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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Random Factoid #265

19 04 2010

I really hate these “chain letter” blog things.  So I’m not going to do it.*  So thanks a lot, Scott at “He Shot Cyrus” for tagging me in one.

* = I’m not going to do it like he says.  Basically, the instructions are to list 10 things about myself and movies.  Here’s the thing: I’ve already done 264 of those.  I call them “random factoids.”  So, in the interest of not being pretentious, I’ll “participate” in this.  Consider this the “greatest hits” album of my first 9 months.

Random Factoid #6

Random Factoid #15

Random Factoid #29

Random Factoid #32

Random Factoid #53

Random Factoid #61

Random Factoid #159

Random Factoid #248

Random Factoid #251

Random Factoid #258

For any readers who may not “know” me, I think these factoids give a pretty good overview of who I am and what I stand for.

And sorry, Scott, but I’m not down with the whole “tagging other blogger” thing.  Sorry for being a bit of a diva. Fine, I won’t be such a Carl Fredericksen.  I’ll list a few of my favorite bloggers and see if they do anything: M. Carter at the Movies, Where the Buffalo Roam, The McNeil Matinee, and The King Bulletin. (I think these are people who haven’t done this thing.)


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Random Factoid #264

18 04 2010

Remember back in December when I announced that “You’ve Got Me Wrapped Around Your Little Finger” by Beth Rowley from the soundtrack for “An Education” became the most played song on my iTunes?

Well, it has now broken another record on my iTunes.  It became the first song on any of my computers to cross the century mark – that is, 100 listens.

That’s me; what’s your most played song?  How many times have you listened to it?


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Random Factoid #263

17 04 2010

Scott over at “He Shot Cyrus” posted a probing question in one of his many comments yesterday (follow his lead, other readers):

How do you get your movies now? Hollywood or Blockbuster?
Netflix just takes a little planning ahead and while the physical rental stores are still good for quick picks, I save so much money on late fees. Also, their selection is untouchable.

I’ll break it down for you all in order of frequency.

  1. Houston Public Library.  Seriously.  They have pretty much any movie I could want from the past decade, and it just takes a little planning (like Scott said).  Another big plus is that I can have up to 15 movies out at a time.  And did I mention it’s free?
  2. iTunes.  It’s where I go to get my quick fixes for movie cravings (and for some things that the library might not have).  I have an Apple TV, so I can watch iTunes rentals on practically any electronic device I own (because I have an iPhone, albeit a cracked one).
  3. Blockbuster.  Ever since they did their bizarre rental schism, I’ve been reluctant to go there.  But when I need a movie that hasn’t been released electronically, this is where I go.
  4. On Demand.  AT&T has some nifty on-demand movies on U-Verse, but I usually choose iTunes just because of the more diverse viewing options it offers.
  5. Redbox.  I chronicled my first visit to Redbox back in December, and since then I have only gone back once (I got “Moon,” for those who are particularly curious).  I have a couple of coupons for free rentals, so I can imagine using them whenever summer rolls around.

Hope this proves enlightening for those of you thinking, “Gosh, how does that Marshall watch his movies.”  Rest easy tonight, you formerly weary souls.


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Random Factoid #262

16 04 2010

Y’all, I’m so excited right now!  (That’s acceptable grammar in Texas, you prudes out there reading this.)

For eight months, I’ve been writing post after post and receiving very few comments.  Therefore, the posts to comments has been wildly out of whack ever since.

But today, I announce to you the beginning of a new era.  The post-comment ratio is 1:1; in other words, there are as many comments as there are posts on “Marshall and the Movies!”

Here’s to tipping the ratio in favor of comments!


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Random Factoid #261

15 04 2010

Back in 2004, Blockbuster told me in a commercial that I would remember where I was when I heard about the end of late fees.

It’s 2009 and I don’t remember.  If I had to guess, I was in front of some TV.  Where that TV is, I have no idea.

So take that, Blockbuster!  Your advertising didn’t work!

(P.S. Does anyone remember this commercial?  Without watching the YouTube link I put below?)


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Random Factoid #260

14 04 2010

So many friends and fellow bloggers always talk about Netflix.  “I’ll add this to my Netflix queue,” someone will say.  “Forget theaters, I’m waiting for it to come out on Netflix,” others have said.

For some, Netflix has become synonymous with home video and renting.

I don’t have Netflix, and I really don’t know why.  I get e-mails all the time offering me free monthly subscriptions, but I have only taken one of them.  I didn’t end up using it during the free month.  I’m usually just so sporadic with renting movies that Netflix doesn’t provide wiggle-room for my spontaneity.


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Random Factoid #259

13 04 2010

Before I started movie blogging, I watched four TV shows religiously: “Lost,” “The Office,” “30 Rock,” and “SNL.”  But I now feel an obligation to spend whatever free time I have watching movies – after all, I don’t write a TV blog.

This year, I have watched two episode of the final season of “Lost” and only caught clips of “SNL” on Hulu.  Much to my chagrin, I haven’t watched a single episode of “30 Rock” or “The Office.”  The sacrifices I make for you all.

Although it is worth noting that I have started watching occasional episodes of “Modern Family” on Hulu in recent weeks.  Mainly because of this promo shown during the Oscars:

“Cloudy with a Chance of the Meatballs!”
“This means one word!”
“MEATBALLS!”


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Random Factoid #258

12 04 2010

Recently, I’ve been reading quite a bit on how to better reach people with my blog.  A constant suggestion is the use of social networking.

But here’s my thing: I hate Twitter and I will NEVER get one.  Ever.

Anyone who knows me or reads me is surely aware that I am a massive Facebook-er.  So why am I so opposed to Twitter?  Here’s my reason.

My least favorite part of Facebook is the status update.  I’m sorry, but I don’t want to know what you are doing at all times of the day.  If I do, I will go look at your profile.  So why on earth would I want to commit to Twitter, which is basically ONLY status updates.  Unless you are Jason Reitman, who fascinates me, I don’t want to know every little thought that pops into your head.

So, I will never get a personal (or blogging) Twitter.  You will NEVER catch me Tweeting.


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Random Factoid #257

11 04 2010

I have a nasty habit of letting my iTunes rentals sit for almost all of their 30 day rental periods.  Then, I scramble to watch them before they expire – which is not a fun way to watch a movie.

Procrastination is just pervading through my life.  Love it.


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Random Factoid #256

10 04 2010

This makes me really happy.  I think the picture explains it all.

Glad to know Google knows me.


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