redblog

We're back with another one of our favorite members of the redblog community — Rebecca! She's got a lot to say about what she wants out of her movie-watching experience, and here's a hint: it involves more George Clooney and less Nic Cage, thank you very much.

Name:  Rebecca C.

Posts as (username):  Rebecca

Age:  Um, no.

Location:  Suburb of Kansas City

Occupation:  Higher education administration

Hello there, Rebecca! Thanks for talking with us today.  Let's start with you telling us how you find out
about redbox?

The first two times I saw a redbox were last year at two
different McDonald’s. But I never rented from one because I didn’t understand
what redbox was. When Erika, whose blogs Long Live Locke and According to e I
love to read, said she was going to start writing for redblog, I started to
read her redblog posts. But I didn’t rent my first movie from redbox until a
couple months ago. The closest redbox to me is at a grocery store about a mile
and a half from my apartment. I alternate between there and another at a
Walmart about three miles from my apartment.

We're glad to hear we've reeled in another customer.  But we know that there are some types of movies that film-lovers prefer to see on the big screen — where do you stand on that?  Are there certain types of movies that you'd rather see in a theater versus on DVD at home?

I prefer to see a heavy-on-the-special-effects movie on the
big screen, since much of the effects get lost on my tiny screen at home. And
since I’m a crier during sad movies and never manage to cry prettily, I prefer
to see sad movies at home.

Who is a pretty crier, right?  We're with you on the "would rather not be a blubbering mess in public" sentiment.  When you head out to the cineplex, do you prefer a packed theater or a nearly empty one, or does that depend on
the movie?

For a comedy, I prefer a packed theater. The laughter of the
crowd really can add to my enjoyment of a movie. (Rat Race was awesome to see in the theater! But my apologies to
you if you were the woman sitting next to me and had to hug your
husband’s/date’s arm to avoid my convulsions of laughter.) For other types of
movies, it doesn’t matter as much.

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

I guess it would depend on the type of movie I’m watching,
since I like many different genres. I hope to be entertained, educated, or
inspired. But I absolutely don’t want to be scared because I hate horror movies
and almost always have nightmares after watching them and thrillers.

Have you ever run into any movie stars in the past? 

Several years ago I worked as a server at a Kansas City-area
restaurant. One of the restaurant managers kept staring at one of the customers
in my section because he knew her but couldn’t place her. Once I delivered her
meal to her and she started to eat, he immediately remembered her as one of the
pregnant women at Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion. How unfortunate for her that, despite having acted
in many different movie and TV roles, she was best remembered (by him, at least,
for I had no idea who she was) for how she chewed her food!

That is too funny.  Well, she's gotta be one of the women in the still above, we would think.  OK, on to the big question: What five movies would you want with you on a deserted island (deserted… except for a
TV and a DVD player and one electrical outlet)?

There are some distinct eras and genres of film that I like.
So I would have to choose one to represent each.

1) To represent my generation, I must choose one of the best
movies from that decade… Howard the Duck.
Just kidding, just kidding. The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day
Off, and Sixteen Candles are my favorite ‘80s-era movies; and choosing just
one of them is difficult. But if I were to bring only one Brat Pack(ish) DVD
with me, I’d choose (with much foot-stomping and whining for having to leave
behind the other two) The Breakfast Club. I love that its message of teen angst regardless of socioeconomic
status or popularity applies to multiple generations.

2) I love a really good rom-com. But most rom-coms these days
have ridiculous storylines and/or seem to be made by the writers’, directors’,
and actors’ woefully untalented doppelgängers. Never Been Kissed is my favorite rom-com; and I watch it at least once
a year. But I’d choose to take The Notebook over NBK
because it’s such a great romantic-drama. I love it not only for the story of
how a young couple meets and falls in love but also for the story of how their love
and commitment last through their old age.

3) The World War II movie is another type that I enjoy,
probably because, like Tom Brokaw, I have a lot of respect for the men and
women of that generation (and because the world destroyed the twisted dreams of
the baddest of all baddies, of course). I liked The Pianist a lot. (But I refuse to choose it on principle.) And
I’m ashamed that I haven’t seen one of the best films for this era, Schindler’s
List. Had I seen it, my choice might be
different. But Saving Private Ryan’s
storyline, acting, cinematography, score, directing, etc. make this excellent
movie my choice.

4) Heist/Caper movies are so much fun! And some really great
classics have been made that I need to see one day, such as The Sting. So while it’s probably not the best heist/caper
movie, I admit, I have to choose Ocean’s Eleven, for it does a decent job at representing this genre;
it stars my man George; and the rest of the cast also does a great job at
acting well and looking good while doing it.

5) I’m a sucker for any inspirational movie. And if it’s based
on a true story about an underdog sports team or athlete, then it’s even
better. Who doesn’t love Rudy, The
Rookie, or Miracle? But Remember the Titans is my favorite inspiring sports movie. I love the underdog
sports aspect of the movie, of course. But the true story of racial
reconciliation is what makes the movie so good. Added bonus: Denzel Washington!

