This week’s subject, however, is none other than Steve Zarella. Steve, also known to his friends as Dr. Z, is the head of the Universal Network for Size Acceptance. In case you’re wondering, it’s a size-friendly community where size acceptance advocates, activists, and groups can meet and discuss issues relating to big, tall, and short persons.

Steve also has mad skills when it comes to wrestling trivia, and he can talk for hours about the glory days of promotions like the UWF and World Class Championship Wrestling. I usually run into Steve about once a year at some party or other thrown by a mutual friend, and we always wind up talking about some of the more legendary happenings inside the squared circle. Yes, we’re both geeks.

If you’d like to know more about Steve, be sure to check him out on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. You can also visit his resource for big and tall folks at Huge Comfort.

OGM: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Steve Zarella: The first movie I remember seeing was Star Wars. I was about 6 and it was at the drive-in. I didn’t remember too much from it for many years and was actually not very interested in the whole trilogy (now hexalogy) until I was about 24.

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
SZ: Hmm. that’s a tough one. It would have to include Citizen Kane, Clerks, Sling Blade, Duck Soup, and High Plains Drifter. (If I could add a 6th and have it be my final movie, I would probably want to watch Leaving Las Vegas, though.)

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
SZ: Classic Comedy: Duck Soup
Modern Comedy: Animal House
Classic Drama: Citizen Kane
Modern Drama: Leaving Las Vegas
Independent: Clerks
Horror Movie: The Devil’s Rejects

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
SZ: I could not get past the first 10 minutes of Lord of the Rings for a long time. I finally managed to get through it a few years ago, and I wish I could get all of that time back. Ugh, it was horrible. Kevin Smith accurately reflects my feelings about the movie (or maybe mine reflect his) in his movie Clerks 2.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?                             SZ: No. I like to watch movies at the theater as much as I can, and I am not a fan of auto-debit (which both seem to require).

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
SZ: I think Leaving Las Vegas, Pulp Fiction, Scent of a Woman, Episodes 4-6 of Star Wars (they pretty much are already), Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn, and the Harry Potter series are among ones that would make it.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
SZ: I am not a heavy book reader. I will say that after seeing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, I read the complete series up to that point (Book 5, I believe).

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
SZ: William Shatner as far as a general celebrity. Billy Bob Thornton is probably my favorite actor.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
SZ: Barbara Streisand

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
SZ: When I was younger, I was in favor of it. Especailly black and white films. I was even a big proponent of Ted Turner’s colorization process. Now, I think people should leave well enough alone. A great example would be Tim Burton. I like some of his movies, but the last 10 years or so, all he does is try to reinvent the wheel.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
SZ: I have a huge crush on Drew Barrymore.

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?                      SZ: My favorite movie reviewer is John Bloom aka Joe Bob Briggs. His use of counting breasts and deaths like a bank teller would count money is absolutely brilliant. He comments that movies, no matter how artfully or tastefully done are nothing more than a product to the movie studios and the actors nothing more than a commodity.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
SZ: I find that teenagers in groups and overcrowded theaters tend to be the most annoying. And let me tell you, since we are on the subject of annoying things, movie theaters need either bigger seats or to be made so the arms raise so larger people can fit it them. Movie theaters are one of a few places that I can go as a large person (at one point I was almost 700 lbs.) and enjoy myself. Finding a theater to accommodate my size was trying, though. I want to give props to Rave Motion Pictures (I go to the one in Hickory Creek, Texas) as having great seating. I may not fit in one seat, but there are no encumbrances in fitting in two seats. A distance second would be Cinemark, the arms raise on their seats, but they have a little piece that separates the chairs which make it uncomfortable. Big people can drive a lot of business to movie theaters!

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
SZ: Yes.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
SZ: Well, as far as candy, I have to have chocolate covered almonds to eat by themselves. I also have to have sno-caps and chocolate covered peanuts to mix in with the popcorn. As far as the drink, whatever is non carbonated. Usually lemonade or fruit punch.

That’s it for this week’s installment of Movies and the Masses, and I would like to thank Steve Zarella for agreeing to participate. Check back with OGM in the future, as we’re bound to have additional segments devoted to discussing cinema with everyday people from all walks of life. Until then, stay frosty.

Also recommended:

• Deanna Deadly – Movies and the Masses
• Kate Wicker – Movies and the Masses
• Jimmie Robinson – Movies and the Masses

“Night after night, Evan walked along the desolate beach, grieving over the loss of his son, drowned in an accident more than a year before. 

Then one night he was drawn to the luminous sound of a beautiful, naked woman singing near the shore in the moonlight.  He watched mesmerized as the mysterious woman disappeared into the sea.  Driven by desire and temptation, Evan returned to the spot every night until he found her again.  Now he has begun a bizarre, otherworldly affair.  A deadly affair.  For Evan will soon realize that his seductive lover is a being far more evil…and more terrifying…than he ever imagined. 

He will learn the danger of falling into the clutches of the… SIREN.”

And if you like the sound of that, you’ll also want to check out the other novels and collected stories (as well as art and music) of John Everson. To buy the items listed below, just pop on over to John’s well-maintained official website:

• Creeptych
• The 13th
• Sacrifice
• Covenant
• Needles & Sins
• Candy in the Dumpster
• Failure
• Vigilante of Love
• Cage of Bones & Other Deadly Obsessions

But that’s not all, folks! John also shares a deep purple den in Naperville, Illinois with a cockatoo and cockatiel, a disparate collection of fake skulls, twisted skeletal fairies, Alan Clark illustrations and a large stuffed Eeyore. There’s a mounted Chinese fowling spider named Stoker courtesy of Charlee Jacob, an ever-growing shelf of custom mix CDs and an acoustic guitar that he can’t really play but that his son Shaun likes to hear him beat on anyway. Sometimes his wife Geri is surprised to find him shuffling through more public areas of the house, but it’s usually only to brew another cup of coffee. In order to avoid the onerous task of writing, he holds down a regular job at a medical association, records pop-rock songs in a hidden home studio, experiments with the insatiable culinary joys of the jalapeno, designs photo collage art book covers for a variety of small presses, loses hours in expanding an array of gardens and chases frequent excursions into the bizarre visual headspace of ’70s euro-horror DVDs with a shot of Makers Mark and a tall glass of Newcastle.

