Rated R's Top 100 Countdown

[Rated R]

Hey all, it has been a while since I have opened a thread, but I feel compelled to do so. Recently I compiled my top 100 movies list and I wish to share it with all of you, however I would like to do so one by one as I re-watch each of them and write a new review. If you wish to discuss the films in depth, I am game. I hope you enjoy the list as it progresses.

Let's kick off the list with #100

SPOILERS WILL BE PRESENT

http://www.affichescinema.com/insc_l/life_aquatic.jpg

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004)

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Starring: Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Bud Cort, Michael Gambon, and Noah Taylor.

“I'm going to go on an overnight drunk, and in 10 days I'm going to set out to find the shark that ate my friend and destroy it.”

Emotional vulnerability is a difficult thing to convey as an actor, and something even more difficult to write. Somehow, Wes Anderson is able to pinpoint these subtle tendencies within people to create a realistic cast of characters without cheap cop-outs to reach an all around happy ending. Anderson, in each of his movies uses tragedy alongside the comedy to create a lifelike story of interesting people that surprisingly few people seem to relate to; perhaps the films characters are almost too close to reality that it frightens some viewers or makes them uncomfortable being exposed to parts of their own person that they would rather keep private.

In The Life Aquatic, Anderson and his remarkable cast give the audience a high seas action-adventure film with an emotional core. The summer blockbuster has left us ill prepared for such a different adventure, possibly contributing to the less than stellar reception last December. Steve Zissou is a documentary filmmaker focusing on the extravagant voyages in the high seas, and his closest friend and long time colleague Esteban has been killed in their latest film, which also happens to be the worst received of Zissou’s documentaries. In addition to this, Zissou’s supposed son Ned has shown up to tie the pieces of his own life together since his mother’s suicide. He, along with his “father” and crew search for the Jaguar Shark that killed Esteban in what appears to be the bookend of a career filled with lies, deception and apathy to those who cared.

This is where the theme of emotional vulnerability kicks in as the audience is treated to some of the best character development available on screen. Bill Murray’s Zissou goes from an arrogant and self-centred man void of any love toward his son to a man realizing life has passed him by and his focus has lied upon a career where nothing has been genuine, least of all his “documentaries”. The character arc is impressive, his rivalry with Ned regarding the pregnant journalist on board the ship whom Ned falls for pushes their relationship to the limit where Zissou finally discovers what really matters as the fantasy world from his adventures crosses over into reality. A scene in specific is when the Belafonte (their ship) is taken hostage by pirates in unprotected waters; Zissou is blamed by the crew for their situation and all that is heard are their constant mutterings with his name amongst them. The escalation of intensity within the scene culminates with Zissou breaking free of his restraints and saving the ship from total disaster. Some of his crew abandon him in the middle of the ocean, but this is where Zissou finally begins to become more than just a shell of a man.

During the emotional climax of the film near the end is what defines this film as an instant classic. The remaining crew travel with Zissou in their minimal capacity submarine to locate the Jaguar Shark that has finally emerged on their radar. When the beautiful monster is revealed they sit in awe underwater as it swims around them and disappears. Zissou delivers what is definitely the most important line in the entire film “I wonder if it remembers me” at this particular moment. The shark that ate his best friend, Zissou remembers it, but the great fear within the man, the performer, and the human being is that once he’s gone, who will care? It is a human moment that touches so many aspects of our psyche that it is without a doubt one of the greatest moments in film that hopefully will not be lost in the years to come, I for one will not forget.

“I'm also a human being.”

Anderson has crafted a surreal picture of bizarre underwater activity, including variations of different species as well as wondrous landscapes detailing the surrounding area in such detail that should be noted. Some directors do not take the backdrop to the film seriously, as though it is unnecessary, or they do not explore it to its fullest potential. Anderson never lets these minute details slip by. As he did with The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore he has created a rich tapestry of characters, wardrobes and locations that the audience is transported into this world and becomes an observer to the action as it happens. His films feel more realistic than any reality television program because of the amazing attention to detail and conveyance of heart within his characters, Wes Anderson loves them despite their flaws, as we should as well.

The Life Aquatic is a flawed masterpiece, pacing is off occasionally and the action is hard to swallow, however these flaws help endear me to the film more. My life is not without dull moments nor is it empty of ridiculous unbelievable events so I look at The Life Aquatic as documentary in of itself as it depicts fake documentaries to the fake audience; the film itself becomes reality through fantasy and it is a remarkable event.

“I Wonder If It Remembers Me?”

[ilovemovies]

I really disliked this movie. I thought it was a boring drama and laughless comedy and the shootouts are pitiful, not to mention the fact that they feel like they belong in a completely different movie. The slapstick of those scenes do not, IMO, fit in with the whimsical fantasy or the father/son drama of the movie. Bill Murray is ok in the movie and Cate Blanchett does what she can and Willem Dafoe delivers the only really good performance in the movie. He's very funny in this movie but the rest of the movie I found to be dreadful. And I usually love Owen Wilson but in this movie I found him to be a complete bore. I couldn't care less of what happens to his character. I'd give this movie a 3/10.

I still look forward to the rest of your list though.

[Brando @$$ Fat]

I can see how it'd be on a personal list, but it'd be a joke if it were on an actual greatest of all time list.

[Rated R]

I am aware that the audience was mostly split with The Life Aquatic, you either loved it or hated it, no in between as it seems with those I have spoken with. Even yesterday a friend of mine was over at my apartment and saw my copy of it on the coffee table and asked me if I actually bought it or if I borrowed it. When I told him I bought it, he made an grimace indicating his dislike for it which I can totally understand.

Also, there is no GREATEST list of all time that could possibly reflect everyone's taste, so a GREATEST list with any title will be laughable to someone as it is all personal preference. I understand where you're coming from Brando @$$ Fat, but I personally found a huge connection with the emotion and that is extremely important to me as I find more enjoyment with each subsequent viewing.

Other movies I cannot re-watch with the same pleasure and that is why they are not on my list. Schindler's List, Citizen Kane, Forrest Gump, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest being notable examples. Those films, most people will agree are better than The Life Aquatic as well as my next two selections. Great films, groundbreaking films(with the exception of Forrest Gump IMO) but I don't feel the same attachment to them as I do Life Aquatic and my next choice, Garden State.

[Rated R]

#99


http://www.cosmomovieawards.com/2004awards/images/gardenstate.jpg

Garden State

Directed By Zach Braff

Starring: Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Method Man.

“That's life. If nothing else, its life. It's real, and sometimes it fuckin' hurts, but it's sort of all we have?

I am from Woodstock, New Brunswick. Garden State takes place in Newark, New Jersey. The places are vastly different, however Zach Braff’s directorial debut creates a definite familiarity in a place I have never been; in fact, Garden State feels like home. I have grown distant from my hometown, my friends have all moved on, the people there are in a completely different mindset, it is no longer a place of comfort. Home is more than the place you grew up, it is the place inside you where you realize everything and everyone around you is exactly what you want. It does not always occur every month, year or decade, some people may never experience it and I am not entirely sure I have; what I do know is that Garden State provides me with a similar sensation to that, and it gives me hope that the idea of “home” is not only a pipe dream.

Andrew Largeman is a man in his mid-twenties, an actor lost in the sea of performers in Hollywood emotionally detached from his past as well as his present until a message from his father is left on his answering machine beckoning him to return home. His mother has died after years in a wheelchair and he is to return home for the funeral. Andrew leaves his medication (which he has been using more than half his life) behind in an effort to feel an emotional connection to his family as he visits and mourns her passing. His numb existence is tested when he meets some old acquaintances, as well as a new one in the form of an eccentric young girl named Sam.

The film is a collection of random events of a young man coming to terms with his own past as well as losing the uptight feelings of those around him. He begins to connect with his peers on an emotional level finally growing into the person he should have years prior. Along the way he goes on an adventure to find a special item, he buries Sam’s pet hamster, dodges a flaming arrow and finally approaches his father regarding his relationship with his deceased mother and their own personal problems with one another.

“This is your one opportunity to do something that no one has ever done before and that no one will copy throughout human existence. And if nothing else, you will be remembered as the one guy who ever did this. This one thing.”

With songs from The Shins, Simon & Garfunkel, Coldplay among others we are taken into Andrew Largeman’s world, it is also living and breathing thing. Similar to The Life Aquatic’s human nature, Largeman’s human evolution is both powerful and tangible; unlike Steve Zissou, Andrew Largeman is an easily likeable guy who many teenagers to twenty-somethings will be able to relate to and that is where the movie succeeds the best. I along with those who have viewed the film with me have all found a deep connection to Largeman and his familial issues and desire to experience more in his life. Many of us have chosen not to question our existences, to sleepwalk through our days without giving much more than a passing glance at our surroundings. Garden State helped me understand once again that this life is full of opportunity and it is up to me to live it to its greatest potential!

Largeman goes through a series of life altering events in a matter of four days, one of which is falling in love for the first time. The final moments of the film with his “ultimate decision” of where he has to go from there is the only time the film feels somewhat contrived with a “Hollywood” stamp but at the same time it is in no way a detractor from the whole…at least not significantly. The sappy ending can be argued that it fits, providing the audience with satisfaction for the protagonist, and the opposite can also ring true that it was unnecessary, that Largeman and Sam’s relationship could have been left up in the air for speculation with the audience as uncertain of their future as they would be. The ambiguity would have fit in greatly with the initial road the film was taking, however it evolved into something more; as the characters change, and so do their lives.

I know the first two films to be reviewed on my list are both from 2004; being very recent and somewhat similarly paced films, I feel the slight connection is mostly coincidental. Garden State simply cannot be ignored from my list as it had such a profound effect on how I want to look at life. That being said, the reason for Zach Braff’s impressive debut film being this low on the list is the fact that I do not see myself returning to this film as often as others, however it will always hold an important place in my heart.

“Good Luck Exploring The Infinite Abyss.”

In closing, I wanted to address the above quote. This ties the entire film together, this one simple line. It is directed to each and every single one of us, all unsure of our futures and wondering about our pasts as we deal with our presents. For our entire lives we will move from day to day learning whom we are inside and who is important to us eventually reaching the end of the road. The important thing is that even the end is not the end as our minds can stretch out to eternity in a split second; this line brings me peace as well as a smile to my face.

[ChemicalRomance]

Fun movie, well written dialogue, and great chemistry between Braff and Portman. A great watch for the first time, after that I don't know how well it will hold up. Witty, fun, and touching though.

8/10

---However, in 2004 a much better romance movie came out in Eternal Sunshine, and when I saw ESOTSM, Garden State for some reason because forgetfull to me. But I am definitly aware that GS is still a great movie.

[Lazy Boy]

Garden State was a bit self-indulgent with it's humor, and it had an irksome performance by Natalie Portman -- her brand of "Ooh, look at me, I'm quirky and offbeat" seemed to me to be a distant cousin of Clementine Kruszcinski (from Eternal Sunshine). I was glad that Zach Braff didn't make the mistake of creating dire situations that would need to be resolved later in the movie; for example, Portman's character has a condition which I perceived to be the setup for such a disastrous fate, but Braff avoided that. A nice film, but falls into a lot of traps that young directors have -- substituting pop songs and surface for heart and talent.

[Rated R]

Maybe it's that I just watched Garden State at tje right moment of my life. Where you saw pop songs substituting for heart and talent, I saw a genuine display of emotion. I felt the music helped display exactly what Largeman was feeling an allowed the audience another plateau in which to relate to his and Sam's issues.

I will agree with you about the "ooh look at me" part of Portman's Sam. The comparison to Clementine from ESOTSM works too, but in a good way; if they are distant cousins or different versions of the same person that is fine. If you feel Sam is more underdeveloped or a little more self-indulged, well you're right...she's younger. Sam has not yet grown to the place that she needs to, and like Largeman she has never felt love before.

While I say I may have preferred the ending to be a bit more ambiguous, I still feel that there is a definite possibility that the characters themselves know that their relationship may not last.

Anyway guys, thanks for the comments, keep it up! Review for #98 will be up shortly.

[Rated R]

#98

http://images.amazon.com/images/G/covers/1/55/890/838/1558908382.l.gif

Grosse Pointe Blank

Directed By George Armitage

Starring: John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd, Jeremy Piven, Hank Azaria and Joan Cusack

“It’s Not Me.”

Grosse Pointe Blank is a comedy about a man avoiding responsibility for his actions, lost in his own world of self-absorption. He feels guilt, but the guilt he feels is only due to the fact that he does not feel that he has done anything wrong despite being accused for it. Martin Blank is paranoid, and he is also a hit man.

Martin Blank is invited to his ten-year high school reunion where he is also provided a job on a government snitch, his secretary and less than helpful therapist both urge him to clear his head and work out his past. Martin’s lost love is back in his hometown, he stood her up on prom night ten years prior and never looked back. When he returns home he finds a convenience store where his home used to be, his mother in a psychological ward of a hospital and his lost love Debi not so receptive to his return. With all this happening, his rival killer Grocer has been attempting to sway Martin into joining a killers union; Martin has declined and Grocer wants him dead for stealing this particular job as well. Bring in an old friend selling real estate, two government spooks waiting for Martin to slip and a hobbit-like combat expert and what you’ll have is a masterfully blended concoction of humor, romance and a little bit of action too.

“I'm not married, I don't have any kids, and I'd blow your head off if someone paid me enough.”

John Cusack has always been a favorite of mine; he has a smooth shy charisma about him along with a great presence on screen pulling off his characters with ease. His Martin Blank is no exception; there are plenty of subtle nuances to his character in between his overblown paranoia if sitting in the wrong position or across from Grocer in a restaurant, guns pointed at one another under the table. The scenes with Aykroyd’s Grocer are the highlight of the film, their chemistry together is unreal. They convey the characters loathing and respect for one another so well on screen; while Grocer would like to work with Martin, he would just as soon kill him while Martin would rather avoid Grocer, not because of the threat, but because of sheer annoyance. Plus, Martin would also not avoid taking Grocer out either.

I remember when I bought Grosse Pointe Blank, the exact VHS copy that I just watched last night, it was the summer of 1998, I was with my cousin in Halifax looking for a copy of Taxi Driver, which was impossible to find at the time. I saw Grosse Pointe Blank sitting in a bargain bin for $5.99, I could not pass it up as I had recently seen it and loved it, and evidently I still love it. The interactions between Martin and the other characters are woven together so well along with an excellent soundtrack revisiting the best songs of the 80’s, something I never thought I’d agree to but I digress. With some old Faith No More, Violent Femmes among many others we are treated to two soundtracks worth of music including Under Pressure by Queen. I mention that song in particular due to the scene it appeared in at the reunion dance. Martin sits down to talk with a woman from his old class who is sitting with her baby, Martin is asked to hold him while the mother gets milk from her purse. Martin reluctantly holds the baby and stares in awe as the child stares directly into his eyes smiling an innocent smile. This specific moment is the defining one in Martin’s character when he realizes that everyone he has ever killed ever met and ever seen, they all came from this innocence. Everyone is someone’s child and he no longer wants to be the one to take them away. It is as though Martin was looking into a portal back to his own childhood that remains out of our memories until we ourselves have a child in our arms, a very well done scene.

The sharp wit, the outbursts of violent glee, the eighties references along with every other aspect of this charming film make it a winner. It may not be Cusack’s best film, but it certainly deserves a spot on this list. Grosse Pointe Blank is a fun movie, and while it may not have the emotional meaning to it, at least not as present as Garden State, it has its own brand of life stamped into it and I appreciate it for its simplistic existence. Great film.

“I’m A Professional Killer.”

[Lazy Boy]

Grosse Point Blank was an awesome comedy, and it placed number one on my top ten list for 1997. It's the perfect comedy, with a never better John Cusack and a great supporting cast (Dan Aykroyd was wickedly funny). Plus, where most films nowadays use pop songs to fill empy space, this had a collection of classic 80s hits that filled every scene with meaning. My favorite scene is the one you described, the "Under Pressure" scene. A beautful moment where the viewer can see a different side to the professional killer, whose agony and dislike for his present position has been clearly stated.

A very good selection, IMO.

[ChemicalRomance]

Haven't gotten around to seeing this, but it definitly has some very awesome word of mouth so I'll probably end up finding it for 5.99 at Best Buy and picking it up. Until then, no comment on GPB.

[ilovemovies]

Grosse Point Blank is a good (7/10) though it wouldn't be even close to making my top 100. However, Garden State (9/10) is a wonderful movie and I'm sure that it would probably end up making my list.

[ChemicalRomance]

By the way, I like this thread Rated R, I wish i didn't see your "Fav. Movies" under your avatar though haha, ruins the suprise! ;) Keep this going!

[bigred760]

I didn't like The Life Aquatic either; just couldn't get into it. On the other hand, Garden State and Gross Pointe Blank are excellent movies. Let's try to stay on that track with #97-#1.

[Rated R]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
By the way, I like this thread Rated R, I wish i didn't see your "Fav. Movies" under your avatar though haha, ruins the suprise! ;) Keep this going!

Ha ha, yeah I suppose it does eh? At least it's only the top two...I won't be updating it until Sunday evening when I'm back at my apartment. I am home visiting the folks for the week and my roommate wanted to watch the next one on the list with me when I told him which it was. I won't spoil the surprise...but I think it will be a popular one mostly.

You're also going to see a few movies fairly high up on the list that are not really expected IMO, but hey I love them...anyway I am off for a run, thanks for the feedback!

[ChemicalRomance]

Rated R is M.I.A.

[Rated R]

Okay ya'll I know I have been gone for a few days, but I have just finished watching the #97 film on my list as I have just returned to my apartment after spending a few days out of town at my folks house. While gone I did manage to see Kinsey and The Machinist, both decent but somewhat underwhelming and slightly missing the mark. Okay, enough personal, onto business, hope you enjoy,

#97

http://www.zap2it.com/movies/pictures/movies/posters/a/ps-americanbeauty_001_big.jpg

American Beauty

Directed by Sam Mendes

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Chris Cooper, Menu Suvari, Allison Janny and Peter Gallagher.


“It’s Okay, I Wouldn’t Remember Me Either.”


The tagline “look closer,” says it all about Sam Mendes’ 1999 masterpiece about a suburban family lost in life in search of identity and purpose. Lester Burnham and his family live in a seemingly perfect existence from an outsider’s perspective, they have a nice house in a friendly neighbourhood, respectable jobs as well as a partially well adjusted teenage daughter. Of course these initial observations are all on the surface, as with every family, and we are in need of looking closer to discover the truth.

Even as the film is beginning with an aerial shot of a normal street of houses in middle-class America the audience is informed that the narrator and main character Lester Burnham will be dead in less than one year. What this does is it allows the audience to escape the shock when he dies in the film so they may analyze exactly the feelings and emotions within each surviving character as well as his own throughout this extremely well-crafted film. It also gives the audience an opportunity to take a glance at their own mortality and question whether or not they are living the life they always wanted to or if they are accepting the limitations provided to them through convenience.

When I was in high school and I first viewed American Beauty I knew it was special, but I could never put my finger on why. It has been a few years since my last viewing and I have matured and grown as a person as has my intellect and analytical thought. Now I see how this film depicts people of all ages equally, we are all the same despite being different. We all have similar experiences yet we have completely altering methods of dealing with them. Lester is in his forties, and he meets new next-door neighbour Ricky Fitts, an eighteen-year-old drug dealer that serves as a conduit to a new existence for Lester. Ricky is Lester’s drug connection as well as his daughter Jane’s new boyfriend. The inter-connections go further, the house Ricky lives in was bought by his father from the Real Estate King, competition to Carolyn Burnham, yes, that is Lester’s wife.

“Nope, I'm just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose.”

It seems simple enough, and that is why American Beauty never loses touch with its intentions. We see Carolyn putting on a front, being a strong, powerful individual to the collective faces of her family and peers, but behind the scenes forces herself past her own insecurities. Lester goes from a loser accepting his place in the world to a man who just will not take no for an answer. It is amazing watching a film like this where there is so much character development, while some of them may be somewhat one-dimensional; none of them are less than fleshed out. Unlike some recent ensemble pieces (Mike Figgis’ Crash) the audience knows and understands the motives herein creating a character piece very rare to observe.

