10 Movies I Am Thankful For
Posted on November 20, 2007
Filed Under Holiday Movie Lists | 10 Comments
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It’s the time of year to give thanks. Although I am thankful for many more important things in my life, this blog is all about movies and lists. So, here are ten flicks (in no particular order) that I am especially thankful for. You won’t find these in my Top 100 Movies - these flicks didn’t quite make the cut, but are still great films none the less.
The Lookout (2007)
I am thankful for The Lookout because it surprised me with how good it was. The resolution of the heist was a little rushed, but this is an excellent flick starring the kid from 3rd Rock from the Sun, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. You have a good story, characters you actually care about, and great performances by Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels. Check this one out.
Transformers (2007)
I am thankful for Transformers because it is a big, loud, summer blockbuster with excellent special effects and some comedy. What’s not to love?
Blade II (2002)
I am thankful for Blade II for two reasons - it may be better than the original and combining horror and action is always (or usually) fun.
Grindhouse (2007)
I am thankful for Grindhouse because it was great to see a “double feature” in a theater again, Kurt Russell was awesome (in a story that admittedly dragged a bit), and for the fake trailers “Thanksgiving” and “Don’t.”
The Replacements (2000)
I am thankful for The Replacements (the band is pretty good too) because it’s an entertaining and funny (dare I say it) tale of redemption - wouldn’t we all love a “do over” at one time or another?
The Bourne Identity (2002)
When I first saw the trailer for this flick I thought “Matt Damon as a spy with no memory? Yeah, right.” Then I saw this flick and I thought, “Man this is good - no one else could play this part.” I am thankful (again) for pleasant surprises.
Uncle Buck (1989)
I am thankful for Uncle Buck because it’s John Candy at his best - we miss you John!
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
I am thankful for Hotel Rwanda because it tells an important story in a powerful way. Such stories need to be told more often and with the same emotion and power. The trailer for this flick even gets me. Everyone should see it.
Memento (2000)
I am thankful for Memento because of its unique storytelling and its introduction of Christopher Nolan to American audiences. I can’t wait for The Dark Knight!
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
I am thankful for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape because of Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance (which should have won him an Academy Award), Johnny Depp (when isn’t he good?), and a great story.
Are there any flicks you are especially thankful for? I would love to hear about them!
Tags: 3rd rock from the sun, action, blade ii, christopher nolan, dont, grindhouse, holiday, horror, hotel rwanda, jeff daniels, john candy, johnny depp, joseph gordon-levitt, kurt russell, leonardo dicaprio, matt damon, memento, movie list, movies I am thankful for, sequel, siskel and ebert, summer blockbusters, thanksgiving, the bourne identity, the dark knight, the lookout, the replacements, trailers, transformeres, uncle buck, whats eating gilbert grape
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Writer’s Strike: Movies About or Featuring Writers As Characters
Posted on November 6, 2007
Filed Under General Movie Lists | 3 Comments
On Monday, the people who write our favorite comedies, dramas, movies and late night shows went on strike. If this strike lasts for any significant period of time, we will eventually be watching re-runs. In fact, it’s already affecting late-night television. The strike could also shorten the final season of one of my favorite shows - Scrubs. Here’s hoping it ends soon.
With the current state of affairs in Hollywood, what would be more relevant than a list of movies about writers and/or that feature writers as characters? Here are ten eleven such movies (in no particular order) with a (very) short synopsis of each:
The Shining (1980)
Writer goes crazy.
Capote (2005)
Writer is obsessed.
Permanent Midnight (1998)
Writer likes drugs - a lot.
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Writer can’t figure out how to end her novel.
Misery (1990)
Writer is saved and then kidnapped by an obsessed fan.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Writer takes a trip with his lawyer.
Stand By Me (1986)
Writer remembers that crazy summer when he and his friends found a dead body.
Almost Famous (2000)
Wannabe writer goes on tour.
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Writer interviews a vampire.
As Good As It Gets (1997)
Writer with obsessive compulsive disorder falls in love.
The Player (1992)
Writer threatens a producer.
