Coming Soon: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Pleasantville, Bullitt
11/25
Edward Scissorhands- 10/10
This movie reminded me of the classic monster tale reimagined for a bit of romance. It's a funny, and sweet story full of the classic Tim Burton charm. Johnny Depp, in an early role, proves that speaking isn't necessarily part of a great acting job.
Fargo- 10/10
This clever crime drama is an odd twist of bizzare comedy and graphic violence, and it works remarkably well. All the characters are great, especially Steve Buscemi, who can play a psycho better than just about anyone. Frances McDormand won an Oscar for her part, and she deserved it.
Rear Window- 10/10
I've never been into much Hithcock, but it's nice to see where all the suspense cliches come from. Jimmy Stewart is amazing as always, and the rest of the cast performs well. But the direction is the real star, I've seen the setup a hundred times but this is the only time I was on the edge of my seat.
11/15
American Splendor- 9/10
This is a unique movie, telling the tale of a man whose ordinary life was transformed into an underground comic book that gathered a huge following. It combines acting and interviews with the real people to make a very memorable movie.
Hotel Rwanda- 10/10
This is perhaps Don Cheadle's best performance, as he plays a hotel manager who takes in refugees while a genocide is sweeping through his African nation. It is a very important film that everyone should see.
Meet the Fockers- 7/10
This isn't nearly as funny as the original movie. Sure, the two sets of parents contrast wildly, but most of the jokes just aren't as funny. The movie tries insist that it's not about their feud, when it clearly is.
11/2
Amores Perros- 9/10
This is an excellent movie from Mexico, based on three stories of three different groups that all come together during a car accident. It's in the vein of Pulp Fiction, with a much more gritty, realistic feel. All of the actors perfrom extremely well in their roles.
Donnie Darko- 9/10
This was a startingly good movie, and it had a wide range of emotions. At times, it could be downright creepy, and at times, it could be downright sweet. But make no mistake, it's a very dark film, and while the ending is sad, it can make you smile if you think about what happened during the entire movie.
Spartacus- 9/10
This a very violent movie for it's period, something Kubrick no doubt had a hand in. Kirk Douglas rules this movie, although fantastic and diverse performances are given throughout the film. Aside from a few cheesy battle sequences, this is an amazing and powerful epic, obviously the inspiration to Gladiator.
10/18
Forrest Gump- 10/10
I've put off seeing this movie for quite some time, and I'm not sure why. It's a really good movie, and very inspirational no matter how you look at it. It's a very touching story, not really about overcoming adversity, but just being who you are.
Nosferatu- 8/10
This is the oldest film I've ever seen, released in 1922, and it's still excellent. It's the German version of the story of Dracula, and features some genuinely frightening scenes, mostly centered around Count Orlock. It has been tinted green for day, and blue for night, though I think I would have preferred a standard black and white version of this silent horror classic.
Rambo: First Blood- 8/10
One of Stallone's better movies, this tells the story about Vietnam vet John Rambo as he is pushed around by authorities, only to be hunted into the wilderness. It has a little bit to say about America's treatment of Vietnam veterans, but it's mostly just a pretext for some excellent action.
10/13
All Quiet on the Western Front- 9/10
This is a very old movie, but it still stands with such a great anti-war message that it can't be ignored. My only real complaint is the very American actors portray German soldiers- it's not very realistic. Other than that, this is an excellent film, and has lost no integrity over 70 years since it was made.
The Aviator- 10/10
After seeing this movie, I'm almost a little surprised it didn't win Best Picture. Leonardo DiCaprio is at his best, and brings a trademark enthusiasm to his role as Howard Hughes. Martin Scorsese is a masterful director, and this just may be his best movie yet.
Halloween- 10/10
This movie practically invented the slasher genre, and it's no wonder why. This movie managed to creep me out, and even scare me in a few spots, which is more than any other horror movie has managed to do. They really don't make them like this anymore.
9/28
Bridge on the River Kwai- 10/10
I enjoyed this film immensely, perhaps even moreso than Lawrence of Arabia. David Lean is an amazing director of the epic movie, it's a shame movies aren't made like this anymore. The ending is truly brilliant, and the characters are all fleshed out extremely well.
Ed Wood- 8/10
This cool movie is about the worst director of all time, who made mostly cheap horror movies back in their hey day in Hollywood. Johnny Depp is his unusual self, but Martin Landau is extremely convincing as Bela Legosi. It's a funny, and oftentimes, inspiring flick.
Poltergeist- 9/10
Another classic horror offering, this one isn't nearly as well done as The Exorcist, but it's still a lesson in how to make a horror movie. Some of the scenes are downright scary, and the ending is amazing. If you're looking to get into the horror genre, you could start right here.
