Interview with Tisca Chopra

Just like we are taught to never judge a book by its cover, we too should never speculate about the personality of a film star simply by his/her onscreen or public persona. While Tisca Chopra has always remained clear of any controversies, she is somewhat of a dark horse of the film industry. Gaining acclaim after her comeback in Taare Zameen Par, I found her, through my interactions on twitter and email, to be a very down to earth person, courteous, and someone who has varied interests ranging from traveling to writing, along with an obvious passion for cinema. Her colorful nature, she did answer the questions in purple, along with a knack for good humor, just read some of her answers, she has won many hearts with her smile and brilliant performances in films and in commercials.

I would like to thank Ms. Chopra for taking out the time from her busy schedule to answer the questions put forth about her life and about her time in the Indian film industry.

Raghav Modi (RM): You've been working in the film industry for a while now, but your comeback came about with Taare Zameen Parwith a rather unconventional role of a mother to a young boy. How did that happen?

Tisca Chopra (TC): One of the assistants on the film, Ritu Bhatia had seen my work on TV. I was called in to audition. I did my best at the audition and I was on the same evening. 

RM: Being a part of the Indian film industry for so many years how do you feel it has changed over the years?

TC: The age of the actor is here. If you can act, you’ll be working and working a lot. The only thing that can stop you is if you develop an attitude.

Multiplexes have breathed life into new types of stories. The next step is movies that have multi ethnic, multi country casts and crews- world stories... some of that we have seen in Crash and Babel, but more is yet to come.

RM: What according to you is the next logical step that the film industry should be heading towards? Has the audience really started to look forward to "intelligent" cinema or is there scope for everything still?

TC: Films like Ready, Golmaal and Son Of Sardaar prove that the audiences love comedies and action films. Yet, slowly there is a distinct audience emerging for smaller and sassier films too. With a bursting-at-the-seams population like ours, how can only one type of film work? Everything works, so long as it's got a semblance of a soul.

RM: There has always been a gap of few years between your films. Your filmography is somewhat empty between 1995 till 2000 and then again from 2004 till 2007. This also included a name change. Why have these breaks been important and where have you been busy during these years?

TC: There are three kinds of roles for women in Bollywood- Babe, Bhabhi and Beeji. I keep ducking the stereotype. Anything that offers me chance to play a real person, I will do it. Fat, funny, thin, bald, ugly...anything, so long as its real and has a good story to tell.

I’ve never been homogeneous. I do not feel pressure to do work all the time. I travel, I read and when something fun comes up, I do it. It's important for me to believe in the story and in the people making it. One can’t keep reaping if one is not sowing. I want to put in a little living to be able to bring something fresh to my work. I don’t want to develop emotional myopia…I can’t see other actors films and act out of that. I need to meet people, observe life, and do different things.

Meantime, I have finished a book I am writing. It's called ‘Get Your Act Together’. We have also been traveling with ‘Dinner with Friends‘ a fabulous play that I’ve had the good fortune to be in. 

RM: Ever since your return to films you have been doing a number serious films/roles like TZP, Firaaq or even Mirch to an extent. Has this been a conscious decision or it is always about the role rather than the genre of the film?

TC: Not at all. I am absolutely dying to do a comedy. Friends and family will tell you that I’m quite a clown. TZP set a benchmark that most people just follow. Coming up shortly is a comedy I did, ‘10ml Love’. I enjoyed that so much that now I’m seriously looking for another comic script… something totally crazy. Something like As Good As It Gets… smart and funny.

RM: Although it is a clichéd question, but you must have a wish list when it comes to directors and actors. So, which director and actor would you want to work with, someone you haven't worked with yet?

TV: Anyone with a delicious script. Actually, I am now keen to write a script myself... maybe that’s the next step for me. But, if you are asking whose work I like, then Raju Hirani, Vishal Bhardwaj, Shimit Amin, Dibaker Banerjee, Neeraj Pandey (Wednesday), Subhash Kapoor (Phas Gaye Re Obama), Abhishek Sharma(Tere Bin Laden) are some names.

Internationally, I’m a huge fan of Woody Allen’s films. There are so many excellent directors like John Lasseter, The Coen brothers, Peter Jackson, Clint Eastwood, Ang Lee, Martin Scoecsese and Christopher Nolan. I’d love to work with actors like Leonardo Di Capprio, Jhonny Depp, Helen Mirren, Ryan Gosling and Meryl Streep.

