The Film Review Archive

Top 20 Directors (5-1)

2010-10-09T21:03:00.000-04:00

5. David Fincher

Films: Se7en, The Game, Fight Club, Panic Room, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Social Network

David Fincher is a greatly talented, fairly young director. His films are often psychological and can certainly be considered thrillers. Fincher has created amazingly fresh films in the past 20 years. Fincher’s first “real” film was Alien³ in 1992. It is considered a fair final to the trilogy, which is impressive considering the first two are sci-fi/horror classics that were directed by Ridley Scott and James Cameron respectively. Fincher’s next film, Se7en, is ranked number 28 on the IMDb.com Top 250 films of all time list and was nominated for an Oscar. Fincher’s next film, The Game, went under the radar. I hadn’t even heard of it until last year (It was released in 1997). I gave it 10 out of 10 stars on IMDb.com when I saw it. He followed this by IMDb’s 18^th ranked film, Fight Club, the box office hit but poorly reviewed, Panic Room, another great film that went under the radar, Zodiac, the triple Oscar winner, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and IMDb’s 149^th ranked, The Social Network. It is of my opinion that David Fincher has never made a bad film. His next film due out in 2011 is the American remake of the Swedish hit, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Not many directors can effectively remake a movie 2 years after the release of the original. Although I don’t think the remake should happen, I have faith in Fincher to at least make a good film.

4. Alfred Hitchcock

Films: The 39 Steps, Sabotage, Rebecca, Suspicion, Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Spellbound, Notorious, Rope, Strangers on a Train, Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho, The Birds, Marnie

This man and the next two directors on this list should not come as a surprise to anybody. Alfred Hitchcock has passed on but he has left us one of the most impressive collections of films that have ever been compiled. He was nominated for 5 Oscars for Best Director, but sadly never won. Empire magazine ranks Hitchcock as the second best director of all time. He is known as the greatest horror movie director ever, for his intricate murder scenes, and ability to get people on the edge of their seats. Hitchcock made successful film after successful film, most of which have been able to withstand the test of time. Hitchcock was likely the most famous director before Steven Spielberg, which is amazing for somebody who strictly directed horror/suspense/psychological type films. Many of his films share similar themes as well as similar casts.

3. Martin Scorsese

Films: Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, New York New York, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, The Last Temptation of Christ, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island

Martin Scorsese is known primarily for directing gangster films and he is certainly the best at it. Scorsese works with high profile actors such as Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Daniel Day-Lewis. Scorsese has worked with DeNiro on 8 films and with DiCaprio on 4 films. Scorsese taught two other directors on this list how to direct (Spike Lee & Oliver Stone). Six of Scorsese’s films are on IMDb.com’s Top 250 list. Scorsese finally won his long overdue Oscar for Best Director in 2006 for his work on The Departed. Scorsese has been on a roll of late and is set to direct 3 new films in the upcoming years, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Sinatra, and Silence. Each of these films sound like they are going to be awesome.

2. Stanley Kubrick

Films: Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Lolita, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut

The person who is number one on this list is number one because I think when all is said and done he will be deserving of number one. If all of these directors directed at the same time and possible future films were not taken in to play, Stanley Kubrick would be my number one favorite director. In my opinion Kubrick is the most versatile director ever. Kubrick’s films were not simple films; each film is a masterpiece, like a Picasso painting. Kubrick died unexpectedly in 1999 when he released his final film, Eyes Wide Shut. Sadly, Eyes Wide Shut was not received well by critics and he could not win a posthumous win for Best Director or Best Film. Kubrick had a bit of strangeness throughout his films; he seems to be the main inspiration for the directing styles of David Fincher, Darren Aronofsky, and Paul Thomas Anderson among many others. Kubrick received Oscar nominations for Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, and Full Metal Jacket. Four of his films were ranked on AFI’s list of the 100 best films of all time.

1. Quentin Tarantino

Films: Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill vol. 1, Kill Bill vol. 2, Sin City, Death Proof, Inglourious Basterds

This may be the most contested choice in the top 5. I am in love with every Quentin Tarantino film I have seen. Tarantino is an eccentric director and actor (Much better director than actor). He is known for the incredible scenes of dialogue he puts in his films. These scenes often feature hilarious points of view of philosophical topics or philosophical points of view on hilarious topics. Most of Tarantino’s films include a “Mexican Standoff” (Three or more characters point guns at each other at the same time). He uses a lot of elements from “film-noir” and “spaghetti westerns”. Tarantino will likely never win an Academy Award for Best Director because his films are often frowned upon for the seemingly pointless violence and language. Tarantino’s favorite directors include Brian De Palma (Scarface, Carrie), Sergio Leone, and Martin Scorsese. Tarantino has a lot of time left to direct more great films and that is why he is my top ranked director. I can’t imagine disliking a Tarantino film unless he made drastic changes from his trademark style.

Top 20 Directors (10-6)

2010-10-08T21:15:00.000-04:00

10. Darren Aronofsky

Films: Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Black Swan

Darren Aronofsky is another polarizing figure in Hollywood, but not because of controversies. Aronofsky simply makes polarizing films. Aronofsky’s work is absolutely brutal to watch at times, but the visual brutality is needed to get the message across. Some people may find his films difficult to watch. His debut film, Pi, was a low budget, black and white film. Pi was made on a budget of $60,000 and it brought in over $3 million. His follow up to Pi, was his best film, Requiem for a Dream. Aronofsky really began to push the envelope with this film by showing people in very lewd non-sexual sex scenes, people graphically using heroin, an orgy, an amputation, etc. This film is particularly hard to watch because of the way it is shot. All of the scenes that show people using drugs are shot quickly and from that characters perspective, making the viewer feel like they are in the character’s body. It is an uncomfortable thing to watch and to this day I would say it is the most emotionally draining film I’ve ever seen. When the movie ended the first time I saw it, I remember sitting there through the rolling of the credits, and then for an additional ten minutes without moving. I felt like I had just been hit by a Mack truck. Aronofsky’s next film, The Fountain, dealt with the tree of life, the story of Adam and Eve, time travel, etc. The Fountain is a terrific movie to watch although it may require multiple viewings. The Wrestler was Aronofsky’s most successful film. It was nominated for many prestigious awards in 2008 including 2 Academy Awards. The Wrestler was a gruesome portrayal of the life of a worn down wrestler. The wrestling scenes are brutal. Aronofsky’s next film, Black Swan deals with a rivalry between ballet dancers and the psychological issues of a girl who is trying to be a perfect ballerina. Aronofsky has what I would consider the second best director/composer relationship of all time with Clint Mansell. Some day they may pass Leone and Morricone on my director/composer list.

9. Steven Spielberg

Films: Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark, ET: The Extra Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Amistad, Saving Private Ryan, Artificial Intelligence: AI, Minority Report, Catch Me if You Can, The Terminal, War of the Worlds, Munich

This director really doesn’t need any introduction. Of course Steven Spielberg makes the list. Spielberg is likely Hollywood’s most famous director and deservedly so. Spielberg’s films are extremely diverse. Some are sad (Schindler’s List), some are scary (Jaws), some are alien related (AI, ET, Close Encounters, War of the Worlds), some are true stories (Catch Me if You Can). All of Spielberg’s films are good and most of them are excellent. Spielberg is Hollywood’s busiest man behind the scenes. He is currently directing 3 films that are in production stages, producing 12 films that are in production stages, producing 4 TV series’ that are in production stages, and appearing as himself in 2 documentaries that are in production stages. He has worked on everything in film from cinematography (War of the Worlds), to music (Jaws), to editing (The Goonies, Poltergeist). We are extremely lucky that Spielberg has shared his unique talents with us often rather than keep them to himself like many directors do. There isn’t much I can say about Spielberg that everybody doesn’t already know. When people think of directors… Spielberg is always one of the first mentioned.

