Todd J. Zywicki – Movies and the Masses

We’ve had some pretty interesting guests so far on Movies and the Masses, but it’s going to be hard for any of them to outdo the credentials of this week’s guest, Professor Todd J. Zywicki. Just take a look at some of the highlights:

• Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law. Teaches in the area of Bankruptcy, Contracts, Business Associations, Commercial Law, Law & Economics, and Public Choice and the Law.
• Senior Scholar of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
• Co-editor of the Supreme Court Economic Review.
• Director of the Office of Policy Planning for the Federal Trade Commission from 2003-2004.
• Has taught at Boston College Law School, Mississippi College School of Law, Georgetown University Law Center, Vanderbilt University Law School.
• Received a J.D. from the University of Virginia, an M.A. in Economics from Clemson University, and an A.B. cum Laude from Dartmouth College.
• Written over 70 articles in law reviews and economic journals.
• Contributes to The Volokh Conspiracy, a popular legal blog, as well as The Atlantic magazine’s The Atlantic Business Channel.
• Has testified before Congress numerous times on the issues of consumer credit and bankruptcy law.
• Has served as a commentator on legal issues for Forbes, Nightline, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, Washington Post, CNN, Fox and Friends, The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, and many more.

For a full list of his accomplishments (yes, there’s more), be sure to check out his bio page from the George Mason University School of Law.

Well, he sure knows about the law, but how much does Professor Zywicki know about movies? Let’s find out.

Only Good Movies: What’s the first movie you remember seeing?
Todd Zywicki: Escape From Witch Mountain.

OGM: If you only had a few hours to live and could do nothing but watch five movies, which films would you select?
TZ: Caddyshack, Rambo II, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Fight Club, Best in Show. Then I’d watch the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy, because that would give me about 10 more hours to live.

OGM: What’s your favorite movie?
TZ: Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

OGM: What’s your least favorite movie?
TZ: The Thin Red Line (I think that’s what it was called).

OGM: Do you subscribe to an online rental service like Netflix or Blockbuster Online? Why or why not?
TZ: Netflix. Convenience and no hidden fees!

OGM: In 50 years, which modern movies do you think will be viewed as classics?
TZ: Lord of the Rings.

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

OGM: Who’s your favorite celebrity?
TZ: Living: Bruce Springsteen. Dead: Frank Sinatra.

OGM: Is there any actor or actress whose movies you actively avoid?
TZ: Julia Roberts, Julianne Moore.

OGM: How do you feel about all the remakes of older and classic films?
TZ: No position in principle, just matters if the remakes are good.

OGM: Which actor or actress do you find most attractive?
TZ: Jennifer Anniston.

OGM: Do you read movie reviews? If so, which critics do you read most often, and why do you like them?
TZ: Yes. No favorites.

OGM: What type of people annoy you when going to a movie theater?
TZ: None in particular.

OGM: Do you consider movies to be works of art?
TZ: Yes. Like all artistic media, only a small percentage are really very artistic.

OGM: What type of candy or drink do you consider essential to your movie watching experience?
TZ: Gummy Bears.

Thanks again to our guest, Professor Todd J. Zywicki, for his participation. If I ever find myself on death row for a crime I didn’t commit, I know who I’m going to talk to (especially since Andy Griffith refuses to return my calls). Here are a few other interviews to check out, as well:

• Nick Norelli – Movies and the Masses
• Ravi Philemon – Movies and the Masses

 

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