The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

And the Oscar goes to...whoops, have I spoken too soon? The Curious Case of Benjamin Button should come as no suprise that it is one of the best movies of 2008. Though it is a polar opposite of the 22 page short story, the 167 minute movie is satistfying. The movie is depressing and is themed with death, therefore many maybe uncomfortable with it.

Benjamin Button is truly a curious case. Played by Brad Pitt, he was born "under unusual circumstances" with the body of an 80 year old. Left on the doorstep of Queenie (Taraji P. Huston), the owner of a retirement home, he is adopted and is raised by her. Even more strange, he is becoming younger as people grow older. At the retirement home, he meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett), the love of his life. The movie chronicles his life adventures.

The movie is butt numbing to say the least. Though it may be well measured in time, it is 167 minutes and it does feel that way. Some parts of the movie aren't really all that necessary. I'm scared to know how long the director's cut is if one exists!

David Fincher's direction is amazing. Some shots are absolutely gorgeous such as the one in which he watches the sunrise with his biological father. Others are not including the war sequence which is filmed very well. Whether or not the movie's length is his fault or not we will never know, but he is forgiven.

Benjamin Button should see shiny statuettes in its future. Though the movie does seem to drag on a bit, it is well worth it. Taraji P. Huston, David Fincher, and the picture itself should be getting awards come February. The movie will captivate all viewers and the end will leave them in tears. As we see Benjamin age (or quite the opposite), we are him and we feel the pain he must be going through.

Eyes Without a Face (1960)

Eyes Without a Face is in French and subtitled in English. It is also called Les Yeux Sans Visage or The Horror Chamber of Dr. Faustus.

Eyes Without a Face is an odd cult classic. The movie is eerie and distubring and at the same time, amusing to watch. There is great direction and some really good special effects for its time. This little known chiller is surely an eye opener.

The strange story may sound slightly cliche, but that is only now. It is about Christiane, a sweet girl whose face has been horribly disfigured in a car accident and is now forced to wear a creepy mask. Her father, the person responsible for the accident, has concocted a plan with a nurse to give her a new face. The only way to do this is to graft the skin of other women onto hers. The events that follow are not easy to watch.

As I have previously mentioned, the effects in the movie are quite good. The one time we do see Christiane's face without the mask is shocking because it does look quite real. Also, the scene where the doctor cuts off a girl's face looks realistic. It is creepy how often the film feels real.

Unfortunately, the film is not known by very many, but it is a member of the Criterion Collection, therefore it gets the treatment it deserves on DVD. The stark black and white imagery is surreal and beautiful. Many may be scared away from the film by its subject matter, but one shouldn't. It probably may come off as hokey, but to me it is a creepy, very real movie.

Taxi Driver (1976)

One of Martin Scorcese's earliest is also one of his best. Taxi Driver remains a classic because it tells a timeless disturbing story and manages to get into the viewer's mind. Sad and honest, Taxi Driver delivers a great tale of mental deterioration and New York City. Early performances galore in this film.

Robert De Niro stars as Travis Bickle, a Vietnam veteran who returned home recently. He finds himself unable to sleep and, as a result, applies for a job as a cabby. He gets the job working for 6 PM-6 AM. What he sees disturbs him including a teenage prostitute who is beautifully played by Jodie Foster in her debut performance.

If it weren't for the acting, Taxi Driver could have been a film that people had forgot over the 32 years that it has been out. Albert Brooks is perfect as Tom and Cybil Sheperd is Betsy in a really early performance. As I have mentioned before, Jodie Foster does the part of Iris justice in fact so much that she was nominated for an Oscar for it. Harvey Keitel as Iris' pimp is amazing. Last, but surely not least, Robert De Niro is fantastic as the mentally insane Travis.

It is the violence in this film that causes us to remember it. Towards the end, a character's fingers get blown off by a gun. These days, this is nothing, but for the 70's this was really graphic. Still, the scenes with violence are disturbing, but not nearly as much as the used to be. A splatter of blood on a wall is no longer a taboo, it simply is very ordinary.

Taxi Driver is a memorable classic. The mental deterioration theme has been revisited in many films, but this is probably the most memorable case of it. Like many Scorcese films, when Taxi Driver gets into your head, it doesn't come out easily. The great ensemble cast and score by Bernard Herrman are superb. Martin Scorcese really makes the phrase "You talkin' ta me?" a memorable one.

