Sim1The psychology of film- An interview with myself
October 2nd 2010 17:02
Today, dear readers, we are discussing what makes us tick. When it comes to films, I mean. I am not interested in alternative sex practices, thank you ever so much.
Think about that one movie you have seen, over and over again, and you still love it....
I am not going to use the phrase ‘favourite movie’ because I hate that. You know those nonsense questions like ‘What is your favourite song?’ Well, I have over 3300 songs in my iTunes library and then around 4 times that again on CDs. I like them all, which is why I own them.
Anyway, don’t change the subject, this blog is about films!
So those movies you’ve seen more times than you care to admit...what is it about them?
For me, up there on the list of well-used DVDs is Dirty Dancing, Drop Dead Fred and Forrest Gump. But the one I would like to wax lyrical about today is the one and only ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’.
I must have been around 14 years of age, when a school friend of mine played me the soundtrack. At the time, I couldn’t really place it, associate it with anything, appreciate or do anything with it. Hell, we were supposed to like New Kids on the Block or Depeche Mode! But because my friend was raving about it so much, I was determined to see the film. And then, one dark evening at 23h on the German TV channel ZDF (equivalent to BBC2 in the UK and Channel7 in Oz), they showed it. Of course, what with school the next day and blah blah blah, Mum wouldn’t let me stay up to watch it. But my Dad taped it for me. Genius! Do you remember video tapes, dear readers?
I don’t recall my thoughts when I first saw it. I don’t recall my thoughts the 45 times I’ve seen it since. All I know is that I love it.
I have hosted Rocky Horror Picture Show film nights. Hell, even my little brother is hosting a Rocky-Horror-themed housewarming party next week! (Contact me for details)
I have seen the musical theatre performance in Germany, England and Australia, more times than I care to remember! I have given the DVD to a boyfriend as a present. (although, come to think about it, I may have taken it with me when we split up. Which might explain why I have two copies?)
So what is it, I ask you, dear readers? Why am I addicted to TRHPS as much as Forrest Gump is to Dr. Pepper? To find out, I interviewed myself:
Q: Do you think it’s any one particular actor or character in it?
A: Doubtful. I am not a crazy fan of any of the actors and as far as the characters go, I love them all!
Q: Maybe you like the fact it’s a musical?
A: I have always adored musicals, film and theatre versions alike. For example, I love Grease, and The Little Shop of Horrors and...erm....you know...The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so that may have something to do with it.
Q: Do you like the concept of it, maybe?
A: The concept? What do you mean: everyone go shag everyone else? I invented that concept, honey!
Q: Ok, perhaps you like sci-fi then?
A: Yeah, maybe. I am completely addicted to LOST, FlashForward and, most of all, FRINGE. But hello, this film was made in 1974, it’s not sci-fi, it’s nonsense.
Q: So what is it then?
A: It’s the whole nonsensicalness of it all! (Yes, ‘nonsensicalness’ is now a word). It’s so crazy and out there, I can’t help but like it. Like ‘Drop Dead Fred’ or ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. With a lot of films, you can imagine there being some grain of truth or reality in them. But a transvestite convention landing on Planet Earth? Well, that’s just awesome!
Q: You have seen this film many, many times now....are there still new elements you discover?
A: It only occured to me recently, ie the last time I watched it a couple of weeks ago: this is a spoof, innit?! of old horror movies. Hence the references to Frankenstein, Candyman, Fay Wray and King Kong, Charles Atlas....Don’t be alarmed though, it is a well documented fact that I adore watching movies, like a wide-eyed child, without understanding any of it. Yet, somehow there are still people who read this blog and to them, I tip my hat!
Anyway, dear readers, once again: thanks for reading and let’s do the Time Warp again and again.....Sim1 xxx
Think about that one movie you have seen, over and over again, and you still love it....
I am not going to use the phrase ‘favourite movie’ because I hate that. You know those nonsense questions like ‘What is your favourite song?’ Well, I have over 3300 songs in my iTunes library and then around 4 times that again on CDs. I like them all, which is why I own them.
Anyway, don’t change the subject, this blog is about films!
For me, up there on the list of well-used DVDs is Dirty Dancing, Drop Dead Fred and Forrest Gump. But the one I would like to wax lyrical about today is the one and only ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’.
I must have been around 14 years of age, when a school friend of mine played me the soundtrack. At the time, I couldn’t really place it, associate it with anything, appreciate or do anything with it. Hell, we were supposed to like New Kids on the Block or Depeche Mode! But because my friend was raving about it so much, I was determined to see the film. And then, one dark evening at 23h on the German TV channel ZDF (equivalent to BBC2 in the UK and Channel7 in Oz), they showed it. Of course, what with school the next day and blah blah blah, Mum wouldn’t let me stay up to watch it. But my Dad taped it for me. Genius! Do you remember video tapes, dear readers?
I don’t recall my thoughts when I first saw it. I don’t recall my thoughts the 45 times I’ve seen it since. All I know is that I love it.
I have hosted Rocky Horror Picture Show film nights. Hell, even my little brother is hosting a Rocky-Horror-themed housewarming party next week! (Contact me for details)
So what is it, I ask you, dear readers? Why am I addicted to TRHPS as much as Forrest Gump is to Dr. Pepper? To find out, I interviewed myself:
Q: Do you think it’s any one particular actor or character in it?
A: Doubtful. I am not a crazy fan of any of the actors and as far as the characters go, I love them all!
Q: Maybe you like the fact it’s a musical?
A: I have always adored musicals, film and theatre versions alike. For example, I love Grease, and The Little Shop of Horrors and...erm....you know...The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so that may have something to do with it.
Q: Do you like the concept of it, maybe?
A: The concept? What do you mean: everyone go shag everyone else? I invented that concept, honey!
Q: Ok, perhaps you like sci-fi then?
A: Yeah, maybe. I am completely addicted to LOST, FlashForward and, most of all, FRINGE. But hello, this film was made in 1974, it’s not sci-fi, it’s nonsense.
Q: So what is it then?
A: It’s the whole nonsensicalness of it all! (Yes, ‘nonsensicalness’ is now a word). It’s so crazy and out there, I can’t help but like it. Like ‘Drop Dead Fred’ or ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. With a lot of films, you can imagine there being some grain of truth or reality in them. But a transvestite convention landing on Planet Earth? Well, that’s just awesome!
Q: You have seen this film many, many times now....are there still new elements you discover?
A: It only occured to me recently, ie the last time I watched it a couple of weeks ago: this is a spoof, innit?! of old horror movies. Hence the references to Frankenstein, Candyman, Fay Wray and King Kong, Charles Atlas....Don’t be alarmed though, it is a well documented fact that I adore watching movies, like a wide-eyed child, without understanding any of it. Yet, somehow there are still people who read this blog and to them, I tip my hat!
Anyway, dear readers, once again: thanks for reading and let’s do the Time Warp again and again.....Sim1 xxx
| 68 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Anonymous