Updated 8/21/2012
The Liebster Awards is a means to promote blogging and to get people to discover new blogs. Le0pard13 at It Rains…You Get Wet (a pretty cool blog, by the way) nominated FilmVerse for the Liebster. The rules to participate are as follows:
- Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
- Answer the 11 questions the person giving the award has set for you.
- Create 11 questions for the people you will be giving the award to.
- Choose 11 people to award and send them a link to your post.
- Go to their page and tell them.
- No tag backs.
Let the fun begin!
11 Things About Me
- I am an avid herbivore.
- I try to ride my bicycle every day.
- My life is a sitcom, including the occasional “very special episode.”
- Composer John Williams nearly ran me over with his car.
- I have explored caves in four U.S. states (don’t you dare call it “spelunking”).
- If I could go barefoot at all times, I would.
- Once I was left at the top of a mountain.
- One time I had dinner with Steven Spielberg’s mother.
- I attended 2 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 5 high schools, and 3 colleges spanning 4 states.
- I spent a week canoeing down a river.
- The Helton family is distantly related to the Hiltons, which means that somewhere in my family forest is Paris.
My Answers to Le0pard13’s Questions
1. What is your favorite book about cinema (whichever type of book, covering any kind of film genre)?
Your Movie Sucks by Roger Ebert.
2. What is your favorite piece of music or song (score or the needle-dropped variety) used in a movie?
There are several pieces of music that never fail to move me, and it’s hard to narrow it down, so I’ll make a list (in no particular order):
- The sad score played over Luke’s lightsaber fight with Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi
- Danny Elfman’s main title theme to Batman
- Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” played over the end credits (and sampled throughout the film) in Rob Reiner’s movie of the same name
- “Duel of the Fates” in The Phantom Menace
- James Horner’s battle music during the climactic showdown between Kirk and Khan in The Wrath of Khan
3. Charles Bronson or James Coburn?
Definitely James Coburn. Charles Bronson always seemed to be a one-note tough guy, whereas Coburn had a fantastic sense of humor and charisma.
4. What is your favorite foreign film (one made outside your country)?
Francois Trauffault’s The 400 Blows.
5. When watching a movie at home, what food stuff do you almost always have nearby?
Nothing really. If snack food’s in the house, I might munch on that, but I don’t have to have any food when watching a movie–even in the theater.
6. Vincent Hanna or Neil McCauley (reference this film if the characters don’t ring a bell)?
I have actually never seen Heat, so I can’t answer this question. It’s one of the movies on my Need to See Before I Die list.
7. What movie cliché are you so tired of seeing in film?
I’m sick of having a character’s loved ones killed (or kidnapped, or looked at cross-eyed), so he seeks revenge against those responsible. I’d also love for once to not have the hero’s love interest be put in danger at the end of the film.
8. What’s the scariest scene or image your ever saw on film (and it doesn’t have to be from a horror movie)?
The trailer for Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star.
9. The Howling or An American Werewolf in London?
I love both of these movies. Despite the fact that I have The Howling on DVD and don’t own An American Werewolf in London, John Landis’s comedy-horror is a better film than Joe Dante’s horror-comedy. Plus American Werewolf‘s sequel isn’t as insultingly terrible as the ones for Howling.
10. Ever read the source book of a film adaptation that intrigued you? If so, what’s your favorite?
Of course. I love the entire Harry Potter series and have re-read Jurassic Park several times (though to be fair, I read Michael Crichton’s novel before seeing Steven Spielberg’s film).
11. Have you ever fast-forwarded a movie just to get to the good part?
No, I tend to want to watch a movie as a whole. However, it’s hard for me to get through Empire of the Sun in one sitting. I adore that movie, but it’s easier to enjoy in small chunks, so I find myself skipping to a particular sequence to watch and then turning it off before the next somewhat unrelated event happens.
My Questions for Others
- What movie would you consider changed your life?
- What genre do you avoid like the plague and why?