RM: As an actress, do you have any regrets, roles that you missed out on for one reason or another?

TC: I did not miss out on anything because I live for the moment and make the film I’m doing at the moment the best fun thing in the world. So whether the film does well or not, I’ve given my heart and soul to it and had a blast making it. It's a win win. So, to answer your question I have no regrets.

..unless you talk about ‘Fargo’,‘Chicago’, ‘Bullets over Broadway‘ or ‘As Good As It Gets’, then yes I did miss out on those.. 

RM: Can you tell us about some of your up-and-coming projects?

TC: Coming out on the 7th of December is ‘10ml Love’, a mad comedy based on Shakespeare’s‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’. I’m filming ‘Ankur Arora Murder Case’ that is being produced by Vikram Bhatt, at the moment. ‘Qissa’, an international film with Irrfan is just getting done. There’s a bi-lingual thriller that is starting in February. And like I said, I have an idea for a film, which is a comedy. I want to write that asap.

RM: What are some of the perks of being in the limelight and also some drawbacks that you wish you could change?

TC: I wish I didn’t have to wear high heels. Something about wearing high heels makes your brain stop functioning. The flip side is that, that makes one appealing to certain types of men.

I’m also intrinsically shy, so sometimes that becomes an effort- to fight my basic personality and be open. Being a celebrity, one has to reveal selectively, but being an actor has opened my soul.

RM: One of the perks that we are aware of is that actors get to travel all around the world on the pretext of filming. Is there anyplace that you've discovered because of a shoot that you would like to return to?

TC: I’m pretty hooked to travel, work or no work. My husband’s a pilot, so we end up traveling a lot. I fell in love with Istanbul. That’s one place I’d love to go back to. Manali is a favorite in India. I want to definitely go to Ladakh this coming year, the Dead Sea, the Rio Mardi Gras and the Machu Picchu area.

RM: Before we let you go you have to tell us your five favourite Indian Films and five favourite Non-Indian films?

TC:  International- As Good As It Gets, Fargo, Shawshank Redemption, Bullets Over Broadway, The Green Mile.  

Indian- Lagaan, Ab Tak Chappan, Raat aur Din, Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots.

Radioman (Documentary)

He's been called a "cultural institution" by Tom Hanks. To some he is a lucky charm. With countless guest and blink-and-you'll-miss appearances in films, Radioman is a person that defines the city of New York for the people in the movie business.

I have often called myself a film enthusiast or even a film fanatic, but seeing the obsession and passion that Radioman possess towards the films, I now feel embarrassed calling myself a fan of cinema. He is an eccentric person, but one who comes across as genuine and honest. He's on first name basis with movie legends, yet he is simply happy hanging around the set and acting bit parts in films, never really asking for any help from the actors. It is probably his humility towards the stars that draws them towards him and let them be in their natural state even when he is around.   

Radioman the documentary is a short look at the life of a person who in his own way has been an integral part of cinema. It's a documentary that through the story of Radioman showcases the power of cinema as a chance encounter with Bruce Willis led to Radioman changing the course of his life from being homeless to having a certain meaning and goal. The documentary is also a reality check on life. From the life lived by the homeless, to the perceptions people have towards the less fortunate, to the true meaning of friendship, Radioman is a also one man institution of life's lessons.

Due to the rather short running time of 70 minutes, the documentary never really digs deep into the depressing life of Radioman, especially his childhood with just a passing mention of an abusive father. What it does do is, while staying on the surface of issues, manages to compile the life of a man who has an almost childish enthusiasm about cinema and a never say die attitude.

One of the most poignant moments in the documentary is when on a trip to LA to meet his beloved stars during Oscar week, Radioman just doesn't get the same positive response as he does back in New York. Still, he remains loyal to the starts rejoicing having only met Cher. He sums up his trip as "Sometimes it's a tidal wave of fun, other times it's monsoon misery".

Radioman who at times remotely looks like Robin Williams or even Steven Spielberg is well aware of his persona and is aware that he himself is a character, a man with a radio around his neck, and that is what makes him who he is. He is also at peace with this. It is his frankness that is his most attractive feature and the reason why most stars are comfortable talking to him. In return he never pushes them for attention, giving them their own space, just happy knowing that the actors know him.

