Tag: Zombieland

  • What practical lessons have you learned from movies?

    A while back I started keeping a list of things I’ve learned from movies. Not grand philosophical lessons about life and love and all that, but practical, everyday stuff. Stuff I’ve integrated into my life specifically because I saw it in a movie. I thought I should share what I’ve accumulated thus far, assuming that I will continue adding to it.

    In no particular order:

    “Just start from the outside and move your way in.”Titanic

    I don’t attend many fancy dinners, but when I do encounter more than one type of the same utensil, I think of this line.

    “Keep your station clear.”Ratatouille

    I’m borderline religious about this now. Whether during meal prep or cleanup, I try to keep things moving quickly through the process so I’m not left with a mound of work at the end.

    “Cardio.”Zombieland

    All of the rules from this movie and its pretty decent sequel are tongue-in-cheek, of course, but also sound about right for surviving a zombie-infested world.

    “You know that ringing in your ears?”Children of Men

    Julianne Moore’s character continues: “That ‘eeeeeeeeee’? That’s the sound of the ear cells dying, like their swan song. Once it’s gone you’ll never hear that frequency again. Enjoy it while it lasts.” Now every time I hear that eeeeeeeeee, I give a silent goodbye to that particular note.


  • Favorite Films of 2009

    For some reason I can’t explain, I didn’t make a list of my top 10 films in 2009. My filmlog did get a little sparse that year, but I’m surprised I didn’t at least throw a list together, since I’ve been making best-of lists since 2007. Regardless, once I noticed the discrepancy, I figured now, 10 years later, would be the perfect time to make one and add it to the rest of my best-of lists.

    It’s hard to know how different this list is from what it would have looked like in 2009. Except for Sweetgrass, I would have seen all those movies at the time, so it probably would have been similar. Surprised by how many comedies and comedy-dramas there are, but I don’t hate it.

    1. Inglourious Basterds

    Choice quote: “Nah, I don’t think so. More like chewed out. I’ve been chewed out before.”

    2. A Serious Man

    Choice quote: “The Uncertainty Principle. It proves we can’t ever really know… what’s going on. So it shouldn’t bother you. Not being able to figure anything out. Although you will be responsible for this on the midterm.”

    3. Sweetgrass

    Choice quote: *sheep grazing*

    4. Zombieland

    Choice quote: “So until next time, remember: cardio, seat belts, and this really has nothing to do with anything, but a little sunscreen never hurt anybody.”

    5. Star Trek

    Choice quote: “What is necessary is never unwise.”

    6. (500) Days of Summer

    Choice quote: “Just because she likes the same bizarro crap you do doesn’t mean she’s your soul mate.”

    7. Away We Go

    Choice quote: “OK, can that maybe be the last bit of parental advice we get tonight?”

    8. I Love You, Man

    Choice quote: “I will see you there or I will see you another time.”

    9. The Secret of Kells

    Choice quote: “I’ve seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light.”

    10. Coraline

    Choice quote: “You are not my mother.”

    I also liked: Moon, Winnebago Man, Up, District 9, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Me and Orson Welles, The Princess and the Frog