John also loves to interact with his fans. To bask in his wisdom, be sure to visit either his Twitter or MySpace page.

Now onto the questions…

Only Good Movies: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
John Everson: I don’t remember which came first, but my earliest movie memories are of going to the local Drive-In to see those crazy Disney fantasy films like Bedknobs & Broomsticks, Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang, Freaky Friday and Herbie the Love Bug. The films I remember “sneaking” as a kid (watching them late at night with my ear pressed against the speaker of the TV so my parents wouldn’t know) were the b/w horror movies that used to show in Chicago on a show called “Creature Features” — the old Universal films like Frankenstein and Dracula and Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein!

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
JE: Alien–the ultimate science fiction horror movie
Vampyres–the sexiest vampire movie
Beetlejuice–Tim Burton’s best movie, thanks to Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder.
Summer School–probably the funniest teen comedy ever – with horror movie effects!
Star Wars–the first movie I begged my parents to let me go see at the theatre.
I’d be inclined to add Caligula, just cuz I’ve never seen it. But what if it turned out to suck? I’d rather just count on Traci, I Love You.

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
JE: I can’t pick a single one…I love too many movies in too many genres. from the “classic” period I’d pick Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane and Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train or Psycho. And I have watched Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember. In the horror/sci-fi field, it would be a wrestling match between Blade Runner, Alien and The Terminator. But then there’s the horror-sci-fi comedy genre with movies like Dead Alive, Shaun of the Dead and The Fifth Element, which is so wacky and colorful I own it on VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray. In comedies, Summer School, Better Off Dead and Real Genius. I’m a huge Tim Burton fan–I love all his movies, especially Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas. And I like a lot of French film, from ’70s Jean Rollin sex-horror pieces like Living Dead Girl, Fascination and Two Orphan Vampires to the work of modern French horror directors like the nail-biting crazy violence of Laugier’s Martyrs and Aja’s High Tension.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
JE: My tolerance is pretty high, so I’ll sit through almost anything, but thanks to the cheap duplication / distribution of DVDs, there are a lot of really incredibly bad low budget movies out there… with ludicrous acting, cheap audio and a completely nonsensicle script featuring some of the most inane dialogue ever, Shower of Blood has to be one of the worst.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
JE: I don’t. I’m a horrible collector — a media hog. I like to own all the movies I watch. Heck, I still even own a copy of Shower of Blood (probably just to remind myself of the horror). I’m always looking for movie deals — I’ll buy used stuff on Amazon, or 4 and 5 DVDs for $20 offers at Blockbusters. I buy lots of movies and stack them up to watch later. That way, I always have a good variety of things sitting around that I haven’t seen and I can decide what I feel like on the spur of the moment at 11 o’clock at night, rather than being forced to make a decision on what to rent and being locked to that choice.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
JE: Well… it depends on your definition of modern, but in the horror genre (which is my main focus, as a horror novelist), I think the modern classics of the past 20 years are Shaun of the Dead, High Tension, Scream, Ginger Snaps, Dead Alive, The Sixth Sense, Trauma, Cube, Saw, The Devil’s Rejects, and The Locals. As much fun as it was to have Jenna Jamison make a horror movie, I don’t think Zombie Strippers is going to make the cut.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
JE: Less, I suppose. I can’t think of a book I’ve ever read because of a movie. Usually if I know a movie is based on a book, I do try to read the book first, though.

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
JE: Milla, Christina Ricci and Winona Ryder top my list for women, though I have to give props to Angelina Jolie. Johnny Depp and Bruce Willis for the guys. Though you always know Sean Connery and Jack Nicholson are going to be fun to watch.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
JE: He keeps getting roles in movies I want to see because of their subject matter, but I wish Keanu Reaves would go away. Same with Nicholas Cage. They both remind me of wooden figures that someone forced to life. And if I never had to see a movie with Sarah Jessica Parker, I’d die happy.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
JE: I think it’s lame. The reason we loved the classic films was because they were done so well the first time. Despite whatever flaws they had, they achieved that “something” that made them really memorable and special. So it’s kind of an exercise in futility to remake them — you’re never going to equal the originality that we loved in the first film, even if you make the effects better, so why do it again? I wish Hollywood would spend more time adapting newer novels and short stories to film because there’s an amazing wealth of good fiction out there that has never been filmed. Instead, they just keep making the same movie, over and over and over again. It’s ridiculous.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
JE: Milla, Christina Ricci and Bridget Fonda for me. I think Katie Morgan is pretty fun, too.

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
JE: I read them occasionally…and I’ve written them too, for newspapers and magazines. I’m a Chicagoan, and a University of Illinois grad, so I’ve always sworn allegiance to Roger Ebert. While he gained a reputation nationally as a critic thanks to the Siskel and Ebert: At The Movies TV show, he is both a graduate of my alma mater and a local guy, and I’ve always found his reviews thoughtful and insightful. I’ve been proud that he’s “one of ours” and I’ve enjoyed reading his reviews for half of my life now.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
JE: People who talk during the film…especially the ones that do commentary on the movie: “Oh, she shouldn’t go down those stairs. C’mon, everybody knows you don’t go down the stairs when the lights are out…”

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
JE: Absolutely. The best films take us to both visual and mental places that no other medium can. They’re transcendent.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
JE: A movie is not a movie if you don’t have freshly popped buttered popcorn. My friend Lon and I periodically spearhead “horror movie nights” with his brother and our significant others. The two of us pick out the selections to “torture” our family with, and then the group of us camp out in front of the big screen in the basement and show movies for the evening. And Lon always brings his five-foot-tall popcorn popper when it’s at my house–with coconut oil. Because…you just can’t watch a movie without real movie popcorn!!

