I will be writing a post each week based on one movie that I have seen from that week.
Here is a list of films that I have seen this week that I would of had to choose from.
Tangled (2010) - Disney's re-imagining of the classic Rapunzel tale. Can you imagine what her shower drain looks like?
Homicide (1991) - Another Montegna/Mamet collaboration. People don't really talk like they do in a Mamet movie, but they ought to.
Despicable Me (2010) - Much better than I thought it would be. Is it more creepy that I saw two children's films this week without children or if I had seen them with children?
Some Came Running (1958) - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine. There is one simple message that is conveyed in this Frank Sinatra character study, Love stinks.
Note: Don't read this next blurb if you haven't seen Inception, Revolutionary Road or Shutter Island.
Inception (2010) - Just saw Inception for the second time and enjoyed it more than the first. The first time I had extremely high expectations and was a little disappointed. This second time I just sat back and enjoyed, I think I was too harsh the first time. Also, isn't it a strange coincidence that in Leonardo DiCaprio's last three films he has been largely if not completely responsible for his wife's death.
I had the full intention of christening the "movie of the week" with the Cary Grant (one of my favorite actors) film, People Will Talk (1951). But for a number of reasons that didn't work out. Not the least of which is that I didn't see it.
What I have decided to write about is a film I saw at the Silent Movie Theatre Friday night . . .
KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE (1988)
Tagline: Alien Bozos With An Appetite For Close Encounters
KILLER KLOWNS DEMANDS A KROWD
A friend of mine invited me recently to a midnight screening of Killer Klowns From Outer Space. To which I replied "I'll be there, I'm not Stupid." Which is the perfect response because if you have an opportunity to see a movie like this with an audience you have to jump at it. I have seen plenty of cult films in theatre and I haven't regretted any one of them. As a matter of fact I rented this film Ricky Oh: The Legend of Ricky, it was supposed to be gory and cult cool. I found it to be a little boring and almost too ridiculous to watch. But a couple years later I was at a double-feature of Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn and Raising Arizona and there was a mystery film that was supposed to cap it off. Guess what the last film was, that's right, Ricky Oh. I almost left, but I had so much fun watching the first two films with an audience that I stayed. I ended up having an incredible time. Watching it with an audience allowed me to look at the film from a new perspective, and allowed me to laugh at the absurd instead of scoffing at it. Killer Klowns From Outer Space is sort of like that, although I have enjoyed it in the past without an audience. At the screening they doused the audience with popcorn at the same time that a clown shot a popcorn gun. It was a great interactive moment, it was how I imagined a screening of Rocky Horror Picture might go down (with less dildos and dress up of course).
With an audience is where really bad acting really shines through. Awkward exchanges with inexperienced actors that normally are tedious to sit through become hilarious, all it takes is one person to chuckle and then the whole audience erupts. There is no shortage of these moments in Killer Klowns. A lot of cult horror/comedies are funny because of these exchanges or because they tried to be scary and were so outrageously bad that it was funny. This is not the case with Klowns. Sure the acting isn't great, with the exception of John Vernon, but the film is trying to be funny and is successful for the most part.
If you are looking for a movie with an interesting story, plot or character arc this may not be the one for you. It is about an alien species of Klowns that make a pit stop on planet Earth for a bite to eat. There food of chose is . . . you guessed it, human flesh. Killer Klowns is really a series of bits where Killer Klowns clown around while they kill people or with people that are already dead. They use ray guns that turn people into giant cotton candies, ventriloquist acts with a dead men, drink blood through a crazy straw, throw acid filled pies, eat people with a shadow puppet and much much more. And you may ask yourself how can you defeat such evil? There is only one way, by destroying their red noses. Some people die, some people live, either way it is a lot of fun. And they leave it open for a sequel.
If you can't see it in the theatre, which almost no one can, rent it and watch it with a couple friends. It is meant to be enjoyed with a group, if you watch it alone you will be missing out on the experience. The last time I had watched this film before the screening was with a couple of friends in college, and we took a shot every time someone screamed. Definitely a good drinking game movie, we had a great time, for a while at least until we got ridiculously drunk and then ridiculously sick. It was worth every drop, in or out.
. Pixies
. Sweet Special Effects
. Knowing that you are ridiculous
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Movie of the Month: The Accidental Tourist (August 2012)
This is Kasden's fourth writing/directing effort, the first being a masterpiece called Body Heat (which also starred William Hurt and Kathleen Turner, although with a lot less clothing). He also happened to write Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Arc and wrote/directed the Big Chill.
This film isn't nearly as good as the ones listed above and I think I may end up being alone on this, but kind of liked it or at the very least didn't hate it. I understand all of Dan's points, but I think he may have been heavily influenced by a negative comment in the film about the food in Cleveland. Also, I knew what Kasden did to his Grandma and I didn't say or do anything, and for that I'll never forgive myself. And maybe I'm in the dark here but I happen to think "burnt out light bulbs" are very interesting. I actually didn't mind William Hurts' character, Macon. I too don't possess emotions so I felt as though I could relate at times with Macon, although some other times he was Macon me crazy waiting for him to do something interesting. The plot could have been more engaging, but it was interesting enough for me.
Patty has some good points too, but "no redeeming qualities of any characters" that seems a bit harsh. Bill Pullman's character will do anything to make his marriage work and looks great in both a crew cut and v-neck sweaters (if that isn't a redeeming quality I don't know what is). The movie is certainly dreary, but I don't think that is necessarily a negative. Also, you're right! There are a lot of "tragedy - divorce - new lover . . ." movies out there, but this is the first one I have seen with a travel book writer that hates traveling and is emotionally saved by a dog trainer.
Geena Davis was convincing as the persistent dog trainer, Murial (I don't know if it was worthy of the supporting oscar that she got for the role, but she was good). She just won't quit pursuing Macon, regardless of how many times he refuses. My favorite part is when Macon goes to Murial's place to leave her the letter to say he couldn't come over. He gives this big speech about his loss and how he isn't ready to be around a child, and she pulls him in by the sleeve like one of the animals she trains, and rewards him with a sleepover. After that he falls in love with the child (not in a Sandusky way). His ex-wife never really stood a chance. I think that the main reason he ends up with Murial is because of the child, and his desire to play what could have been. And I think Murial is after him for his money and the father figure he will be for her son. And they both get what they want, everybody wins (except Kathleen Turner, she's the big loser in this one).
All in all the movie seemed a little different, and kept my attention. This is not a rave review, but it was okay.
- hide quoted text -
Movie of the Month: Blow Out (July 2012)
Blow Out; In Search of a Worthy Scream, But Comes Up with a Whimper
Brian De Palma’s Blow Out is about a Sound F/X (John Travolta) who accidentally records a car accident that results in the death of a presidential candidate. Travolta manages to save a damsel in distress (Nancy Allen which you may know better from playing Robocop’s sassy female partner) from the back seat of the car. Travolta is convinced by the police to keep his knowledge of the events to himself and away from the media as they attempt to cover up the candidate’s affair with the damsel. Travolta would later listen to his recording and realize that a gunshot blew out the tire that resulted in the accident, it was . . . Murder!!! He attempts to go to the police but he is dismissed as a crackpot, so he must investigate on his own. The story unravels into a bit of mystery, but mostly suspense and few thrills.
De Palma has had a number of critical and financial successes such as; Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Blow Out, Scarface, The Untouchables, Casualties of War andMission Impossible. Many accuse De Palma of stealing Hitchcock’s style and ideas (which De Palma makes fun of with his Psychoesque opening), earning a reputation as a rip-off artist. Although I believe there should be an emphasis on the “artist” portion of that reputation. Almost every film is greatly influenced by other films, and I don’t care if you use techniques that other filmmakers have invented as long as you do it effectively. That said, this wasn’t his most effective film (watchDressed to Kill if you want to see one of his more effective Hitchcockian films, and of course Carrie.) There are a few moments of good suspense, and I do love a good split screen shot as much as the next guy but all and all it comes up a bit short.
The plotline is largely borrowed from Blow Up and The Conversation (both are far superior films), which I don’t mind because the tone is much different. The film sets up like it is going to be a good mystery, but Travolta figures out it is a murder pretty quickly. And after that he doesn’t really investigate much further, he spends a lot of his time trying to convince others of his story, but not really trying to figure out what is really going on.
