Brandon's Quiz

1. What is the most overrated film of the past 5 years and briefly explain why?

Sorry everyone, but Drive springs instantly to mind. I would agree with Jeff about Shame but did that film really get much respect? There was a lot of talk around it but don't think the reviews were ever very positive. 

2. What are your favorite 3 favorite television shows currently running?

-Treme
-Game of Thrones
-Louie

3. Name one film and television show you are ashamed to admit to liking?

Film: Liberal Arts (I've watched it 3 times)
TV: I used to watch and enjoy The Real World

4. What do you look for in a film writer?

Critical but also empathetic. 

5. Name a great director (in your opinion) who also has enough problems to make you wonder why you hold him/her in such high regard. 

I'm going to put Aronofsky here. I think he's great and have really enjoyed most of his films. However, there are certain criticisms that I can't disagree with. 

6. What is your favorite film era and why do you think this era speaks so much to you?

Current. It's the one I'm most familiar with. Although, there are a lot of great late 50's/60's films that I like. 

7. Name your favorite five working film critics.

Matt Zoller-Seitz
Glenn Kenny
Roger Ebert

I occasionally read the NYT's but don't really know if I could call either Scott or Dargis a favorite.

I like the guys on the Battleship Pretension podcast too.

8. Name your five least favorite.

...don't pay enough attention to answer this

9. Name a few directors whom you have liked in the past that you are worried about and briefly explain why.

Duncan Jones. Moon was great, Source Code was meh. 

10. What actor and actress would make you watch an otherwise uninteresting film?

Jena Malone. I love her. Seriously. 

11. What director would make you watch a film with an otherwise uninteresting plot and why?

Malick, von Trier, Rohmer, PTA, Wes Anderson...

The Place Beyond the Pines doesn't sound that interesting to me but I'm going to watch it because of what Cianfrance did with Blue Valentine. 

12. What film did you feel the most intimidated to like despite some heavy reservations (be honest here)?

I like Chris' answer of Uncle Boonmee. I'd also include The Tree of Life, Certified Copy, and anything by Ingmar Bergman.

13. What is your favorite documentary?

That's tough. Recently, Prodigal Sons, Alamar, The Oath, Examined Life, Bombay Beach

14. Billy Wilder or Preston Sturges?

Sturges

15. Jean Gabin or Humphrey Bogart?

Gabin

16. Director you want to like more than you honestly do.

Ingmar Bergman

17. 5 most anticipated films of 2013?

-Before Midnight
-To the Wonder
-Upstream Color
-Spring Breakers
-The Place Beyond the Pines

I need to get a little better informed on what's coming out this year. I've been behind.

18. What is your least favorite current sub-genre or film scene?

Slasher horror, stupid comedies, terrible romances...

19. Name your 5 favorite unheralded modern day directors in a critical sense.

Kelly Reichardt, even though she's starting to get some attention. 

Aaron Katz

I just watched two films directed by Karpovsky. They were pretty good and I'm interested in his career arc. 

20. What top 5 or 10 list would you most likely do in the near future if offered by a handsome member of Film Club?

Do we have any handsome members of Film Club?