January 10, 2008

Stages of a Cinephile: Ben

From Godzilla to Gas

Inspired by Scanners

1. Ages 4-8 The first film I remember seeing in a theater is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The first and last film I walk out of is Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Trips to Blockbuster Video usually result in me bringing home WWF Wrestling videos or Godzilla movies. I'm also quite fond of the Thundercats.

2. Ages 9-12 I discover my dad's old VHS copies of the Star Wars trilogy. The following two or three years of my life are spent doodling a character I invented named "Ben Vader" on all my homework (I still remember how to draw him). At age 11 I saw the films Bloodsport and No Retreat, No Surrender for the first time. "Movie Magic" on discovery channel is my favorite show, my dream job is working at Industrial Light and Magic, and my heroes include Darth Vader and Jean Claude Van Damme.

3. Ages 13-15 I fall under the impression that I'm smart and begin to develop a pretentious streak. In the process of seeking out more "serious" fare The Thin Red Line, Dr. Strangelove, Bladerunner, Taxi Driver and the Passion of Joan of Arc change my life. After meeting Lucid Screening's own Andrew in 7th grade, my love for film grows by leaps and bounds as I find someone to share and talk about movies with. I also get my first DVD player around this time. My first DVD is L.A. Confidential.

4. Ages 16-18 My first job is at a Hollywood Video. I work approximately four hours every other week. I don't need the money, I need the free rentals! My rental total grows at an astronomical rate. Now that I have a car, when I'm not watching DVDs I'm driving to art house theaters in Seattle. I also volunteer at the Seattle Film Festival. I watch a LOT of movies during this period of my life. Even though I work at a videostore I still sometimes go to Scarecrow Video to rent more hard-to-find items. One of my first trips to Scarecrow results in me putting down a $400 deposit so I can rent a VHS copy of The Garbage Pail Kids. Favorite filmmakers include David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Werner Herzog, and Terrence Malick. The Thin Red Line is my default favorite film when people ask me that dreaded question.

5. Ages 19-20 I start film school at NYU and am sorely disappointed by the tastes of my peers. The first movie I see in New York at a theater is High and Low at Film Forum. I get lost afterwards and have to take a cab back to my dorm. The most memorable film I'm introduced to in my first couple years of school is Hiroshima Mon Amour. A girl in one of my classes cries during Un Chien Andalou's infamous eyeball slicing scene. I think it's awesome. Even though I go all the time, I'm unimpressed by Kim's Video. While on a trip back home, a barista working at the espresso stand inside Scarecrow even disses them. Sophomore year I watch In The Mood for Love and No Retreat, No Surrender each at least twenty times. A series of Brian DePalma films and Jules and Jim lead to my getting together with my current girlfriend. I've fallen out of love with David Lynch by the end of my second year at school. Favorite filmmakers now also include Wong Kar Wai, Jean Luc Godard and Brian DePalma. George Washington is my default favorite film when people ask me that dreaded question.

6. Ages 21-24 I graduate from film school and get a job as a web developer so that I can afford to remain in New York City. In addition to working in the real world, I show my short film, Gas, at some festivals and work on some scripts on the side. This is also around the time when I start Lucid Screening with Andrew and Alex. In my last two years of school the film that made the greatest impression on me was probably The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal. I also realize as I rewatch the films I liked in high school that I still like them but for very different reasons. I realize that I wasn't as smart as I thought I was in high school or even in my first few years of college. In a couple years I'll most definitely realize that I'm not as smart now as I think I am. I haven't watched as many movies as I'd like to but I'm slowly improving that. In March 2007, my job sends me to Austin, TX for the Interactive Festival at SXSW. While there, I see a couple movies at the Alamo Drafthouse and instantly fall in love. In addition to making films, another dream of mine is to open a theater like that in Brooklyn. Favorite filmmakers now also include Robert Bresson and Michael Mann. In the Mood for Love is my default favorite film when people ask me that dreaded question. My most recent discovery is Max Ophuls whom I've come to adore (thank you BAM).