8. Christopher Nolan

Films: Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, Inception

Christopher Nolan makes blockbusters in a new way. He makes blockbusters that are not dumbed down to keep the audience entertained. Memento, Insomnia, The Prestige, and Inception are his 4 true feature films. Like Aronofsky, Kubrick, or Lynch, Nolan has a knack for confusing the audience. Nolan makes blockbusters with heart. All of his films are truly remarkable to watch. They were made for the big screen. Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are his installations to the Batman franchise. These are, in my opinion, the two best Batman movies ever made and he still has one more on the way. Although I wouldn’t rank it so high, Nolan’s 2010 film Inception, is ranked the 4^th best movie of all time on IMDb.com and it shows no signs of wavering. I think Nolan’s best film is either Memento or Inception. Memento may be a bit more pleasing to the mind while Inception may be a bit more pleasing to the eyes. Nolan received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for Memento. He also directed Heath Ledger in the most realistic portrayal of a character from a superhero movie ever. Ledger of course posthumously won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing the Joker. Many people speculated that the 2009 Academy Awards had changed its format to feature 10 films nominated for Best Picture rather than 5 because of public outrage over the absence of The Dark Knight from the list of nominees. Whether this is truly the reason, or part of the reason, or not at all, Nolan has completely changed the face of blockbusters. At 40 years of age Nolan still has a lot of time ahead of him to make more amazing films.

7. Joel & Ethan Coen

Films: The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou, No Country for Old Men, Burn After Reading, A Serious Man, True Grit

These brothers have teamed up together to direct some of Hollywood’s freshest movies of the last 20 years. Fargo won two Oscars; O Brother Where Art Thou was nominated for two Oscars; No Country for Old Men won four Oscars; Burn After Reading was nominated for two Golden Globes, and A Serious Man was nominated for two Oscars. No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, and Fargo each hold a spot on IMDb.com’s Top 250 list. Their new film True Grit looks very promising. They frequently use the same actors and actresses in multiple films. They enjoy makes their films take place in the 1980s to early 1990s. They produce performances that are highly exaggerated by the actors, and it makes for sheer entertainment. The character development in their films is what truly amazes me. After watching a Coen brothers movie I feel like I’ve known everybody on the cast for years, and it makes me hate to see the movie end.

6. Clint Eastwood

Films: Unforgiven, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, Letters From Iwo Jima, Changeling, Gran Torino, Invictus, Hereafter

Clint Eastwood started acting in the 1950s and later became a director in the 1970s. He has received four Oscars for various roles (Directing and acting). Eastwood’s films have been amazing. Whether about war, aging, kidnappings, boxing or something completely different, Easwtood’s films always deliver. Eastwood is a living legend as both a director and an actor. A couple of other directors on this list act as well, but they are nowhere near the realm of Clint Eastwood. At 80 years of age one would think Eastwood may not have a lot left in the tank, but that hasn’t stopped him from directing the upcoming film, Hereafter, which will be Eastwood’s first dip into the sci-fi area of film. Eastwood has been ruled finished over and over again and he has always stood up to the naysayers and come back stronger each time. The man may never stop making films and because of that he holds the number 6 spot on my list. He has given his life to the entertainment of others.

Top 20 Directors (15-11)

2010-10-07T19:45:00.001-04:00

15. Francis Ford Coppola

Films: The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders, The Godfather Part III

Francis Ford Coppola is responsible for what many people consider to be the greatest film of all time, The Godfather. He is also responsible for the sequels to the crime family film. Coppola has directed 32 films and has been a very flexible director over the years. His films range from gangster flicks (The Godfather), to war movies (Apocalypse Now), to monster movies (Dracula), to touching coming of age movies (Jack). Coppola has also been a very successful producer taking part in the production of American Graffiti, Jeepers Creepers, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, The Good Shepherd, and the upcoming film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road. Directing prowess may run in the family. Although she will not be included on the list, Coppola’s daughter, Sofia Coppola is a very good director herself. Sofia’s second feature film, Lost in Translation won 71 various awards, including one Oscar. She followed this movie up with a fairly interesting film in Marie Antoinette. Although Francis Ford Coppola isn’t primarily directing anymore, he is certainly lending his daughter a helping hand. We will have films directed by a Coppola for many years to come.

14. Danny Boyle

Films: Trainspotting, 28 Days Later…, Sunshine, Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours

Danny Boyle is one of seven directors to win the Golden Globe, Director’s Guild, BAFTA, and Oscar for the same film (Slumdog Millionaire). He has shown us disturbingly realistic view of the life of a drug addict (Trainspotting), he has shown us, in my opinion, the best zombie movie ever made (28 Days Later…), he has taken us to the sun (Sunshine), and he has shown us life in the slums of India (Slumdog Millionaire). His next film, 127 Hours, is one of my most anticipated films of the year. Boyle has flown under the radar for the most part. I look forward to seeing any films directed by Danny Boyle in the future. He clearly as a gift and he will continue to share that gift with us for many years to come.

13. Oliver Stone

Films: Platoon, Wall Street, The Doors, JFK, Natural Born Killers, Any Given Sunday, World Trade Center, W., Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Oliver Stone just keeps going. He has a knack for violence, but he is clearly not limited. He loves handling controversial topics and I applaud for that. Stone’s films cover controversies that range from the shooting of President John F. Kennedy, two glorified psychotic serial killers who become lovers and were victims of traumatic childhoods, greed, a man who many consider to be the worst president in the history of the US, war crimes, and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I could watch any of Stone’s films and be entertained. Not all of his films are excellent, but they are all fairly good, and that is saying something since the man has directed 24 films. Stone also wrote the screenplay for the cult classic, Scarface. He has also signed on to produce the upcoming film Pablo Escobar, a chronicling of the life of the famed drug dealer and Medellin cartel boss.

12. Sergio Leone

Films: A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West, Once Upon a Time in America

Sergio Leone is the man behind the “Spaghetti Westerns”. He directed my third all time favorite film, The Good the Bad and the Ugly. Leone formed what I consider to be the greatest ever director/composer relationship with classmate, Ennio Morricone. Leone made westerns extremely fun to watch and although he has passed away, we see a lot of his style in Quentin Tarantino’s films. Leone died in 1989 at the age of 60 and we missed out on everything he could have done with today’s technology. Leone was loyal to the actors in his films; he featured many of the people he worked with in 3 or more of his films. Before his death he planned on directing a re-make of the 1939 classic, Gone With the Wind, that would have stayed more true to the novel. Normally I would not condone a remake of a classic, but if anybody could have pulled it off, Sergio Leone would have been that person.

11. Paul Thomas Anderson

Films: Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, There Will be Blood

It is quite the coincidence that the man who has the best chance of climbing this list and finding a spot in the top 5 is currently directing a film that will be released in 2011 titled, The Master. Paul Thomas Anderson just may be a master. He has been nominated for Academy Awards for 3 of his 5 films (Magnolia, Boogie Nights, and my favorite film of all time: There Will be Blood. He is only 40 years old and we will be seeing a lot from him in the future, though I feel he may end up being the Terrence Malick type and only release 1 film every 20 years... exaggeration of course. Anderson is a “Self-taught” filmmaker like Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh; he was not born into the film business. Anderson’s films deal with deep personality issues such as depression, dysfunctional family relationships, alienation, regret, loneliness, and greed. If you could gamble on the future success of directors like you gamble on the success of athletic programs or stocks, I would put a lot of money on PTA.

