20:07 (Citizen Kane)

Screenshots from the 20th minute and 7th second of a movie

I got two surprises in my inbox the past couple of days, both 20:07 related. First, I received an e-mail from Kris Tapley (who you know from Red Carpet District and In Contention) expressing love and admiration for this long running and very soon ending [sniffle] series and he sent this image from Citizen Kane. With the following words:

First and foremost, I'm one of those people who thinks the cliché is a cliché for a reason. To my mind, Citizen Kane is the greatest film ever made for a number of reasons, not the least of which being Gregg Tolland's innovations behind the camera...which is where I come to this image.

The framing, the way Kane's father is captured in his belligerence the same as his mother is captured in her apathy, and certainly, the notion that there is Kane in the distance, caught between the decision that would change his life forever. In the end, it's a moment that will cause him to harken back to the innocence he left behind when, on his death bed, he exhales the most infamous word in all of cinema.

Suddenly I was struck with the notion that, of all the images of considerable merit in Citizen Kane, this one might indeed be the most thematically valuable.

I truly love this film the more I watch it, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to send this note along.

Thanks, Kris. I love the film too. Though here's an inexplicable fact and odd confession: I've only seen it once. You'd think I'd revisit.

Anyway, 20:07. I'm so glad this series has ignited so much curiousity and am thrilled that my very random impulse spreads like a cinephiliac virus --the best kind to catch. Next: total world domination. Mwaahaaahahaa

Second thing. I received an unexpected donation (Thanks James!) totalling $20.07. That's so cute and every little bit helps. It isn't easy juggling two jobs and this is the one I love. I'd rather let the other balls drop. So if you're feeling generous this holiday season, you can click on the little donate button and you make my life as a struggling writer $howevermucheasier. It's really a simple formula. Money = Time for writing. I won't be doing another huge fundraiser until I'm done with those "requests" (10 more to go --eep) but it is Christmahanukwanza so you can always add me to your gift list if you're a wonderful person. And if you're reading regularly, I can only assume that you are.

Happy Holidays!

Next week @ The Film Experience: Jennifer Jason Leigh, more awards hoopla, ABBA, thoughts on Sweeney Todd and Atonement, more Vanity Fair cover(age), the final week of 20:07, and then... a wee break for Christmas before the Year in Review festivities / Film Bitch Awards hit. Stay tuned.

Friends of the Experience ~Finale

April will be action packed: Oscar predix, several reviews requested during this fundraiser, and the return of one popular series & two well received projects that have prompted many of you to say "hey, what happened to...?" But until then --wrapping up March!

The fundraiser is over. The goal achieved!

Today we'll return you to the originally scheduled programming. You opened your pocketbooks and hearts --sweet e-mails, even from those who couldn't contribute. I appreciate the love --and a great sum of $2140 was earned. This helps keep the roof over my head as I continue the journey transitioning out of corporate America and into freelance America. I have to flit back and forth between these worlds like most people pursuing creative careers do. But all the time I feel more like an actual writer which is fulfilling. Thank you for your part in that: the support, being part of a great community of movie lovers, the interesting suggestions, comments, and conversations.

Here is the final installment of the "friends of the experience" for the fundraiser. I'd also like to give one huge round of applause to all of the anonymous donors.

Aaron runs the best-titled live journal on the planet Sarcasm with Light Cream Sauce (hee) and he reads TFE daily but I don't think I've ever mentioned his favorite film

Paddy Chayefsky's Network. I've seen it more times than I can count. I think it's about near perfect. The dialogue sparkles like something out of William Congreve and the performances are incendiary. I know that having this as my favorite is a bit cliché, but I can't help it. Network's complicated blend of social commentary, sarcasm and unspoken pain gets me every single time.

I have seen Network only once and long ago. But someone else requested it for a review with their donation so I'll be going there soon.

Kat from Australia has been reading since she chanced upon the site looking for Moulin Rouge! information. She talked a little Oscar before getting to her favorite movie and brought up this interesting note about the year's movie slate. Focus Features has wayyy too many actresses to push this year. Think on it: Evening, Atonement, Reservation Road, Eastern Promises. How will they decide who to push? Good point Kat. Should be interesting. Anyway, she writes

My favourite film (or one of) is His Girl Friday. Not only does it contain the most hilarious rapid-fire non-stop dialogue I've ever heard on screen, its also really romantic. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell made an incredible team.

I'm not as crazy as the rest of the movie loving universe about that one. I'm really not sure what the disconnect is because I love Roz, love Grant, love screwball comedy (now that the musical is back, it's the genre that I most miss) and love rat-a-tat-tat comic pacing. If I had my way ALL modern comedies would speed up. Perhaps I should give it another go soon?

