A
reader, Sarah, writes:
“I want to know
your answer to the ‘desert island scenario.’
To refresh your memory, you’re stranded alone on a desert island and you
can only pick one movie to take with you to watch. What is it?”
Hi
Sarah, that’s actually one that I’ve thought about from time-to-time. I’m not
sure why, however. It seems like an
eminently illogical scenario that I would be alone on a desert island, and yet
have the capability and time to watch a movie.
Anyway…
In
terms of my “one movie,” to watch on a desert island, I’ve decided,
regretfully, that it can’t be a horror film.
I
know that probably sounds silly, but I enjoy horror so much, in part, because
it’s so different from my real life. I
lead a happy, sheltered, comfortable existence.
But if I’m stranded alone, away from my wife and son on a desert island
-- with little hope of rescue -- I definitely
won’t be picking Halloween (1978), The Exorcist (1973), The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Alien (1979), The Thing (1981), The
Blair Witch Project (1999), or any other personal favorites of the
form.
Although
a comedy sounds appealing on first blush (preferably something from Christopher
Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer), the problem there is that most comedies
-- the good ones anyway -- clock in at ninety minutes or shorter. If I’m only going to get one film to watch
for the rest of my natural life, I want to squeeze every minute out of the
experience.
Considering
these factors, I think I’m going to select my all-time favorite film, and the movie I consider the best science fiction movie ever made: Planet of the Apes (1968). The film has moments of humor,
moments of incredible humanity, and some great action. The script is brilliant, and the look of the
film amazing. Plus, uh, Linda Harrison is in the movie. Planet of the Apes also runs
a good long time (112 minutes).
Plus – and this is important – it may help me
understand the local wildlife…
Don’t
forget, e-mail me your questions at Muirbusiness@yahoo.com
John, brilliant choice of the first and best Planet Of The Apes(1968) movie. I will never forget seeing this film as a very young boy in the early ‘70s with my family in the drive-in. I have this one on my short list of all time favorite movies too. There is something extremely special about the ’70s boyhood Planet Of The Apes franchise experience of the movies, CBS television series, Saturday morning animated series and all the merchandising [toys]. You are right it is perfect for a desert island shipwrecked Gilligan’s Island castaway situation. My other short list runner-ups would be one of these Kirk era films: Star Trek TMP(1979) or Star Trek II Wrath Of Khan(1982) or Star Trek V Final Frontier(1989) or Star Trek VI Undiscovered Country(1991) or the sea based Walt Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea(1954).
ReplyDeleteSGB
SGB,
DeleteI absolutely love your choice of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. That would be another top selection, in my opinion.
I might also want to take Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It's high-minded and inspiring. The other films would just make me, I'm afraid, long to see the rest of the sequels...
I appreciate the comment, my friend.
best,
John
Easy: Captain Ron
ReplyDeletehttp://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9362/cpro.jpg
Hi Cannon,
DeleteA Perfect choice, I think. (Hey, Kurt Russell is the star. How bad could it possibly be...oh...)
best,
John
20,000 LEAGUES would be a pretty awesome choice. Tough call. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK may be mine. Either that or BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.
ReplyDelete