Sin City (2005)

Before Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino teamed up for Grindhouse, they made Sin City. The adaptation of Frank Miller, the other director of this, is faithful and fun. The film is bloody and beautiful. It is hard not to be seduced by the red blood and black and white.

The film revolves around three stories of violence in Basin City, a city overrun by crime. There's Marv (Mickey Rourke), a man whose girlfriend was murdered while he was sleeping and is constantly searching for her killer. Then there is Dwight. Dwight (Clive Owen) is a man who is having an affair with a woman, played by Brittany Murphy, whose boyfriend's name is Jackie Boy (Benicio Del Toro). Jackie Boy and Dwight are determined to kill each other. The final story is Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba), a stripper whose life is once again in danger. Luckily, Hartigan (Bruce Willis), an aging police officer, steps in to save her. Other cast members include Josh Harnett, Alexis Bledel, Rosario Dawson, and Carla Gugino.

Sin City is a cool update on film noir. The old genre is looked at through comic book eyes and taken to the screen in black and white. Blood appears in red (there's a lot of it in this flick) and yellow is seen on the ugly villain The Yellow Bastard. The fact that it is black and white makes the blood even more effective because one can really see it in contrast to the background. It's the graphic, bloody sequences that make this movie memorable.

People are now used to Frank Miller's films, but when this came out it was his first. Either you love it or you hate, but I really love it. Tomorrow marks the release of The Spirit, which I look forward to seeing, but it looks all too similar to this. Intelligent and gory, the seductive color makes Robert Rodriguez's film memorable and thrilling.

More Memorable Movie Moments

1. Sex and the City: The Movie: Mr. Big and Carrie finally get married-It only took 6 seasons and a two and half hour movie for it to happen, but they finally tied the knot. Women were left breathless and men said "Thank god", but even a man can't deny that the movie had its moments.

2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Indy gets the Crystal Skull-Though the movie may have been criticized for the ultraweird ending, I actually liked it. The series had never ventured into the supernatural, but I thought it was cool when they did. Indy's trip to Area 51 was worth my ten dollars.

3. Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Maria Elena goes crazy-The scene where Maria Elena nearly shoots Vicky and Juan Antonio is both memorable and funny. Penelope Cruz's most memorable role in a long time proved well worth my money as well.

Notable Movies of 2008

Here they all are (in alphabetical order):
Australia
The Bank Job
Blindness
Burn After Reading
Changeling
Cloverfield
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Gran Torino
Happy Go Lucky
In Bruges
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Let the Right One In
Man on Wire
Milk
Pineapple Express
Quarantine
Rachel Getting Married
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Sex and the City: The Movie
Shoot 'Em Up
Slumdog Millionaire
Synecdoche, New York
Transsiberian
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
The Visitor
WALL-E
Waltz With Bashir
Wanted
The Wrestler

The Best Movie Moments of 2008

As the year comes to a close, we look back on the best movie moments of 2008
1. The Dark Knight: The armored car chase/the pencil trick- You can't pick just one scene from The Dark Knight. The armored car chase is so good because of the amazing effects and some pretty good acting from Heath Ledger. The pencil trick is my favorite part. Why? The Joker says "Let me do a magic trick. I will make this pencil disappear." Then he shoves some guy's head down and sticks it into his eye.

2. WALL-E: The silent first half hour-Daring and cool, the silent first half hour spins new animation on the old genre of the silent movies. It basically says "Look how far we have come in the movie business". Pixar, as per usual, amazes me. In fact, even if it is the worst Pixar film, it is the worst of the best.

3. Wanted-The "goodbye" bullet/the train crash-Again, in Wanted there are way too many cool scenes to pick just one. Aside from the fact that Morgan Freeman utters the lines "Shoot this motherfucker!", the "goodbye" bullet scene is awesome because Angelina Jolie curves a bullet in a circle, killing five men and eventually taking herself as well. The train crash is just another cool rush of adrenaline.

