ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

since we're doing "ask me" threads, why the hell not? i'll be on a plane most of tomorrow, but that should give you guys a chance to ask some questions, if you want.

stuff about me (to give you an idea of what i might have a clue about):
born in Maine
live in Pittsburgh
27 years old
degree in Broadcasting, minors in writing, english, and pre-law (i think)
attended private school my whole life
lived in Chattanooga, TN
did forensics competitions (public speaking) in college, as well as play-by-play for the basketball teams
wrote a bad novel and a bad book of poetry
played H.S. basketball. won a state title.
registered Green Party
raised Baptist
no longer Baptist
was a roadie for a local band in H.S.
i know a decent amount about baseball and music, as well.
and film, obviously.

ask away...if i don't know, i'll make something up.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

In your opinion, is the film Body Heat more a complete ripoff of the vastly superior Double Indemnity, or is it a clever homage? And what's the difference?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
In your opinion, is the film Body Heat more a complete ripoff of the vastly superior Double Indemnity, or is it a clever homage? And what's the difference?

[/ QUOTE ]

geez, it's been way too long since I've seen Body Heat to even attempt to answer that...stumped on the first question, damn you, dom!...i need to see Double Indemnity again too, now that it's on DVD.

as to the second part, i think a good rule of thumb is if the second film is employing the intent of the original's content, rather than just the content itself. Example: the famous running shot from Jules et Jim. If you just mimic the shot b/c you think it looks cool--ripoff. But, if you use the shot (or, better yet, a variation of that) to convey what Truffaut was attempting to convey--homage.

meh, i'm not sure that made sense.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
In your opinion, is the film Body Heat more a complete ripoff of the vastly superior Double Indemnity, or is it a clever homage? And what's the difference?

[/ QUOTE ]

geez, it's been way too long since I've seen Body Heat to even attempt to answer that...stumped on the first question, damn you, dom!...i need to see Double Indemnity again too, now that it's on DVD.

as to the second part, i think a good rule of thumb is if the second film is employing the intent of the original's content, rather than just the content itself. Example: the famous running shot from Jules et Jim. If you just mimic the shot b/c you think it looks cool--ripoff. But, if you use the shot (or, better yet, a variation of that) to convey what Truffaut was attempting to convey--homage.

meh, i'm not sure that made sense.

[/ QUOTE ]

for the record, I remember seeing Body Heat when it first came out and loving it..and then seeing Double Indenity on TV one night and being pissed off at how much Body Heat ripped off from DI! They're both very well-done films, of course. I'm just a huge Wilder fan now - he could do no wrong, IMO.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Did you vote for green party candidates in the presidential elections? and if so, whats your take on the whole wasting your vote thing?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Sight and Sound 2002 Top Films List (The Top 50 List)

Top Films

Most overrated film on the list.
Film in the Top 10 that most deserves to be knocked down a peg or two.
Film that most deserves Top 10 status that doesn't have it.
Film you're most happily surprised to see on the list.
Films you haven't seen.
Films not on the list that should be.

That should keep you busy. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Your thoughts on Sofia Coppola? Good, accomplished director in her own right or just riding on Francis Ford Coppola's success?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

what do you do for work now?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Is it possible to be an existentialist? Or, does defining yourself as an existentialist automatically preclude you from being one?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
Sight and Sound 2002 Top Films List (The Top 50 List)

Top Films

Most overrated film on the list.
Film in the Top 10 that most deserves to be knocked down a peg or two.
Film that most deserves Top 10 status that doesn't have it.
Film you're most happily surprised to see on the list.
Films you haven't seen.
Films not on the list that should be.

That should keep you busy. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]


ooooh, I'm going to do this too

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Prior,
I'm extremely interested in film but am only at the novice level. I watch tons of film and have gotten many good suggestions from reading your posts.

To my question: Can you recommend me some books on film whether it be film history, directing, genre? Books that i must read? I'll eat it all up so as many as you recommend i will read.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Why do baseball teams continually throw money at offensive players when year after year it is proven that pitching and defense win in the postseason?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
Did you vote for green party candidates in the presidential elections? and if so, whats your take on the whole wasting your vote thing?