Tags: almost famous, as good as it gets, ben stiller, brad pitt, cameron crowe, capote, cuba gooding, emma thompson, fear and loathing in las vegas, helen hunt, hunter s. thompson, interview with a vampire, jack nicholson, james caan, jerry stahl, johnny depp, jr., kirstin dunst, misery, permanent midnight, philip seymour hoffman, rob reiner, robert altman, scrubs, stand by me, stanley kubrick, stephen king, stranger than fiction, the player, the shining, tim robbins, tom cruise, will farrell, writer039s strike
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Top 100 Movies: No. 86 - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Posted on October 26, 2007
Filed Under Top 100 Movies | 2 Comments
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is one of the more recent flicks in this list. It is a good action/adventure movie with an engaging story. Hey, who doesn’t like pirates and swashbucklers?
That being said, something had to put it over the top and into my Top 100 Movies list. What could that be? You know the answer - Captain Jack Sparrow as portrayed by Johnny Depp as influenced by Keith Richards. Captain Jack (as his friends call him) is one of the best new characters to appear in film in the last 10 or 15 years.
Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack earned him an Oscar nomination. It’s rare that an actor’s portrayal of a character in a fun popcorn movie receives an Oscar nomination. However, it’s not surprising in this case. Give an actor the caliber of Johnny Depp a juicy role like this and greatness will likely ensue.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, in the list at No. 86 and just in time for Halloween. I wonder how many Captain Jack Sparrow costumes we’ll see this year?
Have a great weekend!
Tags: actor, captain jack sparrow, costume, halloween, johnny depp, keith richards, list, pirate, pirates of the carribean, swashbuckler, top 100 movies
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Top 15 Movies To Watch On Halloween (Part II)
Posted on October 25, 2007
Filed Under Holiday Movie Lists | 4 Comments
As promised, here are Nos. 10 through 6 in my list of the Top 15 Movies to Watch on Halloween (you can find Part I here).
10. High Tension (2005)
We start off with an intense flick.
“Haute Tension,” a 2003 French horror film, was released in the U.S. as High Tension in 2005. It was directed by Alexandre Aja, who directed the remake of The Hills Have Eyes, another intense flick.
For those of you terrified by subtitles, don’t fret - this movie has few subtitles and you forget that you’re even watching a foreign film. Besides, why not expand your horizons a little? OK, High Tension is not going to expand your horizons. Unless you desire to expand your horror movie horizons and subject yourself to an intense, shocking, gory, terrifying and disturbing movie.
You’ve been warned. I’m serious.
9. Friday the 13th (1980)
Ahhh, the original and best. Featuring a young Kevin Bacon, post Animal House. The sequels got progressively inane and were essentially the same movie rehashed after Part II (the first appearance of Jason, pre-hockey mask), but the original is a good “slasher” movie.
The trailer is kind of annoying though. Anybody else with me on that?
8. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Admit it, you were a little scared to sleep after you saw A Nightmare on Elm Street. Come on, you know it’s true. Blame it on Wes Craven. He did an excellent job making scenes look like nightmares - Freddy’s five-foot (or so) long arms in the alley, Nancy running up the stairs only to have her feet get stuck in some gooey substance, etc., etc.
If you need another reason to watch it - a pre-21 Jump Street Johnny Depp stars in this flick.
7. The Thing (1982)
The Thing is a remake of a 1951 monster/science fiction movie and number two on my list of favorite John Carpenter movies. Carpenter is a master at creating an atmosphere of fear, dread, panic and isolation. If you haven’t seen this flick, do so. It’s a horror masterpiece.
6. Psycho (1960)
A classic. After all these years, Psycho is still creepy and scary as hell.
While watching the trailer (which is long, but stick with it), be sure to take note of the happy/cheerful music and Hitchcock’s delivery. Genius.
So, what do you think so far? Part III is coming up next Tuesday, the day before Halloween. Yeah, I timed it that way. Pretty cleaver, I mean clever, huh?
Don’t forget, I will reveal No. 86 in my Top 100 Movies tomorrow.
Have fun watching The Office tonight.
Ok, that’s it. Boo.
Tags: 21 jump street, a nightmare on elm street, alexandre aja, alfred hitchcock, animal house, foreign film, freddy, friday the 13th, halloween, haute tension, high tension, horror, jason, john carpenter, johnny depp, kevin bacon, list, monster, movies, psycho, remake, science fiction, slasher, the hills have eyes, the thing, top 15, trailer, wes craven