I was excited to see Travolta and Allen teamed together again after pouring pig’s blood over Carrie five years earlier. Nancy Allen appeared in 3 of De Palma’s films (and was married to De Palma from 1979-1984), but this is by far her worst performance. Her character was so annoying that I found myself rooting for Lithgow, who plays a psycho as well as anyone. Travolta wasn’t good or bad, he was okay. Dennis Franz is always good at playing a scuzzball, whether it be as a TV detective or head of security at an airport or in this case a con-man.
Travolta’s back-story working with the police department I found kind of laughable. Lithgow’s deranged government mercenary (who seems far too deranged to be given the assignment of setting up the candidate) is the character that moves things along. Killing women left and right so that when he kills Nancy Allen it will look the work of a serial killer, the only problem is he is only setting up himself as he is the serial killer. It seems like there were a couple times he could have killed Travolta a few times, but chose not to because then who will save Allen at the end. My favorite element of the story is actually when Travolta uses Allen’s near death scream in the horror movie he was working on. I would have liked his character to be a bit more of a scumbag throughout as that moment defines him as.
All in all a couple good moments, but not a great film. I really wanted it would be better being the first movie selected, but I hopefully it will spark some good conversation.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Top 20 films of the 00's (2000-2009)
That time is finally upon us, the top 20.
It is important to remember while reading this list that it is my opinion and mine alone. It certainly is not based on popular opinion and not influenced by anyone but myself. I hope that you enjoy reading the list (even if you don't agree with it), and would like to read what your top 20 lists are if you would be so bold as to list them.
20. Almost Famous (2001, Cameron Crowe) - Not almost, but easily one of the top soundtracks of all time. A word comes to mind when I think of this film, "incendiary".
19. Amelie (2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) - Many of the films on this list could be considered bleak, but Amelie's charm is its refreshing optimisim which makes it stand out on any list. Audrey Tautou (which would be a great stage name for a ballerina) launches herself into worldwide stardom with her role of a young woman with a whimsical view of the world.
18. Hurt Locker (2009, Kathryn Bigelow) - This movie is the bomb! It's Lethal Weapon meets Blown Away only better than both, deserving of its Oscar win. Also just one of the string of very successful films to take place in the Middle-East.
17. No Country For Old Men (2007, Coen Bros.) - I thought old men loved country music. This film makes two important points; evil cannot be stopped and captive colt pistols are cool. Also Javier Bardem is pretty great as Two-Face, I mean Anton Chigurh.
14. Speed Racer (2008, The Wachowskis) - This is what happens when a movie and a collidiscope collide. Whenever Speed Racer is mentioned I find myself defending it at every turn (and for that matter every jump, brake or crash). I believe it is an innovative film that will eventually find the audience it deserves. Quite simply, I love everything about it and you should too.
13. Prestige (2006, Christopher Nolan) - If you believe in magic and I hope you do, you'll always have an enemy that wants to kill you. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are dualing magicians that are constantly trying to upstage each other. But what happens when one of the magicians stops creating illusions and starts getting real magic.
12. The Lookout (2007, Scott Frank) - A movie that Hitchcock would be proud of. A young man's (Joe-Go-Lev) life is altered when he gets in a car accident leaving him with brain damage which in turn has given him a very short memory. He is lured into helping a group of people planning a heist at a bank where he works. Halfway through the heist he remembers that breaking the law is bad.
11. Old Boy (2003, Chan-wook Park) - What would you do if you were kidnapped and held in captivity for 15 years, and then let go with a cellphone, money and clothes? You would probably seek your revenge, which is exactly what Oh Dae-Su does. But what he should be asking is why someone went through all the trouble and what else they have in store for him?
10. Shaun of the Dead (2004, Edgar Wright) - The best way for a passive slacker to get off the couch and take life by the horns is to take the lives of the lifeless. This is one of the most fun films you will ever see, but what will surprise you is the emotional punch that it packs.
9. Lost in Translation (2007, Sophia Coppola) - I would go out of my way to see Bill Murray in anything, including Japanese commercials. Sofia Coppola must agree since she wrote this film for Bill Murray and I can't imagine anyone else in it.
8. Unbreakable (2000, M. Night Shyamalan) - Maybe the best Superhero film ever made. Do not try the weightlifting scene at home, I found that out the hard way. And what Shyamalan film would be complete without a twist ending, "They call me Mr. Glass."
7. The Wrestler (2008, Darren Aronofsky) - This film gets a very enthusiastic (bloody) thumb up from me. The story of a down and out wrestler that rivals Raging Bull. This is Mickey Rourke's best performance and one of the best films ever not to be nominated for Best Picture.
6. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006, Tom Tykwer) - I have one rule that I live by; when someone asks me to smell something I say, "No." The reward usually can never surmount the risk involved, but if Jean-Baptiste asked me, I would have to consider it. The director of Run Lola Run delivers with this amazing film that tells the story of a serial killer with the world's best sense of smell, told like a whimsical fairy tale.
5. Gangs of New York (2002, Martin Scorsese) - Seems as though there is a trend of revenge films on this list and this very much fits into that category. Scorsese guides us through a forgotten place and time in American history. A place where two men are so self-absorbed in their own world of revenge that they ignore the Civil War around them, that is until it literally lands on top of them.
4., 3. Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (2001, 2002, Quentin Tarantino) - It kicks ass in every way possible. With plenty of nods to kung fu films (Game of Death, Green Hornet) and spaghetti westerns (Once Upon a Time in the West) Tarantino creates the best action films of the decade.
2. Memento (2000, Christopher Nolan) - Leonard will not stop until the man or men responsible for his wife's death are dead. Only problem is he has no short-term memory and he must rely on unreliable people and notes to hunt the man down.
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004, Michel Gondry) - Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling Eternal Sunshine. Thou are on top of this list forever, congrats Eternal Sunshine. It has everything you can imagine and even things you couldn't.
It is important to remember while reading this list that it is my opinion and mine alone. It certainly is not based on popular opinion and not influenced by anyone but myself. I hope that you enjoy reading the list (even if you don't agree with it), and would like to read what your top 20 lists are if you would be so bold as to list them.
20. Almost Famous (2001, Cameron Crowe) - Not almost, but easily one of the top soundtracks of all time. A word comes to mind when I think of this film, "incendiary".
19. Amelie (2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) - Many of the films on this list could be considered bleak, but Amelie's charm is its refreshing optimisim which makes it stand out on any list. Audrey Tautou (which would be a great stage name for a ballerina) launches herself into worldwide stardom with her role of a young woman with a whimsical view of the world.
18. Hurt Locker (2009, Kathryn Bigelow) - This movie is the bomb! It's Lethal Weapon meets Blown Away only better than both, deserving of its Oscar win. Also just one of the string of very successful films to take place in the Middle-East.
17. No Country For Old Men (2007, Coen Bros.) - I thought old men loved country music. This film makes two important points; evil cannot be stopped and captive colt pistols are cool. Also Javier Bardem is pretty great as Two-Face, I mean Anton Chigurh.
16. Adaptation (2002, Spike Jonze) - This is the best instructional screenplay video currently on the market. Nic Cage's double performances are comparable to other great dual performances (Cate Blanchett in Coffee and Cigarettes, Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, and almost as good as Jean-Claude Van Damne in Double Impact). This effort, along with Being John Malkivoch, has me crossing my fingers that Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze will continue to collaborate.
15. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001, Steven Spielberg) - This is an incredible film with the thought provoking filmmaking of Stanley Kubrick and the visual gift for the spectacular of Spielberg. If you believe there are aliens in this film than please don't respond to this blog.
14. Speed Racer (2008, The Wachowskis) - This is what happens when a movie and a collidiscope collide. Whenever Speed Racer is mentioned I find myself defending it at every turn (and for that matter every jump, brake or crash). I believe it is an innovative film that will eventually find the audience it deserves. Quite simply, I love everything about it and you should too.
13. Prestige (2006, Christopher Nolan) - If you believe in magic and I hope you do, you'll always have an enemy that wants to kill you. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are dualing magicians that are constantly trying to upstage each other. But what happens when one of the magicians stops creating illusions and starts getting real magic.
