This is the second in a new series of “Getting to Know”  Pages from Ultimate Movie Rankings.com.   Our interview this time around is with UMR Hall of Famer (Class of 2018) George V.   George is a huge fan of westerns and science fiction movies.  I have been working with George in the same school for the last 5 years.  We became good friends when I overheard him talking to somebody else about westerns.   I joined that conversation and five years later we are still talking movies.  George is one of the biggest promoters of UMR.  He is also the reason that we have movie trailer pages.

We did this interview while practicing social distancing, during the Coronavirus pandemic (March 30th).

Cogerson –  Who was the first actor or actress that you knew by their actual name?

George V. –  Growing up I watched lots of religious movies.  Movies like The Robe, The Ten Commandments, and Ben-Hur.  Heston was the star of two of those epics.  Eventually, I realized the guy playing Moses and the guy playing Ben-Hur were the same person.   That, of course, was Charlton Heston.

Cogerson – When I was younger, I was convinced that Disney’s Gus was the greatest movie of all-time.  Today, I realize, though it might be the best mule playing football movie, it is not very good.  What movies did little George V. think were awesome when he was a kid?

George V.  – Oh that is easy, I loved all the Tarzan movies and the Buck Rogers serials.  Those were in heavy rotation on the television channels I used to watch back in South Carolina.

Cogerson – I remember when you requested we do an UMR Pam Grier page and you told me what you used to do to watch her movies in the theater.  Can you share that again?

George V.  – I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina.  In the early 1970s, Pam Grier was one of the biggest draws for me and my friends.  We would clean up the Citadel stadium after football games.   We earned enough for all of us to get into the theater to see the latest Grier movie.  Not to mention getting popcorn, drinks and other things.

Cogerson –  What are your Top 3 movies of all-time?

George V.  –  Tough question.  I would have to go with The Godfather, The Ten Commandments and The Wizard of Oz.

Cogerson –  I know you are a huge fan of anything Star Trek.  Besides Star Trek what are some of your other favorite movie franchises?

George V. –  I would have to go with the James Bond movies, and even though I am a Trekkie, I would also include the Star Wars movies.  Just don’t tell Dr. K. that I included Star Wars.  *Editor’s note – Dr. K. is the principal of our school and a huge Star Wars fan.

Cogerson – Do you have any favorite actors or actresses?  Please don’t tell me the middle schoolers have convinced you that Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart are the greatest actors working today.

George V.  –  Today, I will go with Daniel Craig.  He, of course, is the current James Bond, but I have really enjoyed his non-Bond movies as well.  No, I have not been turned to the Dark Side when it comes to  Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart.  But I have talked to many middle schoolers who think they are the Laurence Olivier of actors working today.

Cogerson – Ever had the chance to meet any movie stars in person?

George V. –  No movie stars.  I did get the chance to meet Muhammad Ali about 20 years ago.  At the time he was just starting to show the signs of Parkinsons.  But you know, Ali did a little acting in his day.  I also got the chance to meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s widow Coretta Scott King.

Cogerson – Your comic book knowledge is truly impressive.  Compared to other comic book fans I know, you rarely get up upset when the movies do not follow the comics.   So in your educated opinion what are the top superhero movies?

George V. – I believe almost all of the MCU movies are quality, fun movies.  The only comic book superhero they have not done justice to is the Hulk.   They have done better in the Mark Ruffalo movies, but the stand-alone Hulk movies have been bad!  Although most of my Top 5 are interchangeable.  I do feel Thor: Ragnarok is the best.  The movie has a lot of action and it stays true to a lot of the comic book source material.  It introduces new characters, provides good background information on our heroes and is a truly enjoyable movie for both comic book fans and movie fans.

Cogerson – I remember seeing Porky’s in theaters.  People were laughing so hard, I thought the walls might crumble.  Do you have any memorable movie experiences like that?

George V. – That would have to be when I saw The Dark Knight on a massive IMAX screen.  The bank robbery scene at the beginning of the movie left me stunned.  It looked so awesome and that memory of seeing it for the first time in that format has always stuck with me. 

Cogerson –  Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions.  Thanks for all the support and suggestions you have provided over the last 5 years.  Your efforts are greatly appreciated.  One day, we will be back at school and talking movies again.