Top 20 Directors (20-16)

2010-10-06T18:55:00.002-04:00

20. Victor Fleming

Films: The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Victor Fleming could not be left off of this list. I have never seen Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde nor have I seen Fleming’s version of Joan of Arc. Fleming makes this list because he made 2 of the greatest films of all time. One is fantasy, the other is historical, one is an adult favorite, and the other is a kid’s favorite. The amazing thing about these two films is that the same man directed them and he directed them in the same year. 1939 is widely considered the greatest year in the history of film. 1939 saw the release of: Of Mice and Men, Wuthering Heights, Stagecoach, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Rules of the Game, etc. Fleming was responsible for 2 of the 10 films that were nominated for best picture at the academy awards in 1939. Gone With the Wind (My second favorite film of all time) won Best Picture, and The Wizard of Oz is easily the most famous of 1939. Fleming was a late replacement to direct The Wizard of Oz, but he was very influential on each movie and pioneered the modernization of Hollywood films to what they are today.

19. Sam Mendes

Films: American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Jarhead, Revolutionary Road, Away We Go

Sam Mendes is a fantastic director with the potential for future greatness. Along with his several directorial roles he was also the executive producer of The Kite Runner. Sam Mendes is an amazing Hollywood talent who may be slightly overshadowed by the fame of his wife, Kate Winslet, who he directed in Revolutionary Road. Mendes directs amazing stories about everyday life and keeps his films as realistic as possible. American Beauty deals with sexual desires as well as mid life crises. Road to Perdition deals with a gangster whose family is slain and how he must deal with it while trying to get out of the business but also get revenge. Jarhead features soldiers battling in Kuwait, it was one of the first movies to illustrate the battlefields of the current wars in which the US has become involved, without Jarhead there may be no such thing as Academy Award winner: The Hurt Locker. Revolutionary Road told the story of a deteriorating marriage, and a wife dealing with depression and anxiety (Among other plot sensitive things that I won’t mention). Away We Go takes us on a journey with a young couple. The woman does not want to get married, but the man does. They find out that the only real family members in their lives, the man’s parents, are moving to Europe. They need to find a place of their own. They travel the US and Canada to visit old friends and relatives. The film teaches us the diversity of the term: family. I look forward to seeing more from Sam Mendes. His films do not disappoint.

18. Judd Apatow

Films: The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Funny People

Judd Apatow has been responsible for some of the funniest movies of the last decade. Not only has he directed The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Funny People. He has also written Walk Hard and Pineapple Express, and he has produced Step Brothers, Walk Hard, Superbad, Talladega Nights, Kicking and Screaming, Anchorman, The Cable Guy and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Of the films Apatow has directed he has made his movies about legitimate issues but made them funny, such as being a virgin at the age of 40, an unwanted pregnancy, and cancer. The best thing about Apatow is that he is truly just getting started and he may already be the best comedy director of all time.

17. Tim Burton

Films: Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetle Juice, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Big Fish, Sweeney Todd, Alice in Wonderland

What Judd Apatow has done for the comedy genre, Tim Burton has done for the “weird” genre. Burton has directed countless hits. He has directed live action films, musicals, animated films, and even Batman movies. It is to his credit that he has formed a strong bond with Johnny Depp, similar to Scorsese’s bond with DiCaprio and Soderbergh’s bond with Damon. This bond between actor and director has produced a plethora of excellent films. Some movies of Burton’s may not particularly measure up to your tastes, but who doesn’t like Edward Scissorhands or Big Fish? Tim Burton is considered an artistic genius whose work was shown at the Museum of Modern Arts in New York City. His animation is highly regarded in Hollywood, but he hasn’t always been interested in the “strange”. Most people don’t know that Tim Burton worked for Disney on the animation department for The Fox and the Hound (My favorite non-Pixar Disney movie) in 1981.

16. Spike Lee

Films: Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, He Got Game, Summer of Sam, 25^th Hour, Inside Man, Miracle at St. Anna

Spike Lee is a polarizing figure in Hollywood. Many people love his work, and many people consider Lee to be a bigoted man who deserves to get 1 star for every movie he makes. Count me as one of the people who support Spike Lee. He has been making excellent films for years now. Sure, many of his films are made primarily to positively portray African Americans and negatively portray Caucasians, but you have to understand these films from a middle ground rather than being offended by their themes. If Spike Lee was a racist individual why would anybody work with him? The truth is Spike is a talented director who gives us visuals of things we wouldn’t understand without his help. Do The Right Thing was an excellent portrayal of inner city issues. Malcolm X, his best film, was a terrific portrayal of an influential, and very misunderstood, man (Like Lee). He Got Game taught us what it is like for an inner city African American to deal with many people who plan on riding his coattails as he makes his decision on whether to go to college or to the NBA. Lee’s films show us a part of the world that many of us never get to see, myself being one of these people. I do not consider Lee a bigot. I consider Lee to be somebody who shows us the issues of racism from another perspective. Lee receives much undeserved criticism for every film he makes. Check out the IMDb.com forums for each of his films if you don’t believe me (There is a link on the right column on my blog). I support Lee now and will continue to support him in the future.

Top 20 Directors

2010-10-05T18:52:00.003-04:00

Starting tomorrow I will start putting out a list of 5 directors in reverse order each day for the next 4 days of my top 20 directors.

Wednesday: Directors 20-16

Thursday: Directors 15-11

Friday: Directors 10-6

Saturday: Directors 5-1

Today I will give you a list of some great directors who did not make my list. I hope everybody enjoys the blog, and the Top 20 Directors list. Check back every day to see what directors make the cut!

Who missed the Cut?

Michael Mann: Directed Heat, Public Enemies, Collateral, and Last of the Mohicans
Michael Mann was left off of the list because I don't like Heat or Miami Vice, and I have yet to see Last of the Mohicans. With only Public Enemies and Collateral left to defend him... that just isn't enough.
James Cameron: Directed Avatar, Titanic, and Aliens
Cameron was left off of the list for many reasons:
1. Cameron has been directing since 1978 and has made 2 (Maybe 3 - I haven't seen Aliens) movies I like.
2. Cameron relies on bloated budgets and directs Blockbusters, he hasn't shown me that he can direct movies on limited budgets.
3. Cameron's story telling skills are sub-par. I love Titanic and I respected his work on Avatar though I find the film itself to be overrated, but aren't these films basically the same. New World: Titanic - The ship, Avatar - Pandora, Forbidden Love Interest: Titanic - Rich girl, Avatar - Alien girl, Longing for a New Life: Titanic - America, Avatar - No More Wheelchair, Climax: Titanic - Destruction of the ship, Avatar - Destruction of Pandora... then you just throw in some CGI and call it a day.
4. Cameron has an inflated ego and has become completely disconnected from reality. He decided to re-release Avatar in the theaters about 8 months after the original release (Avatar was still being shown in many theaters at this time). He complained that Alice in Wonderland had stolen 3D theaters from Avatar and many people did not get the chance to see his film. He compared this to the fact that he had not yet seen Inception while it had been in theaters for 2 months, because he had been traveling. I guess he doesn't understand that the economy has been in shambles and the average American doesn't travel for 8 months at a time. The people who wanted to see his movie saw it. In fact, Avatar is the single highest grossing film of all time, and already had been before the re-release.
Ben Affleck: Directed Gone Baby Gone and The Town
Affleck has some time before he can be considered a great director. He has gotten off to a great start, though.
David Lynch: Directed Eraserhead, Elephant Man, Lost Highway, Mulholland Dr., Blue Velvet
Lynch is an excellent director responsible for some extremely puzzling films, and one gut wrenching film that had the ability to make me cry (Elephant Man). I need to see a little more diversity from him to add him to the list, though.
Woody Allen: Directed Annie Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
I've only seen Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I really liked it, but I need to see his other films before I add him to the list.

