I met Emahn a few summers ago at a mutual friends’ rooftop BBQ. Our conversation probably began the way most do in New York social situations: through the topic of real estate (“Where do you live?”) or careers (the always abrupt “What do you do?”). Come to think of it, I still don’t know what Emahn does for a living and I like that. Mystery is underrated. Luckily we got past the small talk and at some point the topic turned to movies: Emahn raved about Frankenhooker and Abel Ferrara, I was foaming at the mouth about recently discovering House. The rest, as they say is history. Emahn is one awesome dude who’s got this way of making you feel like you’re the only person in the room. He’s also hilarious and crafty, creating the most well executed New York pigeon Halloween costume last year. I’m looking forward to what he cooks up this time around! Here in no particular order is Emahn’s The Perfect Ten.
Over the Edge (1979)
I only hope I can raise my kids in a lovely suburb like New Granada. My friend had the “I don’t know about you Carl” monologue as his voice mail for over three years!
Point Break (1991)
I speak with quotes from this film with ease: “You’ve got goosebumps”. Oh and did I mention Busey? Editor’s note: Prime Schwayze. And I love when Gary Busey was on The Celebrity Apprentice (natch!) and turned everything into an anagram. The guy is an evil genius.
The Grateful Dead (1977)
The kids twirling in the aisles, the spun cat in the front row, Phil Lesh’s bomb during eyes of the world!!! Editor’s note: I never got into the Dead but the film’s intro is pretty incredible.
Wall Street (1987)
I love the eighties! I love the interior decoration job Daryl Hannah does on Bud’s apartment and cocaine has some great cameos.
The Big Blue (1988)
Have you seen this movie??? It’s the most beautiful thing ever. Water never looked so good.
The Party Animal (1985)
Best drug scene in a movie everrrrr. Editor’s Note: SO GOOD. Watch it here.
The Killing Fields (1984)
I usually don’t watch serious movies but after taking a trip to Cambodia and knowing this is a true story it really tears me up.
Badlands (1973)
Marty and Sissy forever. Editor’s Note: One of Malick’s best!
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974)
Anything Sam Peckinpah does is gold and anything Warren Oates is in I will worship like the sun. These two did many movies together but I’d take The Head of Alfredo as first choice.
King Of New York (1990)
Abel Ferrara, thats it.
Emahn’s Honorable mention: The Sheltering Sky because “That shit could happen!!!!”
Emahn would also like to add that he will “watch almost anything with Peter Sellers in it: The Party, I Love You Alice B Tolkas, There’s a Girl in my Soup, and of course Being There.”
Emahn X. Ray is a great guy who lives in downtown Manhattan with a reputation for being helpful and resourceful. He most recently has returned from a three month trip in Asia and is now assisting music manager Scooter Weintraub with his artist Gary Clark Jr.
Follow him: EMHN.tumblr.com
The Perfect Ten is a weekly series of top ten lists by friends of I Love Hot Dogs.
