Five Favorite Films with Jesse Ventura
The former wrestler/actor/governor also talks about conspiracies and his new TV show.
At the ripe age of 58, Jesse "The Body" Ventura (or James George Janos, as his parents named him) has had quite the colorful life. The former biker and Navy SEAL entered the wrestling ring in the mid-70s and found fame in the WWF during the 80s. From there, he embarked on an acting career that included roles in films like Ricochet, The Running Man, and probably most notably Predator, the latter two alongside fellow governor-to-be Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Body then went on to run successful political campaigns, first for mayor, and then for Governor of Minnesota, and picked up surfing in the meantime. So what hasn't Jesse Ventura done, exactly?
Well, for starters, he hasn't hosted his own reality TV show. But even that's about to change, as truTV gets set to launch Ventura's latest endeavor, Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura, a show that strives to unravel some of the biggest conspiracy theories of our time. RT had the opportunity to chat with Ventura about his Five Favorite Films, his new show, and what conspiracies "got to" him.
Jaws (1975, 100% Tomatometer)
Because they did great character buildup in it. By the time they got out and were battling the shark, you knew the three characters intimately. I think we lose that in a lot of our movies today -- they're so set in throwing the action at you as quick as they can. They don't allow the character to develop to where you can feel for the character and I think Jaws did a marvelous, fantastic job with the three characters on the boat and the action - how they held the scene with the shark for as long as they did -- the shocking moments of it.Full Metal Jacket (1987, 96% Tomatometer)
I love Full Metal Jacket because Stanley Kubrick made the most authentic boot camp film I've ever seen. It is so right on -- my wife is appalled while she watches it and I'm sitting in the chair laughing my guts out. Kubrick was willing to take that chance [on R.Lee Ermey]. He had originally hired Ermey to be a consultant, but he realized "Wait a minute; this guy did it for eight years, who could do it better than him?" That's what gave it full credibility because Ermey is doing exactly what he did for eight years, and that is create Marine corp recruit boot camp kids. It's so authentic, you love it! The way the whole film breaks down, it's one of my favorites.
JFK (1991, 82% Tomatometer)
I have had a passion for it and I think Oliver Stone's editing between now and then was done remarkably well. The film had great flow to it. He threw all the mud on the wall and he allowed you to sift your way through it and choose what you wanted to believe and what you didn't. I thought the acting in it was just outstanding with the full array of all the characters. It's a marvelous cast and done very accurately.
Riding Giants (2004, 92% Tomatometer)
I'll throw in my favorite documentary, which is Riding Giants. Any time it's on, I stop what I'm doing and watch it because I've embraced the surfer lifestyle now. I've been in a 23 footer on Waimea and I was out there without a board. I had to and my wife thought I was crazy and my children were begging me not to go, but they were 23 feet that day on the North End. The Super Bowl was on and I didn't care about the Super Bowl. I had to go out there when I got there just to do it. I'm an old frog man, you know?
Caddyshack (1980, 76% Tomatometer)
Not to be political, but if we go comedic, I have to make it a three way tie between Animal House, American Graffiti, and Caddyshack. I can't pick one of the three. If I finish with a comedic film, it's a three way tie. I love things about all of them. They're marvelous.
Next, Ventura talks about the creation of his new TV show and what conspiracies got him spooked.
DanielPeterTimothyRayXIX on 12-1-2009 04:34 PM
i love jesse