Other notable absences:
-Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator)

-Milos Forman (Amadeus, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest)

-Alejandro Inarritu (Babel, 21 Grams)

-Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile)

-Tony Scott (Man on Fire, Assassination of Jesse James...)

-Jason Reitman (Up in the Air, Thank You for Smoking)

-Kevin Smith (Dogma, Clerks.)

-Mel Gibson (Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto)

-Robert Rodrigues (El Mariachi, Machete)

-Brad Anderson (The Machinist, Trainssiberian)

-Marc Forster (Stranger Than Fiction, The Kite Runner)

-Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond)

-Gus Van Sant (MILK, Good Will Hunting)

-Ron Howard (American Graffiti, A Beautiful Mind)

-Steven Soderbergh (The Good German, The Informant!)

-George A. Romero (Dawn of the Dead, Diary of the Dead)

-Roman Polanski (Chinatown, The Pianist)

-Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride, Misery)

-Wolfgang Petersen (Troy, The Perfect Storm)

-Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, Snatch.)

-Robert Zemeckis (Cast Away, Forrest Gump)

-Rob Zombie (House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects)

The Social Network: Review

2010-10-02T19:58:00.001-04:00

The Social Network Trailer

The Social Network is the greatly, and rightfully hyped new film from acclaimed director David Fincher (Fight Club, Se7en). My only gripe with this film is that my mind had to sprint to keep up with the dialogue, which isn't a problem for me, because that helps it stay true to the characters... other people may not like that, though. I went in to the theater with very high expectations and this film delivered.

The film is an over-dramatized version of the birth of Facebook. Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, Adventureland) skillfully plays the role Mark Zuckerberg in his development of the multibillion dollar company, to the point that you believe Eisenberg is Zuckerberg. I had never seen an Eisenberg movie before so I did not know what to expect from him, but I did not leave the theater disappointed. Eisenberg carefully studied Zuckerberg's mannerisms, speech, and dress everyday to prepare for filming. Eisenberg plays the Facebook creator as a sociallt awkward, introverted, genius, who creates Facemash, The Facebook and eventually Facebook as a means of coping with a breakup as well as coping with not being invited in to any of Harvard's prestigious final clubs. The performance is delivered perfectly. I will be looking for more Eisenberg roles in the future.

The dialogue in the film might be a bit much for many Americans. It is very wordy. Keep in mind, the people depicted in the film are Harvard students with Harvard vocabulary. The script was very well written by the talented Aaron Sorkin who is known for writing "The West Wing". The combination of Sorkin and Fincher on the same project was bound to produce a successful film.

This film surprised me a lot regarding its direction. I had read a lot about the stories conflicts, such as Harvard graduates saying everything from Zuckerberg to Harvard parties to important conversations were misrepresented in the film. What I had not read about was the actual plot of the film. The Social Network did a great job of telling the story from multiple perspectives, as in the various court cases, there were multiple perspectives. Because of this, I don't see why people are complaining. A movie is a movie. This movie is based on a true story but never does it claim to be completely factual.

Eisenberg was not the only impressive performer in this film, in fact, the entire cast did a terrific job. Justin Timberlake (Alpha Dog) was convincing as the sly, jerk, Sean Parker, who founded Napster. Andrew Garfield (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) did a great job as Zuckerberg's former best friend, Eduardo Saverin. He also did a good job of masking his heavy English accent. Fincher would keep the cast up until midnight to perform the same take upwards of 100 times (Sometimes with the cameras off) in order to "get the acting out of the actors". This definitely paid off as each actor felt like a real life person rather than a replica of a real life person.

The Social Network is definitely a must see if you belong to Generation Y, have a Facebook, or simply enjoy David Fincher films, or if you enjoy any films for that matter. It is an excellent, original film. Dry humor is sprinkled throughout but if you don't keep up with the dialogue you'll miss it. This film is worth the money, and is my second favorite movie so far in 2010, coming in just behind Christopher Nolan's Inception.

Future Movie Rumors II

2010-10-01T21:52:00.004-04:00

The Low Dweller (2011)

Director: Rupert Sanders

Starring: Remo Vinzens

With an unknown director and a fairly unknown one person cast at the moment it is easy to overlook this film. What is interesting about this film is that two big Hollywood names have signed on to produce it: Ridley Scott (Gladiator), and Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator). This film centers around an ex-con who attempts to blend in to his new surroundings in an Indiana town.

Area 51 (2010)

Director: Oren Peli

The mastermind behind Paranormal Activity, Oren Peli, returns with a new feature film in which a group of teenagers stumble upon Area 51. This is certainly an interesting premise, my only question is… How do you “stumble upon” Area 51? I hope that somebody just misunderstood what they had heard and reported the wrong plot line. A movie about Area 51 definitely could have potential.

The Lost City of Z (2012)

Starring: Brad Pitt (Inglourious Basterds)

This film is a lot of speculation at this point. The Lost City of Z is a town, similar to Atlantis in prestige, which is located at the top of the Amazon basin. The original book, which is based on a true story, was written by David Grann in 2009, it was first published as an article in “The New Yorker” in 2005. The story takes us on a journey with Percy Fawcett (Pitt?). Fawcett is an eccentric British explorer in 1925 who goes into Brazil to look for the lost city. It has been speculated that when Brad Pitt has had that crazy facial hair in the past couple of years it was for the purpose of filming this movie.

Child’s Play (2011)

Director: Don Mancini (Seed of Chucky)

Brad Dourif: Voice of Chucky

Danny Trejo: Paulie

The first of many horror movie remakes that will be mentioned in this blog post… lucky for me, I really don’t have to write anything. We all know the story. Some remakes end up being good, most remakes crash and burn, we’ll see what happens.

The Birds (2011-2013)

Director: Martin Campbell (Casino Royale)

Starring(?): George Clooney (Up In the Air), Naomi Watts (21 Grams)

If you are going to remake a classic like The Birds, the one thing you must not do is butcher it. I think having a proven cast and a proven director is the best way to go about reviving this Hitchcock classic.

The Creature from the Black Lagoon (2011)

I am truly excited for this remake. The Creature from the Black Lagoon is a great story. I had to watch the original for a class project in 5^th grade where we were to work in groups and perform our view of what happened in an old horror flick. My group performed our version of this story. Watching the original, even at that time, I knew a remake was in the future. The original is a good story, but it isn’t very good. The zipper on creature’s suit is visible, as are the telephone poles and wires from the studio when the story was supposed to be taking place in the jungle. A remake could be the best thing for this classic.

Vivaldi (2011 & 2012)

We have a funny situation here. There are two films being released in back-to-back years featuring the life of Antonio Vivaldi, whose music can be heard (here). This is similar to 2005 & 2006 when we saw the release of Capote and Infamous respectively, two renditions of the same story. One of these films has to be good. Amadeus, the Mozart biopic, is one of my favorite films. Now they just need to do biopics for Bach, Tchaikovsky, and Debussy.

