redblog Readers Who Rock: Donna

by Erika Olson | Nov 19th, 2009 | 8:00AM | Filed under: Readers Who Rock

Yes, dear redblog readers, today we are talking with THAT Donna. The Donna who, along with Millar74, has dominated our Threes challenges for as long as we can remember. The Donna who won a free DVD rental per week for a year in redbox's Facebook Photo contest. The Donna who handily snagged herself a swag bag during our September Month o' Contests With Actual Prizes. 

So sit back, relax, and prepare to meet the movie trivia whiz that is…

Donna_redbox1

Name: Donna G.


Posts as (username): Donna


Age: 41


Location: Oak Creek, WI


Occupation: Teacher

When did you start using redbox, how did you find out about us, and how close is the redbox you usually go to?

I started using redbox about a year ago, when there were free codes every Monday. I had heard about redbox online and when one appeared in my local grocery store, I was hooked. My nearest redbox is about a mile from home.


Are there certain types of movies that you prefer to see in the theater… and along those same lines, are there certain types of movies that you prefer to watch at home?

I’m cheap and watch most of my movies at home on DVD (from redbox, of course). But there are some movies that need to be seen on the big screen (big, epic, action movies for instance) and then I’ll go to the theater. Paranormal_activity_02 Although I do like to see scary movies at home where I can watch it in bed and pull the covers up over my eyes.


Do you prefer a packed theater or a nearly empty one, or does that depend on the movie? 

It depends on the movie. I finally went to see Paranormal Activity the other day and there were only like 5 other people in the whole theater and I was there alone. I didn’t find it scary in the least, but it might have been different with a packed theater. Action movies need a full theater. Sad or dramatic movies are better in an empty theater where I can cry in privacy. 


What kind of experience do you like or hope to have when you watch a movie?

I think it depends on what type of movie it is. I like a comedy to make me laugh. I like a scary movie make me hide behind my hands. I like an action movie to thrill me. I like a romantic movie to make me cry. Basically, I like movies to live up to my standards. If a movie doesn’t entertain me, it’s not worth my time.


Chewbacca Have you ever run into any movie stars?

It was probably around 1979 and I remember waiting in line to see the “real” Chewbacca, Darth Vader and one of the Stormtroopers at Toys R Us. Other than that I haven’t met any movie stars. But I was one of the thousands of extras in the stands when they filmed Major League in Milwaukee.

I have, however, visited some movie sites. Shortly after the movie came out, I visited the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa. A house, a ball field and a bunch of corn, just like in the movie. Last summer, I dragged my family to Cleveland, Ohio to visit the Christmas Story house. It was a great experience that I strongly recommend for any fan of the movie.


What five movies would you want on a deserted island (deserted… except for a TV and a DVD player and one electrical outlet)?

Only 5!?! Not just five from each category?
I love comedies. I would have to take Young Frankenstein, Office Space, and A Christmas Story. I would also take my two favorite Cary Grant movies: Charade and North by Northwest.


Who’s your favorite actor?

Cary Grant has to be my all-time favorite actor. He was handsome, funny and suave. I can’t think of any current actors that can match him.


Charde-poster And your favorite actress?

I really like Audrey Hepburn because she was just so real. Put her together with Cary Grant in Charade and I’m happy.


Any actors or actresses you can’t stand? 

Adam Sandler and Renee Zellweger just really bug me.


Have you ever waited in line for hours for a movie?

I simply don’t have the time or patience to wait in line for hours to watch the same movie that I’ll be able to see without the crowds in a few weeks. I am, however, patient enough (or maybe the word is “cheap”) that I’ll see a movie trailer and think to myself, “I’ll have to get that from redbox when it comes out on DVD.”


That is indeed patient.  Now, even though we know you wouldn't have waited in line for hours beforehand, have you ever attended a midnight screening of a movie? 

The only midnight movie screening I’ve been to was Jurassic Park at its midnight premiere. The theater was packed and the reaction to Spielberg’s dinosaurs was amazing.


Ah, that would definitely be a fun one to see in the wee hours.  Speaking of fun, what are some of your favorite movie quotes?

I always seem to pick the obscure lines that I find funny but nobody else seems to get. My favorite is: “You used up all the glue ON PURPOSE!” from A Christmas Story. (If I’m having a fight with my husband, I can yell that at him and it immediately makes us laugh instead.)


Donna_redbox2 I'll have to try that trick sometime with my husband!  What’s the best film you’ve seen to date in 2009?

I’m surprising myself to say this, but I really enjoyed Star Trek.  I’m not a big Trekkie by any means, but it was really a good film. I guess I mostly liked the references to the old series and the origins of the characters. My dad watched Star Trek all the time when I was growing up and I guess it stuck with me.


Well, I'd never watched so much as one episode of the Star Trek TV series and I loved this summer's reboot as well.  Looking ahead, will you be watching any award shows like the Golden Globes or Oscars early next year? 

I don’t really get into the award shows. I will probably watch the Oscars just to see Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin host.


Is there any upcoming movie you’re really excited to check out?

I want to see The Box, but don’t be surprised if I wait for it to come to redbox!


And finally, since we know from all your Threes wins that you're great with movie trivia, can you take a moment and tell us about the web site you run that organizes a very unique type of movie trivia?

Certainly.  My biggest film-related passion
is my compiling of a list of movies that show the World Trade Center in
them. After 9/11, a lot of people wanted to take those images out of
old movies. Out of curiosity, I started creating a list of movies I
knew of that had the towers in them. After digging deeper I found more
and more and more!  Nearly ten years after 9/11, I now have the most
extensive list available on the Web. My site has been online for almost
six years and is slowly approaching 600 movies in the list. I also have
screenshots of nearly every movie, video clips with commentary, and
posters.  If anyone is interested in checking it out, you can do so here


Wow, Donna, that is quite an undertaking, but we are sure there are tons of people out there who appreciate your efforts.  We love hearing about redbox fans' movie-related passions, so thank you for sharing a bit about your WTC in Movies site with us.  And thank you for being one of our Readers Who Rock, as well!  Keep on keepin' on with your Threes victories!

Want to learn about some of our other Readers Who Rock?  Check out all of our past interviews here.


3 Responses to “redblog Readers Who Rock: Donna”

  1. Matthew S.
    Posted on November 19, 2009 at 9:04 am

    Very good interview, now I understand my competition ;-).
    But in all seriousness, your website is fantastic and I think something that is very, very necessary. Thank you.

  2. millar74
    Posted on November 19, 2009 at 10:15 am

    great post. nice to finally put a face to the name. will definitely go and check out your website.

  3. moviegoer123
    Posted on November 22, 2009 at 11:40 am

    Very interesting. I will read it when I’m bored and I have nothing to do. I’ll be reading this post soon on top all the lastest posts from Redbox! :)

Post a comment

Comments are moderated and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Your Information: