redblog

redblog Readers Who Rock: Donna

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...

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. 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. 

redblog Readers Who Rock: Matthew S

It's time once again to learn more about one of our most loyal redblog readers and frequent commenters -- this week Matthew S is at bat.  Matthew's love of film has led him to some pretty cool opportunities... read on for the details!

Name:  Matthew Sinclair

Posts as (username): Matthew S.

Age: 25

Location: San Antonio, TX

Occupation: Marketing consultant

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

I was in McDonald’s and I saw this red beacon of movies.  I had a free coupon for a rental from my large drink -- this was when redboxes were first popping up.  Since then, I’ve been pretty much hooked.  I have a series of redboxes near me, and always look online for the best location.  In the last 6 months where I only had one or two at a McDonald’s, I now have one at Walgreens and then at two different gas stations nearby.

 

All of our Readers Who Rock enjoy movies, but we could tell from the insightful comments you’ve left on the blog that you really have a passion for all things cinematic.  How did you come to love the world of film so much?

Since I was a young child (I say young because I’m still a child at heart) I’ve always loved movies.  As I went through school I found theatre and fell in love with it, too, starting with my 7th grade drama teacher, Ms. Guise.  I studied it for the next ten years and went to college at Texas State University-San Marcos for directing, doing both theatre and film, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with additional Honors for writing a screenplay as my undergrad thesis.  As the years have come and gone, I’ve always enjoyed getting wrapped up in movies.  And I tell people to go see a movie to enjoy it, because it is entertainment, and if we set up unrealistic expectations, well, we’re always going to be disappointed.

 
When redbox contacted you to be interviewed, we found out that in addition to just loving movies, you have experience not only reviewing them, but also appearing in some short films. Do give us the details!

In the reviewing side, I’m know as Matthew the Movie Geek on 99.5 KISS in San Antonio. It started as just a personal review on Zombieland, which was read on the air, and the DJ asked me to fill in for her during her two-week vacation. After she came back, they asked me to continue, and so Fridays at 7:50am CST I am on the air doing movie reviews. You can download the podcast at kissrocks.com and click on the Lisle & Hahn Morning Show link. And as for acting, I just got finished doing a short film for a friend of mine, and am working on a web series for my work, which I can’t give any details unfortunately because it hasn’t gone live yet and we’re keeping it under wraps until it launches, sorry!

redblog Readers Who Rock: Kristyn C (aka: *kristYn from CALI*)

Here we are with another installment of redblog Readers Who Rock... today we are pumped to introduce a frequent commenter who always makes us smile:

Name: Kristyn C.

Posts as (username): *kristYn from CALI*

Age: 23

Location: California  :)

Occupation: Seller of toys at Geppetto’s

First off, we were seriously prepared for you to say that you're from, like, Idaho, and had been faking us all out with your username this entire time.  But we should've known from your always-sunny disposition that you truly are a California girl.  So tell us, when did you start using redbox, and how did you find out about us?

I am a follower of Erika from her other blog (Long Live Locke) and love her writing. From that blog, I followed her onto here and learned about redbox. Once I realized how silly it was to be paying $4 + for a movie, or waiting days for my movie to arrive in the mail, I switched over. I haven’t been in a video store since! Oh, did I mention how awesome it is that you can reserve the movie you want online? Genius!

A "follower of Erika"?  Hmm, we can think of nothing scarier.  We better look into that -- don't want to be employing some sort of cult leader.  But, make no mistake, we're glad she helped you find us!  Speaking of finding our wonderful service, how close is the redbox you usually go to?

It’s about an exit away from where I work inside of Albertsons. It’s also very conveniently located next to a frozen yogurt place!

Truth: No one can resist the fro-yo.  You've figured out a key aspect of redbox kiosk-placement strategery!  Before you reveal any more of our company secrets, let's kick off the fun questions with one that always yields an interesting answer: what five movies would you want on a deserted island (deserted... except for a TV and a DVD player and one electrical outlet)?

This question reminds me of Lost (deserted… except for a couple of Dharma stations and a smoke monster, no big deal)! I figure if I’m stuck on a deserted island with the possible threat of Smokey, I need a whole lot of comedy!