Once again, I’d like to thank John Everson for taking part in this installment of Movies and the Masses. Be sure to visit his website, browse the content, and then buy one or more of his books. Next week, we’ll present yet another fascinating guest, but here are some links to previous interviews to help make the wait more tolerable:

• David Petersen – Writer and Comic Book Artist
• Joe J.Prince – Game Designer
• Declan Burke – Author

Biting into heads
is much harder than it looks.
The Skull is feisty.

Great stuff, right? Well, you wouldn’t be the only one to express such sentiment. Here are a few other supporters of Ryan Mecum’s work:

• “I have a copy of Zombie Haiku in my bathroom. Brilliant.” – Billy Collins, former US Poet Laureate
• “Ryan Mecum obviously knows his zombie films well and his book tells a gory, violent story that will warm the veins of Romero fans.” – Rue Morgue Magazine
• “The most inventive zombie book in years!” – David Wellington, author of the Monster Island trilogy

It should also be noted that his books have drawn praise from Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Mark L. Millar, and, of course, Ryan’s own brother, Kevin.

You can learn more about Ryan Mecum by visiting his official site, the site dedicated to Zombie Haiku, or his Twitter page. Here’s a bit of biographical information in his own words:

My name is Ryan. I like to write books that are about fiction or about poems. I have a degree in English from the University of Cincinnati. I like Cincinnati and I live there. I like scary monsters. I also like other stuff like lightning bugs and carneys. I also like comics. I also like God. I work for a ministry called Younglife. I like to talk to teenagers about scary monsters, lightning bugs, carneys, comics, and God. I like haiku and movies. I like to sneak R.E.M. quotes into my books. I once told Michael Stipe that I love him as much as my wife. It was an awkward conversation. I have kids. That’s about it.

OGM: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Ryan Mecum: In a theater, my parents took me to see Empire Strikes Back, but it was sold out so we saw The Blues Brothers. I fell asleep. Still to this day, I look bitterly down at The Blues Brothers.

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
RM: Really long ones? Disturbing question. These aren’t my top five favorites, but the five movies I might choose to watch before I died are as follows: Moulin Rouge, Wings of Desire, The Passion of the Christ, The Constant Gardener, In Bruges.

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
RM: Depends on the day. Lately, I’ve been rotating into that slot the following: Raiders, Jaws, Tremors, Back to the Future, and The Road Warrior. All are iconic childhood memories for me. Maybe not Tremors.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
RM: My least favorite TYPE of movie is one that has a strong cast and creative team, yet the film only turns out okay. Public Enemies comes to mind. Superman Returns. But to answer your question: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
RM: I’m a Netflix guy, but I miss the old days of driving to pick up a movie, wandering the aisles for something random. I now feel like I have to plan to be bored and want to rent a movie later in the week, and I’m not the best planner.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
RM: The Dark Knight. Scott Pilgrim. Lord Of The Rings. Anchorman. The past 11 Pixar films. Not Avatar.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
RM: Less.

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
RM: Steve Buscemi.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
RM: Paris Hilton.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
RM: If the movie wasn’t that good, but could have been, then go for it. That’s why I’m excited for True Grit and not excited for Let Me In.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
RM: Actor–Johnny Depp. Actress–Johnny Depp (in Ed Wood or Before Night Falls)

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
RM: I read movie reviews and cross reference the critics I like before I ever pay to see a film in a theater. My current top three are Ebert, A.O. Scott, and Harry Knowles.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
RM: Those who talk and those who punch.

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
RM: To get a team of hundreds to work together and create one vision is art to me. Put me in a room with the statue of David and a t.v. showing Amelie, I’ll be watching Amelie.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
RM: Anything you can sneak in your pockets from a gas station.

Thanks to Ryan Mecum for sharing his opinons on film, and be sure to show your love by visiting his official Ryan Mecum website, his Zombie Haiku website, and the Ryan Mecum Twitter page. Anyone who lists Steve Buscemi as their favorite celebrity deserves at least that much.

Until next week, here are a few more Movies and the Masses entries to quench your thirst:

• David Petersen – Comic book artist and writer
• Declan Burke – Author of crime novels and freelance journalist

If you still can’t get enough of the lovely Deanna Deadly, then you can also cruise on over to her Facebook and Twitter pages for up-to-the-date info.

Now that the introductions have been made, let’s pause for a cold shower before picking Deanna Deadly’s brain on the topic of the cinematic arts.

OGM: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Deanna Deadly: Young Frankenstein.

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
DD: Night Of The Living Dead. Christine. Blood For Dracula. Army of Darkness. And the shocker…Bringing Up Baby.

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
DD: Christine.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
DD: Why would I pay attention to a movie I dont like?

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online?
DD: I have family that uses Netflix, so I share and use it, but I dont pay for any of them myself.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
DD: I really don’t pay attention to “modern movies.” I’m a classic movie girl.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
DD: Depends. Books are a lot different than movie versions of the story.

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
DD: What’s your definition of a celebrity? I would have loved to have met Louise Brooks and Cary Grant. They are probably two of my favorites.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
DD: I pretty much avoid any current movies and actors!

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
DD: I really dislike it. They must be running out of ideas! The only remake I actually saw in the last few years was The Wolfman, and I was suprised that it wasn’t terrible, but it still wasn’t that great.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
DD: Lillian Gish…Anyone know who that is? Milla Jovovich is the most beautiful current actress I believe.

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
DD: I rarely look at movie reviews. Why do I care about someone else’s opinion who probably doesn’t have the same taste and style as me?

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
DD: Loud inconsiderate talkers.

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
DD: Yes, some are definitely works of art.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
DD: If I’m at a theatre, I always get popcorn.

