Answers on a Postcard

I'm not great at publishing stuff about myself (hence why this blog rarely updates) so why start a blog eh?! I suppose it's a good place to store a few occasional thoughts and favourite things. Chris (from movies and songs) has kindly sent me a Liebster Award invite. Generally, I'm not too fond of these types of questionnaires, as they're overused and often tiresome but it's good to have exceptions so i'll answer his 11 questions and ask him (or anyone else who chooses to answer) 11.

My 11 questions and answers:
1.) When and how did you become interested in movies?
Very young. One of my earliest memories is being scared but very excited by watching Ghostbusters as a young child. Also, my father owned and ran video stores, which must of been an early influence. As I do now, I took delight in reading all the credits on the front or back of those VHS boxes. Viewing all these images and colours on the shelves gave me great energy.
2.) Who is your favorite director, and why?
Technically, Kubrick - even if i'm not always enamoured with all the content within his films, the visual sense and sound are always so rich and inspiring.
Emotionally, Bergman and perhaps Truffaut - they both explore the fundamentals of existence, which naturally reasonates.
3.) What is your favorite movie discovered in 2012 (old or new), and why?
The Kid With a Bike - I thought the Dardenne brothers last work, The Silence of Lorna was a little off compared with the rest of their work but this latest offering could be my favourite of theirs. Simplicity, efficient, emotional - Bresson would be proud.
4.) If you had to recommend any movie you think everyone should watch, what would it be, and why?
Start with the classics, those lists like the recent Sight & Sound one are always a bit samey but there's a reason why...plus it's a good place to base your tastes on. Today I shall recommend Rossellini's Journey to Italy. For everyone, Jaws is a happy medium...entertaining, technicially sound and better than the vast majority of blockbusters.
5.) Have you been to a film festival, and how was the experience?
Not an official one, which is sad.
6.) Which soundtrack or score do you keep going back to?
Lost in Translation is a modern keeper, as will Drive be.
7.) What films do you find yourself daydreaming about every so often?
Apocalypse Now, Zodiac, Margaret, The Tree of Life, Taxi Driver, Rocky, Solaris, Deer Hunter and many many more of course.
8.) Who do you talk movies with in real life, outside of blogosphere?
My partner, family, some close friends - they all have slightly different taste to me but that can only be a good thing, plus there's always common ground too.
9.) Favorite film poster?
I'm not knowledgable on posters but i'll go with the iconic Saul Bass designed layout for Vertigo.
10.) What movie is the record holder that you have seen the most times, and why?
Films i've grew up on and watch most years and therefore find it hard to objectively assess: Rocky, Ghostbusters, Planes, Train & Automobiles, Arthur, Groundhog Day, Big and Stand By Me.
11.) Which movie websites (not blogs) do you visit?
I use to visit many more but due to lack of time and probably effort, Film Experience for fun, Playlist for news.

My 11 questions:
01 Favourite love story within a film?
02 If you met in a pub, to your mind, which 3 film directors would you have most in common with and why?
03 If you could discard one genre of film, which would it be?
04 Even in their bad films, which actor/actress has the ability to make something watchable for you?
05 Which director frustrates you the most in their ability to make good films but not yet the masterpiece they are capable of?
06 Most overated of the supposed classics?
07 Name 3 films which make you cry and why?
08 How do your family's taste in films compare to yours?
09 Favourite animated film and why?
10 Favourite documentary and why?
11 Are films art?