

So sometimes I need something that can stimulate my brain yet also build up my self-esteem.

That’s when I turn to the trusty People crossword puzzles because they are fun to do and simple for anyone with a sizable pop culture knowledge.  I’ve gained such confidence in my abilities that I have begun to do them in pen, even once in a Sharpie.

I even buy there giant, $15 books filled with crossword puzzles at airports and Target.  They are both about half completed and sitting on my bookshelf.


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Random Factoid #279

3 05 2010

Lynn Redgrave died. Don’t know if you heard, but she was the sister of Vanessa Redgrave.  I bring up that news bite because it prompted today’s factoid.

To my knowledge, I have never cried at the death of a celebrity.  I might at the sudden death of someone whose movies have entertained me over my life, but that has yet to happen so far.

The death of Heath Ledger shocked me but didn’t make me cry.  To be fair, the only movie I had seen of his was “The Patriot” at the time.

The celebrity death that most saddened me would have to be Natasha Richardson, mainly because “The Parent Trap” was one of the biggest movies of my childhood.  She just seemed like such a nice person, and she passed so tragically.  (Ironically enough, Richardson’s aunt was Lynn Redgrave.)


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Random Factoid #278

2 05 2010

Gringo at “He Shot Cyrus” posed a question of the week – have you ever been to a drive-in movie theater?

The answer for me is no.  I really want to go to one, but there isn’t within hours of Houston.  I’ve tried to go when visiting family in Oklahoma City several times, and it just has never worked out.

It’s kind of sad to see how obsolete the drive-in has become.  I think it would be so much fun to have large city crowds head to them, but some things just can’t sustain the times.  Hopefully, the video store doesn’t become a novelty (as was often discussed on this site last month).


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Random Factoid #277

1 05 2010

It’s May, which means the beginning of the summer movie season (but it’s not like you could have known that from reading this blog)!

I love going to see that big kick-off movie – this year, it is “Iron Man 2” – with everyone else in America who has been waiting for the season as well.  But upon analyzing my ticket collection, I noticed that I hadn’t been the opening weekend of the season since middle school.  That finals mindset, man …

But this year, I will be taking the AP United States History exam on May 7.  After an intense week of studying (which is going to cause me to go semi-incognito for the next seven days), I think “Iron Man 2” will be just what the doctor ordered.


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Random Factoid #276

30 04 2010

Following hot on the heels of yesterday’s factoid announcing my deliberate ignorance of the “Inception” pre-release frenzy, today’s factoid provides some enlightenment as to why that may be.

I hate having movies spoiled, largely because they take away a level of suspense and intrigue from watching it for the first time.

It’s one of the reasons why I have stopped reading so many books that are adapted into movies; while I’m sure they are better, I can usually only muster up the time for a theatrical experience.

I’ve had plenty of movies ruined, too many to even tell here.  The most notable in recent memory is “The Notebook.”  Thanks to a society that assumes everyone has seen it, people freely talk about the story and the ending.  It’s frustrating to know that when I sit down to watch the movie for the first time (believe it or not, I’m one of those three people who hasn’t), I won’t be able to be as riveted by the ending as the millions of others before me.

Anyone else had this unpleasant feeling?  I sure hope you haven’t.  I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.


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Random Factoid #275

29 04 2010

I am attempting to do the impossible: avoid the media blitz surrounding Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” and walk into the theater on July 16th without knowing anything about the plot.  I am not going to read plot summaries, watch trailers, or read any sort of specific review.

I am prepared to do whatever it takes not to have this movie spoiled.  I will start bringing either headphones or earplugs to tentpole summer movies where previews will most assuredly play.  If I see any feature on the movie, I will shield my eyes and go away.

And if any of you ruin anything about the movie by commenting on the site, I will be quite upset.  Please respect my wishes and don’t mention anything specific about “Inception.”


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Random Factoid #274

28 04 2010

There are few better feelings than sitting in a movie and realizing that you have figured out the plot twist.  I’m not talking about walking into a romantic comedy and knowing that the marquee names are going to wind up together; I’m talking about having a revelation that you have discovered a surprising direction that the movie will take.

I have a few that I am very proud of.  I called the ending of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” within the first five minutes, which is probably the one I take the most pride in.

I called “Gran Torino” within 30 minutes as well as “Get Smart” within the first 20 minutes.  Other than that, I can’t remember anything else in the recent past.

Any twists that you are particularly proud of calling WITHOUT SHARING THE TWIST ITSELF?  Don’t go ruining “The Sixth Sense” for anyone.


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Random Factoid #273

27 04 2010

Scott at “He Shot Cyrus” wants to know when my parents started letting me watch R-rated movies.

Way back in Random Factoid #5, I let you all know the first time I saw PG-13 and R-rated movies, but those were mere exceptions.  Those were individual movies within the ratings, not a blank check to see any movie within the rating.

I can trace back when my parents stopped their discretion with R-rated movies to July 18, 2008, when I was 15.  I really wanted to see “Wanted” (pun fully intended), and my mom just caved in and let me go.  From then on, my parents just didn’t seem to care what I was seeing just as long as I paid for the ticket.