9/22
The Exorcist- 10/10
This film isn't scary in any traditional sense, but it is full of frightening images and themes. The film builds up the possession throughout the entire movie, until the final few scenes where the viewer watches with wide eyes. Rarely do horror movies have such great characters.
Patton- 10/10
This film reminded me of Lawrence of Arabia, in the fact that it's an epic film based on one man rather than his actual conquests. Geroge C. Scott is an amazing actor, and this movie just may be his very best.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring- 10/10
This is a Korean film, and it's elegant story is only surpassed by the beauty of the cinematography. It has a very touching story about lessons that we gain from life, and it's set in such a unique location it's destined to be remembered for a very long time.
9/4
The Crow- 8/10
This is a demented sort of super-hero movie that I really enjoyed. It seemed a little too bogged down in mid-'90's cliches, though it was more daring than most others of this type, and the lead actor certainly has charisma.
The Merchant of Venice: 9/10
If you love Shakespeare, you'll love this movie. The characters are excellent, and the story is intricate as always. Supposedly, it was considered anti-semetic, and still is, though I fail to see any reasoning behind this, especially after seeing the power of Shylock's speech.
Sands of Iwo jima: 9/10
For a movie made when WWII films were in general over-patriotic, this film is excellent. There is true emotion in the story, and the two main characters have some amazing scenes that really pull you into it. If you're a war buff, this movie is a must-see.
8/21
Hidden Fortress: 8/10
This isn't Kurosawa's best movie, but it really is a fun action movie to watch with a lot of laughs, especially knowing that this movie inspired Star Wars to be made. It also has one of the best duels I've ever seen, which involves Toshiro Mifune wielding a spear.
The Longest Day: 7/10
While this is an awesome account of what happened on D-Day, there's not a lot of character interaction to make it interesting if you're already big into WWII movies. It does have a great cast, with a lot of viewpoints, and some of the camera angles are fairly amazing.
Night of the Living Dead: 9/10
Considering this film practically launched the modern horror genre, it's still a damn good film. It's full of frightening music, dark shadows and characters that look like they could snap at any minute. Oh, and lot's of zombies. Lots and lots of zombies coming for Barbara.
8/11
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy: 7/10
This movie was definitely entertaining, but the humor was sporadic. I would go 15 minutes without even smiling and then bust a gut at some outrageous scene that really comes out of nowhere. If you liked Old School, you'll like this one.
The Outlaw Josey Wales: 9/10
This is Eastwood's best western movie, right after Unforgiven and TGTB&TU. It's more focused than some of his early direction, and infuses a lot of the western myth without making it seem unrealistic. Plus it has some of the best one-liners in movie history.
This is Spinal Tap: 8/10
This is a very unique, told in the perspective about a documentary of one of the worlds biggest rock groups. It's funny, and the best part is, it's probably a realistic look at the world of rock too. If you're a music enthusiast, you should check this out.
7/30
Dark City: 7/10
Keifer Sutherland does a great job playing an oddball role, but the overall story is rather cheesy. It had a lot of great ideas, and even better effects, but the typical Hollywood ending and overall cheesines bring it down a bit.
The Great Escape: 10/10
Ah, they don't make movies like this anymore. This has an all-star cast for the ages, as a band of POW's in a German prison camp attempt to stage a grand escape. It's one of the better WWII movies I've ever seen.
The Machinist: 10/10
This is a very simple tale told in a very complex manner, letting the viewer become immersed in the character that Christian Bale creates. It's definitely a different kind of film, and not everyone will enjoy, but if you stick with it, it should be a rewarding experience.
7/16
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral: 8/10
This is a great western, though it does have a lot of hokey moments. The acting is fairly American, if you catch my drift, but this is the best Doc Holliday you'll ever see. Of course, the gunfight at the end is absolutely classic.
Miracle: 10/10
This is one of the few sports movies that manages to tug on your heartstrings without being unnecessarily emotional... the emotion is always present. The acting is phenomenal, and the actual comments said by Al Michaels make this movie extremely authentic.
Sleepy Hollow: 10/10
I'm growing more and more fond of Tim Burton, and Johnny Depp. This is one of the finest movies I've ever seen, with excellent acting, creepy designs and a very cool take on one of America's oldest tall tales.
7/8
High Fidelity: 7/10
This a unique romance tale, and it really only appeals to me because of the music scene. It's told through past relationships leading up to the most important one, and the characters are well done.
Saw: 7/10
This is a creepy little horror offering in the vein of Se7en, only it lacks the frightening logic of that film. It's much better than 95% of the modern horror movies out there, so I guess that makes it worth something.