While Lester is obviously the centrepiece of this ensemble, the film would be nothing without the supporting cast as they all provide to his character’s development. As an (unsuccessful) actor I am jealous when I see a film with roles as meaty as the ones present in Alan Ball’s wonderful script, it makes me wish that I could have taken part, however when such a piece of art is created, even in jealousy, you are glad it exists at all.

“God, it's been a long time since anybody asked me that... I'm great.”

Cinematography is an art that goes unnoticed much of the time by the normal movie going public, or at least they assume that the director is entirely responsible for how the film looks aesthetically; unless you are Stephen Soderbergh, that statement just simply is not true. While Sam Mendes has presented us with an extremely well woven tale of self-discovery at middle age, it is the late great Conrad Hall that is the man controlling the camera. Hall is one of the most well recognized names in cinematography providing us with luscious shots that otherwise would have only looked like photographs of our own neighbourhoods; instead we are transported into a fantasy world not unlike our own entirely, but different enough to remain amazing. Without Hall, the scenes where Lester dreams of Angela Hayes would have seemed amateurish and probably pretentious, instead they achieve the symbolic nature of discovery that is necessary.

1999 is the last year in memory that had such an amazing line up, and there are more from that year on my list. While American Beauty is my first entry from 1999, I hope it does not make you think I enjoy or respect it any less. I feel it is over-praised in some circles, but I certainly cannot pin point too many flaws. It is an excellent character study absent from many of the films post-2000; Kevin Spacey proves here that he is a master of his art, the range shown in this film alone should solidify him as one of the best actors ever to come out of the United States. Disagree? That’s a shame, because he so effortlessly throws himself into this character, he is Lester Burnham, he transforms from zero to hero, he is phenomenal.

American Beauty is indeed beautiful and while several films have attempted to duplicate it, accept no substitutes, this is the real deal in every category.

[ChemicalRomance]

Great choice, a truly great movie. Kevin Spacey puts on a great performance closely followed by Annete Benning. Everything about the acting in this movie is great, what always sticks out in my mind is the scene where Mena Suvari and Thora Birch are arguing and the line "JANIES A FREAK! WELL THEN SO AM I!" Great scene. The script is definitly great too, I usually hate the "narrative from heaven" thing but I think it's pulled off well here. The only real complaint I have is the fact that the things that go on with the windows are...semi unrealistic you could say, but it really doesn't take away from the movie that much.

Really dark, really funny, well directed and well written this is a great choice. I can't wait to watch this one again.

*EDIT: And Mena Suvari has an awesome rack.

[redorblue01]

A masterpiece in modern filmmaking, this movie serves as a wake up call for middle class suburbia and somewhat made me start to see some things differently. This movie is the definition of an all around spectacular cast and the dark humor is right on. It touches on all the right subjects at all the right times and leaves you with that lasting impression with its memorable scenes and dead-on shots. Just another movie that made 1999 my favorite year for movies.

10/10

[ilovemovies]

It's in my top 20 for sure. A truly great movie. A masterpiece infact. And Sam Mendes is proving to be a truly fantastic filmmaker because his followup to American Beauty was the nearly as great Road to Perdition!

[Rated R]

#96

http://customht.buffnet.net/posters/images/86_ferris.jpg

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Directed By John Hughes

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, Jennifer Grey and Charlie Sheen.

“Life Moves Pretty Fast. If You Don’t Stop And Look Around Once In A While You Could Miss It.”

Who doesn’t relate to Ferris Bueller? His day off from school is every high school student’s (and most everyone else’s) envy. Ferris throws in a childish sickly performance to his parents to earn a day off from school, yet his plans are much greater than spending the day in bed. Through many contraptions to cover every possible move made against him he races around the city of Chicago with his depressed best friend Cameron and girlfriend Sloane. Meanwhile, hot on his tracks is his suspicious school principal Ed Rooney who becomes folly to everyone of Ferris’ shenanigans as the film progresses.

The plot is simple, but it is so endearing that the simplicity never factors into the enjoyment of the movie. Every scene offers something to laugh at, especially as Rooney attempts to trap Bueller at his own game. The scene with Sloane’s “father” on the phone, at the arcade with the girl who from behind looks remarkably like Ferris, the scenes with the dog and finally the scene on the bus at the end never cease to bring out a smile. Also, the students at the school all turn their efforts to raise money for the sickly Bueller resulting in some hilarious moments of its own. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off has something for everyone and if someone can honestly tell me they dislike this movie I will find it very difficult to believe.

“Incredible! One of the worst performances of my career and they never doubted it for a second.”

What do you do on your day off? Cubs games? Art Museum? Drive a priceless automobile? Lip Synch Twist And Shout In a Parade? Poach Reservations at a Fancy Restaurant? If your name is Ferris Bueller then you accomplished all of these things in one day. To be honest, I have never done any of those things and that is what I think the movie attempts to relay to the audience. Most people will go through their lives without truly living, without seeing all there is to see in the world while it is possible if you only apply yourself; granted you cannot accomplish as much as Ferris and pals do every day, however there is always more to life than what is on the surface.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a film from the 80’s, however it has not become dated in the nearly twenty years since its initial theatrical release. Teenagers from any walk of life can look at Ferris Bueller and see a part of themselves that they would like to tap and open a new part of their lives they are yet to live. He is the everyman for an adolescent-pre-adulthood generation and will continue to be so for long into the future, they just do not make movies like this anymore.

I find myself at a loss for words for such an important movie from my high school years. It accomplishes so much in such a short runtime, with every character reaching some sort of character evolution in an interesting way, there is no fat weighing it down. The Cameron character, the depressed anti-social finally comes out of his shell becoming the man he will be for the rest of his life surprising even his best friend Ferris who would never have guessed he had it in him; to me, Cameron is the most complete character with the largest progression. While Ferris is excellent, living the life we all wish we could, Cameron represents the life we all live; sure, neither one is completely accurate, they are but caricatures, exaggerations of the truth reaching out to both ends of the spectrum and for that (and more) I continue to adore this film.

So again, I reiterate myself, who does not at least like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? I do not think such a person can exist, and if you do…well…that’s amazing. This is one of those movies that hit all the right notes and the only one where Broderick is credible (well aside for Election anyway). In closing, Jeffrey Jones steals the show along with Ruck’s Cameron alongside the enigmatic Bueller, but when you see the words “Rooney Eats It” you can’t help but feel sorry for the defeated principal even though you still think he’s an asshole.

LEISURE RULES!

[ilovemovies]

Another great choice. There is no doubt in my mind that if I were to compile my own top 100 list, Ferris Bueller would DEFINATELY be on it!


My ratings of your list so far:

#100 The Life Aquatic 3/10
#99 Garden State 9/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty 10/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10

[Lazy Boy]

I'm ashamed to admit that, in all my life, I've never seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I know, I know...(hangs head in sorrow).

American Beauty is one of the better Best Picture winners. Do I think it deserved to win? Not really, since there were better films that year. Plus, it tries to be deep, but all you're left with is that damn floating bag and Kevin Spacey's smarmy narration. It's still a good film, but not great.

[AJAX]

My ratings of your list so far

The Life Aquatic - 10/10
Garden State - 7/10
Grosse Point Blank - 9/10
American Beauty - 9/10
Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 8/10

Great List Rated R keep em' coming

[ChemicalRomance]

Damn Lazy Boy, get around to seeing Ferris! It's like 5 bucks at every store.

Anyway, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is the cream of the crop of teen comedies, and hell I say comedies in general. Growing up I had this movie all around me, considering my brother Matt could recite the movie from beggining to end, so I was often walking around to the tune of: "When Cameron was in Egypt's land...let myyyyy Cameron goooo!" Haha. But this is just a fantastic movie. It has stood the test of the time near perfectly, and the comedy is not only still funny on multiple viewings, but even retains to be as fun and as entertaining as it was the first time you took Ferris Bueller's Day Off for a spin.

Truly a great movie.

[Lazy Boy]

I've only seen bits and pieces of it -- I found it cool that the "Oh Yeah" entrance music for Duffman on The Simpsons was from Ferris Bueller.

[LegionX]

feris was a great movie dude!!! definetly check it out

[Rated R]

#95


http://www.famouslocations.com/images/movies/angelheart_.jpg


Angel Heart


Directed By Alan Parker


Starring: Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet, Charlotte Rampling and Dann Florek.

“They say there's enough religion in the world to make men hate each other, but not enough to make them love.”

Harry Angel is a private detective hired to find the location of a missing crooner that owes a man by the name of Louis Cypher the fulfillment of a contract. Travelling through Harlem and New York to Louisiana, Angel discovers the mystery has much more going on through a voodoo community and deep dark secrets of the past. The mystery unravels into a twist ending in a time when twist endings were not just the flavour of the week; they were used sparingly and in interesting ways. Angel Heart provides the audience with a fairly shocking ending many would not have predicted unless they paid extremely close attention to details.

Angel Heart is a beautiful film to watch, the shots are so well done long shots on the beach in New York to the mid-shots of fans in the elevator shaft in certain shady buildings. The style and sound of 1950’s New York and the Bayou engulfs the viewer attempting to solve the mystery before Angel does. Through strange flashbacks and pseudo-dream sequences clues are provided to the more alert movie watcher. After multiple viewings it becomes a bit of a game to piece the story together and understand where it could have been deciphered upon the initial screening. Dark and brooding, this mystery is entertaining and enthralling until the very end.

“I got a thing about chickens”

Why is this an overlooked film? It is well acted, smart and does not rely on stereotypical situations for a thriller. The religious undertones remain intriguing every time I watch it as I grow I understand it better. I am curious to see how many people I talk to have actually seen this movie, most non-movie geeks I have talked to have never even heard of it.

At the time of release there was much publicity regarding Lisa Bonet and her nude scenes. At the time she was projecting the wholesome good girl image on the Cosby Show and all of a sudden she appears in a thriller about voodoo and rituals and is in an animalistic sex scene with Mickey Rourke. It is amazing that this is what overshadowed a truly original film. Today, it would not be as shocking, but I doubt they could even pull off the same intrigue that appeared in 1987. The sex scenes themselves are not sexually appealing as they are disturbing as they further the dementia of the story.

“Attorneys? Yeah they’re like lawyers only more expensive.”

Instead of going into great detail on the secrets of the movie I will suggest that you check it out for yourself whenever you get the opportunity. Mickey Rourke is a real treat here, he is perfectly cast and his portrayal of Harry Angel is the main reason I am a fan of his today. A less than stellar performance would have damaged the credibility of this movie, but both he and De Niro give performances they could really sink their teeth into.

So sit back and allow the story to unfold and enjoy the ride.

[ChemicalRomance]

Interesting pick. This one is kinda stored in the back burner, I've heard it and seen it here and there but I'm intrigued by it now. I only skimmed the review in fear of spoilers, but for sure between DeNiro and Rourke, sure, this is on my to-see list.

[Lazy Boy]

The greatest asset to Angel Heart was its moody and frightening atmosphere -- this film is wallowing in seedy corruption around every corner. Mickey Rourke is superb (he was basically an eighties icon, for me), and he carries the viewer right to the twisted, original ending.

Nice pick.

[cerealkiller182]

This thread needs more commenters.

I have seen your whole list so far except Angel Heart and I have to say I like it.

[Tony_Montana]

Well I can't comment since I haven't seen any of the movies listed so far. (shamefull I know)

[LegionX]

Nice choice. Movie looks like its pretty good. This is on my to-see-list!

[Rated R]

#94

Now I know this next selection will receive mixed opinions, but I love this movie and even if I was the only one I would not care. Although sometimes I feel I am the only one who loves it.

http://www.apoints.com/showpiece/dyhb/big/Bringing%20Out%20The%20Dead.jpg

Bringing Out The Dead

Directed By Martin Scorsese

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, John Goodman, Ving Rhames, Tom Sizemore, Marc Anthony and Cliff Curtis.


“I gotta get a drink. Sobriety's killing me.”

Frank Pierce is a New York paramedic who has gone a year without saving a single person. He is haunted by one particular incident when a young homeless girl was lost at his hands and he cannot shake it. Bringing out the Dead is an epic two hours following his weeklong journey through eccentric co-workers and the blood soaked streets.

I usually hate it when people throw around the term “under-rated” but in the case of Martin Scorsese’s tale of a paramedic on his downward spiral it is absolutely warranted. Upon its release, many critics bashed it for the same reasons I find it to be a truly well done film. For one, they claim there is no plot and I can never understand this complaint; there is a story and it is well told through interesting characters in a world that is gritty and depressing not entirely unlike our own. It seems that every movie needs to serve some great purpose in order for some critics to find enjoyment in it, or they expect it from some films and not from others garnering an unfair bias. Personally, I feel Bringing Out The Dead is a very strong offering from Scorsese and is far superior to his two since then (Gangs of New York and The Aviator).

Secondly, the comparisons to Taxi Driver seemed endless and still do. The only similarities are the location, the fact that they are both gritty and bleak and the main characters each drive vehicles in their job description. After that, the story is completely different as are the interactions between the characters, so I jot that comparison up to laziness on the hands of those particular critics or just being overly critical. I have read other criticisms that are more genuine and I can understand their dislike of the narration and exactly how bleak the film is; in my opinion though, they are not detractors, instead they help add to this marvellous piece of filmmaking in one of the best years of cinema in the past twenty years.

“Saving someone's life is like falling in love. The best drug in the world. For days, sometimes weeks afterwards, you walk the streets, making infinite whatever you see.”

People have lumped Scorsese’s movies into two categories: pre and post Goodfellas. It is as though Goodfellas is viewed as the peak of his career and that he will never be even close to that height again, hence the comparison of it with Casino and Bringing out the Dead to Taxi Driver. While I will be the first to say that Goodfellas is his best film, I am not about to say that he has lost his touch, I still look forward to his films more than most directors, his name attached to any film is enough for me to see it no matter how awful it looks and that says a lot about the power of a director. Bringing out the Dead got lost in the shuffle, with indifference because it was released in the wrong decade. While the setting is New York City in the early 90’s, it looks and feels like the 70’s explosion of grit and the mean streets of New York being revealed to average joe who has no idea that it exists. By 1999, most of us had been desensitized to the point that this just will not do it anymore.

Nicolas Cage is a good actor when he is paired with a good director (the Coens in Raising Arizona), with Scorsese at the helm, Cage pulls off his best performance that was ignored by practically everyone. He is Frank Pierce; he is detached from everything but the ghosts that haunt his life. His longing to save someone is not because he wants more people to be live it is his desire save himself; losing a life in his hands, or many lives in a row caused Pierce to doubt his own ability as a paramedic and eventually his own sanity. It is a subdued performance for most of the film with flashes of energy in every segment of the film. The most entertaining moments of the film are during his shifts with his co-workers played by John Goodman, Ving Rhames and Tom Sizemore who could have each been nominated for Supporting Actor awards and each one deserve it. Rhames steals the show for the twenty or so minutes he is on screen. There is not a second worth looking away because there is always something interesting happening, especially when the two of them start pounding back the gin and eventually flipping the ambulance. It may sound a bit morbid, but I think that is absolutely hilarious!


While there are a few Scorsese flicks that I will place higher in this list, I feel Bringing out the Dead deserves more recognition from everyone! The cinematography, the filters used to give the gritty, 70’s feeling (even though it is set in the early 90’s), it all works. Boring? Not for me. No plot? Story is what matters. The music is phenomenal using Van Morrison’s T.B. Sheets as the theme song almost appearing in almost every other scene. The dream sequence (“I am the Japanese Sandman”) alone is worth the price of admission, watch Bringing out the Dead, and if you have already and did not like it, watch it again because I think many people dismissed this one from the get go for little or no reasons. A welcome addition to the top 100 list.

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/99/10/joeConnelly/images/nicholasCageAsFrankPierce.jpg

[ilovemovies]

Never saw Angel Heart but I absolutely LOVE Bringing Out the Dead. Outstanding movie! Great cinematography, production design. Amazing performances from everyone but especially Nicolas Cage (in one of his best performances) and Patricia Arquette (in her absolute best performance). I own this movie and I cherish it. Truly, Scorsese's most underappreciated work of art.


Update on my ratings of your list:

#100 The Life Aquatic 3/10
#99 Garden State 9/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty 10/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead 9/10

[ChemicalRomance]

Haha maybe this is gonna become my trend in this thread, along the lines of "shit I've been meaning to see it"...but I have been in fact meaning to see this for a very long time. I've been to CircuitCity, BestBuy, Walmart, everything, everywhere, and they either have no copies or don't carry it at all.

I have to see it dammit!

[LegionX]

LOl damn I want to see this to. It looks pretty good. If you cant find it at your local DVD retailer you can order it here...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/079216587X/qid=1124056745/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-0119497-1963866?v=glance&s=dvd

[zeppelin]

Pretty unique list so far. I'm intrigued to see what the top 10 will look like.

My grades, so far:
100. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou- A-
99. Garden State- n/a
98. Grosse Point Blank- n/a
97. American Beauty- A-
96. Ferris Bueller's Day Off- B+
95. Angel Heart- n/a
94. Bringing Out the Dead- B+

[ChemicalRomance]

Originally posted by LegionX
LOl damn I want to see this to. It looks pretty good. If you cant find it at your local DVD retailer you can order it here...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/079216587X/qid=1124056745/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-0119497-1963866?v=glance&s=dvd
WTF 17.99!?!?

[LegionX]

lol I know it sucks.... Lol I thought the same thing to

[ChemicalRomance]

I asked my local DVD store, independent, if they would order a copy for me and they said 9.99, so ya know what, screw it and I'm doing that haha.

[Rated R]

#93


http://www.alyon.org/generale/theatre/cinema/affiches_cinema/b/beb-blk/blazing_saddles.jpg


Blazing Saddles

Directed by Mel Brooks

Starring: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman, David Huddleston, Madeline Kahn and Dom DeLuise.

“If you shoot him, you'll just make him mad.”

Mel Brooks’ spoof of westerns and pretty much everything at the time follows Bart, a slave who is chosen to become the first black sheriff in order to cause chaos in a town needed to be evacuated in order to complete a railroad. Rock Ridge is the town, and with the help of the Waco Kid (Wilder) Bart gains their trust by fending off the hooligans attacking their town.

Now I know the humour is a bit dated seeing how Blazing Saddles was released in 1974, but with the amount of sight gags thrown in for good measure, there is enough comedy here that everyone will have a some laughs in every scene. The scene that everyone talks about of course is when Sheriff Bart takes himself hostage to save himself from the town wanting to lynch him. In almost every magazine talking about the top comedy scenes, this has been mentioned and with good reason.

“NAW. We rape the shit out of them at the Number 6 Dance later on.”

What really makes Blazing Saddles funny is how it does not pull punches, it is possibly the most politically incorrect film I have ever scene with jokes at the expense of almost every race and credence available. The opening scene regarding the railroad workers and quicksand is so awful in being offensive that I cannot help but laugh out loud; Seth McFarlane of Family Guy must have been influenced at least somewhat by Mel Brooks. Sight gags, off hand references and crossing the line into reality from the actual story of the film are all aspects in the film.

I first caught this film late at night a few years ago during my first year of University not expecting much because my only experiences with Mel Brooks had been Spaceballs, which I loved and Dracula Dead and Loving It, which I did not. Needless to say I was surprised at exactly how crass it was and loved every second of it other than a few jokes that must have been signs from the time or just were not funny at all. The Jew Sioux however is possibly the funniest thing in the whole movie, but I suppose that could be said about many segments of the film as in the whole bits at the end at the movie theatre as well as the joint smoking scene, among others. Blazing Saddles is basically a bunch of funny skits thrown together around a basic plot to form some semblance of a story.

“Well, I just laid down my guns and walked away. Little bastard shot me in the ass.”

As far as the actual filmmaking is concerned, I cannot really comment, nothing really stands out. Blazing Saddles though is not a film to be respected on the technical aspects; the writing, comedic timing and performances are what are important. Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little share wonderful chemistry as an onscreen duo, with much of their dialogue flowing naturally almost as though it was entirely improvisation; and if it were, it is just as impressive. Of course, you cannot have a Mel Brooks movie without him poking his face into the mix in one or two cameos, and as funny as he can be, he seems like he is just trying to be the center of attention, but that is only a slight flaw, nothing too serious.

