Ask Matty

Re:Ask Matty

Re:Ask Matty

Re:Ask Matty

Re:Ask Matty

"How about, what are your favorite movies and filmmakers"

My favorite movies:

Major League; Midnight Run; Big Lebowski; Goodfellas; Godfather Part II; High Fidelity; Dazed and Confused; Some Like It Hot; Glengary Glenross; Casablanca; Dog Day Afternoon; and most everything involving Paul Newman.

I don't really get excited about certain filmmakers per se. As an actor, I believe in the collaborative effort of film: the actors down to the caterer. I get much more excited about projects, certain actors aligned with certain directors, writers and cinematographers. That said, I love my fellow Minnesotans, the Coen brothers and most everything Scorcese.

Re:Re:Ask Matty

 "Do you prefer straightforward storytelling or more experimental attempts at telling the story?"

Primarily, I was educated in Aristole's Poetics, and I still believe Aristotle is the greatest art critic ever to live. So I have an affinity and demand for plot, structure, reversals and catharsis. That said, Aristotle was writing for the theater and made clear that a Dramatic Event happens live in the auditorium with live actors and an audience. However, I still believe a great movie transcends the screen and can evoke a cathartic reaction in its audience; to that end, I am all in favor of "experimental" storytelling as long it serves the story and its plot. I'm not interested in static film. Ultimately, I want a story to be told - it can be told as minimally as possible, but I need a story; I'm not in the theater to look at painting.

Re:Re:Ask Matty

"Why Matty Ballgame?"

Honestly, I can offer no definitive source. A lot of people have taken credit for it. Some claim I drunkenly pronounced myself Matty Ballgame which I certainly wouldn't put past me. I'm a diehard baseball fan (the Minnesota Twins in particular) and all I know is that the nickname is a take on the Splendid Splinter moniker: Teddy "Ballgame" Williams.

 In fact, I'm asked this so often, if anyone can come up with a great anecdote for the origin of the nickname that I can claim as my own, I'd be grateful!

Re:Re:Ask Matty

mattyballgame:

Some Like It Hot

Uh just watched this for the first time last week, and as one of the often cited funniest movies ever I was pretty disappointed.  Then again, I'm usually disappointed with most mainstream comedies, which I'm assuming this was at the time.  I think Marilyn really annoys me too.

mattyballgame:

I don't really get excited about certain filmmakers per se. As an actor, I believe in the collaborative effort of film: the actors down to the caterer. I get much more excited about projects, certain actors aligned with certain directors, writers and cinematographers.

Those people are certainly all filmmakers. You have any specific favorite combinations in mind when you say that?

mattyballgame:

That said, I love my fellow Minnesotans, the Coen brothers and most everything Scorcese.

Well the Coens are my favorite too, so that bumps up our affinity!

Also, are you a man or a woman?

Re:Re:Re:Ask Matty

Risselada:

Also, are you a man or a woman?

I'll let you figure that one out by checking out our latest podcast, www.filmspotting.net.

Re:Re:Re:Re:Ask Matty

A few podcasts ago during Sam's farewell a listener posed the question "could Matty hate like Sam."  I would like to say that there should be no question in anyone's mind now.  Way to hold down the fort.

Andrew