12. The Lookout (2007, Scott Frank) - A movie that Hitchcock would be proud of. A young man's (Joe-Go-Lev) life is altered when he gets in a car accident leaving him with brain damage which in turn has given him a very short memory. He is lured into helping a group of people planning a heist at a bank where he works. Halfway through the heist he remembers that breaking the law is bad.
11. Old Boy (2003, Chan-wook Park) - What would you do if you were kidnapped and held in captivity for 15 years, and then let go with a cellphone, money and clothes? You would probably seek your revenge, which is exactly what Oh Dae-Su does. But what he should be asking is why someone went through all the trouble and what else they have in store for him?
10. Shaun of the Dead (2004, Edgar Wright) - The best way for a passive slacker to get off the couch and take life by the horns is to take the lives of the lifeless. This is one of the most fun films you will ever see, but what will surprise you is the emotional punch that it packs.
9. Lost in Translation (2007, Sophia Coppola) - I would go out of my way to see Bill Murray in anything, including Japanese commercials. Sofia Coppola must agree since she wrote this film for Bill Murray and I can't imagine anyone else in it.
8. Unbreakable (2000, M. Night Shyamalan) - Maybe the best Superhero film ever made. Do not try the weightlifting scene at home, I found that out the hard way. And what Shyamalan film would be complete without a twist ending, "They call me Mr. Glass."
7. The Wrestler (2008, Darren Aronofsky) - This film gets a very enthusiastic (bloody) thumb up from me. The story of a down and out wrestler that rivals Raging Bull. This is Mickey Rourke's best performance and one of the best films ever not to be nominated for Best Picture.
6. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006, Tom Tykwer) - I have one rule that I live by; when someone asks me to smell something I say, "No." The reward usually can never surmount the risk involved, but if Jean-Baptiste asked me, I would have to consider it. The director of Run Lola Run delivers with this amazing film that tells the story of a serial killer with the world's best sense of smell, told like a whimsical fairy tale.
5. Gangs of New York (2002, Martin Scorsese) - Seems as though there is a trend of revenge films on this list and this very much fits into that category. Scorsese guides us through a forgotten place and time in American history. A place where two men are so self-absorbed in their own world of revenge that they ignore the Civil War around them, that is until it literally lands on top of them.
4., 3. Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (2001, 2002, Quentin Tarantino) - It kicks ass in every way possible. With plenty of nods to kung fu films (Game of Death, Green Hornet) and spaghetti westerns (Once Upon a Time in the West) Tarantino creates the best action films of the decade.
2. Memento (2000, Christopher Nolan) - Leonard will not stop until the man or men responsible for his wife's death are dead. Only problem is he has no short-term memory and he must rely on unreliable people and notes to hunt the man down.
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004, Michel Gondry) - Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling Eternal Sunshine. Thou are on top of this list forever, congrats Eternal Sunshine. It has everything you can imagine and even things you couldn't.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Top 100 Films of the '00s Part 2
50. Matchstick Men (2003, Ridley Scott)
49. Let the Right One In (2008, Tomas Alfredson)
48. Super Troopers (2001, Jay Chandrasekhar)
47. Watchmen (2009, Zack Snyder)
46. The Descent (2005, Neil Marshall)
45. Brick (2005, Rian Johnson)
44. Inside Man (2006, Spike Lee)
43. Twilight Samurai (2002, Yoji Yamada)
42. Closer (2004, Mike Nichols)
41. Gladiator (2000, Ridley Scott)
40. High Fidelity (2000, Stephen Frears)
39. A History of Violence (2005, David Cronenberg)
38. Star Trek (2009, J.J. Abrams)
37. 25th Hour (2002, Spike Lee)
36. Zodiac (2007, David Fincher)
35. Requiem for a Dream (2000, Darren Aronofsky)
34. Kung Fu Hustle (2004, Stephen Chow)
33. Battle Royale (2000, Kinji Fukasaku)
32. Enemy at the Gates (2001, Jean-Jacques Annaud)
31. Team America: World Police (2004, Trey Parker)
30. Match Point (2005, Woody Allen)
29. Ocean's 11 (2001, Steven Soderbergh)
28. The Good Shepherd (2006, Robert De Niro)
27. Slumdog Millionaire (2008, Danny Boyle)
26. Hero (2002, Yimou Zhang)
25. Children of Men (2006, Alfonso Cuaron)
24. Road to Perdition (2002, Sam Mendes)
23. Into the Wild (2007, Sean Penn)
22. The Departed (2006, Martin Scorsese)
21. Punch Drunk Love (2002, Paul Thomas Anderson)
50. Matchstick Men - If you told me that Nicolas Cage and Ridley Scott were going to collaborate together, I would probably ask what sort of epic would they be making (The French and Indian War, The Napoleonic Wars, maybe a futuristic WWIII film or the OJ Simpson Trial) and of course what does Cage's wig look like? Instead this is a brilliant little grifting film where cage gives one of his better performances.
49. Let the Right One In - In a time when the worst Vampire films are being made, this is one of the best if not the best. How many lifetimes has this girl lived? How many people have spent their entire lives devoted to her? Best Pool scene since Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
48. Super Troopers - This is the funniest film of the decade. This film introduces us to the Broken Lizard comedy troupe. I am always ready for a "Mustache Ride". After Club Dread, I thought they might be something special for years to come, but Beerfest and especially Slammin' Salmon aren't up to the same caliber as their other films.
47. Watchmen - There are so many comic book films coming out all the time that maybe we don't give enough credit to some of them and their ideals. This film forces us to reevaluate our favorite comic book heroes and what they represent; there is a Superman-like character with a God complex (and after seeing this guy you'll be begging to see a superhero in his underwear), a Batman type character with S&M issues (not that there is anything wrong with that), not to mention a character not unlike Wolverine with psychopathic and schizophrenic tendencies.
46. The Descent - The best horror film of the decade. This is not about a bunch of hot girls going spurlunking. The first hour of this film is intense and horrifying, then the creatures come into the mix and it becomes fun. The main character is much like Ripley in Alien, forced to become a badass to save herself.
45. Brick - This unique film noir takes place in high school and it is a major part of the reason why it is as good as it is. This film is filled with great scenes and dialogue that roll off JoGoLev's tongue as naturally as a sunrise.
44. Inside Man - Spike Lee doesn't get as much credit as he should for being a top notch filmmaker and this film proves he can entertain as well as thought provoke. Lee collaborates yet again with Denzel Washington along with Clive Owen and Jodie Foster to make this intelligent heist film. The focus of this film is entertainment, but Lee still manages to bring attention to rich white war opportunists.
43. Twilight Samurai - I hate to disappoint but this is not a vampire meets samurai film. A film that tackles issues of social class and what integrity really is. This is about a widower samurai who sacrifices a lot to take care of his daughter.
42. Closer - An intense film that pulls you in closer and closer and whispers the secrets to unsuccessful relationships. Clive Owen and Jude Law give the performances of their careers as they fight for the affection of Julia Roberts (you may ask yourself how does Natalie Portman play second fiddle to Julia Roberts, just ignore it, it's a movie).
41. Gladiator - The story as old as time: Brother in love with his sister only to be rudely interrupted by a mischievous gladiator. Crowe wins his Oscar for this role, but he should have won it for The Insider.
40. High Fidelity - One of the best character studies I have ever seen. A neurotic record store owner takes us through a step by step account of his top 5 failed relationships.
39. History of Violence - A family man with a secret and very dark past ("Viggo, Viggo, Viggo, you have been a bad monkey"). Viggo travels across the country, kills a bunch of bad guys, and gets home in time for a nice family dinner.
38. Star Trek - A great origin story. I don't know about "living long" but I certainly "prospered" from seeing this movie. The best sci-fi action film of the decade.
37. 25th Hour - A great ensemble cast including Edward Norton, PSH, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin, Bryan Cox and of course the astonishing work of Tony Siragusa. This film is about paying for the sins of your past, or was it running away from them?
36. Zodiac - A police procedural that is in part an indictment on police procedure from the perspective of a cartoonist. The real crime is that RDJ didn't win a supporting actor oscar, although he wasn't even nominated.
35. Requiem for a Dream - This is not the first film to say drugs are bad for you, but comparing it to other drug films is like comparing apples to asses (it just doesn't make sense). The story has such a rhythm and story that presents itself like an old fable.
34. Kung Fu Hustle - The innovative Stephen Chow creates a film that falls somewhere between Gangs of New York, Game of Death and the Roadrunner. Nothing is and no one is what they seem.
