Reader Spotlight: Tony T
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 1:00PM 
In our ongoing 'get to know The Film Experience community' project, here's another Reader Spotlight. This time we're talking to Tony who grew up overseas and now lives in Texas. He sent me the nicest note once about the site that really cheered me up on a down day.
What's your first movie memory?
TONY: I spent my entire childhood watching Disney movies. It was literally everything I did when I wasn't in school. They were mostly dubbed in French so it was a little bit of a revelation to rediscover them in English when I grew up. But my very first movie memory that I can recall semi-vividly is watching The Beauty and the Beast with my cousins. I was so captivated that I had to move to a different row in the movie theatre to sit away from my cousins because they were distracting me so much.
I love it. A well behaved moviegoer from the start! When did you start reading The Film Experience?
TONY: When Nathaniel was drunk on Moulin Rouge! I must have found the site by trying to read everything related to the movie. That movie was and still is a dizzying experience. I was hooked on "Film Bitch" at the time. Checked the website every day. I was in Lebanon at the time. No one around me knew what I was talking about which made it all the better!
Three favorite actresses?
I have a very open mind about actresses. Almost any actress can win my heart with the right role. Nicole Kidman is my absolute favorite, though. Ironically my first memory of her is Batman Forever. I thought she was the perfect woman! Moulin Rouge! came and sealed the deal. I can't think of anyone else who combines the same amount of talent, style and courage. The choices she makes are quite admirable even when they don't pay off and auteurs are lucky to have her. Isabelle Huppert is another favorite of mine. Such a powerful presence. Her words always manage to cut through the screen. Third is probably Cate Blanchett. I miss her!
Take one Oscar away. Regift it.
I think the oscars are like a time capsule. It's always fun to go back and contemplate what the Academy chose to reward in a given year and for what reason. And for that I usually don't talk about stolen oscars. But if forced to choose I would take away The King's Speech's oscar and give it to The Social Network. I thought that was a bit embarassing. I mean the latter was clearly clearly the superior movie by any standard.
If you were in charge of Hollywood for a year...
I would greenlight all the cold political thrillers. Think Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Cerebral well acted well designed movies with great stories are my favorites. Also international movies. Like Babel but better.
Have you ever broken up with someone because of their taste in movies?
I don't know if I've broken up with someone because of their taste of movies yet but I definitely can see that happening! It's okay not to be a huge movie fan but it's not okay to be a huge fan of the wrong movies! I kid I kid BUT I can't promise that I won't secretly judge someone who declares The Life of David Gale one of their favorite movies (true story).
Reader Comments (10)
What a coincidence. I was just thinking yesterday about how safe, conventional, and predictable "The King's Speech"'s win was, especially in the face of such daring and tough competition.
"I would greenlight all the cold political thrillers. Think Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Cerebral well acted well designed movies with great stories are my favorites."
Yes to all of this, Tony T!!!!!
Also same thing happened with me on the Nicole Kidman discovery being Batman Forever.
My first memory of legend Kidman was in Practical Magic, and I remember loving her in it (I was six year old or something, watching it on TV). Then probably Batman Forever, where I found her beauty captivating, and then our love was sealed with Moulin Rouge! Dazzling beautiful diamond!
Yeah, The King's Speech was quite a boring choice for the Oscars, especially since they were so unusual daring with the nominations. (Actress lineup, an almost perfect picture lineup, I Am Love costume nod etc.)
Dr. Chase Meridian is still my perfect woman.
Chase Meridian! Uh! I m a doctor and there ain t many chase meridians in the hospital!
The 'Moulin Rouge!' craze is also when I discovered TFE. :)
The Life of David Gale is really underrated, just saying.
I am SO hoping that "The Railway Man" and "Grace of Monaco" reconnect Nicole with audiences. She is such a good actress.
Where can I meet a guy like Tony? Kidmaniac and cute? Yes please!
I love these reader spotlights, and who isn't a Kidmaniac on this site :)