Okay, first and foremost, The Princess Bride…  I love this movie… Bad day? Sick? I’ll put it on. Awesome, kick-butt day? It’s on. Feeling the need to be reassured true love exists? Yup, you guessed it, I’ll be watching it. I have seen this movie well over 100 times, and yet, there always seems to be something funny that I overlooked the previous 99+ times I watched it. For those who have seen it as many times as me, the last time I saw this movie (3 days ago, haha), I was thoroughly entertained by the “Anybody want a peanut?” line spoken by Fezzik. :)

The Wedding Singer: One of my favorite rom-coms ever... Love the '80s music and the presence of Billy Idol makes it even better!

Airplane!: I think I may quote this movie more than any other movie… “Surely, you can’t be serious?” …”I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley”…Comedy at its finest!

Legally Blonde: Gotta love a girl with a kick-butt attitude! Pretty, smart, and she loves pink! We would totally be BFF's  ;)

Hairspray: I love the cast, the singing, and of course, the dancing! Plus, the special features on the DVD are pretty awesome (you can learn some of the dances, yessss)! It was either this or HSM!

Any movie you particularly despise?

Surprisingly, no… Even movies that I’m not particularly fond of, something about them keeps me from hating them completely.

redblog Readers Who Rock: Jason (aka "Fiirvoen")

Today I am très excited to introduce one of our most loyal redblog readers, commenters and Threes players: Jason/Fiirvoen.

Read on to learn the story behind his most unusual handle...

Name: Jason Clark

Posts as (username): I started out posting as Jason, but then switched to the handle I’ve been using online for the last several years: Fiirvoen. It’s actually Five Iron with the words spaced out and superimposed over each other. F, i, I, r, V, o, E, n. Five Iron Frenzy was my favorite band when I made it up my freshman year of college.

Age: 24

Location: Broken Arrow, OK (Just outside Tulsa)

Occupation: I work for a Tulsa-based website company as a content writer.

When did you start using redbox, and how did you find out about us?

My wife and I first discovered redbox at a Mickey D’s on the way to Chicago. A week later, they were appearing in Tulsa, and we LOVE them!

How close is the redbox you usually go to?

There are at least 4 that we use regularly, all within about three miles of our house. The closest is less than half a mile away.

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

The Princess Bride

Sgt. Bilko (for nostalgic reasons)

Castaway (for practical purposes)

The Fifth Element

#5 is a tie between Ocean’s Twelve and Spirited Away

... Or maybe Dune (the ‘84 version, because it has Picard in it, and to spite Locke)

What joy is there in life, if one is not able to spite Locke on a near-daily basis?  I kid, I kid.  (Or do I?)  Any movie you particularly despise?

Pauly Shore is Dead. I feel that it was a shameless attempt at being clever and it failed miserably. I only wish he had included some kind of disclaimer like at the beginning of The Libertine.  “You will hate me before this story is over…I mean more than you do now.”

You know what?  I bet Locke would second that one.  See?  We CAN all agree on something!  Let's move on to your favorite actor -- who is it?

Maybe Paul Bettany… or Alan Tudyk. That’s really a tough question to answer. I’m not really a “single most favorite” kind of guy. I’ve liked Brad Pitt in everything I’ve ever seen him in…

And your favorite actress?

Well, when I was a hormone-driven teenager, it was Milla Jovovich. But after seeing a few of the Resident Evil films and laughing my way through the awfulness of Ultraviolet, I can’t say that she is with a straight face anymore. I like Amy Adams quite a bit. I also think Jewel Staite from Serenity is highly underrated. I would love to see more of her on the big screen. I’ve always been partial to Zooey Deschanel despite her typecasting.

redblog Readers Who Rock: Mindy E

Gather 'round, everyone -- time to meet another fellow redblog reader who has a lot to say about movies (check her out below, gettin' fancy at her Oscar party). 

Clap your hands and stomp your feet for...

Name: Mindy Erickson

Posts as (username):  Mindy

Age: 30

Location: Seattle, Washington

Occupation: Boss Lady at a downtown Seattle restaurant….aka Babysitter of 20-Something Adults.

 

When did you start using redbox, how did you find out about us, and how close is the kiosk you rent from?