33. Battle Royale - If you're a bad kid there are only so many forms of punishment for you; a slap on the wrist (but that is considered too barbaric nowadays and you have to be in Catholic school), detention, suspension, expulsion, and of course a death match with a bunch of kids that are equally naughty on reality television.
32. Enemy at the Gates - A western at heart, Enemy at the Gates is about two gunfighters (Russian - Jude Law and German - Ed Harris) during WWII, but instead of quick-draws relying on their speed they're snipers relying on their wits. The brilliant acting of Ed Harris creates a likable character that makes you forget that he is playing a Nazi, and then one action reminds us that he is a f*cking Nazi.
31. Team America: World Police - Do I love this movie? "F*ck Yeah!" The most original comedy ever made. An actor joins an elite fighting unit that is assigned the task of killing Kim Jong II and outacting his partner in crime, the greatest actor in the world, Alec Baldwin.
30. Match Point - The title is a double entendre involving tennis and something else I think. It deals with a lot of themes of prior films Woody Allen has made, mainly Crimes and Misdemeanors, but the tone and execution is completely different. The film is so intense that it had me squirming the entire time which is why it gets my 30-Love.
29. Ocean's 11 - Cool: definition: 1. slightly warmer than cold 2. neat-o, far out, totally awesome 3. smoking cigarettes 4. Cary Grant 5. James Dean 6. Ocean's 11.
28. The Good Shepherd - Robert De Niro directs this film that blends elements of The Godfather with the FBI (the only thing that is missing is a christening). Matt Damon gives one of his best performances as this understated but very powerful man.
27. Slumdog Millionaire - What would you do for a million dollars? Scratch that, What would you do to meet the host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Jump into a giant toilet? Yeah, me too.
26. Hero - If you are a ruthless emperor and you are going to kill someone's family make sure it is not Jet Li's. Jet Li goes through many trials and tribulations to get close enough to kill the emperor, but things might not end up the way one might think.
25. Children of Men - I want my babies back, babies back, babies back to live. Alfonso Cuaron knows his sh*t combining film noir and a futuristic sci-fi spin on the Nativity Story (with a couple more bullets of course).
24. Road to Perdition - John Rooney (Paul Newman) has a great line in this film, "Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers." Mike's (Tom Hanks) family is murdered with the exception of one of his sons, and all because that son witnessed his father as a hitman. Now Mike will kill, pay or steal from anyone to keep that son alive, and the only thing he wants in return is for his son not to turn out like him.
23. Into the Wild - What is the Meaning of Life? I think the answer is different for all of us. Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch) is searching for the meaning of his life, he suspects that it may be being one with nature and is determined to prove it. By the time that he realizes the real meaning of his life it is too late.
22. The Departed - The next time I order a Cape Cod at a bar and someone asks me "do you got your period" I will smash a glass into their head. This is a great movie and probably not in Scorsese's top five, that tells you how good Scorsese is.
21. Punch Drunk Love - This is a lot like many other Adam Sandler films; it has moments where he has uncontrollable fits of rage, where he is overly sensitive, and he and a girl (that is way too good for him) fall in love. There is one thing that is very different, this is a great movie.
"I would say that's that" for now. The top 20 will be posted shortly.
49. Let the Right One In (2008, Tomas Alfredson)
48. Super Troopers (2001, Jay Chandrasekhar)
47. Watchmen (2009, Zack Snyder)
46. The Descent (2005, Neil Marshall)
45. Brick (2005, Rian Johnson)
44. Inside Man (2006, Spike Lee)
43. Twilight Samurai (2002, Yoji Yamada)
42. Closer (2004, Mike Nichols)
41. Gladiator (2000, Ridley Scott)
40. High Fidelity (2000, Stephen Frears)
39. A History of Violence (2005, David Cronenberg)
38. Star Trek (2009, J.J. Abrams)
37. 25th Hour (2002, Spike Lee)
36. Zodiac (2007, David Fincher)
35. Requiem for a Dream (2000, Darren Aronofsky)
34. Kung Fu Hustle (2004, Stephen Chow)
33. Battle Royale (2000, Kinji Fukasaku)
32. Enemy at the Gates (2001, Jean-Jacques Annaud)
31. Team America: World Police (2004, Trey Parker)
30. Match Point (2005, Woody Allen)
29. Ocean's 11 (2001, Steven Soderbergh)
28. The Good Shepherd (2006, Robert De Niro)
27. Slumdog Millionaire (2008, Danny Boyle)
26. Hero (2002, Yimou Zhang)
25. Children of Men (2006, Alfonso Cuaron)
24. Road to Perdition (2002, Sam Mendes)
23. Into the Wild (2007, Sean Penn)
22. The Departed (2006, Martin Scorsese)
21. Punch Drunk Love (2002, Paul Thomas Anderson)
50. Matchstick Men - If you told me that Nicolas Cage and Ridley Scott were going to collaborate together, I would probably ask what sort of epic would they be making (The French and Indian War, The Napoleonic Wars, maybe a futuristic WWIII film or the OJ Simpson Trial) and of course what does Cage's wig look like? Instead this is a brilliant little grifting film where cage gives one of his better performances.
49. Let the Right One In - In a time when the worst Vampire films are being made, this is one of the best if not the best. How many lifetimes has this girl lived? How many people have spent their entire lives devoted to her? Best Pool scene since Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
48. Super Troopers - This is the funniest film of the decade. This film introduces us to the Broken Lizard comedy troupe. I am always ready for a "Mustache Ride". After Club Dread, I thought they might be something special for years to come, but Beerfest and especially Slammin' Salmon aren't up to the same caliber as their other films.
47. Watchmen - There are so many comic book films coming out all the time that maybe we don't give enough credit to some of them and their ideals. This film forces us to reevaluate our favorite comic book heroes and what they represent; there is a Superman-like character with a God complex (and after seeing this guy you'll be begging to see a superhero in his underwear), a Batman type character with S&M issues (not that there is anything wrong with that), not to mention a character not unlike Wolverine with psychopathic and schizophrenic tendencies.
46. The Descent - The best horror film of the decade. This is not about a bunch of hot girls going spurlunking. The first hour of this film is intense and horrifying, then the creatures come into the mix and it becomes fun. The main character is much like Ripley in Alien, forced to become a badass to save herself.
45. Brick - This unique film noir takes place in high school and it is a major part of the reason why it is as good as it is. This film is filled with great scenes and dialogue that roll off JoGoLev's tongue as naturally as a sunrise.
44. Inside Man - Spike Lee doesn't get as much credit as he should for being a top notch filmmaker and this film proves he can entertain as well as thought provoke. Lee collaborates yet again with Denzel Washington along with Clive Owen and Jodie Foster to make this intelligent heist film. The focus of this film is entertainment, but Lee still manages to bring attention to rich white war opportunists.
43. Twilight Samurai - I hate to disappoint but this is not a vampire meets samurai film. A film that tackles issues of social class and what integrity really is. This is about a widower samurai who sacrifices a lot to take care of his daughter.
42. Closer - An intense film that pulls you in closer and closer and whispers the secrets to unsuccessful relationships. Clive Owen and Jude Law give the performances of their careers as they fight for the affection of Julia Roberts (you may ask yourself how does Natalie Portman play second fiddle to Julia Roberts, just ignore it, it's a movie).
41. Gladiator - The story as old as time: Brother in love with his sister only to be rudely interrupted by a mischievous gladiator. Crowe wins his Oscar for this role, but he should have won it for The Insider.
40. High Fidelity - One of the best character studies I have ever seen. A neurotic record store owner takes us through a step by step account of his top 5 failed relationships.
39. History of Violence - A family man with a secret and very dark past ("Viggo, Viggo, Viggo, you have been a bad monkey"). Viggo travels across the country, kills a bunch of bad guys, and gets home in time for a nice family dinner.
38. Star Trek - A great origin story. I don't know about "living long" but I certainly "prospered" from seeing this movie. The best sci-fi action film of the decade.
37. 25th Hour - A great ensemble cast including Edward Norton, PSH, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin, Bryan Cox and of course the astonishing work of Tony Siragusa. This film is about paying for the sins of your past, or was it running away from them?