Wow, that might be the most well-thought-out answer we've ever gotten! I think if you ended up on a desert island you would be just fine.  Now, I think you gave it away above, but I still have to ask for your official answer: Who’s your favorite
actor?

I am so glad you asked! Without a doubt, that would be the
fantastic Mr. Fox himself, George Clooney. He had me at, “You take the good. You take the bad. You take
them both, and there you have The Facts of Life.” Then he lost me during Roseanne. (What was with that hair?!) But he got me back for Sisters. And I’ll never give up on him after ER. Need I say more? Nevertheless, I will! I like his
range in the roles he chooses, his self-effacing humor (his performances in the
Coen Brothers’ movies are too funny), his social activism…. I could go on; but
I’ll control myself.

We appreciate your self-control.  How about your favorite
actress?

Picking a favorite actress is more challenging. Although
I’ve not seen all her work, I’ve not disliked anything of Meryl Streep’s that I’ve
seen, including Death Becomes Her. Reese
Witherspoon is wonderful in almost everything she’s done. (Legally
Blonde 2 was an unfortunate decision,
though, as Four Christmases also
appeared to have been.) And Rachel McAdams makes enjoyable movies as well. 

Any actors/actresses you can’t
stand?

There aren’t any actors/actresses I can’t stand per se, but there are some who have worked prolifically yet
have made only one or two movies that I enjoy. Most of the Frat Pack actors fit
this category quite well. Oh, wait. I just remembered that I don’t care for Nicholas
Cage as an actor. His voice, his hair, and his acting always distract me to the
point that I’m focused on him rather than the movie. Then there are good actors
whom I don’t like for personal reasons; but I’ll refrain from listing them lest
you judge me for judging them

We know Erika's heart is breaking that you have disparaged her man Nic Cage — AND HIS HAIR. We better move on, and quickly. What are your favorite movie soundtracks?

I have had just a few soundtracks through the years, all
from rom-coms: Pretty Woman, Sleepless in Seattle, French Kiss, Hope
Floats, and Bridget Jones’s Diary. My favorite soundtrack is from Sleepless
in Seattle because it’s got such classic or
classic-sounding music.

Here's another one of our favorite questions: If you could live in any movie, meaning that the people, places and events
in the movie became your reality, what movie would you choose?

Ocean’s Twelve, while
not my favorite of the Ocean’s
trilogy, would be such a fun movie to live in. You’ve got the guys, the
European setting, the heist, the BoSox-Yankees train brawl… While the movie is
a little underwhelming (and the Tess-looks-like-Julia-Roberts plot point and
the homage-to-Catherine-Zeta-Jones-in-Entrapment-à-la-capoeira
laser dance are silly), it looks like it was so much fun to make!

If you could be any character in a movie, who would you be?

If J.J. Abrams were to make an Alias movie, I’d want to be Sydney Bristow. She’s smart,
fearless, dangerous, and always manages to look great while doing all matters
of espionage. (That pink wig she wore in season one rocked! And I’ve always
wanted pink hair.) But since that’s extremely unlikely, I would like to be Hermione
Granger. She’s smart, courageous, and loyal (and probably could give herself magically
awesome pink hair).

Yes, yes, we would imagine that Hermione could rock whatever kind of hair she wanted to.  OK, we're nearing the end here.  Tell us some of your favorite movie quotes.

“PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS. Itty-bitty
living space.” – Aladdin (As a
former residence hall director, I had none of the former and a lot of the
latter.)

“Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?”
– Rush Hour

“I don’t like my job and I don’t think I’m gonna go
anymore.” – Office Space

“Please describe your perfect date.” “That's a tough one. I
would have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot. Not too cold. All you
need is a light jacket.” – Miss Congeniality

“…I seriously believe that you should rethink the length of
your sideburns.” – Bridget Jones’s Diary

“I’m disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means ‘no.’”
– The Pirates of the
Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Those are some great lines, indeed.  Let's take a look back for a second — what’s the best film you saw in 2009?

I’m somewhat choosy about what I see. So I’ve not seen many
2009 releases. But I really enjoyed Julie & Julia. I’ve already expressed my fondness for Meryl
Streep. Stanley Tucci is my favorite supporting/character actor. (I’ve loved
him since he was Muerte in Undercover Blues.) And Amy Adams also is sure to enter my favorite
actresses list after I see her three movies of 2008.

Will you be watching any award shows like the Golden Globes or Oscars early
next year?  If so, do you get
really into award shows or not?

I always find awards shows to be boring and self-important.
However, I tried to watch last year’s Academy Awards because Hugh Jackman is
pretty fantastic. But not even he was a big enough enticement to keep me tuned
in to the Oscars.

And finally… what upcoming movie are you excited for?

I’m really looking forward to Alice in Wonderland.

That has definitely been a popular answer! Rebecca, thanks so much for your thoughtful responses, for taking the time to chat with us, and most of all, for being a redbox customer and a Reader Who Rocks.

Miss a past interview? Check out our discussions with all of our Readers Who Rock here. We'll return next Thursday to add another person to the group!