So beware, while I love Blazing Saddles (obviously) I know there will be those out there who do not exactly find humour herein. I will suggest you watch it before laying judgment as I would with any film, but I know there is a smaller audience today where this will be a favourite. In any case, Blazing Saddles will remain my top Mel Brooks film.

[LegionX]

Interesting choice. Good movie I thought...

[Shockwave]

Great pick that stands up well to this day. My second fav Mel Brooks movie behind the infamous Spaceballs.:)

[Rated R]

#92

Okay, so I haven't watched it in a while and I cannot find it in Fredericton anywhere to rent and it was supposed to arrive in the mail today..unfortunately amazon emailed me today to let me know it would be delayed until possibly October. OCTOBER!!!!!! FUCKERS! Oh well, if you have seen this kickass movie, post your thoughts.

http://moviestars.generic-joe.com/pictures/937475/anjelicahuston-grifters.jpg


The Grifters

Directed by: Stephen Frears

Starring: John Cusack, Anjelica Huston and Annette Bening

[LegionX]

I think this is #92 and not #93 but still not a bad choice....

[Lazy Boy]

I have never seen The Grifters, so I can't comment on its quality.

Blazing Saddles is no longer hilarious to me, even though Mel Brooks score some cheap laughs and zingers. It simply feels dated, and I'll probably have the same reaction to Airplane! in the near future. Corny one-liners don't always hold up.

[ChemicalRomance]

BUMP dagnabbit.

[Rated R]

Sorry about the delay everyone, I have been fairly busy lately and have watched some movies in theatres that have taken precedent to my top 100 countdown. So this morning at around 9:30 when I got home from my night on the town for my birthday party I decided to show #91 to a friend of mine, hope you like the choice.

#91

http://x-stream.fortunecity.com/fleetst/71/bfinkcover.jpg

Barton Fink

Directed by The Coen Brothers

Starring: John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner, John Mahoney, Tony Shalhoub, Steve Buscemi and Jon Polito.

“Look Upon Me, I’ll Show You The Life Of The Mind”

The first of several Coen Brother entries in my top 100 is their bizarre tale about Barton Fink, a writer suffering from writer’s block when provided with a new job in Hollywood. Nothing is being written so he confides with his neighbour in his hotel Charlie, an insurance salesman who is also a full-time resident of the seedy hotel. He looks to a fellow writer, W.P. Mayhew, for advice on how to overcome this difficulty to create. Barton eventually discovers that it is actually Mayhew’s secretary lover writing his material causing his respect for Mayhew to vanish. In a last ditch effort to save his career he begs Audrey the secretary for help to which she abides eventually having sex. A mostly conventional tale of a writer’s struggles takes a sharp left turn into oddity when Barton awakes to discover she is dead. The film at this point plunges into some dark territory without ever coming straight out and explaining to the audience what the actual outcome is.

There are several visual clues pertaining to what is actually going on in the story. Barton constantly looks at the painting of the woman on the beach to escape from his existence; it is his perfect world, paradise. The hotel could represent his hell and Charlie his partner in suffering or something different entirely. While his job is a part of limbo between the two, if he succeeds he will be able to move ahead and reach his paradise, if not he will be cursed to remain inside the hotel forever.

“You Think I’ve Made Your Life Hell? Take A Look Around This Dump. You’re A Tourist With A Typewriter, Barton, I Live Here.”

The interpretations of the film are numerous, as I have had this discussion with many people and it seems that everyone has different ideas of what really happened in the fiery hotel. Was Barton dead or alive? Was the hotel actually hell or was it just a film version of Hotel California? Was Charlie the devil or a simple salesman? Many more questions are there but I am not jumping to any conclusions, all I do know is that the movie is very well made and leaves so much to the imagination that it only gets more intriguing with multiple viewings.

John Turturro and John Goodman are phenomenal in their roles showing how much chemistry they have together. These two Coen Brother veterans are so diverse in how they perform it can be seen clearly by comparing Barton Fink with The Big Lebowski, in neither film to they emulate or even appear to be the same person, the truly are masters of their craft. The supporting cast is respectable with Tony Shalhoub and Michael Lerner stealing the show as fast talking industry types. The dialogue is sharp and swift, well said and obviously well written as only Joel and Ethan Coen can do while throwing in some beautiful sets to give the whole film a very surreal feeling to it, this is quality filmmaking.

“I’m A Writer You Monsters!”

The Coen Brothers began writing Barton Fink when they found themselves stuck in the throes of writers block while writing Miller’s Crossing, their film before this. Through writing a plot around writers block and an odd outcome on escaping it they found their inspiration how to finish Miller’s Crossing, which also had John Turturro in a substantial role. I’ve always liked that tidbit of trivia showing exactly how much from their own lives writers like the Coen’s must draw from and pushing toward their art, altering it of course to fit the story, but still creating something real within the surreal.

Like a David Lynch film, people can debate the meaning behind every little nuance and word in all of Barton Fink and no one will have a definitive answer because there is not one to be found. The debate ends up being as engrossing, if not more so than the actual film, this proves to be where some movies become immortal and others fly into obscurity. Film discussion is why movies are so important to me because it opens up the minds of the viewers to consider different ideals and beliefs that otherwise would not consider. I’m not saying that Barton Fink will change your life, but if you give it the chance it will change how you look at movies.


http://x-stream.fortunecity.com/fleetst/71/barton_fink.gif

[zeppelin]

Barton Fink is my favorite Coen brothers movie, even over Fargo. It's definitely in my top 100. Great movie.

[LegionX]

Great CHoice!

[ilovemovies]

I personally found Barton Fink to be a bore though I didn't see all of it. I have not seen Blazing Saddles and The Grifters.


#100 The Life Aquatic 3/10
#99 Garden State 9/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty 10/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead 9/10
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink 3/10




BTW, you have a typo. You have Blazing Saddles and The Grifters as #93. I'm sure Grifters is suppose to be #92. ;)

[Rated R]

Sorry for the absence, I've been on a bit of a Homicide: Life On The Street marathon since I got both seasons 4 and 5 since last Sunday. I will get to the next movie on the list once I finish season 5, which will be this week sometime...

[Briare Rabbit]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
#100 The Life Aquatic 3/10

I'm still not sure you can give that low a score to a movie you don't understand.

Anywho, pretty good. Lets see if you can keep it up...

[ilovemovies]

Originally posted by Briare Rabbit
I'm still not sure you can give that low a score to a movie you don't understand.



Right. I don't share your opinion on the movie so I just don't understand it. :rolleyes:

[Briare Rabbit]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
Right. I don't share your opinion on the movie so I just don't understand it. :rolleyes:


As far as I know, you still seem to think the movie was intended to be a comedy. Which it wasn't.

[jimmyjdmb]

Originally posted by Briare Rabbit
As far as I know, you still seem to think the movie was intended to be a comedy. Which it wasn't.

??? The movie was hilarious. How could it not be intended to be a comedy with a great director like Wes Anderson?

[Briare Rabbit]

Originally posted by jimmyjdmb
??? The movie was hilarious. How could it not be intended to be a comedy with a great director like Wes Anderson?

The movie is not aimed to be a straight up comedy. It's more a drama with comic moments. A dramedy at best.

It certainly isn't meant to be as funny as The Royal Tenenbaums or Rushmore.

[dannywalker17]

I haven't seen Barton Fink, but here's my ratings so far.

100. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - n/a
99. Garden State - 9/10
98. Grosse Point Blank - n/a
97. American Beauty - 10/10
96. Ferris Bueller's Day Off - n/a
95. Angel Heart - n/a
94. Bringing Out the Dead - n/a
93. Blazing Saddles - n/a
92. The Grifters - n/a
91. Barton Fink - n/a

[screamer581]

Originally posted by Briare Rabbit
The movie is not aimed to be a straight up comedy. It's more a drama with comic moments. A dramedy at best.

It certainly isn't meant to be as funny as The Royal Tenenbaums or Rushmore.

I disagree. I think it was quite similiar to Tenenbaums and Rushmore, very quirky, awkward humor with dramatic moments. And for the record, I liked The Life Aquatic (7/10).


Here are my scores for Rated R's pretty solid picks so far.

100. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - 7/10
99. Garden State - 8.5/10
98. Grosse Point Blank - 7.5/10
97. American Beauty - 9/10
96. Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 8/10
95. Angel Heart - 7.5/10
94. Bringing Out the Dead - 8/10
93. Blazing Saddles - 9/10
92. The Grifters - 7/10
91. Barton Fink - 9/10

[mindkiss69]

Keep going, don't stop.

[LegionX]

I know right....
Rated R you still with us buddy????

[Rated R]

#90

Oh man, I just got internet back again since I moved a couple weeks ago hence my recent disappearance. Unfortunately I do not have a review written for the newest submission but I will wing it a bit giving a few opinions on the fly.


http://www.cyber-cinema.com/original/adaptationAdvOrg.jpg

ADAPTATION

Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman...they are quite a duo. Sure they have only had two collaborative efforts together, but they are both odd and entertaining films that thoroughly entertained me from start to finish (Being John Malkovich will also appear on this list). Adaptation provdes us with an odd formula, a supposed adaptation of a novel where the author throws himself and his story of adapting this novel into the screenplay of the adaptation itself. You could spend hours just talking about how interesting the premise itself is, or you could talk about how well it is conceived.

Nicolas Cage, with what I would call my second favourite performance of his, is excellent to say the least and Meryl Streep is less boring than normal, but Chris Cooper is the real treat here. It's a damn shame that he was not as well known before this film, but he really started turning heads in American Beauty and this just pushed him over the top giving him an Oscar, and a well deserved one at that.

Now sadly I would like to write more, but my brain is not functioning as I am fairly tired and need my sleep...but I would be more than up for a discussion on the film, bring up questions or opinions and I'll focus on them after a full nights sleep.

[ilovemovies]

Adaptation rocks! I'm pretty sure it would make my top 100 as well!

Ratings:


#100 The Life Aquatic 3/10
#99 Garden State 9/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty 10/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead 9/10
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation 8/10

Note: Because I haven't seen much of Barton Fink, I've decided to put a n/a on it instead of the 3/10. I still say what I saw of it was extremely boring, but I figure I'm also not being fair to the movie since I saw less than half of it. So until I see the rest (which might not be for a very long time) I will keep it as an n/a.

[cerealkiller182]

Adaptation is truly one of the best. Charlie Kaufman is the man. I love everything he does, except Being John Malkovich(but a lot of people like it so watever)

[LegionX]

this movie was awsome and Cage's performance was brilliant. a definet must see for anybody. great choice.

[SamSanchez]

#100 The Life Aquatic 9/10
#99 Garden State 8.5/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank N/A
#97 American Beauty 9/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart 8.5/10
#94 Bringing Out the Dead N/A
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink 10/10
#90 Adaptation N/A

those are my ratings for those so far

[Rated R]

It will be back soon enough, I've been busy with school and work so my movie viewing has been cut all the way down to maybe one a week and I'm trying to see new ones, or old ones I haven't yet seen. But I do promise a surge after midterms.

[LegionX]

Originally posted by Rated R
It will be back soon enough, I've been busy with school and work so my movie viewing has been cut all the way down to maybe one a week and I'm trying to see new ones, or old ones I haven't yet seen. But I do promise a surge after midterms.
cool... lol I was begining to wonder what happened to ya.. I feal your pain though, Im going through it to.

[SamSanchez]

Originally posted by Rated R
It will be back soon enough, I've been busy with school and work so my movie viewing has been cut all the way down to maybe one a week and I'm trying to see new ones, or old ones I haven't yet seen. But I do promise a surge after midterms.

Nice, look forward to that surge.


Side Note: Hope to see your team in the World Series ;) .

<---Angels here

[Rated R]

Sorry about your Angels bud...my Cardinals are still somewhat alive.

#89

I'm Back BABY!!!
http://images-jp.amazon.com/images/P/B00014N7N2.09.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

The 25th Hour

Directed By Spike Lee

Starring: Edward Norton, Rosario Dawson, Barry Pepper, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox.

“Champagne For My Real Friends, Real Pain For My Sham Friends.”

To be perfectly honest, Spike Lee is one of the most overrated directors in Hollywood in my opinion. I liked Do The Right Thing moderately, Malcolm X was very well done despite being a tad boring, Jungle Fever was decent, but I have never really connected with his work. That being said, The 25th Hour is his masterpiece. It is a well-drawn character piece about a man knowing where he will be spending the next seven years of his life…prison. Monty Brogan is going to jail and is forced to re-evaluate his life and friendships over his last day of freedom.

Every scene is masterfully shot; I notice it and that cannot be said for many films. In particular when they enter the club where the seventeen-year-old DJ dusk is playing the shot behind Monty’s head coupled with the music just flowed so beautifully. Of all the films on the list so far, this is probably the most intricately made. Every scene has background music that is not just filler to kill the ambience, save for a few to emphasize the dialogue; it lives and breathes along with the characters bringing every scene to life.

The dialogue jumps from the friend’s lips so fluently that it hardly seems like a movie at all. Barry Pepper shows that he actually has talent in the role as Frank Slaughtery Monty’s sharky Wall Street deal making best friend. Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays the insecure other friend as he does so well facing his own dilemma of a seventeen year old student of his whom he has a crush on. Rosario Dawson is more than just a pretty face as Monty’s girlfriend Naturelle. All that aside this is Edward Norton’s movie, without him it’s nothing. He owns the film, it is all about him and he shows like he does in every movie he is in that he can do no wrong.

“I need you to make me ugly.”

Other than what is on the surface, what is important is what the movie makes the audience think about. The choices we make in life determine where we go and what will ultimately happen to us. In Monty Brogan’s case he dealt drugs, decided against getting out when he could and then he got busted, he had his chances and what we see is everyone else throw the blame at themselves instead of him. His father should not have drunk so much; Slaughtery should have said something to bring him to his senses. What I end up thinking about is where would my friends be if I got in trouble? Where would I be if the same happened to one of my friends? When it really comes down to crunch time who will be there for us? Do we ever really know? One thing I do know is that I never know anything for sure and I sometimes I hope something will happen to test the friendships I have to show me the true colours of those who are close to me.

“I’m Irish, I don’t Get Drunk.”

I am not going to go on about how much I love the “Fuck You” scene; I like it, but I feel it still held back slightly. The scene I like most is the very last scene on the way to the prison, I will not spoil it for those of you who haven’t yet seen it, but you are in for a treat. Spike Lee will doubtfully ever make a movie as good as this again, go out and watch it if you haven’t yet.

http://thecia.com.au/reviews/1/images/25th-hour-2.jpg

[ChemicalRomance]

Bravo, brillaint movie.

10/10

[Katsumoto]

Great choice, 10/10 from me as well. Another thing I love and respect about the movie is how Lee captured New York after 9/11. Tense, Bitter and strong.

[ChemicalRomance]

I've always admired the conversation about how Monty will handle prison between Hoffman and Pepper. They talk on opposite sides of a large window with the pieces left of the World Trace Center at Ground Zero on the ground on the window. It's a beautiful shot. Almost surreal.

[Rated R]

I loved that aspect of the film as well, didn't want to mention it in the review because I knew it would come up in discussion. It's such a wonderful social commentary and it's amazing that no other film at that point had really tried to capture the social issues of post-911 NY. Come to think of it not many since have either. I will say it, The 25th Hour is a groundbreaking movie and I figured more films would follow in its footsteps and show this side of America, but it hasn't...at least not in the mainstream.

[SamSanchez]

great pick with 25th Hour....


and yeah, the ANgels series was a huge letdown for me. But yeah, they way they hit....they didn't deserve to even win Game 1.

[ilovemovies]

Very good movie.


#100 The Life Aquatic 3/10
#99 Garden State 9/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty 10/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead 9/10
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation 8.5/10
#89 25th Hour 7.5/10

[Rated R]

#88

Told you I'd pump these out more frequently as time goes on. This one is a great flick, I had forgotten how much I loved it.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0790731479.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


Beetle Juice

Directed By Tim Burton

Starring: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Jones.

“I’m the ghost with the most babe.”

Before he became Batman, and before his career went down the tubes after Multiplicity, Michael Keaton played one of the most entertaining characters ever to grace the silver screen. Beetlegeuse as it is spelled within the movie is a loud mouthed, obnoxious ghost specializing in murder, possession among other dirty deeds. He smokes, he yells and turns into snakes, but damn it if I don’t find him to be charming as hell.

Tim Burton just so happens to be one of my favourite directors, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish both follow at some point on the list and Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood were very close. Beetle Juice will always hold a special place in my heart as a staple of my childhood. I remember watching the cartoon after I saw the movie and it became more than just a movie, it was pure escapist joy for me. The dark feel that accompanies most Burton films is present; he creates a living setting for the characters that becomes one of them as the story progresses. The house is haunted, so it really only makes sense for it to look the part.

“These aren’t my rules. Come to think of it I have no rules.”

As far as the story goes, there’s no way you could mistake it for a documentary. It is a fantasy film like no other. A married couple dies in a car accident and returns to their home to discover that they are now ghosts and must consult…that’s right the handbook for the recently deceased. While it is comedy, I find that it is also an interesting interpretation of what the afterlife holds. It is a satire of those who feel there is life after death showing that it is very different and the adjustment must be huge so it requires a handbook.

Okay, now while the scenes with Adam and Barbara were nice, and Winona Ryder as Lydia was fine and dandy, it’s whenever Michael Keaton graces our presence as Beetlegeuse when the fun begins. He delivers his lines with great comedic timing, and I return to the fact that it is a damn shame that he is hardly in anything worth noting anymore. This character has so much possibility and it would falter under a lesser talent, but he grabs hold and allows the ghost with the most to come to life! You like that? I know I did.

”It’s Showtime.”

I watch Beetle Juice probably about once a year at a random interval out of a craving to see it. Some movies I’ll go on a binge with for a few days like how I’ll drink my vodka sometimes. But with Beetle Juice it’s more like wine, I savour it and it always gets better with age.


http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/online/islands/images/skaaren1.jpg

[cerealkiller182]

6/10- an ok movie, good for a rainy Sunday afternoon. Keaton is good a usual.

[Lazy Boy]

Beetlejuice isn't Burton's best, but it has some noteworthy elements: another iconic score by Danny Elfman, bizarre set design and a wicked sense of humor. Keaton may have been memorable, but he was a bit too much, up until the point where I got tired of him.

[LegionX]

sorry about your Cardinals...but hey my Red Sox didnt make it either... but I loved the 25th Hour... another great movie choice...

[ilovemovies]

:thumbsup: for Beetlejuice! It's definately my favorite Tim Burton flick! It's just great! Great choice!

#100 The Life Aquatic 3/10
#99 Garden State 9/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty 10/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead 9/10
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation 8.5/10
#89 25th Hour 7.5/10
#88 Beetlejuice 8.5/10

[SamSanchez]

So far....from all the films that I've seen that you've listed, GREAT chioces. I think if this continues, I will see to it that I purchase all the movies that I have not seen that you list. I currently own 9 of them already.

[ChemicalRomance]

#100 The Life Aquatic N/A
#99 Garden State 7/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank N/A
#97 American Beauty 10/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead 7.5/10
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation N/A
#89 25th Hour 10/10
#88 Beetlejuice N/A

[Rated R]

Wow ChemicalRomance, looks like you've been watching too many Yankee games, heh.

[ChemicalRomance]

;) Psh I'll see all those movies soon. Now that it is the offseason!

[SpacePuppet]

I guess i'll throw in my http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=2+cents/v=2/SID=e/TID=I060_75/l=IVI/SIG=128p9lidh/EXP=1130355401/*-http%3A//www.efuse.com/What_s_New/two-cents-worth2.jpg

#100 The Life Aquatic N/A
#99 Garden State - (6/10) or C+
#98 Grosse Point Blank N/A
#97 American Beauty (10/10) or A+
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off - (4/10) or D+
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead N/A
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation N/A
#89 25th Hour - (7/10) or B
#88 Beetlejuice - (9/10) or A


Looks like i've got a few movies to rent. :rolleyes:

[Rated R]

Well it looks like this is becoming a trendy thing to do...top hundred countdowns...hmmm, well I'll give you my next one anyway.