36. Zodiac - A police procedural that is in part an indictment on police procedure from the perspective of a cartoonist. The real crime is that RDJ didn't win a supporting actor oscar, although he wasn't even nominated.
35. Requiem for a Dream - This is not the first film to say drugs are bad for you, but comparing it to other drug films is like comparing apples to asses (it just doesn't make sense). The story has such a rhythm and story that presents itself like an old fable.
34. Kung Fu Hustle - The innovative Stephen Chow creates a film that falls somewhere between Gangs of New York, Game of Death and the Roadrunner. Nothing is and no one is what they seem.
33. Battle Royale - If you're a bad kid there are only so many forms of punishment for you; a slap on the wrist (but that is considered too barbaric nowadays and you have to be in Catholic school), detention, suspension, expulsion, and of course a death match with a bunch of kids that are equally naughty on reality television.
32. Enemy at the Gates - A western at heart, Enemy at the Gates is about two gunfighters (Russian - Jude Law and German - Ed Harris) during WWII, but instead of quick-draws relying on their speed they're snipers relying on their wits. The brilliant acting of Ed Harris creates a likable character that makes you forget that he is playing a Nazi, and then one action reminds us that he is a f*cking Nazi.
31. Team America: World Police - Do I love this movie? "F*ck Yeah!" The most original comedy ever made. An actor joins an elite fighting unit that is assigned the task of killing Kim Jong II and outacting his partner in crime, the greatest actor in the world, Alec Baldwin.
30. Match Point - The title is a double entendre involving tennis and something else I think. It deals with a lot of themes of prior films Woody Allen has made, mainly Crimes and Misdemeanors, but the tone and execution is completely different. The film is so intense that it had me squirming the entire time which is why it gets my 30-Love.
29. Ocean's 11 - Cool: definition: 1. slightly warmer than cold 2. neat-o, far out, totally awesome 3. smoking cigarettes 4. Cary Grant 5. James Dean 6. Ocean's 11.
28. The Good Shepherd - Robert De Niro directs this film that blends elements of The Godfather with the FBI (the only thing that is missing is a christening). Matt Damon gives one of his best performances as this understated but very powerful man.
27. Slumdog Millionaire - What would you do for a million dollars? Scratch that, What would you do to meet the host of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Jump into a giant toilet? Yeah, me too.
26. Hero - If you are a ruthless emperor and you are going to kill someone's family make sure it is not Jet Li's. Jet Li goes through many trials and tribulations to get close enough to kill the emperor, but things might not end up the way one might think.
25. Children of Men - I want my babies back, babies back, babies back to live. Alfonso Cuaron knows his sh*t combining film noir and a futuristic sci-fi spin on the Nativity Story (with a couple more bullets of course).
24. Road to Perdition - John Rooney (Paul Newman) has a great line in this film, "Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers." Mike's (Tom Hanks) family is murdered with the exception of one of his sons, and all because that son witnessed his father as a hitman. Now Mike will kill, pay or steal from anyone to keep that son alive, and the only thing he wants in return is for his son not to turn out like him.
23. Into the Wild - What is the Meaning of Life? I think the answer is different for all of us. Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch) is searching for the meaning of his life, he suspects that it may be being one with nature and is determined to prove it. By the time that he realizes the real meaning of his life it is too late.
22. The Departed - The next time I order a Cape Cod at a bar and someone asks me "do you got your period" I will smash a glass into their head. This is a great movie and probably not in Scorsese's top five, that tells you how good Scorsese is.
21. Punch Drunk Love - This is a lot like many other Adam Sandler films; it has moments where he has uncontrollable fits of rage, where he is overly sensitive, and he and a girl (that is way too good for him) fall in love. There is one thing that is very different, this is a great movie.
"I would say that's that" for now. The top 20 will be posted shortly.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Top 100 Films of the '00s
I thought what better introduction to a blog then a top 100 films list. There are only a couple rules I followed when making this list, the films had to be released between the years 2000-2009 and obviously I had to have seen them. You may ask yourselves why certain films didn't make this list, and the answer is that either I haven't seen them or I just didn't think they were good enough.
The glaring omissions of films I haven't seen are Traffic, Letters From Iwo Jima, The Hours, Munich, Precious, Ray, Talk to Her, Dancer in the Dark, etc.
I'm sure there are plenty of people that would disagree with me, but remember just because a film didn't crack the top 100 doesn't mean that I didn't like it.
100-51
100. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, Alfonso Cuaron)
99. Ong Bak 2: The Beginning (2008, Tony Jaa)
98. Finding Neverland (2004, Marc Forster)
97. Bridge to Terebithia (2007, Gabor Csupo)
96. Milk (2008, Gus Van Sant)
95. The Incredibles (2004, Brad Bird)
94. The Bourne Identity (2002, Doug Liman)
93. Bad Santa (2003, Terry Zwigoff)
92. Owning Mahoney (2003, Richard Kwietniowski)
91. Love Me If You Dare (2003, Yann Samuell)
90. Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Fleet Street (2007, Tim Burton)
89. In Bruges (2008, Martin McDonagh)
88. Minority Report (2002, Steven Spielberg)
87. Ghost Town (2008, David Koepp)
86. Donnie Darko (2001, Richard Kelly)
85. Pan's Labyrinth (2006, Guillermo del Toro)
84. Amores Perros (2000, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu)
83. The Aviator (2004, Martin Scorsese)
82. Brokeback Mountain (2005, Ang Lee)
81. Monster (2003, Patty Jenkins)
80. Chicago (2002, Rob Marshall)
79. 3:10 to Yuma (2007, James Mangold)
78. Cinderella Man (2005, Ron Howard)
77. American Splendor (2003, Shari Springer Berman)
76. Chocolat (2000, Lasse Hallstrom)
75. Sherlock Holmes (2009, Guy Ritchie)
74. 40 Year Old Virgin (2005, Judd Apatow)
73. Shrek (2001, Andrew Adamson)
72. American Psycho (2000, Mary Harron)
71. Catch Me If You Can (2002, Steven Spielberg)
70. Spider-Man 2 (2004, Sam Raimi)
69. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005, Shane Black)
68. Dark Knight (2008, Christopher Nolan)
67. Batman Begins (2005, Christopher Nolan)
66. Good Night and Good Luck (2005, George Clooney)
65. A Beautiful Mind (2001, Ron Howard)
64. Lady Vengeance (2005, Chan-wook Park)
63. Sin City (2005, Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez)
62. Lord Of The Rings (2001, 2002, 2003)
61. The Royal Tennenbaums (2001, Wes Anderson)
60. The Hangover (2009, Todd Phillips)
59. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005, Tommy Lee Jones)
58. Juno (2007, Jason Reitman)
57. Redbelt (2008, David Mamet)
56. Hard Candy (2005, David Slade)
55. Mystic River (2003, Clint Eastwood)
54. Muholland Dr. (2001, David Lynch)
53. Wall-E (2008, Andrew Stanton)
52. Michael Clayton (2007, Tony Gilroy)
51. Inglorious Bastards (2009, Quentin Tarantino)
Note: Possible spoilers to follow, you have been warned.
100. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - All of the Harry Potter films are entertaining, but this is the best one and the only one worthy of the list. This is the film where Harry Potter becomes a man. He frequently relies on other people to save him (i.e. his dead father), until he finally realizes he is capable of saving himself. Unfortunately he regresses in the films that follow.
99. Ong Bak 2: The Beginning - Quite simply the best stunts I have ever seen in a film. Tony Jaa is a genius at what he does, although we won't see any more from him anytime soon since he has fled the Thai film business to become a buddhist monk.
98. Finding Neverland - This tells the story of a man that never really wanted to grow up and a boy that was growing up too fast. Rumor has it that upon the late Michael Jackson's first viewing of this film he was so moved by Freddie Highmore's incredible performance that it left him reaching for a tissue (for his tears).
97. Bridge to Terebithia - That's right, it made the list. A couple of kids that were up to some good, have trouble with bullies in their neighborhood. The two kids got scared, so they decided to create an imaginary world they both could share. They got in a fight that separated the pair, the tragedy that followed would bring a tear. (I was staggered by this movie much more than I thought I would be.)
96. Milk - Sean Penn, James Franco, Emile Hirsch all give inspired performances, Josh Brolin kills it in this one. If only it came out a couple months earlier at a time where it could have affected voting on Prop 8. That reminds me, if I ever get arrested for a felony I'm going with the twinkie defense.