I started using redbox after Erika started writing for redblog -- I found out about it from her other blogs.  Yup, that was a shout-out!  The redbox I go to is four blocks from my place of work.

I'm glad I could do my part to spread the word about redbox (and hopefully save you money in the process). Now, onto the fun questions... what five movies would you want on a deserted island (deserted... except for a TV, DVD player and one electrical outlet)? 

I chose all movies that I could watch every single day, and it was surprisingly difficult to narrow down.  In no particular order:

Moulin Rouge, probably my favorite movie ever.  I love every second of this movie and if I was stuck on an island I wouldn’t mind learning all of the dance routines in this flick just to pass the time away.  Some say Nicole Kidman was overacting, I say that was the character. 

Xanadu, I heart Olivia Newton-John.  As a child, I refused to take off my roller skates and flouncy skirts and wore my hair back in streamer barrettes nearly every day.  I also believed that she was the model for all of my Barbie dolls.  No joke.

Gone with the Wind, I have lots of free time on my deserted island, so I won’t have any problem spending four hours with Rhett and Scarlett. 

Almost Famous, I love Cameron Crowe!  And I love this movie! 

Untamed Heart, because I would bring Caroline’s Minnesota accent to the island. 

Another Xanadu fan, yay!  I also like Gone with the Wind and Moulin Rouge -- I even have a still of Nicole and Ewan singing "Come What May" on my infamous movie collage in my condo.  Next I need to know: who’s your favorite actor and why?

I like John Cusack a lot.  He’s good in serious roles, and comedic roles.  Say Anything, Better Off Dead, Gross Pointe Blank, Runaway Jury, even Serendipity.  Yup, I like him.    

Well I guess you'll be seeing 2012 next week no matter what, then, huh? And your favorite actress?

I love Jennifer Aniston because I just want to be her BFF.  I can’t help it.  Friends is my all time favorite-ist show EVER and I loved her in it.  I love every movie she does, no matter how bad.  OK, I didn’t like Derailed (dumb!) but everything else, including Picture Perfect – LOVE! I will see anything with her in it.

redblog Readers Who Rock: Nick W

It's Thursday, which means we're all ready to meet another redblog Reader Who Rocks. This week it is my great pleasure to present:

Name: Nick Weisenberger

Posts as (username): Nick

Age: 23

Location: Farmington, Michigan

Occupation: Mechanical Engineer

When did you start using redbox, and how did you find out about us?

I went on a weekend trip with my girlfriend, Sarah, in Indianapolis last spring. We went to a McDonald's next to our hotel to get a snack. While enjoying our delicious ice cream treat, we noticed this big, candy-red machine beckoning to us. Upon further investigation, we discovered you could rent a DVD for only a buck a night and decided to give it a shot. I have been renting DVDs from redbox ever since.

I'll have to report to our engineers that the Advanced Beckoning Features on our kiosks are working as designed. Now that you're back home in Michigan, how close is the redbox you usually go to?

The redbox I usually go to is nestled inside of a Kroger grocery store about a half-mile from my residence. Lately, however, I have had to take a six mile detour because of construction and a mysteriously missing bridge. That hasn’t stopped me from renting movies!

I'm originally from the Great Lake State, and your talk of nonsensical construction brings back such fond memories.  Let's now travel in our minds to a fantastical place where there is no construction because there are no roads: what five movies would you want on a deserted island that somehow still offered the ability to play DVDs even though there was no apparent electrical source?

Castaway, so I could figure out how to get off the island! Just kidding. The five movies I would choose are: Braveheart, Rudy, Dodgeball, Silence of the Lambs, and The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. We’ve got a little bit of everything: historical epic, sports movie, comedy, suspenseful horror/thriller, and fantasy.

Yes, that's quite the mix.  What kind of films would you definitely not want to be stuck with?

With the exception of The Dark Knight, I am not a huge fan of comic book adaptations.. I just think they are cheesy and too similar. I prefer more realistic movies, unless they are so over-the-top they are funny. I dislike movies that rely too heavily on computer graphics. I’d rather watching something like Jaws over Transformers. I prefer the corniness of the original Star Wars and Indiana Jones to the latest ones. Story is the most important ingredient to any film.