#87

http://www.wordsfromhere.com/images/temptation.jpg

The Last Temptation of Christ

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, David Bowie and Harry Dean Stanton


Talk about controversy. For nearly twenty years Martin Scorsese tried to get this film made constantly facing opposition from the church. Finally in the mid 1980's he was able to get it financed and get it made and released. Picketers surrounded movie theatres to stop them from showing it...not wanting a blasphemous film to influence an otherwise healthy society. Of course this is absolutely ridiculous, one group trying to control the minds of others by preventing the opposite side from getting to present their argument. First of all, it is a movie, it does not claim to be true; The Last Temptation of Christ is a fictional telling about people who existed. Why not give it an added perspective? Allow people to think of what else could have happened instead of blindly accepting what the church tells you? This is why this movie is important to me.

When I first watched it I was a Christian, a practicing Christian who had recently discovered Scorsese through films like Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, etc. I was young, probably 14 or 15 at the time and I ordered Last Temptation over Columbia House and was fairly curious to exactly what it withold. The film did not destroy my faith in God or Christ...that has happened since, what it did was look at Jesus as more of a person and not as the savior. I saw a man conflicted, wanting to be anything more than the messiah dying for all of our sins.

Until I watched this film I had gone on my life spiritually thinking of Christ as an untouchable, an entity that was above me. While in the Christian religion he is the son of God, he is a human at the same time born to a human woman and this movie centers on that aspect of his character that was absent in my belief beforehand. Jesus was humanized and I felt I understood the religion better. Of course to talk about this to my family, grandparents specifically would be unheard of due to how traditional they are, either way I felt spiritually at ease.

Since then I have lost my Christian-specific faith but I still love this film. Willem Dafoe is the best incarnation of Jesus on film I have ever seen. The landscapes are breathtaking, Scorsese creates what is his visually most amazing film. David Bowie as Pontius Pilate, interesting choice, not sure if I would have gone that route, but whatever...it worked.

Oh, and yes I have seen Passion of the Christ...uh...yeah, not so good. In contrast it is everything I already knew about the story adding nothing new. Last Temptation provided me with a different perspective that was important to me. The Passion is a soulless pile of shit captialising on people's faith. It's a damn shame that more people watch the Passion only because it reaffirmed what they already believed in, if only they would be brave enough to listen to the other side. Oh well, no mind like a closed one.

http://www.oscarworld.net/tempt4.jpg

[cerealkiller182]

I haven't seen this yet but your review sounds very promising

[LegionX]

I still want to see this movie.. but to me Passion was a fantastic movie. I still want to see this though.

[Rated R]

Looks like there's a catfight over on JoJo's thread of top 100 about which of those two came first...whatever, I'm just gonna keep on doing my thing.

#86

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0790742047.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


Fearless

Directed By Peter Weir

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Isabella Rossellini, Rosie Perez, Tom Hulce, John Turturro, and Benicio Del Toro.

It seems to me that this is a movie that is not talked to much about anymore. Hell, it took me a long time to see it myself. A couple years ago I was working in a video store in my hometown and I came across this gem in the seven day rental section and decided to pop it on one night when business was slow. I wasn't the least bit disappointed...except when customers came in interrupting my flow with it.

Now I have watched it again since, but it has been a year or so...and many movies in between so it is hard to remember everything about it(couldn't find it for sale where I live and did not feel like renting it, will re-watch the next batch though). I will give it my best shot. Max Klein(Jeff Bridges) survives a terrible airline crash and is a changed man, he feels invulnerable and cannot reconnect with his wife and family. He finds a connection with another survivor, a grieving mother who lost her child in the crash. So what is it really about? It's about second chances, it's about believing in the impossible, it's about living life the way you should live it...which is no one's decision but your own. Eat a strawberry if you're allergic to it, because you don't have to be unless you think you are.

This movie holds a deep meaning for me. It is inspirational, Max is a flawed character and to those around him he is more flawed when he feels invincible after the crash, he's not himself as they knew him. What it tells me is that no matter where your life goes, it is never too late to change your mind or go down another path and sometimes it takes an event like a plane crash to wake you up from your meaningless existence so you know there is more to life. Along the way you will ultimately lose some of the people that have meant something to you, but it will bring you closer to others even some you hurt the most. Life is a chain reaction of experience and discovery, through others and ourselves we travel through time loving and living. We cry, we yell, we smile and we share with those that matter and sometimes with someone who just happens to be there. Fearless tells me to talk to strangers, meet people whom I otherwise would not, go out of my way and be there for people in need. I am still working on it, but if I had mastered it, then I wouldn't need to keep living would I?

Jeff Bridges is one of the best actors ever...period. He gets into his roles so deeply, even the everyman ones like this. He understands how to approach his characters because he understands life or at least he's good at pretending he does. The supporting players are good too, but this is Bridges' show from start to finish and it is great to watch.

So if you haven't seen it, or haven't heard much about it, I hope you give it a shot and talk about it. I hope it means as much to you as it did to me, in fact as I type about it now, I fear that it may belong higher on the list...oh well, I am fearless about changing it later. Enjoy this one, savour it.

http://www.today.ucla.edu/2000/images/Fearless.jpg

[SamSanchez]

GREAT choice with Fearless....keep'em coming

[LegionX]

niiiiiice...completely forgot about this...

[ChemicalRomance]

I've never even heard of it.

[TylerDurden182]

So Far:
100. Life Aquatic- 9/10
99. Garden State- 9/10
98. Grosse Pointe Blank- 7/10
97. American Beauty- 10/10
96. Ferris Bueller- 8/10
95. Angel Heart- 9/10
94. Bringing Out The Dead- 9/10
93. Blazing Saddles- 7/10
92. The Grifters- 7/10
91. Barton Fink- N/A
90. Adaptation- 9/10
89. 25th Hour- 10/10
88. Beetlejuice- 7/10
87. Last Temptation- N/A
86. Fearless- 8/10

[Rated R]

Having just seen the mediocre Jarhead yesterday it seems only fitting that the next spot is in fact a superior war movie.

#85


http://images.art.com/images/-/Saving-Private-Ryan-Style-A--C10126342.jpeg

Saving Private Ryan

Directed By Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Matt Damon, Edward Burns, Giovanni Ribisi, Adam Goldberg, Jeremy Davies, Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, Dennis Farina, Leland Orser and Ted Danson.

Touted as the movie with the most realistic battle scene of all time opening up with an intense twenty minute long onslaught representing D-Day. Spielberg shows the audience that he has the biggest dick in filmmaking because no one has ever made quite this accurate representation of battle. At this point the character development has not begun of the cast but it creates a living representation of war. Everyone on that beach represents the same thing for their respective sides, the honor of their country and doing what their leaders think is right. Saving Private Ryan pulls no punches in it's walking tall approach, follow orders because we are nothing more than grunts.

After the arresting first twenty minutes are over a change of direction occurs that some have criticized yet I applaud. The movie slows down, introduces the troupe that will be followed on the journey to find the youngest brother of four and return him home safe. Being a war film the audience knows that many of the crew will not be returning home in the end and the love felt between these men make the loss difficult for the audience as well when the inevitable eventually occurs.

Hanks is in fine form here even though I still find him to be bland normally with a couple exceptions (Philadelphia, Ladykillers, Gump). He adds the nuances that are subtle yet reveal so much about a character that is obviously trying to keep everything bottled up so he never looks weak to his men. Damon is excellent as always, Sizemore also shines but for me the best performance comes from the sarcastic New Yawker Ed Burns. To some he's an asshole but he's just a good guy who likes to rip on his buddies all the time, I sympathize. Again this is what makes Saving Private Ryan a great film instead of a good one, it's human.

The film's cinematography is worth noting as well as Spielberg and his crew pay remarkably close attention to detail of landscapes, facial expressions and every form of action available. The scene where Diesel's character is sniped when trying to help the french family is so intense that you find yourself eyes pried forgetting to breathe even if you have seen it a few times already.

Truly Saving Private Ryan plays with the audiences emotions very well, everything works, there is no filler whatsoever and it has amazing rewatch value. How it lost Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love is beyond me as it is possibly the biggest embarrassment that the Academy Awards have ever known. It isn't my favourite war movie I am not going to lie but it is so well made in every aspect I truly cannot praise this movie enough.

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/dreamworks_skg/saving_private_ryan/_group_photos/tom_hanks9.jpg

[ChemicalRomance]

Classic, the only word needed.

10/10

[zombievictim]

Can't get a much better war movie then that

[Rated R]

From war to comedy gold...come on posters, show me some love!


#84

http://www.mvps.org/st-software/Movie_Collection/images/2415f.jpg

Groundhog Day

Directed By Harold Ramis

Starring: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray.

"I'm a God. I'mnot THE God...I don't think

If you don't like this movie I will call you a liar or I will just plain cry. I can understand the frustration with TBS overplaying it in a somewhat ironic way. I can understand how some may not rank it as high as I do. But no, I could not buy anyone genuinely disliking it. Why? Because it is hilarious, good-hearted, well performed by all and well it's entertaining and a great concept all in one. I find it amazing that a romantic comedy with a plot where a man is reliving the same day over and over again does not get more credit.

Bill Murray when he was still "funny" Bill and not "serious" Bill was still an excellent actor with amazing presence as though he was born to do this. He shines through the entire movie as a bitter man not neccessarily looking for change, at least not openly, but is left with little choice; he is forced to grow as a man and a person while the day he lives in does not.

"What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today."

Now I know it works as a movie about a man finding his true self...but is it funny? You better believe it! First of all you have Bill Murray throwing sarcastic jabs at everything and everyone; then we are treated to his torture as he starts to realize every day is Groundhog Day, but the best scenes come when he gives up on life and tries to kill himself. The suicide montage never fails at cracking me up...again I think to myself...how could anyone dislike it?

My roommate said he didn't know if he could watch it again because of the TBS syndrome but I am sure he'll come around. Very rarely these days do I find a movie as charming or funny as this...who's with me?!

"I've been stabbed, shocked, poisoned, frozen, hung, electrocuted, and burned."

http://www.filmfreakcentral.net/dvdreviews/groundhogdaydvdcap.jpg

[cerealkiller182]

AWESOME CHOICE!!!! This movie is fantastic. I love movies that are truly funny not just gross-out funny(even though i still enjoy gross-outs)

[JoJo23]

Definitly one of Murray's best. Good pick.

[LegionX]

LOL MAN I LOVED GROUNDHOGS DAY!!!! Classic!

[ChemicalRomance]

My brother Matt loves this movie and from what I've seen of it, it looks very funny. Chalk this up on my "need to see" list...where it has hung for a long time.

[Lazy Boy]

Classic Bill Murray role and movie, his It's A Wonderful Life of the 90s.

[Rated R]

I couldn't sleep so I decided I'd watch another...

#83

http://www.chasingthefrog.com/most_mob/posters/carlitosway1.jpg


Carlito's Way

Directed By Brian DePalma

Starring: Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzman, Viggo Mortensen and John Leguizamo.


A lot can happen in five years. Carlito Brigante found this out after he was released from a thirty year prison sentence on a technicality. His old flame, she wanted to be a broadway star, and now she strips; his lawyer is a coke fiend owing money to the wrong people and all his friends are gone or completely different. On his road to going straight in a crooked world, Carlito discovers that even with best intentions to change your life it's harder to escape than you'd guess.

So...what the hell happened to Brian DePalma? Snake Eyes? Femme Fatale? Mission To Mars????? Oh man, it's like he had an identity crisis and got sick of making good movies like this one. Watching Carlito's Way reminds me of the visual style that can accompany his films. Every shot is thought out and filmed so meticulously that it's enchanting to watch. Coupled with the occasional noirish voiceover and mood and this becomes more than a simple crime caper. A character piece about change and how quickly the world around you can collapse, attempting to escape it and even convincing yourself that you have only to be reminded at the last minute that it never happened. It was too late.

Pacino as a Puerto Rican? It works better than him as a Cuban, and to this day I will say that Scarface is nothing more than a boring, overlong trendy flick with a few catchphrases giving it immortality on college campuses everywhere. This is the better film of the two and has the acting to prove it. Maybe because Sean Penn is at his finest so Pacino actually has someone to work off of that's worth his time, while in Scarface the supporting cast was mediocre at best. But Pacino is the draw, as he is most of the time; along with the engaging story and camerawork De Palma and Pacino make Carlito's Way a winner.

It's another movie that I very rarely hear people talk about, and I can't for the life of me figure it out. The whole detereoration of Penn's Kleinfeld character, the scene with the "pool trick" and even the love story that could have felt cliched when it felt more genuine, a tortured soul trying to make things right. The problem is that with Carlito trying to change his life for the better, everyone else was hell bent on him staying the same or dying...change was never an option. What a film.

http://images.art.com/images/-/Al-Pacino---Carlitos-Way--C10101813.jpeg

Oh and don't forget the opening scene foreshadowing the tragic ending, truly a beautiful thing.

[ilovemovies]

#100 The Life Aquatic 3/10
#99 Garden State 9/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty 10/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead 9/10
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation 8.5/10
#89 25th Hour 7.5/10
#88 Beetlejuice 8.5/10
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan 10/10
#84 Groundhog Day 8/10
#83 Carlito's Way 9/10

Personally, Saving Private Ryan would be MUCH, MUCH higher on my list. Infact, I'm sure it would be in my top 15 or 20, definately no lower than 25.

[LegionX]

#100 The Life Aquatic 8.5/10
#99 Garden State 8.5/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7.5/10
#97 American Beauty 9/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart 7.5/10
#94 Bringing Out the Dead 8.5/10
#93 Blazing Saddles 8.5/10
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink 8.5/10
#90 Adaptation 8.5/10
#89 25th Hour 8/10
#88 Beetlejuice 9/10
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless 7/10
#85 Saving Private Ryan 9.5/10
#84 Groundhog Day 9/10
#83 Carlito's Way 9/10

[max]

So far, I would only consider including ANGEL HEART, BEETLEJUICE, GROUNDHOG DAY, 25TH HOUR and BLAZING SADDLES in my Top 100. Hated LIFE AQUATIC, AMERICAN BEAUTY and BRINGING OUT THE DEAD.

[JoJo23]

Never saw Carlito's Way, maybe I will have to check this out now.

[mindkiss69]

Carlito's Way is a great movie, you should definetly check it out when you have the chance to.

[Skellington]

Originally posted by Rated R
#95 Angel Heart

Good choice, this movie always get forgotten, not many people have actually seen it. But when you've seen it once, there's no reason to see it again, as you know the ending, and the film isn't as fun. Still, a pretty good movie.

[TATU]

Not a bad list Rated R. But I can't beleive you'd rank Beetlejuice so highly. Its strange to see all these serious dramatic movies, and then Beetlejuice sticking out like a sore thumb. Otherwise, good list.

[Rated R]

Well if you thought that Beetlejuice stuck out like a sore thumb you may not be pleased with this entry.


#82


http://images.sports.cn/2004/11/29/407143B.jpg

Bull Durham

Directed by Ron Shelton

Starring: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Robert Wuhl and Trey Wilson.

I'm gonna go right out and say it, I like Kevin Costner. In fact I could go so far as saying that the majority of his films are solid if not excellent. Films of his that I continue to love that did not make the list like Open Range, Tin Cup, For Love of the Game and Robin Hood make it easier to ignore the crap like Waterworld, Wyatt Earp and 3000 Miles To Graceland. I think it's fair to say that he takes way too much flack especially with gems like Bull Durham keeping people like me smiling.

"Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. "

Now why do I like it? First off I am a baseball fan and am a sucker for that subject for a movie (movies like Hardball don't count IMO). The humor is R rated, it's crass, rude and very funny. The story itself about an idiot up and coming pitcher being tutored by a reluctant vet on the downslope of a minor league career. Maybe because this movie seemed to get it right and imitations that followed just could not compare.

What I'll focus on is the relationship between Crash Davis (Costner) and "Nuke" LaLoosh (Robbins). It plays off as Crash always being a hard ass and whenever Nuke tries to use his own head, Crash makes it hurt. The best instance is when Nuke refuses a signal for a particular pitch so Crash tells the batter and it's a doozy of a home run. Throughout the entire movie, there's a sense of bitterness from Crash, he resents Nuke for the talent, the future he has ahead of him and the relationship Nuke has with Annie Savoy (Sarandon).

"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic."

As far as a comedy is concerned, Bull Durham has many amusing moments, but very few are laugh out loud and some are even just fairly dramatic with slight comedy in it. But it is rich with characters, takes its subject matter seriously and presents one of the best films about baseball ever. Sure some of you will disagree with my inclusion on the list, but I can watch Bull Durham anytime and be entertained by the rollercoaster of emotion within...it's about sex, baseball, disappointments, lost hope and learning your way in life. Bull Durham is a great movie.


http://redbirdnation.blogspot.com/bulldurham.jpg


PS. I almost forgot, the scenes where I find myself laughing every single time are when Nuke is on the mound and a wild pitch hits the Bull mascot...GOLD!

[TATU]

No way, Bull Durham is an excellent movie. BJ ust seems to lighthearted and almost the lesser of every movie here. I don't know why, it just seems below par compared to the rest of what you've ranked so far.

BTW, check out my thread oh movie master and tell me what you think.

[Backstabba]

#100 The Life Aquatic 8/10
#99 Garden State 7.5/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank N/A
#97 American Beauty N/A
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead N/A
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation 9/10
#89 25th Hour 10/10
#88 Beetlejuice 6/10
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ 9/10
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan 7.5/10
#84 Groundhog Day 8/10
#83 Carlito's Way N/A

[LegionX]

Originally posted by Rated R
Well if you thought that Beetlejuice stuck out like a sore thumb you may not be pleased with this entry.
Bull Durham

hmmm nice choice... I havent seen this movie in YEARS! excellent movie... im gonna have to start my Top 100 countdown very soon huh?

[orionproduction]

this was a very nice choice, i love this movie, robbins was great, i think the bar scene where he has the chance to throw the ball right at costner is hilarious. second best sport comedies i'd say quickly without thinking (caddyshack my number 1).


anyways good pic, just a fun movie all around

robert wuhl was great just like he was in good morning, vietnam

[Rated R]

Will be updating it tomorrow night when I watch the next one on the list...

[Rated R]

Okay, I'll probably add a couple more to the list this week, but exams are around the corner, so it may be a fairly long stretch between postings after the weekend. I encourage you all to continue discussing the list while I am on my hiatus and hopefully more will join the thread. Anyway, on with the show.


#81

http://www.dvdrama.com/imagescrit/shiningint01.jpg


The Shining

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers.

"Heeeeeeere's Johnny!"

When you watch a Kubrick film, you know you're in good hands visually. Every scene is crafted with care and provides you with an atmosphere like no other. Kubrick tackled every genre imaginable and somehow made everything credible. He defied the boundaries many filmmakers abide by every day, and broadened his horizons to create one of the most creative and diverse portfolios of film available. The Shining is his horror.

When I first watched The Shining, I must have been ten or eleven years old. My parents went out for the night and I rented a couple of movies, one of them happened to be this. I hadn't seen any of Kubrick's other films, but my mother had read the book and told me that it might be good for a scare. How right was she? I was terrified. The images were so intense, from the sisters to the woman in the bathtub to the blood flowing from the elevators...everything had me on the edge ofmy seat. Being home alone late at night at a young age and watching a movie like this is bound to make your heart race.

With many horror movies I find myself laughing at how horribly predictable or ridiculous they become. Many feel the need for a high body count to be successful (see Scream 2's rules for sequels), The Shining relies on a different method, psychology. Jack Torrance moves his family to a hotel in the Rockie Mountains for a job as caretaker for the winter months. His son Danny has a strange gift of telepathy that an old chef tells him is "the shining". Danny, reluctant to go knows that there is something wrong with the hotel, and so does Jack. Jack was told by the owners that a former caretaker murdered his family when he went insane from cabin fever. Now it wouldn't be much of a movie if nothing went wrong...so we only wait.

