Years and years ago I saw a politics joke in, of all places, a film magazine. It goes something like this. At a political debate the main three parties are asked what the capital of France is. The Conservative denies ever going to France, and threatens to sue anybody who links him with anything French. The Labour candidate asks the question back, “The question isn’t what the capital of France is, but what we can do about the capital of France?” Finally the Liberal Democrat candidate is asked. He responds, “Paris. The capital of France is Paris. Hello is anyone listening the answer is Paris?”
Not to endorse any political party at all (Of course we wouldn’t! – Ed) this joke always left me with the frustrated feeling of “But that guys got the answer, listen to him!” Of course we rarely listen to those who have the answer, but, well, perhaps this time. (Sidenote, my main reason for thinking ‘they’ may have the answer is quite simply taking money from very, very rich people to give to people who need it, just sounds like a very nice and necessary thing to do).
Or I may just have been swayed by Lib Dem Candidate Simon Wright’s favourite film of all time ever…
Name
Simon Wright
Occupation
Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich South
What is your Most Favourite Bestest Film In The Whole Wide World?
The film which has always been there as a firm favourite throughout my life has to be Ghostbusters. I loved it as a kid, and I still do today. Sadly, my wife now refuses to watch it with me because she thinks she’s seen it enough times – not possible in my view!
The film is about an imminent end to all life as we know it, as the spiritual world rises up against us. Fortunately, the Ghostbusters have just set up business in New York as the pest-controllers of the paranormal (note to all banks: lending to small businesses can help save the world).
Bill Murray’s performance really stands out, coolly delivering some of the film’s best lines in his deadpan, wisecrack fashion. Co-stars Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, who wrote the script, recognised Bill Murray’s huge potential for a role originally intended for John Belushi, who died before the film was made. Murray was generously gifted a strong role by his co-stars, which played perfectly to his strengths.
At the time, the special effects were hugely expensive and impressive. Rather than weighing down the film, many of the effects add to the humour. Others manage to be quite scary. The film’s soundtrack is also great – very much of its time, but perfectly fitting for the occasional 1980s montage.
Ghostbusters is a classic comedy, which always makes me laugh no matter how many times I’ve seen it. It’s great escapism.
Favourite Scene
The appearance of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man as the absurd giant monster of the film.
Favourite Line
Louis Tully, being chased by a demon dog: [frightened] “I’m going bring this up with the Tenant’s Association. You’re not supposed to have pets in the building.”
First Movie You Remember
The Wizard of Oz
Last Film You Saw At The Cinema
Green Zone.
Worst Film You’ve Ever Seen
Not sure if this counts because I couldn’t sit through more than about forty minutes of it, but what I saw of Batman and Robin was spectacularly bad.
What Do You Love About Movies
Being able to let go of everything for a couple of hours.
Simon Wright is currently standing for election in Norwich South. While we at thisfilmison will remain completely neutral during this election if nobody else replies about their favourite film then we’re all definitely voting for Simon.
I may just be shallow enough to vote based souly on fav film selection.
Comment by Lewis — April 19, 2010 @ 11:41 am