Let’s all give a big round of applause to Deanna Deadly for participating in this installment of Movies and the Masses. If you’d like to support her efforts as a professional fetish model, be sure to visit her website. Join us again next week, when we’ll talk movies with another member of the general public. Until then, here are a few older interviews to hold you over:

• Derek Gabryszak – Graphic Designer
• Joe Posnanski – Writer for Sports Illustrated and Author
• David Fucillo – San Francisco 49ers Blogger

Need more convincing? Just check out this brief bio from the intrepid lads at Draft Sharks:

“DraftSharks have been a leader in the fantasy football industry since 1999. We pride ourselves in thinking outside the box – which has helped us win numerous high-stakes leagues, expert leagues and expert polls over the last decade. And our exclusive analysis and insight has even helped two grand prize winners in the World Championship of Fantasy Football win over $550,000.

While so many other fantasy magazines and websites have sold out to Corporate America in the last few years, we’re still a small group of professional writers who are proud to be independent. We’re small enough to give personal advice to our readers. And we say what we think without worrying about some suit from “corporate headquarters” slapping down our opinions. Yes, we make our living from Draft Sharks, but we do fantasy football foremost for the love and the passion.

We cap the number of fantasy players in our exclusive Draft Sharks community at less than 10,000 subscribers. How come? The answer is simple. We put your winning ahead of our profits. Think of it this way: If you subscribe to a site that has hundreds of thousands (or even MILLIONS) of subscribers, aren’t you just getting the same advice and information as the next guy? How does that give you an advantage? We would rather charge a little more than most sites, and build in the advantage that only comes with exclusivity.”

Now that we’ve established their unparalleled knowledge on the subject of fantasy football, let’s see what Draft Sharks has to say about the movie biz:

Only Good Movies: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Draft Sharks: The Neverending Story.

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
DS: Shawshank Redemption, Miracle, Hoosiers, Field of Dreams, Goodfellas.

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
DS: Field of Dreams.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
DS: I loathe any type of movie in the mold of Harry Potter, Twilight, Lord of the Rings–the fantasy land plot just doesn’t do it for me.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
DS: No, I do not. I would prefer going to a place to rent a movie, because I’m indecisive and like to look over all the titles in person.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
DS: All those “fantasy land” movies I talked about above. Add the Avatar series to this as well, because it’s the first movie of its kind.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
DS: Depends on if I liked the movie!

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
DS: Chad Ochocinco

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
DS: If the Jonas Brothers were in movies, I would avoid those. But for an actor, I would have to say Robin Williams.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
DS: Jaden Smith is no Ralph Macchio!

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
DS: Actor–George Clooney (no shame in that). Actress–Scarlett Johansson.

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
DS: Rarely read movie reviews. Rather form my own opinion.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
DS: There usually seem to be a few clowns in the back corner who feel the need to try and draw as much attention as possible. Also, people who laugh uncontrollably at even a hint of humor.

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
DS: Some more so than others. It’s certainly not easy to make a $500 million movie.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
DS: Sour Patch Kids.

Thanks to Jared Smola and the fellas at Draft Sharks for taking the time to participate in Movies and the Masses. If you want to show your appreciation, and win a few fantasy football leagues in the process, be sure to head over to the Draft Sharks website and sign up for their NFL fantasy football package. I’ve been a customer for years, so I can recommend them with confidence.

Until next week’s edition of Movies and the Masses, here are a few more interviews to keep you busy:

• Kate Wicker of Momopoly
• Jimmy Robinson – Creator of Bomb Queen
• Scot Nery – Comic, juggler, and contortionist

In fact, there are several examples of Derek’s work included in this interview, all inspired by the classic film True Romance. Each piece of artwork measures 14”X17”, costs $25, and is limited to only 45. That means you’d better act fast if you want to get your hands on one. Oh, and anyone who buys the entire set will also get a “broken print” (scratched, dented, or otherwise imperfect) thrown in for free.

To purchase one or more of these fine pieces of modern art, head over to Derek’s official website. While you’re at it, you can also visit his blog and Twitter page for more thoughts from an artist living in the Big Apple.

Now let’s see what Derek has to say about the art of film:

Only Good Movies: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Derek Gabryszak: I have no idea what the first was, but I do remember loving the Karate Kid a LOT. I asked my parents to make me a bandana like he wears in it. I also remember getting too scared and having to be taken out of Ernest Scared Stupid for a bit. I’ll guess I was 5 or 6 years old? What a loser…

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
DG: Dog Day Afternoon, Jules and Jim, True Romance, The Pope of Greenwich Village, and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It’d be tough to cram those into a few hours though…could I get five TV’s and watch them all at once?

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
DG: True Romance, Dog Day Afternoon or Jules and Jim, depending on the day and how much coffee or beer I’ve had.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
DG: Ahhhh…that tough. Certainly not my least favorite, but I thought Up In The Air got way more credit than it deserved last year.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
DG: I don’t. Mostly because I’m impulsive and don’t want to wait two days for a movie to come in the mail, and then I have to plan to watch it and so on. I’d rather just go buy or rent it and watch on my own schedule.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
DG: There Will Be Blood, anything by PT Anderson for that matter, Kill Bill, Departed…Oscar films and all that nonsense.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
DG: For perspective, Jules and Jim is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I’ve been working my way through the book for over a year now.

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
DG: The ones who speak freely. Crispin Glover. Or maybe Gary Busey.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
DG: Gerard Butler.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
DG: I have no plans to see the new Karate Kid.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
DG: I think most young hipster boys have a thing for Zooey Deschanel. I am no exception.

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
DG: No real favorites. I follow and am thoroughly entertained by Roger Ebert on Twitter, though.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
DG: Just last weekend I went to a midnight showing of Requiem for a Dream at Landmark Sunshine in New York, and the couple in front of me had a solid hook up session going. I think I was more intrigued than annoyed though. We weren’t in the middle of the theater, but it was a pretty blatant display.