Joel in Australia is studying film and television at university. His three favorite films are Se7en, Magnolia and Heathers. Light stuff there Joel ;) Like many readers he started reading initially due to Oscar coverage but includes this cute switcheroo note

To be honest, i was actually more excited about your film bitch nominations that the oscar nominations! Aside from my the films I mentioned, I'm a big fan of Chistopher Guest's movies, and love trashy 'so-bad-they're-good' films like Showgirls .

Anyway, look forward to more film experience and 2007s film bitch awards!

As am I. I think I've now sufficiently recovered from last year's Oscars to really dive into 2007 now. Plus, I will be posting some retro thoughts on Se7en soon as well.

Garen is currently at university in Boston. He sometimes reviews operas and writes

Whenever I see a movie I find myself asking, "What would Nathaniel think?" (WWNT?)
My mainstream fave film is Mary Poppins. I loved the film and Julie Andrews as a child. I randomly saw it again in college and now consider MP to be an absurdist masterpiece. I love the little tangents such as Admiral Boom and larger ones such as "Step In Time" that seem to be haphazardly inserted to deviate from the plot. It's so strange, and so complex, and I find something new to overanalyze every time I watch it.

Outside the mainstream, Joseph Losey's Don Giovanni is without contest my favorite film. Most people regard Zeffirelli's La Traviata as the gold standard of opera films, and it is amazing, but Losey's is so underseen and just as fantastic, if not more. Diva lovers of the world are missing out if they haven't seen Kiri Te Kanawa and Edda Moser rip Ruggero Raimondi's Don G. to shreds in this film.

Various smart critical types tell me that Mary Poppins is a terrible film --but I'm probably with Garen on this one. As for opera. The only opera film I've seen is La Traviata which I saw at the Maple Theater in Michigan --the first arthouse I frequented regularly. But this week I went to Madame Butterfly at City Opera --part of my slow efforts to get better versed in cultural canons (I've seen only four operas *hides in shame*) The second act --wow.

David from Connecticut says he's seen too many movies in his lifetime to name a favorite. But he gives it a shot anyway

...a dozen films in no particular order that I might show as a mini-festival at jewel-box movie theater (a place like the Paris in New York). Several of these films deal with romantic relationships and not necessarily happy ones:The Double Life of Veronique, Two for the Road, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Children of Paradise, Two English Girls, Maurice, The Seven Samurai, Local Hero, Sense and Sensibility, The Man Who Would Be King, Petulia, and Vincent, Francois, Paul and the Others (a forgotten gem by Claude Sautet).Bonus Costume Drama Double Bill: Far from the Madding Crowd and Topsy-Turvy

I would be buying tickets to that mini-festival so fast, wouldn't you? Plus anybody who programs a bonus 'costume double' is...well... awesome.

John from Minnesota, who writes about politics on his blog has enthusiastic words 'bout the site and happens to adore three actresses which get a lot of play here: Streep, Kate, and The Bening. He writes

My favorite movie is Casablanca, but that's everybody's favorite. If I had to select one to highlight, it would be the pop culture punching bag The English Patient. Thanks to its ubiquity with Oscar and the Seinfeld episode, people seem to have forgotten that behind its exquisite desert landscapes and haunting score is a love story that's twisty, heartbreaking, and terribly effective. Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, and Kristin Scott Thomas are possibly the most beautiful trio of paramours I've ever seen committed to celluloid, and for me, at least, this is one of those rare times where Oscar was right in jumping on the band wagon (unlike say, 1988, 1994, 2001, well, you know)

I do know. I wasn't part of the Patient bandwagon myself though I'm no hater either. I was pulling for Fargo big time --one of the many futile hopes I've had on Oscar night.

THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE! I'm glad the film experience means something to you.

Questions for Comment
What would you program for a mini film festival?
Mary Poppins: Absurdist? Or just absurd?
My His Girl Friday disconnect --ever experienced that? What movie does everyone love that you just can't get attached to?

Stingy Hollywood Types

I've been very pleased at the response to the March "save Nathaniel's life" Fundraiser. You've been so kind. Unfortunately Hollywood types haven't. Not one cent from those gated communities. Here's some responses from when I cast the plea for money a little wider...

日本語日本語日本語,

YOU CALL THAT BEGGING?!?


-gogo yubari

loyal subject,

I know that you are poor and therefore uneducated in appropriate behavior or proper wealth distribution but We, the Hollywood royalty are to be bathed in luxury. You must suffer so as to fully appreciate, purchase tickets for, and bow down before my our awesomeness. I know hear that times are tough. It is in such difficult times that you can build more character. To help you toward that goal I'm raising your fan taxes. You must now type my praises weekly so as to avoid my entitled wrath. (Don't think I've forgotten about the whole weeks you've devoted to those pretty young unaccomplished things who are not married to WARREN. BEATTY. and who have not been nominated for three Oscars)

~The Bening

Natty,
good luck on the fundraiser. I love my fans!
I can't contribute tho. If I gave ten dollars to everyone who still loved me I'd be short --well, I don't wanna waste forty dollars or something!
xoxo, Kiki

My widely distributed fundraising plea was ignored by most everyone else. But I did hear back from Film Experience Idols Julianne Moore and Michelle Pfeiffer. They both took the time to TYPE letters but I'm not reprinting them because they don't seem to address the fundraiser at all and they have weird phrases like "must take no action to obtain the addresses or locations of protected persons" and other orders and there's stamps and signatures.

