Inside the Mind of a Cinephile: Journey Through Movie Obsessions

If you’ve ever found yourself deep in a cinematic discussion, you might recognize the challenge of balancing personal tastes with the ever-evolving world of film critique. For a while, I wrestled with my own cinephilic quirks while engaging in Dennis Cozzalio’s epic movie quizzes. Despite my penchant for overanalyzing and his knack for uncovering my disinterest (the audacious critic!), I’ve finally embraced the challenge. Here’s a peek into my unique movie preferences and insights.

Key points

The Classic Movie Moment Everyone Loves—Except Me

The final shot of The Third Man often receives universal acclaim for its visual brilliance and clever subversion of happy endings. However, I find it lacking. While the scene initially appears darkly humorous, it feels superficial and reduces the film’s moral complexity to a cynical punchline. The same sentiment applies to the finale of On the Waterfront, which, while iconic, doesn’t resonate with me.

Favorite Noir Dialogue

In the realm of film noir, the line “He was some kind of a man. What does it matter what you say about people?” stands out. This line encapsulates the existential essence of noir, blending introspection with the genre’s signature cynicism.

Hal Ashby’s Films: A Second Favorite

Among Hal Ashby’s works, Harold and Maude takes the spot as my second favorite. My top choice remains Bound for Glory, but Ashby’s blend of dark humor and poignant storytelling in Harold and Maude makes it a compelling watch.

Discovering Directors: My First Revelation

The realization that films are crafted by directors, rather than anonymously assembled, occurred during my childhood viewings of Jaws. Its masterful direction and storytelling left a lasting impression on me, revealing the art behind the scenes.

Favorite Film Book

For film enthusiasts, Phil Hardy’s Encyclopedia of the Horror Film is a treasure trove of knowledge. Its comprehensive exploration of horror cinema makes it my go-to reference for all things ghastly and thrilling.

Diana Sands vs. Vonetta McGee

In the debate between Diana Sands and Vonetta McGee, McGee takes the crown. Her captivating performances, notably in Repo Man, have earned her a lifetime pass from me. Plus, she simply exudes charisma and talent.

Recent Viewing Gaps

When it comes to recent films, my viewing gaps are numerous, reflecting the subjective nature of what constitutes an “egregious” omission. However, I’m always on the lookout to fill these gaps with intriguing cinema.

Best Comedy Dialogue

Choosing a single comedic line from the vast history of film is challenging. Nevertheless, “You’re willing to pay him a thousand dollars a night just for singing? Why, you can get a phonograph record of Minnie the Moocher for seventy-five cents. For a buck and a quarter, you can get Minnie” stands out for its wit and humor.

Second Favorite Lloyd Bacon Film

Among Lloyd Bacon’s works, 42nd Street is my second favorite, with Action in the North Atlantic holding the top spot. Bacon’s flair for directing energetic, engaging cinema is evident in both films.

Richard Burton vs. Roger Livesey

In a choice between Richard Burton and Roger Livesey, I opt for Burton. While Livesey was consistently impressive, Burton’s erratic brilliance and occasional extraordinary performances edge him ahead in my view.

Movie Refusals

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a film I staunchly refuse to watch. Its reputation precedes it, and I have no desire to engage with it.

Favorite Filmmaker Collaboration

Powell and Pressburger’s collaboration stands out as my favorite. Their unique blend of creativity and craftsmanship has resulted in some of the most memorable films in cinema history.

Most Recent Viewing

The most recent movie I watched was Operation Amsterdam. Its engaging plot and historical context made for a compelling viewing experience.

Best Horror Movie Dialogue

The chilling line “Fight death all your days, and die, knowing you know nothing” from a horror movie captures the genre’s essence of existential dread and uncertainty.

Second Favorite Oliver Stone Film

While The Doors holds the top spot, Talk Radio is my second favorite Oliver Stone film. Its exploration of media influence and personal turmoil offers a gripping narrative.

Eva Mendes vs. Raquel Welch

Raquel Welch wins this round. Her role in 100 Rifles cements her status as a standout performer in my book.

Favorite Religious Satire

The papal fashion show in Fellini’s Roma ranks as my favorite religious satire, narrowly beating Bunuel’s The Milky Way. Its satire of religious excess is both sharp and entertaining.

Best Internet Movie Argument

One of my most memorable internet movie arguments occurred on the New York Times’ old film forums, debating the differences between Taxi Driver and Se7en. The discussion was intellectually stimulating and revealing.

Most Pointless Internet Movie Argument

Conversely, the argument about Training Day was less substantive and more of a frustrating exercise in futility.

Charles McGraw vs. Robert Ryan

Both actors are pillars of cinematic excellence, but I lean towards Robert Ryan. His performances are consistently compelling and versatile.

Favorite Western Dialogue

In Westerns, the simplicity of “Let’s go” captures the genre’s essence of direct action and decisive moments.

Second Favorite Roy Del Ruth Film

Phantom of the Rue Morgue is my second favorite Roy Del Ruth film, with The Red House taking the top spot for its compelling narrative and direction.

Relatively Unknown Film or Filmmaker

Jean Rollin and Seijun Suzuki are filmmakers I eagerly advocate for. Their unique styles and innovative approaches make their works worth exploring.

Ewan McGregor vs. Gerard Butler

Ewan McGregor is my clear choice over Gerard Butler. McGregor’s diverse roles and performances are consistently impressive.

The Concept of a Perfect Movie

While the idea of a perfect movie is elusive, quoting Kael might not provide a satisfactory answer. Perfection in film is subjective and varies from viewer to viewer.

Favorite Movie Location Visited

Though I live near where The Coca-Cola Kid was filmed, Union Station in Chicago, the location of the shoot-out in The Untouchables, stands out as my favorite recent movie location visit.

Second Favorite Delmer Daves Film

The Hanging Tree is my second favorite Delmer Daves film, with The Red House holding the top spot for its atmospheric storytelling.

Desired DVD Commentary

I would love to hear a DVD commentary featuring Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack, and Willis H. O’Brien discussing the making of King Kong, with interjections from Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong.

Gloria Grahame vs. Marie Windsor

Gloria Grahame takes the edge for me, particularly for her role in The Big Heat. Both actresses are remarkable, but Grahame’s performance stands out.

Filmmaker Who Didn’t Live Up to Potential

George Lucas is a filmmaker whose early acclaim didn’t fully materialize into continued greatness, in my view.

Movie-Based Disagreement Affecting Relationships

A friend’s admiration for both Gangster Squad and Les Miserables has been a persistent challenge for me to overlook.

These reflections provide a glimpse into my cinematic preferences and experiences, highlighting the complexities and idiosyncrasies of being a dedicated movie aficionado.