Derek Gabryszak – Movies and the Masses

Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 5:19 pm

Movies and the Masses is back, once again discussing cinema with a wide variety of folks from across this great planet of ours. This week’s guest is Derek Gabryszak, a graphic designer who originally hails from Buffalo, New York. These days he lives in New York City, making a living by melding his two biggest passions: design and film.

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.

 

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