Smurfs (2011)

Voice Actors: Sofia Vergara, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Anton Yelchin, Fred Armisen, Alan Cumming, Hank Azaria, B.J. Novak, Paul Reubens, George Lopez, Kenan Thompson, & Tim Gunn

Good idea? Probably not. Smurfs are cool, and a new Smurf movie is a good idea, but in this version the Smurfs are chased out of their world and into ours. The cast seems great, the plot does not.

The Hangover 2 (2011)

Director: Todd Phillips (The Hangover, Due Date)

Starring: They’re all back!

‘The best three friends that anybody could have’ make their return to the big screen next year… this is a highly anticipated movie.

Avatar 2 (2014)

Director: James Cameron

I enjoyed Avatar for the scenery. The film was compelling but the plot was not. It was the same story we’ve heard 100 times retold with really good CGI, and the masses fell for the trick. Cameron returns with a sequel in 2014. I’ve read many articles about his future plans and ideas and I really don’t like the guy. He is smug and disconnected from the reality of the average American. He really bothers me, but I can admit he makes good movies, especially Titanic. This could be another one of his good movies (Maybe he can formulate a decent plot), or it could be another failed sequel.

*More to come later including: Sherlock Holmes Sequel, Alien Prequel, The Raven, Moneyball, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, and much more!*

*For any more information on any of these movies, or any movies in future posts, please ask in the form of a comment, or type the title in to the Google Search Bar I have placed at the top of my blog!*

Future Movie Rumors

2010-10-01T00:53:00.000-04:00

These are movies that are expected to be released within the next few years. Some of these movies are strictly rumors while others are in filming, casting, writing, or other planning stages.

Hoover (2012)

Director: Clint Eastwood

Writer: Dustin Lance Black

J. Edgar Hoover: Leonardo DiCaprio

This will be a biopic on the life of the original FBI head, J. Edgar Hoover. Dustin Lance Black is relevant as the writer because he won an Oscar for writing the Best Original Screenplay for MILK in 2008.

The Three Musketeers (2011)

Notable Stars: Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds), Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean), & Milla Jovovich (Dazed and Confused)

Dream House (2011)

Director: Jim Sheridan (Brothers)

Starring: Daniel Craig (Casino Royale), Rachel Weisz (The Fountain), Naomi Watts (Funny Games)

This film features a family who moves into what they think is the perfect home only to find out after the fact that a series of brutal murders had taken place at the same location. It is considered a drama rather than a Ammityville Horror / Haunting in Connecticut copycat, so it seems fairly intriguing.

The Tempest (2010)

Director: Julie Taymor (Across the Universe)

Starring: Russel Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Helen Mirren (The Queen), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond)

After seeing Across the Universe I am definitely a Julie Taymor fan. Her eccentric style was perfect for a Beatles musical and I can't wait to see what she does with this classic Shakespeare play about the magical arts of alchemy.

The Tree of Life (2010)

Director: Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line)

Starring: Brad Pitt (Fight Club), Sean Penn (MILK)

This story centers around a family of three boys in the 1950s. The oldest son witnesses the loss of innocence. This film is expected to get a lot of award hype later in the year.

Silence (2013)

Director: Martin Scorsese (The Departed)

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will be Blood), Benicio Del Toro (The Usual Suspects)

I am very anxious for this film to begin filming so I know that it will happen. It has been back and forth in production stages because of fiscal issues. The film centers around two 17th Century Jesuit priests on a mission in Japan to mentor and teach Christianity. If anybody sees Daniel Day-Lewis walking around in 17th Century Christian priest-hood garb let me know, because he's likely getting ready for the role. This film sounds very promising if it happens.

Sinatra (2011)

Director: Martin Scorsese (The Aviator)

Depending on how long this takes to film, I have a feeling this release date will be pushed back. The film will be a biopic of Frank Sinatra's life. Some people who have been mentioned to possibly star in the film include Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Pacino.

Kill Bill vol. 3 (2014)

Director: Quentin Tarantino (Kill Bill vol. 1 & 2)

Starring: Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction)

My favorite director, Quentin Tarantino, has made a lot of promises lately regarding films he would like to do. It would be amazing if he could release all of the movies that he plans on releasing and do so by his set release dates, although also unlikely.

Sin City 2 (2012)

Directors: Frank Miller (Sin City), Robert Rodriguez (Machete)

This film would be the second installment of this directing duo's adaptation of Miller's graphic novel... this time the pairing will set out to film the second book, "A Dame to Kill For".

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

This film hasn't given away a lot overall, but they are beginning to hype it up as it already has a fully interactive website (The Cabin in the Woods). The film will be in 3D and will be a "twisted take on the cabin in the woods formula".

*More to come later including: The Three Stooges, Area 51, The Birds, The Lost City of Z, Child's Play, Vivaldi, and more sequels, prequels, and remakes.*

Upcoming Films:

2010-09-30T17:27:00.001-04:00

Hereafter Trailer
Hereafter is the tale of three people - a blue collar American, a French journalist, and a London schoolboy - who are touched by death in different ways. The film is Clint Eastwood's directorial follow up to his Golden Globe nominated 2008 film, Gran Torino. It looks like it will be a fantasy thriller with an overlapping storyline ala Crash, Babel, or 21 Grams.

The Fighter Trailer
The Fighter is the tale of the Irish, Bostonian boxer Mickey Ward. The film stars Mark Wahlberg (Four Brothers, Basketball Diaries) as Mickey and Christian Bale (American Psycho, The Dark Knight) as Mickey's brother, Dickie Eklund. The film also stars Amy Adams (Doubt).

Biutiful Trailer
Biutiful is the upcoming film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, 21 Grams, Amores Perros). The film stars Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) as a man in free fall. He is trying to redeem himself for the wrongs of his past but darkness lights his path.

127 Hours Trailer
Danny Boyle makes great movies, this is no secret. With films like Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, and 28 Days Later under his belt, Boyle sets out to tell the true story of a mountain climber who becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering in Utah in the film 127 Hours. The film's main character Aron Ralston, played by James Franco (Milk, Pineapple Express), must resort to desperate measures in order to survive.

Black Swan Trailer
Words cannot explain how excited I am for Black Swan. I read the screenplay back in March and found it extremely intriguing. Darren Aronofsky's follow up to his Academy Award nominated 2008 film The Wrestler stars Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, & Vincent Cassel. It is a psychological thriller that hones in to the rivalry of 1 or 2 or 3 ballet dancers. Aronofsky has directed some of my favorite films including Requiem For a Dream, The Fountain, and Pi. The score was orchestrated by Clint Mansell who is famous in Hollywood as one of the best score musicians money can buy. The storyline will parallel Swan Lake with fantasy elements. It has received positive attention at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals.

True Grit Trailer
I am very excited for True Grit, the next feature film from the Coen brothers (No Country For Old Men, Fargo, The Big Lebowski). Not a remake, but rather a re-adaptation of the 1969 John Wayne adaptation of the 1968 Charles Portis novel, this film portrays Mattie Ross as a girl who tags along with a tough US Marshal to track down her father's murderer. The film stars Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and Jeff Bridges.