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Random Factoid #272

26 04 2010

I said way back in Random Factoid #10 that I have a … distinct laugh.  When I think something is funny, I don’t hesitate to laugh.  Sometimes, I get a little loud.  To a certain irritable person, they might also add the adjective obnoxious.

I don’t mind glares or being shushed, largely because I dish them out quite often.  But I do it whenever it is a direct violation of standard movie decorum – talking on the phone, loudly talking, and such things that any sane person would never do.

Yesterday, however, at “Date Night,” I received my first sign of outward aggression to my laughter.  The couple sitting directly in front of my friend and I seemed to be annoyed by our constant laughter, particularly my deep chuckles.  It was a funny movie, what was I supposed to do?  I would see them whispering after I let out a laugh with particularly high volume.

But suddenly, halfway through the movie, the couple got up and moved to the end of the row – as far away from me as comfortably possible.  Of course I knew it was because of me.  But with their empty seats, I got a footrest.

Winner: Marshall.


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Random Factoid #271

25 04 2010

Do you ever hear a song in a movie and from then on forever associate it with that movie?

Well, I do.  Last night at prom, I heard Flo-Rida’s “Right Round” for the first time in months.  While the song played, I could not stop thinking about “The Hangover.”  If you are one of the 10 people in the world that haven’t seen the movie, you wouldn’t know that the song played over the hilarious ending credits.  Anyone that has seen the movie does not need me to go into detail.

I knew the song before I saw “The Hangover;” really, anyone who listened to the radio knew it too.  But now, the song will forever me connected with the movie.


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Random Factoid #270

24 04 2010

Another factoid brought to you by Ross v Ross, this time from their post “What are the best movies you have watched on a plane?”

I think a great plane movie has to be entertaining and attention-grabbing, but it can’t be too rousing or hilarious because then you can’t fully express yourself (not wanting to wake up those pesky sleeping passengers).  It also has to play well on a computer screen or a screen the size of your wallet.

I selected my two favorite movies that I have watched on a plane, one that was provided by the airline and one I brought myself.

The best movie Continental Airlines has ever provided me is “Michael Jackson’s This Is It.”  And it beat out a Best Picture winner in “A Beautiful Mind” largely because it made me happy.  I just sat there and really realized how many great songs MJ really made.

The best movie I have seen that I brought myself on a plane is “City of God,” Fernando Meirelles’ sweeping tale of the slums of Rio de Janeiro.  In fact, it’s one of my favorite movies of all time.

Any favorites for you all?  Has anyone happened to have seen “Up in the Air” while up in the air?


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Random Factoid #269

23 04 2010

Last night, I had a very bizarre dream involving movies.  I don’t know why on earth I would have this dream, but nonetheless, I had it.

In my dream, Michael Douglas killed Shia LaBeouf in the new “Wall Street” movie.  It was a violent strangling, but I woke up before I got to see too much of it.

Given that Shia is playing Douglas’ potential son-in-law, I doubt it will happen.  But if I just foretold the future, then … I don’t know what I’ll do.

(P.S. – Someone looked at another factoid where I described a random movie dream, Random Factoid #192.  If you’re interested in what I think about while I sleep, it’s worth a look.)


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Random Factoid #268

22 04 2010

After committing 2,000 words to the impact and legacy of “Avatar,” I’m sure everyone is wondering if I already have my copy.

The answer is no, and I don’t plan to buy it.  At least not this edition.  I’m not the kind of person who will buy a DVD and then wait a while to buy a more loaded version.

James Cameron has said that the version being released today is literally just the movie.  Deleted scenes and more extras are coming later, along with 3D.  I’m expecting something to trump the three hour making-of documentary on the Criterion Collection DVD of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

By the way, he also mentioned in the article that I linked above that he is planning a re-release sometime later this year.  I might actually go back and see it again; it will be worth the money where so many movies I see this summer won’t.


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Random Factoid #267

21 04 2010

This factoid is brought to you by Ross v Ross’ post “Which Movies Have You Not Been Able to Finish?”

If you hadn’t guessed by now, I will be revealing the movie(s) that I just couldn’t see through to the bitter end.  No matter how bad the movie, I virtually always finish it.  On just my fourth day of blogging I established that I had only walked out of two movies, “The Return” and “Bruno.”  I did not care to ever finish the former, but I actually rented the latter (from the library – so it was free!) and finished it out of curiosity.

But as for other movies, I only remember stopping a movie and never restarting it because I didn’t like it once.  That honor is reserved for “Ghost Rider,” starring Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes.  I’ve seen worse movies, and I’m not quite sure what motivated me to stop.  I think it could be some sort of an objection to having an incarnation of the Devil be the protagonist.

Any movies that you just couldn’t see through to the end?


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Random Factoid #266

20 04 2010

Scott at “He Shot Cyrus” has inspired a second consecutive factoid.  This time, it was by his post that rattled off the names of some movies that precipitated a nice nap.

I’ve said in previous factoids that I have a hard time staying awake watching movies at night (particularly foreign ones), but I can only really think of one movie that put me to sleep in broad daylight.

Drumroll…

“Lost in Translation.”  Bored me to tears and to sleep.


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