Greetings my fellow movie nerds,

Welcome (back) to Reel Talk, HiLite’s very own movie blog. Here, I will post reviews, movie news, and really anything movie-related.

Now, as a quick introduction, I’m going to answer  13 questions about my movie preferences and experiences, which will hopefully give you an insight into who I am as, not only a film fanatic, but also a person. (But just a warning, the answers to these questions change like every day. I’m a very fickle person, especially when it comes to my movie favorites)

1) Why do you love movies?
Well, well, well. I’m glad you asked. Check out my very first blog post, “An Introduction and Why I Love Movies” for the answer to that one since it’s a pretty big question.

2) Favorite movie scene?
Graphic, bloody and intense, the opening half an hour of Saving Private Ryan is still gripping when you watch it for the fourth time, which is why it is my favorite movie scene. This movie, especially its opening scene, is hailed as one of the most realistic portrayals of war in the history of film. The seasickness, the casualties, the violence and even the code names of the Omaha Assault were represented so accurately that the scene triggered the PTSD of many veterans who watched the movie. Although triggering PTSD is definitely not what Steven Spielberg was trying to do, it just shows you how realistic and moving the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan is.

3) Favorite movie one-liner?
Well this is a bit of a tough one, but I think I’m going to have to go with “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” from The Princess Bride. I can still remember sitting in my friend’s basement, laughing my head off and, as a result, flinging candy corn everywhere after every time our dear Inigo Montoya utters this iconic line.

4) Favorite actor?

This may seem pretty typical, but Morgan Freeman is basically a god, which is probably why he so often plays godlike characters. With a voice like molasses, Freeman has become a cinematic legend. Sure he’s had some flops (*cough cough* Chain Reaction), but movies like Lean on Me and of course Shawshank Redemption have proved his talent.

5) Favorite director?

My favorite director would have to be the animated film legend, Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki’s moral ambiguity, deep recurrent themes and strong heroines have always inspired me. Plus, I’m partial to animated movies since it’s my favorite genre. I kind of failed at that whole “growing up” thing. If you want to read my tribute to Miyazaki, see “Bidding Farwell to Hayao Miyazaki.”

6) Most annoying director?
Despite my love for The Sixth Sense it is pretty easy to say M. Night Shyamalan is the most annoying director that I have ever witnessed. His unimaginative plots and characters, poor choice of dialogue, obsession with nonsensical plot twists and his desperate attempts to recreate the success of The Sixth Sense using them make him just plain annoying. Also, I don’t think I could ever forgive him for what he did to my beloved Avatar: The Last Airbender.

7) Favorite guilty pleasure movie?
She’s the Man is definitely my favorite guilty pleasure movie. It’s bad, and I know it. The characters, the plot, the dialogue and the failed attempt to create a modern spin on Shakespeare are all just bad. Plus, I usually hate chick flicks like this. But something about this movie makes me love it. Maybe it’s the nostalgia or the slapstick humor. All I know is that this stupidly awful chick flick has found its way into my heart.

8) Favorite tearjerker?
Schindler’s List could make grown men or even cold-hearted, teenage girls like me cry. Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece depicts the horrors of the Holocaust while humanizing the people involved in the tragedy. The result is a beautiful, heart-wrenching classic.

9) Favorite horror movie?
Horror movies are a favorite of mine because there’s just something about being so scared that you can’t sleep or go to the bathroom or function as a human being that has a certain charm. While I loved Martyrs, Carrie, and The Shining, I’d have to say my favorite is The Ring. Although, the aforementioned three are far better cinematically, The Ring was my first horror movie, so it holds a special place in my heart as an introduction to one of my favorite genres. I can still remember playing Webkinz with my friends in second grade while some older girls watched The Ring right next to us. Unfortunately (or fortunately), my little friends and I ended up getting sucked into (and scarred by) our first horror movie ever. Since then, we’ve watched horror movies together constantly.

10) Favorite movie villain?
A great villain is unforgettable, even more so than a great hero. Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs truly is unforgettable. There’s something unsettling and strangely intriguing about the brilliant cannibal and his odd relationship with Clarice Starling, the FBI agent who goes to him for help in catching a serial killer. And that something freaks me out, but makes me love his character.

11) First time watching a movie in theaters?
The first move I have ever watched in theaters is Kicking & Screaming. Sure, looking back, it really was not a very good movie, but it was the experience of seeing a movie on that big screen that really stayed with me. While at a theater, you look up at the big screen and sink deeper into the story, allowing the movie to take you to a different world. On the other hand, when watching movies at home, you are still tethered to reality, unable to escape into the movie.

Also, theaters create a sense of community, a place where people gather together for the sole purpose of enjoying a movie. As the movie plays with our emotions, making us laugh or cry or scream, we share that with the people around us, and find ourselves being transported into the story together. Consequently, movie theaters bring people together, just as going to see Kicking & Screaming brought my family together. Heck, my dad still cracks “meat comes first” jokes that we all can’t help but laugh at.

12) Favorite movie theater snack?
Junior Mints and Icees are my go-to movie theater snacks. I’ve always been a fan of the combination of chocolate and mint, and Junior Mints bring it to a whole new level. Even Kramer from Seinfeld agreed with me when he said, “Who’s gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It’s chocolate; it’s peppermint; it’s delicious.” after Jerry stupidly refuses his offer of Junior Mints in episode 20 of season 4.

13) Movie character who inspires you the most?
Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service is one of the biggest inspirations in my life out of all people, real or fiction, dead or alive. It’s not really a surprise that one of Miyazaki’s legendary heroines has become my most inspiring movie character because all of his heroines are so strong, yet vulnerable and relatable. Kiki is no exception. Kiki has helped me tackle my insecurities and find my own inspiration, my own person. And Kiki’s Delivery Service came along at a time when I really needed it. I felt like I was going through the motions and not really putting any heart into anything I was doing. As a result, I felt lost, like I had no purpose and had lost so many of the things I had once been so passionate about. But Kiki, her beautiful spirit and the lessons she learns on her adventures as a young witch changed that, and has helped me become the person I am today. Cheesy I know, but Kiki has proved to me that movies and fictional characters can truly change someone’s life and perspective.

Congrats, dear reader! You have actually made it to the end. This was extremely long, I know. But next time, I’ll be getting back to my usual reviews, so don’t worry. Anyway, thanks for listening to me ramble.

That’ll do pig; that’ll do,

Christine