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
DG: Absolutely. That’s what I love about movies and envy about filmmakers. It is the beautiful marriage of many art forms. It’s visual, how the shot is framed, the colors (or lack of colors) within it, how it moves to the next image. It’s sound, music, titles are an art, photography, acting, the script, writing, poetry, connection to emotion on every level. For me at least.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
DG: I always get a small soda when I go to a theater. All the other junk is nonsense.

Many thanks to Derek Gabryszak for taking part in this week’s edition of Movies and the Masses. Be sure to head over to his website, blog, or Twitter page and show your appreciation. Join us again next week, when we’ll have a brand-spankin’ new guest. Until then, here are a few more interviews to hold your over.

• Joe J. Prince – Role-playing Game Designer
• Christopher Gates – Minnesota Vikings Blogger
• Dai Andrews – Professional Sword Swallower, Magician, and Escape Artist

This week we delve into the world of comic books, as our guest is David Petersen, the multi-talented writer and artist behind Mouse Guard. In case you’re unfamiliar with this outstanding work, Mouse Guard is an Eisner Award-winning title (Best Publication for Kids and Best Graphic Album–Reprint) from Archaia Studios Press. Divided into six-issue mini-series, it has been translated into Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German. The following synopsis was taken straight from the official Mouse Guard website:

“The mice struggle to live safely and prosper among all of the world’s harsh conditions and predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed. After persevering against a weasel warlord in the winter war of 1149, the territories are no longer as troubled. True, the day to day dangers exist, but no longer are the Guard soldiers, instead they are escorts, pathfinders, weather watchers, scouts and body guards for the mice who live among the territories. Many skills are necessary for the guard to keep the borders safe. They must find new safeways and paths from village to village, lead shipments of goods from one town to another and, in case of attack, guard against all evil and harm to their territories.”

The series has been turned into a role-playing game, and the possibility of a movie adaptation has also been discussed. Be sure to check it out right after you read our David Petersen interview. Oh, and don’t forget to visit his blog, where he waxes philosophic about the comic biz and anything else that’s on his mind.

Only Good Movies: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
David Petersen: ET. I know my folks took me to various Disney movies before that, but my older sister and her friend took me to see ET and that experience stuck with me.

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
DP: Nightmare Before Christmas, The Dark Crystal, Empire Strikes Back, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, & Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
DP: Hard to say…Depends on the day, any of those five above could be my fave. Currently I’m in a Python mood so I’ll go with Holy Grail, but I know last week I was in an Empire Strikes Back mindset.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
DP: I’m going to go with League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I know there are lots of other movies I may hate more just for content, but League made me upset because of the potential and then the horrible, horrible results. I spent a good 3 hours ranting about everything I thought was wrong with that movie afterwards.
Batman and Robin in another example of that, but Schumacher had already lowered the bar with Batman Forever, so it wasn’t a shock that I disliked it.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
DP: Nope. Between TiVo picking stuff from cable for us, our DVD/BluRay collection, and borrowing movies from friends, I feel like we have our bases covered.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
DP: Hard to say for sure, but I’m guessing that movies nominated for Academy Awards are fairly certain to be considered classics. Movies that I think of as modern classics are ones that I either can’t turn off when they come on TV (even if I have them on DVD) like Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, or The Shining. Another mark are movies that I not only remember the movie, but when and where I saw it. It’s the mark of a good movie that it time capsules the event of seeing it in your memory.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
DP: I try and read the book or listen to the audio book beforehand if possible. However, I still catch up on the source material if I’m interested in the film or subject. I guess even if I didn’t enjoy the movie, but liked the premise, I’ll still give the book a shot, because I know how poorly movies can be adapted at times. I’m currently listening to the audio book of IT and trying to reconcile it with the TV movie from 1990.

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
DP: For purely geeky reasons, Adam Savage. I think he seems very genuine and like someone I’d enjoy knowing. On pure attraction, Christina Hendricks. I love that she is shattering the Hollywood stick image.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
DP: There may be a few, I don’t want to name names and be impolite, but that’s also because I wouldn’t rule out seeing a movie of theirs…I just tend to not be a fan of the types of movies they do.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
DP: I take those on a case-by-case basis. For the most part, I’m open to the IDEA of remakes because of the tradition in the theater of plays being performed over and over. Even if someone has been the definitive Hamlet, that’s not to say more can’t be done with the role. However, remakes for the sake of remakes turn me off. Especially when the goal is to ‘update it’ in a way that completely dates the film so it will be unwatchable in 10 years. A movie like Dr. Zhivago (one of my favorites…why isn’t that up on my top 5?) could have some room for improvement (as it is a bit dated being a product of the 60′s) to make it more historically accurate, but I don’t know that the movie needs that to have the message come across any better. The Wizard of Oz I’d LOVE to see a remake of…but only if they were going to be faithful to Baum’s text and the illustrations and designs of the time (I’d actually go with John Neil’s designs over original illustrator W.W. Denslow).

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
DP: Male: (and I’m not ashamed to say I can appreciate when a man is handsome) Brandon Routh
Female: Christina Hendricks. (see above)

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
DP: I tend not to. Sometimes when searching for movie times I’ll glance at the scorecard of what various critics gave a movie, but I like being the judge for myself.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
DP: The ones that annoy everyone, but still seem to be up to their same tricks: talkers, cell phone users, talkers, texters, talkers, kickers, talkers, and laugh-at-inappropriate-moment-ers.

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
DP: Yes. For sure. And just like art, there is good work and bad work.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
DP: No candy, but popcorn and a cold Coke.

