Defenseload

My Movie Alphabet

My Movie Alphabet

Mettel is hosting a blogathon asking bloggers to create their alphabet out of all things movie related. I did something like this back in the dark ages, but then it was restricted to just movie titles. Here, were going for anything and everything. So without further ado, heres the alphabet I abide by in my life:


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: 50/50, 28 Days Later..., 127 Hours,
(500) Days of Summer is a film which I constantly go back to, because it makes me laugh and cry and feel happy and feel sad all at once. It is so beautifully made, too. I mean, it has a dance sequence in it, and theres that expectations/reality scene. It makes me a little angry that Marc Webb went on to direct The Amazing Spider-Man after this. I mean, Im happy that hes deservedly moving onto bigger things, but I dont think blockbusters are really his forte. Indie films like these are. And Ill love Joseph Gordon-Levitt forever.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: All About Eve, An Education, American Psycho, American Beauty, Animal Kingdom, Anne Hathaway, Alfred Hitchcock
Amy Adams is probably my favourite modern actress. Ive seen her in just about everything, and moreso, Ive never been disappointed in her work. Shes just so bright and bubbly, and she always brings that loveliness to whatever shes in. While shes built her career on being squeaky clean and innocent (mostly thanks to her Oscar worthy turn as a real-life Disney princess in Enchanted), shes not really afraid of much. She just keeps getting better and better.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Black Swan, Bette Davis, Brit Marling, Before Sunrise/Sunset, Beginners, Blue Valentine, Boogie Nights
Admittedly, Batmans inclusion in this list is because I would have ended up putting all of Nolans Bat trilogy in here somehow, so I thought sticking it under B was the best. I did like the previous versions of Batmans story (Batman & Robin is a masterpiece, hahahaha), but Christopher Nolans reworkings are among my favourite things ever. I love The Dark Knight the most, but I have a feeling that a few more watches of The Dark Knight Rises might alter that. Batman Begins was exceptional too, but something has to come last.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Cillian Murphy, Carrie, Cate Blanchett, Casablanca, City Lights, Colin Firth, Christian McKay
This one is an obvious choice. I may not be the kind of fangirl who sends critics death threats because they dont like one of Christopher Nolans films, but I do love him more than most things on this Earth. Hes just so awesome. Like, he just walks around, as cool as a cucumber, wearing his suits even though its the middle of Summer. And when he talks about films and stuff, hes so articulate. Plus, his voice is so interesting to listen to because it wavers between a British and American accent. And he doesnt have a mobile phone or an email address because hes just that cool. Seriously, all I want to do is be a part of his family. Thats my life goal.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Darren Aronofsky, Downton Abbey, Days of Heaven, Daniel Craig, The Devil Wears Prada, Drive, Danny Boyle
David Fincher is just a classy guy. He makes all kinds of movies - usually the kinds that have really sadistic themes - and he makes them with class. He just exudes class in a way that is different to everyone else. His filmography is fantastic, with my favourite of his being The Social Network (I never knew that a movie about Facebook could be that good), but thats followed closely behind by the likes of Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Zodiac, Se7en and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Emma Stone, Emily Blunt, Enchanted, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Ewan McGregor
Ezra Miller hasnt exactly been around for very long - with his debut, Afterschool, originating in 2008 - but with a small filmography he has easily solidified himself as one of tomorrows biggest talents. His most famous role is probably as Kevin in We Need to Talk About Kevin, a role he played with such terrifying intensity that I still cant shake the film. Now Ive seen the large majority of his films I only have The Perks of Being a Wallflower to look forward to, and Im sure hell rock in that. Plus, Ezra is an extremely interesting person who generally doesnt give a crap about what Hollywood wants him to be, and I admire that.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Frank Capra, Fight Club, Ferris Buellers Day Off, Fish Tank
(pictured: Sofia Coppola, Andrea Arnold, Kathryn Bigelow, Jane Campion)
Because lady power behind the lens is still sadly lacking and one day I hope to join this elite club. Just as a side note: how in hell is Kathryn Bigelow rolling around to the big 6-0? She looks so young!


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Gone with the Wind, George Cukor, Grave of the Fireflies, Grace Kelly, Guy Pearce
Because Goodfellas is infinitely awesome. And I even managed to not laugh at Ray Liotta once. Okay, thats probably a lie but this film is still extremely wonderful.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Heath Ledger, Hunger, Humphrey Bogart, Hugh Jackman
"Im Amber, Brad, Tammy, Fender, Brenda, Sketch, Shelly, IQ, Lou-ann, Joey, Mikey, Vicky, Becky, Bix, Jessie, Darla, Paulie, Noreen, Doreen...and Im *shakes hips* Link." - The fact that I still know this roll call off by heart should be adequate proof of how much I loved - and still love - Hairspray.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Im Here, In Bruges, Inglourious Basterds, It Happened One Night, Ingrid Bergman
I know I havent seen you at all this year, but I will love you forever, Inception.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Juno, Jennifer Lawrence, James Marsden, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judy Garland, James Stewart, Julianne Moore, Juno Temple
Because my entire world revolves around Jessica Chastain at the moment. And thats probably not an exaggeration. Shes absolutely gorgeous, sweet, and exponentially talented. I so wish I could go and see her and my other favourite person at the moment, Dan Stevens, in The Heiress on Broadway. But Im afraid Id die of excitement if I was in the same room as them.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Kirsten Dunst, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Kate Winslet, Katharine Hepburn, Kick-Ass, Kathryn Bigelow
Aha, didnt see that one coming, did ya? Just in case you didnt know, good old Scarlett OHaras (of Gone with the Wind fame) first name was actually Katie. So I thought Id slip her in here. She may do some pretty silly stuff, but theres no denying shes a force to be reckoned with, and Vivien Leigh was absolutely explosive in the part.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lana Del Reys music videos, Let the Right One In, Little Shop of Horrors, Love Actually, Liam Neeson
I just adore Sofia Coppola films, and this one is my favourite. Plus, Im going to watch this movie over and over again for the next one and a half months because then Ill know where to go in TOKYO! Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Im so excited!