4. Cloverfield-The monster throws the Statue of Liberty's head into a New York street-There isn't really much to say about the scene other than the fact that it is really memorable. Not often do PG-13 movies make such a lasting impression, but this one is a fun, new twist on the genre of the monster movie.

5. Iron Man-Iron Man takes flight-Seeing as Iron Man was such a surprise hit, it seems necessary to include it on the list. When he first lifts off from the ground, it is just so cool. This year was the year in intelligent superhero movies and this was just the beginning to this new genre.

Runners Up:
Australia-Darwin gets bombed
The Bank Job-The events after the bank is robbed
Pineapple Express-The ultraviolent ending

[REC] (2007) and Quarantine (2008)

REC is in Spanish with English subtitles. It also goes under the titles [REC] and REC. Unfortunately, it is unavailable on DVD in America. There is a possibility it will be released the same day as Quarantine on DVD. Quarantine is in English.

Although foreign films are the craze these days, it seems that one of the best never saw America. REC is a superb, chilling horror movie that should be more widely released. It did finally come to America in the form of Quarantine, a faithful remake. Both are good, but I like REC slightly more.

REC and Quarantine follow the same plot. Angela Vidal (Jenifer Carpenter in America) is a reporter who spends the night with a group of firefighters and her camerman. Soon enough, they get a call about an old woman screaming in an apartment. When they get there, the old woman attacks one of the firefighters. Even worse, the old woman is a contagious zombie.

It is the little things that make REC better than Quarantine. It may just be that REC was made first making it feel more fresh. Just imagine somebody trying to remake The Blair Witch Project. It would be a good remake, but it just wouldn't be the same. Also the end, which even lacks clarity in REC, needs more explaining in Quarantine. Though this may be true, props go to Quarantine for make Angela less annoying.

The shaky cam effect is what really makes these films work. It makes both films feel very real and much more creepy. The scene towards the end in both versions where Angela and the cameraman are in the penthouse and the attic door pops open and a little body pops out is so much scarier with shakiness. Also, the effect just seems to make sense with the films.

REC and Quarantine are both good. Quarantine gained a lot of interest in America, but it really owes its success to REC. It is unfortunate that REC was never released in America because it is one of my favorite horror movies. It is also one of the few that still scares me.

P.S.-REC is available on YouTube. Shh, don't tell!

Lost Highway (1997)

Lost Highway is the usual from David Lynch. Saying that something the usual from Lynch is quite ironic considering each of his films is obscure and strange in its own way. This one has a tone similar to that of Mulholland Dr., odd and erotic. The film is a fun romp in confusion and sexuality.

Well, before the movie gets a little too hard to figure out, it is about a jazz saxophonist (Bill Pullman) who is named Fred and is happily married to Renee (Patricia Arquette). One day, an unknown man comes to his door and tells him "Dick Laurent is dead" and following this he goes to a nightclub with Renee and meets the Mystery Man who tells him he is currently at his house (typical Lynchian story). Unfortunately, soon after, Renee is murdered, but Fred is framed for it. He then goes to jail and remakes his life into himself as a mechanic.

Lynch, as usual, shines in his direction. The one thing that I still remember from this film is the many scenes spent in cars. They are always sped up in a way that looks really cool. Also, the sex scenes, among anything else, are very interesting. The use of light and dark during them is pretty sophisticated and pleasing to the eye.

If you thought Mulholland Dr. was confusing, then you obviously haven't seen Lost Highway. I still can't really figure out what happened, but from what I understand, it's pretty amazing. Just check IMDB's boards on this film. People constantly bounce theories off each other, each more weird than the next. People have even found connections to Twin Peaks!

Lynch's films are always great and this one is a little known classic of his. Finally, this year it was released to DVD so it's worth a look. Though one shouldn't expect this to be Lynch's best, it's pretty damn good. Erotic and suspensful, Lost Highway is entertaining and definitely puzzling, even years later.

Movies You Shouldn't See: Superhero Movie (2008)

Don't ask how, but this didn't go direct to DVD. Yes, Superhero Movie is another one of those movies--those stupid parody ones. Disaster Movie and Superhero Movie in the same year. A tragedy. I'm crying on the inside as to what Hollywood has become.

If you actually care, you can read the summary here. Rick Riker (Drake Bell) is a student who is bit by a radioactive dragonfly on a school trip. When he discovers he has the ability to fly, things suddenly change and he begins to realize he can have his love interest, Jill, the girl next door.

