Thankful for... Christopher James
Friday, November 26, 2021 at 9:00AM 
This year for our "thankful for" column we're interviewing our contributors so you can get to know them better. Yes, Thanksgiving is technically over but we're still grateful. Here's one more for you. A big hug and thank you to CHRISTOPHER JAMES!
Chris has been with for TFE for just over a year but we've known him much longer online, first meeting him in the flesh on a trip to Los Angeles. In the short time he's been with us he's completed the popular "Gay Best Friend" series (one more wrap-up episode is coming!) and is about to launch a new series. He also kept things lively with fun personal anecdotes and important questions, and has been a powerhouse when it comes to our Emmy coverage.
Our short interview follows...
When did you first fall in love with the movies?
My parents first took me to the movies when I was 2. We saw The Lion King and I was so distraught by Mufasa's death that I ran screaming from the theater. Always one to conquer my fears, I had my family buy the VHS and I fell in love with the movie, watching it up to three times a day.
Which current director or star do you feel truly grateful for?
I'm cheating. Penelope Cruz and Pedro Almodovar are a pair that just gets better with age. Their latest collaboration, Parallel Mothers, is among the best of their careers. I hope they keep working together for as long as they can.
Tis this season to be thankful. What wouldn't you have wanted to live without this past year?
1) Stephen McKinley Henderson’s parasol in Dune
2) Some movies challenge the structure of their genre or medium. A masterpiece like Flee completely redefines the bounds of documentary filmmaking and animation.
3) I’m still shedding happy tears over CODA. Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin is great, but Troy Kotsur should be at the top of every Supporting Actor lineup. The whole ensemble is top notch.
4) My new movie boyfriend is Anders Danielsen Lie. Between The Worst Person in the World (full frontal alert) and Bergman Island, he has captured my heart.
5) We got 11 musicals and many of them were good!! In the Heights, Tick Tick Boom and Everybody's Talking About Jamie all showcased different reasons why I love the movie musical.
6) Tyrese in space. I hope the F9 team stays immortal.
7) The way Vicky Kreips says “I found this online” and “there’s something wrong with this beach” in Old.
8) When Ben Affleck said Matt Damon was “just not fun” in The Last Duel. So true, bestie.
9) Every costume in Cruella is special, but I’m still gagging over the dumpster trash look.
10) The care Breeda Wool took in setting the stage for Mass.
Pick your favourites, Chris!
If you were to magically win an Oscar, who would you thank in your acceptance speech?
I would thank my mother for letting me watch the Oscars at age 5 and Pretty Woman at age 6. Also, thank you to my fiancé Ken who doesn't complain with the amount of movies I watch, even though he's not interested in most of them.
You're throwing a Thanksgiving dinner feast. You can invite 5 movie characters. Go!
Rose Castorini (Moonstruck) for her food
Lady Sarah (The Favourite) for gossip
Carol Aird (Carol) for cocktails
Dorothea Fields (20th Century Women) to keep the conversation going
...and Dickie Greenleaf (The Talented Mr. Ripley) for... fun.
You should follow Christopher James on Twitter, Letterboxd, and Instagram if you don't already do so!
Reader Comments (3)
Paul Newman has a lot of Film Experience fans,nearly everyone chose him as their Oscar King,A retrospective perhaps is due
EXCELLENT guest list.
Right there with you when it comes to Anders Danielsen Lie. He's the actor of the year as far as I'm concerned. Also love the dumpster dress, trash couture for the win.
As far as being thankful, I'm thankful for your great contributions to the site. Reading your Gay Best Friend series has been a great source of joy this last year Thank you so much.
Mr Ripley79 -- Who doesn't love Paul Newman? Man was hot as the sun and just as talented.