Double Indemnity - 8.5/10
Akeelah and the Bee - 7/10
Maria Full of Grace - 8.5/10
Training Day - 8/10
World Trade Center - 7.75/10
Taxi Driver - 8.5/10
The Wizard of Oz - 9/10 (what a classic, never gets old)
Sabrina - 9/10
The Lost Weekend - 7.5/10
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - 9/10
The Untouchables - 7.5/10
No, I haven't been busy - this is going back a long time.
Edit 10/18/2006: Wow, I was an idiot. Double Indemnity 10/10, World Trade Center 6/10, Taxi Driver 9/10, Wizard of Oz 10/10.
8.31.2006
8.26.2006
Today in one of my writing workshops the teacher was doing a class exercise where she put first lines from short stories/novels on the overhead, and then asked the class for a 'yay' or 'nay,' on whether they would keep reading based only on that sentence.
I don't remember the quote or novel or anything, but after numerous one-liners, there was one sentence that took up 3 lines in the Word document, so there were a few commas and a couple thoughts combined. Actually, it was probably as long as the sentence just before this one. A few people in the class said 'nay,' and she asked why. This one girl said, "I don't know, the sentence seemed too long." Then I muttered, "Well then what do you read, Dr. Seuss?" Of course, when I said that, the class got quiet, and the teacher asked me to repeat what I said.
So I elaborated (slightly), and said something like, "Well if three lines is too long, what do you read, Dr. Seuss? I mean, come on..." The girl got all defensive, and started to explain what she meant, but a majority of the class was still laughing at my comment.
Funny aftermath - when we set out to do group work, she sat next to me in our small groups, so I almost felt bad. And for the record, I have nothing against Dr. Seuss.
Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels - Not without flaws, but lots of fun to watch. 8/10
8.24.2006
American Beauty is the most amazing movie ever.
I know I put this as my number two favorite a bit ago, because I could not, in good faith, put it before 'It's a Wonderful Life.' However, this is one of those movies where the more I watch it, the more I love it, understand it, learn from it, and cherish it. Ok, that last bit sounded corny and lame, but seriously...
Everything about this movie is perfect. Every role, even the smallest parts, are outstanding. Yes, we all know Kevin Spacey is the shiznit, and Annette Bening is great and all, but how about Wes Bentley explaining why a simple plastic bag floating in the wind is beautiful (however much it was parodied in other movies)? Or the girl that Angela and Jane run into at school, who tells off Angela and says, 'Stop acting like you're God damn Christie Turlington!' The brilliant, little things we just hear in passing, like how Annette Bening's shear handles match her gardening clogs, or how Mena Suvari's last name 'Hayes' is a play on the character Lolita Haze in 'Lolita,' which is a novel dealing with similar subject matter.
The musical score is so soothing, and so flawless that I listen to it often. And the beautiful representation of the rose petals throughout the movie... the concept of nothing being what it seems (pleasant, typical suburban house is not quite so typical)... huge character arcs for everyone in the movie (except maybe Chris Cooper, who is always great in any role)...
Few movies can make me both happy and sad, pessimistic and optimistic at the same time. This is one of them. There's so many small things to notice. I 'like' a lot of movies, and 'love' only a few. This is one of them. Is it stupid to love something that's just a roll of film, a collection of sound and vision, a little circular DVD that reads in an electronic player? Maybe. Possibly. But who the hell cares?
8.23.2006
Though this may seem obvious (and it did to me as well, but I did it anyway), take note; mixed fruit and coffee do not mix. This morning after my first class I was a bit hungry and very tired, so I went to a coffee place on campus and got a huge mixed fruit thing (grapes, cantaloupe, pineapple, etc) and a large coffee. Now, individually, both of these are delicious. Together, not so much.
I guess those fruit things are designed for people who get those fruity smoothies or other cold drinks. Or, you know, people who just want fruit and nothing to drink. Yet, saying all this, I'll probably do it again in the future because I like to mix very healthy, nutritious fruit with excessive caffeine/sugar/cream intake.