???

Yeah... I don't get it either.

Friends of the Experience #8

The unexpected gift of this fundraiser month (for me at least) has been getting to know the readers. I hope you're also enjoying the favorite movie / actor reveals. There'll be one more "friends of the experience" wrap up post after this so if you want to be featured and you've been meaning to donate --now's the time. This, you see, is like those annoying fundraisers on PBS: it will eventually end ...on Friday to be exact. I'm almost done with my meedy street urchin Oliver moment.

Please sir, I want some more

In April you can expect to see several new reviews that were requested during this drive. Now, let's get to round of thank-yous!


David, a devotee of Kate Winslet (aren't we all?), runs the blog Victim of the Time. He writes

Mulholland Drive is probably my favourite film (although how to choose?) and definitely the film that opened up the doors to my obsession. I just find it all so intoxicating- Naomi Watts' masterful, alarming performance; 'Club Silencio' (which ALWAYS makes me cry); Ann Miller's last appearance... just everything about it is fascinating and haunting. I particularly love the opening- it's so beautifully photographed, yet so creepy, as the limo goes down the road with Badalamenti's music over the top... just effortlessly sets the tone, I think. It's a stunning experience every time.

I'm so excited for INLAND EMPIRE this week that I literally bounced around the room when I found out my cinema was showing it.

Since sending me this e-mail David has seen Lynch's latest and he's still bouncing. Good show.


Scott of the popculture-centric Australian blog Scott 2 B Certain raved to me about two sun-related titles from 2004 (Eternal Sunshine and Before Sunset) both of which are clearly favorites of the readership at large. (And both were Best Picture nominees at my annual Film Bitch Awards) He can't quite choose a new film as the "all time" favorite, though.

In 'all-time' terms, I can't go past Hitchcock, and in particular Psycho. There is so much that is stunning and memorable about this film: its promotion (latecomers forbidden to enter by film ushers); its iconic Hermann score; its fragmented, symbolic opening credits; its early disposal of a lead character; Janet Leigh's detailed, layered performance, with so much hinging on her eyes; and the final, mindblowing reveal. It's as close to perfection, in my opinion, as he ever came.

When people ask me what my favorite Hitchcock is I usually respond with a Rear Window or a Notorious .... but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I think of Psycho most often. So perhaps I've been unintentionally lying all these years. I've written about that masterpiece a few times, if indirectly, but it'll be placing quite high in my personal canon project (which will resume this coming week. Promise)


Chris over the pond in England has been reading The Film Experience for years and he's also devoted to Hitchcock

I have deep feelings of love for Amelie and Lost in Translation, but worship at the alter of Rear Window. The perfect film: flawless cast, amazing script, brilliant cinematography, stunning set, fabulous costumes and great music. Grace Kelly is breathtaking, the perfect Hitchcock blonde. She has my eternal devotion along with Patricia Clarkson, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet (give her an Oscar now you mean Academy members) and of course Meryl Streep.

Clearly Chris has good taste in both auteurs and blonde goddesses, give or take Grace Kelly The Thief of Judy Garland's Oscar!

I kid with Chris. The more readers I hear from the more I am reminded that my feelings for Grace Kelly are not shared by the populace at large...nor even rational. Damn those Oscars! They poison me.


Krista in Missouri is a girl after my own heart. She can't make up her mind! She triples her answer for favorite movie ever...

For drama: The Deerhunter. It is one of those movies that had me captivated from the first moment. De Niro, Streep, and Walken are brilliant. For comedy: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. I often wish that a comedy of this caliber could be made today. Each time I watch it, I pick up something new. And last, my sentimental favorite: The Wizard of Oz. Trite, I know, but it is one of those movies just etched in my memory. I played the role of the Mayor of Munchkin City when I was 10, and I know every song, every line, every time Judy Garland's hair changes in length.

There is nothing trite about loving The Wizard of Oz, Krista. It's perfect. Flaws? Begone! They have no power here. I'll readily admit, though, that I don't know every line in that grand entertainment. I'm often jealous of the average movie buffs ability to memorize lines. I am terrible at this for some reason. Maybe I see too many movies? Maybe my head is too clogged with Oscar facts to find room for huge swaths of dialogue, too?

