NAME: Tony Kahn
YEAR: Senior
MAJOR: Technically, none. I spent about 3 years in the architecture program in DAAP, but ultimately decided to switch my major to e-media. I am now in the process of transferring and because of that, I have no major. I am still minoring in architectural studies though; might as well get some recognition for my time spent there.
WHY I AM TAKING THIS CLASS: During my time in Architecture I had the opportunity to work for an artist in Maui for 4 months. That artist's name was Tom Sewell [tomsewell.com] and my time spent there had a lasting impact on my life. (The picture above was taken in his library, where he has a large collection of fezes) The reason this blog is called Cinematiki Cincinnati is because Tom was in charge of the Cinematiki Maui Movie Club, where we would meet with many of his artist friends in his studio every Monday night to watch strange films, eat great food, and spend time discussing what we have seen. Being involved in this community changed the way I watched and thought about films, and led to me appreciating and understanding film as an art form. To see some of the films we watched, visit cinematikimaui.com
MY TOP TEN LIST:
(this list is not necessarily ordered, it's just the first 10 great movies I think of, without repeating directors)
- The Big Lebowski: I love the look of this movie, its places and characters, the soundtrack, the actors, the script. I think this may be my favorite movie, personally.
- Amelie: I have nothing against subtitles, I love subtitles, and therefore I love this movie. It is so French. The cinematography is excellent, the director does a fantastic job of showing, not telling.
- Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: I knew that I would love this movie from the first time I saw a trailer for it. I love this directors form of visual storytelling; this movie feels almost like you're watching someone play a video game.
- 8 1/2: The ninth film made by Fellini, it is the semi-autobiographical story of a successful film director and the blessings and curses that go along with that. Love the cinematography and 60's vibe. (This was also Tom Sewell's favorite film)
- Princess Mononoke: My personal favorite of Miyazaki's movies. I love the look of the characters and the spirits and the use of colors, as well as the overall message of environmentalism and connectedness with the earth.
- Kill Bill: Once I learned that this film is meant to be a film inside of the ultraviolent film universe of Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, and the rest of Tarantino's movies, I was even more impressed. I really appreciate this pair of movies because it is so unique and different from anything else of the time, yet it borrows so many elements from classic westerns and martial arts movies. Also Uma Thurman is badass.
- The Lion King: This was the first movie I ever saw in the theatre, and was my favorite movie as as a wee one. It still makes me feel like a little kid.
- The Royal Tenenbaums: I really don't think I need to say much about this movie. Wes Anderson at his Wes Anderson-iest.
- American Beauty: If there were one movie that I wish I could go back and watch again for the first time, it would probably be this one.
- Midnight in Paris: Definitely my favorite of Woody Allen's more contemporary movies. I like its theme of the unsatisfying nature of life. Also, super great casting
