Top 100 Movies: No. 74 - Breaking Away (1979)
Posted on November 30, 2007
Filed Under Top 100 Movies | 3 Comments
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Ever feel like you don’t fit in - anywhere? Well, the lead character in Breaking Away, Dave Stohler (played by Dennis Christopher), sure can relate.
He didn’t fit in with his “Cutter” friends (he wanted to be an Italian bicyclist). He didn’t fit in at home (he and his father didn’t see eye-to-eye and his mother had some problems relating). He definitely didn’t fit in with the college kids from Indiana University.
What does he do to cope? He pretends to be Italian to get the girl of his dreams - who just happens to be a student at Indiana. Oh yeah, he also rides his bike - a lot.
Breaking Away takes place during springtime in Bloomington, Indiana just as the Little 500 bicycle race (AKA “The World’s Greatest College Weekend”) is about to take place. For those of you not familiar with “Little 5,” this movie will give you a little insight into the sporting side of this event. Maybe someday they will make a movie about the “other” side of the event.
Ultimately this excellent flick is about, you guessed it, trying to fit in and figure out just where your life is headed. This movie also features an early (and excellent) performance by Dennis Quaid.
Tags: bloomington indiana, breaking away, dennis christopher, dennis quaid, indiana university, little 500, the worlds greatest college weekend
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That’s What She Said . . .
Posted on October 10, 2007
Filed Under Top 10 Lists | Leave a Comment
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. That’s what . . ok, I’ll stop now.
This list (and the title of this post) is for fans of The Office
In just two new episodes the bar has been raised. Then again, The Office seems to get funnier every season. I hope they can continue this pace. I was a little concerned that the show may “jump the shark” because of the relationship between Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), but it hasn’t. Fonzie isn’t even near the ocean yet.
In honor of The Office’s strong start yet again this year, here are my Top 10 Movies featuring The Office cast members:
10. Sahara (2005)
Not my favorite movie (not even in my Top 200 - ok, I really don’t have such a list), but I don’t think it was bad as some of the reviews it received. Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) plays a prominent role in this flick as Rudi Gunn, one of Matthew McConaughey’s sidekicks.
9. Jarhead (2005)
John Krasinski appears in this flick about the first Gulf War as Corporal Harrigan. Not a big role, but the movie was good (not great) and I enjoy most of John’s work.
8. Kinsey (2004)
For those of you who don’t know (or haven’t seen the movie), Dr. Alfred Kinsey conducted groundbreaking research in human sexuality at Indiana University back in the 1940’s and 50’s. John Krasinski makes an appearance as a newlywed who, along with his wife, seeks out the advice of Dr. Kinsey, a zoologist by training, when he and his wife have questions about sex. Not a big role for Krasinski, but the movie is good and his scene is quite amusing.
7. Knocked Up (2007)
Knocked Up has brief appearances by Steve Carell (Michael Scott), as himself, and B.J. Novak (Ryan Howard - no, not that Ryan Howard) as an obstetrician. This movie would have ranked higher with more cast member participation. That being said, Knocked Up is a great flick - a lot of humor and a lot of heart. I literally had to stop the movie at least twice because I was laughing so loud.
6. The Replacements (2000)
Ah, The Replacements, making a second appearance in one of my movie lists. I just love this flick and I don’t care who knows (obviously). Guilty pleasure or not, it is just entertaining. So who is The Office cast member in this flick? None other than Pam’s ex-fiance, Roy Anderson, as played by David Denman. Denman plays deaf tight end, Brian Murphy, in The Replacements, who (spoiler alert!) catches the winning pass at the end of the movie. Lucky guy. Wonder if they’ll ever bring Roy back to the Scranton Branch of Dunder Mifflin.
5. Almost Famous (2000)
Rainn Wilson has a small role in Almost Famous as Rolling Stone writer David Felton. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. If Rainn would have had a more prominent role, this flick would have been ranked higher. Don’t worry, you’ll see Almost Famous on other lists.
4. Blades of Glory (2007)
Jenna Fischer has a prominent role in Blades of Glory as the sister of the evil (and incestuous??) skating siblings, Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg. While this isn’t Will Ferrell’s best work, it is fun and Jenna does a great job playing the innocent sister. But, why would she be interested in Jon Heder’s character? Ahhh, movie magic.
3. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Either you love Anchorman or you hate it. I love pretty much anything Will Ferrell does, which means I love Anchorman. Steve Carell is phenomenal as the weatherman in this flick. That’s right, I actually used the word phenomenal to describe his performance. Watch it again if you don’t believe me.
2. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Think Steve Carell is only good at straight-ahead comedy? Think again and then check out Little Miss Sunshine. Great movie. Great work by Mr. Carell.
1. The 40-Year Old Virgin (2005)
It shouldn’t surprise you that Steve Carell has dominated this list. It also shouldn’t surprise you that this flick is No. 1. This is a great movie. It also has the most appearances by cast members of The Office. In addition to Steve Carell, Mindy Kaeling (Kelly Kapoor) appears as Paul Rudd’s ex-girlfriend, and Jenna Fischer and Phyllis Smith (Phyllis Lapin) both have uncredited appearances. Like Knocked Up, The 40-Year Old Virgin is hilarious, but also has a lot of heart. You can’t say that about a lot of other such comedies in this genre.
So . . . what do you think? As always, feedback is encouraged. Another entry in my Top 100 Movies is coming soon, maybe even tomorrow!! Ok, yes, another entry is coming tomorrow.
Tags: almost famous, anchorman: the legend of ron burgundy, b.j. novak, blades of glory, david denman, dr. alfred kinsey, dunder mifflin, dwight schrute, fonzie, indiana university, jarhead, jenna fischer, jim halpert, john krasinski, jon heder, jump the shark, kinsey, knocked up, little miss sunshine, matthew mcconaughey, michael scott, mindy kaeling, pam beesly, paul rudd, phyllis smith, rainn wilson, roy anderson, ryan howard, sahara, steve carell, the 40 year old virgin, the office, the replacements, top 10, will farrell