Questions For Comments
What's your favorite Hitchcock?
How good are you at reciting movies line for line? (hint: you're better than me)

Friends of the Experience #7

The fundraiser is almost over --so close to the goal! Trying to build a career out of writing leaves one pummelled & bloody but you make it worthwhile. This appreciative, smart and loyal readership I'm getting to know is like a cool glass of water, a bandaid, a sports massage and a peptalking coach all rolled into one. Thank You! Today's spotlight shines on Sam, Michael, George, and Patrick.

Michael in Philly grew up watching the movies during the wondrous 70s, the lucky dog. That was such a smashing film decade. But his favorite comes in 1980.

But the one that cemented my love for the art of film and semi-obsession with the Oscars was Raging Bull. I was 18 when it was released. And everything about it was captivating. The creamy black-and-white cinematography, DeNiro's transformation, Pesci's white-hot rage, Moriarty's ice-cold contempt, the choreography and brutality of the boxing scenes. Above all, the sheer brio and forcefulness of Scorsese's directing. (Incidentally, like Marty, I was raised in an urban Italian-American Catholic home, so I could certainly identify with his worldview).

Of course, on Oscar night, the white-hot rage was mine.

And it only took the Academy another 26 years to make it up to Michael and all of us. Aren't they sweet?

George is next door to me (OK, across the water) in New Jersey and has been a reader for years. George's first "Oscars" was Tatum O'Neal's historic win for Paper Moon and he tells me that before the days of the internet he had no idea how many other Oscar obsessives there were.

I couldn't pick a favorite movie, there are so many (Terms of Endearment, The Birdcage, Room with a View, The Hours are all up there); but I do have a very favorite actress -- Geraldine Page. If you ever have a minute I'd love to see what you have to say about where you rate either her Oscar winning performance or those she did not win for (love her in Sweet Bird of Youth, but especially Trip to Bountiful).

Again, love your site. Still amazes me to see people from all over the world are reading and loving the same stuff I am.

It amazes me too, the response and the community feeling of movie worship. As for Geraldine... It's probably high time I wrote about her. So I'll cook something up but my quick take is: I'm still deciding. But I'll leave you with a positive two-fer. I think she's brilliant in both Sweet Bird of Youth (recent acclaimed diva performances owe her royalty checks) and Interiors. More on Geraldine later!


Sam hails from Texas and picks a southern film to cherish.

I'm almost embarrassed to say so, but my favorite film really has to be Gone With the Wind. I know, I know, it perpetuates racist myths, and the guilty white liberal in me hesitates to admit it, but I can't help it. I grew up in the deep south (SC) and always wanted to be Scarlett O'Hara. I worship at the alter of Vivien Leigh. Bettie Davis said Leigh's performance was the best screen performance ever, and I think that's still true. Hattie McDaniel took a paper-thin stereotype and wrung every bit of life out of it. Everybody was at the top of their game.

I think that's true about Gone With the Wind --a'top of the game' film for sure. In some ways I think Titanic is a perfect modern counterpoint. You can see why people don't like it. You can even see its flaws clearly but it hardly matters because of the movie-movie perfection of it. It's just too much movie to ignore. I last saw Gone With the Wind about 12 years ago but it was my first time seeing it in a movie theater. The hours flew by. I could scarcely believe it when the lights came up.

Patrick sent a donation from Berlin along with an unusual confession to which I actually relate (*buries head*)

The film that made me fall in love with movies was actually Ghost (I was 12 and it was my first time at the movies without my parents...). It's hard to admit for someone who usually loves the likes of Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore, Toni Collette or Helen Mirren, but I've had a thing for Demi Moore ever since. Of course I know she's not a very good actress and has made horrible choices, but all the bad press she got in the second half of the 90s made me love her even more. And for everyone who thinks Ghost was the peak of her career acting wise, I recommend Mortal Thoughts by Alan Rudolph - which is especially good since it also stars Glenne Headley.

I shared this with Patrick earlier but I also have a thing for Demi Moore. A small thing...but it still flickers now and again. I fell hard during St. Elmo's Fire (I was young, don't judge) and remained minorly smitten throughout bad performances, bad films, awesome magazine covers, lots of pregnancies, and strange choices: Living in Idaho? A house built just for her dolls. Divorcing Bruce Willis? Why not! I sometimes wish she was a little more visibly bat-shit crazy (like, say, Sharon Stone) to ramp up her celeb appeal but she was pretty good at being famous during her peak.

Questions for Comment
Who do you find it hard to admit that you love?
What say ye on Oscar perennial Geraldine Page or that #1 film of all time (yes, still) GWTW?

Friends of the Experience #6

Hearty thanks to Chris, Kevin, Adam K, Daniel and Ben who all helped out in the March Fundraiser.

Chris teaches cinema studies in Philly. He told me he's never written before because he doesn't like Moulin Rouge! That gave me a good chuckle.

