Priorities

The shortest answer to the question, “What is existence?” for humans anyway, must be “prioritizing.” Our priorities affect every action, sense, belief and decision in our life. A cursory glance at this blog reveals much about my priorities. A quick comparison of blogs on this site will demonstrate how priorities vastly differ between people.

Recently, I have been asking people “What is one movie you think everyone should see, and why?” I am curious to infer how their answers reflect their priorities. I have mostly given up on any notion that the movies recommended are actually worth seeing, especially since the first one mentioned was Waking Life, which turns out to be an absolutely terrible movie in which, for the most part, a bunch of stoners talk gibberish. Actually, I do want to see Brain Donors, which apparently stars John Turturro whom I love. Someone dared say The Passion of the Christ, to which I am proud so say I responded with only a (fake) smile.

Recurring factors pop up in determining the movie to choose. The most common are the genre-defining movie, the lesson movie, the favorite movie and the pop-culture reference movie.

My must-see movie choices usually fall within the genre-defining category. My guess is that this tends to signify someone whose primary interest is in the medium of movie making itself. My answer to the question was Raging Bull, mostly because it is the most perfect movie I have ever seen. The action, acting, dialogue, screenplay, choreography, cinematography, sound, directing and editing are all unsurpassed. The only other movie I can think of which contains all these qualities is Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo. Initially, my claim was going to be that I’m not a person who necessarily values a lesson movie. Those people tend to prioritize things like truth and right and wrong; ideas that, according to my perception, tend to be exaggerated social control mechanisms, so I don’t give them much credence. But interestingly, both movies I just named are about integrity and trust/mistrust, things I contemplate and esteem above most other things, so perhaps I am bullshitting myself.

The genre-defining people (and others, actually) generally follow up my initial question with “In what genre?” I think this is a valid question. The one comedy I think everyone should see is Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail. This is a movie pop-culture reference lovers will name. People that choose movies for this reason are trendy, social, extroverted creatures. Since I am not what you’d call sociable and have never been hip to the whole pop culture thing, that is not my reason for choosing it. In my opinion, Holy Grail is the movie by which all other comedies must be judged. It literally redefined the genre, as nothing like it came before it (except of course the greatest television show of all time, Monty Python’s Flying Circus). It contains every style of humor, culls a laugh at least every 30 seconds and only gets funnier upon repeated viewings. Sure, Monty Python’s Life of Brian has the most bizarre animated interruption and greatest ending of any movie ever made, but the pacing isn’t quite as good. Besides, it’s the sequel that would have never happened if it weren’t for the success of Holy Grail.

That said, Holy Grail is my second favorite comedy. My favorite comedy is The Big Lebowski. But my opinion is that many other factors must be taken into consideration besides it being your favorite. There’s something shallow about wanting all others to see your favorite movie. It’s fun to share things you like with others, but is it really that important or essential? I encourage my friends to see my favorite movies, but they’re not for everybody. I include Tombstone and the Lone Wolf and Cub series as personal favorite movies, and I can give no reason why anyone else should see them.

My sister’s choice was Life Is Beautiful. This is a very interesting choice. It is my sister’s favorite movie, and a unique blend of comedy, tragedy, fantasy and reality. It’s a lesson movie, ultimately about the protective role of delusion in providing hope and meaning to an otherwise unbearable existence. It’s a movie appropriate for all people of all ages. God damn, I think my sister has given me the best answer so far, but I would love to hear others.


Incidentally, a similar question, “What is one song you think everyone should hear, and why?” could be asked, but the answer is so obvious (Koko, by Charlie Parker, because it’s incredible and it single-handedly changed American music) that I dare not ask the question because the ludicrous answers of others and the inevitable question “Who’s Charlie Parker?” would only strengthen my hatred of humanity.