95. The Incredibles - A dis-functional family with overweight issues living a lie, it sounds like so many families I knew growing up in the midwest. The movie is clever, funny and one of Pixar's best.
94. The Bourne Identity - The first in the Bourne series I think is still the best. Jason Bourne is often compared to James Bond, but Bourne is clearly the cooler side of the pillow. The true comparison should be Charlie Baltimore from a Long Kiss Goodnight, a character who also gets shot, falls into the ocean and loses her memory. (Incidentally Bryan Cox plays a very similar role in BI and LKG as he does in X2: X-Men United, and even Glimmer Man, 1 character = 4 jobs.) Regardless of the similarities, Bourne is gritty, smart and the action seems real which neither Bond films or Goodnight can say.
93. Bad Santa - This film reaches new heights in disgust, I highly recommend it. The film in every way lives up to its title; Billy Bob Thornton plans heists in malls, drinks on the job, spends his breaks in the rest room putting women in a very uncomfortable position, and he beats up kids (which may be nicest thing he has ever done) in this unlikely tale of redemption.
92. Owning Mahoney - PSH plays a compulsive gambler who heads a large Bank branch (not unlike the American banking system). This man's compulsion and addiction go deeper and deeper leaving the audience in a constant state of uneasiness.
91. Love Me If You Dare - This is not a Madonna biography as one might expect. It is a game of truth or dare (without the truth part) that two people play throughout their lifetime. There is just one rule, you must accept each dare regardless of the consequences to themselves or others. The stakes are raised as they fall in love and the dares escalate.
90. Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Fleet Street - If you like blood and guts (especially in your pie), you'll love this movie. Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaborate once again in this loose sequel to Edward Scissorhands, JD is still cutting hair as well as throats.
89. In Bruges - Colin Farrell is not short on charisma, and he has worked with the best directors that Hollywood has to offer (Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, Joel Schumacker, Terrence Malick, Terry Gilliam, Woody Allen, Michael Mann, etc.), but he seems to excel in smaller films like this one.
88. Minority Report - I've seen a lot of people rolling their eyes, but I had never seen anyone chasing after their own rolling eye until this movie (thank you Mr. Spielberg, it almost allows me to look passed your next Cruise collaboration, almost). One of the best sci-fi films of the 00's.
87. Ghost Town - This movie had a great tagline, "He Sees Dead People and They Annoy Him." The perfect movie for both Ricky Gervais and Greg Kinnear.
86. Donnie Darko - Best movie with a giant Bunny since Harvey. Double D figures out the way to solve suburbia's mass amount of problems, that's right, wormholes.
85. Pan's Labyrinth - Alice in Alice and Wonderland, Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, and many others find themselves in an imaginary world only to realize how good they have it back in reality. This little girl has to create an imaginary world to free herself from the horrors of reality. (note: David Bowie is not in this film.)
84. Amores Perros - Most recently there have been many films with different interweaving story-lines (Syriana, Babel, 21 Grams, etc.), and this is one of the first and one of my favorites. (I've also been told that this movie acts as an instructional video for NFL quarterbacks that are thinking about starting a side business.)
83. The Aviator - If someone was going to "show me the blueprints" for a movie depicting a classic case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, this would be it. Whenever I have to pee in a cup I think of this movie.
82. Brokeback Mountain - Two men pitch tents on a mountain. Mountain men mounting men. Say whatever joke you want, but this is a very good and effective movie.
81. Monster - Charlize Theron in one of the greatest transformations ever for a role, both physically and emotionally (right up there with De Niro in Raging Bull, Tom Hanks in Cast Away, Christian Bale in The Machinist).
80. Chicago - A musical about the spectacle of the justice system in Chicago during the 1920's, this instant classic was of course filmed in Toronto.
79. 3:10 to Yuma - Christian Bale and Russell Crowe talk and Ben Foster kicks ass and takes names.
78. Cinderella Man - A down and out boxer climbs his way back up to the title during the depression. Move over Seabisquit because this is the best inspirational sports film that takes place during the depression era.
77. American Splendor - Part Documentary and part feature film, all great movie. Paul Giametti is at his best in this film as a comic creator.
76. Chocolat - The only movie starring Johnny Depp as a pirate on the list. Juliette Binoche is very good as a spiritually enlightened woman who opens up a chocolate shop in a small town during Lent. Alfred Molina steals the show as the mayor who preaches self-control, only to fall prey to temptation in the form of chocolate.
75. Sherlock Holmes - You don't have to be a detective to realize how good this movie is. Jude Law and RDJ have as much chemistry as Bogart and Bacall, Hope and Crosby, milk and cookies.
74. 40 Year Old Virgin - Apatow's first and his best in the director's chair. The movie is sincere and hilarious.
73. Shrek - The first movie to win Best Animated Feature (Walt Disney must have be rolling over in his freezer).
72. American Psycho - This 80's satire gave us such one-liners as "You're a fucking ugly bitch. I want to stab you to death, and then play around with your blood." and when a Waiter asks, "Would you like to hear today's specials?" Patrick Bateman responds as anyone would, "Not if you want to keep your spleen."
71. Catch Me If You Can - As compelling a cat and mouse film as there is, at least without starring Tom and Jerry.
70. Spider-Man 2 - One of the very best comic book films ever made. Unfortunately the mess that is Spider-Man 3 hurts the value of this film.
69. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang - The title is much better than its original Smooch Me Twice, Double Shot. Famed Screenwriter, Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout, A Long Kiss Goodnight), tries his hand at directing and leaves me wondering why he didn't do it earlier. This is the first and best of the RDJ action films released in the 00's.
68. Dark Knight - Probably the best performance for a comic book villain on film, can't wait to see what kind of Joker hijinks we will see in the sequel.
67. Batman Begins - I know what you're thinking, but I actually think that Batman Begins is better than Dark Knight. The supporting characters are better in DK, but the character of Batman/Bruce Wayne is much better in BB.
66. Good Night and Good Luck - It is strange how much of an effect a jackass from Wisconsin who has eaten too much cheese can have on a nation, and without people like Edward R. Murrow he would have done even more damage. On a side note I rarely play the violin, but I bring it out on rare occasions of deep sympathy, Mr. Clooney having to settle for the Supporting Actor oscar was one such occasion.
65. A Beautiful Mind - This film was well deserving of its Oscar. She don't age yo, that means she ain't real. (After Todd Bridges' viewing of this film he checked himself in to an insane asylum.)
64. Lady Vengeance - If you were framed for murder and were sent to prison for 13 1/2 years you would be pissed too. A woman hellbent on revenge, but like any Chan-wook Park film, it isn't quite that simple.
63. Sin City - The comic book world comes to life in Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's adaptation of his own work. One of the rare instances of CGI enhancing a film experience, as a matter of fact I don't think it could have been done without it. This film also laid the foundation for Mickey Rourke's comeback.
62. Lord Of The Rings - Wizards, Hobbits and Dwarves, OH MY! Tough to view it film by film, I see them as one fantastical experience.
61. The Royal Tennenbaums - Everything about this movie is unique: the story, the characters, and especially the tone. My favorite Wes Anderson movie and my source for everything I know about tennis.
60. The Hangover - The cross between Dude, Where's My Car and Bachelor Party keeps getting better each time I watch it. Zach Galifinakas and Bradley Cooper get a lot of the credit, but Ed Helms is every bit as good. This film also marks the first time a baby has ever masturbated on film, which is long overdue. "You probably get this a lot. This isn't the real Caesar's Palace, is it?"
59. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada - First time director Tommy Lee Jones creates an atmosphere to rival Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. Two guys travel with a dead guy, but it doesn't quite have the hilarious hijinks of Weekend at Bernie's.
58. Juno - Ellen Page and Michael Cera at their best, and the emergence of screenwriter Diablo Cody. My favorite line, Juno says, "No... I mean for real. 'Cause you're, like, the coolest person I've ever met, and you don't even have to try, you know..." Paulie responds, "I try really hard, actually."
57. Redbelt - I "insist" that you check out this film. David Mamet realizes that a "red belt" is more than just a device that holds up ones pants. The film tells a tale of a martial arts instructor and his unwavering integrity. Mamet also takes a shot at the Hollywood film industry with some sketchy characters.