"God, I'd give anything for a drink. I'd give my god-damned soul for just a glass of beer. '

Now Jack from the beginning has the look of crazy(it's Nicholson!) so his transition from family man to insane may to some not really work, but it's in his words and actions, not the weird smile. Also the movie skips ahead a month near the start of their stay, so the effects are already starting to wear on him making the transition easier for me to swallow. Danny in the meantime sees two girls beckoning him to play with them and his "imaginary" friend tells him they do not exist.

The best thing about Kubrick's The Shining is the ambiguity. Sure, we the audience are shown scenes where Jack speaks with the ghosts of the hotel, where they encourage him to "correct" his family. But are they really there? Is it really just Cabin Fever? Was Jack actually the reincarnated version of the former caretaker? Were the ghosts there? Me? I like to think that he was reincarnated, and there is a lot to reinforce it, especially with the final image of the film along with him knowing what would be around every corner and with the ghost saying he was always the caretaker...now you may ask how could it be interpreted any other way? There is enough to suggest that he was just bloody insane, how the weather just got to him and everything just caved in. The final image, the photo may shoot this down, but I know people who just choose to ignore it as they prefer to think of it as a film about a crumbling psyche.

"Darling. Light, of my life. I'm not gonna hurt ya. You didn't let me finish my sentence. I said, I'm not gonna hurt ya. I'm just gonna bash your brains in."

The acting is strong, even the kid is solid...Kubrick put a lot of trust into him and he pulled it off. Shelly Duvall plays the role of confused wife well but mainly comes off as a plot device, nothing more. Jack Nicholson is the reason to watch though. This is his best performance, he just plays it so well. He's conflicted, he's not evil...not at first...and then it just spirals out of control. Very well done.

Stanley Kubrick tackled all genres that is true and of everything I have seen, he has never made a bad movie (I haven't seen The Killing, Lolita or Barry Lyndon yet). While The Shining is not his best, it is the only movie I have ever seen that has succeeded at scaring me, chilling me to the bone. Other films may make me jump, but this one haunts me...wonderful film, and I hope you like it.


http://www.indelibleinc.com/kubrick/films/shining/images/shining_bathroom.jpg

[Rated R]

Also, a brief recap of the first twenty films of the countdown:

100. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
99. Garden State
98. Grosse Pointe Blank
97. American Beauty
96. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
95. Angel Heart
94. Bringing Out The Dead
93. Blazing Saddles
92. The Grifters
91. Barton Fink
90. Adaptation
89. 25th Hour
88. Beetlejuice
87. The Last Temptation Of Christ
85. Fearless
84. Saving Private Ryan
83. Carlito's Way
82. Bull Durham
81. The Shining

[screamer581]

Another great pick Rated R, The Shining is a masterpiece. I do recommend you checking Lolita and especially Barry Lyndon, Kubrick's most underrated flick IMO.

ratings so far:

100. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou-7/10
99. Garden State-8.5/10
98. Grosse Pointe Blank-7.5/10
97. American Beauty-9/10
96. Ferris Bueller's Day Off-8/10
95. Angel Heart-7.5/10
94. Bringing Out The Dead-8/10
93. Blazing Saddles-9/10
92. The Grifters-7/10
91. Barton Fink-9/10
90. Adaptation-9/10
89. 25th Hour-8/10
88. Beetlejuice-7.5/10
87. The Last Temptation Of Christ-9/10
85. Fearless-N/A
84. Saving Private Ryan-8.5/10
83. Carlito's Way-8/10
82. Bull Durham-7.5/10
81. The Shining-9/10

[ChemicalRomance]

One of, if not the most terrifying film ever made.

10/10...though one little certain plot detail has always annoyed me.

***SPOILERS***






Who exactly let's Mr. Torrance out of the locked kitchen cellar?



****END SPOILERS***

[ilovemovies]

One of the most overrated movies of all time if you ask me. I didn't find the movie to be remotely scary. And I wasn't impressed with Nicholson's performance. It's his worst performance. Overacting does not make you scary. The only part of the movie I really liked was when Nicholson was chasing after his kid in the maze. That was a pretty good moment. And Shelly Duvall gives a pretty good performance. She makes her character sympathetic.


#100 The Life Aquatic * 1/2
#99 Garden State ****
#98 Grosse Point Blank ***
#97 American Beauty ****
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off ****
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead ****
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation *** 1/2
#89 25th Hour ***
#88 Beetlejuice *** 1/2
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan ****
#84 Groundhog Day *** 1/2
#83 Carlito's Way ****
#82 Bull Durham N/A
#81 The Shining **

[TylerDurden182]

Life Aquatic- 9/10
Garden State- 9/10
Grosse Pointe Blank- 7/10
American Beauty- 10/10
Ferris Bueller- 8/10
Angel Heart- 9/10
Bringing Out The Dead- 9/10
Blazing Saddles- 7/10
The Grifters- 7/10
Barton Fink- 9/10
Adaptation- 9/10
25th Hour- 10/10
Beetlejuice- 7/10
Last Temptation- N/A
Fearless- 8/10
Saving Private Ryan- 10/10
Groundhog Day- 8/10
Carlito's Way- 9/10
Bull Durham- 7/10
The Shining- 10/10

[mindkiss69]

Originally posted by ChemicalRomance
One of, if not the most terrifying film ever made.

10/10...though one little certain plot detail has always annoyed me.

***SPOILERS***






Who exactly let's Mr. Torrance out of the locked kitchen cellar?



****END SPOILERS***

It's grady, the ghost of the old caretaker. You should read the book, alot of the unexplained parts of the movie are explained in the book. One of the greatest books till the end, though.

[Rated R]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
One of the most overrated movies of all time if you ask me. I didn't find the movie to be remotely scary. And I wasn't impressed with Nicholson's performance. It's his worst performance. Overacting does not make you scary. The only part of the movie I really liked was when Nicholson was chasing after his kid in the maze. That was a pretty good moment. And Shelly Duvall gives a pretty good performance. She makes her character sympathetic.



To each his ownI guess, but I think the film works on so many levels. I don't particularly feel that Nicholson overacted at all...he was insane. Jack does have difficulty showing the transition as he always looks somewhat crazy, but nonetheless I found him captivating. I do find it scary, as much as I can find a film scary as I rarely do...this is the only one to give me genuine fright that I can think of.

[Rated R]

Anyway, on to the next one...a movie I am sure most of you have seen.


#80

http://adorocinema.cidadeinternet.com.br/filmes/memento/memento-poster01.jpg


Memento

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Ann Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Stephen Tobolowsky and Jorja Fox.

"We All Need Mirrors To Remind Us Of Who We Are, I'm No Different."

I love a good mindfuck don't you? A movie dealing with short term memory loss that does not play its scenes in chronological order but both backwards and forwards simultaneously? Memento breaks the norm and is a film that is both visually stunning but is captivating from start to finish as the audience tries to solve the mystery before Leonard (Pearce) does.

Leonard suffered brain damage during a domestic attack on his home when his wife was raped and murdered. Since then he has no short term memory and is constantly searching for the man that ruined his life. Through conditioning, photographs, research and a little help he has determined that a man named John G. is responsible. Along with that, he has tatooed the facts of his case all over his body to help him remember. What results is a tale of mistrust, lies, confusion and murder all while a man tries to both remember and forget the most painful part of his past.

"I Have This Condition"

I remember when I first saw this during my first year of University, my roommate had gone somewhere for the day and I just vegetated in my dorm and downloaded it from our ResNet server. I sat back and was blown away from what unfolded before me. The opening sequence alone running completely in reverse from Teddy's body returning to life and then running forward again to get the thoughts circulating. What makes the film work is it's constant use of misdirection, Nolan has the viewer thinking one thing, what is true and then blindsides you with something negating it so you don't really know what to believe. Even now, having just watched it for the first time in a year, and having seen it several times before, I have only barely come to my decision on what I think happened.

SPOILERS

Personally, I think Leonard was Sammy. I don't think that part was a lie from Teddy, most of what he said was bullshit and weasely looking after his own ass out of greed. Honestly though, I think Leonard needed reason to exist and as long as he had someone to hunt down, he had purpose. Of course you can come to a different conclusion...it's so ambiguous and this is why it's such a great film. You can debate it over and over and never have a definitive answer.

END SPOILERS

Half the fun I have found with Memento is showing to those people I know who have never seen it, watching it by myself now seems to not be as exciting, but when it's with someone else it's a whole new experience every time. Christopher Nolan constructed a tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat, repeats things, lies to the audience but sandwiches it between truths to cause confusion. This is one of the better and more originally made movies of the past ten years; of course if it went chronologically it would not be nearly as interesting as the ending fits better at the beginning, the beginning in the middle and the middle at the end...now who here hasn't seen it?

"Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted. They're just an interpretation, they're not a record, and they're irrelevant if you have the facts. "


http://www.zansstuff.com/images/memento.jpg

[ChemicalRomance]

One of my top twenty favorite films. A gem, an absolute fucking gem.

10/10

[TylerDurden182]

Memento is also one of my personal favorites.

10/10

[ilovemovies]

Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Awsome movie.



#100 The Life Aquatic * 1/2
#99 Garden State ****
#98 Grosse Point Blank ***
#97 American Beauty ****
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off ****
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead ****
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation *** 1/2
#89 25th Hour ***
#88 Beetlejuice *** 1/2
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan ****
#84 Groundhog Day *** 1/2
#83 Carlito's Way ****
#82 Bull Durham N/A
#81 The Shining **
#80 Memento ****

[Rated R]

Let's get away from the psychological thriller for a moment and get into some non-stop action. Kick ass explosions, an amazing villain, a wicked chase scene and Arnold Schwarzenegger ensue in

#79

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008PC2O.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Directed By James Cameron

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Xander Berkeley and Robert Patrick.

"I need your clothes, boots and your motorcycle! "

I'm going to admit a guilty pleasure...I am a fan of almost every Ah-Nuld movie I have ever seen, Kindergarten Cop when I was young...and even The Running Man to this day. Only two of them made the top hundred when I compiled it this summer...although after watching the first Conan movie this fall I may have to make some modifications down the road...but for now there are but two.

The first is one of the most action packed fun movies I have seen, it does what a good sequel should, it distances itself from the original and makes itself its own film. The first Terminator was less action and more Science Fiction and it worked perfectly, but what we have here is balls to the wall testosterone filled explosions. But even with it being mostly action, that doesn't mean performances are sacrificed. Linda Hamilton is insane, and she plays her part well...Arnie and druggie Furlong share some great moments as the boy tries to teach him to be more human. Instead of conforming to what now is the standard action movie formula, director Cameron gives the audience reason to care about the main characters and also makes us forget that Arnie is no longer the villain from the first movie.

For me personally, it is Robert Patrick as T-1000 that creates one of the best, most terrifying villains of all time in my humble opinion. He is unstoppable, bullets do nothing...hitting him with a truck, nada, put that together with Patrick's hard cold emotionless stare, you got yourself an excellent bad guy.

"I know now why you cry. But it's something I can never do. "

I'm sure most, if not all of you have seen T2, but in case you haven't, here's a brief rundown of the story. In the first movie, Sarah Connor was the target, and she survived eventually having a son and getting locked in an asylum. Now, a new Terminator is sent back to kill her son John...at the same time a protector in the form of the first killer is sent. The movie focuses on the Connor's run from T-1000 and the growing attachment the boy has for his guardian.

It's a simplistic story but there are so many memorable scenes! The escape from the asylum, John teaching the Terminator slang, the liquid form of T-1000 and the transport truck chase. T2 is action done right. Cameron uses state of the art special effects in every movie he makes, he is a technical wizard. His resume speaks volumes with T1, Aliens, The Abyss all coming before this he continues to amaze all with how realistic his SFX look. T-1000 looked more realistic than most CGI today and it makes me wonder where many filmmakers went wrong. It's a shame Cameron does not work more often having not done a feature film since Titanic (I do not count Ghosts of the Abyss or Aliens of the Deep). At the same time, however, I am glad that he does not rush his projects, and while I was not too fond of Titanic, I must say that it was very well made in every technical aspect.

As I said, this is my number two Arnold movie...you can try and guess what the other one is or just wait until it appears. Untill then I urge you to pick up T2 again and sit back with a bowl of popcorn and let your mind out for a walk, you'll be glad you did.

"Hasta La Vista, Baby."

http://www.supermanfred.it/t1000.jpg

[ChemicalRomance]

:( Haven't seen this or the original...I know, I know.

They're on the Netflix though, top of the queue believe it or not.

[morricone]

morricone's ratings:

100. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou - 8/10
97. American Beauty - 9/10
96. Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 8/10
94. Bringing Out The Dead - 8/10
93. Blazing Saddles - 9/10
90. Adaptation - 9/10
88. Beetlejuice - 5/10
87. The Last Temptation Of Christ - 9/10
84. Saving Private Ryan - 8/10
82. Bull Durham - 7/10
81. The Shining - 10/10
80. Memento - 6/10
79. Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 8/10

[ilovemovies]

One of the best damn action movies of all time! One of the best damn science fiction movies of all time! And one of the best damn sequels of all time! Schwarzenegger rocks! Robert Patrick rocks! Linda Hamilton rocks! Hell, even Edward Furlong, who I usually don't like, is terrific here! Great movie from start to finish and it's definately in my top 30 or so.


#100 The Life Aquatic * 1/2
#99 Garden State ****
#98 Grosse Point Blank ***
#97 American Beauty ****
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off ****
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead ****
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation *** 1/2
#89 25th Hour ***
#88 Beetlejuice *** 1/2
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan ****
#84 Groundhog Day *** 1/2
#83 Carlito's Way ****
#82 Bull Durham N/A
#81 The Shining **
#80 Memento ****
#79 Terminator 2 ****

[Rated R]

I have decided not to make any changes to the list I made back in August despite seeing movies for the first time since the conception of said list. Tonight for example I watched Blade Runner for the first time and it would probably be on this list. The other example is in regards to the next one on the list. After re-watching it again I realized that it is more important a movie to me than many of the next twenty or thirty...but alas it will remain for now at


#78

http://www.mikesjournal.com/Big%20Fish%20the%20Movie.jpg

Big Fish

Directed by Tim Burton

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Albert Finney, Alison Lohman, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Buscemi, and Danny DeVito.

"In telling the story of my father's life, it's impossible to separate fact from fiction, the man from the myth. The best I can do is to tell it the way he told me. It doesn't always make sense and most of it never happened... but that's what kind of story this is. "

What stories will you tell your children? Will they be about your past, how you made it from one point of your life to another? Will you greatly exaggerate the details to make it interesting? Who will you be, where will you have gone and how much fun will you have along the way dreaming these tales? Edward Bloom was many things, and created many stories, but who was he truly?

In Big Fish, Will Bloom has grown up and out of his father's fantasy world. He is tired of what he perceives to be lies or half-truths told by his father his entire life. Now, with Edward on his death bed and Will having not spoken to his father for three years, Will returns home to discover who the real Edward Bloom is.

Interestingly enough, while Will is attempting to discover a less elablorate version of the events of his fathers life, we the audience are shown the fantastical version. From youth encounters with a witch and her glass eye, to joining a circus with a giant to meeting the love of his life we are shown unbelievable events told so earnestly as though it is all true. This is the joyous spirit within Big Fish, it's not about reality, it is about seeing more...it is about letting go of inhibitions, but what Big Fish is about to me most of all...is that life has so many possibilities that what is in front of us at any given moment cannot be taken at face value but should be cherished. I know there will be moments where I feel that the world has closed in on me and that I have no way out, but I do. I can always return to a world where dreams come true. And while this may be a bit naive, it is comforting to know that I haven't become entirely jaded like Will.

"They say, when you meet the love of your life, time stops, and that's true. What they don't tell you is that when it starts again, it moves extra fast to catch up. "

Thrown into the mix are tiny indications that Will is not so unlike his father as he thinks. He is shown as a personable person as well as a salesman of a different kind, but a salesman nevertheless. Even though over the years, his love of his fathers tales has dwindled, there is a look on his face be it intentional or not, that shows that the child inside still believes his father. This is what the rest of the movie is about, forget the tall tales for a second, Will is slowly discovering that those tales his father has told is his father and that he has lost touch with that particular element within himself. Big Fish is his rediscovery of self.

Big Fish is Tim Burton's career masterpiece. I value it over Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and the rest simply because it has a heart, or more of one than the others. While one more may currently rank higher on the list, and it is none of the aforementioned, I do not think it will remain as such. Big Fish reminds me that the world has more to offer than what is merely tangible, our imagination can achieve anything no matter how grandiose or miniscule. While some may criticize the continuity of the film or parts that simply make no sense, they are missing the point entirely. Lose sight of reality and enjoy the ride, it is a fairy tale after all, and a damn enjoyable one if you allow it to be. I love this movie with all my heart.

"The man tells his stories so many times that he becomes the stories. They live on after him. And in that way, he becomes immortal. "

http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/big_fish/02.jpeg

[TylerDurden182]

Big Fish- 9/10

[LegionX]

I must be one of the few that thinks Big Fish wasnt all that good...

[cerealkiller182]

9/10 true cinematic gold. Very heartfelt. I havnt gotten that type of reaction from a movie in along time.

[Rated R]

#77

http://www.cinelove.com/cinelove/main/pds/poster/c/Casino.jpg

Casino

Directed by Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Kevin Pollak, Alan King, Frank Vincent and Don Rickles.

"No matter how big a guy might be, Nicky would take him on. You beat Nicky with fists, he comes back with a bat. You beat him with a knife, he comes back with a gun. And you beat him with a gun, you better kill him, because he'll keep comin' back and back until one of you is dead."

My parents did not want me to watch Casino after they watched it, and they said it wasn't a good movie after it was over. This was when it first came out on video in 1996, I was almost twelve and I also thought it looked bad. I was young, and I hadn't yet seen Goodfellas. Cut to a couple months later and I see Goodfellas for the first time and decide I want to watch all of Scorsese's work. I tell my parents this and at first they were reluctant to let their twelve year old watch violent rated r films...but I got around that.

Now Casino is in my top hundred but has significantly dropped from its once top twenty spot. I love the film, but in truth it is a bit long and at times completely unsympathetic. Sam "Ace" Rothstein ends up being the only semi-likable character due to his morals and beliefs in trust and love. His "friends" like Nicky are completely revolting and not in the fun way like Pesci's turn in Goodfellas. See, in the same way, Henry Hill was such a great character as he did terrible things you never stop liking him and that's why Casino falls short.

"Back home, they put me in jail for what I'm doing. Here, they give me awards. "

Now enough Goodfellas comparisons, Casino does in fact stand on its own. Amazing cinematography, very good performances (Stone's most plausible one), a killer soundtrack as always from Scorsese and an interesting story about trust and greed.

Ace knows what he has to do with his life, he's a gambler, a good one and that's what he does. In Vegas he is a king, to the point that he is given a top position in a Casino to make sure guys like him don't scam them. Sure he doesn't have a gaming license but he applies for one and changes his title every couple months to keep the process going. Nothing could go wrong...hold that thought, he has ties to the mob back home and his old friend Nicky Santoro is moving to town to keep an eye on him.

Everything spirals out of control for those around him, his wife becomes a drug addict and continues to return to her deadbeat ex-boyfriend Lester Diamond (Woods sleazified to the max), Nicky gets so far over his head that he's blacklisted from all the Casinos and then the bodies hit the floor all while Ace tries to maintain the Casino he's at and make sure his wife whom he loves does not destroy the future for their daughter.

"Running a casino is like robbing a bank with no cops around. For guys like me, Las Vegas washes away your sins. It's like a morality car wash. "

Just typing up the basic plot description is enough to make me smile, it's a great tale. De Niro pulls off the gambling man to a T and while Pesci is completely evil, that's what he's paid to do. And while the story keeps me glued to the screen, this is one of those movies where you tell your friends just how brutal the violence gets. You can talk about the pen to the guys throat in the bar but nothing compares to the beating in the desert at the end, the baseball bats to the heads echo with pops, it's sickening. It's over the top, sure but that's the point being made...this lifestyle is dangerous and has no long-lasting pros, it always ends up with cons.