Though a movie spoofing superhero movies seems like it would be funny, it is quite the opposite. Risque humor and comic violence don't make everything funny, people! Believe me, this has good intentions, but it doesn't quite make the cut. The best of its kind recently (which isn't saying much) does not even squeeze a chuckle out of me.

Well, you were probably wondering how I came across this rubbish. So, I was on a plane to Europe, but I was having trouble sleeping. I didn't want to watch something that demanded very much attention so I selected this. It did the trick. I fell back asleep after 20 minutes. I later finished the film (What? There was nothing better do!) and was rather disappointed.

Superhero Movie will be laughed at for how bad it is eventually. It tries to be funny but clearly fails, epically. Nobody ever said you had to step past Scary Movie, but the producers did and continue to. Why? Well, to be honest, nobody knows. These aren't even bringing money. Somebody needs to make a movie called Movie Movie already!

Wanted (2008)

Timur Bekmambetov delivers another amazing film, but this time it is American. Wanted symbolizes what all American action movies should: intelligent and quick. The film is a dizzying mix of stunning visuals and violence. Add in a dash of a great story and your on the roller coaster ride of Wanted.

Wanted is about Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), a nobody who finds out that his father was one of the most powerful assassins ever and was recently muredered. Soon, Wesley finds himself in the arms of the Fraternity, a one thousand year old assassin crew that his father was a part of. There he meets the seductive Fox (Angelina Jolie) and the master of the group Sloan (Morgan Freeman). This assassin crew isn't regular. They curve bullets and react faster than anybody else!

Bekmambetov comes to America after doing two amazing Russian films, Night Watch and Day Watch, and it seems that he has brought his skill with him. In the opening scene, Wesley's father is seen getting shot in the head. Contrary to what any other director would do, the bullet comes out of the head and is traced back a few miles to where it was shot from. The quick cuts and intense nature help to excite (and even slightly nauseate!) the viewer.

Though the acting may not be so hot, there are some scenes that are just absolutely jawdropping. Though I would love to reveal the final scene, I'll hold myself back. The first sequence is amazing, but even more amazing is the scene where Fox takes Wesley for the ride of his life, driving over cars and shooting out the windows of the car. Also, the training montages are so corny that they are just amazing.

Wanted is just a straight shot of adrenaline released from the screen to your body. It is everything Crank wished it could be all whisked into a quick two hours. The film is exhilirating and fun. Although it may not be very faithful to the video game, I think viewers will enjoy the ride. Wanted is a stunning, whambam action movie that is probably the best of its genre for this year.

Titanic (1997)

As Revolutionary Road marks the second time Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet plat a couple, I felt this was necessary. Titanic is not only the ship of dreams, it is also the movie of every filmmaker's dreams. The movie is the most grossing movie in the world ever and it will remain that way for a while. It won a record breaking amount of Academy Awards, but it isn't even on IMDB's top 250. Kind of ironic isn't it?

If you don't already know, Titanic is the story of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), a poor Irish boy, and Rose (Kate Winslet), a rich British girl. The two begin an illicit romance aboard the ship. Unfortunately, the Titanic hits an iceberg. Well, that sucks.

The famous scene where the ship sinks is still amazing. As we watch the characters in peril, attempting to get into lifeboats, and literally falling off the ship, the audience remains in awe. The special effects are shockingly realistic. They don't even look as if they were done on a computer!

The acting in this is excellent. Kate Winslet, who may have been criticized for being too fat, is perfect as she exposes herself to Leonardo DiCaprio for the famous drawing scene. The even more famous "flying" scene is one to go down in history. Possibly one of the most sexy movie couples, they remain in my heart.

James Cameron's three hour long epic will weave its way into anyone's heart. Trust me, in the finale, your whole tissue box will be empty by the end of it. Famous and unforgettable, Titanic is the best modern classic I know of.

For a funny parody, go to angryalien.com for a thirty second animated version of it...starring bunnies.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

I probably shouldn't even tell you to watch this because you've already seen it, but nevertheless, The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic. Victor Fleming's beautiful, strange film is easily one of the most iconic films ever. Audiences for years have loved and it still is loved nearly 70 years after it originally came out.