I’d like to thank David Petersen for being our guest on Movies and the Masses, and be sure to show your appreciation by checking out Mouse Guard, on sale at your local comic book shop. Until next week, here are a few more interviews you might be interested in:

• Jimmie Robinson – Creator of the Bomb Queen comic
• Dan Fleming – Creator of comic anthology Warrior Twenty-Seven
• Robert Grumbine – Honest to goodness scientist

“Kate Wicker is a wife, mom of three little girls, and journalist. When she’s not searching for MIA sippy cups, she writes for various media and is a senior writer for Faith & Family. Her first book will be published in 2011. Unlike her concise brother, she is a woman of (too) many words. Also unlike her brother, she prefers getting lost in a good book to watching a movie. She has nothing against the silver screen, but being an at-home, homeschooling mom doesn’t leave much time for movie going. Although Kate grows tired of talking about herself in the third person, she thinks it might sound more professional. Please let her know if she’s fooling herself.”

In addition to her website, you can also find out what Kate Wicker is up to by checking out her Twitter account. Everyone else is doing it, so why not be one of the cool people for a change?

Only Good Movies: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Kate Wicker: E.T. I was almost 4 (I think), and I got to see it in the movie theatre with my parents and older brother. When we returned home, I have a faint memory of standing by my bedroom window and searching the night sky for any signs of extraterrestrial life. My older brother, on the other hand, did not share my warm and fuzzy feelings about E.T. After he saw the movie, he made my mom search his menagerie of stuffed animals to make sure E.T. wasn’t hiding out in there. (Aliens, even the friendly variety, still freak him out.)

I also vaguely recall seeing Disney’s Bambi, probably because it was traumatic for me. When Bambi’s mom died, I stood up with fists furled and tears streaming down my face and shouted angrily, “His mommy can’t be dead! This is a cartoon!”

Mom says Cinderella was the first movie I saw on the big screen, but I have no recollection of this. Probably because everybody lived happily ever after and no animals–cartoon or not–were injured in the making of the movie.

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
KW: Life is Beautiful
It’s a Wonderful Life! (I actually watched the movie in its entirety for the first time this year. Now I know why my mom watches it every single Christmas!)
Bella
Up (the opening montage documenting a marriage had me sobbing. “What’s wrong, Mommy?” my little girls asked. “Nothing, nothing. Your mom’s just a sentimental sap.”)
Gran Torino

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
KW: I always cop out on questions like this. I’m not sure I can pick just one movie, or, if I did, I’d probably remember a movie I liked better after I put my answer out there. There are so many different genres; it’s difficult for me to compare so I’m going to break them down into categories and just pick the first movie that comes to my mind.

• Foreign: Life is Beautiful
• Thriller: Exorcist (Jaws and this movie are the only films that have ever given me nightmares.)
• Musical: The Sound of Music
• Romance: Kate & Leopold. I know, I know. I can’t believe I’m admitting that, but I have thing for old-fashioned courtships and men who ride horses.
• Fantasy: Lord of the Rings Trilogy or the Narnia films
• Action: The Bourne Trilogy
• Family: Babe

I haven’t seen many movies in the theater since becoming a mom (I did take my oldest to Disney’s Oceans recently, and it was so nice to take her to a movie that didn’t star talking animals or vegetables), but my favorite film I’ve seen recently on the big screen was Gran Torino. My parents encouraged my husband and me to go see it on a rare date night out. We typically don’t like to waste our precious alone time together in a movie theater, but this movie was worth it.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
KW: Gentlemen Broncos. We received it on Netflix. It was supposed to be quirky, but it came off as bad, bad, bad.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
KW: I heart my Netflix. We just recently subscribed to DirectTV. Prior to that we didn’t have access to even basic cable, so if we wanted to watch something, it came on Netflix. We fell in love with Jack Bauer watching 24’s first season in just a few nights, thanks to Netflix. The service is great for families on a budget. I try out everything from workout DVDs to educational programs for my young children.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
KW: Braveheart. Maybe Avatar, just because of the tremendous special effects (my movie buff of a brother and I went to see this one together, and it was a feast for the eyes, although the story line/plot could have been better; some plot points were not explained at all or very well).

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
KW: I’m an avid reader, so I hate to admit this, but if I see a movie first, I’m less likely to pick up the book because it ruins it for me. When I read, I like my imagination to be in control. I create characters in my head based on the descriptions, and it’s really distracting if a movie has done all the work for my mind’s eye and has already put images to the words. If I hear a movie is coming out that’s based on a book that’s on my “to-read” list, I try to crack the spine right away to avoid this problem. I’m also strict with my kids’ media diet. Even though my oldest daughter is only 5, I make sure to read classic books like Charlotte’s Web aloud together before she sees the movie. I want their imaginations–not Hollywood–to create pictures in their heads.

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
KW: I’ve been staring at this question for several minutes now and cannot think of one single celebrity whom I’d call a favorite. Jack Nicholson popped in my head as being a talented actor.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
KW: I can’t think of any.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
KW: If they’re done well, they don’t bother me.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
KW: My husband teases me about Hugh Jackman. He says I blush when he’s on the screen. No comment. Reese Witherspoon has always appealed to me, and I adore Kate Winslet’s classic style.

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, which critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
KW: I generally don’t read movie reviews, although my husband and I do check out Rotten Tomatoes from time to time.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
KW: I hate it when people are texting or chatting on their cell phones. Give technology a rest. When I used to go to more movies, I’d occasionally see young children with their parents at rated-R movies that contained violent images. This bothered me even in my pre-mom days. Now I find it reprehensible. Aside from the fact that a crying toddler provides his own soundtrack to the movie experience, it’s terribly unfair to the child. One of my little ones balks at any loud noise coming from the screen. Even innocuous educational programs can frighten her if the music booms at all. I can’t imagine taking her to a rated-R movie–or even a PG movie–before I screened it first.

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
KW: Yes. Most anything that finds its genesis in human creativity is considered art to me.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
KW: I’m boring, but popcorn is always a good bet. I’m a water drinker, so nothing exciting there. However, when we watch movies at home together, I’ve been known to sip one of my husband’s signature mojitos or a glass of vino.

