Catching Up On Some Awards

Hey, readers!

One of the things I love about blogging on WordPress is the camaraderie between us bloggers and the recognitions we pass along.  This community continually recognizes and praises each other for their time and effort they put into their blog(s) and its content with awards that are passed along, as many of you have received I’m sure.  Many of my fellow bloggers have given me such awards over the last few months that because of video games, television, extra curricular activities, and (of all things) movies, I have not yet responded to.  To make up for it, I am going to answer all of the questions from the award nominations.  They are grouped by award. Unfortunately with waiting so long, there are many similar questions asked by different people. That’s on me for waiting so long to do a write up for these. There is a lot to get through so let’s get started, shall we?

First award is a Liebster Award from Tom of Plain, Simple Tom Reviews:

Favourite Disney Villain? Scar. He’s one of the few villains who actually gets (and keeps!) what he is trying to get.
If you could put one film in a space capsule to be sent off to an alien planet, which would it be and why? My first thought is Alien, but that probably wouldn’t be a good idea.  I would have to choose Toy Story.  A story about friendship can be understood in any language by any culture.
Name a film that too few people have seen, but deserves to be watched. This is a little tough one because I don’t feel like I have watched many films that aren’t widely known.  However, I would say The Cannonball Run.  It is an early 80s road trip comedy that has several of the biggest stars from that time, including Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, and many, many more.
Will there ever be a truly great videogame-to-film adaptation? Has there been one already? I think eventually someone will figure it out. Mad Max was enjoyable and Prince of Persia and Assassin’s Creed (although I wasn’t a huge fan of the latter) did well to capture elements from their sources that are easily recognizable by their fan base.
Which film deserves to be wiped off the face of the earth? Rage. I want that garbage out of here.
Who was your first, or biggest, film/tv crush? I’ve been into Modern Family since season one and have had a crush on Sarah Highland since then. Maybe not my first or biggest but probably my longest.
Which film character’s job would you most want? Not any one character but I would want to be a Jedi. That’s a job, right? Maintaining peace in the galaxy is a very important job.
Would you rather watch paint dry or watch grass grow? Probably watch paint dry. I imagine it wouldn’t take as long.
If it was Groundhog Day and you were able to choose a day to endlessly relive, which would it be and what song would be playing at 6:00 every morning? Definitely Saturday. Anything classic rock.
Hanks, Hardy or Hiddleston? (A big shout out to all the Toms out there!??) After some deliberation, Hiddleston.
And finally, a favourite: which 5 actors/actresses would you have at a dinner party? Emma Watson, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Dwayne Johnson, and Ryan Reynolds.

R. Hayward of Big Face, Small Razor also nominated me for a Liebster Award:

Talk about your favourite cinema, where is it and what does it do that’s so much better than the rest? I’m lucky that I have several theaters I can choose from for going to the theater but my favorite is my favorite for one simple reason: It shows fewer trailers than the others.
35mm or digital? Either, as long as it looks good.
Home or cinema? Both. Going to the cinema is always a blast but, being the introvert that I am, staying at home away from people is nice, too. Plus at home there is a higher chance of cuddling with my puppies and I get less weird looks for wearing lounge pants.
Name the most obscure film you’ve seen. How did you discover it and what could you say about it to get other people to watch it? Being a soccer/football player, I would say Goal II.  I watched in during one particularly long flight. It’s the second film in a trilogy about a soccer player and his rise as a superstar soccer/football player in the UEFA European Champions League. Kuno Becker, who plays the main character, does an emotional job as the character and many real life soccer/football players have cameos.
Think of your favourite director who no longer works (either dead or living) and what you’d like to see them do if they could make one more film. Most of my favorite directors are still directing so I can’t really answer this one. Sorry. 😦
Ever had an idea for a film of your own? I’ve had a few ‘What if’ ideas for existing franchises but nothing really of my own original ideas. At least none that are coming to mind.
What’s are your favourite TV shows: one that is finished, and one that is currently airing? Finished: Whose Line is it Anyway? Current: Modern Family and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (can’t really choose between those two)
What’s your favourite trope in media? Mine, for example, is where someone traces their finger on a map or in a book and then double-taps something of importance to the story. Spit takes always get me to laugh.
If you could wipe any song from history, what would it be? I don’t really have a song I loathe enough to wish is didn’t exist. Movie on the other hand…
What helps you maintain creativity? I joke about procrastinating and doing a bunch of stuff like soccer, video games and watching TV, for reasons why I don’t write as often as others but that is honestly what enables me to keep this blog going and writing (somewhat) decently.  I know people who put a ton of time and effort into their blogs *cough* Kim *cough* because it’s what they love and being busy keeps them going and they continuously turn out great content. I, however, tend to lose focus when I spend too much time concentrating on one thing. By constantly switching between activities, it weirdly helps me focus and remain creative.
Why do you write? I write to connect with others.  Although I haven’t physically met many of you, my writing as allowed me to communicate with you and grow friendships with you I otherwise would not have.