I don't think you're the only one who feels that way about the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.  In fact, I'm pretty sure you've got at least two entire generations behind you on that one, if not more! So we know that you're not loving all of the recent comic book-based movies, but is there a certain genre that you seem to be drawn to more than others?

I’m really into the historical epics like Braveheart, The Patriot and Gladiator. I like the strategizing that goes into each battle and the choreography of the fight scenes. I especially love Braveheart because of the lack of CGI. The huge battle scenes are all done with real people in costumes.

redblog Readers who Rock: Julie L (aka: "Joules")

Time to introduce another one of your fellow redblog readers!

Give it up for...

Name: Julie Lichtman

Posts as (username): joules

Age: 40

Location: Maryland

Occupation: Marketing  

When did you start using redbox, and how did you find out about us? 

Many of the local supermarkets have a redbox, and I have been renting from redbox for about a year.  

How close is the redbox you usually go to?

A few blocks away from my house.  

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

The Princess Bride, City of Angels, Big, Say Anything, When Harry Met Sally, Blazing Saddles (I know that's seven, but I narrowed it down from a dozen.)  

Yes, I know it's tough to think about the prospect of only watching five movies for the rest of your life!  I see you have some familiar titles in there that other Readers Who Rock (and myself) love, like The Princess Bride.  Are there any movies you'd never want with you on a deserted island?

Dumb and Dumber and The Ring are possibly the two worst movies I've ever watched, and I still can't believe I didn't change the channel during either one.  I hate all slasher/ gorefest films.  I think it's horrible that movies all about gratuitous violence are so popular these days. The three later Star Wars movies were so bad I was embarrassed for the actors.  I'm not big on low-brow comedy - any movie targeted toward hormone-ridden adolescent boys or a movie full of gross-out humor or slapstick is a movie I'd rather not see.  

I have to say that I agree with absolutely everything you said above, though there are definitely a lot of people who list Dumb and Dumber among their favorite movies.  I think it's just one of those films where you either love it or you hate it, there's no in between.  Anyway, what about your favorite actor -- who is it and why?

I don't know if have a favorite actor, but I would see John Cusack in just about any movie.  He disappears into his characters.  Robin Williams is an amazing actor when he's acting, not just phoning it in for a paycheck.  Johnny Depp is never boring -- he plays such different characters from one movie to the next.

redblog Readers Who Rock: Clint M

Time to shine the spotlight on another one of our awesome redblog readers... today we have:

Name: Clint Miller

Posts as (username): Clint M

Age: 29

Location: Chanhassen, MN (recently voted 2nd best place to live by Money Magazine)

Occupation: CD/DVD Printing and Duplication

Hello, Clint!  Thanks for taking the time to chat with us.  So first off, tell us when you started using redbox, and how you found out about us.

Probably about a year ago. I started noticing the redboxes in McDonald's and grocery stores.

How close is the redbox you usually go to?

It's a one-minute walk.

Wow, lucky you!  What five movies would you want on a deserted island (deserted... except for a TV and a DVD player and one electrical outlet)?

1. O, Brother Where Art Thou? Probably my favorite movie of all time.

2. Dumb and Dumber -  Always good for a laugh, which I'd probably need on a deserted island.

3. Fargo - Also hilarious and very well done, plus it would remind me of home.

4. Snatch - Great action and interesting characters

5. Best in Show - All right, I want some more laughs.

Believe it or not, I've just never been a fan of Fargo.  It actually scared me more than anything -- you know what scene I'm talkin' 'bout!  On that note, let's switch gears... is there any movie you particularly despise?

I have always despised Armageddon. I have also never liked movies where the main character is fireballs, such as Transformers and other blow-em-up movies.

Who’s your favorite actor?

It's a toss up between Anthony Hopkins and George Clooney. They both have the ability to make any movie great.

And your favorite actress?

Parker Posey.

I think she's great in all the Christopher Guest movies and any other role she's been in.

redblog Readers Who Rock: Tish A (aka "Millar74")

It's that time again! Time to celebrate another loyal redblog reader and redbox user. Today I'm really excited to be able to put a name and face with one of our most formidable Threes champions: Millar74.  Yes, this is the woman who's been beating almost all of you to the punch over the months with her movie trivia (or Googling) skillz.