I do like Far From Heaven, which I've taught in a few classes here and there (I teach cinema studies courses for freshmen). Actually, I swallowed my pride and used Moulin Rouge in a class once, come to think of it, so perhaps I'm responsible for some Nathaniel-level aficionados despite myself.

Moulin Rouge! has sneaky ways of collecting more fans. It always does. We are legion.

Kevin is right here in NY and send kind words about the blog. He opted for a shout out to a favorite character rather than a film

My iconic movie character is Doralee Rhodes from 9 to 5 . I have vivid memories of catching the movie on TV as a kid as being immediately obsessed with Dolly's amiable Southern charm and her natural ease onscreen. (I've since become a Dolly fanatic and made the pilgrimage to Dollywood twice.) "I'll change you from a rooster to a hen with one shot!" Priceless.

I love Dolly too. One of my close friends is from Nashville and we are always vaguely planning a pilgrimage ourselves --I've never been. Sadly this intended travellin' party always falls through because so many other friends want to go. Trying to corral several people for a simultaneous cross country trip = challenging.

Daniel in California spotlights an unusual choice as a favorite but I can totally get behind it

one that always comes to mind is Flirting With Disaster. It's so thoroughly screwball; as it moves along, you think it couldn't possibly get any more ridiculous and then it tops itself. So much great, witty banter. Then there's the cast... could they have gathered a better group of actors to play such eccentric characters? I think not. Mary Tyler Moore and Lily Tomlin are especially killer. One of the myriad I love through and through and watch time and time again.

Flirting is an underseen gem. Very high laugh to running time ratio and smart guffaws to be had. I love that Daniel referenced screwball because comedy did not always mean cheap and dumb. David O'Russell has such a gift for sharp sophisticated laughs that don't get lose their comedic edge on second viewing (see also: I Heart Huckabees)
Adam K will be familiar to you as an active commenter and from the blog Crumb by Crumb. The favorite film he wanted noted...

I'd go for Thelma & Louise, but you talk about that one enough already. Ditto Tootsie. So I think, for this specific purpose, my favorite film will be The Witches, which is one of those little cult/personal favorites that I feel like no one loves as much as I. I rediscovered it with my much younger sister several years ago, and it became a staple of our sibling bonding time. Anjelica Huston is brill, obviously. Plus, the music, writing and direction are all just top notch for this sort of demented children's film.

I've only seen The Witches once myself and remember loving Anjelica Huston (FTR she would win my retro Gold Medal for 1990 for The Grifters with The Witches as the "and..." portion of that honor)

Ben calls the UK home and, like Adam, has asked that I review a personal favorite

I'm going to have to go for something which celebrates British Film Making, independent movie making, Oscar and my actress predictions and also a smattering of gay characterisations. It must be John Schlesinger's Darling.

I take all requests seriously (helps cut brainstorming time) but when you help out with that little bit extra, your wish is my command. Command Reviews coming soon for All That Jazz, Darling, The Witches as well as a look at Geraldine Page (a couple of people gave me more than one option so I'm still deciding on the others)

Questions for Comments...
Are you secretly a Moulin Rouge! hater? If so, how can we convert you?
Why are so few comedies as smart as those old screwballs?
Have you ever been to Dollywood? If so, please share. I really want to go...

Friends of the Experience #5

One of my favorite geeky things about the behind-the-scenes efforts on the website is looking at maps of where readers are coming from. For todays friends of the experience, we're taking long flights to highlight Paul in Hawaii and two Aussie readers James and Stephen G who donated to the site & blog. Time is money and money is time -- I'm trying to write full time...

Paul sent me an enthusiastic note detailing his journey with The Film Experience (4 years!) He shares my enthusiasm for the work of Gong Li, Clive Owen, Juliette Lewis and Joan Allen in particular. I got a kick out of this particular bit...

Recently, I've revisited my adoration of Gong Li and have 'taught' my friends and family that we should bow down to her greatness and then sit back and watch in awe. (LOVE her in Raise the Red Lantern and To Live)

I 'teach' my friends all the time who they should love. I relate. In college my friends were even forced to watch weekly themed double features. We labelled it 'Cinema 260' with yours truly as the dictator/professor of the imaginary course. Oh the bossiness of me.

Over in Australia (you know it well: the land of perpetual movie star hatchings), James has been reading the site since the 2001 Oscar race. His favorite film is a tie between Woody Allen's Manhattan and Volker Schlondorff's The Tin Drum with his apologies going out to The Leopard, Eight and a Half, Bladerunner, Mulholland Drive, Rebecca...(he trails off. There's obviously more) In short: James has good taste. And I am humbled to tell you that he lists this site as one of his top three along with Jonathan Rosenbaum and another which he discusses...

