"Speaking of stylish, one of the reasons I’ve put this movie on my list is because I love the Scalamandre zebra-print wallpaper featured in it. But the film is wonderfully moving—and it has my favorite Gwyneth Paltrow performance ever; no one smokes more petulantly than she does—but it’s also a visual treat, from the aforementioned decor to Goop’s amazing polo dresses and ratty fur coat. In my experience, you either cannot stand Wes Anderson’s aesthetic or you want to move into it; I am the latter."

"Firefly or Serenity (the movie)… that was a really good show. I was really into Buffy and Angel, and when I was done watching them I was really bummed about it being over, and I’m like “I can’t believe I’ve watched them all, what’s next?” My buddy said “Hey, the guy who created that, Joss Whedon, also created a different show, called Firefly.” So I watched that and there were only a few episodes, one season, but they made the movie, which was amazing. I’m just super into sci-fi."

"This beautiful high-def transfer has made me see the movie with fresh eyes. I’m now convinced that Ingrid Bergman’s performance is arguably the greatest female performance in the history of cinema. Cary Grant’s no slouch either. It’s my favorite Hitchcock. Leaving the highball glass on the chest (breast) of the passed-out party guest is on a par with putting the cigarette out in the jar of face cream in Rebecca. I must say, though, that the new transfer of The Lady Vanishes is pretty amazing as well."

"I saw this movie in our local Michigan theater when it first came out. I was a teenager, and the only other people in there were a pair of teenage girls who were completely grossed out by the film and vocally disapproved of every scene. But for me, the movie was a revelation. The dark comedy, the amazing performances, and the soundtrack of Cat Stevens songs culminate in one of the most beautiful, emotional film endings ever, making this one of those movies I can and have watched more times than I can count."

"This movie is my ultimate guilty pleasure. I’ll admit it, when Randy Newman’s score kicks in as Redford’s final homerun is blasted through the stadium lights into the stratosphere? I don’t just have chills, I’m a weeping bag of tears and snot. I love everything about this movie: Caleb Deschanel’s spectacular cinematography, Randy Newman’s iconic score that I ripped off from the opening tree house shot in Tommy Boy, to Barry Levinson’s amazing direction. This movie is magical. I love stories about second chances, and this movie epitomizes that."

"All About Eve. Bette Davis is just extraordinary in that film. I can’t really give more insight; it’s just an incredible movie and, I think, incredibly evolved for its time. I think with any good performance, it’s inspirational in some way. I just think it’s an amazing movie. You know, it’s hard for movies to last, and there’s something really timeless about that story and the performances. There’s something really modern about — and really antiquated as well — but it’s just, I think, a really powerful film and performance."

"What an amazing artist! She is the first woman that I was ever introduced to that played classical piano and melded it with her own style and emotions! I think the whole world should know and respect Nina Simone as I believe she is one of the absolute GREATS! The song 'Sinnerman' on this record is one of my all time favorites and whenever I hear her music, it reminds me to be as different, and skillful, and brave that I can be. And this song is the best way to feel this way."

"“For some reason I became enraptured by this book as a teenager. It smelled really amazing and dusty. I think our copy was from the 1940s and the pages would crumble as I turned them. I’ve never been so careful while reading a book, and I think that really endeared it to me. I’m very calmed by methodical descriptions of farming. The images of opium addiction amongst the wealthy Chinese aristocracy, who ‘smoked the flesh off their bones’, always come back to my mind; it’s so decadent and horrifying.”"