Our choices for some of our favorite 'older' films.
Shocked:
1. Cool Hand Luke - With some spunk, confidence, and an unquenchable appetite for eggs, one can win the hearts and loyalty of even the most hardened criminals. This movie is and will always remain one of my favorites. This movie also provides the inspiration for Major Payne (the warden), which is one of my guilty pleasure favorites from my childhood.
2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - It reminds me of Anger Management on a much more serious and more frustrating scale. It calls into question the ethics and procedures from earlier mental institutions, and offers insight into the behavior resulting from being granted total power.
3. The Empire Strikes Back - C'mon, I couldn't leave my nerdy side out. This movie took one of the greatest fantasy movies of all time and moved it into darker territory with more character development. It's a shame it was followed by a movie that only raised the bar on silliness.
4. Hot Shots! - I know that the Mel Brooks spoofs (Blazing Saddles, History of the World Pt I) are critically held better than this, but Hot Shots! will always have a special place in my heart. The unrelenting shtick and sight-gag humor cracks me up every time. "Airplane" veteran Lloyd Bridges is always a treat in a comedy, and I only wish Mafia! wasn't his last.
5. The Great Escape - If I'm ever locked up for any reason I hope to have a baseball and glove to annoy the living daylights out of my captors. This movie features one of the most iconic motorcycle rides in movie history, and it's full of that can-do American spirit from start to finish.
Stoked:
5. North By Northwest - Every top movies list requires at least one Hitchcock film. If you love suspense, twists and turns, and a great story, then this movie will not disappoint. A case of mistaken identity spirals out of control and builds to some of the most memorable scenes in movie history. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint - what's not to like?
4. Casablanca - You know the quotes. "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world ..." "Play it, Sam." "Here's looking at you, kid." Romance, redemption, and political commentary (Rick is a true embodiment of the U.S. during WWII). It's got it all. A true classic with something for everyone.
3. City Lights - The little tramp may be one of the greatest characters in cinematic history. This is Charlie Chaplin's last silent film and quite possibly his best. A poor man attempts to raise enough money for a blind girl to have an eye operation, all the while knowing it could lead to her discovering who he truly is. Not to mention, Chaplin is exceptional as always with his physical comedy.
2. Life is Beautiful - This is listed with older films only because it is already over ten years old. I, like many, was upset when Benigni defeated Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan) for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. But, then, I saw this movie. And, I was in awe of write-director-star Roberto Benigni, who is brilliant in this romantic comedy/drama. It will have you laughing out loud and wiping away the tears.
1. Forrest Gump - This is another movie that doesn't seem s though it should be with the older films, but it is already over 16 years old. Tom Hanks plays one of the most loveable characters ever. We experience the world of war, heartbreak, love, history, running, and ping pong with the innocent and naive Gump. We walk (and run) with him as he becomes a football star, war hero, meets Presidents, fights for friends and true love, and shows us what life is all about. From the performance of Hanks, to the direction of Zemeckis, to the score of Silvestri, this is an absolute must-see movie.
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Stunners, Part I: Current Flicks
Our top 5 current films . . . revealed! Decide for yourself if you agree with either of us . . .
Shocked:
1. The Book of Eli - This movie wins No. 1 for me because it simply pushed the envelope. There are more violent movies, there are more racy movies, but there aren't many movies that dare to push the envelope of religion - especially having such a strong Christian message woven in under the chaos. Whether one agrees with it or not is moot; the movie has balls for presenting it to a largely liberal/ PC media market, and it's an admirable move.
2. Paranormal Activity - This was The Blair Witch Project done right, in my opinion. I was so excited when Blair Witch was released, and then I realized after sitting through the massive amount of arguing and screaming I wasn't scared at all. I had the same fear of disappointment going into PA, but was pleasantly surprised. The acting was natural, the use of only one setting was masterfully executed, and the camera feeds were absolutely terrifying.
3. Zombieland - Emma Stone, you had my heart at the first shotgun blast. With great verbal humor and use of digitalized sight-gags (Eisenberg's "rules" popping up in the scenes - you'll see it), Zombieland succeeds as a great action-comedy and also delivers a bit of a heartwarming message of trust and loyalty.
4. The Hangover - OK, this movie is a little older than the others mentioned but it is the first movie that I've laughed so hard at that I've cried in a while. Zach Galifiwhatever is amazing and a true scene stealer throughout. I am now truly terrified of investigating strange noises in the trunk of cars ...
5. Extract - This is another slightly older movie. I had been wanting to watch this movie for some time after seeing the trailers and kept putting it off. This is a very fun and entertaining movie, and I certainly recommend it to round out a "movie rental night". Jason Bateman does a fantastic job as usual in his expected regular-joe demeanor, and Mila Kunis adds an interesting element as an attractice kleptomaniac drifter.