8.21.2006
I'm going on my fourth year in college and have yet to see something like this. This morning I had a professor hand out his syllabus, which is customary for the first day of class, and it was just a single page listing the grading scale and tentative schedule. He held up our book for the class, and I was annoyed when I saw it was something different than I picked up from the bookstore. The book from the bookstore was a big, fat Norton Anthology, the book he held up was some old book for like ten dollars.
He then kept bashing the big, fat Norton book, saying it's excessive and expensive. Then he talked about the literary canon and how the newer book (the one he had was from 1966 and was basically all white, male authors) had more diversity. He asked which book the class wanted to use, since the book he had wasn't available and was on order, and most people wanted the cheap, thin, simple book. "As long as all our readings are in the small book, let's get it," people said.
He goes on talking for 25 minutes about how he's going to go to the bookstore and fix the book they have labeled for his class. Then finally, he says, "Well what if this was a fake syllabus, and the real syllabus is for the Norton book." Then, turns out it was, and he handed out a real, typical 5 page syllabus for the book I already had.
He was a fairly good actor, saying that he would 'change the syllabus' if the class voted to use the big book (which no one did). It was also suspicious that the original, fake syllabus was only one page, didn't have his email address, and had a 15-17 page paper on it. I was thinking, "Wow, this teacher sucks. I may have to drop this class."
By the end of the class I really liked the guy, so hopefully he's not too bad. I need to remember this for if I ever become a teacher.
8.11.2006
8.04.2006
Finishing the countdown of my 50 favorite movies ever! Don't be lame and just skip to the end. Pretend it's a TV show and you can't.
The Princess Bride (1987) | IMDb
This movie has it all. The best swordfight of all time. Great comedy (inconceivable!). True love for the little chick flick side of us. "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Such a fantastic movie.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) | IMDb
How did this movie not win an Oscar? This is another one of those movies where when it's on TV, I can't change the channel. The plot is such a brilliant story of Tim Robbins' time in the Shawshank prison. Morgan Freeman is one of the better actors of this generation, and at the end, when the movie climaxes (I don't want to spoil it for the 2 people who haven't seen it), it's such a great moment.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) | IMDb
I think I'm a little biased for a few reasons. First off, I love the play, and since most of this screenplay is taken word-for-word from the play, it's great. If it's not broken, don't fix it, right? Also, Vivien Leigh is so gorgeous (see previous 'Gone With the Wind' ranking). Marlon Brando is the best actor ever. What more do you need? Well...
American Beauty (1999) | IMDb
Sam Mendes' first real movie, and sadly, when you win a Best Director Oscar and the movie wins Best Picture, it's hard to keep up that momentum. The story of how a miserable, ordinary man flips his life around is just so... I can't even describe it. Partially because I've used all my good phrases before, but mostly because everything about this movie is so far above the standard, I'm speechless. Kevin Spacey is the perfect Lester Burnham, and I just can't get enough of this movie.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) | IMDb
The classic, best, and most moving Christmas movie. If you haven't seen Frank Capra's masterpiece, something's wrong with you (yes, I'm talking about you, Allison). Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors of all time, plus he's one of the best actors of all time, so yeah... The ending few scenes of this movie always get to me, even if it's the middle of July. The Christmas story about family and friends is too good. It's impossible to watch this movie and not feel happy afterwards. Best movie ever.
So there it is, guys. Hope you're not disappointed. If you are, oh well, it's my list. Deal with it. Rock 'n' roll.
ten through six
fifteen through eleven
twenty-five through sixteen
thirty through twenty-six
thirty-five through thirty-one
thirty-six through forty
forty-five through forty-one
fifty through forty-six
8.03.2006
Continuing the countdown of my 50 favorite movies ever!