The magical story focuses on Dorothy (Judy Garland), a girl who lives with her canine friend Toto, her aunt, and uncle in a small house in Kansas. Soon, a twister touches down devouring their house and Dorothy into Oz, a faraway land that is in Technicolor! Unfortunately, Dorothy's house manages to land on the Witch of the West causing her sister, the Wicked Witch of the West, to get mad and be determined to get her. With the help of nice witch, a lion, a tin man, and a scarecrow, she and her dog embark on a magical journey through Oz.

The special effects in this movie are amazing for its time and not even bad now. The scene in which Glinda floats down in a bubble must have left audience in awe at the time. Even the little things like the switch from black and white to Technicolor still amaze audiences.

Although it is constantly redone and added on to (Wicked, the semi-prequel to it), audiences still return to L. Frank Baum's classic novel and Fleming's famous movie. This is the one the audiences will remember years and years from now. It's a wonder it didn't win best picture in 1940. Well, OK, it was up against Gone With the Wind.

Little Children (2006)

Todd Fields' moving adaptation of Tom Perotta's book of the same title is disturbing and at times darkly humorous. A great cast and direction brings the book to life and raises so many emotions. Often hard to watch, the film explores suburbia. It could almost be relative of American Beauty!

Little Children is about four people whose lives are interwoven in strange ways. Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) a hard working mother who is married to Brad (Patrick Wilson), a stay at home dad who is a failed law student. While Kathy is gone, Sarah (Kate Winslet) plays a mother figure and begins an affair with Brad. While all this going on, a sex offender moves to the neighborhood causing chaos.

Kate Winslet's performance is excellent. A few years ago, Entertainment Weekly published an issue saying that if they ruled Hollywood, Winslet would be their queen. Now, I would have to agree. It seems that Winslet can't act badly after this, Titanic, Revolutionary Road, and The Reader. People constantly criticize her for looking ugly and fat, but she is very attractive in her signature red bathing suit in this.

Though this may have made Entertainment Weekly's list of the sexiest movies ever, it really is not quite all that sexy. Though it is erotically potent, some scenes are more disturbing than actually fun to watch. Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson may make a great and attractive couple, the scenes with the sex offender are difficult to view.

Little Children is one of the best films of 2006. I, who grew up in suburbia, deeply understood the metaphors and emotions made here and was deeply disturbed by them. A touching, titillating film will surely weave it's way into your heart. Todd Fields' masterpiece is sometimes fun and at other times extremely sad.

Trailer Park

I'll grade some upcoming movies for you by the looks of their trailer.
Che: Although Steven Soderbergh and Benicio Del Toro as Che Guevara looks promising, the movie looks a bit long for me. It also seems like it could be a bit boring. Still, its worth a look. B-

Friday the 13th: It could go either way, but it looks promising to me. Though it is not a faithful remake at all, I trust that it will be a good update on the series. If they make a sequel to it, they might as well movie into Saturday already. B+

While She Was Out: Well, it seems a bit intelligent, but way more violent than it is intelligent. And remember kids, violence is never the way to solve your problems, isn't that right Kim Basinger? C+

Chadni Chowk to China: It's the kind of movie that is either really smart or really bad. I'm going with really bad. An A for effort, but a C- in the end.

Golden Globe Nominations/Predictions: TV

BEST TELEVISION SERIES-DRAMA
Who Should Win: True Blood. An unlikely candidate, but a show that you can really sink your teeth into. Haha, get it?

Who Will Win: In Treatment. Cable is all the rage and this will just add to the string of awards HBO has gotten.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES-COMEDY
Who Should Win: Weeds. A strange year, but a really fun ride into Mexico and the border.

Who Will Win: 30 Rock. It is a favorite for awards, don't you think?

BEST ACTOR-DRAMA
Who Should Win: Hugh Laurie. It's about time he won something!

Who Will Win: Michael C. Hall. He's great as Dexter and still sends chills down my back watching the opening credits.

BEST ACTRESS-DRAMA
Who Should/Will Win: Kyra Sedgwick. The Closer is a great show and awards seem to be magnetically attracted to her.