Scorsese is a master of modern cinema and it will be a shame if he leaves this world without an Academy Award for directing, but I am in the school that says his most recent films are undeserving of this honor. He was not even nominated for Casino...even though he should have been over Quiz Show or Bullets Over Broadway in my opinion...but that's me. Casino is a film that will test how much you can stomach, but watch it anyway and let me know if you agree that Ace is a good person who's just good at the dishonest way of life. The scenes near the end with his daughter are evidence enough for me.

"When you love someone, you've gotta trust them. There's no other way. You've got to give them the key to everything that's yours. Otherwise, what's the point? And, for a while, I believed that's the kind of love I had."

http://www.rtsi.ch/prog/images/Trasm/Fg_scorsese_casino-b.jpg

[thedudeman69]

Casino is a fucking brillant flick. It is one of my favorites and alot better than Goodfellas, which is a solid flick too.

[ChemicalRomance]

Big Fish

Made me blubber like a freaking baby. It stumbles out of the gate but after a little bit it really picks up the pace and sucks you into this world unlike many you see in cinema these days or ever. The film really strikes a chord with me, and really made me love my family even more than I already do. Really just beautiful and incredibly heartfeld all the way through. 9/10

Casino

Dissapointing. Good. But nowhere near GoodFellas. Nowhere! 8/10

[TylerDurden182]

Casino is good, but it is not better than Goodfellas.

[LegionX]

Casino was fantastic but I agree... Goodfellas was better

[ilovemovies]

Big Fish has some truly magical moments including the very touching ending. But overall, I thought it was a good but not great movie.

Casino is terrific if not on the same level as the underrated, overlooked and underappreciated gem, Bringing Out the Dead or Goodfellas as well.


#100 The Life Aquatic * 1/2
#99 Garden State ****
#98 Grosse Point Blank ***
#97 American Beauty ****
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off ****
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead ****
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation *** 1/2
#89 25th Hour ***
#88 Beetlejuice *** 1/2
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan ****
#84 Groundhog Day *** 1/2
#83 Carlito's Way ****
#82 Bull Durham N/A
#81 The Shining **
#80 Memento ****
#79 Terminator 2 ****
#78 Big Fish ***
#77 Casino *** 1/2


Pretty damn great list so far. With the exception of The Shining and The Life Aquatic and the flicks I haven't seen, I've liked everything else.

[mindkiss69]

I think that Casino is much better than Goodfellas. A much more entertaining storyline, and more suspense.

[Rated R]

To each his own mindkiss...but as you can tell, Goodfellas is pretty high on my list...ie. number one. That is a shame that the list is not really leading up to a surprise, but up until my top two I hope you are surpised, delighted and maybe even a bit pissed. Anywho, here's one that might inspire all three...

#76

http://images.art.com/images/-/Army-of-Darkness-Style-A--C10133051.jpeg

Army of Darkness

Directed by Sam Raimi

Starring Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Ian Abercrombie and Bridget Fonda.

"Well, I've got news for you pal, you ain't leadin' but two things: Jack and shit... and Jack just left town. "

Say what you will, but this movie is hilarious. One-liners galore plus a few scenes of slapstick make Army of Darkness an easy to watch flick any time...as long as you're willing to shut off your mind when you do it.

Granted, Evil Dead 2 is probably the best of the series as far as story, balance of horror and humour, but it is not on the list simply because I cannot pop it in an enjoy it as easily as I can the third one. Army of Darkness puts me in a good mood any time I see it. It's absolutely ridiculous, and a friend of mine hates it simply because he can't get past certain impossibilities. For example, using the chemistry textbook to create gunpowder...uh, he was transported back in time 700 years by the book of the dead to fight an army of skeletons...come on, this is not a movie to pick out plot holes! Shut off your mind and laugh at it, it's just fun.

Who doesn't ike Ash? He's charming, has charisma up to wazoo and must have a rolodex of one-liners in his back pocket. Bruce Campbell is so underutilized, and now that he's older we probably will never see him in a plethora of roles in the cinema. I just thank Sam Raimi everytime I see Bruce Campbell for giving him continuous roles in his films. Hell, even Jack of All Trades was at least fun. I like movies of all colors, and sometimes I just want to sit back, laugh and be entertained instead of focusing on a heavy plot.

"Give Me Some Sugar Baby."

What is your favourite scene of Army of Darkness? Mine would have to be the grand finale of the theatrical cut(not the bootleg where he slept too long) where he has just finished telling his story and shoots the hell out of the deadite in the S-Mart. Right there you get everything, the hot piece of ass, the Hail to the King one-liner, ridiculous amount of ammo used in a row from a shotgun...and Ash just kicking ass. Otherwise throw in the scene where he gets thrown in the pit early on and the scene in the graveyard with the books...GOLD!

I was always hoping for an Evil Dead 4 (or Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash) but it will probably not happen. Raimi is off doing his Spider-Man movies and Bruce is writing books...oh well I will always have Army of Darkness to remind me of how wonderful Ash is...if I were gay, oh think of the possibilities!

"Good...Bad...I'm The Guy With The Gun."

http://home.swipnet.se/~w-12947/Gfx/AoD/army14.jpg

[ilovemovies]

This is actually the only one of the Evil Dead movies I've seen. I thought it was so-so.


#100 The Life Aquatic * 1/2
#99 Garden State ****
#98 Grosse Point Blank ***
#97 American Beauty ****
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off ****
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead ****
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation *** 1/2
#89 25th Hour ***
#88 Beetlejuice *** 1/2
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan ****
#84 Groundhog Day *** 1/2
#83 Carlito's Way ****
#82 Bull Durham N/A
#81 The Shining **
#80 Memento ****
#79 Terminator 2 ****
#78 Big Fish ***
#77 Casino *** 1/2
#76 Army of Darkness ** 1/2

[LegionX]

Army of darkness was a good film... nice choice.

[ChemicalRomance]

Don't have anything to say about this one except:

::gazes at the beauty that is the Army of Darkness poster hanging above this very desk::

[Rated R]

Army of Darkness is getting the response I figured it would...some love it, some only kind of like it...and while there hasn't been a post on it, I have met people who downright hate it (see post about friend not being able to believe it). Anyway, I am curious to see the reaction concerning...

#75

http://www.tigersweat.com/images/ariz00.jpg

Raising Arizona

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

Starring Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Trey Wilson, John Goodman, William Forsythe, Frances McDormand, M. Emmet Walsh and Randall "Tex" Cobb.

Transition from screwball horror comedy to screwball Coen comedy. Raising Arizona is a lighthearted film with a few Coen Brother obscurities thrown in there for good measure to keep the audience wondering if some aspects meant more than their face value. While there may lie deeper meaning in certain plot points, there are also several scenes of slapstick lunacy that keep the film from being too high brow...in fact, not much of the film is high brow and that extended interpretation could be viewed as debatable...but oh well.
"Give me that baby, you warthog from hell! "

Nicolas Cage (in what I consider to be one of his more enjoyable roles), plays a repeat convict of robbery that falls in love with a police officer named Ed (short for Edwina) played by Holly Hunter. They try their damndest after marriage to have a child but discover that she is barren and cannot adopt due to his criminal record. What they decide to do is kidnap one of the quints had by the famous Nathan Arizona...but you know who he is.

Through desperation, the couple acquired the child and perhaps it was karma or just bad luck that everything came undone at the seams. H.I.'s (Cage) con friends just broken out of prison stop by trying to convince him to join them on a score...he is being blackmailed by his former boss and a bounty hunter on a motorcycle from his dream is after him and their new baby. What happens next is as I already said...lunacy.

"Ma'am, you don't breast-feed him, he'll hate you for it later. That's why we wound up in prison. "

***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***


Where the deeper meaning may lie is in the identity of Leonard Smalls (Cobb), the bounty hunter with the "Mama Didn't Love Me" tattoo. We first see him in H.I.'s dream and is soon scamming Nathan Arizona out of more money for the missing child. In a fight at the end to save the child, H.I. reveals another tattoo, one of Woody Woodpecker, the same he himself also has. This occurs shortly after H.I. pulls the pin on a grenade from the vest of Smalls. H.I. apologizes as Smalls explodes. After several indications that H.I. had a difficult upbringing accompanied with Smalls' tattoo of his mother, it brings up the idea that the death of Smalls in some way represents the death of H.I.'s criminal or evil side. He finally is ready to take on life's responsibilities and no longer look for the quick thrill. In order to save the child, he risked part of himself and the good side prevailed.



***END POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

Now you can look at it that way, or you can take it as a funny story about a desperate couple and their desire to be parents thrown into uncomfortable situations. The best is when H.I. reverts to his old instincts and tries to rob a convenience store and is then involved in a chase by police, random dogs, Ed and the store clerk...hilarity ensues.

"I tried to stand up and fly straight, but it wasn't easy with that sumbitch Reagan in the White House. I dunno. They say he's a decent man, so maybe his advisors are confused. "

One thing I always note is the performance by William Forsythe. I have seen him in other roles and he always comes off as gruff, gritty and tough...but here he's a doofus hillbilly. Compared to his later films you would hardly be able to recognize him, that's how amazing of a job he did here...it's a shame he didn't do more like this. John Goodman as always is top notch and of course Cage and Hunter keep the movie going. Nic Cage, when provided with good writers and filmmakers, can pull a decent performance out of his ass...but many times he's just bunk.

The Coen Brothers are my favourite filmmakers, have been for some time now and I have been disappointed in their recent work as most others have been as well. To be honest, even The Ladykillers is better than most Hollywood fare but seems like a letdown compared to their other work. But every time I watch Raising Arizona, Barton Fink or the others further up this list or the ones that barely missed it, I know that they will rebound and could possibly be saving their best effort for a year to come, I'll be waiting.

"It Sure Ain't Ozzie And Harriet."

http://cache.indemand.com/shared/prod/16213_inhd.jpg

[GoldenGhost]

I'm actually on the hunt for some more Coen Brothers films, 'Blood Simple' 'Fargo' and 'The Big Lebowski' have all impressed me. I love their sense of storytelling, there's something really wicked and goofy about them, and jesus they can tell a tale. Raising Arizona is their 2nd film? Anyway, I'm going to splash out on all their work once I've got some money in my pocket after Christmas.

[LegionX]

NIIIIIIIIIIICE

[thedudeman69]

This film was kick ass and hilarous. Nic Cage and John Goodman were hilarous.

[TylerDurden182]

Fucking hilarious movie. Nicolas Cage owns.

[Rated R]

Hmmm, well I may as well continue as exams are just about to start...just this week...and I start working again full time once exams are done...oh joy.

#74

http://www.alyon.org/generale/theatre/cinema/affiches_cinema/d/d-dem/dead_man.jpg


Dead Man

Directed by Jim Jarmusch

Starring: Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Crispin Glover, Gabriel Byrne, John Hurt, Robert Mitchum, Mili Avital, Lance Henriksen, Michael Wincott, Iggy Pop, Billy Bob Thornton and Alfred Molina.

What a cast, what a dream cast. Not many directors can get this many A-list actors together for a single project. Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese and the Coens come to mind instantly...but most people I talk to do not even know who Jim Jarmusch is.

Dead Man is about an accountant (Depp) who has the same name of a famous poet, William Blake. He arrives by train in a town where he supposedly has a job waiting and it no longer is. He kills a man in self-defence when he is found by the man while sleeping with his wife. Blake flees, wounded, and is accompanied by a Native (Farmer) aptly titled Nobody.

What follows is a man on the run from what he has done, on the run from the men paid to kill him and on the run from the truth about himself. With help from Nobody he goes on a spiritual journey to understand his meaning of life while trying to survive the wound from the gunshot he sustained.

Depp is the man. Now I knew that already but when I saw Dead Man my respect for him went up another few notches. He completely immerses himself in his character and becomes them, he feels their pain and innermost sorrows; he is not just putting on a face. Along with Jarmusch's poetic direction we are treated to a wonder of a film. It is a journey, a quick one through a new place that we are discovering just as Blake is. Characters do not stay long after we meet them other than Nobody and maybe Cole (Henriksen), otherwise they serve a quick purpose to further the plot or to provide slight insight before moving on. In a slowly burning way, Dead Man is fast paced without the movement.

This is a movie I could write pages and pages on, but I will elect not to as it is also a movie I do not wish to risk spoiling for those who have not yet watched it. I suggest that you rent or buy (it is not expensive) and watch it now. You will be amazed at the cinematography, it is so beautifully shot it sometimes looks like a nature documentary when no dialogue is being spoken.

Only recently have I become a Jim Jarmusch fan watching this, Coffee and Cigarettes and Broken Flowers. He has an interesting way about his films that flow so well and are just so nice to look at without saying what it means verbally. Jarmusch tells his stories visually, and I can understand why some people may get confused. In Coffee And Cigarettes it is all about conversations, but more can be seen on their faces and gestures than what they necessarily are saying. In Dead Man, Blake is told to find his inner meaning and we are supposed to come to our own conclusion without being told what to think. Great movie, great filmmaker.

http://www.pandorafilm.com/produktion/movies/dead-man/dead-man_9.jpg

[thedudeman69]

Brillant flick. Oscar-worthy performance by Depp.

[TylerDurden182]

In my top 20 films of all time. Excellent.

[LegionX]

Awsome movie.....

[screamer581]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
This is actually the only one of the Evil Dead movies I've seen. I thought it was so-so.


Blasphemy! :) I loved Army Of Darkrness (8/10), but I prefered Evil Dead II (8.5/10). Good pick regardless R! Oh yeah, I only watched half of Dead Man at a friend's house, I need to give it a full watch before I can grade it, but I was quite interested while watching the first half. I don't know about the Neil Young soundtrack though...


P.S. I love Neil Young.

[Rated R]

I finished writing the first segment of my twelve page essay due next tuesday and I decided to check and see what the next flick on my list was. Instead of studying for my exam tomorrow I invested a couple hours this afternoon to revisit an old favourite that I first saw when I was in high school.

#73

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00012FXAE.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


Aliens

Directed by James Cameron

Starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, and Paul Reiser.


"We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly."

For the longest time, this was the only film from the Alien series that I had seen, even before the original since heard it was the best. What I will say is that much like each one it has a completely different feel to it. The first one was a suspenseful mystery, the third had elements of an ancient tragedy and the fourth was an all out gore-fest. So what is Aliens? It is one of the best damn action movies of all time.

I remember showing this to a friend a few years back telling him how action packed it was. We're all set to go and after an hour and nothing has really happened action wise he turns to me and tells me what he thinks. "It's not bad, but where's all this action you were...oh there it is." Almost as soon as he says it the Aliens are coming in hordes, flamethrowers and guns blasting and it only barely lets up every few minutes or so until the bitter end.

"Oh dear Lord Jesus, this ain't happening, man... This can't be happening, man! This isn't happening! "

If Cameron instead had the action all the way, then it would have been overload. On the flip side, if the payoff was not as extreme as it was, it would not nearly have lived up to expectations. What we do have is a well balanced action thriller that has aged extraordinarily well so any generation of movie freaks can enjoy it.

Ripley (Weaver) awakens fifty seven years after the end of the first movie and the planet she alone escaped from has been colonized by humans. Communications have been lost, so a group of marines are being sent to investigate and they've asked a reluctant Ripley to join them as a consultant. When they arrive, all is quiet...too quiet until the storm finally hits and no one is safe.

Why Aliens works so well, in conjunction with the perfect execution and balance, is that Cameron does everything he should to create a good sequel. Everything is bigger and badder. The risks are greater (they can't shoot their rounds inside the base or a reaction will trigger causing nuclear meltdown). And of course in what may have been the inspiration for Metroid and Mother Brain, the mother of all the Aliens is the final confrontation and is set up perfectly from earlier in the film while questionning how the Alien eggs came to exist.

"Game over man...GAME OVER!"

The movie Doom that came out this year has many elements of Aliens in it...but the problem is that none of the characters in Doom held my attention, nor did I care if any of them lived or died. In Aliens, I was entertained greatly by Private Hudson and his paranoid wisecracks. Corporal Hicks is a genuine hero and Bishop, well he's a synthetic human that's much more evolved than any before. In Doom, they were all faceless and that asshat Karl Urban was there and in my opinion the guy is a one-note piece of shit actor that is only there for his marginal looks. I bet Vasquez could kick his ass anyday.

This, to me is James Cameron's best film and I kind of feel bad leaving it this low in my list but it's the way it is. He was technologically ahead of his time and created some of the most memorable films in my lifetime. Aliens is the perennial action film, not many before were as good (only a couple) and not many since have come close. Do I think that if James Cameron helmed Alien Vs. Predator that it would have been better? Is that even a worthy question? Soon I hope Cameron releases another movie, and even if it is in the same vein as Titanic, I will still respect it for it's inevitably flawless filmmaking. A pioneer that many now overlook due to his recent absence, but I won't forget...ever.

Also, Bill Paxton has been killed by an Alien, Predator and Terminator...am I the only one who finds that tidbit of info hilarious?

http://media.outnow.ch/Movies/Images/1986/Aliens/movie.1/07.jpg

[TylerDurden182]

Aliens- 10/10

Better than the original to me.

[VictimOfChanges]

Aliens - (8/10)

Good movie, but the original is betta.

[ChemicalRomance]

Aliens- 10/10

Better than the original? Yes.
One of the best finales in cinema? Yes.

[SpacePuppet]

Alien: (10/10) or A+
Aliens: (8/10) or A-

I'm not like most. I think the original Alien is the best.

[Rated R]

You're all acting as though I have stated I prefer this to the first Alien by rating the two of them at this time...oh you just wait...

[LegionX]

Originally posted by Rated R
You're all acting as though I have stated I prefer this to the first Alien by rating the two of them at this time...oh you just wait...

lol always got tricks up your sleeve.... lol good pick by the way.

[Rated R]

Well I was just about to watch the next entry and remembered I have an exam I haven't started to study for that occurs at 9am on Saturday morning. Gotta call into work tomorrow to study so maybe Saturday night I will have an update...big maybe as I have a 13-page paper due on tuesday, the same night as my final exam of the semester.

Anyway this is a bit of a pointless bump as I just don't want the thread to drift into the abyss of the next page, also I'd like to see some feedback from the schmoes who have yet to post their thoughts...good bad or ugly, doesn't matter to me.

[mindkiss69]

I gotta congrat you, for someone to post a top 100 of anything shows that they have alot of knowledge in that thing. I listen to alot of rap and have alot of knowledge in it, but I doubt that I could make a top 100 list, let alone a top 30 without having a migrane from judging who is better than the other person.

[Rated R]

Oh believe me, it was a pain in the ass when I did it. I was in my hotel room with nothing to do this summer and decided to do it. I took consideration from the top tens I've been doing for the past eight or nine years, then looked at my favourite directors and actors. Looked at the imdb top 250, etc. I don't claim to be an expert, I just love movies and these are the ones I love most of all.

[Rated R]

And it is time...oh yes it is time...

#72

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009W0WM.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Casablanca

Directed by Michael Curtiz

"Round up the Usual Suspects."

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Reins, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Dooley Wilson, and Peter Lorre.

What can be said about Casablanca that hasn't been said already? It is well acted, visually stunning, a captivating story filled with intrigue and mystery...and of course some of the best quotes you'll ever find...often spoken incorrectly too.

"Of All The Gin Joints In All the Towns In All The World, She Had To Walk Into Mine."

Sure, I think AFI was a bit overboard with loving Casablanca in the top 100 quotes, but at the same time I loved each and every one of the quotes they listed. Sure some could have been left off in favor of a Goodfellas quote, but it's just another subjective list that not everyone will agree with (heh). For a film that was so difficult to get made at the time, and not much confidence from the studio in the first draft, what ended up on screen was pure gold.

The way Casablanca is set up from the beginning is perfect. The audience is shown how rough and dangerous the place is with people running from the law, and pickpockets using keen misdirection. The idea that crime is so common that the usual band of miscreants are easy to find make the unfolding events that much more interesting.