Annie Hall (1977) | IMDb
Definitely Woody Allen's best movie. Diane Keaton is also so ditzy that it's very lovable. With totally random comedy, ranging from cartoon drawings to subtitles showing what characters really think, it's so much fun watching Woody Allen be neurotic.
Psycho (1960) | IMDb
One of the great, classic Hitchcock movies. Such a masterpiece, showing the depths of many human traits, i.e. greed, jealousy. The acting is flawless, the pacing is perfect (as with all Hitchcock movies), and nothing more can be asked for in a thriller/suspense movie.
Some Like It Hot (1959) | IMDb
Jack Lemmon. Tony Curtis. Marilyn Monroe. Billy Wilder. Win, win, win, win. Such a ridiculous premise for a movie, and it's nonstop laughs all the way through. Very traditional comedy in a lot of ways, but also still hilarious by today's standards. AFI ranked this as their number one comedy of all time, and I can't debate that point with them.
A Show in the Dark (1964) | IMDb
Peter Sellers could be the funniest actor ever. His role of Inspecter Jacques Clouseau could be the best comedy role ever. The 'Pink Panther' movies are great and all, but this spin-off is much better than the rest, and I can't get enough of it.
The Godfather (1972) | IMDb
One of the best movies ever made, and rightfully so. This story of the Corleone family and its rise back to power after the murder of Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) spans over three hours, but there's never a dull moment. Everything in this movie is perfect. Perfect, I say. PERFECT. Despite many deaths and betrayals and intricate plot points, there's even a few lines that have me laughing every time. Great masterpiece.
fifteen through eleven
twenty-five through sixteen
thirty through twenty-six
thirty-five through thirty-one
thirty-six through forty
forty-five through forty-one
fifty through forty-six
8.02.2006
Continuing the countdown of my 50 favorite movies ever!
Dr. Strangelove (1964) | IMDb
First, I love the full title. 'Dr. Strangelove or; How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.' Ok, anyway... To be honest, the first time I watched this movie, I was like 'yaaaaaaaaaawn!' Then I watched it again, and loved it. I don't know why I didn't like it the first time, but that doesn't matter. Each repeat viewing only enhances my love for Peter Sellers, and the whole witty satire thing comes off great and all, but my favorite part is definitely the closing line/scene. Watch it to find out, if you haven't seen it. Loser.
Clue (1985) | IMDb
Screw the board game, book, or whatever else this movie is based on. This constant string of slapstick and subtle humor is fucking great. Three different endings also make this movie awesome, but come on, Tim Curry wins everything.
Halloween (1978) | IMDb
I have many terrible memories of this movie. In a good way. Michael Myers haunted my childhood and caused me many sleepless nights. The whole idea of a murderer stalking you in the day, coming to slash you at night, always watching you, never actually dying... Not to mention this is one of the best genuine horror movies ever made in the first place. Sure, they made 800 terrible sequels, but the original is classic.
All About Eve (1950) | IMDb
I'm going to just say this here to prevent further debate: Best Screenplay Ever. Bette Davis is always fantastic, but this is definitely one of her best performances; however, I like Anne Baxter's performance a lot more anyway. Maybe it's my love for beautiful young adult actresses, but who knows. This story about climbing the social ladder and the apprentice/master tale is the best there is.
Casablanca (1942) | IMDb
If this was a 'best movie ever' list, I'd put this as number one. Despite being over 60 years old, the dialogue is still crisp and better than most stuff written today. And, of course, Humphrey Bogart is one of the best actors ever, along with Ingrid Bergman (a personal favorite of mine). If you don't like this movie, something's wrong with you.
twenty-five through sixteen
thirty through twenty-six
thirty-five through thirty-one
thirty-six through forty
forty-five through forty-one
fifty through forty-six
8.01.2006
Continuing the countdown of my 50 favorite movies ever! I'm posting 10 today because I may not be able to post tomorrow. If I am able to, I'll post 15-11, and if not, at least we'll still be on track. Note: I probably should've said this earlier; some of my readers don't follow movies as much as me, so if there's a name you don't recognize as an actor, nine times out of ten it's the director. That's why the IMDb link is there, I guess. Just so you know.