Now onto the Sunshine Blogger Awards. Firstly is Kelechi of Confessions of a Geek Mind:

What’s your favourite 80s film? I’ll go with one of entries for last year’s Ultimate 80s Blogathon and say Airplane!
Who’s your favourite film director? Steven Spielberg
If you could invite up to four celebrities for dinner, who would it be? Emma Watson, Emma Stone, Steven Spielberg, Alan Menkin
Who’s your favourite actor to play Batman out of:

• Adam West
• Michael Keaton
• Kevin Conroy (Animated Series)
• Val Kilmer
• George Clooney
• Christian Bale
• Ben Affleck

Sonic the Hedgehog or Mario? Tough one. I grew up with both of them but I’d probably say Mario. Sonic hasn’t been doing well the last couple years.
If there was a prop/item from a movie you wish you could own, what would it be? A lightsaber.
What was the last film you watched you fell asleep through? I don’t usually fall asleep during movies unless I am using them as background noise to fall asleep to. And if that’s the case, it is usually a movie I have seen a lot. That being said, I did doze off a little while watching Wild Wild West for the recent Ultimate 90s Blogathon.
If you could guest star in any TV series, what would it be? Modern Family or Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
What’s your favourite hobby besides blogging? I have a few: Playing soccer, rock climbing, and playing video games (I’m really into Overwatch right now).
Dream holiday destination? Italy
If you could change one thing about the Oscars, what would it be? That there was no “Best Picture” category. Instead, have more genres have their own “Best of” category.

Next award is from Catherine of Thoughts All Sorts:

If you could somehow transport yourself into a movie and be a character, who would you be? Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars Saga.
A good book and a good movie are lovingly waiting for you at the same time. Do you read or watch a movie? Watch a movie.
Do you find yourself quoting movies (or books) or singing lines of songs to colleagues (or friends) when an opportune moment presents itself in a conversation or situation? All the time!
Night owl or Early bird? I’m a programmer, ergo night owl.
Which movie from your childhood will you always have a soft spot for even if it isn’t as great as you remember it? Space Jam
What languages do you speak? English (obviously) and some Russian.
What is your perfect holiday destination? Visiting several Italian cities, including Rome, Venice, and Florence.
Have you ever met anyone famous? Yes, Ernie Hudson.
Vampires or werewolves? Vampires
What is your guilty pleasure (book, movie or series)? My guilty pleasure movies are the early Anne Hathaway stuff, like The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada.
If you could transport yourself back in time to live in another era/age, which would it be? I wold love to see Renaissance Europe. Diseases notwithstanding, the growth in the arts and sciences would be something great to witness firsthand.

Next is an award from Renate of Popcorn and Film:

If you could live in any country, which one would it be? I’ve heard good things about Sweden. 😉
Which movie are you most looking forward to watching at the cinema this year? Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Rough Night, The Circle, and Star Wars: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi to name a few.
If you could discuss one movie with a producer or actor, who would it be and which movie would you discuss? Joss Whedon about The Avengers.
In which Hogwarts house do you belong? Hufflepuff
Which is your favorite TV-Show atm? Modern Family and Brooklyn Nine-Nine
If you could write a book about yourself, what would the title be? Drew: The Boy Who Still Has No Idea What He’s Doing
If you could go back to the past and change something in your life, what would it be? (but be warned that changing history can be very dangerous) I don’t know if it would change much but there was a good friend I had in high school that I hesitated to ask out. I would go back and ask her out sooner just to see where that could have gone.
Would you rather go to Hogwarts, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters or Starfleet Academy? Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
Best thing that will happen in 2017? Luke Skywalker will speak again!
The best food from your country that you would recommend everyone to try? An authentic barbecued slab of ribs.
Which movie should everyone watch right now and why? Million Dollar Baby because it tells a great story, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank gave career-best performances (in my opinion) and few movies have left an impact on me the way this one has.

