Nick from The Cinematic Katzenjammer has kindly submitted his Desert Island Films. Please read on for his choices and reasons, and be sure to check out his site.
Before we get to Nick’s list, I just want to say a couple of things. First of all, I would like to share with you the images for the De Niro blogathon Analyzing De Niro Mark Walker & I are running which kicks off later today. Be sure to look out for Marks thoughts on Rocky & Bullwinkle over on You Talkin’ To Me? (spoiler alert – they weren’t positive thoughts) and we have plenty of great people involved with this project. Still waiting for some reviews though……some people are slower than me at delivering! 😉 To have a succesful blogathon, we needed some images. That’s where Nick came in, and he designed the banner below, and the rating system for it. So Nick, thank you, excellent work my friend!!
Speaking of blogathons, and in return for Nicks help, I want to also promote a project he is currently running over on Cinekatz. The Four Horror Movies Of The Apocalypse Blogathon challenges everyone to come up with four movies that define the end of it all, each representing one of the horseman of the apocalypse: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. For more information and to sign up, please click HERE and take part!
Now, on to Nick’s Desert Island Films…….
Desert Island Films #84 – The Cinematic Katzenjammer
I finally have gotten around to writing up this list for Tyson after telling him I’d have it done for months. Luckily, he’s patient enough to give me eons to put this together so I owe him that. Thanks, Ty. So here we go…
The Princess Bride (1987) – “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
My all time favorite flick, The Princess Bride has the lovely ability to be watched over and over and never become boring. It’s a fairy tale of the glorious sort and has Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…What more could you ask for?
As a movie lover who is absolutely terrible with quotes, The Princess Bride is the rare kind of film that I can actually talk along with, as I am that obsessed. And to all of you that quickly judge me, a man, as a lover of The Princess Bride- go watch it before you give me a hard time, you silly nancies.
The Sandlot (1993) – “You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”
Every summer, The Sandlot burns it images across my television as I watch it over and over. There’s something about the film that’s just so fun, so creative, and so damn American, I can’t help but crave the summer when watching it. It’s one of my favorite comedies of all time and is packed with one-liners I repeat almost as much as The Princess Bride.
I recently discovered that a lot of my non-American friends have never even heard of the flick (damn you Canada!), and I hope that my inclusion of this movie on the list will motivate them to go find it themselves and bask in the glory of a baseball movie.
The Dark Knight (2008) – “Why so serious?!”
Yes, this film is on everyone’s list of favorite flicks, but there’s a reason for that, isn’t there? The Dark Knight not only revolutionized the way we look at superhero movies, but at summer blockbusters in their entirety. Christopher Nolan’s universe exploded into a massive world with TDK and gave Batman a story he’s been waiting to be a part of for almost 80 years. Not only is the film fitting for the hero, but we finally got to see The Joker, an insane agent of chaos, in the form he’s been dying to be in. Heath Ledger delivers an Oscar worthy performance and has gone down in history as one of cinema’s greatest villains.
It’s also worth mentioning that the film changed the way The Academy (yes, the g’damn Academy) comes up with the Best Picture nominees. Following the backlash of not including The Dark Knight on its annual list, The Academy expanded the category to up to 10 nominees.
Before Sunset (2004) – “Baby, you’re going to miss that plane”.
Good God is there a better film that depicts a more realistic romance than this? Part 2 of the Before Trilogy, Before Sunset reunites Jesse and Celine nine years after the events of Before Sunrise. The entire film is simply a 90 minute walk through Paris, as the two lost-lovers reconnect over incredible conversation, and has two of the best performances I have ever seen. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are absolutely perfect together, with their chemistry oozing out of your screen and right into your lap. It’s intimate, it’s emotional, and at times, even hard to watch, but holy cow is it incredible.
Cloud Atlas (2012) – “This world spins from the same unseen forces that twist our hearts.”
Unfortunately for me, I was unable to watch Cloud Atlas in theaters. It’s quite the shame, really, given the scope and ambition of this gorgeous masterpiece. Cloud Atlas is unlike anything I have seen before and it’s a true testament of the value and creativity of film-making. It’s in these facts that Cloud Atlas needs to be re-watched over and over and appreciated in every frame, picture, and actor. The film features a cast of only a handful of actors, who play a handful of roles stretched across a myriad of timelines, which only helps reiterate the fact that everyone and everything, across time and space, is connected. It’s a beautiful idea that’s executed brilliantly and has an incredible score to accompany it.
Plus, it’s almost three hours long. So if I have to drag my ass to a deserted island, Cloud Atlas alone will occupy plenty of my time.