The documentary is just the tip of the iceberg to what is a plethora of interesting stories from the life of a man who has spent his time on the streets of New York and continues to do so showing himself to the entire world one frame at a time in the form of cameos in films.

Radioman is a character study of a cinephile and makes for recommended viewing.

Cabin in the Woods with Nostra

The new concept that’s based on the idea of “Dessert Island” and a “Top Ten Films List” combined continues as some of my friends from the Twitterverse have been kind enough to take on the challenge of telling us about 5 movies that they would want with them if they were in a Cabin in the Woods under different scenarios. 

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Our next contributor is Nostra,who while traveling to Eastern Europe came across a scenario that put his life in jeapordy...

"You've just rented a Cabin in the Woods with a male friend while on a backpacking trip in Eastern Europe. On your first night you meet two beautiful women who want to show you the "real" country. You instantly remember the film Hostel. Not knowing what they really want you now have one night and 5 films to convince these girls to like you so they don't take you to a torture chamber. What five films would you want to watch?"

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Well, firstly they must have drugged me, because I can't remember ever seeing Hostel. Since my friend keeps reminding me about this movie I quickly read the synopsis on IMDB and switch to survival mode. How would I manage them to like us? It's important to show them the beauty of life and love.

I think the perfect movie to quickly show that would be the documentary Life in a Day. This is a documentary that was made by Ridley Scott, Kevin MacDonald and Joe Walker who asked people around the world to upload footage, all shot during the same day. They got a lot of footage and managed to edit it into this movie which celebrates life around the world.

Now if that didn't win them over (maybe they don't like documentaries) I will have to use another "weapon" to break through and what better way than laughter. So I'd have to pick one of the best comedies out there. For a moment I think about Groundhog Day, but since that might not be funny enough I will pick Dumb and Dumber instead. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels managed to breathe life into these two stupid guys in a way you'll never forget. I'm sure there will be scenes in this movie that will make them laugh. My personal favorite being the one with the ketchup and mustard bottles.

Singin' in the Rain - They might be in a happier mood now and to keep that vibe going I'd choose this vibrant musical. If they still have grim thoughts, all the colors, dancing and songs like Make 'em Laugh, Singin' in the Rain might wash a lot of that away.

Once - A romantic movie with great music which they might be able to relate to as one of the main characters comes from Eastern Europe. If they have a piano I could tell them I can kind of play "Falling Slowly" (even though it might not be very good yet they could be impressed).

Before Sunrise - This would be the last movie I would show and I thought this one through. First of all it is a romantic movie and if the previous movie already opened a little door to compassion this will open it further. The story of two strangers meeting in a train and spending the night in Vienna can't leave you cold. When this movie finishes they will wonder what happened after this and I could tell them that there is another movie where you will find out (and that a new one has been shot and will come out soon).

In case all this wouldn't work I'd convince them to watch a sixth movie and I'd just pick a really long movie, hope they'd fall asleep and we will get out of there as quickly as possible.

Nostra runs the My Filmviews blog with reviews for new and old movies, weekly features (The Monday Question and The Many Faces of...) and he's always open to talk movies on Twitter here.

If you would like to participate and would like me to send you a unique scenario, simply Email Me 

Cabin in the Woods with David Neary

It’s time for some movie fun. It’s a new concept that’s based on the idea of “Dessert Island” and a “Top Ten Films List” combined. Some of my friends from the Twitterverse have been kind enough to take on the challenge of telling us about 5 movies that they would want with them if they were in a Cabin in the Woods under different scenarios. Someone is snowed in while another is confined to the cabin as a toxic gas is leaked around them. Would you want to scare the people you are with or maybe get comfy with your better half with your choice of films? 
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Our next contributor is David Neary,who had to choose his films based on the fact that his supposed romantic vacation turned into a somewhat family vacation...

“You book a romantic Cabin in the Woods with your girlfriend looking for some alone time. When you get to the spot you realise it is a family vacation spot with kids everywhere and no sign of romance. Which 5 films would you want to have with you and why?”