BEST ACTOR-COMEDY
Who Should/Will Win: Steve Carrell. He is so good at oddball humor, it is hard to not give him this award.

BEST ACTRESS-COMEDY
Who Should/Will Win: Tina Fey. Can you say the best year in television for somebody yet? And if you haven't heard "I can see Russia from my house" yet, you've been living under a rock.

Golden Globe Nominations/Predictions

I'm not going to give you the nominations, but here's some predictions:
BEST PICTURE-DRAMA
Who Should Win: Slumdog Millionaire. Danny Boyle's will win some awards, but favoritism for other films will leave it in the dust. Unfortuantely, this great movie may be snubbed, even if it is gaining popularity.

Who Will Win: It's a tough call, but The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A great cast and an odd story will surely win people over. Though I have not seen it yet, I'm going to say it could win it all.

BEST PICTURE-MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Who Should Win: Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Although the Academy is usually a sucker for Woody Allen movies, this one is different. Great acting and a great movie, but not the favorite here.

Who Will Win: Burn After Reading. Coen Brothers + comedy + great cast=many awards.

BEST ACTOR-DRAMA
Who Should Win: Mickey Rourke. Needless to say, Mickey Rourke is the best actor of the year. Nuff said.

Who Will Win: Mickey Rourke.

BEST ACTOR-MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Who Should Win: James Franco...but it's for Pineapple Express. What are the chances of that winning an award? Slim to none.

Who Will Win: It's a tossup. None of them really jump out at me.

BEST ACTRESS-DRAMA
Who Should Win: Anne Hathaway. One of the most talked about performances of the year is sure to win.

Who Will Win: Anne Hathaway.

BEST ACTRESS-MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Who Should Win: Sally Hawkins. Although Happy Go Lucky won't win best picture for comedy, this is a likely candidate.

Who Will Win: Again, it's a tossup.

BEST DIRECTOR
Who Should Win: Danny Boyle. Again, Slumdog Millionaire may not have enough popularity to take it home.

Who Will Win: David Fincher. I'm pretty sure they will sucker in for his weepy/beautiful imagery.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Who Should and Will Win: Heath Ledger. First off, he's dead which could work for or against him. Second, his performance was amazing. Third, to the other nominees: "Why so serious?"

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Who Should and Will Win: Penelope Cruz. As a psycotic ex-girlfriend, she really works magic. Not to mention she has been a favorite from the start.

Next post is TV.

L.A. Film Critics Awards/N.Y. Critics Circle Winners!

Let's start out with L.A. Film Critics. WALL-E didn't win best animation (that was taken by Waltz With Bashir), but it took best picture in a strange turn of events. The runner up was The Dark Knight. The best actor award was given to Sean Penn for Milk and Heath Ledger was given the supporting actor award. Sally Hawkins unexpectedly took home the award for best actress in Happy Go Lucky and Penelope Cruz won best supporting actress for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Danny Boyle won for best director in Slumdog Millionaire.

Meanwhile, at N.Y. Critics Circle-WALL-E did not win for best picture, but for best animated picture. Milk took home that award along with one for Sean Penn and one for Josh Brolin. Happy Go Lucky took home two unexpected awards, best actress, and best director. Penelope Cruz won for supporting actress.

What does this mean for the Oscars? Well, this means that Australia, which was though to be nominated, has no shot at all. Penelope Cruz and Sean Penn will win awards without a doubt. Hmmm, without a Doubt? Yeah, Doubt is not going to get anything. Sally Hawkins may just win best actress! [insert clever Britishism here]. It's a toss up for best director. Does WALL-E have a shot? Well, we'll just see.

Golden Globe nominations tomorrow!

The Dark Knight (2008)

This post was inevitable. My personal favorite of 2008 is this and it sure is one of my all time favorites as well. When I was on vacation, I asked somebody what they though of it and they told me "It's better than Gone With the Wind". It might actually just be. The Dark Knight is one to go down in movie for 1) being the second most grossing film of all time and 2) for being what all movies should be.

Among The Dark Knight's many plotlines, it is about Gotham, Batman's (Christian Bale) city which now looks down on him. Once he was the superhero, but now nobody really wants him anymore. Even worse, the Joker (Heath Ledger's final role) invades Gotham and causes chaos. Also, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), a sketchy official, gets elected as mayor. And you wonder why the film is 152 minutes!