The Town: Review

2010-09-30T09:17:00.002-04:00

The Town Trailer

The Town is Ben Affleck's sophomore directing effort (Gone Baby Gone). It is a heist movie set in the rough streets of "Movie Boston" (I say "Movie Boston" because anybody who lives in Massachusetts knows that the Boston that is portrayed in Hollywood films is nothing like the Boston we know). The Town follows a series of very tough, violent movies that have been set in Boston in recent years including The Departed, The Boondock Saints, Mystic River, & Gone Baby Gone.

The Town stars Affleck (Good Will Hunting) as the unexpected hero, Doug MacRay; Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) as the victim/love interest, Claire Keesey; Jon Hamm (Mad Men) as FBI agent Frawley, Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) as James Couglin, and Blake Lively (Gossip Girl) as Krista Coughlin.

The Town begins with a harsh bank robbery in which heavily armed men wearing Skeletor masks and hoods hold up a bank that is run by Keesey. The events that happen throughout the film are extraordinary and at sometimes unbelievable, which is why half a star has been deducted.

The cast as a whole gave an excellent performance, the acting was great and the Boston accents weren't too dreadful. There is a lot of violence, some romance, a lot of language, and very brief nudity. The action throughout the movie is incredible and there is some comic relief that has been weaved into the story that will literally make you laugh out loud.

Ben Affleck is truly on his way to becoming a great director in the modern era. As an actor he has his limits (Although they are not apparent in The Town), but it seems that he has found his niche behind the scenes. He is a storyteller at heart, and a very good one at that. His directing style reminds me of Michael Mann's work which is a good name to be referenced with having only directed two movies so far.

If you go to the theater to see The Town you will not feel guilty about paying roughly $10. It is worthy of your money, there is a lot of entertainment value that it brings to the table, and it may find itself being nominated for a couple of awards this year.

Movies I Own

2010-09-29T13:24:00.004-04:00

Movies I Own (301)

Movie Director Year Stars

8 Mile Curtis Hanson 2002 3.0

12 Angry Men Sidney Lumet 1957 4.0

21 Grams Alejandro Inarritu 2003 3.5

25^th Hour Spike Lee 2002 3.0

28 Days Later… Danny Boyle 2002 3.0

The 40 Year Old Virgin Judd Apatow 2005 3.0

(500) Days of Summer Marc Webb 2009 4.0

2001: A Space Odyssey Stanley Kubrick 1968 4.0

Across The Universe Julie Taymor 2007 4.0

Airplane! Jim Abrahams 1980 3.0

Alien Ridley Scott 1979 3.5 Aliens James Cameron 1986

Almost Famous Cameron Crowe 2000 3.5

Alpha Dog Nick Cassavetes 2006 3.0

Amadeus Milos Forman 1984 4.0

American Beauty Sam Mendes 1999 4.0

American History X Tony Kaye 1998 4.0

American Psycho Mary Harron 2000 3.5

Anchorman Adam McKay 2004 3.0

Animal House John Landis 1978 3.5

Apocalypto Mel Gibson 2006 3.5

As Good As It Gets James L. Brooks 1997 3.0

The Assassination of Jesse James… Andrew Dominik 2007 4.0

Atonement Joe Wright 2007 4.0

Austin Powers in Goldmember Jay Roach 2002 3.0

Austin Powers International Man… Jay Roach 1997 3.5

Austin Powers the Spy Who Shagged… Jay Roach 1999 3.0

Australia Baz Luhrmann 2008 3.0

Avatar James Cameron 2009 3.5

The Aviator Martin Scorsese 2004 4.0

Away We Go Sam Mendes 2009 3.0

Babel Alejandro Inarritu 2006 3.0

Basic Instinct Paul Verhoeven 1992 3.0

The Basketball Diaries Scott Kalvert 1995 3.0

Batman Begins Christopher Nolan 2005 3.5

A Beautiful Mind Ron Howard 2001 3.5

Ben-Hur William Wyler 1959 4.0

Big Fish Tim Burton 2003 3.5

The Big Lebowski Joel & Ethan Coen 1998 3.0

The Blair Witch Project Daniel Myrick 1999 3.5

Blood Diamond Edward Zwick 2006 4.0

Blow Ted Demme 2001 4.0

Boogie Nights Paul Thomas Anderson 1997 3.0

The Boondock Saints Troy Duffy 1999 3.0

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day Troy Duffy 2009 2.5

Borat Larry Charles 2006 3.5

Boyz N the Hood John Singleton 1991 4.0

The Breakfast Club John Hughes 1985 3.0

Brokeback Mountain Ang Lee 2005 3.0

Brothers Jim Sheridan 2009 3.0

Burn After Reading Joel & Ethan Coen 2008 3.5

The Butterfly Effect Eric Bress 2004 3.5

Cape Fear Martin Scorsese 1991 3.5

Capote Bennett Miller 2005 3.0

Carrie Brian De Palma 1976 3.0

Casablanca Michael Curtiz 1942 4.0

Casino Martin Scorsese 1995 3.0

Catch Me if You Can Steven Spielberg 2002 4.0

Children of Men Alfonso Cuaron 2006 3.5

Chinatown Roman Polanski 1974 3.5

A Christmas Story Bob Clark 1983 4.0

City of God Fernando Meirelles 2002 3.5

A Clockwork Orange Stanley Kubrick 1971 4.0

Clerks. Kevin Smith 1994 3.0

Collateral Michael Mann 2004 3.0

The Cove Louie Psihoyos 2009 4.0

Crash Paul Haggis 2004 4.0

Crazy Heart Scott Cooper 2009 3.0

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Ang Lee 2000 4.0

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button David Fincher 2008 3.0

