Using my Blockbuster gift card, last weekend I rented three movies:
Rocket Science,
Waking Ned Devine, and
King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, and all were superb. But, King of Kong really stole the show. If you haven't seen it, it is a documentary about a man from Redmond, WA and his quest to get the highest Donkey Kong score of all time. He is up against current record holder Billy Mitchell, who also is the only person to ever get a perfect score in Pac-Man. The movie is really made by Billy who turns out to be the biggest buffoon in any documentary I have ever seen. You couldn't have written a better character if you tried. The bottom line is go to your nearest movie store, or Netflix King of Kong asap. It is the best humor documentary since Wordplay, although I don't want to say which one is better.
So, now this weekend, I am looking for more movies, and per Jim's suggestion, have decided to open up the forum to see what you think I should rent. I am looking for humorous or uplifting movies, although any movie in any genre will be considered fairly.
My top three come from my days sailing aboard the Misinclined. They are:
- Animal House
- Captain Ron
- Grumpy Old Men (or substitute Air Force One- "Get off my plane")
I actually had somewhat of a tough week. As I said earlier, I had to have chemo again on Tuesday, and i didn't really notice the effects at first, but starting on Thursday and continuing until now, I have felt really nauseous and out of it. I keep thinking that "tomorrow will be the day it passes" but that hasn't happened yet. Since I was feeling so bad, I actually couldn't go through with the radiation on Friday. I was just so nauseous and every time they put the mask on I just panicked. Finally, they gave me shot to calm me down, but that didn't work. Finally, I just called the whole thing off. So, instead of only having two days left, I still have three left. But that's ok. Only a half a week of treatment. I just need to get the nausea under control.
It's not too big of a deal, because my radiation oncologist actually wanted to take Friday off anyway. So, the finish line is still in site. Thanks for all your support.
Steve
17 comments:
i know you haven't seen any of these: "children of heaven" is a lovely iranian film and involves a great little long-distance race you can relate to. i'd forgotten how cute "billy elliot" was until my mom recently saw the play. and you know "straight story" is high on my feel-good list.
i haven't met the person who gave steve the blockbuster gift card, but your generosity was acknowledged by me, the blockbuster clerk, and everyone in line when we saw how many movies we get to rent!!
sto tv will certainly chip in some good suggestions.
Almost there, Steve. I love reading your blog. The 10k analogy is great and though this is clearly much more difficult, it is a amazing to see you attack it and stick with it just as you did running. You're courage and toughness really do inspire the rest of us. The blog is such a great way to really see how much people are inspired by you, and how much they care about you.
I am way behind on movies, but one I saw recently and thought was fun was "Stranger than Fiction", with Will Farrell playing a normal, but still funny, role.
You're my hero,
Tony
Senor -
A few of my favorite movies that may fit the bill - funny or "feel good" (ala Jen): Love Actually (now one of my favorites); Drowning Mona (For strange reasons I thought it was really funny); Raising Arizona (and just about any other Coen Bros. movie eg Fargo, but not No Country for Old Men - Mar and I saw it today - really good, but not exactly uplifting); Moonstruck (Hard to describe why this is so good - Cher and Nicholas Cage) - Oh, Brother, Where Are Thou - remember you and Ted and I watching this in the hotel in Seattle? Any of the old Woody Allen movies - especially, Take the Money and Run, Bananas, and Love and Death. To Sir with Love - if you've never seen this, I have no nephew. More later. Greg
Hi Steven,
I agree with Greg about his suggestion to watch Love Actually...by far my favorite movie ever. Also two of my favorite funny movies are Strange Brew and Spaceballs.
They are rining the final lap bell...you are almost there!
Mary G.
I watched the Hawaii IronMan coverage today (thank goodness for TiVo). It was the most inspiring thing I have seen since last year's coverage. If you haven't watched it yet, I can try to record it. Aside from that, I suggest "Good Will Hunting" and "Blades of Glory." Casey recommends "Rudy" and "Surf's Up;" inspirational and funny, repsectively. I also really liked, "Cinderella Man." It's pretty long but inspirational.
I hope that your hunger for your Maw-Maw's stew means that your nausea is subsiding. And how about those Girl Scout cookies?