Still with me? Next up is an award from Becky of Film Music Central:

Star Trek or Star Wars? Pfft, Star Wars
Favorite film score of all time? Star Wars, more specifically Return of the Jedi
Which film is going to win Best Picture at the Oscars? A little late for this but based on buzz I would have guessed La La Land.
What is your favorite TV show? Modern Family and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? African or European?
Favorite Disney film (animated OR live-action)? Not including Pixar, Aladdin.
What movie are you most looking forward to this year? As much as I want to say Star Wars: Episode VIII, I’m probably going to say Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Do you have any pets? Yes, 16! A 75-gallon (284 liter) aquarium with 14 fish and two dogs, Vicki “The Grump” and Buck “The Idiot” (but they aren’t in the aquarium).
If you could have ONE superpower, which would it be? Teleportation.
Justice League vs. Avengers vs. Suicide Squad… who comes out alive (I’m thinking of the film versions in this case) I want to say the Avengers but if the Justice League has Super-Man, then they would probably win.

My last Sunshine Blogger Award for this post comes from Allie of Often Off Topic:

If you could add an Award category to the Oscars, what would you add? Either Best Comedy Film or Best Action Film. I don’t think those genres get enough love, particularly for Best Picture, at the awards.
Who is The Last Jedi? Ben Solo
Which Director should take over from Ben Affleck for The Batman? I would love to see someone who was involved with Batman: The Animated Series to take over.
I need a break from Oscar movies. What should I watch this weekend? The Avengers. Or if you want to avoid movies, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
What’s your all time favourite book? This is cheating, as it’s actually three, but The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn.
If you were a talk show host, who would be your first guest? Emma Watson and Allie Adkins 😉
What’s your least favourite movie genre? Horror
What movie are you embarrassed to admit you’ve never seen? Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I’ve seen a bunch of clips but never the whole thing.
Is Wonder Woman going to save the DC Cinematic Universe? “Save” might be a bit of a stretch but I’m hoping it will begin to steer it in the right direction.
Which actor/actress do you love enough to see them in anything and everything? Dwayne Johnson / Emma Stone
Which movie would you like to experience for the first time again? This is a great question! I’ve actually written a whole post on this very question before. I would love to watch Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back for the first time again.

On to the last of the awards: the Mystery Blogger Award. This award has some other requirements, I covered them in the last Mystery Blogger Award I received. You can go here to check them out. The first Mystery Blogger Award is from Christian of AniB Productions:

What is your favorite animated show and why? (if you can, perhaps from West and East!) As an addendum: Would you like me to write a review of that show(s) if I haven’t already? My favorite Western animated show is the Avatar series (The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra) and my favorite Eastern animated show is One Piece. Sure!
If you’re a sports fan, who do you root for, and do you have any unique stories about being a fan of your team(s) of choice? For football, I root for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos. For Baseball, I root for the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. For hockey, I root for the Detroit Red Wings. And for MLS, I root for the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution. I don’t really have many stories because I don’t follow sports too closely. However, I can recall how I became a Steelers fan. In elementary school, my mom let me invite a few friends over to watch the Sunday game. The Steelers were playing and she bought be a Steelers sweatshirt.  I have been a fan ever since.
What’s your most overrated animated movie or show? I know this will make some people upset but Up.
What would be one live-action show or movie you’d highly recommend to anyone? Million Dollar Baby for something more serious, The Avengers for something more laid back.
What was your motive to start writing a blog? I originally started writing a blog to feel like the time I would spend watching movies was for something other than entertaining my time, that there was a purpose to it.

And this post is going to end as it started, with an award from Tom of Plain, Simple Tome Reviews:

What’s your favourite movie quote? Dude, you can’t do this to me. There are too many! I often will use some of my favorite quotes for my Movie Quote of the Week so go have a look over there.
Which book does everyone need to read, right now? Technically they are graphic novels but Alan Moore’s The Watchman and Marvel’s Civil War (the original 2006 one, not the disappointing sequel from last year)
What would your last meal on Earth be? A big plate of lasagna with some cheese covered broccoli, then strawberry shortcake with whip cream for dessert.
If it was Groundhog Day, what song would play for you every morning at 6 am? I get the feeling this is one of your favorite questions. 😛 “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith.
What have I got in my pocket? That’s not fair. That’s against the rules! Ask another one.

And that’s it! Thanks for sticking around and reading all of it. I hoped you learned something new about yours truly.  Thank you to everyone who nominated me and for your patience.  I’d like to say I’ll do better next time but then I’d be lying. 😛

Until next time, cheers!