56. Hard Candy - Ellen Page kicks some serious ass in this reversal of the classic Red Riding Hood story (ever want to see the Big Bad Wolf neutered?). As a male, this film is difficult to sit through, but it is so compelling that you can't take your eyes off of it.
55. Mystic River - This tragic film is probably Eastwood's best film of the 00's. From the beginning of the film you realize things aren't going to end well for Tim Robbins.
54. Muholland Dr. - David Lynch with another enigma that leaves you saying WTF. Many have tried to make sense of this film, but Lynch lets his work stand on its own offering no interpretation. One theory is that the film is the mind's eye of Naomi Watt's as she has her way with herself.
53. Wall-E - Pixar's best film of the 00's. There was skepticism before this film came out whether audiences would embrace a robot that doesn't talk, but there is nothing artificial about Wall-E's love.
52. Michael Clayton - I won't describe the complex character that is Michael Clayton, I'll let him do it "I'm not the guy you kill. I'm the guy you buy! Are you so fucking blind that you don't even see what I am? I sold out Arthur for 80 grand. I'm your easiest problem and you're gonna kill me?"
51. Inglorious Bastards - The first time I saw this film I liked it, but wasn't sure if I loved it. When I look back, I realize how great so many of the scenes are (the opening is amazing, the bar scene, the party, the first presentation of the Bear Jew). Chris Weitz is tremendous in one of the best supporting rolls I have ever seen. It is also fun to see Tarantino change history.
Stay tuned for more . . .
The glaring omissions of films I haven't seen are Traffic, Letters From Iwo Jima, The Hours, Munich, Precious, Ray, Talk to Her, Dancer in the Dark, etc.
I'm sure there are plenty of people that would disagree with me, but remember just because a film didn't crack the top 100 doesn't mean that I didn't like it.
100-51
100. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004, Alfonso Cuaron)
99. Ong Bak 2: The Beginning (2008, Tony Jaa)
98. Finding Neverland (2004, Marc Forster)
97. Bridge to Terebithia (2007, Gabor Csupo)
96. Milk (2008, Gus Van Sant)
95. The Incredibles (2004, Brad Bird)
94. The Bourne Identity (2002, Doug Liman)
93. Bad Santa (2003, Terry Zwigoff)
92. Owning Mahoney (2003, Richard Kwietniowski)
91. Love Me If You Dare (2003, Yann Samuell)
90. Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Fleet Street (2007, Tim Burton)
89. In Bruges (2008, Martin McDonagh)
88. Minority Report (2002, Steven Spielberg)
87. Ghost Town (2008, David Koepp)
86. Donnie Darko (2001, Richard Kelly)
85. Pan's Labyrinth (2006, Guillermo del Toro)
84. Amores Perros (2000, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu)
83. The Aviator (2004, Martin Scorsese)
82. Brokeback Mountain (2005, Ang Lee)
81. Monster (2003, Patty Jenkins)
80. Chicago (2002, Rob Marshall)
79. 3:10 to Yuma (2007, James Mangold)
78. Cinderella Man (2005, Ron Howard)
77. American Splendor (2003, Shari Springer Berman)
76. Chocolat (2000, Lasse Hallstrom)
75. Sherlock Holmes (2009, Guy Ritchie)
74. 40 Year Old Virgin (2005, Judd Apatow)
73. Shrek (2001, Andrew Adamson)
72. American Psycho (2000, Mary Harron)
71. Catch Me If You Can (2002, Steven Spielberg)
70. Spider-Man 2 (2004, Sam Raimi)
69. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005, Shane Black)
68. Dark Knight (2008, Christopher Nolan)
67. Batman Begins (2005, Christopher Nolan)
66. Good Night and Good Luck (2005, George Clooney)
65. A Beautiful Mind (2001, Ron Howard)
64. Lady Vengeance (2005, Chan-wook Park)
63. Sin City (2005, Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez)
62. Lord Of The Rings (2001, 2002, 2003)
61. The Royal Tennenbaums (2001, Wes Anderson)
60. The Hangover (2009, Todd Phillips)
59. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005, Tommy Lee Jones)
58. Juno (2007, Jason Reitman)
57. Redbelt (2008, David Mamet)
56. Hard Candy (2005, David Slade)
55. Mystic River (2003, Clint Eastwood)
54. Muholland Dr. (2001, David Lynch)
53. Wall-E (2008, Andrew Stanton)
52. Michael Clayton (2007, Tony Gilroy)
51. Inglorious Bastards (2009, Quentin Tarantino)
Note: Possible spoilers to follow, you have been warned.
100. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - All of the Harry Potter films are entertaining, but this is the best one and the only one worthy of the list. This is the film where Harry Potter becomes a man. He frequently relies on other people to save him (i.e. his dead father), until he finally realizes he is capable of saving himself. Unfortunately he regresses in the films that follow.
99. Ong Bak 2: The Beginning - Quite simply the best stunts I have ever seen in a film. Tony Jaa is a genius at what he does, although we won't see any more from him anytime soon since he has fled the Thai film business to become a buddhist monk.
98. Finding Neverland - This tells the story of a man that never really wanted to grow up and a boy that was growing up too fast. Rumor has it that upon the late Michael Jackson's first viewing of this film he was so moved by Freddie Highmore's incredible performance that it left him reaching for a tissue (for his tears).
97. Bridge to Terebithia - That's right, it made the list. A couple of kids that were up to some good, have trouble with bullies in their neighborhood. The two kids got scared, so they decided to create an imaginary world they both could share. They got in a fight that separated the pair, the tragedy that followed would bring a tear. (I was staggered by this movie much more than I thought I would be.)
96. Milk - Sean Penn, James Franco, Emile Hirsch all give inspired performances, Josh Brolin kills it in this one. If only it came out a couple months earlier at a time where it could have affected voting on Prop 8. That reminds me, if I ever get arrested for a felony I'm going with the twinkie defense.
95. The Incredibles - A dis-functional family with overweight issues living a lie, it sounds like so many families I knew growing up in the midwest. The movie is clever, funny and one of Pixar's best.
94. The Bourne Identity - The first in the Bourne series I think is still the best. Jason Bourne is often compared to James Bond, but Bourne is clearly the cooler side of the pillow. The true comparison should be Charlie Baltimore from a Long Kiss Goodnight, a character who also gets shot, falls into the ocean and loses her memory. (Incidentally Bryan Cox plays a very similar role in BI and LKG as he does in X2: X-Men United, and even Glimmer Man, 1 character = 4 jobs.) Regardless of the similarities, Bourne is gritty, smart and the action seems real which neither Bond films or Goodnight can say.
93. Bad Santa - This film reaches new heights in disgust, I highly recommend it. The film in every way lives up to its title; Billy Bob Thornton plans heists in malls, drinks on the job, spends his breaks in the rest room putting women in a very uncomfortable position, and he beats up kids (which may be nicest thing he has ever done) in this unlikely tale of redemption.
92. Owning Mahoney - PSH plays a compulsive gambler who heads a large Bank branch (not unlike the American banking system). This man's compulsion and addiction go deeper and deeper leaving the audience in a constant state of uneasiness.
91. Love Me If You Dare - This is not a Madonna biography as one might expect. It is a game of truth or dare (without the truth part) that two people play throughout their lifetime. There is just one rule, you must accept each dare regardless of the consequences to themselves or others. The stakes are raised as they fall in love and the dares escalate.
90. Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Fleet Street - If you like blood and guts (especially in your pie), you'll love this movie. Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaborate once again in this loose sequel to Edward Scissorhands, JD is still cutting hair as well as throats.
89. In Bruges - Colin Farrell is not short on charisma, and he has worked with the best directors that Hollywood has to offer (Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, Joel Schumacker, Terrence Malick, Terry Gilliam, Woody Allen, Michael Mann, etc.), but he seems to excel in smaller films like this one.
88. Minority Report - I've seen a lot of people rolling their eyes, but I had never seen anyone chasing after their own rolling eye until this movie (thank you Mr. Spielberg, it almost allows me to look passed your next Cruise collaboration, almost). One of the best sci-fi films of the 00's.
87. Ghost Town - This movie had a great tagline, "He Sees Dead People and They Annoy Him." The perfect movie for both Ricky Gervais and Greg Kinnear.
86. Donnie Darko - Best movie with a giant Bunny since Harvey. Double D figures out the way to solve suburbia's mass amount of problems, that's right, wormholes.