During the early going in the second world war, an exiled American in occupied Morrocco, running a bar is entrusted with letters of transit from a man set to sell them to a couple attempting to flee overseas. The man, an unsavoury character himself, is arrested shortly after and killed because he was involved in the murder of two Germans carrying the letters of transit. It turns out, one of the people looking for these letters is a former love of Rick (Bogart) and her husband a freedom fighter from Slovakia. Jealously and old flames ignite as tensions soar between the Nazi's in town and those attempting to flee, Rick turns back to drinking.

"Here's Lookin' at You Kid."

Bogart owns the screen, I mean this guy had presence, he could undress a girl with his eyes from across the room and they'd melt. Humphrey Bogart could beat up Superman, this is just how cool and smooth he is. In Casablanca, he plays the cynical lovelorn ass hole so well that you love him, but you also think that he's a complete dick. Ingrid Bergman is gorgeous, and I wish I lived in that time so I could have married her, but alas I will have to live that fantasy in only my dreams. To round out the top billed cast, Paul Henreid is spot on as the driven Victor Laszlo, who cares so much about the freedom of the world that the love he holds for his wife is occasionally not noticed.

Some of you will comment on how low it is on my list...well Citizen Kane and Schindler's List ain't even on here and I like them both, so it's just personal taste. Casablanca may move up a few spots though because re-watching it for the first time since '02 reminded me of how well rounded it truly is. So many of my friends still haven't seen it, but they will...maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow...but someday...

http://images.zap2it.com/ltvimages/images/shows/c/casablanca/casablanca_big_005.jpg

[TylerDurden182]

Casablanca- 9/10

[LegionX]

Wow you my friend are awsome..... Fantastic movie.... Great choice!

[ilovemovies]

I think both Aliens and Casablanca should be MUCH higher on the list. Love both.

[ChemicalRomance]

Sadly I've never seen it...

...but VERY ironically I am watching it tonight!

[Bogey93']

Casablanca was recently my favorite film of all times until i saw four others that i loved even more. But it's still further on the list than yours, Rated R. #5.

[Cronos]

98 Grosse Point Blank - 10/10
97 American Beauty - 10/10
95 Angel Heart - 9/10
94 Bringing Out the Dead - 9/10
93 Blazing Saddles - 6/10
90 Adaptation - 6/10
89 25th Hour - 9/10
88 Beetlejuice - 10/10
85 Saving Private Ryan - 10/10
84 Groundhog Day - 9/10
83 Carlito's Way - 9/10
81 The Shining - 10/10
80. Memento - 10/10
79. Termintor 2 - 10/10
78. Big Fish - 9/10
77. Casino - 10/10
76. Army Of Darkness - 9/10
75. Raising Arizona - 4/10
74. Aliens - 10/10

[Rated R]

#71

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004W4HA.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Fight Club

Directed By David Fincher

Starring: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter, Jared Leto, Meat Loaf.

"The Things You Own End Up Owning You."

Who are you really? What determines your identity? Is it where you work, where you go to school, what you like, what you watch? Are you what you wear, are you who you hang out with? Identity is a tricky thing, and sometimes the truth of that is lost in a person when they feel helpless and without direction or purpose.

I remember when I first watched Fight Club when it came out in theatres in 1999. I was 15 years old and was mostly interested in seeing a movie about ass kicking with a bunch of violence. It ended up being my first step into the world of outlandish twists and analytical thinking about the structure of society. At the time however, the societal statements within were not quite acknowledged by my youthful eagerness to talk about the fighting.

It's unfortunate too, because many people dismiss it as such, just a mindless film about people practicing brutality on each other for kicks; almost as unfortunate as the people who watch it and that is all they see (even when I was younger I knew there was something more than the violence, but the violence is what I focused on more). A statement is being made in Fight Club, one that many of us have contemplated or even acted upon. It is a statement that is of importance but should also not get out of hand as it does in the movie.

"On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero."

The statement, the political and societal one presented in Fight Club is anti-establishment, anti-corporations and anti-consumerism. It tells us the opposite of the popular media, Fight Club says that our clothes are nothing more than fibres and materials to keep us warm. Our belongings are just things, they should serve no spiritual purpose. Then it goes into the greater territory, the corporations are ruling the world, making money on people's desperation to belong. Wear Gap Khakhi's and you can be just like these "beautiful" people.

So what happens? Tyler Durden creates an army of bitter, lost men and they wage war on corporate America through vandalism and crime. The ironic thing is that Fight Club itself becomes a franchise, a new alternative corporation to the rest. The individual is destroyed as they are all faceless soldiers fighting to destroy the walls of conformity while conforming to achieve it! All it is, is another group of people finding something that works and making it grow so big that it is no longer what it started as. There is greed where once there was only a dream to make things better.

"Our fathers were our models for God. If our fathers bailed, what does that tell you about God? "

It was a plan that originated as a way to escape reality, in order to get in touch with the more primitive aspects of personality that have been lost in the corporate world. Fight Club pays attention to the fact that most people hate their jobs and many take their lives and possessions far too seriously instead of letting go and truly living. The problem is that the drones he tells this to are weak minded in the movie, they become his slaves, his drones and they never truly evolve despite feeling as though they belong and that they are accomplishing something. Maybe weak minded is not the right term, it is more like they were duped and never realized it. Then the question arises...would it be so bad if what they did actually happened and would it really work?

Fight Club is a movie that has jumped up and down my list, it has been in my top twenty and it has also fallen out of my top 100 entirely. After this viewing since I have been taking Sociology in school I think I was given a different perspective on the subject matter. I hate my Sociology class, but the prof has opened up my thinking without teaching much else of use. Before, I don't really know what went through my head, maybe I focused too much on the twist or I thought too heavily about the fighting and the antisocial behaviour instead of looking at the correlation between the two worlds.

"We Are The All Singing, All Dancing Crap Of The World."

In any case, I have decided that Fight Club is worthy of my list and is indeed a classic in my books. I also find irony in the fact that Brad Pitt is the image that his character mocks, he is the pretty boy, underwear-model type man. He is who we read about in those bullshit magazines, and that is what I think is absolutely hilarious. Durden himself is a trendy dressing cocky fuck who is just Jack's version of himself he wishes he was anyway, and it all goes back to what he saw on television. Tyler Durden is not a revolutionary, he had interesting ideas that got out of hand.

So who are you? Are you your bank account? Are you your wardrobe? Every day I know a little bit more about myself, and every day I worry about the things that I own...the things that own me. It is the society I live in, we live in. Who I am should not be reflected in what I own, but it's something that is hard to avoid. I am working on it, how about you? Do you really know yourself?

http://twoday.net/static/rafael/images/fight%20club.jpg

[TylerDurden182]

Fight Club- 10+/10






<--------------

[ChemicalRomance]

I knew this would be here, not a bad thing that is so low, but it is surprising.

However, I love this film as well, though overtime it seems the more movies I watch the lower it sinks on my list. I think I'm due for a rewatch on this, even though I've seen it so many times it's still a great movie.

10/10

[LegionX]

lol and the list gets better and better....nice!

[thedudeman69]

Great film. Fincher is the man. 10/10

[ilovemovies]

I do love this movie but I am glad it's this low because I'm sure it would make my top 100 but it definately wouldn't make my top 30. Top 50 maybe, but not 30.

[redorblue01]

Incredible film
10/10

[SamSanchez]

This a GREAT list so far, a shame that a few have already been listed this far down (fight club, barton fink, etc..) but still, great taste.

#100 The Life Aquatic 8.5/10
#99 Garden State 8.5/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty 9/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 7.5/10
#95 Angel Heart 8.5/10
#94 Bringing Out the Dead N/A
#93 Blazing Saddles 8/10
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink 10/10
#90 Adaptation N/A
#89 25th Hour 8/10
#88 Beetlejuice 6/10
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless 8/10
#85 Saving Private Ryan 8/10
#84 Groundhog Day N/A
#83 Carlito's Way 8/10
#82 Bull Durham 7.5/10
#81 The Shining 10/10
#80 Memento 9.5/10
#79 Terminator 2 8/10
#78 Big Fish 9/10
#77 Casino 7/10
#76 Raising Arizona 8.5/10
#75 Dead Man 9/10
#74 Aliens 8.5/10
#73 Casabalanca 9/10
#72 Fight Club 10/10




Yeah, as for Coen Brothers go.....9 out of their 11 films would have easily made my Top 100 list, Barton Fink and Big Lebowski topping the list. So yeah, for people still hoping to check out some Coen Brothers, just stay away from Intolerable Cruelty and Ladykillers, and you won't be disappointed.

[morricone]

Meh.


Fight Club - 5/10

[Sigur509]

My ratings so far:

100 The Life Aquatic 10/10
99 Garden State 10/10
98 Grosse Point Blank 8/10
97 American Beauty 10/10
96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
90 Adaptation 10/10
89 25th Hour 9/10
88 Beetlejuice 8/10
84 Groundhog Day 10/10
81 The Shining 10/10
80 Memento 9/10
79 Terminator 2 8/10
78 Big Fish 10/10
76 Raising Arizona 610
75 Dead Man 810
74 Aliens 8/10
72 Fight Club 10/10

[zombievictim]

My list so far

#100 The Life Aquatic N/A
#99 Garden State 9/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank 7/10
#97 American Beauty N/A
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off 8/10
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead N/A
#93 Blazing Saddles 9/10
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation N/A
#89 25th Hour N/A
#88 Beetlejuice 7/10
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan 8/10
#84 Groundhog Day 8/10
#83 Carlito's Way N/A
#82 Bull Durham N/A
#81 The Shining 10/10
#80 Memento N/A
#79 Terminator 2 10/10
#78 Big Fish 7/10
#77 Casino 7/10
#76 Raising Arizona 7/10
#75 Dead Man N/A
#74 Aliens 8.5/10
#73 Casabalanca N/A
#72 Fight Club 10/10

I really haven't seen alot of these movies. I'm quite ashamed of myself

[Rated R]

#70

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00007AJGH.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Starring Bob Hoskins, and Christopher Lloyd


A childhood favourite of mine. This morning around four am I decided to watch it when I was still in the bag and could not sleep for the life of me. I say that the effects in this movie, the scenes where toons and humans interact, are better than most CGI today. Even in the new King Kong there were times that it just looked too superimposed (when they were running from the dinosaurs). In Who Framed Roger Rabbit, those moments simply aren't there, it's virtually seamless.

Now SFX do not a movie make...but the following reasons are why this movie is phenomenal: Disney and Warner characters interacting in some great moments. The scene early on when Daffy and Donald are dueling pianos is possibly my favourite scene in the whole movie with their banter back and forth and the constant abuse. It's cartoon violence so it's okay! Next is when Eddie Valiant (Hoskins) is falling from the bathroom in a toon skyscraper and Bugs and Mickey are falling with him, Bugs gives valiant his "spare" that is actually a spare tire, not parachute. Ending this scene is the classic..."ain't I a stinker?"

The story is fun, Valiant is a private eye that has hated toons ever since one of them killed his brother by dropping a piano on his head. He's hired to take pictures of Jessica Rabbit playing paddy-cake with old man Acme in what he discovers is nothing more than a blackmail plot. When Acme turns up dead, all signs point to Roger as a bit of revenge...and Judge Doom (Lloyd) wants nothing more than to put him in the dip. The dip is the only thing that kills a toon, and is it just me or when Doom kills the cartoon shoe it's quite evil, wow that's maybe something young children definitely shouldn't watch.

It's absolutely ridiculous but it makes me wish cartoon characters did walk amongst us, which is an even more ridiculous dream! Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a breakthrough in the SFX department and with great casting on Hoskins and Lloyd a great film was made. I suppose I can understand why someone wouldn't like it, they just don't like cartoons (like Valiant), but maybe if you gave it another chance you would come around (like Valiant)

I imagine this pick will come as a surprise to many, and some will wonder how I can place it above certain flicks. Either way I love this movie and I hope you do too. Thanks for the comments so far and I think there were more replies for Fight Club than any other so far, keep em coming.

http://www.screenselect.co.uk/images/products/screenshots/1/11431-5-large.jpg

Fav. Quotes: "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."
"Thith ith the latht time I work with thomeone with a th-peech impediment."

[LegionX]

lol man I havent seen this movie in a long time! good choice.

[thedudeman69]

It was a damn fine movie that was ahead of its time. (8/10)

[TylerDurden182]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit- 7/10

[Lazy Boy]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is one of my cherished childhood flicks, and I still think the animation holds up pretty well compared to today's modern technology and improvments in computer graphics. I loved how it conjoined popular characters from the Disney and Looney Tunes worlds into one seamless world of animation.

[cerealkiller182]

Awesome, awesome, awesome pick.

Did you know Bob Hoskins suffered hallucinations after filming this movie? Wierd!

[blk_flower]

oh yes a childhood favorite

9.8/10 excellent

[SpacePuppet]

(10/10) or A+

A fun, clever movie.

[ChemicalRomance]

Haven't seen it in forever, but as a child this and FANTASIA ruled my life.

[Hannibal21]

At one point in my life, I was OBSESSED with Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and still think it is one of the most wildly imaginitive, entertaining, magical movies ever made, with a right dose of humor, splendid animation, the Film Noir feel, etc. Jessica Rabbit is also one of the HOTTEST characters ever, who cares if she's a cartoon? :D

My ratings so far (for the ones I have seen):

#99 Garden State - 5/10
#98 Grosse Point Blank - 7/10
#97 American Beauty - 7/10
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 8.5/10
#95 Angel Heart - 9/10
#94 Bringing Out the Dead - 8.5/10
#93 Blazing Saddles - 7/10
#92 The Grifters - 8.5/10
#91 Barton Fink - 8/10
#90 Adaptation - 8.5/10
#89 25th Hour - 8/10
#88 Beetlejuice - 8.5/10
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ - 8/10
#86 Fearless - 9/10
#85 Saving Private Ryan - 6/10
#84 Groundhog Day - 9/10
#83 Carlito's Way - 8.5/10
#82 Bull Durham - 8.5/10
#81 The Shining - 9.5/10
#80 Memento - 6/10
#79 Terminator 2 - 9/10
#78 Big Fish - 8.5/10
#77 Casino - 9/10
#76 Raising Arizona - 7/10
#74 Aliens - 9/10
#73 Casabalanca - 10+/10
#72 Fight Club - 6/10
#71 Who Framed Roger Rabbit? - 9.5/10

With a few exceptions, this is thus far a fantastic list with a really wide variety of films. :)

[ilovemovies]

#100 The Life Aquatic * 1/2
#99 Garden State ****
#98 Grosse Point Blank ***
#97 American Beauty ****
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off ****
#95 Angel Heart N/A
#94 Bringing Out the Dead ****
#93 Blazing Saddles N/A
#92 The Grifters N/A
#91 Barton Fink N/A
#90 Adaptation *** 1/2
#89 25th Hour ***
#88 Beetlejuice *** 1/2
#87 The Last Temptation of Christ N/A
#86 Fearless N/A
#85 Saving Private Ryan ****
#84 Groundhog Day *** 1/2
#83 Carlito's Way ****
#82 Bull Durham N/A
#81 The Shining **
#80 Memento ****
#79 Terminator 2 ****
#78 Big Fish ***
#77 Casino *** 1/2
#76 Army of Darkness ** 1/2
#75 Raising Arizona N/A
#74 Dead Man N/A
#73 Aliens ****
#72 Casablanca ****
#71 Fight Club ****
#70 Who Framed Roger Rabbit ****

[Rated R]

This will likely be my last entry until next week, and I haven't seen this memory for quite a while so I will just go from memory and talk about my first viewing.

#69

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0783226055.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Vertigo

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Starring James Stewart, and Kim Novak


In my limited Hitchcock experience I would have to say this is my favorite. Unfortunately I have just not found myself watching his films and it is not due to my avoiding of it...I just never sought it out. I saw The Birds when I was young and again a year or so ago and I loved it. I borrowed Psycho from a friend and thought it was okay, but not the masterpiece it has been touted as being. That being said I just never had the desire.

One day, while working at Video Stop (the video store in my hometown) on one of my crazy 10am-11pm shifts I threw this in the VCR to help kill my time. I was sucked into the mystery and intensity of the film. I think I ignored a few customers and pissed off a few others from how engrossed in it I was.

Now I have only seen it the once, and my memory is hazy so most of the details escape me and it bothers me. Why I haven't seen it since is that in the city I live in, none of the video stores have it that I can tell. I browse, I never ask if they have a particular film, maybe I should.

So then you must be asking...if he has only seen it once, and he does not remember much of it, how can it be in his top 100 let alone this high on it? I have an answer for you and I hope it is satisfactory. The film hit me when I saw it; it was the summer I finally introduced myself to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Dirty Harry and other classics in the video store...and they all became instant classics to me. Vertigo showed me that a movie from the fifties could be edgy and suspenseful when I was still in a mindset that they were all sappy and cheezy movies that had no spark...I was naive I know that now!

Vertigo gave me reason to want to see more Hitchcock (something I still have not done) and it glued me to the screen causing me to ignore my employee duties for two hours. James Stewart was amazing as I remember, far different from what I remember from Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and It's A Wonderful Life. He was a conflicted anti-hero that had visible flaws and was not just someone the audience would root for against all odds. He became possessive, obsessive and a little crazy.

Now if I haven't provided ample explanation I do apologize, but I do intend on purchasing this, perhaps in a Hitchcock boxset and I will further my knowledge of his work.

http://www.monochrom.at/english/pictures/Vertigo-still.jpg

[Kevin Smith fan]

here are the ones ive seen (only about half):
#100 The Life Aquatic-- A-(90)
#96 Ferris Bueller's Day Off--A- (92)
#94 Bringing Out the Dead--F (42)
#93 Blazing Saddles--C+(79)
#90 Adaptation--B+ (88)
#89 25th Hour--B (85)
#88 Beetlejuice--B+ (88)
#81 The Shining-- A- (90)
#80 Memento-- B (84)
#79 Terminator 2-- A+ (99)
#78 Big Fish--B- (83)
#76 Army of Darkness-- A (93)
#75 Raising Arizona--B+ (88)
#73 Aliens--B+ (89)
#71 Fight Club-- c+ (77)
#70 Who Framed Roger Rabbit--B (85)

[TylerDurden182]

Vertigo- 10/10

One of my favorite Hitchcock films.

[Hannibal21]

Great selection. VERTIGO rests firmly in my top 10 and is Hitchcock's masterpiece IMO. The haunting, dream like atmosphere, chemistry shared between Stewart and Novak, complex characters, unforgettable moments (the scene when Novak emerges out of the bathroom after her makeover is the single greatest moment to be seen in cinema IMO) and one of the greatest endings in film history...........all are just a few factors that make this film so great. This is also the best example of Hitchcock in his ability to effectively mislead the audience. I love this film.

10/10

[Sigur509]

I just watched this, and it now has a place in my top 10.

Great movie.

[Rated R]

Hmm, when the thread gets bumped to the second page, I think it's time to update...


#68

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/19/EMPIREAREPR.JPG

The Empire Strikes Back

Directed By Irvin Kershner

Starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse.

I loved Star Wars as a child. I remember being introduced to it by my friend Jared whom I have been friends with my entire life. I was around five or six when I saw them for the first time in the late 80's early 90's and I've been hooked ever since. Unfortunately with the arrival of the prequels I was set up for great disappointment that even the third installment did not fully deliver on. Until my dying day I will return to the original trilogy and think about what could have been, and most notably continue to watch The Empire Strikes Back.

Most sequels do not live up to the original let alone surpass it in quality, but Empire does it all. I agree wholeheartedly with Dante in Clerks about what makes Empire the best: "Empire" had the better ending. I mean, Luke gets his hand cut off, finds out Vader's his father, Han gets frozen and taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. I mean, that's what life is, a series of down endings. All "Jedi" had was a bunch of Muppets. " Of course my view is not as depressing as Dante puts it. The ending is best, it's a great cliffhanger with Han being taken away and Luke coming to grips with the truth of his family's past, great stuff here.

I may be working backwards but I now jump to the beginning, a beginning that tops every other SW film out there. HOTH! My friends argue that Hoth is nothing special and that I have a strange hard on for it, but I think the whole time spent in Hoth made a better movie than anything in the prequel trilogy. Luke is caught out in the snow by a Wampa and has to fight against the elements until he is saved by his comrades. Then the AT-AT's and other Imperial forces attack the rebel base in an amazing battle sequence. Hoth is excellent.

