Desert Island Films: Smashing Through Life!

Smash from Smashing Through Life! has kindly submitted her Desert Island Films. Read on for her choices and reasons, and be sure to check out her site.

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Desert Island Films is about choosing 8 films you would take if you were going to be stranded on a desert island and explaining your choices. They don’t necessarily have to be your favourites, just 8 films, no more or no less! You are also permitted to take one book and one novelty item which must be inanimate and of no use in escaping the island or allowing communication from outside.

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1) Planet of the Apes (1968)

I saw this movie for the first time when I was about 6 years old. I fell in love instantly! Taylor is one of the best protagonists to me. His journey and his struggle are so compelling to watch. And the way it all unfolds in the end, it gets me every time. I think being stranded on a desert island would give me an even greater sense of relation to Taylor. There’s no going back, he can’t have his old life again, and neither could I. It would be comforting and inspiring in a weird way to have this movie. Someone to share my plight with.

2) Superbad

I love comedies. You’ve gotta have laughter to get you through the days on the island. Michael Cera is so perfectly awkward, and Jonah Hill compliments that with his brazen vulgarity. They’re two guys that I would have been friends with in high school. I saw this movie in theatres when it came out. I remember during this one scene, when the guys are on the bus and the bottle of vodka got smashed I cried out “Nooo!” way too loudly and passionately in the middle of the theatre because I was so invested in their quest to get liquor for the party. It’s funny, it’s crude, it’s awesome, and I love it. Plus, it’s got a great soundtrack.

3) Dumb and Dumber

Another great comedy. I love Harry and Lloyd so much. These poor guys just can’t seem to catch a break. And when they finally do, they screw that up with their stupidity too. One of the great debates of life, I’ve had it with my roommates many times, is who is dumb and who is dumber? I’ve always argued in favour of Harry being dumb and Lloyd being dumber. And watching this movie on the island would give me plenty of time to gather the evidence and cement my case.

4) Return of the Jedi

I know that Empire is the superior film of the original trilogy. But I love a good ending. I like the feeling I get when everything has been wrapped up, the universe has been righted once again, and the heroes come out on top. I need some sci-fi on the island. Some adventure. I need something that incites my imagination, and takes me away from the undoubtedly dull reality of the island. I also really need to see Jabba get choked out because that jerk had it coming.

5) The Dark Knight

Oh Batman, another of my favourite things. The Dark Knight is a masterpiece. I’ve seen it an insane amount of times and it never gets boring. Heath Ledger is just so remarkable in his role as The Joker. Batman is in his prime. Gotham is his, and he will not surrender it to criminal scum. He will find a way to stop the joker and put everything right. He will continue to seek justice and uphold it in the face of adversity. Harvey Dent is also one of my favourite characters. His physical transformation, and subsequent moral corruption have always given me a lot to think about in terms of character development and motive. I could watch this movie everyday on the island and always find new things to consider.

6) Uncle Buck

This is a favourite movie from childhood. I love John Candy. He’s got such a comforting presence. It’s got really funny moments and really heartfelt ones too. It would probably make me sad watching this one, thinking about my family. But those are good feelings to have, they would motivate me to stay alive and keep me hoping that I’ll get off the island one day. The scene with the enormous birthday pancakes would make me insanely hungry too! But it’s just such a great movie, that it’s worth it.

7) The Big Lebowski

The dude! If anyone can help me feel relaxed and at peace with my lot in life, it’s the dude. John Goodman is an incredible actor as well. I enjoy him in everything I’ve ever seen him do. Again, he’s got a comforting presence. Jeff Bridges is hilarious as the dude. I really dig his style, man. I die of laughter every time I watch the scene of him ripping a doobie and drinking a beer, just driving around town listening to a little CCR. I also die laughing when he gets thrown out of the cab for hating on The Eagles. This movie has a great story, great characters, and keeps you entertained the whole way through.

8) Clerks

I would be remiss if I didn’t include a Kevin Smith film in my selections. Although Chasing Amy is my favourite Smith movie, I would probably be more entertained by Clerks while on the island. The dialogue is spectacular. Dante Hicks to me is kind of like a grown up version of Charlie Brown. There’s always something to bemoan. “I’m not even supposed to be here today!” Randall’s total indifference towards the customers is a thing of beauty. There were so many times when I worked in retail that I wanted to treat the customers like dirt too. But I couldn’t. You can’t get away with stuff like that in real life. I think having this movie on the island would make me really happy that, although I’m stranded, at least I don’t have to go to work anymore.

Book:

I would take Batman: The Long Halloween. It’s not some great work of literature, I know. But the artwork is sublime and the story is always riveting. Again, Harvey Dent is such a compelling character. I’ve read this one a million times over, but it never gets old. It’s stunning. This would be a small semblance of my former life that I could cling to.

Luxury Item:

This is a tricky one. I think I would take Trivial Pursuit. I could spend a lot of time with the game cards learning useless trivia. And then when I get saved and come back to real life, the people at the bars better watch out. Because I would lay down a whooping on trivia night. I’ve gotta plan for my future while I’m on the island, right?

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Thanks again to Smash for taking the time to join the prestigious Head In A Vice ”castaway” list. If you would like to submit your choices and add your name to THIS LIST, please drop me an email to – tysoncarter@hotmail.co.uk

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Posted by Tysoncarter182 on February 8, 2013

https://headinavice.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/desert-island-films-smashing-through-life/