[/ QUOTE ]

I voted for Nader, and then Kerry and usually vote Green, unless there's an exceptionally close race or someone I really like in the major parties (like, say, Olympia Snowe). I tend to believe that the long-term creation of a viable third party is much more important than any one race, so i don't view it as a vote wasted in that regard.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Does the 'Coffee Break' and 'Bubble and Squeak' threads idea suck or what?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why do baseball teams continually throw money at offensive players when year after year it is proven that pitching and defense win in the postseason?

[/ QUOTE ]

the way i see it, a high-impact bat is much more reliable than a dominant pitcher, both in terms of performance and injury risk over a 3-5 year period, plus offense is sexy and hitters play every day (well, some of them do).

also, don't forget that it can be pretty hard to even get to the postseason, and a Pujols can do wonders for that effort.

still, i'd personally rather have the dominant starter than a dominant hitter, all things be equal, at the end of the year. i think the extra money comes from the reliability that the hitter will be playing come September, or the simple fact that some GM's are very short-sighted.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
what do you do for work now?

[/ QUOTE ]

mostly poker with a bit of freelance film/writing work. this, of course, may change very soon.

it should be noted that i am a starving artist, seeing as i'm not great at poker. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
Your thoughts on Sofia Coppola? Good, accomplished director in her own right or just riding on Francis Ford Coppola's success?

[/ QUOTE ]

i think she's made 2 exceptional films and a third that looks like it may be very good. maybe her dad got her started, but i think she's proven herself.

if anyone's riding on Frances Ford's success, it's Frances Ford.

of course, he has a new film coming out that looks interesting.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is it possible to be an existentialist? Or, does defining yourself as an existentialist automatically preclude you from being one?

[/ QUOTE ]

lol.

it's probably possible, but not in a pure sense. the same way it's not possible to be entirely a socialist. a little bit of existentialism never hurt, though.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

This is somewhat lame but since I almost started a thread to get ideas.

I've seen mentions of stuff you can read when you're first getting into film. What are some books I could read to help expand my knowledge about film. In particular, I was wondering if there are books that help you look at things more from a 'critic' perspective as opposed to an "entertainment persepective."

Or is it just a case where books won't do much and experience trumps all?

I guess thats my "question," even though it is a few.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Are you going to post a trip report and/or pics(if you have any) about your recent moose hunt?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

In another thread you mentioned you were on a moose hunt.
Please explain, particularly considering your affiliation with the Greens.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Do you have a good milkshake recipe? I'm really looking for one.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

In your opinion, what were the 3-5 best "Ask so-and-so about" threads in terms of actual helpful information provided within?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
Sight and Sound 2002 Top Films List (The Top 50 List)

Top Films

Most overrated film on the list.
Film in the Top 10 that most deserves to be knocked down a peg or two.
Film that most deserves Top 10 status that doesn't have it.
Film you're most happily surprised to see on the list.
Films you haven't seen.
Films not on the list that should be.

That should keep you busy. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]


okay, here's my take:

most overrated film on the list:

Vertigo - muddled, uninteresting and takes too damn long to tell. Yes, I said it. So there.

Film in the Top 10 that most deserves to be knocked down a peg or two:

2001:A Space Odyssey - has not aged very well.

Film that most deserves Top 10 status that doesn't have it: (I'm assuming you mean a film that is on the list but not in the top ten, right?)

Some Like it Hot - the funniest film of all-time.

Film you're most happily surprised to see on the list:

Blade Runner - I knew it was well-thought of but THAT well regarded. Cool.

Films you haven't seen:

Of the top ten: I've never seen Tokyo Story or Singin' In The Rain. (I know, I know.


Films not on the list that should be:

Trois Coleurs: Rouge - Kieslowski's final film and a perfect masterpiece in every way.


And just my two cents, both Hitchcock and Kubrick are both over-represented on this list.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Dom: You interpreted the question correctly. Yes, I meant that the film had to be on the list to be elevated to Top 10 status.

For more surprising picks, take a look at the Directors list, which differs slightly from the critics. Also give some clues as to what's missing from the critics.

Director's List

And if someone wants to answer yet another question:

What film on either list most provokes the response "WTF?"

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
Dom: You interpreted the question correctly. Yes, I meant that the film had to be on the list to be elevated to Top 10 status.