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There are three things you need to aim for here:

1.  Long films; so that if a neighbour knocks on the door of your cabin asking “can you help get our truck out of the mud”, you can respond “Oh, I’m just in the middle of a movie, will be right with you...” Hopefully your movie won’t end for another three hours.

2.  Films that are brilliant but would bore children; this will stop children hanging around your window trying to get a peek, or thinking you’re the cool neighbour with whom they can try and hang around.

3.  Loud films; for drowning out screaming, shrieking, yelling, and other horrible noises young people and their beleaguered parents produce.

With these things in mind...

Film #1. No child could take pleasure in it, but I will never not enjoy a rewatch – NETWORK. Every re-viewing brings something new, and all that glorious acting and blistering dialogue will keep you entertained and make sure no one under 20 comes near the place.

Film #2. It has to be AIRPLANE! Let the sound of your own laughter drown out the infantile horrors outside the cabin. If your laughing piques their curiosity, let them know the jokes are for adults only, and to go away, you’re trying to watch one of the greatest (and most re-watchable) comedies ever written.

Film #3. ALIEN. Because it’s Alien. Because the screaming and noise will freak out the little buggers trying to listen from outside. Because if they try to glimpse in through a window they will see the worst things from their nightmares. Because I love it.

Film #4. As long films go, I’d normally say Lawrence of Arabia, but seeing it on the small screen (I assume my cabin hasn’t a built-in cinema) just won’t do. Instead I’m opting for Sergei Bondarchuk’s WAR & PEACE. Roughly seven hours long and never dull, it is just a superb epic. The topic and subtitles would turn away any nosey children, and the length allows you to be shut off from socialising for the rest of the day. Plus, it’s divided into five chapters, so you can easily take opportunities to pause it and attend to other activities – you’re still watching the movie, just in case anyone calls around. Also, it’s one I’ve been meaning to rewatch, but lord knows when I’d have the time!

Film #5. Need a little catharsis? A film where young people are terrorised in the woods would help. But Friday the 13^th, The Blair Witch Project and even The Cabin in the Woods are all too obvious. No, what you need is proper terror, and more importantly vengeance. That’s why it has to be ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES. Who needs to see teenagers stabbed when you can watch younger children and their over-protective parents terrorised by Christina Ricci during a play about Thanksgiving!? The perfect one to watch to let you know how best to deal with the people beyond the log walls.

David Neary is an Irish film critic and historian. Obsessively devoted to film since his teens, his excessively broad tastes range from Ozu and Renoir to the guys who made Crank. He can be found on Twitter via his handle @DeusExCinema and you can read his blog http://thefilmcricket.wordpress.com


If you would like to participate and would like me to send you a unique scenario, simply Email Me 

Cabin in the Woods with Lesya

It’s time for some movie fun. It’s a new concept that’s based on the idea of “Dessert Island” and a “Top Ten Films List” combined. Some of my friends from the Twitterverse have been kind enough to take on the challenge of telling us about 5 movies that they would want with them if they were in a Cabin in the Woods under different scenarios. Someone is snowed in while another is confined to the cabin as a toxic gas is leaked around them. Would you want to scare the people you are with or maybe get comfy with your better half with your choice of films? 
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Next up is Lesya who was given the following scenario...

"You and a friend have rented a Cabin in the Woods in a foreign country. Although the brochure said that it was close to civilization, when you get there you realize it is in a secluded place and an hour away from any human being. Which 5 films would you want to have with you and why?"

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If it was me alone, renting that Cabin in the Woods, I would probably take five most favorite films that are in my all time top list. Thus, a friend drastically changes the order of things, meaning the choice of movies. I will imagine that I rent the cabin with my best friend, whose film tastes I know and sometimes share.

Going on a vacation with a friend equals fun. However, going on a vacation with a friend to some secluded place ruins it all. Once again, if I was on my own, being in an oasis of isolation would be paradise for me, for instance, for the sake of writing. Anyway, the best films that my friend and I enjoyed together are mostly the fun ones that would perhaps restore our faith in the world and here they are.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)Or maybe the trilogy in the boxset. But not to break the rules, the very first film. The thing is that both my friend and I were major fans of the franchise in high school and I think that it was one of the key things that bonded us at the time. We were crazy about the franchise and we literally scared shop assistants that sold the film related merchandize and magazines that featured either Jack Sparrow or Elizabeth Swann or Will Turner because we were so excited! For me this film has even more significant meaning, but even without that, it's just my favorite film from that high school youth and I'm very happy that I shared the love to it with my best friend. Besides, the movie is fun and dynamic and would be a great entertainment in the Cabin in the Woods.

