Joe J. Prince – Movies and the Masses

Movies and the Masses is back, and this week’s guest is Joe J. Prince, the creative (and somewhat devious) mind behind Prince of Darkness Games. Sure, he also serves as a Glasgow-based counselor and therapist in his day-to-day life, but his true passion is role-playing games. Just check out some of the products available from this ingenious Englishman:

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

 

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