For more surprising picks, take a look at the Directors list, which differs slightly from the critics. Also give some clues as to what's missing from the critics.

Director's List

And if someone wants to answer yet another question:

What film on either list most provokes the response "WTF?"

[/ QUOTE ]

For me, it's Touch of Evil. A very good film but one that doesn't deserve to be in the 50 of all-time.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Did you vote for green party candidates in the presidential elections? and if so, whats your take on the whole wasting your vote thing?

[/ QUOTE ]

I voted for Nader, and then Kerry and usually vote Green, unless there's an exceptionally close race or someone I really like in the major parties (like, say, Olympia Snowe). I tend to believe that the long-term creation of a viable third party is much more important than any one race, so i don't view it as a vote wasted in that regard.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does it bother any one that due to the electoral college, the only state that mattered was Ohio, until Florida became flooded with Cubans and now can do the whole benidict thing?

Does it bother anyone besides me that Cuban immigrants are allowed to vote before they can speak english, or for that matter, learn the word "democracy?"

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

I finally got around to watching Battle Royale. What's your opinion of that movie? Are there other movies in the same genre or made by the same people that I should check out since I liked Battle Royale so much?

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Did you vote for green party candidates in the presidential elections? and if so, whats your take on the whole wasting your vote thing?

[/ QUOTE ]

I voted for Nader, and then Kerry and usually vote Green, unless there's an exceptionally close race or someone I really like in the major parties (like, say, Olympia Snowe). I tend to believe that the long-term creation of a viable third party is much more important than any one race, so i don't view it as a vote wasted in that regard.

[/ QUOTE ]

[quote}

Does it bother any one that due to the electoral college, the only state that mattered was Ohio, until Florida became flooded with Cubans and now can do the whole benidict thing?


[/ QUOTE ]

This is sort of like saying that only the go ahead run in a baseball matters, completely ignoring the fact that it wouldn't be the go ahead run if the you hadn't scored the runs before it.

[ QUOTE ]

Does it bother anyone besides me that Cuban immigrants are allowed to vote before they can speak english, or for that matter, learn the word "democracy?"

[/ QUOTE ]

It bothers me that anyone voted for Bush, regardless of where they were born.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
the way i see it, a high-impact bat is much more reliable than a dominant pitcher, both in terms of performance and injury risk over a 3-5 year period, plus offense is sexy and hitters play every day (well, some of them do).

also, don't forget that it can be pretty hard to even get to the postseason, and a Pujols can do wonders for that effort.

still, i'd personally rather have the dominant starter than a dominant hitter, all things be equal, at the end of the year. i think the extra money comes from the reliability that the hitter will be playing come September, or the simple fact that some GM's are very short-sighted.


[/ QUOTE ]

Simple fact is there just aren't enough "good" pitchers to go around. Hitters are easier to find and aren't as prone to breakdown or injury. Teams therefore despite big payrolls have to rely on young pitchers developing and known stars (Martinez, Prior, Johnson, Wood etc.) staying healthy and effective. This doesn't always happen. Big money free agent pitchers like Brown and Hampton for example are risky at best.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Sight and Sound 2002 Top Films List (The Top 50 List)

Top Films

Most overrated film on the list.
Film in the Top 10 that most deserves to be knocked down a peg or two.
Film that most deserves Top 10 status that doesn't have it.
Film you're most happily surprised to see on the list.
Films you haven't seen.
Films not on the list that should be.

That should keep you busy. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]


ooooh, I'm going to do this too

[/ QUOTE ]

Can we make this a thread, and only allow "Lounge" style answers? With at least one coherent thought per movie, not just a list, this could be a pretty good thread.

(Sorry to hijack pryor)

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

some of these (mostly the film ones) i'm waiting until i get home tomorrow night b/c i have access to more information...

[ QUOTE ]
Do you have a good milkshake recipe? I'm really looking for one.

[/ QUOTE ]

actually, i used to work midnight to morning at a diner where we made lots of frappes, which are a kind of milkshake

in a large metal milkshake cup thingy:

3 scoops of chocolate ice cream
1 glass of chocolate milk
1 piece of chocolate cream pie, no crust
a generous helping of chocolate syrup

the key is the piece of pie. there are tons of variations on this, but the pie is the thing.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
Does the 'Coffee Break' and 'Bubble and Squeak' threads idea suck or what?

