Nick Roy Weighs In On ... The Movies
12/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
My generation is a bit of a lazy generation, and we've grown accustomed to sitting around and watching movies more often than reading a book or getting out to play with friends. I was always a big nerd when I was a kid. I was really into video games and comic books, and watching movies really tied into that. We would always load the whole family into the car on Sunday nights and see a movie, and since a young age, that was always my favorite thing to do.
When I was younger, I'd go early on a Saturday and make it an all-day event, sneaking into other movies. Now I may go to the theater every other week. I'll drag the guys with me as much as possible. A few weeks ago a lot of people wanted to see "Borat," but I had seen it the previous week. So I went to a different movie while they saw that. There'll be times that I really want to see a movie, but everybody I know is doing something. It might not be very common for people to see movies alone, but I don't have a problem with it, especially if it's something I want to see. But typically I'll try to grab whomever is available.
For Roy, watching a lot of movies allows for developing deft skills like popcorn catching.
I really enjoy going to all different kind of movies, and I especially like all movies that deal with history. I saw "The 300 Spartans," which was made in the 1960 or '70s, and walked away thinking that I could be a soldier in the Roman Empire. I wouldn't mind living in the ancient times. Movies can really bring that era to life. With the opening scene of "Gladiator," it's so interesting to see the different battle tactics, and it's exciting to see how much more advanced the Roman military was from the rest of the world. I also really like documentaries. I thought "Bowling for Columbine" with Michael Moore was a great documentary. I haven't seen the penguin one though.
I took a class here on film and video studies, and it really opened my eyes to different aspects of filmmaking such as lighting, cinematography, etc. I'll watch a movie now and say, "Wow, that's great cinematography," and everyone just looks at me. It ruins movies a bit, because you'll see little flaws here and there and analyze everything. But I do think I can now really appreciate the art of moviemaking.
I get excited about movies and always want to talk about them. I recently saw "The Fountain" with Hugh Jackman, and I really didn't understand it. It was one of those movies that you're not really supposed to understand, and it really leaves you questioning. As we were walking out of the theater, I wanted to hear what other people were saying, but I think they were doing the same thing. Everybody was asking each other what they thought of it.
I'm really intrigued by the business standpoint of movies, like how much money movies make and how much is invested. I'll always check out BoxOfficeMojo.com to see production budgets and see where all the money is going. It's crazy that people can invest $500 and profit something like $5 million. "The Blair Witch Project" was like that, or "Saw."
Right now, I'm looking to get to New York and get on Wall Street, maybe with an investment firm. I have a few things in the works. A couple summers ago, I interned at Bank of America in New York, and I really enjoyed the corporate world and the high-pressure, high-stress, fast-paced environment. It resembles wrestling a little bit, and I think that's what got me hooked on it. If you work as hard as you can, you really establish yourself; it's the same with wrestling and athletics. If that career in finance doesn't work out, I might look toward getting into the business of moviemaking. If I ever had the opportunity, I would love to invest in a movie.
I haven't seen every movie made, but I feel like I've seen all the major movies that have come out over the last eight years. I saw the movie "The Jacket" with Adrian Brody, and I really thought that movie was intriguing. That wasn't one that was big in theaters. I'll go to Blockbusters too. I'll try anything that looks good. Every once in a while, I'll be watching a movie and realize that I'd already seen it a couple years earlier.
Nick Roy's Top Five Movies
5. "City of God"
It's one of the best movies I've seen in the last few years. It's all about a gang war in Brazil. It's all in subtitles. It's just great storytelling.
4. "Legends of the Fall"
Coming from a big family I can really relate to this movie. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The scenary is amazing. I've never been to Montana, but I'm actually planning to head out there this summer to visit Tyrel.
3. "Gladiator"
This is the only movie that I have seen twice at the theater on the same day. It's the type of movie that makes you happy. He was able to get his revenge. It's a great depiction of ancient Rome. I study history in school, so it's right up there with my interests.
2. "Once Upon a Time in America"
It's got Robert DeNiro and James West, and it's just a story about kids growing up into lives of crime. It's shot really well. It's about three and a half hours long, and you'll enjoy it for the entire time. You'll never get get bored at any time throughout the movie.
1. "Lord of the Rings"
Okay, it's a bit of a nerdy movie, but I really enjoyed the entire trilogy. I'd always go to the midnight showing at the theater. I just thought they were on a whole different level than anything I had ever seen.
Note: "Weighs In on" runs in The Riding Times, an inside look at U-M wrestling.
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