The Usual Suspects: 10/10
This is one of the best crime drama's I've ever seen, and it's mainly because the movie manages to wrap itself around your brain, forcing you to think one thing when you should be thinking another. The twist at the end is extremely memorable.
6/18
Raging Bull: 8/10
This is one of Bobby D's earliest works, but it's also one of his best. He does what he does best, yell really loud and beat the hell out of people. It's based on an actual boxer during the '40's, so I think black and white was an appropriate choice for this movie.
Rashomon: 10/10
This film introduced a film technique that is still used to confuse and perplex viewers to this day. It tells a single tale from many different perspectives, with each tale being slightly different. It's funny to think, that this film really hasn't been topped. It really is something else to see one man call another evil and then reach for his throat.
Yojimbo: 10/10
After seeing this film, I value Clint Eastwood's first movie a little less, and it literally steals the plot right away from this one. A masterless samurai roams into a town controlled by two gangs, and after playing both sides, he is able to make sure they are both destroyed. The final scene is absolutely rivetting, and influenced every western that ever had a gunfight.
6/6
Dr. Strangelove: 10/10
This has to be the best dark comedy of all-time, as it pulls no punches in a time period when that sort of thing wasn't allowed. It wouldn't surprise me if Kubrick got blacklisted for this sort of thing. Not many satires can hit this close to the mark and still come off as funny and not preachy.
Requiem For a Dream: 9/10
While this is an extremely powerful movie, with excellent directing and acting, I really can't recommend it. It's subject matter is too dark, and the theme much to intense for my taste. There isn't a shred of good in the movie, so it will likely leave you depressed in the end.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape: 8/10
On the other end of the spectrum is this amusing, yet relatively deep tale about a man in a small town who devotes most of his life to his family. Johnny Depp and Leonardo Dicaprio really bring the cast to life, as do the visuals.
5/3
Fahrenheit 9/11: 10/10
Whether or not you like George Bush, you should see this amazing documentary. It will open your eyes to what this country is really doing, and it just might change your mind. Michael Moore definitely knows how to create an effective documentary, with some very moving stories.
National Lampoon's Animal House: 7/10
It's pretty obvious that this is the movie that inspired the teen comedy genre. Unfortantely, I've so many of the gags by now, it just didn't seem as funny. It does have some great characters though, and the epilogues are very funny.
The Terminal: 8/10
Tom Hanks, as always, does an amazing job of playing a foreign man stuck in JFK airport because he can't return to his country. This movie is fairly witty, but Hanks' charm is really what does it. He has the role down pat, to the point where if you didn't know who he was, you would have no idea he was really an American.
4/7
Blade Runner: 10/10
This film is an instant sci-fi classic, and in many ways, it is better than the Terminator films. Harrison Ford can play a great badass, and the villain is absolutely insane, but his motives are, well, reasonable. The climax of the movie is sheer brilliance.
High Plains Drifter: 9/10
Eastwood plays the typical stranger in one of his directed movies, and it's one of his best roles. It seems like the typical westerns, but throws in some flashbacks and a major twist at the end, even if you can see it coming. I don't know if it gets much better than painting the town red and renaming it Hell.
Napoleon Dynamite: 5/10
This is a fairly boring movie that follows pretty much all the cliches of the teen movie, but seems to get away with it because the main character is loveable. This one really isn't worth it. There are much better 'different' comedies out there if that's what you're looking for. Try Shaun of the Dead or Snatch.
3/27
Casablanca- 10/10
Just like any good movie, this one is way ahead of it's time. It just may be one of the greatest modern love stories ever told, and it's just filled with lines and characters that are now practically immortal. If you like movies, there's no reason that you shouldn't watch this.
City of God- 8/10
This is a great foriegn film about the slums of Rio De Janerio. The acting is terriffic, and it's one of the grittiest films I've ever seen. It's based on a true story, and really shows just how out of control gang violence can get.
The Motorcycle Diaries- 10/10
This is the story about two friends travelling all over the South American continent. It's about the changing of the world, and how the world changed them. This is an extremely powerful, especially if you don't know who the main character is until the end of the movie.
3/15
Lost In Translation- 9/10
This movie has a nice, somewhat inspiring message: no matter where you are, no matter what you feel like, some good can come into your life. It's a very subtle film, but it all comes together perfectly for the powerful conclusion.
Secret Window- 8/10
I can't say that this is one of the more original movies I've ever seen, but Johnny Depp is brilliant as always. I don't think the man can make a bad movie. So while it isn't very original, it is highly enertaining and a good suspense movie.