Here she is, posing with some swag from her goodie bag!

Name: Tish Acey

Posts as (username): millar74

Age: Old enough

Location: Nashville, TN

Occupation: Analyst

When did you start using redbox, and how did you find out about us?

I started using redbox about a year ago.  Used to be nothing for my friends and me to go out and see a movie or two every week at the theater.  But prices have gone up and wallets have gotten tighter. I saw these machines at all of the McDonald's restaurants and thought it was kind of silly.  Not anymore.  I’ve been renting redbox ever since and haven’t looked back. On a related note, I found redblog because I read Erika's Long Live Locke blog and saw a link to it.  I needed something to read over the summer.  Clicked the link and found movie goodness. Thanks, Erika!

Glad I could be of service!  So how close is the redbox you usually go to?

Well, that depends. If I’m at work and decide it’s a good night for a movie, I just go across the street to the Harris Teeter.  [That's a grocery chain in the south.]  If I’m at home, I go about a ¼ mile up the street to McDonald's for a movie AND dinner.

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

The Lion King – That opening sequence gets me every time. It took my breath away. The music, the animation and James Earl Jones.  Need I say more?

Pulp Fiction – I love Quentin Tarantino. I have to admit I’m late to the game. When this movie came out I was going through a phase of not watching R-rated movies. So I didn’t see it until 2000. Boy, did I miss out.  Tarantino’s dialogue and delivery are amazing. I seriously had a hard time choosing between this one and Kill Bill (I count Volumes 1 and 2 as one movie). But I’ll have to take Samuel Jackson quoting scripture over Beatrix Kiddo.

When Harry Met Sally – This is my comedy selection. From the car ride to New York after college, the wagon wheel that she will never want and the deli scene with the much loved phrase “I’ll have what she’s having,” you just can’t go wrong.

Sense and Sensibility – This is my sappy girl movie. It makes me sniffle every time. From Emma Thompson’s Ms. Dashwood having stoic resolve to keep her heart silent, to Kate Winslet’s Marianne who throws caution to wind only to be taught humility, it has everything a girl needs.  Not to mention Alan Rickman and Hugh Laurie (albeit a small part).

Titanic – OK, I needed another chick flick. But a lot of people die in it so it’s not so girly. I know everybody got sick of Celine Dion, but I just love the music from this movie and the love story spoke to me. Even though you know what’s gonna happen you still take the journey with them to see if her heart will go on.

[Check out Tish's dramatic reenactment of a scene from Titanic in the pic above!]

redblog Readers Who Rock: Eric B (aka "ejb")

Time to introduce another redblog Reader Who Rocks!  If you missed our past installments, you can find them all here. But today, we move on to...

Name: Eric Belair

Posts as (username): ejb

Age: 30

Location: Stratford, CT (about one hour outside NYC)

Occupation: Website Programmer

When did you start using redbox, and how did you find out about us?

I started using redbox a couple of years ago. I was over at my friend's house for dinner, and he came home excited that there was this new kiosk at the local Super Stop & Shop where you can rent movies for $1 a day. I rented my next movie from redbox a couple days later.

How close is the redbox you usually go to?

I use a couple different redbox kiosks - one is about one mile from my office, the other three are in my town within 5-10 minutes away.

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

Five is way too few, but here we go....

The Matrix- My favorite movie of all time. I could watch it over and over....

Anchorman - To make me laugh. This by far the funniest movie ever made.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory - If I'm ever flipping through the channels and see that this movie is on, I ALWAYS put it on and watch it to the end.

The Godfather - Amazing movie, and it's wicked long, so I'd get the most bang for my buck.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - One of my all-time favorite movies, from one of my all-time favorite directors - Michel Gondry is pure genius.

Those are some good picks!  I'm the same way with the original Willy Wonka -- I can't ignore it if I come across it on TV.  Any movies you particularly despise?

I have a few: 13 Going on 30, Bride Wars, Legally Blonde, Legally Blonde 2 -- oddly enough, these are some of my fiancee's favorites... go figure.