Inception (2010)My friend is a huge fan of Chris Nolan, like I am, but unfortunately, she couldn't fully enjoy this offering from the director, that's why I find the idea of making her re-visit it and maybe like it more a very good one. Moreover, it would be another chance to explore this amazingly complicated and infinitely captivating feature.

The Hangover (2009)My friend and I love this film! We haven't seen it together, but we did go to view its sequel. Anyway, The Hangover is a perfect choice for movie watching in the Cabin. Firstly, it's about people, um, taking a rest (technically, it's a bachelor party that doesn't apply to our situation, but still it's akin to a vacation). And secondly, this hilarious comedy would transport us from our sad isolated place to the world of splitting our sides with laughter.

The Big Sleep (1946)I watched this film. My friend watched this film. I was totally confused. My friend was totally confused. The movie is terribly baffling and complicated, but re-watching it is always postponed, since there are those films that you haven't seen or you don't want to twist your brain right now or something else. Being locked up in the Cabin in the middle of nowhere, we'd have nothing else to do but to arm ourselves with paper and pencils to draw tangled schemes of what character A, B, C… did and how it influences the plot. I think this time we'd know everything about the story.

Some Like It Hot (1959)And to finish our movie watching vacation, I'd pick another classic, Billy Wilder's masterpiece. Mind you, my friend enjoys classic films, so I don't think that having two of classic ones in our suitcases would bore us. Some Like It Hot is a work of a genius. Personally, I have seen it hundreds of times and it never stops to amuse me. I believe that this film is the comedy of all times, at least for me. I have no idea how it was possible to create such brilliance. This film would properly crown out vacation and we'd go home with smiles on our faces, even though we had got in the back of beyond instead of our much longed-for civilized place for rest.

Lesya loves films to bits, praising the art at Eternity of Dream, and she aspires for a moment when she can call herself a writer. You can also follow Lesya on Twitter, as @love_cinema.

If you would like to participate and would like me to send you a unique scenario, simply Email Me 

Cabin in the Woods with Brittani Burnham

It’s time for some movie fun. It’s a new concept that’s based on the idea of “Dessert Island” and a “Top Ten Films List” combined. Some of my friends from the Twitterverse have been kind enough to take on the challenge of telling us about 5 movies that they would want with them if they were in a Cabin in the Woods under different scenarios. Someone is snowed in while another is confined to the cabin as a toxic gas is leaked around them. Would you want to scare the people you are with or maybe get comfy with your better half with your choice of films? 
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Our fourth contributor is Brittani Burnham, who had to choose her films based on the following scenario...

"The family owned Cabin in the Woods is your favourite place for solitude. Having been through 6 months of an extensive work schedule and a recent break-up you head there to be by yourself. Which 5 movies will you want with you to watch?"

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The first movie I would bring is American Beauty. Not only is it my favorite movie of all time, but after a stressful time at work, what better than to watch a film where the lead threatens to blackmail his boss and quits his job. He just wants "the least amount of responsibility possible." I can dig that.

The 2nd would be Office Space. Again, for the satisfaction of what people who hate their jobs take action.

My next film would be Mean Girls. I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of chick flicks or sappy love movies. If I wanted something to cheer me up after a nasty break up, I'd want to watch Mean Girls. With all the great lines, ("You Go Glenn Coco.") and the realistic bitchiness, it's exactly what I would need to get out of a funk.

My 4th would be Brokeback Mountain. Even though my relationship crumbled, I still would want proof that they be beautiful, even in hard times. There is no happy ending, but Brokeback Mountain is still the best love story of all time, in my opinion.

My final film would be Precious. Since my other four films are geared towards the recovery process of a stressful time, this would serve as a trigger to just cry it out. Sometimes that helps when your alone, and at the moment, I cannot think of a sadder film (that I enjoyed) more than Precious. The simple line: "Your baby loves you. I love you!" is so powerful I could almost tear up right now.