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Mulholland Dr., Magnolia, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, Marlon Brando, Michael Fassbender, Mark Strong, Martin Scorsese
Memento is my favourite film, so of course it had to be in here.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Nicholas Hoult, Natalie Portman, Natalie Wood, No Country for Old Men, Nosferatu
Never Let Me Go is possibly one of the most underrated films of the past few years. It flew under the radar and got a middling response from most, but in my opinion, it was better than the book. Thats because of the heart-breaking performances from Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley, which really should have featured highly in the 2011 awards season.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Our Idiot Brother, Olivia De Havilland
I fell in love with Olivia Williams after seeing her performance in The Ghost Writer, which I still contest is the best performance from any 2010 film. Since then, Ive been slowly catching up on her filmography and making sure that I dont miss any of her new performances. Shes a wonderful, extremely underrated actress.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: The Pianist, The Prestige, Pulp Fiction, Psycho, Patricia Clarkson, Paul Rudd, Princess Merida
Paul Thomas Anderson has achieved so much at such a young age. He makes his own brand of films. There will be Blood was a modern epic that felt like it was from another time. Magnolia was a multi-faceted tale that few people could pull off. And now The Master is out and really working the minds of todays audiences. I adore him.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Quiz Show
Quentin Tarantino is another filmmaker who makes his own brand of films. And I love him for that. Ever since I first saw Pulp Fiction at the age of 12, Ive wanted to be QT. I hope that he doesnt retire so soon, because that would be a gigantic loss to cinema.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Requiem for a Dream, Robert Downey Jr., The Red Shoes, Red Riding trilogy, Ryan Gosling
Duh. Ralph Fiennes is my second favourite actor, and a damn fine looking man as well. His performance in Schindlers List is still my favourite performance of all time, and it would take one hell of a performance to even come near its quality.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Schindlers List, Steven Spielberg, Shame, The Social Network, Sissy Spacek, Sofia Coppola, Saoirse Ronan, Sunrise
S was a letter I struggled with, because there were so many things I wanted to choose. I wound up choosing Steve McQueen because after only two films, he has solidified himself as one of my favourite directors. Hunger and Shame are beautifully depressing pieces of art. McQueen has an eye for bring beauty out of the toughest things, as evident in his two films. I cant wait for whatever the future brings for him.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Terrence Malick, Take Shelter, There Will Be Blood, Tom Hardy, Toy Story trilogy, Tom Hiddleston
T was another letter I struggled with, because there were so many options, but Krzysztof Kieslowskis Three Colours trilogy came out on top. It is hard to believe that it has been a whole year since I saw these films, which also managed to change my perspective on films as a whole. Theyre stunning pieces, with the connections between the three being so wonderfully subtle before coming to a heart-breaking climax.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Up
Up in the Air is a film which I constantly go back to, because I love the quick-fire script by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, which is filled with quite depressing social commentary. Vera Farmiga is luminous in this film, too.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: The Virgin Suicides, Vivre Sa Vie, Vampires Kiss, Vera Farmiga
Of course I had to put in Vivien Leigh in here. This post will tell you why.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: War Horse, Waterloo Bridge, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Woody Harrelson
It is coming up five years since I first saw Waitress, and since then Ive watched this film at least 15 times. Which is never a good idea, since I always get depressed because I cant make the pies that Jenna makes. Adrienne Shellys final film is warmly funny, but also extremely sad. Just how I like it.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: X-Men: First Class
I could have put X-Men, but I wanted to be different. And if it wasnt for Mean Girls, I wouldnt know that this word existed.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Young Adult
(pictured are Emma Stone, Saoirse Ronan, Juno Temple and Jennifer Lawrence)
I can never wrap my head around how these young people do what they do in films. The under 25 crowd in films at the moment is particularly impressive - and they all seem to be giving the more experienced people a run for their money.


I thought of adding these, but I didnt: Zodiac, Zombieland, Zooey Deschanel
After The Perks of Being a Wallflower - which Im certain were never going to get in NZ - Zero Dark Thirty is my most anticipated film at the moment. Admittedly because the latest trailer showed off a lot of Jessica Chastain and she may roll her way to the Oscars again, but also because Kathryn Bigelow is behind it. January 31st, Ill be there with bells on.

Theres my movie alphabet. Have you had a go yet, or do you have some inspiration now?

Available link for download