Sunshine (2007) – “We’re only stardust”
Debating on which Danny Boyle film to include on this list was quite the chore. On one hand, I wanted to include 28 Days Later, but being alone on a deserted island with images of “zombies” scratching themselves on the inside of my eyelids did not sound that pleasant. So I decided to go with Sunshine, his 2007 film that’s one of the best sci-fi flicks in recent memory. Telling the story of a small crew set to the sun to reignite it for the sake of humanity, the film is gorgeous in its special effects and even more haunting with its soundtrack. In the end, one of the characters talks about his own time, left alone, where he found God and talked to him about our existence and the value of life. Something definitely worth contemplating on an island by yourself.
Forrest Gump (1994) – “Stupid is as stupid does”
I’ll admit, I almost included another Robert Zemeckis/Tom Hanks collaboration on this list, but I felt Cast Away may have been too upsetting given my circumstances on the island. So I chose to go with the classic Forrest Gump, another film you always find yourself watching whenever it comes on the TV. Forrest Gump is an American movie through and through and features one of the most likable, yet simple, heroes throughout all of movie history. It’s funny, it’s heart-breaking, and it just enough feels to put you in whatever mood you’re looking for. Hanks is superb (and Oscar-winning) and you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t hold this film in high regard.
Amelie (2001) – “These are hard times for dreamers”
French love starring the gorgeous Audrey Tautou, what’s not to love? Amelie is my favorite film of one of my favorite film-makers, Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Mixing fantastical elements with an energetic realism, Jeunet manages to find the happiest moments and humor in everything. When you’re alone on an island, you need that kind of optimism. The film also boasts an incredible score by Yann Tiersen, allowing me to enjoy the film by just listening to it.
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As for literature, you’ll find me having a much harder time picking a book than I did the eight films above. I’ll admit, I’m not much of a reader, but am really trying to remedy the situation. I guess I just prefer my stories playing out on screen a lot more than on the page. Call me… new school? Regardless, if I had to choose a book to take with me, I’d have to settle on On Writing by Stephen King. It’s a semi-auto-biography from the master of horror, who includes personal stories with lessons on how to become a better writer. Part text book, part personal anecdote, On Writing is one great read.
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As for my luxury item, I’d have to keep it simple. A shit ton of paper and a bunch of pens (or one pen that never runs out of ink). I can draw, I can write, and even make paper airplanes? In the end, when you’re all alone, if you don’t have a way to outlet your creativity, you’re pretty much screwed.
The worst part of it all? Having to transcribe it all when I get rescued. Carpal tunnel syndrome, much?
Thanks again to Nick for taking the time to join the prestigious 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
/ October 19, 2013Nick, again, thank you so much for the images and of course your DI list. Despite it taking 3 and a bit years……. 😉
Love your reasoning and detail you went into. Makes it such a good entry. Your book choice is ideal, just read that recently myself. So interesting, learning how King was off his face on booze when he wrote most of his best work.
No Sam Rockwell movie? (unless he is in one I dont know about!)
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Nick Powell
/ October 19, 2013Thanks for finally getting my stuff up as well! ;).
I almost included Moon over Sunshine, but I had to stick with Sunshine. Excited you’ve read On Writing as well!! I finally found a hard cover of it at a thrift shop.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 20, 2013I collect Stephen King books, and recently a friend had a clear out and gave me her hardback copy of On Writing. Nice surprise! Just a great read and motivation for aspiring writers. Looking forward to Dr Sleep which I saw came out a couple weeks ago 🙂
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Mark Walker
/ October 19, 2013Nice to see Cloud Atlas get some more love and I can’t argue with Amelie in the slightest. One of my favourites movies. Interesting list Nick and thanks again for your great banner work for our Blogathon. Much obliged my man. 🙂
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Nick Powell
/ October 19, 2013Glad to know you agree with a couple of mine. I think you were one of the few people who hadn’t seen The Sandlot yet, either, since you’re not AMURICAN. Get on it!
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Tony Cogan
/ October 19, 2013Nice to see someone else put Cloud Atlas on their list, I think that’s one of the few films that really shows how powerful film can be if directors take risks.
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Nick Powell
/ October 19, 2013I completely agree. It deserves more recognition as well!
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Three Rows Back
/ October 19, 2013Nicely argued list there Nick. I raised an eyebrow at a couple of the choices, but your reasons won me over 🙂
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Nick Powell
/ October 19, 2013That’s what I like to do!
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Teepee12
/ October 19, 2013A really fine and thoughtful list. Thank you.
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Nick Powell
/ October 19, 2013No, thank you!
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MojosWork
/ October 19, 2013“Pee-drinking crapface” and “Buffalo butt breath” became an integral part to my 3 year old brother’s vocabulary back in ’93.
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Nick Powell
/ October 19, 2013As it did for me. As well as “you bob for apples from the toilet… and you like it!”