Brittani is a film enthusiast and writes about films on her blog http://ramblingfilm.blogspot.com. She can also be found on twitter with the handle @ramblingfilm. 

If you would like to participate and would like me to send you a unique scenario, simply Email Me 

Movie Confessions Blogathon

It's blogathon time and this one was suggested by my good fellow film blogger Nostra whose blog www.myfilmviews.com is one of the few blogs I read frequently. Thankfully Nostra didn't go too deep into the confessional part, maybe because he has some deep-dark secrets of his own, but reading my answers will likely raise a few eyebrows, especially the fact that I am yet to see the Godfather trilogy.

Which classic movie don't you like/can't enjoy and why?   

I honestly can't think of any film that I have seen and don't like from the classics. I usually like them for one reason for another. But for the movies I have not seen, Gone with the Wind for some reason has never intrigued me enough to want to watch it. In other words, frankly my dear I don't give a damn!

Which ten classic movies haven't you seen yet?  

8 1/2

Some Like it Hot

Roman Holiday

It's a Wonderful Life

Citizen Kane

On the waterfront

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Godfather Trilogy

Raging Bull

Have you ever sneaked into another movie at the cinema?

Thought about it many times, but no I have been a chicken when it finally comes to that. Also in India the tickets are checked at the entrance of each screen. Although, once a friend knew some people at the theater and they let us in for free to watch a film.  

Which actor/actress do you think is overrated?

Oh! there are many and now that you have asked I can't seem to remember. Adam Sandler comes to mind. I also think some of the actors get typecast in a specific role (action, comedy) and spend most of their lives doing similar films and eventually it gets boring and that irritates me.

From which big director have you never seen any movie (and why)?  

Again I can't think of anyone off my mind, but on Twitter I come across people discussing movies and directors I have never heard of, so I know there are quite a few, especially ones who made film before the 70s. Also my world cinema viewing has been limited to newer releases and more pop-culture films.

Which movie do you love, but is generally hated?

That would be Transformers and all three of them. I grew up watching the cartoons and Transformers:The Movie (animation) has always been one of my favourite films, so I cannot help but love them. I did however initially not like Transformers 3, but then when I viewed it again at home, enjoyed it a lot more.Also, and I know this will get me in trouble, Michael Bay as a director doesn't bother me as much as he does a number of people. 

Have you ever been "one of those annoying people" at the cinema?

I want to say no, but i'm sure as a school kid when we would go for movies in large groups we were obnoxious. It's the typical group mentality, so i'm sure I was one of the annoying ones during those times. I did however once spoil The Usual Suspects for a couple of friends of mine, so I was definitely one of those annoying people "outside" the cinema.  

Did you ever watch a movie, which you knew in advance would be bad, just because of a specific actor/actress was in it? Which one and why?   

Most of Adam Sandler movies that have come out in the last 3-4 years. I've never seen them in the theater but sometimes when it will come on TV, even knowing it will be bad, i'll sit through it. Examples would be First 50 Dates, Click and other unmemorable films of his.

The other person would be Jim Carey who again have done a number of duds off late, but then again watching Mr. Popper's Penguins I quite enjoyed it, so in the back of my mind that is the reason I watch movies I think I will not like, because there is always a little hope that I might like it instead.

Did you ever not watch a specific movie because it had subtitles?

Yes and No. Yes in the sense that I am extremely moody when it comes to watching films (and other aspects of my life), and for a subtitled movie I just have to be in the right frame of mind. So I am sure I have skipped a film because of that reason at some point. Having said that I have never skipped a film just because it is subtitled.     

Are there any movies in your collection that you have had for more than five years and never watched?

Five years is too long a time so the answer to that would be no. But, I do have movies like 8 1/2, La Haine, The Outsiders, and No Direction Home which I have had for a considerable amount of time and I am yet to see them.

Which are the worst movies in your collection and why do you still own them?

That would be a number of films, especially Hindi films which I have bought at one time or another just to spend time or out of curiosity not knowing they would be this bad. I think Mission Istanbul (Hindi) would top that chart as being one of the most ridicules films ever in my collection. Why do I still have it you ask, well because no one is dumb enough to buy it off my eBay shop... honestly (and I hate to just throw films away).