- If you had a choice, would you prefer to watch a film in a traditional theater, on an IMAX screen, in 3D, or at home on HDTV?
- Are you guilty of talking during a movie?
- Is there a particular actor who you would see in a movie regardless of what the film is?
- Do you read the end credits?
- Who is your favorite author?
- Do you believe that the film/TV/video game industry is responsible for violence in our society?
- Should celebrities be involved in the political process to use their fame as an agent to push specific agendas?
- If cosmetic surgery and Botox were outlawed, would that be an improvement for Hollywood or a detriment?
- What classic film would you like to see remade with modern filmmaking techniques?
My Nominations for the Liebster Awards
These are 11 of a whole bunch of very good blogs that I follow. Check them out, as they’re worth your while. By all means, this is not a complete list of great blogs, but I’m limited to 11 due to the rules. Any of the nominees who wish to participate are encouraged, but it is not required. These are listed in random order.
- Darren at the m0vie blog
- Ruth at FlixChatter
- Andrew at A Constant Visual Feast
- Andy at Andy Watches Movies
- Novroz at Polychrome Interest
- Lily at Lily Wight
- Alec at Alec’s Movie Reviews
- Mark at Fast Film Reviews
- Terrence at Focused Filmographer
- Victor at Victor’s Movie Reviews
- Joan at Never Give Up
UPDATE
Victor at Victor’s Movie Reviews nominated me for the Liebster as well on August 20. Here are my answers to his questions:
1) What’s your favorite film from 1982?
Wow, you mean I have to choose between “E.T.”, “Poltergeist”, “The Thing”, “Blade Runner”, and “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”? Maybe I’ll go with “Grease 2”. Or maybe not. I would have to say “E.T.” if you forced me to name just one.
2) What’s your favorite Peter Seller’s film?
“A Shot in the Dark”, which competes with the best Clouseau films with “Return of the Pink Panther”.
3) What’s your favorite pre-Little Mermaid Disney film?
If you’re referring to animation, I’d go with “Peter Pan”, which is a great boy adventure, and the only princess to be found is the Indian one.
4) Based off their 70′s films only, who’s your favorite: De Niro, Hoffman, or Pacino?
I’ve always been drawn to the earlier work of Hoffman more than the other guys.
5) What’s your favorite sports film?
I’m not a big fan of sports, but there are a few films about sports that are quite good. That said, I’d have to list the original “Bad News Bears”. I saw that repeatedly as a kid, and it still holds up, primarily because it’s so un-PC.
6) For Scorsese, what’s his most overrated, underrated, and your favorite film?
Overrated: “Goodfellas”
Underrated: “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”
Favorite: “Hugo”
7) What film impressed you the most with its dialogue?
I’m not a huge Quentin Tarantino fan, but I was blown away by the dialogue in “Pulp Fiction”.
8) What film impressed you the most with its musical score?
“Star Wars” affected me in so many ways, especially with John Williams’s amazing score. Just hearing the opening notes still gives me goose bumps.
9) Of filmmakers, actors, writers, etc. that have passed away, whom would you have liked to met and interviewed?
I would have loved to have gotten to know Jim Henson. His passing was one of the saddest days of my life.
10) What film would you have loved to watch in a theatre with an audience when it first came out?
I am still annoyed by the fact that I missed “Superman: The Movie”, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and “Aliens” in the theater (though I saw one quick scene of the latter while waiting to watch another film).
11) Goodfellas or The Godfather?
Definitely “The Godfather”, which is artistic filmmaking at its best. It’s simply a beautiful film. I’ve yet to be able to sit through “Goodfellas” in its entirety.
copyright © 2012 FilmVerse
Related articles
- Liebster’d (le0pard13.com)
- Liebster Award! (toughandtiny.wordpress.com)
- The Liebster Award (journeysinclassicfilm.com)
- Liebster Blog Award (humaninrecovery.wordpress.com)
- I Got a Liebster! (cudabrown.wordpress.com)
FilmVerse 
Most interesting new answers to some keen questions, Jamie.