The Dark Knight Christopher Nolan 2008 3.0

Deathproof Quentin Tarantino 2007 3.0

The Deer Hunter Michael Cimino 1978 3.0

Deliverance John Boorman 1972 3.0

The Departed Martin Scorsese 2006 4.0

Desperado Robert Rodriguez 1995 3.5

The Devil’s Advocate Taylor Hackford 1997 3.0

The Devil’s Rejects Rob Zombie 2005 3.5

Diary of the Dead George A. Romero 2007 2.5

Dirty Harry Don Siegel 1971 4.0

District 9 Neill Blomkamp 2009 3.0

Disturbia D.J. Caruso 2007 3.0

Donnie Darko Richard Kelly 2001 4.0

Do the Right Thing Spike Lee 1989 4.0

Doubt John Patrick Shanley 2008 4.0

Dr. Strangelove… Stanley Kubrick 1964 3.5

Eastern Promises David Cronenberg 2007 3.0

Easy Rider Dennis Hopper 1969 3.5

Edward Scissorhands Tim Burton 1990 3.0

Elf Jon Favreau 2003 3.0

El Mariachi Robert Rodriguez 1992 3.0

The English Patient Anthony Minghella 1996 3.5

Eyes Wide Shut Stanley Kubrick 1999 4.0

Fahrenheit 9/11 Michael Moore 2004 3.0

Fargo Joel & Ethan Coen 1996 3.5

Fast Times at Ridgemont High Amy Heckerling 1982 3.0

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off John Hughes 1986 3.5

Fight Club David Fincher 1999 4.0

Finding Nemo Andrew Stanton 2003 4.0

A Fistful of Dollars Sergio Leone 1964 3.0

For a Few Dollars More Sergio Leone 1965 3.0

Forgetting Sarah Marshall Nicholas Stoller 2008 3.5

Forrest Gump Robert Zemeckis 1994 4.0

The Fountain Darren Aronofsky 2006 3.5

Frailty Bill Paxton 2001 3.0

Frost/Nixon Ron Howard 2008 3.5

Full Metal Jacket Stanley Kubrick 1987 3.5

Funny Farm George Roy Hill 1988 3.0

Funny Games Michael Haneke 2007 3.0

Funny People Judd Apatow 2009 3.5

The Game David Fincher 1997 4.0

Gangs of New York Martin Scorsese 2002 3.5

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Niels Arden Oplev 2009 3.5

Gladiator Ridley Scott 2000 4.0

The Godfather Francis Ford Coppola 1972 4.0

The Godfather: Part II Francis Ford Coppola 1974 3.5

The Godfather: Part III Francis Ford Coppola 1990 3.0

Gone Baby Gone Ben Affleck 2007 3.5

Gone With the Wind Victor Fleming 1939 4.0

The Good the Bad and the Ugly Sergio Leone 1966 4.0

Goodfellas Martin Scorsese 1990 4.0

Good Will Hunting Gus Van Sant 1997 4.0

The Goonies Richard Donner 1985 3.0

The Graduate Mike Nichols 1967 3.0

Gran Torino Clint Eastwood 2008 3.5

The Green Mile Frank Darabont 1999 4.0

Halloween John Carpenter 1978 4.0

The Hangover Todd Phillips 2009 3.5

He Got Game Spike Lee 1998 3.0

Hotel Rwanda Terry George 2004 3.0

House of 1000 Corpses Rob Zombie 2003 3.0

The Hurt Locker Kathryn Bigelow 2009 3.5

I Love You, Man John Hamburg 2009 3.0

In Bruges Martin McDonagh 2008 4.0

Inglourious Basterds Quentin Tarantino 2009 4.0

Inside Man Spike Lee 2006 3.0

In The Valley of Elah Paul Haggis 2007 3.5

Into The Wild Sean Penn 2007 4.0

It’s A Wonderful Life Frank Capra 1946 4.0

Jackass: the Movie Jeff Tremaine 2002 3.0

Jackass Number Two Jeff Tremaine 2006 3.0

The Jacket John Maybury 2005 3.0

Jackie Brown Quentin Tarantino 1997 3.5

Jaws Steven Spielberg 1975 3.5

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Kevin Smith 2001 2.5

Kids Larry Clark 1995 3.5

Kill Bill Vol. 1 Quentin Tarantino 2003 4.0

Kill Bill Vol. 2 Quentin Tarantino 2004 4.0

The Kite Runner Marc Forster 2007 3.5

A Knight’s Tale Brian Helgeland 2001 3.5

Knocked Up Judd Apatow 2007 3.0

The Last Castle Rod Lurie 2001 3.0

The Last House on the Left Dennis Iliadis 2009 2.5

The Last Samurai Edward Zwick 2003 4.0

Lawrence of Arabia David Lean 1962 3.0

Let the Right One In Tomas Alfredson 2008 3.5

Little Miss Sunshine Jonathan Dayton 2006 3.5

The Lookout Scott Frank 2007 3.5

Lost Highway David Lynch 1997 3.0

Lost in Translation Sofia Coppola 2003 3.0

The Machinist Brad Anderson 2004 3.0

Magnolia Paul Thomas Anderson 1999 3.5

Malcolm X Spike Lee 1992 3.5

Man on Fire Tony Scott 2004 3.0

Memento Christopher Nolan 2000 4.0

Menace II Society Albert & Allen Hughes 1993 3.0

Midnight Cowboy John Schlesinger 1969 3.5

Milk Gus Van Sant 2008 3.5

Minority Report Steven Spielberg 2002 3.0

Miracle at St. Anna Spike Lee 2008 3.0

Monty Python and the Holy Grail Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones 1975 4.0