The Film Experience has been a staple in my movie site diet. I must say we have a bit of a push and pull thing going on with matching our film tastes. I too loved Marie Antoinette, Brokeback Mountain & Before Sunset, but loathed Far From Heaven, Dancer in the Dark and Thirteen. But really, that's what makes reading a particular film critic interesting.
...I'm going to recommend my other favourite film site It's the site of the Australian version of Ebert and Roeper, I guess. They really know how to review a film, because a) like yourself, they aren't afraid to give something full marks or a failing grade (the worst type of critics are the ones who are perpetually stuck in 3 and a half star land) and b) also like yourself, they talk about a rich variety of art house and mainstream without unfairly biasing esoteric films or conforming to the majority opinion (their good review of Showgirls was notoriously famous here in Australia)

I'm happy to check them out. And I wholeheartedly agree with that 3 and a half star problem. How can every film be worthwhile? The "we love everything" school of film criticism always suggests to me: paycheck and corporate directives to be kind to the majority of releases. Not that there's anything wrong with being paid, mind you. But in a perfect world would critics really be paid by the same corporate parent that's distributing the movies?

Stephen is also a very generous soul from Australia. He discovered The Film Experience through Oscar Watch a site that I've had a long and happy friendship with. Stephen lost his Oscar virginity in 1986 (a race that was also impactful to me... the Kathleen Turner loss fixation, don'cha know) and has been into the Oscars ever since. His favorite films are ABBA: The Movie, This Sporting Life, Sunset Blvd., A Clockwork Orange, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Gods and Monsters, The Accidental Tourist, Brief Encounter and Children of Men. I think it's worth pointing out that none of his favorites won the Best Picture prize and most weren't even nominated. Isn't that the problem for Oscar obsessives: continual fascination and frustration. Stephen sent along several great suggestions for potential upcoming articles topics: I will definitely tackle a couple of them. I love getting recommendations as much as I love giving them. Stephen writes

You've turned me on to everything from Channing Tatum to Wong Kar-Wai to the Birth soundtrack. Even better, you've helped me appreciate things that my boyfriend of 14 years' standing loves, but I've never really gotten into (like Sweeney Todd, Tori Amos, comics). And we are both forever in your debt for getting us hooked on Project Runway.

As ever I'm glad to be of service. And I love demanding suggesting that my favorites become all of yours.

Questions
What other film writers do you respect and read? What actor or film would you like to "teach" the world to love?

Friends of the Experience #4

It's a cross country style line-up today with Midwest, East, South, and West all represented. My thanks going out to Jennifer in Chicago, Vince in LA, Steven in Texas, Travis in Vermont, and Paul in Ohio for their kind words and donations to the site's March fundraiser.

Jennifer is an avid knitter --you can see her creations at her own blog. Like many die hard moviegoers she got hooked on less conventional fare while in college. She writes:

One of the most pivotal moviegoing experiences for me was seeing The Cook The Thief His Wife and Her Lover which so beautifully joined an artistic sensibility with a poetic and dark story. Saw it three times in the first week of its release. While I love a good realistic drama, what really excites me most about movies is those where I see something extraordinary that I couldn't see in any other medium, where I can immerse myself in the story while at the same time marvelling at the storyteller's art.

Well said Jennifer. I've only seen Peter Greenaway's controversial arthouse hit once and the thing I remember most about it was the color shifts. Oh, and Helen Mirren --she's been a queen (of cinema) for a long time actually. I should program myself a whole Greenaway festival because I even like the one no one else does ... 8 ½ Women.

Vince is a longtime reader and he requires rewatchability in his favorite film

It's about serial killers, so I don't know what that says about me, but I still love it. It's a film that achieved a perfect balance of dramatic earnestness and high camp, in my opinion, which is rarely seen, and went on to a surprise win of Best Picture ... The Silence of the Lambs.

Most of my favorite films came from the mid-80's to early 90's, which coincided with my pre-teens and teens, though. I'm still waiting for a new release to come along and sweep me away.

Isn't that just the sad plight of we movie obsessives: always waiting in the dark to be swept into a new world? More often than not our feet stay firmly planted on the ground but it's completely worth it for the possibility.
Steven was quick to contribute but slow to name one favorite on account of: too much pressure. I hear him loud and clear... (I actually hate the question, too. I have hundreds) Steven elaborates

I have different favorites for different moods. The Color Purple when I need to cry, Contact when I need to think, The Princess Bride when I want to feel loved, Clue when I need to laugh and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure when I need mindless entertainment.

He also tells me that he started reading TFE due to the Oscar coverage but now reads year round. Which is exactly what I like to hear. Sure, the site and blog are more singleminded during awards seasons but movies are 24-7 and loving them should be too.
Travis discovered the film experience through Joe Reid who some readers will know as a frequent guest blogger here, whose work can also be found at television without pity. Travis' favorite:

Dr. Strangelove -- the poster to which is hanging in my office. I show parts of the film to my students every semester, and not only is it of educational value, but I STILL laugh at the War Room scenes even though I've seen them at least a dozen
times.