I thought the questions were pretty groovy.
Sorry I missed this when you firs posted and never answered your questions. I updated my last post with the answers:
http://victorsmoviereviews.com/2012/08/20/liebster-award-blogathon/
I guess I was supposed to send out notification, which I was remiss in doing. Live and learn. I saw that you nominated me (thanks!), so I’ll answer your questions in your comments.
[…] wordpress was not showing me all the blogs I read on the “Reader” tab, so I missed that FilmVerse gave me a Leibster back on August 9th. So here are my […]
Okay, I guess I’d better answer my own questions.
1) What movie would you consider changed your life?
That’s easy–“Star Wars”. When I walked into the theater when I was 9 years old and saw George Lucas’s epic masterpiece on the big screen, I realized at that moment what my life was meant to be.
2) What genre do you avoid like the plague and why?
I have no interest in romantic comedies, or romantic anything for that matter.
3) If you had a choice, would you prefer to watch a film in a traditional theater, on an IMAX screen, in 3D, or at home on HDTV?
The bigger the better! 3D is fine for certain movies if they were shot that way, but usually 2D is just fine. That said, I can’t live without my Blu-Ray and HDTV!
4) Are you guilty of talking during a movie?
Yeah, depending on the size of the audience and who’s with me. I try not to be disrespectful to those around me, but sometimes it’s hard not to make (whispered) comments to my companions.
5) Is there a particular actor who you would see in a movie regardless of what the film is?
Naw. Even the best of them make turkeys on occasion.
6) Do you read the end credits?
Whenever I can. As a filmmaker myself, I know how much effort and teamwork it takes to make a movie, so I want to make sure to honor those who aren’t famous. Plus, every now and then I see a name I recognize.
7) Who is your favorite author?
Stephen King.
8) Do you believe that the film/TV/video game industry is responsible for violence in our society?
No, society has always been violent. In anything, these forms of entertainment are in direct response to the blood thirst that humans have, and they’re a whole lot better than throwing people in a lion’s den or gladiators chopping each other to bits in front of live audiences! That said, I think parents need to take responsibility for what their kids watch, as it’s not healthy for a young brain to be exposed to excessive violence while it’s still developing.
9) Should celebrities be involved in the political process to use their fame as an agent to push specific agendas?
This is a tough one. On one hand, they’re citizens and have the right to voice their opinions on topics that effect everyone. However, too many celebrities use their status without having anything coherent to say. The attitude all too often is that people should listen to them simply because they’re famous, as if that makes them more important that “regular” folks. Also, too many of them are incredibly ill-informed and end up sounding like morons. As with everything, the right to freedom of speech comes with responsibility, including that of knowing what you’re talking about.
10) If cosmetic surgery and Botox were outlawed, would that be an improvement for Hollywood or a detriment?
We’d have less “beautiful” people and more regular-looking people in movies. One of the appeals of going to the movies is that you get to see glamorous actors; after all, who wants to see homeliness on the big screen? But it may cut back on young girls developing eating disorders due to imperfect body images.
11) What classic film would you like to see remade with modern filmmaking techniques?
This one is tough because movies are a product of their times. As I’ve written about previously, a remake should only be done if the story can be made relevant to current society or if the original was mediocre and could be improved upon. Films like “The Wizard of Oz” and “Casablanca” are perfect in their own right–despite imperfections due to the limitations of filmmaking procedures of their time. Besides special effects, a shot is a shot, no matter what year it was filmed. If I had to pick one, I suppose I’d enjoy an updated retelling of Sinbad, though with a better script than what was given to “Clash of the Titans.”
Ok, here are my answers:
What movie would you consider changed your life?
– Well, it didn’t technically changed my life, but it affected me in a big way. It’d be Sense & Sensibility, as I intimated here: http://www.inspired-ground.com/my-movie-influence-sense-sensibility-1995/
What genre do you avoid like the plague and why?