Seven Samurai- 10/10
After viewing this movie, it is quite apparent that this is the film that defined the modern action film. Everything, from the violence, the camera positioning, even the acting, is ahead of its time. Sure, it's almost 4 hours long, but every single moment of it is absolutely captivating. There's nothing like two men, swords drawn, standing the whole screen apart. Kinda like all those westerns, huh?
3/12
Once Upon a Time In the West- 8/10
They certainly don't make movies like this anymore. This is a western epic of the highest order, but that doesn't make it the best. Charles Bronson is no Clint Eastwood, so The Good, The Bad and the Ugly remains Leone's best.
Open Water- 7/10
This movie is more of a case study of human nature than it is anything else. It's about the couple that was stranded in the ocean, not the ocean itself. It's actually fairly boring, but some of the scenes are very intense.
The Good Girl- 9/10
I'm not sure why I liked this movie, but I think it's because I can relate to the main character in certain ways. She feels trapped in her life, so she tries something different, and everything goes wrong. It's got great characters, and some excellent acting from Jennifer Aniston.
2/26
Friday Night Lights- 7/10
My expectations for this movie may have been a little too high, although it's not all that bad. The action is pretty cool, and a few of the characters are fairly interesting. Unfortunately, the pacing is a little too fast for such a large cast, and it suffers from the "big game" syndrome that most sports movies do. It's a great effort, but far from the greatest sports movie ever.
Garden State- 10/10
This isn't exactly a teen movie, it's more of a young adult movie. I know that sounds strange, but it's about finding yourself in a different part of your life when that was the last thing on your mind. It's a cool movie, and it's kind of romantic... but I think I can empathize with what the main character is going through.
Shaun of the Dead- 10/10
This is, without a doubt, one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. It really makes every joke it could about zombie movies, and goes ahead and turns into a great zombie movie too. There's plenty of violence, but the humor is where it's at. One particular joke had me laughing for about five minutes afterwards.
2/9
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- 10/10
I'm a sucker for movies like this, but hell if this isn't one of the best films I've ever seen. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet are perfect, creating such a typical couple, yet at the same time, creating something very special. If you're in a relationship, or have ever been in a relationship, then you absolutely need to see this wonderful, beautiful movie.
K-PAX- 8/10
I really only rented this one to see Spacey act, and to figure out if he's an alien or not. While the film never truly clears up the second part, Spacey is great as usual. Except for the final few scenes, it doesn't really pull any punches, and like a good film should, it lets you use your imagination when it ends. Personally, I think he's an alien, but that's because I'm optimistic.
Monster's Ball- 9/10
This film is a character study of racism, depravation, and basically the human condition. It follows a racist prison guard who ends up becoming attached to the wife of a man he helped execute. The wife is also black, and the story is the two of them dealing with their own losses, together. I thought it was a little sad, and a little strange, but it works.
1/28
Mystic River- 10/10
This excellent movie follows the book as best as I could hope for, and all the signature scenes are done absolutely perfectly. The acting is excellent, as every single actor does their best to imitate a Boston accent, and they all pull it off. Clint Eastwood directs this masterpiece, a man who is becoming one of the great directors of cinematic history. I highly recommend this movie.
Open Range- 7/10
Speaking of Clint Eastwood, this movie doesn't quite have his charm. It's not a bad movie, but the characters aren't all that memorable and the story is relatively lacking. Kevin Costner needs to learn that if he wants audiences to actually care about his character, he needs to open his mouth and talk. It's a good movie, but aside from the Pale Rider homage, you can skip this one and not miss too much.
Troy- 8/10
The reviews for this went back and forth, but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Sure, it does steal a lot from LotR instead of becoming its own myth, but it is very satisfying, and stays very true to the story, or myth or whatever you want to call it. The movie does a good job of playing favorites on each side, so during the battles you aren't sure who you want to be killed. My only other complaint is that they made Oddyseus look too villainous.
1/25
The Bourne Supremacy- 6/10
The original was much better in every single way. There are a few cool scenes peppered throughout this movie, but the story is too vague to really understand. The choreography to the car chase scenes are abysmal, and there's really nothing special about this movie. It also would have helped if it had started with a refresher, I don't remember every detail from the first movie.
Collateral- 9/10
Tom Cruise plays a bad guy for once in one of the more gripping thrillers I've seen. Instead of focusing on large, unneeded action scenes, it focuses on the psychological side of it. It focuses on it's characters, and as a result, it forces a more tense atmosphere onto the movie that works perfectly. This in turn makes the inevitable shootout even better.
Insomnia- 9/10
This creepy murder story is extremely effective, and has one of the best locales to hold a movie in. The sun never sets in this time of the year in Alaska, as a detective and a killer play a game of cat and mouse to cover up their own secrets. With Robin Williams and Al Pacino leading the cast, the acting is downright phenomenal.