The Godfather: Part II (1974) | IMDb
The second part of the Godfather series, this time following both Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino in two storylines. I'm going to be honest here: while DeNiro does have an amazing performance, I find it hard to watch a lot of his scenes more than a couple times (except, of course, when he's killing people. So badass.), so I mostly watch the 'modern' half with Al Pacino. The scene captured above has to be my favorite moment in any movie, ever. Better than the original? No. Phenominal piece of cinema? Yes.
Fight Club (1999) | IMDb
When I first saw this movie, like most people, I was just in a state of shock and 'what the fuck?' I watched it a second time right afterwards, and for the next few years probably about once every two months. I don't know whose character I like more - Brad Pitt's or Ed Norton's, but either way, they both dominate. A great movie based on a great novel - how odd, since one or the other usually sucks.
Chinatown (1974) | IMDb
From the first time I saw this movie, as soon as it finished, all I could think was, 'Wow, that movie could be one of the best movies ever.' Partially because of my love for Jack Nicholson, partially because of my love for crime dramas, and partially because Roman Polanski is the shit.
Blazing Saddles (1974) | IMDb
Question: How funny is Mel Brooks? Answer: Very. Lots of great jokes in this movie, including the punching of a horse and lots of racial slur usage. Gene Wilder is the man, too. Willy Wonka aside, his performances in Mel Brooks movies are always top notch.
Finding Nemo (2003) | IMDb
God, do I love this movie. Whoever said comedy needs to be crude in order to be funny obviously has never seen a movie by Pixar. Definitely my favorite Pixar movie (though I love them all, to be honest [that kinda spoiled the rest of my list]), and I could watch this on loop forever and never be bored. So many great lines.
Traffic (2000) | IMDb
Steven Soderbergh's Oscar-winning directing job - and with good reason. The three stories in this movie are all top notch, and the way they all have a different style of being filmed makes this movie fantastic. Plus Topher Grace has a small role. I love 'Gladiator' and all, but I think the Academy fucked up by not giving this flick the Best Picture Oscar.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) | IMDb
Do I really need to explain why this movie is on the list? Hannibal Lecter is possibly the coolest bad guy ever, and even without him this is still a brilliant movie. But mostly it has to do with how awesome Anthony Hopkins plays Hannibal Lecter, and how the atmosphere of the movie centers around him, despite him only having a tiny bit of screen time.
The Producers (1968) | IMDb
More Mel Brooks... I know I may get some shit for this one, but I like 'The Producers' more than 'Blazing Saddles.' Deal with it. I recently saw the remake, and it was decent, but not much compares to the original. If 'Springtime for Hitler' ever hit a theatre near me, I'd be there every night.
Lilo & Stitch (2002) | IMDb
In case you didn't know, I'm all about the Disney movies. I just can't get over how cute and funny both Lilo and Stitch are. Soooo cute. Sooooooooo cute! It cannot be described, so just take my word for it - I love this movie. Also, any movie with lots of Elvis music is awesome by default.
Sunset Boulevard (1950) | IMDb
If I had to pick a favorite director of all time, it'd probably be Billy Wilder. Not only can he direct, but he's one hell of a writer, too. This movie is a story of an outdated silent movie star who (pretty much) captures a screenwriter to help her build up for a new role for her comeback to motion pictures... and then lots of freaky stuff happens. I don't really want to ruin it, but writing this up, I'm wishing I put this movie in my top 10. I guess I'll go look at the rest of my list now to assure myself I made the right decision.
thirty through twenty-six
thirty-five through thirty-one
thirty-six through forty
forty-five through forty-one
fifty through forty-six
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