Inquire Within: Inspiration
Welcome to another edition of Inquire Within… Through your submissions, Cameron will answer your questions in his own words.
Leah Greenwood (Raleigh, NC): The first time I saw it, in the theater while in college, I walked out and decided to change my major. Almost Famous (and therefore you) are single-handedly responsible for my renewed focus on writing/English/journalism. What movies changed you? Shaped you? Winds up in your DVD player every month?
Cameron: Thanks Leah. I hope you stuck with it — journalism needs you. It’s still a living, growing and important field… whatever the format, print or blog or online. Nothing beats the importance of details, and the discipline that comes from checking facts. Sometimes in the immediacy of online blogging, details sadly go out the window. But truth always still reads like the truth, and if you’re in doubt, the NY Times or The New Yorker and a number of other hallowed
publications are still touchstones for the timeless kind of journalism that will always need a home.
I was changed by a bunch of films and books. The works of journalists Seymour Hersh and Jonathan Alter are simply great, as are the absolutely gripping Robert Caro books on Lyndon Johnson. Most recently, Bob Dylan’s reinvention as an author and even a DJ (Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour) are big in my house. Movie-wise, Carnal Knowledge is a timeless inspiration, along with the movies of Preston Sturges, and Wes Anderson, Jean Renoir especially Rules of the Game, Truffaut’s Day for Night, Stolen Kisses and of course, The 400 Blows. Spike Lee’s first three films are still amazing, Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris is a reminder of a great writing and directing voice still in play… and Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up and 40 Year Old Virgin are aces for combining humor and wild surprise, and always a strong beating heart. And don’t forget Mr. Wilder and Mr. Ashby.
- Please send in your questions for Cameron and maybe yours will be part of a future installment of Inquire Within…
Great inspirations. I love Robert Caro. I’ve read chunks of the Johnson trilogy but “The Power Broker” is his masterwork.
I was thrilled to see the shout out to Spike Lee as I feel that he is one of the best filmmakers working today as the quality of his output is uncommonly high quality for any filmmaker–his clunkers are at such a minimum. I really need to educate myself more on the works of Hal Ashby and also, I have wanted to see “Carnal Knowledge” forever and just cannot find it anywhere!!!
You can stream “Carnal Knowledge” on Netflix Instant if you have it! And to keep it Cameron-centric you can also stream “Elizabethtown” and “Pearl Jam Twenty.”
Also check out Renior’s “The Rules of the Game” if you haven’t! And check out Renior’s “Grand Illusion,” my favorite of his films.
Hi Joseph! You know, I do not happen to have Netflix and I actually have been kicking and screaming my way into this aspect of renting movies. I’m like this because there was a local video store I frequented for 16 years that was so close to where I lived that I just had no use for something like Netflix at all. Sadly, that store closed for good this summer and while I know that I am going to have to take the plunge into the world of streaming sooner or later, I just keep digging in my heels. I guess that because the times and the entire business has changed so drastically, I am feeling a grand sense of “forced change” to which I am resisting. Even with “Pearl Jam Twenty,” I bought the DVD instead of trying to find away to stream it. You know, believe it or not, I STILL have yet to watch “PJ20” because my wife is not the least bit interested and I have to somehow find the time to devote to it properly. But I will!!
BTW, I have really enjoyed your postings here on The Uncool. I hope to keep “seeing” you here.
Thanks a lot! I’ve been around this site in all its various incarnations since the late 90s so I think I’ll keep sticking around as long as it’s here.
I resisted to Netflix for a while, too. I worked at a local video store when I was in college (where Cameron’s films were always a part of my recommendation shelf rotation) and felt kind of sick joining Netflix a few months after the company closed its stores. But I do like the streaming of HD content not yet on Blu-ray (like “Elizabethtown”!).
Though I highly recommend purchasing a copy of “Carnal Knowledge” from a seller on Amazon if you can’t find it anywhere near you. $6-8 to check it out (and keep it) is totally worth it. And stay up one of these nights when your wife goes to bed and watch “PJ20.” What would be two hours of sleep lost will in turn be something else totally gained!
both of you guys are rock stars. we need more “comment action” here. I want the comments section to be like the old Town Hall. Did you guys ever post over there?
Greg Mariotti
The Uncool – the official site for everything Cameron Crowe http://www.theuncool.com
Absolutely! I posted in the Town Hall for a while, from the “Elizabethtown”-era through when it shut down around 2008, I think. I remember posting about seeing Heart that year, and talking about “the best of 2007” films like “There Will Be Blood,” “Once,” “Superbad,” and “Knocked Up.” If memory serves I remember you and I had differing takes of “The Bourne Ultimatum”–I dug it, you didn’t much care for the camera work. 🙂
The Town Hall was a lot of fun. Several who posted there went way back to the “Freaks and Geeks” fan site, and since I had finally gotten into “Freaks and Geeks” around 2004/2005 I was geeking out on their geeking out about the show (they contributing commentaries and artwork to the DVD sets).