[/ QUOTE ]

i'm leaning toward yes, but then you probably knew i'd say that

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]

Are you going to post a trip report and/or pics(if you have any) about your recent moose hunt?


[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
In another thread you mentioned you were on a moose hunt.
Please explain, particularly considering your affiliation with the Greens.

[/ QUOTE ]

well, there's some overpopulation problems in Maine with Moose, since all of the Moose's natural predators have been driven north. so, i don't have a problem with the hunting per se, since it fills a natural need. if, in theory, the meat is being used to feed people, then i'm all for it

it was, however, difficult to film the cleaning of the moose after it was shot, and i'm really not sure how i'm going to be able to edit that footage, if you know what i mean.

the short version of the trip report is this:

got up there, did a little bit of filming.

sunday: drove 3 hours north and scouted the area for a couple of hours, then watched the patriots game

monday: woke up at 4.22am, got in the woods at 6.00am, shooting time was 6.13, at 6.19 Dad's phone rang informing him there was a big buck just down the road, so we ran full tilt down the road and they shot him from 200 yards at 6.30. they gutted it, etc (weighed in at 700lbs), and we were back home at 5pm

then, my camera broke and i need to get the gears replaced (basic wear and tear), so i couldn't film all the context stuff i wanted. right now it's all kind of in limbo as to what i'm gonna do.

it doesn't really seem like hunting, though, so i'm sorta worried the footage will make my Dad a villain.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
I finally got around to watching Battle Royale. What's your opinion of that movie? Are there other movies in the same genre or made by the same people that I should check out since I liked Battle Royale so much?

[/ QUOTE ]

you're ahead of me. i haven't seen it yet.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

Tell us about an underappreciated film era, or "scene", or country, or even just a director, which you believe most people might not know about and thus might have missed out on some really great movies.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]

I've seen mentions of stuff you can read when you're first getting into film. What are some books I could read to help expand my knowledge about film. In particular, I was wondering if there are books that help you look at things more from a 'critic' perspective as opposed to an "entertainment persepective."

Or is it just a case where books won't do much and experience trumps all?


[/ QUOTE ]

solo,

i'll find some more stuff when i get home, but here's an idea: watch a film that's critically acclaimed that you may or may not "like". jot down some notes. then, read a couple of reviews from the "top" critics (Ebert, et al.) and think about stuff they've brought up. then, watch it again, keeping that in mind. see if you can see what they're talking about. or, try to analyze a few films you really like and really try to digest what exactly it is you like about it.

but, yeah, i'll find some books and stuff for ya later this week.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
some of these (mostly the film ones) i'm waiting until i get home tomorrow night b/c i have access to more information...

[ QUOTE ]
Do you have a good milkshake recipe? I'm really looking for one.

[/ QUOTE ]

actually, i used to work midnight to morning at a diner where we made lots of frappes, which are a kind of milkshake

in a large metal milkshake cup thingy:

3 scoops of chocolate ice cream
1 glass of chocolate milk
1 piece of chocolate cream pie, no crust
a generous helping of chocolate syrup

the key is the piece of pie. there are tons of variations on this, but the pie is the thing.

[/ QUOTE ]



no no no no no.

VANILLA ice cream, not chocolate. I like the pie thing, though, I'll have to try that.

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
some of these (mostly the film ones) i'm waiting until i get home tomorrow night b/c i have access to more information...

[ QUOTE ]
Do you have a good milkshake recipe? I'm really looking for one.

[/ QUOTE ]

actually, i used to work midnight to morning at a diner where we made lots of frappes, which are a kind of milkshake

in a large metal milkshake cup thingy:

3 scoops of chocolate ice cream
1 glass of chocolate milk
1 piece of chocolate cream pie, no crust
a generous helping of chocolate syrup

the key is the piece of pie. there are tons of variations on this, but the pie is the thing.

[/ QUOTE ]



no no no no no.

VANILLA ice cream, not chocolate. I like the pie thing, though, I'll have to try that.

[/ QUOTE ]

well, yeah, whatever type of milkshake suits your fancy

Re: ask pryor15 about anything--anything at all
 

what games/levels do you play at?