– Slasher horror like SAW, Hostel. I just don’t do well w/ graphic violence and find those to be grossly unnecessary.
If you had a choice, would you prefer to watch a film in a traditional theater, on an IMAX screen, in 3D, or at home on HDTV?
– If money is no object, I’d go to IMAX if it’s showing there. But generally I really enjoy watching at home on my HDTV.
Are you guilty of talking during a movie?
– Not really. If I have to, I try to keep it at a minimum
Is there a particular actor who you would see in a movie regardless of what the film is?
– No. There are still some films of Gerry Butler I have no interest in watching, no matter how much I adore him.
Do you read the end credits?
– Sometimes
Who is your favorite author?
– Jane Austen
Do you believe that the film/TV/video game industry is responsible for violence in our society?
– To a degree, though I place responsibility more on parents.
Should celebrities be involved in the political process to use their fame as an agent to push specific agendas?
– Not generally. I commend those who are involved in charity that helps the poor or disadvantaged people, but those things ought not to be politicized or used for personal gain.
If cosmetic surgery and Botox were outlawed, would that be an improvement for Hollywood or a detriment?
– Improvement. People who used Botox excessively look like a cartoon character!
What classic film would you like to see remade with modern film-making techniques?
– Hmmm, this is a tough one as the classic films have its charm despite the sub-par filmmaking technique compared to today’s movies, but the acting and dialog are what makes those films work for me.
Thanks for answering. I guess I didn’t check to see who already did a round. Oh well, I still wanted to promote your site!
You are too kind! I appreciate every single nom, thanks for thinking of me 😀
Thanks for tagging me Jamie! I’ve done my Liebster, so I’ll answer them on here in a bit. Btw, you have to elaborate more on your #4 and #8 on your fact list! 🙂
Okay, if you insist…
A co-writer and I were on our way to Amblin Entertainment, which is located far on the backside of Universal Studio’s lot. To get there, you have to cross a bridge with no sidewalk, and we were on foot. As we were in the middle of the bridge, a car came careening out of Amblin’s parking lot and nearly plowed over us, causing us to jump back and press ourselves against the railing. Sure enough, it was John Williams behind the wheel, having just departed his assigned parking space. The next time we visited there, we drove (and parked in editor Michael Khan’s spot).
Spielberg’s mom, Leigh Adler, owns a restaurant in L.A. called The Milky Way. Some friends and I ate there once and were actually greeted at the door by Ms. Adler. As she was seating us, she asked what we did and I said I was a writer. She responded with, “Oh, my daughter is a writer!” and promptly sat down with us at our table and had a conversation with us about Anne–never once mentioning Steven.
What a great story! Geez, that John must be under the gun for a film score or something, ahah.
That is so interesting about Spielberg’s mother never mentioning him once! I mean, I don’t even know who his sister is.
Very cool Jamie, thanks for answering these.
Anne Spielberg co-wrote Big with Gary Ross. As far as I know, that’s the only movie she scripted.
Looking back, I almost wish Williams had hit me with his car. I would’ve been nice to secure him to score a film!
Ahah, good point! Not to mention you could practically have him do whatever you want to avoid being sued 😀
How funny. I just clicked over to your page because I was going to nominate you, but it looks like I’ve already been beaten to the punch. You’ve got a popular site and with good reason. I love your blog!
Thank you!
Thanks for taking part, Jamie. Definitely, some very interesting tidbits about yourself, Jamie. Okay, what’s wrong the term spelunking?
Great score pieces for the music question. We also have ‘Jurassic Park’ in common, though I didn’t read it till after seeing the movie. Great questions, too. Looking forward to reading all the answers that come of these. If you’re up for it, would you consider answering your own questions (like I, and soon, Ruth did in the comment section)? Thanks, again.
“Spelunking” is a term only used by people who don’t take part in the activity and don’t know better. The actual term is “caving.”
I’ll put together answers to my own questions. Be on the lookout for them!
Thanks, buddy!
No problem.