Stoked:
5. I Love You, Man - Taking friendship to the next level. This may be the best man-love film (other than Milk and Brokeback, of course) since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Yes, I just said that. You laugh and laugh ... and then laugh a little more. And, then you hope with every fiber of your being for a happily ever after. Plus, it's got that one chick, you know the one ... yeah, the girl from The Office (Rashida Jones)!
4. Precious - This movie can be very hard to watch. But, no matter what, you just can't take your eyes off the screen. Every single performance is amazing. Every scene, character, and line of dialogue is real. Nicely done, Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz.
3. Inglourious Basterds - Who would've thought a new WWII movie could be so unique and leave you guessing on how it would end? But, that is exactly what Quentin Tarantino accomplished here, as he managed to re-write history in an intriguing and breath-taking way. Tension, humor, tension, humor, And, then, just for the fun of it, let's throw in sharp dialogue for the icing on the cake. Every scene is powerful and beautiful. Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Til Schweiger steal the show.
2. Up in the Air - I've never been on a plane, sadly. But, from what I hear, this film is very much like modern day times. I don't know about that. What I do know, is that this is a very original story with great performances from George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick. And, it does a good job of making us re-evaluate what is actually important to us as we fly through our own lives.
1. (500) Days of Summer - Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel do their thing in this extremely underrated film. I mean, even before the movie started, I was laughing! How does that happen, you ask ... With an author's note that precedes the film which sets the tone. So, that gets it off on the right foot, and it only goes up from there. But, don't confuse this as strictly a comedy or a romantic comedy, for that matter. No, this is simply a great movie.
Shocked:
1. The Book of Eli - This movie wins No. 1 for me because it simply pushed the envelope. There are more violent movies, there are more racy movies, but there aren't many movies that dare to push the envelope of religion - especially having such a strong Christian message woven in under the chaos. Whether one agrees with it or not is moot; the movie has balls for presenting it to a largely liberal/ PC media market, and it's an admirable move.
2. Paranormal Activity - This was The Blair Witch Project done right, in my opinion. I was so excited when Blair Witch was released, and then I realized after sitting through the massive amount of arguing and screaming I wasn't scared at all. I had the same fear of disappointment going into PA, but was pleasantly surprised. The acting was natural, the use of only one setting was masterfully executed, and the camera feeds were absolutely terrifying.
3. Zombieland - Emma Stone, you had my heart at the first shotgun blast. With great verbal humor and use of digitalized sight-gags (Eisenberg's "rules" popping up in the scenes - you'll see it), Zombieland succeeds as a great action-comedy and also delivers a bit of a heartwarming message of trust and loyalty.
4. The Hangover - OK, this movie is a little older than the others mentioned but it is the first movie that I've laughed so hard at that I've cried in a while. Zach Galifiwhatever is amazing and a true scene stealer throughout. I am now truly terrified of investigating strange noises in the trunk of cars ...
5. Extract - This is another slightly older movie. I had been wanting to watch this movie for some time after seeing the trailers and kept putting it off. This is a very fun and entertaining movie, and I certainly recommend it to round out a "movie rental night". Jason Bateman does a fantastic job as usual in his expected regular-joe demeanor, and Mila Kunis adds an interesting element as an attractice kleptomaniac drifter.
Stoked:
5. I Love You, Man - Taking friendship to the next level. This may be the best man-love film (other than Milk and Brokeback, of course) since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Yes, I just said that. You laugh and laugh ... and then laugh a little more. And, then you hope with every fiber of your being for a happily ever after. Plus, it's got that one chick, you know the one ... yeah, the girl from The Office (Rashida Jones)!
4. Precious - This movie can be very hard to watch. But, no matter what, you just can't take your eyes off the screen. Every single performance is amazing. Every scene, character, and line of dialogue is real. Nicely done, Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz.
3. Inglourious Basterds - Who would've thought a new WWII movie could be so unique and leave you guessing on how it would end? But, that is exactly what Quentin Tarantino accomplished here, as he managed to re-write history in an intriguing and breath-taking way. Tension, humor, tension, humor, And, then, just for the fun of it, let's throw in sharp dialogue for the icing on the cake. Every scene is powerful and beautiful. Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Til Schweiger steal the show.
2. Up in the Air - I've never been on a plane, sadly. But, from what I hear, this film is very much like modern day times. I don't know about that. What I do know, is that this is a very original story with great performances from George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, and Anna Kendrick. And, it does a good job of making us re-evaluate what is actually important to us as we fly through our own lives.
1. (500) Days of Summer - Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel do their thing in this extremely underrated film. I mean, even before the movie started, I was laughing! How does that happen, you ask ... With an author's note that precedes the film which sets the tone. So, that gets it off on the right foot, and it only goes up from there. But, don't confuse this as strictly a comedy or a romantic comedy, for that matter. No, this is simply a great movie.
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