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I LOVE HOT DOGS

Throw your phone in the ocean, bolt the door and draw the blinds. Now take off your clothes and get in bed. Curl up with your laptop because I’m about to introduce you to your new best friend. Meet Shannon Maldanado, the creator and curator of ilovehotdogs.net, a film blog of such depth, scope, taste and breadth that you’ll never again be in want of anything un-cinematic ever again.

In preparation for this interview I searched your name on the internet and a Facebook profile came up with a photo a bearded dude running a marathon, giving two thumbs up. You seem like a cool guy. But if that isn’t you can you please describe yourself and what you’re all about?

This guy sounds pretty chill. The thumbs up part sounds right but I’m actually a girl. I live in New York, in my twenties, designer, film nerd, overly curious person, and most recently a drum and screenwriting student. Right now I’m all about working hard, playing harder, and trying not to take myself too seriously. And I really do love hot dogs.

On your blog you once mentioned that you’ve never seen Titanic. I was forced to see it three times when it came out, as were many others. Having been spared the experience, do you feel a bit guilty?
When Titanic was released there was just so much pressure to see it. It was THAT movie that everyone was talking about it: the romance, the old lady, Leo, and that goddamn song! I just decided I wasn’t going to see it on principle. I feel some guilt for missing Avatar in theaters, but Titanic is on TBS every other day. At this point I just don’t own a television and there’s no way in hell that’s creeping onto my Netflix queue.

Japanese-style hot dogs are huge right now here in Vancouver. Line-ups at the carts all day long, and we’re talking $7 hot dogs, just dripping in wasabi mayo. Are there any hot dog trends taking New York by storm right now? And how do you dress your dog? I’m a mustard man myself.
Seven Dollars for a hot dog!? We’re in a recession! There’s a place called Crif Dogs here that is all about fixings and a traveling hot dog service, Asia Dog, which is all about adding Asian flare to a standard dog which is cool. I am pretty humble in my toppings choices, just Heinz ketchup and preferably grilled. Fries and an Arnold Palmer or a Gremlin are a must. I guess there’s also something about the rubbery nostalgic taste of a movie theater hot dog that comes off one of those rolling grills, and I’m not mad at Ikea’s fifty cent hot dog.

Surfing I Love Hot Dogs, it feels like you’re paying very close attention the contents of the frame, the mis-en-scene if you will. Are you looking for anything in particular when choosing a still?
I think composition is really important, and I often wonder if a shot is intentional or if I’m seeing more than is there. It can also be the feeling the still gives you, the way a photograph can transport you to another time or place. Other times it’s the way colour is used and then sometimes simply because it’s funny, like a ridiculous car explosion or the huge joint from Up In Smoke.

Yeah I can dig that. It almost feels like you are photographing these films, and folding them up into tidy little packages like so much cinematic origami. How do you decide on what to include and exclude?
Editing is the toughest part. I try to tell a story but not give everything away. Sometimes it comes down to the difference of a frame or two and lately I’ve been more lenient in editing the amount of images. People have been responding to some of the larger posts of thirty or more stills, which is awesome.

What film has nobody seen that everybody should see?
There is a Japanese film called House (or Hausu), which I became completely obsessed with last summer that everyone should see. It’s equal parts strange, wacky and inspired. I won’t take stills from it because it will ruin it for me a little. It’s a one of a kind film experience and a case where the images or a review wouldn’t do it justice.

Do you have a particular film that you keep on hand for terrible hangovers?
My favorite “always makes me feel better” film is Jesus Christ Superstar. I have seen it so many times that I could perform the entire musical single handedly. I love the costumes, the music, and the fact that it makes Jesus into this relatable guy who’s questioning his destiny. He’s like the heir to a trucking throne who wants to be a painter. You kinda feel for him. And it’s shot among the ruins in Israel, which is beautiful.

I’ve never seen that. I’ll put it in my queue. I typically go for Groundhog Day or, if completely catatonic, the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy and a protracted Advil-vodka-milkshake-drip. Recently, Land of the Lost was a great no-brainer, no matter what the critics say.
I haven’t seen Groundhog Day in forever. Someone told me a friend of theirs has Bill Murray’s face tattooed on him simply because of that movie/character. And an “Advil-vodka-milkshake-drip” sounds amazing. I haven’t seen Land of the Lost but I love Danny Mcbride.

Favourite Canadian filmmaker?
OMG, just realized Norman Jewison (director of Jesus Christ Superstar) is from Canada (head explodes)! Nice!
And James Cameron is also Canadian!? (W-H-A-T!)

[ilovehotdogs.net]