The Manchurian Candidate

Wow, today was really exciting! Ebert found my blog and actually tweeted a link to it, saying that I write "so well"! I actually felt a little faint, haha! I've always been really inspired by his talent and it means a lot to me that he said that. I actually got the idea to do this project after I went to a local book signing to meet Roger Ebert. He signed the book for my boyfriend with "Start from the top!" and later, thinking about it, I decided, hey, maybe I'd do the same thing!
I was so happy to be able to meet him that night! I grew up reading his reviews, and he always seemed to be the deciding factor on what movies I would head out to see that weekend. I really love his writing, as well - he is so eloquent and reviews his movies in context (as in, he might see a summer action movie and like it for what it is). He seems like he gives things a fair chance, and I really envy his job! He really motivated me to think more carefully about movies, and for sure inspired me to try my hand at film classes and some screenwriting in college.
I was so excited to meet him at the signing, and I loved that he came up and personally greeted each one of his fans. :) Everyone was talking in the line about how all the different ways that he impacted their lives. I was so stoked to have him sign my books and shake my hand - imagine how giddy I was today when he said he liked my writing!

I could probably keep running on about this, but I should talk about today's movie, at some point. It's just been really exciting for me today! So, aside from all of that craziness, today I watched The Manchurian Candidate, directed in 1962 by John Frankenheimer. I actually never saw this film before, nor did I ever see the 2004 version, so I went into this movie with no prior knowledge whatsoever. I came away really impressed, and really in love with this film.