The team splits up, the Millennium Falcon goes to Cloud City to escape the Empire and Luke trains in Dagobah with Yoda fighting his own inclinations to the dark side that is revealed later to be a part of him through his father, Darth Vader. So much story, so well handled that is continues to boggle my mind why Lucas could not do the same thing a second time, maybe his contract with Satan only covered three films while the one with Fox was for six...

I like Jedi a lot, and A New Hope is what started it all, but for my dollar you will not see a more rounded film in the series. Some may dismiss it as sheer plot and character development with little meat on the bones but I disagree. I disagree because I feel that in this case, the setup is more exciting than the finish (although the opening of Jedi in Jabba's lair is very nice too). Sorry Star Wars fans, this is the one and only on the list.

PS. The poster above I have in my bedroom.
PPS. Anyone else wonder why Carrie Fisher is the only name hotlinked in my cast list?

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MELLO/14900.jpg

[TylerDurden182]

Empire Strikes Back- 7/10

[zombievictim]

Empire 9/10

[AngelDust06]

Nice choice Rated R.....Before I got accepted into Joblo I have been following your list as I did with everyone elses...You got a pretty solid list going...Love the choices thus far.

[Hannibal21]

Eh.....not a big STAR WARS fan by any means, but I haven't seen this in a long while so I may have to watch it again. For now, my rating is a 7/10.

[Rated R]

New Years Eve, a day before my eighth annual movie marathon and I continue my countdown before heading to the liquor store for my vodka to complete my white russian glory!

#67

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MG/189576.jpg

The Silence Of The Lambs

Directed by Jonathan Demme

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Scott Glenn, Anthony Heald, and Ted Levine.

This is easily the best of the Hannibal Lecter movies with the others just not hitting on all cylinders quite like this one did. The funny thing is, as I approach my 8th marathon, I remember that my first viewing of this one was on my very first Movie Marathon when I was in grade 10. I was glued to the screen, it was intense and had such an excellent story that my young mind was overloaded and I believe I passed out after it was over. That may have more to do with the fact that I had been awake for two days watching movies than the intensity of the film...but whatever.

Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins) is approached by Clarice Starling (Foster) for help on profiling a serial killer dubbed Buffalo Bill. The problem is that Lecter is in jail for murder himself and is not the most cooperative of people. His cryptic messages are not always what Starling is looking for and there are moments where it seems that he may be pushing them off track...all the while more bodies show up.

My favorite scene has to be the scene where Lecter escapes. It is so well filmed, and built up so well that even though you know it's coming, you still jump when he bites the guard. This is a phenomenal scene and I will always remember it. Otherwise I would have to say the whole sequence in Buffalo Bills home at the end. Ted Levine pulls out a great performance (shame he isn't in more) as the deranged and sheltered Bill. Despite his actions, and his rage he becomes a sympathetic character while Lecter is the more despicable one. Buffalo Bill's upbringing caused him to lose part of his sanity while Lecter just knew how to get away with his murders.

I'm sure most have seen this, and from my experience very few dislike it. I hope you enjoy this pick as much as the rest of the list. Happy New Year Schmoes!

Favorite Quote: "It rubs the lotion on the skin or else it gets the hose again. Yes it will Precious, won't it? It will get the hose!"

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MMPH/27717.jpg

[thedudeman69]

This movie is so good, that my mom didn't want me seeing it when I was old enough. :D

9/10

[TylerDurden182]

Silence of the Lambs- 9/10

[Sigur509]

Great movie. And best of all 3 films.

9/10

[Lazy Boy]

Good movie, but I don't agree with its Best Picture accolades. To me, it's all about Hannibal Lecter -- he's fascinating, and so is Hopkins' performance.

7/10 is my rating.

[AngelDust06]

niiiiiice....and the list gets better and better..

9/10

[ChemicalRomance]

Foster. Hopkins. Lecter. Starling.

Mmm! 10/10

[Hannibal21]

A modern classic, not only one of the best thrillers ever made, but also one of the best movies I've seen in my lifetime.

10/10

[AngelDust06]

Come on back Rated-R
bump

[Rated R]

Sorry guys, I went on an anti-computer week after new years and I plan on being on my computer less this semester as I do my readings and school work. I will post the rest of the movies in my list one by one, but without an in depth review, maybe a story about the first time I saw it or something but nothing too much. I got a 3.3 GPA last semester and I want to improve it, so thus I decided it. Anyway, enough on that shit, here's the next movie on the list.

#66

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/post/Fargo%201996.jpg

Fargo

Directed by The Coen Brothers

Starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare.

The Coens are my favorite filmmakers out there and Fargo, while I don't think it is their best film like many critics do, I think it is a phenomenal movie all in all despite my first viewing. I hated it with all the power of my being. I was annoyed at the characters, the accents that I thought at the time were overdone. My parents had rented it and I sat in on it making jokes throughout...I don't think they liked that. Cue to six months or so later, Fargo is on television unedited due to it being after nine in Canada and I just decide to leave it on and see if it was any better the second time. Needless to say, my tune changed and I was then quite excited for The Big Lebowski their next effort.

Favourite Scene: The whole sequence where Jerry Lundegard is just a step behind his father-in-law and Carl Showalter when several people are killed and Jerry only sees the aftermath.

Favourite Quote: "Oh, fuck it, I don't have to talk either, man! See how you like it. Just total fuckin' silence. Two can play at that game, smart guy. We'll just see how you like it. Total silence."

http://blog.chosun.com/web_file/blog/463/25463/5/fargo_woodchipper_1-ixflower.jpg

[Katsumoto]

An American Classic - 10/10

[ChemicalRomance]

Never really noticed the "huge" deal about it, though it isn't by any means a bad film.

8.5/10

[Rated R]

Meh, about to go to class so I figured I'd keep this going.

#65

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MG/144095.jpg

Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love The Bomb

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott.

Kubrick is a fantastic filmmaker and I went through a pase in high school where I was really into his movies and have never really tried to get into him since. I still haven't watched The Killing or Lolita or Barry Lyndon but I will. This however was a great flick. Dry wit mixed with some zany antics and deadpan comedy. I first watched it when I borrowed it from a friend in high school and loved it start to finish, and as you can plainly tell it is still beloved by me.

Favourite scene: The finale with the bomb crashing with Major Kong swinging his cowboy hat.

Favourite Quote: "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room."

http://i.cnn.net/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i23/DrStrangelove2_FF_300x225_030120041541.gif

[Rated R]

#64

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MG/189519.jpg

Tombstone

Directed By George P. Cosmatos

Starring Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Bill Paxton, Sam Elliott, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Dana Delaney, Paula Malcolmson, Charlton Heston, Billy Zane, Jason Priestly, Billy Bob Thornton

This is a favourite amongst my friends and I. We watched this probably once a month in grade eleven and every once in a while still gather to watch it. Now it may not be the best of its genre, but along with Unforgiven it is up there as far as best in the past thirty years. I love Kurt Russell as Earp (waaaaay better than Costner) but it is Kilmer who shines brighter than everyone else in this, although Boothe and Biehn are both excellent as villains in their own right. In all honesty, I will never understand it when someone tells me they don't like this movie, I end up asking if we even saw the same thing.

Favourite Scene: The gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

Favourite Quote: "I'm your huckleberry."

http://www.wildestwesterns.com/images/issue_3_images/kurt_russell_val_kilmer.jpg

[thedudeman69]

Fargo - 9/10
Dr. Strangelove - 10/10
Tombstone - 9/10, Kilmer was bad ass.

[TylerDurden182]

Fargo- 10/10
Dr. Strangelove- 10/10
Tombstone- 9/10

[AngelDust06]

Fargo- 9/10
Dr. Strangelove- 8/10
Tombstone- 9/10

Good to see ya back on this..

[Rated R]

#64

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/153/500761.jpg

Apocalypse Now

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Starring Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Marlon Brando, Laurence Fishburne, Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford.

I have not seen the redux version so I can not comment on it, but the theatrical cut hits all the right notes for this guy. From what I've heard the redux does not add all that much, in fact I've been told it weakens the film overall. Either way I love this film. I remember back in my high school graduation year I did a project on Viet Nam movies for my World Issues class and this is how I came to see Apocalypse Now for the first time. The focus on the inner demons and the evil of man in dark times in a dark place; the impressionability among men when in certain situations and the beautiful scenery. Great film.

Favourite Scene: The helicopters coming in to the tune of Ride of the Valkyries

Favourite Quote: "You smell that? Do you smell that?... Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for twelve hours. When it was all over I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' dink body. The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory. Someday this war's gonna end..."

http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/MyWebFilms/Oorlog/ApocalypseHelicopter2.jpg

[AngelDust06]

AWsome movie. Also a great choice.
9/10

[TylerDurden182]

Apocalypse Now- 10/10

[Puck Bond]

100. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou-8/10
99. Garden State-8/10
98. Grosse Pointe Blank-8/10
97. American Beauty-10/10
96. Ferris Bueller's Day Off-9/10
95. Angel Heart-N/A
94. Bringing Out the Dead-9/10
93. Blazing Saddles-8/10
92. The Grifters-9/10
91. Barton Fink-8/10
90. Adaptation.-8/10
89. 25th Hour-8/10
88. Beetlejuice-8/10
87. The Last Temptation of Christ-8/10
86. Fearless-8/10
85. Saving Private Ryan-10/10
84. Groundhog Day-8/10
83. Carlito's Way-8/10
82. Bull Durham-8/10
81. The Shining-10/10
80. Memento-9/10
79. Terminator 2: Judgment Day-9/10
78. Big Fish-9/10
77. Casino-9/10
76. Army of Darkness-7/10
75. Raising Arizona-8/10
74. Dead Man-N/A
73. Aliens-8/10
72. Casablanca-10/10
71. Fight Club-10/10
70. Who Framed Roger Rabbit-8/10
69. Vertigo-10/10
68. The Empire Strikes Back-9/10
67. The Silence of the Lambs-10/10
66. Fargo-10/10
65. Dr. Strangelove-10/10
64. Tombstone-8/10
63. Apocalypse Now-10/10

OK caught up...another list I have to keep track of...I'll write a little something on each film as like I'm doing with the others...

Great list so far Rated R! I thought you were on a roll...I thought maybe 8/10's and higher from me untill I got to Army of Darkness but still a great list!

[Hannibal21]

Fargo - 8.5/10
Dr. Strangelove - 10/10
Tombstone - 7.5/10
Apocalypse Now - 8.5/10

[Cronos]

Casablanca - 6/10
Fight Club - 10/10
Who Frames Roger Rabbit - 10/10
Vertigo - 2/10
Empire Strikes Back - 10/10
Silence Of The Lambs - 10/10
Fargo - 6/10
Dr Strangelove - 8/10
Tombstone - 10/10
Apocalypse Now - 10/10

[Rated R]

Thanks for your opinions guys, I'm glad you are enjoying the list...although a bit surprised at the 2/10 for Vertigo from Cronos. Ah well, to each their own.

#62

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MG/143610.jpg

The Maltese Falcon

Directed By John Huston

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre.

I only just saw this last spring for the first time and was captivated by it. Sam Spade, like most of Bogie's characters, has charisma and he uses it even when he has no interest in anything but the job at hand. The twisting story of greed is a good one and I am happy that I decided to rent it at the time. If you haven't seen it, many of you have and I was the last one on the boat, go see it now!

Favourite scene: The last bit when the fake is revealed.

Favourite quote: "I don't mind a reasonable amount of trouble."

http://www.eskimo.com/~noir/ftitles/maltese/maltese06.jpg

[Macphist0]

100. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou-8/10
99. Garden State-8/10
98. Grosse Pointe Blank-9/10
97. American Beauty-10/10
96. Ferris Bueller's Day Off-8/10
95. Angel Heart-7/10
94. Bringing Out the Dead-6/10
93. Blazing Saddles-7/10
92. The Grifters-7/10
91. Barton Fink-7/10
90. Adaptation.-7/10
89. 25th Hour-7/10
88. Beetlejuice-6/10
87. The Last Temptation of Christ-9/10
86. Fearless-7/10
85. Saving Private Ryan-9/10
84. Groundhog Day-10/10
83. Carlito's Way-6/10
82. Bull Durham-7/10
81. The Shining-9/10
80. Memento-8/10
79. Terminator 2: Judgment Day-10/10
78. Big Fish-7/10
77. Casino-6/10
76. Army of Darkness-7/10
75. Raising Arizona-7/10
74. Dead Man-N/A
73. Aliens-7/10
72. Casablanca-10/10
71. Fight Club-9/10
70. Who Framed Roger Rabbit-9/10
69. Vertigo-9/10
68. The Empire Strikes Back-8/10
67. The Silence of the Lambs - 9/10
66. Fargo-9/10
65. Dr. Strangelove-10/10
64. Tombstone-8/10
63. Apocalypse Now-10/10
63. The Maltese Falcon-10/10

Great list so far, there isn't anything thats bad on there, though i do think Casino is incredibly overrated, as it is basically goodfellas again, just in a different place and situation.

I'm so glad you've got Grosse Pointe Blank in there, one of my all time faves, i put it much higher though, its just so cool.

I hope the list now continues the way it has been for like the last 6 films, the great are now starting to come in.

[TylerDurden182]

The Maltese Falcon- 10/10

[Cronos]

Originally posted by Rated R
although a bit surprised at the 2/10 for Vertigo from Cronos

people always are :p, the reason it gets that from me is because i despised all the characters and found nothing likeable about them and because of that couldnt get into it at all


Maltese Falcon - 6/10

[AngelDust06]

Maltese Falcon - 7.5/10

[ChemicalRomance]

Apocalypse Now is a personal favorite and a 10/10.

[Rated R]

Thanks for the input everyone, keep it up.

#61

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/125/003_AMELIE.jpg

Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulain

Directed By Jean Pierre Jeunet

Starring Audrey Tautou

Feel good movie is the best way to describe it. I remember watching it the first time around and just feeling absolute joy. I connected with Amelie and her introverted nature and quirkiness...wish I could find a woman like her. Terrific blend of comedy and romance with seeds of sadness despite having an overall happy feeling. I love this movie.

Favourite scene: Whenever she plays pranks on the man who works at the produce stand to teach him a lesson.

Favourite Quote: "I had two heart attacks, an abortion, did crack... while I was pregnant. Other than that, I'm fine. "

http://www.wsia.fm/movies/amelie.jpg

[AngelDust06]

hmmm interesting choice. Havent seen this in a while...Ill have to re-watch it. 7.5/10

[TylerDurden182]

Amelie- 6/10

[Sigur509]

Amelie - 10/10

The best 'feel good' movie of all time.

[Rated R]

#60

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MG/192953.jpg

The Jerk

Directed by Carl Reiner

Starring Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters

Steve Martin's funniest movie always has me rolling on the floor whenever I see it. I honestly think it is one of the funniest films ever made and can find amusement in it like most of my friends do not. Martin as the naive Navin who gets caught up in the big city rich life when he leaves home and strikes it big with his simple invention. So fantastic and endearing despite the fact that Navin ends up being...well a jerk.

Favourite scene: The cat juggling scene.

Favourite quote: "He hates cans! Stay away from the cans!"

http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/images_movie/jerk.jpg

[TylerDurden182]

The Jerk- 8/10

[Puck Bond]

62. The Maltese Falcon-10/10
61. Amelie-9/10
60. The Jerk-N/A

[Hannibal21]

The Maltese Falcon - One of my favorite Noir of all time (it's also one of the most important of the genre), stays true to Dashiell Hammett's novel and features Bogart's best work that is on the same level with 'Casablanca'. Lorre, Greenstreet, and Elisha Cook Jr. are all on the ball as well. Astor is slightly miscast, but still makes for a great femme fatale. 10/10

Amelie - Not the masterpiece that everyone says it is IMO, but it is extremely charming and likable, mostly due to Audrey Tautou. 7.5/10

The Jerk - I find very few actors to be 'funny'. Steve Martin, on the other hand, is an exception. The man is hilarious! 8/10

[AngelDust06]

lol I thought the Jerk was a good comedy. I actually saw it for the first time when the SE DVD came out and loved it. good choice. 8.5/10

[AngelDust06]

where u at rated R? COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME BACK TO UUUUUUUUUUUUS PLEASE :D

[Rated R]

So I have decided to throw another review up here...I'm late, figured I'd do this as I have nothing else to do. I just got to the point where I was seeing movies that I liked that I may wish to add to the list but I am refraining from that impulse and will just push forward.

#59

http://students.washington.edu/yingren/untouchables.jpg

The Untouchables

Directed by Brian DePalma

Starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Andy Garcia, Charles Martin Smith and Robert De Niro.

"I want this guy dead! I want his family dead! I want his house burned to the ground! I want to go there in the middle of the night and piss on his ashes! "

A while back I considered this flick in my top 20 but recent viewings have proved to be less impressive as it used to be. Either way I still enjoy the film greatly, otherwise it would be permanently purged from the list.

Unlike most, I enjoy Kevin Costner and most of his movies and find him to be a decent leading man. As Elliot Ness he does his job very well. Ness is an up and coming detective with a chip on his shoulder, the chip is Al Capone (De Niro) and Ness wants him in jail. He assembles his crew, Malone (Connery) is an aging beat police officer given an opportunity to get back in the game. Oscar Wallace (Smith) is an agent with accounting background trying to nail Capone for income tax evasion. Finally George Stone (Garcia) is a fiery fresh from the academy kid with a very accurate shot. Together they form a fellowship, they are friends and share the common interest of making the streets a better place, and that means getting Capone behind bars.

"You just fulfilled the first rule of law enforcement: make sure when your shift is over you go home alive. Here endeth the lesson. "

I remember the first time I saw this movie was in early high school and I was browsing the 7-day rental wall at our local video store and remembered my dad talking about it a few years earlier so I picked it up. At home I was mesmerized by the opening credits alone; the music so simple, yet very distinct it was like revisiting an old friend. The opening scene with the briefcase in the store picked up by the young girl and subsequently exploding sets the table for what was to come. The overhead shot on De Niro as Capone as he is being interviewed at the barber shop after the bombing, we are shown in his character how he is charasmatic and menacing, briefly holding back his temper when cut by the blade on his cheek.

The flick as a whole hasn't held up well for me, but it is made up of excellent parts while some are just irritating to watch. I know DePalma was shooting for a specific style, but when Nitti is falling from the building into the car, the shot of him falling is laughable. Despite that blemish, the scene where Nitti takes out Malone is heart-wrenching and the subway scene inspired by Battleship Potemkin is superb filmmaking.


It was one of the movies that made me a movie fan, without it I might never have started watching and appreciating the art of film. If that were the case, I might have a girlfriend right now instead of a film collection, heh. I will hold the film close to my heart even if it doesn't stack up to my memory upon further viewings. Re-visit it, or see it for the first time, I'm sure you'll appreciate most of it.

"You can get further with a kind word and a gun than you can with just a kind word. "

http://www.baronhats.com/images/UNTOUCHABLES.JPG

[ilovemovies]

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou 3/10
Garden State 9/10
Grosse Pointe Blank 7/10
American Beauty 10/10
Ferris Bueller's Day Off 9/10
Bringing Out the Dead 9/10
Adaptation 8/10
25th Hour 7/10
Beetlejuice 8/10
Saving Private Ryan 10/10
Groundhog Day 8/10
Carlito's Way 9/10
Bull Durham 7/10
The Shining 5/10
Memento 9/10
Terminator 2: Judgment Day 10/10
Big Fish 7/10
Casino 8/10
Army of Darkness 6/10
Aliens 10/10
Casablanca 10/10
Fight Club 9/10
Who Framed Roger Rabbit 9/10
The Empire Strikes Back 7/10
The Silence of the Lambs 10/10
Fargo 7/10
Tombstone 7/10
Apocalypse Now 8/10
The Untouchables 10/10

[AngelDust06]

Good to see you back Rated R.....Thanks for your inpout on my list...

Untouchables- 9.5/10