Do you have any confessions about your movie watching setup at home?

I am lucky to have a nice little room dedicated to movie watching, a sort of a mini-home theater. The only confession worthy aspect of the room would be that when our house was being built it was one of the first few rooms that was completed, even before most of the bedrooms were ready. Other than that the fact that at my age I have to sneak in small film memorabilia to "decorate" the room from time to time as my family thinks that most of it is a waste of money.

Any other confessions you want to make?

Not really. I don't know if it's a confession, but I prefer to watch movies late at night and alone partly because I hate to be disturbed and at night everyone is asleep so no disturbances from phone calls either, and secondly it saves the embarrassment if an adult scene were to come up.   

Cabin in the Woods with Daniel Stephens

It’s time for some movie fun. It’s a new concept that’s based on the idea of “Dessert Island” and a “Top Ten Films List” combined. Some of my friends from the Twitterverse have been kind enough to take on the challenge of telling us about 5 movies that they would want with them if they were in a Cabin in the Woods under different scenarios. Someone is snowed in while another is confined to the cabin as a toxic gas is leaked around them. Would you want to scare the people you are with or maybe get comfy with your better half with your choice of films? 
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Our third contributor is Daniel Stephens, who had to choose his films based on the fact that he might just have to act them out with the following scenario...

“You just hired a Cabin in the Woods on a secluded private island with your gf/wife. Unfortunately, the DVD player is not working. So, the duty to entertain your better half lies on you as you must tell/act out the stories of the 5 films you brought with you. Which films do you wish you had with you?”

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So we arrived at this cabin in the middle of nowhere. Literally – the middle of nowhere! We had been driving for hours. Off the motorway we went, onto the country roads, then deep into the woods. At one point we arrived at a crossroads hidden within dense oak, ash and lime trees. At its centre was a stone marker no more than three feet high. There was some scribbled writing carved into, but it didn’t make sense to me. The sat nav had been switched off ages ago because a monotonous voice was repeating, “please make a U turn.” So it was left or right. We picked left.

On we drove. We seemed to driving around muddy dirt tracks for hours. I told my wife it was no use – we weren’t going to find the place. So I turned the car around, tried to get back on the main road. I got back to the stone marker at the makeshift crossroads and turned the car in the direction we came.

Or so I thought…

Again, we drove for many miles but we couldn’t get back on the main road. Then, having seemingly been driving in the opposite direction for fifty miles, we arrived back at the crossroads. How? It was impossible. I didn’t know what to do so I took a right remembering last time I went left and suddenly, out of the darkening gloom of a sun-setting sky, there it was – the cabin.

Once inside I discovered the DVD player wasn’t working. Can you believe it..!

To entertain my wife - trying also to distract her from the werewolf scratching at the door, the ghost thumping on the ceiling and the outstretch hands of several undead attempting to unleash themselves from the cellar – I played out with the acting skill of a multi-Razzie award winner, these five great films…

Jaws - Probably not the best film to start with given our predicament. But at least we weren’t going to get attacked by a shark in the middle of the woods. Steven Spielberg’s miraculous blockbuster about a killer shark and the three men sent to destroy it is still as potent today as it was in the seventies. What was the most enjoyable thing about acting it out? Singing “Show Me The Way To Go Home” of course!

Back To The Future - A big favourite in our household. Marty Mcfly’s adventures travelling through time never fail to lift our spirits and carry us on a fabulously fun journey of discovery.

The Breakfast Club - Very much a product of its time, this mid-1980s film defines John Hughes’ high school works with its depiction of a disparate group of teens thrust together in Saturday detention.

Airplane - If we’re acting out films what better one to recreate than Airplane where everyone loves the outlandish humour and the jokes still work when someone without any sense of comic timing has a go at retelling them. One of the most loved comedies ever produced by Hollywood.

Aliens - Okay, we’re in the middle of nowhere and we’re being attacked by a group of nightmarish ghouls unleashed from the pits of hell, but we’re talking about favourite films here. And there are very few films that rank as highly in my estimation as James Cameron’s kinetic action film about superwoman Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) travelling through space to do battle with a terrifying horde of alien creatures.

Daniel Stephens is the founder and editor of film site Top 10 Films.He spends most of his time day-dreaming about the next top 10 film list amidst frequent strumming on his acoustic guitar as he tries to learn yet another Beatles track.

