Thank you very much to thefilm.blog for the Nomination! Bit of fun so here goes!
The Mystery Blogger Award was created by the wonderful Okoto Enigma, who I’m sure we can all agree can describe the award better in her own words, than I ever could, so without further ado:
“The “Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion”.
THE RULES
Put the award logo/image on your blog
List the rules.
Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question
Share a link to your best post(s)
THREE THINGS ABOUT ME
- I was a hospital wardsman for 3 years as a casual on call. Essentially I cleaned a lot like a janitor but I also did a lot of patient handling and pushing around trolleys and so forth. I saw it as work that would be interesting and hopefully helpful to others.
- I graduated in 2004 with Bachelor of Creative Industries (Creative Writing). Like a lot of Arts students I don’t know if it has helped me with employment and certainly my punctuation and grammar suggests it didn’t upskill me but it’s what I wanted to do and I put my mind to it and I’m very proud I have my degree.
- I worked as a production runner (gopher) on a B-grade action film shot on the Gold Coast in Australia. It was called Vigilante and was the second feature that Margot Robbie did. I’m chuffed I got to work in the film industry however minor it was.
THE QUESTIONS FOR ME TO ANSWER
Is there a remake/reboot of a film that you wish you could erase from history?
This is a tough question because nothing immediately comes to mind. The truly terrible remakes I’ve avoided and haven’t gotten a chance to see the classic originals. I don’t think Planet of the Apes directed by Tim Burton was terrible but it was a waste of time really considering the original’s superiority.
If you could put any director and any actor together from any time in history for one film, who would they be?
Think of the endless possibilities? John Ford with Arnold Schwarznegger, Steven Spielberg with James Stewart, Meryl Streep with Billy Wilder, Scarlett Johansson with Alfred Hitchcock, Todd Haynes with Audrey Hepburn. That said let’s say Spielberg directing Stewart for one choice.
What was your favourite film of 1987? (Totally random one there!)
Favourite film is probably Lethal Weapon but Predator, Innerspace, Robocop, Moonstruck, Good Morning Vietnam, The Living Daylights, Planes, Trains & Automobiles spring to mind. The appeal of Lethal Weapon is the pairing of Glover with Gibson, the excitingly shot action and that classic Shane Black wit. It’s still got real heart too, it’s about a broken man being brought back into the land of the living.
Why do you write about film, or anything really?
I’m a film buff and this allows me to reach people and connect over a shared love. To maybe get better at doing this so one day I can make money out of it but that’s not really it. It’s actually really simple, I write because I want to.
Which film should win Best Picture at the Oscars this weekend?
My best film of 2016 isn’t even nominated, out of the nominees I’d probably give it to Fences but La La Land, Arrival and Moonlight are all better in different ways. It is all very subjective and I’d be happy with any of those nominees winning. I suspect when I see Hell or High Water it will be my favourite.
THE BLOGS I NOMINATE
They’re all great blogs to read so check them out. The following five questions I pose to them to answer.
- What is your favourite romantic film?
- What is the sexiest love scene you’ve ever seen in a film?
- Which leading couple in film or television do you think had mad chemistry?
- What is one of the worst places you’ve ever worked?
- If you were a item from your kitchen, would you be and explain why?
It’s tough to pick a favourite post, not that I don’t hate a few but only one favourite is tricky. I’ll say it was the short story I wrote Birth Days.
– Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
Hi Lloyd. Thanks very much for the nomination. Although I don’t ‘do’ awards in the sense of passing them on, I am always happy to answer the questions posed. So here goes.
1) Romance films are one of my least favourite genres. However, because of the story, and the fact it features a photographer, I will go with ‘The Bridges of Madison County.’
2) That’s an easy one. The love scene between Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon in ‘The Hunger’. Not the raunchiest, but oh so sensual.
3) If by ‘mad chemistry’ you mean good chemistry, then I am definitely going with Astaire and Rogers. Sublime!
4) I once had a summer job in a factory that made paint-by-numbers sets. We had to put all the paints in order into each box, and do it at speed as they passed by on a conveyor belt. It was so dull, we used to deliberately switch the colours. So, the ‘Laughing Cavalier’ had a black face and a red hat, and ‘The Haywain’ had blue trees!
5) I would have to be the electric toaster. I sit quietly most of the time, but pop up when you least expect it!