I’ll do my best to contribute relevant comment action!
I remember that! Love the Bourne films, hate the shaky cam 🙂
I posted in the Town Hall VERY frequently, especially once “Eizabethtown” was released.
What I remember the most about the Town Hall was that it was easily the MOST positive internet community that I had ever visited. It just upsets me so much that people will habitually visit sites of filmmakers, musicians, bands, etc…and spend so much time bashing anything and every piece of that particular artist’s catalog.
For instance, I LOVE The Smashing Pumpkins–in all of its incarnations. Those sites are a perfect example of the venom and vitriol that plague what would otherwise be a celebratory place.
Now, don’t get me wrong. A fan site doesnt have to be exclusively some form of hero worship. Constructive criticism is a must I think. I just think that there is always A WAY to say something and too often, everything is said in the most vulgar, juvenile, ill thought manner. Town Hall was NEVER like that and I am hoping The Uncool can continue that streak. So, yes, I will be here and I promise to post comments when I feel that I have something worthy to contribute. Knowing that C.C. may peek around here from time to time is very intimidating as I want to make sure that anything I say comes off reasonably well.
Come to think of it…I may have communicated with Joseph in the Town Hall days as the last name of “Brunetta” is beginning to ring some bells! Joseph, I think you and I spoke about “Freaks and Geeks” as I was first introduced to the show in 2007/2008 too! I still think that is one of the BEST television series I have ever seen!
I hate the dreaded shaky cam too!
Yup, that was me! I went by my last name.
I agree that the Town Hall was a really positive forum, where a huge majority of the people treated each other with respect. While I agree that there can be great constructive criticism of things–film, books, music, etc.–I find it hard to justify my constructive criticism when writing about someone’s work of art that’s a) already finished, b) in their own place on the internet, and c) when it isn’t asked for.
I’m more comfortable with quibbles–it says “I would have loved/liked…” instead of “They should have done…”–but unless my criticism serves a particular question I’d like answered by the author I can’t really muster it because what’s the point? Am I asking the author of the work to tell me I’m right and they were wrong? If not then why bring the argument to their doorstep when I can simply post my criticism in my blog or somewhere else for others to consider, so as to not hurt the author of the work by having them read something they didn’t ask to read on their site?
I think this kind of respect is what prevailed in the Town Hall. Sure, we talked about our respective likes and dislikes of other people’s work but when it came to the work of Cameron very seldom was there an instance that somebody felt compelled to criticize any of his work, even when it was believed that the Town Hall seemed like it was just for us, that Cameron most likely didn’t read it since he didn’t post there. A classy, respectful place indeed.
Yeah. It was a small, but close group. We just didn’t have the technology to support. I love how the last year has gone and CC is really plugged in via twitter and these comments. He reads a ton. It surprises me how truly plugged in he is.
I know! It was a treat to read throughout the years your interviews with him, going back to the “Ricky Fedora” stories and such, so it’ s a real trip to think of him in these parts as a presence now. I love that Cameron is reading people’s comments. Though I share Scott’s intimidation, at least when Cameron started posting. I had to tell myself that Cameron probably won’t read as a way to keep nerves at bay. Though when he does write and I reply I think it’s fair to say I probably come off as an excited typo-ridden fanboy in my replies to him. 🙂
I really hope more people join in and share.
He loves the passion. Don’t be intimidated. He’s open to criticism. He gets the fan experience. Better than anyone. That’s why I’m here.
To Joseph-I am so glad to meet up with you again. Once those mental bells began to ring with yur name, it all came flooding back into focus. I went by the name “ninecasey” at that time, if you happen to remember that.
For Greg, again I promise to do what I can to keep this section of The Uncool vibrant. I completely agree with Joseph about how one could actually utilize constructive criticism on one’s personal fan site.
Also, I cannot help but to feel intimidated knowing that C.C. is reading from time to time. When I posted my review of “We Bought A Zoo,” I really wanted him to read it of course, and know how successful a film I thought it was and how deeply it touched me. But, I’m telling you, when it was time to actually place the review link and hit “post”…that was terrifying!
Regardless, THANK YOU for operating and maintaining this virtual haven. I sincerely hope that it always remains a positive space.
Thanks both of you. It’s great to see the enthusiasm. For everyone 1,000 people that check out a story. Only a few comment. It’s a new world with Facebook comments and twitter replies in lieu of comments.
I think it’s mostly convenience–people click on the link via Facebook or Twitter so they reply via the one place they’re already logged in to. But at least the love is there! For some reason with my iPhone I can’t log in to Disqus so I just wait til the evening when I’m home to post a reply.
True, but it has become a 140 character world 🙁
Yes, I totally remember ninecasey! Or you, actually.
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