Ack. another film I need to see again. The War Room scene is the only one I remember! I saw the film way back in high school.

Finally, there's Paul who also has his own blog Opal Films --he's currently trying to work through a top 100 style list. Good luck! He also contributes to the nifty Screengrab and passes along a note to which I relate more than I'd like to

My favorite movie is Belle de Jour, which is a film that I'm so close to and so kinda intimidated by that I'm hestitant to write much about it. That's odd, I think, since I have no trouble writing on and on about other movies I love, particularly 8 Women.

I have the same problem. I'm trying to beat it down by forcing myself to write more positive reviews: hence the personal canon project. But it is harder to write about the transcendant than it is to write about the problematic. And FWIW: Belle de Jour is incredible. If any of you reading haven't seen it --Up to the top of your rental queue immediately. Submit!

What About You, Commenters?
Have you ever seen the same movie three times in one week?
Does your favorite movie depend on your mood. Or is it unchanging?
Are you waiting for a new release to sweep you away?

Friends of the Experience #3

A round of applause to another "shortlist" of patrons. We'll go five wide like the Oscars this time. Because... well, it's all about the Oscars. Even when it's not or something. I bow to Mikadzuki, Edward ("etslee" from the comments), Corey in Arizona, Beau in California and Mark in the UK who all donated

Mikadzuki lives in beautiful Sweden and, appropriately enough, mentions Ingmar Bergmanas creating his favorite movie ever, Fanny and Alexander. He writes:

The set designs and Nykvist's cinematography are among the most vibrant and beautiful I have seen, and the film itself manages to capture childlike wonder (sometimes magical, and often creepy) so perfectly it felt as though I was re-experienceing my own childhood. Five hours in the company of Bergman might seem like a daunting task, but believe me - they FLY by (and this is coming from someone who thought the 90 minute Through A Glass Darkly was a total bore). If your Netflix queue is ever empty...

Oh the shame, readers: this brings me to a terrible confession... I still haven't seen this movie and it's been on my DVD player twice! I ended up returning it to Netflix in a frenzy of whatever deadline I had. Back on the queue!

Corey loves himself The Hours. Always the hours... He loves it so much it's as if he's loving it in a parallel way in the distant past, recent past and right here and now. He calls it

...an embarrassment of riches. Kidman, Moore, Streep, Collette, Harris, Richardson, Daniels, Janney, Danes, Reiley. Just a splendid cast. It's so refreshing to watch a movie, that doesn't rely on cheap camera cuts, or zooms to convey emotion. it's purely task of the actors to drive the movie forward, and I love that.

Corey also seconds my outrage that Maria Bello didn't get nominated for A History of Violence. Funny how we movie lovers have trouble letting those things go. That snub still drives me to puking in hospital bathrooms and angry rutting on staircases.

And speaking of Oscar snubs...

Mark is a longtime reader who gets passionate about one particular Oscar omission. With his donation, he wanted to scream from this blog rooftops that Sigourney Weaver is amazing in practically everything and that she's eternally robbed by the Academy. Those snubs for Death and the Maiden and The Ice Storm and no Oscar ever?!? I'll agree with Mark that Sigourney is "a class act"

Beau chooses Before Sunset as a favorite and since he speaks about it so lovingly I'll just show you his words

The film itself is little more than just two people talking, yet it's provided me with a different outlook on life in terms of the way I think, speak, observe and act. Hard to imagine that when I sat down to watch it in November of 2004, only seventeen years old, I'd no idea of the profound impact it would have on me. Hard to define and categorize my love for it, it's one of those wholly unique, singular moments that you yearn for that only get bestowed upon you once in a great moon. To me, it's a treasure. And no woman has ever done what Julie Delpy did in this film. Utterly transcendent.

I love that film too (top ten from 2004) and it ages so well --tremendously well written and incisively performed. To my way of thinking nobody involved has ever gotten enough credit. I listen to "Waltz for a Night", Julie's closing guitar number a lot on my iPod, I do.

Edward writing from the Bay Area got especially attached during the Brokeback Mountain phase of this site/blog. Brokeback fever got us all good. When do y'all suppose we'll experience another phenomenon like that one?

What do you think commenters:
Will we ever see such a mass appeal gay film again? [sniffle]
Will Julie Delpy ever move us as much again? [sob]
Will Sigourney Weaver ever win that Oscar? [grrr]

Friends of the Experience #2

Warm group hug to the generous Lyn, 'Anon in Yorkshire' and Jim in Maryland.

Jim's favorite movie is It's a Wonderful Life and Arden mentioned that she thought my "save nathaniel's life" fundraising post was a very George Bailey moment --so hmmm, cosmic connections. Jim also informs that the film experience is his favorite website. So, you know, this Jim fellow... he has good taste.