Sorry not to play properly, but you did at least get to marvel at my answers…
Best wishes, Pete.
Not at all Pete, happy for you just to answer and as always I enjoy your words. I’m yet to see The Hunger but I can imagine the sensuality. Choosing dancers especially those dancers is a great answer for chemistry. Hell I was thinking of Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt in Mad About You. 🙂 Gotta love an electric toaster and certainly sympathise with a repetitive summer job. Best wishes Pete.
The whole film is worth watching too!
That scene in The Hunger is extremely erotic. The film may have been mixed for me, but I loved the sensuality.
Congrats on the award Lloyd. And may I just say how entertaining you make these posts. Thanks for the nomination. Below are my answers.
What is your favourite romantic film? Pride and Prejudice, though I am rather partial to romantic movies in general so it’s difficult to choose.
What is the sexiest love scene you’ve ever seen in a film? Any of the ones involving Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas in Basic Instinct. Man they went at it like animals.
Which leading couple in film or television do you think had mad chemistry? Mulder and Scully on X Files. Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney in Out Of Sight. Man, there are too many to name.
What is one of the worst places you’ve ever worked? Nude modelling, haha just kidding.
If you were a item from your kitchen, would you be and explain why? An oven because it provides you with everything you need.
You need that separate award blog now mate!
Haha, do you really think so?
How many awards are you up to now? You Award Stud.
Haha, too many to count. Though sexiest blogger hasn’t been among them, I wonder why?
Only a matter of time, 🙂
I hope so.
Excellent answers Vinnie. I’m no expert but I think you’re supposed to answer the questions in your own blog post in response but if don’t plan on doing that and just want to answer in the comments on my page I certainly got no problem with that.
I have been busy of late Lloyd so I thought it best to put my answers in the comments section. Hope my answers were good.
Fair enough, you’ve moved now right? But still in the craziness of unpacking and settling in? Of course your answers are good! They always are. 🙂 Nude model. 😉
No I haven’t moved yet. Had to put it back for a while. We’ll be in about two weeks. Well I did once model nude for a bet, so I was partly telling the truth.
You too?! 😉
It was an interesting experience modelling nude for an art drawing.
Especially when there was no artist there? 🙂
There was artists there. It was an art class who drew me.
You seriously did this on a dare?!…Cool.
Yes, I did. Was pretty liberating actually.
I imagine it would be once you past any initial nerves at the beginning that one may have. Cool story Vinnie.
Yes it was nerve-wracking at first, but then it was fine.
The question that you asked about sexiest love scene was difficult. There are so many steamy ones out there to choose from. But I settled on Basic Instinct because it was hot.
Certainly classic sexy thriller. You can also interpret love scene to just be making out or whatever but for sex scene those certainly are well regarded.
Who doesn’t love a sexy thriller?
Pope Francis?
Can;t say I’ve ever seen it.
No I was saying he probably doesn’t enjoy sexy thrillers. Cool Pope though.
Oh, haha that did make me laugh a lot.
🙂
By the way, did you see the two reviews I did today?
Klute I liked and I’m planning to watch Blow Up soon so look forward to reading your review after that.
That’s cool Lloyd.
I just ran around a park in the middle of the night. This is pretty interesting. I’m guessing they ran out of paint. Not a common problem may I add so hey – good for you buddy 🙂
Bummer, good luck with the move.
The packing is going pretty well. I actually like helping my parents out.
Good man.
Pride and Prejudice, Basic Instinct, Scully and Mulder, Lopez and Clooney stripping down in Out of Sight. It’s nice to know the classics of my youth are holding up. 🙂 Have you the original Pride and Prejudice mini-series with Colin Firth?
Well I pride myself on a variety of taste my friend. The more erotic the better. I have seen the original mini series of Pride and Prejudice.
My favourite but there are some things the film gets better.
I was referring to the film when you asked about romance. I loved the chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy.
Great stuff.
And also on chemistry, I forgot to include William Hurt and Kathleen Turner in Body Heat. They sizzled.
Oh yeah! Very sexy noir.
I genuinely needed a shower after watching that movie.
It’s the depiction of the heat and humidity in that part of the world. 😉 I’ll draw a discreet veil over that one.
Yeah, the heat was there.
