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All responses Most smiled responses
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Formspring Question of the Day
asked by FormspringBeing asked to record a DVD critical commentary track was both terrifying and amazing all at the same time. I used to program a movie series for the public and host film lectures so it was thrilling to jump back into the realm of discussing movies aloud. I was honored to record the track for "Uptown" and it inspired me professionally and personally to challenge myself in new ways and help raise awareness about a wonderful film in which I truly believed.
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Aside from just going by "Jen" instead of Jennifer, the closest I've ever come to a real nickname was in a screenwriting course in college where a classmate called me "Sof" because he thought I looked like and reminded him of Sofia Coppola. It kind of stuck among a precious few and 6 years later -- to the nicknamer in particular -- I'm still "Sof."
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When I was in sixth grade, my English teacher submitted the first critical biographical film essay I ever wrote (about the life and career of Charlie Chaplin with emphasis on "Modern Times") in our school district's writing competition without telling me.
While I was fortunate to have won the nonfiction award, perhaps the greatest kindness came in the way that her confidence in my work helped me understand that there was a way to combine my love of cinema with my passion for writing since that event set me on my path to pursue analysis and screenwriting. -
I think the personal computer may be a few years older than me so I think I'd have to go with the internet because (and as corny as it does sound), it truly brings the whole world together.
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Right now, I'm a writer who sings. Why not be an actor who still sings for fun?
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I always had a book in my hands so I can't choose just one. As a former middle school library assistant, I even created a hand-selected online book shop you can visit here: http://bit.ly/hD4TYO
Some of My Favorites Include: "The Wind in the Willows," by Kenneth Grahame; "Sideways Stories from Wayside School," by Louis Sachar; "Ramona Quimby, Age 8," by Beverly Cleary; The "Lisa, Bill and Jed" mysteries by Peggy Parish; "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great," by Judy Blume; "There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom," by Louis Sachar; and the "Nancy Drew" series by Caroline Keene. -
This is an impossibly difficult question since I read a very wide variety of magazines from film and entertainment to news and women's periodicals etc. If pressed, I guess I'd go with "Mental Floss" (ironically I'm not even a current subscriber but have been in the past) since the topics keep changing, you learn something new in every issue and it's also enjoyable.
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Really, really tough question because even though there are many overrated actors, usually they've at least turned in a handful of stellar performances in their time. For example, although I loved Marlon Brando in "Streetcar," "Waterfront," and "Godfather," to name a few, I'm always puzzled by those who claim he's the greatest actor who has ever lived. Yet, because "The Godfather" is my favorite film, I can't (and don't want to) count him or anyone else out altogether so I'm afraid I don't have a definitive answer.
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George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"
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Man, this is a harder question to answer than favorite films. I really loathe misogynistic, racist, homophobic and exploitative movies. Yet for sheer awfulness, it's a tie between "The Tracey Fragments" and "Georgia Rule."
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Ballroom, baby! Studied ballet for years and launched straight into tap and jazz. They were a lot of fun and I'm no expert but would love to unleash my inner Ginger Rogers or Cyd Charisse in ballroom.
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Wow, this is an awesome question. Immediately I thought of Keyser Söze from "The Usual Suspects" but I'm not sure if he counts since he may not be a real concrete, bona fide baddie given the unreliable narrator device.
Here We Go:
1) Robert Mitchum's Reverend Harry Powell from "The Night of the Hunter"
2) Anthony Perkins' Norman Bates from "Psycho"
3) Javier Bardem's Anton Chigurh from "No Country for Old Men"
Runners-Up: Gary Oldman in "The Professional" (aka "Leon"); Dennis Hopper in "Blue Velvet"; Ben Kingsley in "Sexy Beast" -
asked by GreenCine
This is an excellent question -- if you asked me a year ago, I would've said "Paris, Texas," and a few years ago, my answer would've been Rob Morrow's underrated film "Maze." Luckily, both movies have since been released on disc.
Right now, I'm thinking of foreign films -- particularly the 2006 Italian award-winner "The Missing Star," which drew comparisons to "Lost in Translation" but has never seen the light of Region 1 DVD as well as Eric Rohmer's "Autumn Tale."
On a childish nostalgic note, I'm going to add "The B.R.A.T. Patrol," which was a Wonderful World of Disney TV movie from the '80s that I watched so often I nearly wore out our VHS tape of it and would love the opportunity to see again as an adult.
I'm also going to throw out a TV on DVD request for NBC's beloved "Ed" to get the Shout! Factory treatment that "Freaks and Geeks," and "Larry Sanders" have received. -
asked by GreenCine
My first instinct is to go with Woody Allen not only for the sheer number of titles but also for the diversity -- comedies, dramas, mysteries, philosophical works etc. So many can be analyzed and appreciated on a number of levels so re-watching them wouldn't be as difficult as with other filmmakers.
For example, I'm a huge Scorsese fan but can only watch Raging Bull or Taxi Driver once a year and think they're brilliant but emotionally draining movies. I'd need to switch things up (being on an island and all). Cool question, thanks guys. :) -
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
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It's hard to say because I'm not sure what your needs are -- whether you like the all-in-one units (I don't; sometimes 1 component dies like the Blu-ray player before the speakers etc.) or if you're going for 3D.
I'm a big fan of Sony products -- like the Bravia line because they sync up; never had to return a Sony yet (have had bad luck with a few other name brands).
Grabbed a few links for you to look at:
TV: http://amzn.to/9fwAgL
Blu-ray Player (Good to get one like this that has WiFi so you can experience BD-Live, Stream Netflix, Amazon On Demand, etc.): http://amzn.to/bbPJZc
5.1 Surround Sound (Have one like this; super easy to connect): http://amzn.to/ala1Fn
Another device I can't live without is my Roku Player -- if you go for a DVD player or BD that's cheaper and doesn't have WiFi, this streams Netflix and lots of channels: http://amzn.to/cxMJqz
Another idea is also buying a VGA cord (if your TV has a PC input) -- can't tell you how convenient it is to plug my computer into the TV to stream Hulu, etc.: http://amzn.to/aD9DSK
The bottom line is to get something you're comfortable with, do your research, price shop and Enjoy Your New Home Theater Set-up! -
Yes, I'm honored to say that I have received quite a few very kind messages from "celebrities," whether they're actors, directors, screenwriters, etc. I think the advent of "Google Alert" along with social networking sites like Twitter has enabled tech-savvy celebs a faster way to find information that's written either about them or the projects they've made along with a stronger urge to "reach out."
I don't feel right about name-dropping; love receiving mail from any reader whether they're a "big name" or like the rest of us, have a name that isn't in "People Magazine." One of the highlight "surprise" e-mails I received happened to be from an actor (turned writer/director) upon whom I'd had quite a big crush when I was a tween. It was flattering to realize (now as an adult) that mainly my "crush" was fueled by admiration for the great work that he does and the fact that we have similar passions for cinema. In other words, I will say that it's a much smaller world than you'd think and people are united by taste! -
Good question! I've become a devoted Blu-ray convert so it's been awhile. But aside from purchasing "The Larry Sanders Show: Complete Series" on DVD, over the summer I also bought Brian Ackley's award-winning, romantic indie "Uptown," for which I was honored to have contributed a critical commentary audio track.
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Jen Johans
Jen Johans’s Bio
A 3-time National Award-Winning Writer & Walking Movie Encyclopedia, I've braved the adventures of cinematic & arts criticism online for 4 years.