85. Pan's Labyrinth - Alice in Alice and Wonderland, Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, and many others find themselves in an imaginary world only to realize how good they have it back in reality. This little girl has to create an imaginary world to free herself from the horrors of reality. (note: David Bowie is not in this film.)
84. Amores Perros - Most recently there have been many films with different interweaving story-lines (Syriana, Babel, 21 Grams, etc.), and this is one of the first and one of my favorites. (I've also been told that this movie acts as an instructional video for NFL quarterbacks that are thinking about starting a side business.)
83. The Aviator - If someone was going to "show me the blueprints" for a movie depicting a classic case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, this would be it. Whenever I have to pee in a cup I think of this movie.
82. Brokeback Mountain - Two men pitch tents on a mountain. Mountain men mounting men. Say whatever joke you want, but this is a very good and effective movie.
81. Monster - Charlize Theron in one of the greatest transformations ever for a role, both physically and emotionally (right up there with De Niro in Raging Bull, Tom Hanks in Cast Away, Christian Bale in The Machinist).
80. Chicago - A musical about the spectacle of the justice system in Chicago during the 1920's, this instant classic was of course filmed in Toronto.
79. 3:10 to Yuma - Christian Bale and Russell Crowe talk and Ben Foster kicks ass and takes names.
78. Cinderella Man - A down and out boxer climbs his way back up to the title during the depression. Move over Seabisquit because this is the best inspirational sports film that takes place during the depression era.
77. American Splendor - Part Documentary and part feature film, all great movie. Paul Giametti is at his best in this film as a comic creator.
76. Chocolat - The only movie starring Johnny Depp as a pirate on the list. Juliette Binoche is very good as a spiritually enlightened woman who opens up a chocolate shop in a small town during Lent. Alfred Molina steals the show as the mayor who preaches self-control, only to fall prey to temptation in the form of chocolate.
75. Sherlock Holmes - You don't have to be a detective to realize how good this movie is. Jude Law and RDJ have as much chemistry as Bogart and Bacall, Hope and Crosby, milk and cookies.
74. 40 Year Old Virgin - Apatow's first and his best in the director's chair. The movie is sincere and hilarious.
73. Shrek - The first movie to win Best Animated Feature (Walt Disney must have be rolling over in his freezer).
72. American Psycho - This 80's satire gave us such one-liners as "You're a fucking ugly bitch. I want to stab you to death, and then play around with your blood." and when a Waiter asks, "Would you like to hear today's specials?" Patrick Bateman responds as anyone would, "Not if you want to keep your spleen."
71. Catch Me If You Can - As compelling a cat and mouse film as there is, at least without starring Tom and Jerry.
70. Spider-Man 2 - One of the very best comic book films ever made. Unfortunately the mess that is Spider-Man 3 hurts the value of this film.
69. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang - The title is much better than its original Smooch Me Twice, Double Shot. Famed Screenwriter, Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout, A Long Kiss Goodnight), tries his hand at directing and leaves me wondering why he didn't do it earlier. This is the first and best of the RDJ action films released in the 00's.
68. Dark Knight - Probably the best performance for a comic book villain on film, can't wait to see what kind of Joker hijinks we will see in the sequel.
67. Batman Begins - I know what you're thinking, but I actually think that Batman Begins is better than Dark Knight. The supporting characters are better in DK, but the character of Batman/Bruce Wayne is much better in BB.
66. Good Night and Good Luck - It is strange how much of an effect a jackass from Wisconsin who has eaten too much cheese can have on a nation, and without people like Edward R. Murrow he would have done even more damage. On a side note I rarely play the violin, but I bring it out on rare occasions of deep sympathy, Mr. Clooney having to settle for the Supporting Actor oscar was one such occasion.
65. A Beautiful Mind - This film was well deserving of its Oscar. She don't age yo, that means she ain't real. (After Todd Bridges' viewing of this film he checked himself in to an insane asylum.)
64. Lady Vengeance - If you were framed for murder and were sent to prison for 13 1/2 years you would be pissed too. A woman hellbent on revenge, but like any Chan-wook Park film, it isn't quite that simple.
63. Sin City - The comic book world comes to life in Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's adaptation of his own work. One of the rare instances of CGI enhancing a film experience, as a matter of fact I don't think it could have been done without it. This film also laid the foundation for Mickey Rourke's comeback.
62. Lord Of The Rings - Wizards, Hobbits and Dwarves, OH MY! Tough to view it film by film, I see them as one fantastical experience.
61. The Royal Tennenbaums - Everything about this movie is unique: the story, the characters, and especially the tone. My favorite Wes Anderson movie and my source for everything I know about tennis.
60. The Hangover - The cross between Dude, Where's My Car and Bachelor Party keeps getting better each time I watch it. Zach Galifinakas and Bradley Cooper get a lot of the credit, but Ed Helms is every bit as good. This film also marks the first time a baby has ever masturbated on film, which is long overdue. "You probably get this a lot. This isn't the real Caesar's Palace, is it?"
59. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada - First time director Tommy Lee Jones creates an atmosphere to rival Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. Two guys travel with a dead guy, but it doesn't quite have the hilarious hijinks of Weekend at Bernie's.
58. Juno - Ellen Page and Michael Cera at their best, and the emergence of screenwriter Diablo Cody. My favorite line, Juno says, "No... I mean for real. 'Cause you're, like, the coolest person I've ever met, and you don't even have to try, you know..." Paulie responds, "I try really hard, actually."
57. Redbelt - I "insist" that you check out this film. David Mamet realizes that a "red belt" is more than just a device that holds up ones pants. The film tells a tale of a martial arts instructor and his unwavering integrity. Mamet also takes a shot at the Hollywood film industry with some sketchy characters.
56. Hard Candy - Ellen Page kicks some serious ass in this reversal of the classic Red Riding Hood story (ever want to see the Big Bad Wolf neutered?). As a male, this film is difficult to sit through, but it is so compelling that you can't take your eyes off of it.
55. Mystic River - This tragic film is probably Eastwood's best film of the 00's. From the beginning of the film you realize things aren't going to end well for Tim Robbins.
54. Muholland Dr. - David Lynch with another enigma that leaves you saying WTF. Many have tried to make sense of this film, but Lynch lets his work stand on its own offering no interpretation. One theory is that the film is the mind's eye of Naomi Watt's as she has her way with herself.
53. Wall-E - Pixar's best film of the 00's. There was skepticism before this film came out whether audiences would embrace a robot that doesn't talk, but there is nothing artificial about Wall-E's love.
52. Michael Clayton - I won't describe the complex character that is Michael Clayton, I'll let him do it "I'm not the guy you kill. I'm the guy you buy! Are you so fucking blind that you don't even see what I am? I sold out Arthur for 80 grand. I'm your easiest problem and you're gonna kill me?"
51. Inglorious Bastards - The first time I saw this film I liked it, but wasn't sure if I loved it. When I look back, I realize how great so many of the scenes are (the opening is amazing, the bar scene, the party, the first presentation of the Bear Jew). Chris Weitz is tremendous in one of the best supporting rolls I have ever seen. It is also fun to see Tarantino change history.
Stay tuned for more . . .
Friday, October 29, 2010
A Warm Welcome to Me, Myself and I
I have toyed with the idea in the past about starting my own film blog, but I would routinely make excuses for procrastinating. Perhaps the main reason I haven't previously started a blog is because I would ask myself this question, "Who cares what my opinion is?" I finally answered this question.
So as I welcome myself to this blog I invite anyone else that wants to read on.
I care.
So now when I'm wondering what my opinion is about a film I can look up this blog and find out.
- When I wonder which young actor I love more Jo-Go-Lev or Emile Hirsch (sorry Emile, but I obviously have to go with "a real american hero, Yo Joe!"), I'll know where to find out.
- The battle between Monster Squad and Goonies can exist outside of my mind (Goonies is more entertaining, but MS has more "Nards").
- When I've seen a great film I no longer have to bottle up my opinions about it (Perfume: The Story of a Murderer smells terrific).
- If I'm just pondering my thoughts on a recent movie I've seen (House of the Devil is like Halloween, Babysitter's Club and Rosemary's Baby having . . . well a baby I guess).
So as I welcome myself to this blog I invite anyone else that wants to read on.
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