I’d like to thank Kate Wicker for taking part in this edition of Movies and the Masses. Be sure to visit her website and show your appreciation, as well. Join us again next week, when we’ll have an all-new guest to rake over the coals. Until then, here are a few interviews from the past to tide you over.

• Christopher Gates – Minnesota Vikings Blogger
• Nick Norelli of Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
• Elsie Flannigan of Red Velvet Art

Born in 1963 and raised in Oakland, California, Jimmie graduated high school at 16 and wasted no time pursuing his love of art. That came to a halt for over a decade beginning at the age of 21, when he married, divorced, and then faced the challenges of being a single parent.

He eventually returned to the art world with the formation of Jet Black Graphics, and he started producing comics full time once his daughter was grown. After self-publishing his own creations, Jimmie began to catch on with the major players in the comic industry. Some titles of note include:

• Amanda & Gunn
• Cyberzone (later used as a prop in the film Ghost Dog)
• Code Blue
• Adventures of Evil & Malice
• Avigon
• Smith Brown Jones
• Love & Tights

But his biggest success has come with Bomb Queen, an eye-popping look at a scantily-clad villainess who runs the fictional New Port City with an iron fist (and the boots to match). Filled with violence and sexuality, the title is far more than your usual T&A romp. It’s packed with enough social commentary to make George Romero‘s head spin, and its wickedly satirical take on politics and pop culture hits the bullseye dead on. Throughout this interview, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the high-quality (and rather sexy) art featured in Bomb Queen.

And before we move on, here are a few more interesting facts about Jimmie Robinson:

• He’s a proud grandfather.
• Nicknamed “Kitty,” Robinson is a major supporter of the feline species, and his fans will often bring him Hello Kitty products at comic conventions.
• Fluent in Japanese, he sometimes writes video game reviews for import titles.
• He was once a semi-pro skateboarder, and he still follows the sport and contributes graphic designs for skateboards.

If you’d like to know more, be sure to check out Jimmie Robinson’s personal website. It’s got plenty of free artwork and comics, an even more detailed bio, info on his upcoming convention appearances, and so much more. He’s also got a page over at Comic Space that’s worth checking out.

Now that we know a little bit about the man, let’s see what he has to say about the world of film:

OGM: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Jimmie Robinson: On TV: Attack of the Flying Saucers.
At a movie theater: Golden Voyage of Sinbad (my mother took me).

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
JR: I’d start off with the mystery and fascination of life in a few Jeunet films (The City of Lost Children, Amelie). Then ramp it up with some action and the survival of life (Aliens, Blade Runner). And power it down with the contemplation of life in the grand sense (Contact).

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
JR: City of Lost Children. One of the few films I have paid to see more than twice before while it was still in theaters.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
JR: Hard to narrow it down, not that I think horribly of film, but that I usually find some redeeming aspect in all movies. Still, if my feet are put to the fire I’d say my least favorite is, Event Horizon.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
JR: Netflix, nowadays. I can even stream it through the Wii game console, thus no waiting on the mail and shipping and no possible damage to the rental disk.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
JR: In 50 years everything will be a classic. The playing field and ease of access to the consumer will reach levels beyond our imagination.
Groups will form and support particular titles with enough members that no one singular film will stand out.
Thus, movies will cease to be stand alone entities. Watching a “first run” film will not involve physically going to a theater or even the living room.
Uploading directly to the human mind/wet ware will be all the rage–and 50 years after that, it won’t even be a question.
But, for the sake of this question, supposing there was an event that pulled a qualified “classic” out of the public cloud/mind share, I’d go with Avatar.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
JR: I am more likely. Especially if there’s some buzz about the source material or specific changes in the adaptation.
Granted, Hollywood often manipulates books into their four-quadrant system, but even some production changes can be fascinating.

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
JR: Audrey Hepburn. She was classy on and off the screen.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
JR: Whoopi Goldberg, and if I can wiggle in a second, Queen Latifa.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
JR: Unlike some folks my age, I don’t feel like my childhood is being robbed. Remaking a film for a new generation is almost a necessity.
Sometimes it can be done well, other times it’s just the Hollywood execs from the boardroom making the calls. I think viewers know this, and it’s been shown repeatedly that they’ll still line up for it. Clash of the Titans was a mess, the rush to 3D was a joke. Yet, the movie raked in the bucks two weeks in the top two Box Office slots. People will see almost anything with the right spin. So remaking classic films are hand-in-hand with that production mentality. It’s not right or wrong, it’s just business sense. Studios need market share which mean more product per fiscal season and the annual bottom line. I attend the NATO (National Association of Theater Owners) events in Northern California three times a year. We’re privy to the studio promotion for all the upcoming films. Each and every film company begins their intro with how much money they’ve made, how they’ve broken records, and how they’re on track to beat new estimates. Some folks call this scraping the barrel of ideas, others take the opportunity to make something new and unique, albeit not often blockbusters.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
JR: Emma Thompson. Not only do I like her physically, but also her acting. She’s matured quite well as a mild-mannered English woman.

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
JR: Yes, I like movie reviews, but I have no favorite that I subscribe to. Often I’ll skim what’s being said on-line. Reviews are interesting as “cheering sections” because we often look for affirmation or agreement to our own thoughts. Even with reviews of my work, you can tell who is in your camp after the first two sentences.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
JR: People who are “late.”
I have mostly acquiesced to people who talk during the film, but showing up late in a darkened theater looking for prime seating drives me insane.
I’m settled, I’m in the mood, I don’t feel like getting up to let people squeeze by.