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Joseph@thecinemamonster
/ October 19, 2013Wow, Cloud Atlas, ballsy choice! I saw it at TIFF last year and was blown away, really under-appreciated. Woooo, someone else put Sunshine on their list, one of my all time favourites!
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Nick Powell
/ October 19, 2013Always gotta rub in the fact you were at TIFF, huh, Joseph? lol Glad you like it as well and I know you love Sunshine ALMOST as much as me.
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Joseph@thecinemamonster
/ October 19, 2013I LOVE it WAY more!
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Ryan
/ October 19, 2013You’re killin me smalls!
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Nick Powell
/ October 19, 2013*nods in agreement*
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Abbi
/ October 19, 2013Awesome list. I love that you included The Princess Bride.
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Nick Powell
/ October 20, 2013It is my favorite movie of all time!!
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Beer Movie
/ October 20, 2013Awesome list. The first three would probably be on my list or very close. I could watch The Sandlot endlessly (that film has a fair cult following in Australia… must be just Canada who have bad taste). Whilst I probably wouldn’t have Cloud Atlas on my list, I can definitely get the appeal. Tis a movie that you would get more out of on each repeat viewing.
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Nick Powell
/ October 21, 2013Glad to know The Sandlot gets love down under!
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Beer Movie
/ October 25, 2013Oh it does. But it had to be renamed The Sandlot Kids because no one has any idea what the frick a sandlot is in Australia. Not sure how much adding the word ‘kids’ actually helps, but ah well.
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theipc
/ October 20, 2013Nice list, Nick!! How come you’ve never done an design for my site???????? It’s inconceivable!!!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 21, 2013You don’t pay as much as I offer. British money always seals the deal 😉
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Nick Powell
/ October 21, 2013Tyson also offers other particular ‘favors’, something you’ve only teased me with. He delivers.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 22, 2013Like a postman. Always delivers.
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fernandorafael
/ October 21, 2013Ooh, great list, nIck. I think it’s the first list that doesn’t include that doesn’t include The Godfather and/or Pulp Fiction! haha Love to see Sunshine, TDK, Before Sunset and Amélie here.
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Nick Powell
/ October 21, 2013Always trying to be original. You know me! lol
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ruth
/ October 21, 2013Looking forward to the De Niro blogathon, Tyson, in fact I’ve already commented on the first one 😀
What an eclectic list here Nick, love it!! There are a few of my personal faves as well, TDK, Amelie especially, nice list!!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 22, 2013Looking forward to posting your review Ruth, thanks for joining in 🙂
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Nick Powell
/ October 28, 2013Thanks, Ruth! I’m quite proud of it lol.
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Smash
/ October 21, 2013This is such an excellent list! We start off with some great nostalgia by way of The Princess Bride and The Sandlot, which gives way to some really fun and thoughtful movies like Forrest Gump and Amelie. Amazing picks, you will be entertained until you are saved indeed.
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Nick Powell
/ October 28, 2013haha. thanks for the breakdown. i feel like I read that as though you were some critic on a radio station or someone breaking down a recipe!
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table9mutant
/ October 26, 2013The Princess Bride!!! This is on my island as well. 🙂 Nice list!
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Nick Powell
/ October 28, 2013Maybe our islands are closer together than we think. Perhaps one of us should start building a raft of some kind so we can survive together!
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table9mutant
/ October 29, 2013Good idea! We’d have lots of great movies to watch with all these desert island lists. 🙂
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Nick Powell
/ October 29, 2013Tyson, you’ve deserted too many of us. We are slowly but surely joining forces to get our revenge on you!
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Tyson Carter
/ October 29, 2013Good luck getting off your islands. I’ve made sure no one will ever find or rescue you.
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Nick Powell
/ October 29, 2013We don’t need rescue. Combined, we have 704 movies (ignoring duplicates), 88 books, and 88 luxury items. We will combine forces. We will combine our minds. We will become the Desert Island Power Rangers and we will find you and we will kill you. Or more fitting, we will smush your head in a vice. Like a grape. Rape. Ape. Pe. E. .
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Tyson Carter
/ October 30, 2013I’d watch that show. Sounds like The Following, all working together for one cause – Kill Tyson. I like it. If you need me, I live in Glasgow. Under the alias Mark Walker
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Nick Powell
/ October 30, 2013It all makes sense now. I have just sent out hundreds of messages in bottles to begin the building of our army. SOON, Mr. Walker. SOOOOOOOOOOON
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Tyson Carter
/ October 30, 2013LOL – you crack me up. 🙂
(but you still wont find me)
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Nick Powell
/ October 30, 2013I have my ways. We have OUR ways.
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Tyson Carter
/ October 30, 2013Is that you in the farm opposite my house?
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