If you would like to participate and would like me to send you a unique scenario, simply Email Me 

7 X 7 Link Award

Almost six months back I was honored by Dan from Top 10 Films with the 7 X 7 Link Award. As the saying goes, “better late than never”, here I am finally officially accepting and passing on the award.

The 7 x 7 Award highlights a blogger’s favourite pieces of work and is passed on to others so that they too can do the same as a way to promote posts and/or blogs.

As is the case with such awards, there are certain rules;

1.Tell everyone something that no one else knows about you.

2. Link to one of the posts that I think best fits the following categories;

a. Most Beautiful Piece.

b. Most Helpful Piece.

c. Most Popular Piece.

d. Most Controversial Piece.

e. Most Surprisingly Successful Piece.

f. Most Underrated Piece.

g. Most Pride-Worthy Piece.

3. Pass this award on to seven other bloggers.

Tell everyone something that no one else knows about you.

I have done a few of these awards/blogathons that I honestly don’t know if there is anything that I can tell you without having to kill you afterwards. In short, and these are repetitions, I like to watch movies late at night to avoid any disturbance, I have a number of films that I have owned for a considerable period of time but have not yet seen, and lastly I want to one day visit the San Diego Comic-Con (then again who doesn’t?).

Most Beautiful Piece – Mary & Max

http://tickertalksfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/mary-max.html

My review of Mary & Max is for me the most beautiful piece because it is about one of the most beautiful films ever. It was by chance that I watched the film and was completely left speechless and in tears by the end of it.

Most Helpful Piece. – Demystifying Indian Cinema

http://tickertalksfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/demystifying-indian-cinema.html

In my little attempt to make Indian cinema more interesting for the “foreign” public I tried to compile a list of Hindi films that have negligible song/dance sequences in them. Since talking to a number of people, the one aspect of Indian cinema that made them not watch it were the songs and “dancing around trees”, this was to inform that our industry have a lot more to offer. It is not a detailed post, but more of a list of the films.

Most Popular Piece – The Poor Memorabilia Collector

http://tickertalksfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/poor-memorabilia-collector.html

Although I have another post that has had more “hits”, this one has been the most popular in terms of comments which was mainly due to the fact that the post was featured in the IMDB Hit List. It’s a look at some cheap and easy ways to collect memorabilia of your favourite films.

Most Controversial Piece – Where Should I Blog?

http://tickertalksfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/bloggers-dilemma-where-should-i-blog.html

This post asked the question if the address of your blog was one of the reasons for others to take you seriously or not. I felt quite strongly about the issue and thus published this blog across my blogs. It raised quite a few discussions with both sides being supported and disagreed upon.

Most Surprisingly Successful Piece – Despicable Me

http://tickertalksfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/despicable-me.html

The review of Despicable Me, a movie that I surprisingly loved, is at present the most viewed review on my blog. I was quite taken aback by how many people actually liked this film as I hadn’t heard anyone really talk about it before.

Most Underrated Piece – Keep Calm

http://tickertalksfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/keep-calm-goes-to-movies.html

http://tickertalksfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/return-of-keep-calm-to-movies.html

My two posts on all the Keep Calm posters inspired by films which I made. I wish more people would have seen/shared/commented on them.

Most Pride-Worthy Piece – What is #MTOS?

http://tickertalksfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/what-is-mtos.html

Again, this is no intellectual post, but one I am extremely proud of simply because it is about the little Twitter weekly chat that my friend Rachel and I conceived and started. Movie Talk on Sunday has grown steadily over the year, promoting fellow bloggers, and just building up on the film community in general. The post is an introduction to the event and is still used to inform newcomers about that little hashtag (#MTOS) they see pop up on their twitter timeline event Sunday evening at 20:00 GMT.

As for passing on the blogging love, here are the seven who deserve all the fame they are getting…

Nostra with MyFilm Views 

Nuts4R2 who is the brain behind, well... Nuts4R2 

Ruth with FlixChatter 

Lesya and her blog Eternity of Dream 

Haricharan writing about films on Movie Roundup 

Russell who hosts at 1:37 exactly 

Lastly, the team behind Max and Tom Squared