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
JR: The romantic side of me wants it to be–especially with particular directors–but my cold hard cynical side knows better.
This is obviously divided by independent works versus commercial studio blockbusters. When hundreds of unrelated people are working on a film, I’m hard pressed to grant it the status of “art.” Obviuosly, there is a post-production appreciation, but that is tempered with the Hollywood machine. It’s a multi-headed beast of art and business, but I feel it’s about cold hard cash and less about artistic expression. Granted, even some stylized artistry can make money, so there are plenty of exceptions, but those films are not raising the tides for all boats, nor are they always reaching the wider audience who would mythologist film as art for Joe Q. Public on the street. This gets even trickier considering the technological aspects of modern production. What good is a DP when computers filter entire movies, edit backgrounds and reframe shots? Perhaps if a director stands over the shoulder of each job, but that’s not the case–hence why we give awards to key production staff and not just the sole “artist” in the room. We acknowledge the individual artistry it takes to bring a film to life: the editors, musicians, photographers, computer specialists (with a wide range of sub groups), the writers and costumes. Awards are also given out to the art of Architecture, but I doubt the red carpets are rolled out for electricians, carpenters and plumbers. Film is a strange medium, that’s for sure.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
JR: Popcorn with lots of butter, but only if it’s “my” popcorn container. I’m not fond of reaching over into someone else’s container.
That’s on par with talking during the film. It’s distracting.

Thanks to Jimmie Robinson for taking part in this edition of Movies and the Masses. Be sure to pick up one of the Bomb Queen limited series to show your support. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

Until next time, here are a few more interviews to keep you entertained:

• Declan Burke – Professional Writer
• Josh Pankow – Sports Cards and Memorabilia
• Ravi Philemon – Online Journalist

Hell 4 Leather

Joe describes his newest product, Hell 4 Leather, as “a bloody tale of outlaw bikers, Satan, and revenge inspired by The Crow, Kill Bill, and Hamlet!” This award-winning game puts you in the role of an outlaw biker who happens to be one of the baddest muthas around. Unfortunately, your biker buddies in the Devil’s Dozen chapter decided to screw you over and cause your death. But death isn’t always the end. You’ve made a deal with the Devil, and you’ve got exactly one night to come back and seek revenge.
Pro Wrasslin’ Battle Royale
Choose from one of nine wrestlers and beat the crap out of friends and family.
Contenders
Elevate your lowly boxer from a life of poverty and desperation…or die trying.
Piledrivers & Powerbombs
Is there really anything more satisfying than powerbombing a buddy through a table?

Labyrinths & Lycanthropes
Keep your tongue planted firmly in cheek as you explore dungeons and slay monsters.
Swansong
Generic role-playing system that allows you to focus on either the fantasy or superhero genre. You’ll also learn how to read Tarot cards!

Now that I’m done pimping for the Prince of Darkness, let’s take a look at what J.J. Prince had to say about the current state of cinema:

Only Good Movies: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Joe Prince: I remember my best mate Marc’s mum taking a bunch of us to the decrepit local cinema. We went to see Basil The Great Mouse Detective. I found the bat in it so terrifying that I had to go to the toilet halfway through!

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
JP: Tough one. I reckon I’d start off with Reservoir Dogs, still my favourite Tarantino film. Then I’d watch The Big Lebowski. I’d definitely want to watch at least one Asian film. I am greatly tempted by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. However in the end I’m going for Kurasawa’s Ran, which is even more epic and gut-wrenching. For my fourth film, I’d watch Pan’s Labyrinth–something to help me believe in magic. Finally I’d have to finish off with Monty Python’s Life of Brian. “You came from nothing you’re going back to nothing–what’ve you lost? Nothing!”

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
JP: The Big Lebowski. It’s such a finely crafted work of art. Every scene, every shot, every character gels so beautifully. Amazing performances across the board. It’s hilarious, I love the way it totally subverts the detective genre. For me, The Big Lebowski as near to perfect as a movie is ever gonna get.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
JP: There’s lots of stinkers out there. I’m going to opt for Titanic. It’s so bloody long and dull, but at least you get to watch DiCaprio die.

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
JP: I don’t, but my wife is a member of lovefilm. There just aren’t enough films I’m really bothered about seeing to make it worth my while.

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
JP: I’m not sure. I reckon anything that people put over as a classic now will probably endure. The only recent film I’ve seen which may have a chance is The Hurt Locker–though I’m not sure how relevant the Iraq conflict will be in 50 years time.

OGM: If you see a movie based on a book, are you then more or less likely to read the book?
JP: I can categorically say that after seeing a movie I have never managed to read the book. I’ve tried a few times but I find that the imagery is now too tied to what I’ve seen in the movie, and the book doesn’t work for me.

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
JP: Noel Fielding. He’s awesome, if The Mighty Boosh ever do a movie it’ll be a world beater.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
JP: Vin Diesel, Daniel Craig, Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly are all “stars” I “wooden” want to watch.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
JP: They are heinous crimes against humanity motivated purely by greed. Apart from The Fly with Jeff Goldblum–that’s a great film.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
JP: Thandie Newton

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, what critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
JP: Yeah, but only when I’ve got nothing better to do! My favourite critic (or the only one I know the name of) is Mark Kermode–the man has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things celluloid.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
JP: Rustle, rustle, rustle. STOP TRYING TO OPEN THE BAG QUIETLY AND JUST DO IT! Also people who repeatedly kick my seat will earn my wrath…

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
JP: Since I’ve already referred to certain movies as such I’m going to have to say yes. I wouldn’t say that all movies are works of art–if a movie is guided more by financial considerations over aesthetics then it ceases to be art and becomes a product.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
JP: Well nothing is essential–but I do enjoy popcorn (sweet in preference to savory) and a nice cold beer. It’s a shame there are so few theatres that serve beer.

Thanks again to J.J. Prince for taking part in this edition of Movies and the Masses. Remember, if you’d like to repay his efforts, you can pop over to Prince of Darkness Games and purchase one of his many fine role-playing games.

You can also check out some of our Movies and the Masses interviews from months gone by. Just click on one of the following links to enjoy the goodness.

• Lisa Orgler – Artist and Architect
• David Wyatt and David Vill – New York Jets Bloggers
• Scott Matthews – Professional Drummer