Keep up the fight!
when i was in fifth grade my cat, queso, died. i'm not sure if you remember him beyond shooing him off your lap a couple times (he was a lover unlike your checkie boom boom.) anyways, i remember going with my dad and picking up los compadres and uncle buck. that movie made me feel better immediately. i loved Shanice Kobolowski.
i also have to agree with love actually. love that movie.
im so proud of you i could burst.
Time to head down the bay. Let the sails out you are almost home.
Two French Films. One inspirational, the other quirky:
Joyeux Noel
The Chorus
We love you so much!
Hey T,
Two movies:"Something about Mary"
"Crazy little Bastards....."
"Kingpin"
"Oh, it ain't that bad."
Love you so very much...Keep giving Peg a workout.....
Steve,
You're a stud. Sometimes, the way you write parts of your blog, it's hard to even remember that you're being treated for cancer. Although I wish you could say the same for your stomach, your fun and smart approach to everything hasn't suffered one bit.
Movies:
When We Were Kings
American Movie
Zodiac (long and creepy, but in a good way)
Darjeerling Limited (supposed to be out any day I think)
Miller's Crossing (the best Cohen bros. movie that no one ever talks about)
Anyway, keep 'em floatin
Stu
I have to go with these movies:
Patch Adams - the power of humor in healing
Glory Road
Forrest Gump
The Shawshank Redemption
From Glory Road - Don Haskin's pep talk at the end of the game. "It's not about talent, it's about heart. It's about who can go out there and play the hardest".
Down the home stretch Steve!!
I suggest my favorite movie The Graduate.
I love it all: the cast, production design, soundtrack- the list goes on!
Annie Hall is another I suggest.
I am not into comedies and I don't claim the following are inspirational but here are some STO TV recommendations:
The Shawshank Redemption (I know David already recommended it so you should better check it out)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
City of God
My Life as a Dog
In The Mood For Love
Good Will Hunting
Cinema Paradiso
Touching the Void (recommended to me by Jen, I was stunned by the story)
When I wanna get in a feel-good mood I watch Notting Hill.
My romantic movie is Indecent proposal ("If you ever want something badly, let it go. If it comes back to you, then it's yours forever. If it doesn't, then it was never yours to begin with.")
As you know, Il Postino is also one of my all time favorites.
There are some rummors that STO TV got exclusivity of broadcasting to the US audience the finishing line in the 10k race Steve Manos is expected to win. STO TV hopes that internationally acclaimed Jenny Hawkins will agree to be the director and co-producer of the broadcasting.
Also, STO TV breaking news is that our colleague Alex got a post-doc from Yale! Hard working always pays off and your tenacity in fighting the cancer will pay off as well.
Just a little bit more Steve and you're done!
I might be the only one, but I didn't think Love Actually was all that. I have a copy of it that you can have. My movie suggestion for today is "Last of the Mohekians"
Enjoy it.
Also Dumb and Dumber was on this weekend and it was amazing.
Okay, take this with a grain of salt, but Steve....don't watch ''love actually'' just skip it. I'm sorry people, family, but steve, just skip it.
Try "The Castle" australian movie about a Father and his Castle and the gov't try a ''lawful acquirement" of his house. very funny.
and so head to
I heart Huckabees
Well, I just added King of Kong to my Blockbuster version of Netflicks. Maybe I'll put together a screen play about Carlos's rise to the top of the Counterstrike and Halflife rankings. Maybe it could be called "Half-A-Life, The College Years". Carlos, if you read this, I am at least partly joking.
Keep up the fight in the bell lap,
Kevin
Hey Mok,
Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but don't have to tell you that you're always in my thoughts. Had a real tough run; I forgot to clip one of my toe nails, turning one of my socks red to compliment the pain I've had in my calves lately. Think I'll come down tomorrow afternoon for another lovely night in the Foothills. Anyway, here's a few of my suggestions:
"Way of the Gun" (not uplifting, as you know, apart perhaps from the opening scene).
"Tombstone"
"When We Were Kings" was a great choice by Stu.
"Supertroopers" "You know how those boys get when the get that syrup in 'em..."
"Billy Madison" "Now who would steal thirty sack lunches?"
Well, the finish line is in sight, steve, time to start kicking."
Love you man.
Ted
monty python and the holy grail will leave you in stitches and tommy boy is also good one that requires much less thinking for those "brain use optional" days. of course there's also johnny utah and ex-presidents.
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