Mark from Wordschat has kindly submitted his Desert Island Films. Read on for his choices and reasons, and be sure to check out his site.
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.
Desert Island Films: Wordschat
I’ve been into movies for about twenty years. When I met like minded best friends 16 years ago my film viewing really took off and I started writing bits in BBSes then the Internet. My current blog Wordschat is a reflection of that. Information is shared in so many ways that the way becomes part of the allure to enjoy it all. So its Words, chat, and more in any medium.
Likewise my Desert Island choices come spring from different media: painting, the written word, stage, TV and cinema.
So how did I get on the island? I brought an original painting I wanted specific palm tree wood for the frame. I brought my complete works of Shakespeare and DVDs of film on my mini-screen player to make a vacation. Not tying the boat right made it a longer than planned get away. BTW the painting even my mother loves is of a man looking a across a table. He is shown in partial shadow averting his eyes at the unseen man across from him. He has a slight grin, a tired bash full look. It is the breakfast after the night before….
1 – The Jolson Story
Parks didn’t mimic the Mammy singer he became him. Many Americans share time with their dad playing baseball, Canadians play hockey. I’m one Cdn who learned his dad loved Jolson’s voice. So we shared watching the biopics and The Jazz Singer over and over. Dad passed on in 1997. This is your pic Chief.
2 – Hamlet
This above all to thine own self be true. I love Shakespeare and that whole passage. Ian Holm plays Polonius less as a fool and more the sage serious tone in this version. Gibson shows Hamlet’s rage quite well. He isn’t mad as a hatter; he is just mad as hell and is not going to take it anymore.
3 – West Side Story
A memorable musical brought to the screen with the love of Romeo & Juliet put to song and dance with racial themes and numbers that have become pop culture history.
4 – A Few Good Men
Tom Cruise and Kevin Bacon in one of their best roles. The exchange of the Cadet guide book, Cruise’s impersonation of Jack and Jack’s climatic testimony outburst. Writing and portrayal on point. Wow!
5 – Jerry Maguire
Tim Cruise again; this time as a sports agent with a conscience, a girlfriend who prompts him to give another film line into pop culture. Along with the kid and Cuba Holding Jr later giving a best supporting actor win speech like none other.
6 – Star Trek The Wrath of Khan
This trek bridged the TV series beautifully and if promos indicate my guess is he’ll be there in Abrams coming second of the reboot. If hours were to seem like days…..
7 – The Last Stand
Arnold Schwarzenegger is back and this film isn’t even released everywhere yet. Listen to me now and hear me later this is a 10 you will want to watch over and over. He says “I’m old”; well he and a supporting cast have an action movie that shows you can come back if the material has this much action and genuine laughs.
8 – 2001 A Space Odyssey
Iconic, classic, HAL is the anti-IBM with a voice generations know. The film is memorizing in complexity and awe.
Book:
The Unabridged collected works of Shakespeare
Luxury item:
An original painting. Its the reason I end up stranded as I go to the island for specific wood to frame it. My boat drifts off cause I’m a middle aged nerd who as a kid never learned to tie it to a wharf correctly.
Thanks again to Mark 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
Tyson Carter
/ March 27, 2013Thanks again for doing this Mark!! You know when you chose “a few good men” I had to interpret that as a film choice and not a request right?! 😉
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Wordschat
/ March 28, 2013Well my desert spell continues on that flank so far as well….
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Tyson Carter
/ March 28, 2013Maybe after your time on the island you will get rescued by loads of sailors 🙂
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Brian @ Hard Ticket to Home Video
/ March 27, 2013You often see Hamlet and The Last Stand appear together on lists.
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Wordschat
/ March 28, 2013Interesting combination I hadn’t thought of it in a combined way and Last Stand wasn’t wholly embraced.
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sanclementejedi
/ March 28, 2013LMAO
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ckckred
/ March 27, 2013Great picks, especially with 2001.
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Tyson Carter
/ March 27, 2013Believe it or not, this is the first time ANYONE has chosen 2001 for their Desert Island! Congrats Mark 🙂
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ckckred
/ March 28, 2013I still need to finish my list, but it’ll definitely include 2001. I’ll try to get it in soon.
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Tyson Carter
/ March 28, 2013I thought you had already taken part!? Oops. Cool, look forward to your choices buddy 🙂
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Wordschat
/ March 28, 2013Neat and someone gas chosen Jolson I presume.. Survivor and Big Brother Canada on so over to TV. Will enjoy the feeds Thursday a.m. This is cool.
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Wordschat
/ March 27, 2013Wow Tyson you had me at hello. I’m getting choked up with Jolson poster. Thank you for letting me join the ranks in Desert Island films.
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Tyson Carter
/ March 28, 2013Thank YOU for doing it 🙂
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Mark Walker
/ March 28, 2013Very interesting choices here man. Nice to see some love for Gibson’s Hamlet. That’s a great film and Gibson plays it very well.
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Wordschat
/ March 28, 2013Thanks Mark, for Gibson it was words just words with an intensity before he went off his game awhile.
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filmhipster
/ March 28, 2013KHAAAAAAAN!!!!!! Sorry couldn’t help it.
Interesting choices man, especially The Last Stand. Bet you change your mind after a few years on the island.
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Wordschat
/ March 28, 2013Somehow hearing Arnie say I’m old and it sounds like oiled will never get old. Thanks
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Pony Boy
/ March 28, 2013Never saw that Hamlet, only the Branagh one. Have to check it out!
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Wordschat
/ March 28, 2013Pony Boy eh? The Outsiders and Ethan Hawke’s Hamlet were also Rand for thel list. The latter brought an inventive modernization to Hamlet. Branaughs Hamlet was most true to the play but I didn’t like some of the creative choices like Ophelias death in a semi frozen creek. I have both on BLURAY.
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Teepee12
/ March 28, 2013What marvelous choices! Great selections and a wonderful mix of the classic and the not-quite-classic.
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Wordschat
/ March 28, 2013Gday Teepee thanks. I took Tyson’s instructions to heart. While most of these are favs there are others that are more popular. These have and I think will stand the test of cultural time.
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Nostra
/ March 28, 2013Interesting choices and a couple of movies I haven’t actually seen yet 🙂
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Wordschat
/ March 28, 2013Cool Nostra. Ordinary People and China Syndrome are two others that define their content and the actors as well.
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Smash
/ March 28, 2013This has got to be one of the most diverse lists so far! Great choice on the Shakespeare. You could read that forever and never get bored.
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theipc
/ March 28, 2013The Last Stand!!! Love it!! (and I loved the movie) – No one’s giving it a chance… it’s all kinds of fun!!!
Great work gents!!
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Garry Armstrong
/ March 28, 2013Some interesting choices!! I haven’t seen “The Jolson Story” in ages! “The Last Stand” sounds like a guilty pleasure which I’ve yet to see. Shakespeare is always a good reading companion. Good stuff, Mark!
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Tim The Film Guy
/ March 28, 2013KHAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!
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sanclementejedi
/ March 28, 2013Damn it Tim you beat me too it. 😉
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sanclementejedi
/ March 28, 2013Very Eclectic choices Mark, nice work.
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table9mutant
/ March 28, 2013Interesting choices. Like the 2001 choice. 🙂 And I think I’d be a bigger fan of Jerry Maguire if it wasn’t Tom Cruise.
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