Haha
Did those artists manage to draw all that fur on your butt? I would like to see that work!
I believe they did.
Thanks for the nom! I’m definitely going to check out the other blogs you mentioned 🙂
Fantastic Courtney, I think you’ll find they’re quite a diverse bunch but what they have in common is how much I enjoy their posts and that includes you mate.
Thank you for thinking of me, Lloyd.Your friendship is award enough for me. 😉 I loved your answers! You’ve had some interesting jobs. I agree with your Oscar pics. I suspect La La will win lots and Viola Davis and Moonlight maybe best film? We shall see! I will be watching the dresses. It’s a big deal for my daughter and I. We drink champagne and watch the red carpet. Anyway, we can talk about dresses on Monday, if you want. 🙂
That sounds fantastic which will be Tuesday my time I guess. That sounds like a fun time with your daughter, hope you enjoy yourselves. I always enjoy sharing the Oscars with others. I’ll be posting about the dresses next week and look forward to finding out your favourites.
Congratulations, Lloyd. Well deserved, I’d say. And thank you so kindly for passing this award my way. Most generous. Love your answers, too.
No worries mate.
A fun post, Lloyd, and interesting to read about you and your past. Thanks so very much for the nomination, it is an honor to be considered, and much appreciated. Have fun this weekend with the Oscars, it’s a fun one for me too. It’s become a tradition for a friend from Seattle to come down for the weekend, and we watch old classic movies, make elegant foods, and eat them all with champagne during the awards. Cheers to the movies, my friend~~
All this talk of champagne is giving me ideas for my own group viewing. I also like having traditions about the Oscars with my friends. When I was a student it was tacos with some mates over at my place. Have a wonderful time with your friend. Elegant foods? Intriguing.
It’s flattering to be included in such company, even better to learn a little more about you.
You’re a gentleman Lloyd!
I could say the same thing about you mate. True gentleman.
Good answers! I mean: Spielberg and Stewart! Genius!
They’re two of my favourites and when you think of Capra’s influence on the former and collaborations with the latter it becomes rather obvious but I’d still like to see it.
Oh no, did I just lose my answers?
Oh no Jay. I’m sorry but I think you have. I hate when that happens to me.
I’m very sorry you lost your reply Jay, I was looking to hearing what you had to say.
Apologies for the delay in replying Lloyd, I’ve been feeling fairly blogged out this week. Here are my answers.
What is your favourite romantic film? Prelude to a Kiss.
What is the sexiest love scene you’ve ever seen in a film? Pfeiffer and Mel Gibson in a hot tub in Tequila Sunrise. Cue the cheesy saxophone music!
Which leading couple in film or television do you think had mad chemistry? Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis (Moonlighting).
What is one of the worst places you’ve ever worked? Royal Mail, where senior management have successfully sent the company back to the Victorian age. How I’ve stayed there for 15 years I will never know.
If you were a item from your kitchen, would you be and explain why? Probably a kettle. It would be nice to be hot at the flick of a switch!
Thank you for playing along Paul and your answers. All very interesting choices and famous couplings. I think we have similar challenges to Australia Post here so I wish you good luck and feel better you’re out there helping the work get done. 🙂 I like the kettle answer. A friend of our’s who is an architect asked potential wedding photographers this question to get a measure of them and I love the answers people come up with. I would say my old wooden spoon. It’s cheap, worn down, completely lacking in technological sophistication but it’s reliable, endured and seldom fails to be useful to have it. Plus I love the sound and feel of a wooden spoon against a saucepan. Great answers Paul.
This looks one awesome award, but I really don’t have time for the moment. Just short posts for me a. But I know how much effort these take and I want to contribute at some level.
What is your favourite romantic film? Before Sunrise
What is the sexiest love scene you’ve ever seen in a film? Wild Things probably
Which leading couple in film or television do you think had mad chemistry? George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight
What is one of the worst places you’ve ever worked? I’ve been lucky
If you were a item from your kitchen, would you be and explain why? I have never thought of this at all haha. A wine opener. Great at any sort of event and you can’t get a proper party started without it 😉
Thank you for your answers Alex, in particular the wine opener is a very wise choice.
Thanks. Won’t ask you all 5 but what was your worst job btw?
I temped once for 3 weeks at the Department of Veteran Affairs. The work was fine but the people I worked with were awful.