Anon in Yorkshire (who you may recall from various comment sections) also contributed and sent me a lovely e-mail the other day about my pet cause of 2006 Marie Antoinette which she very much enjoyed. It was encouraging to read. You know I got the other kind of mail as well about that one.

Lyn hesitates about naming her favorite but surprises herself with the following:

the one I keep coming back to (weirdly enough) is Peter Weir's Master and Commander. I've come round to thinking it's one of the best films so far this decade ...it was well enough reviewed at the time, on rewatching it a few times, it becomes an almost metaphysical / religious experience. (that, and Paul Bettany is so pretty)

I've actually been meaning to see this again myself. Perhaps I undervalued it at the time? Weir's films always seem pretty sturdy don't they? And Paul Bettany is pretty. So so pretty --->

You know who else is pretty? People who give money to struggling writers whose work they enjoy. They're the most beautiful people of all. They're like Paul Newman / Michelle Pfeiffer level gorgeous. And you are that pretty, aren't'cha?

In the comments... which movie do you keep coming back to to your own surprise?

Friends of 'the Experience' #1

A big thank you to the recent generosity of Ivan, Glenn and Cenzig who chipped in for the March Fundraiser. The blog is free but it's a happier webthing when it ain't broke.

Ivan discovered the site just this past Oscar season. His passion for film started with Pulp Fiction (indeed, a touchstone for many). He writes

I saw it when I was 14. It was playing at the dollar theatre and I was chaperoning while my older sister was on a date. From the opening scene I was riveted. I had never heard dialogue like that. I had never seen something so fucking cool. So it gets to the adrenaline shot scene and the film breaks! I sat there in the theatre for twenty minutes without saying a word, until it finally came back on.

Talk about an inopportune time for film breakage. The first time I saw Kill Bill the film didn't break but they started it 20 minutes early --yes, I was already there. I'm a nerd-- so when the bulk of the crowd showed it was already in progress. They had to stop the film (during the Black Mamba / Copperhead fight) and start again. I didn't mind seeing the beginning twice. Ivan also loves Amores Perros, Being John Malkovich, Requiem for a Dream, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.


Cengiz shares one of my chief obsessions. When asked what his favorite movie is, he just quotes its own words

a magnificent, opulent, tremendous, stupendous, gargantuan, bedazzlement, a sensual ravishment...

That'd be Moulin Rouge! And yes I will get back to the Moulin Rouge! recap/retro ... it's just that damn time is money thing. But I've been feeling the guilt so it's coming.

Glenn (aka Kamikaze Camel... it's like a Peter Parker/Spider-Man thing?) has been a faithful reader for years and his blog Stale Popcorn is also a must-visit. Really funny, personal, and film focused. Glenn wants to know what I think of All That Jazz (which I'll get to soon) but like many movie lovers he's possessive of his favorites. He jokingly warns

If you say Kramer vs Kramer (aka Boring vs Pedestrian) was better and deserved the Oscar I'm going to seriously reconsider that donation

Eep! I haven't seen either in years. We'll see. I have been jonesing for a 70s fix though...

Questions for Comments

1. Is Kramer Vs. Kramer better than All That Jazz?
2. Have you ever been in a theater when the film broke?
   

Make a Donation! It's fun. OK, strictly speaking, giving money isn't fun. But it's like altruistic and stuff.

Save Nathaniel's Life!

So readers... I've been wrestling with the site & blog these past couple of years. The Experience keeps growing and threatening to devour me whole (this post Oscar exhaustion will pass...I hope). I love doing it, don't get me wrong. But it sucks up gargantuan amounts of time and time is money. I'm going to have to cut down if I can't figure out a way to make it work. So, a March fundraiser is in order: see how much this is worth to y'all.

Don't click away... cool info ahead

If everyone who read the blog faithfully donated $10 for each year they'd done so, I'd be a wealthy man ...but I'm still a starving artist (well not literally) Usually when you donate to a person or group it's for services already rendered. In this case I'll actually give you something in addition to what'cha already got.

• Donate $anything and if you'd like (some people are shy) I'll give you a personal shout out on the blog: a "friends of the experience" mini-profile with a note about your favorite film or website or myspace page or whatever... just let me know
  
• Donate $40 or more and I'll review one specific film or performance that you request (the film must be available for rental on DVD or currently playing in NYC. No guarantee on how quickly --depends on how many donations arrive)
• Donate $75 or more and you can demand a specific twofer like this.
  
• Donate $lots (some people got bank, don't judge) and shoot me an e-mail with a request and instructions on how I can become your personal loveslave how to win your continued patronage.

DONATE HERE (click the "make a donation" button when you get there)
...and thank you to everyone who donated in the past. Thank you again

UPDATE: This fundraiser has raised $1000 so far (thank you!). $2000 is the immediate goal. If the number can get up to $5000 the extra will go toward funding travel and lodging expenses for film festival coverage.