Moon Duncan Jones 2009 4.0

Munich Steven Spielberg 2005 3.0

Mystic River Clint Eastwood 2003 3.5

Natural Born Killers Oliver Stone 1994 3.0

The NeverEnding Story Wolfgang Peterson 1984 3.0

A Night at the Roxbury John Fortenberry 1998 2.5

No Country for Old Men Joel & Ethan Coen 2007 4.0

North by Northwest Alfred Hitchcock 1959 4.0

The Notebook Nick Cassavetes 2004 3.0

Notorious Alfred Hitchcock 1946 3.5

Notorious George Tillman Jr. 2009 3.0

The Number 23 Joel Schumacher 2007 3.0

“O” Tim Blake Nelson 2001 3.0

O Brother, Where Art Thou? Joel & Ethan Coen 2000 3.0

Office Space Mike Judge 1999 3.0

Old School Todd Phillips 2003 3.0

Once Upon a Time in Mexico Robert Rodriguez 2003 3.0

Once Upon a Time in the West Sergio Leone 1968

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Milos Forman 1975 4.0

The Outsiders Francis Ford Coppola 1983 3.0

The Painted Veil John Curran 2006 3.0

Panic Room David Fincher 2002 3.0

Pan’s Labyrinth Guillermo del Toro 2006 3.5

Paradise Now Hany Abu-Assad 2005 3.0

Paranormal Activity Oren Peli 2009 3.5

The Passion of the Christ Mel Gibson 2004 4.0

The Perfect Storm Wolfgang Peterson 2000 3.0

Phone Booth Joel Schumacher 2002 3.0

Pi Darren Aronofsky 1998 3.0

The Pianist Roman Polanski 2002 4.0

Planet Terror Robert Rodriguez 2007 3.0

Porky’s Bob Clark 1982 3.0

Precious Lee Daniels 2009 4.0

The Prestige Christopher Nolan 2006 3.5

The Princess Bride Rob Reiner 1987 3.5

The Professional Luc Besson 1994 4.0

Public Enemies Michael Mann 2009 3.0

Pulp Fiction Quentin Tarantino 1994 4.0

Punch-Drunk Love Paul Thomas Anderson 2002 3.0

The Pursuit of Happyness Gabriele Muccino 2006 3.0

Raging Bull Martin Scorsese 1980 4.0

The Reader Stephen Daldry 2008 3.0

Rear Window Alfred Hitchcock 1954 4.0

Rebel Without a Cause Nicholas Ray 1955 3.5

Requiem for a Dream Darren Aronofsky 2000 4.0

Reservation Road Terry George 2007 3.0

Reservoir Dogs Quentin Tarantino 1992 3.5

Revolutionary Road Sam Mendes 2008 3.5

The Road John Hillcoat 2009 3.5

Road to Perdition Sam Mendes 2002 3.5

Rocky John G. Avildsen 1976 3.0

The Sandlot David M. Evans 1993 3.0

The Savages Tamara Jenkins 2007 3.0

Saving Private Ryan Steven Spielberg 1998 4.0

Saw James Wan 2004 3.5

Saw II Darren Lynn Bousman 2005 3.0

Saw III Darren Lynn Bousman 2006 3.0

Saw IV Darren Lynn Bousman 2007 2.5

Saw V David Hackl 2008 2.5

Saw VI Kevin Greutert 2009 3.0

Scarface Brian De Palma 1983 4.0

Schindler’s List Steven Spielberg 1993 4.0

Secret Window David Koepp 2004 3.0

A Serious Man Joel & Ethan Coen 2009 3.0

Session 9 Brad Anderson 2001 3.0

Se7en David Fincher 1995 4.0

Seven Pounds Gabriele Muccino 2008 3.5

Shakespeare in Love John Madden 1998 3.5

The Shawshank Redemption Frank Darabont 1994 4.0

Sherlock Holmes Guy Ritchie 2009 3.0

The Shining Stanley Kubrick 1980 4.0

Shrink Jonas Pate 2009 3.0

Shutter Island Martin Scorsese 2010 3.5

The Silence of the Lambs Jonathan Demme 1991 4.0

Sin City Frank Miller 2005 4.0

A Single Man Tom Ford 2009 3.0

The Sixth Sense M. Night Shyamalan 1999 4.0

Sleepers Barry Levinson 1996 3.0

Slumdog Millionaire Danny Boyle 2008 4.0

Smokin’ Aces Joe Carnahan 2006 3.0

Snatch. Guy Ritchie 2000 3.0

The Sound of Music Robert Wise 1965 3.5

Stand By Me Rob Reiner 1986 3.0

State of Play Kevin Macdonald 2009 3.0

Stay Marc Forster 2005 3.0

Stranger than Fiction Marc Forster 2006 3.5

A Streetcar Named Desire Elia Kazan 1951 3.0

Superbad Greg Mottola 2007 4.0

Taxi Driver Martin Scorsese 1976 4.0

The Terminal Steven Spielberg 2004 3.0

Texas Chainsaw Massacre Marcus Nispel 2003 3.0

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Beginning Jonathan Liebesman 2006 2.5

Thank You for Smoking Jason Reitman 2005 2.5

There’s Something About Mary Bobby and Peter Farrelly 1998 4.0

There Will be Blood Paul Thomas Anderson 2007 4.0

Titanic James Cameron 1997 4.0

Tommy Boy Peter Segal 1995 3.0

Toy Story John Lasseter 1995 3.5

Toy Story 2 John Lasseter 1999 3.0

Traffic Steven Soderbergh 2000 3.5

Trainspotting Danny Boyle 1996 3.0

Transsiberian Brad Anderson 2008 3.0

Trick ‘r Treat Michael Dougherty 2008 3.0

Troy Wolfgang Petersen 2004 3.0

True Romance Tony Scott 1993 3.5

The Truman Show Peter Weir 1998 3.0

Unforgiven Clint Eastwood 1992 4.0

Up Pete Docter 2009 3.0

Up In the Air Jason Reitman 2009 3.0

The Usual Suspects Bryan Singer 1995 4.0

Vacancy Nimrod Antal 2007 3.0

Vicky Cristina Barcelona Woody Allen 2008 3.0

Waiting… Rob McKittrick 2005 2.5

Walk the Line James Mangold 2005 4.0

Wall Street Oliver Stone 1987 4.0

War of the Worlds Steven Spielberg 2005 3.0

Wayne’s World Penelope Spheeris 1992 2.5

Wedding Crashers David Dobkin 2005 3.5

We Own the Night James Gray 2007 3.0

When Harry Met Sally Rob Reiner 1989 3.0

White Men Can’t Jump Ron Shelton 1992 3.0

The White Ribbon Michael Haneke 2009

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Mel Stuart 1971 3.0

The Wizard of Oz Victor Fleming 1939 4.0

Woodstock Michael Wadleigh 1970 4.0

The Wrestler Darren Aronofsky 2008 3.0

Zodiac David Fincher 2007 3.5

Zoolander Ben Stiller 2001 3.0

Italics Denote Perfect Movies

*As I am completely HTML illiterate, I will actually not be editing this every time I purchase a movie. Rather I will keep an updated list on the right column with the last 5 or 10 movies I purchase.*

A Few Old Reviews to Illustrate My Writing Style

2010-09-29T09:44:00.000-04:00

I am a regular reader of movie reviews by Roger Ebert and the many posters on IMDB. I used to spend a lot of time posting on IMDB but ever since I started posting on CelticsBlog... well IMDB just isn't diverse enough for me. Judging by my frequent visits to the "Movie Line Trivia" thread there are many other CelticsBlog posters who enjoy movies just as much as I do. I am an avid DVD collector. It is a hobby I started last year around
this time and I now have 93 DVDs. That number does not include Television Series Box Sets and Sports Documentaries such as "A Nation Rewarded". I am very proud of my collection considering it is so young. My dream is to make enough money in the future that I can have one of those nifty home theaters with a full wall full of DVDs (Or maybe 2).

There are many great minds on this blog and I would be very interested to hear opinions on movies that I like, don't like, or perhaps haven't even heard of. As many of you know I also enjoy making lists. So I will give a small "review" of each of my 5 favorite movies of 2008 just to begin the "Movie Review Thread". And I put review in quotation marks because I will not exactly review the plot but instead tell why I liked the movies. I don't like to give things away. Feel free to PM me for reviews that include spoilers...

MattG12's Top Movies of 2008 (From What I've Seen)

1. In Bruges - 4 Stars
Colin Farrell. When I hear the name I cringe. I feel he is one of the most overrated actors in the history of film. Luckily in the movie "In Bruges" Colin did not have to do a lot of acting. He did not have to change his accent which he never seems to be able to hide in other roles. He did not have to seem intelligent, he did not have to watch his language. This film was made for Colin Farrell. Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes played their roles tremendously as I expected them to. I believe this was the first real "dark comedy" I had ever seen and I am now in love with the genre. I don't want to go to much into the plot of the movie but the director and cinematographer accomplished an amazing feat by turning such a drab town into a circus. I believe this movie should have won the Academy Award for Best Picture of the year.

2. Slumdog Millionaire - 4 Stars
I understand why this film did end up winning Best Picture of the year. I'm sure most people who will end up reading this thread has already seen this movie. It was excellent, however, had this movie been released in 2007 I don't believe it would have even been nominated. Don't get me wrong, it was a great movie but very, very overrated.

3. Gran Torino - 3.5 Stars
Clint Eastwood is sensational in this movie and I believe he is the only actor who could pull this off, right now (There are many actors who could pull it off but are currently far too young to play the part). Some supporting characters have less than sensational acting skills (Not saying I could do any better), but Clint Eastwood is so good in this movie that they don't need to be good at all.

4. Doubt - 3.5 Stars
In my opinion Colin Farrell is to actor as Meryl Streep is to actress. I just don't see it, and I'm not saying I'm right. However, this film is a perfect fit for her as well. Amy Adams is perfect in her role, I don't know a lot about her work so I don't know if that was to be expected. Last but not least, Philip Seymour Hoffman was outstanding. This guy is one of my favorite actors, he steals movies and it is amazing to watch. The pace was very slow, but for some reason I loved it.

5. Burn After Reading - 3.5 Stars
Where was this? This movie was hiding during all of the award ceremonies. I compare it to "In Bruges", another dark comedy with naive characters. Like "In Bruges" the movie relies on excellent dialogue one minute and complete silence the next. The movie starts slow, as it must to introduce a huge cast, and suddenly it speeds up and then it's over. Things that don't make you laugh in the beginning will make you laugh at the end when everything comes together. Excellent film.

Honorable Mentions:
Revolutionary Road - 3.5 Stars
The Reader - 3 Stars
Milk - 3.5 Stars
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 4 Stars (a 4 star comedy doesn't beat a 3.5 star drama IMO)
The Dark Knight - 3 Stars
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 3 Stars

(Recently seen)
The Wrestler - 3 Stars
Changeling - 4 Stars
Frost/Nixon - 4 Stars
Notorious - 3 Stars

Enjoy the thread everybody. Hopefully it will be a popular one!

*MattG12 is my Username on Celticsblog.com. CelticsBlog is a terrific blog that discusses my favorite basketball team, the Boston Celtics, among many, many other things, such as movies!*

*UPDATE: I now own 301 DVDs rather than 93*