I'm sorry, but it is absolutely necessary to devote this whole paragraph to Heath Ledger. He doesn't play the Joker, he is the Joker. Not to mention a stunning makeup job, his performance completely blows me away. Usually I wouldn't say this for this kind of movie, but Heath Ledger WILL win the Oscar. May he rest in peace.

I'll just highlight some of my favorite scenes. The first and best is the pencil trick scene in which the Joker stabs a pencil into a mobster's eye. The scene is so well done and spawned the quote of the year: "Why so serious?". The second is the scene towards the end with two ferries. I won't reveal what happens. My third favorite is the first scene which involves a bank robbery. All the mobsters end up shooting each other in a very sinister plan from the Joker. How clever!

Christopher Nolan has never directed better since Memento (a future post). No has ever acted as well as Heath Ledger. Only one movie has grossed more than this domestically. Only this movie holds my attention for two and a half hours. Among many other things, The Dark Knight is one of the best films ever. Hands down, this is my third favorite movie ever and I'm not even a comic book fan.

American Beauty (1999)

There's too much to say about this movie, but right here, I'll say it in three words: It is amazing. Sam Mendes' American Beauty is cinematic perfection. The acting is excellent and the story is very unusual and enjoyable. Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly named this the worst best picture winner, but I would have to disagree. I'd say its one of the best.

American Beauty is a strange, but very beautiful story. It is the story of Lester Burnham, in an award winning performance by Kevin Spacey, whose life is about to crack at any minute. He is married to a wife he doesn't love anymore (Anette Bening) and has a daughter (Thora Birch). At one of his daughter's cheerleading sessions, he meets her friend (Mena Suvari) and falls in love with her. Here begins Lester's midlife crisis.

What isn't there to say about the acting? Even the young lead actors, including Wes Bentley in one of his first major movies, give strong performances. Only one actor walked away with an award, but I guess the award for best picture will suffice.

Along with this, the direction and writing are also perfect. Alan Ball, who has also written Six Feet Under and recently True Blood, delivers quick, witty dialogue. Sam Mendes uses some pretty standard directing techniques and makes them interesting using color.

Although the plot of the movie may be strange, that should not hold you back from the movie. Yes, if you were interested, Mena Suvari does show her breasts. Now will you watch the movie? I thought so. This should be viewed by everyone, why?, because it is one of the best movies...ever.

The Day of the Locust (1975)

The epically long little known 70's classic still disturbs me. The Day of the Locust is a great movie not because of 2 hours of it, but for the last 20 minutes. Nothing much happens in two hours, but the whole movie gets made up for in the end. The final sequence is haunting and well done.

Based off Nathaniel West's popular classic, The Day of the Locust is the story of three people trying to make it in Hollywood. Harry (Burgess Meredith) is young writer who falls in love with the up and coming star Faye (Karen Black). Harry isn't the only person vying for Faye's love. A millionaire with the name Homer Simpson (I know, I know) is also. Homer is brilliantly played by Donald Sutherland in a very early role.

There isn't much to say about this except for the ending. (SPOILERS) After Faye decides to stay with Harry, Homer goes crazy and stomps on a little boy at one of Faye's premieres. The crowd sees this happen and they go crazy. Eventually, Los Angeles completely burns down. (END SPOILERS) The ending is disturbing and never gets old. For anyone who is interested, the ending is available on YouTube, although I'm not quite sure why you would be.

It's a shame this classic isn't more popular. Never again will I feel the same around a crowd. The effect of the finale must have been even greater in the theater. The movie is bizzare and wild and not terribly amazing until the end. The acting and direction are superb, but its too bad nobody really knows about it anymore.

National Board of Review Winners!

So, the National Board of Review chose movies that they loved this year. The underdog movie of this year came out on top-Slumdog Millionaire. Unexpected and expected, this means Slumdog Millionaire may actually have a shot at an oscar.

David Fincher won for best director. No surprise here. I mean, c'mon, the guy has made Zodiac and Fight Club! Clint Eastwood won for best actor and NOT best director. How did that happen? Anne Hathaway expectedly won for best actress in Rachel Getting Married. Josh Brolin won for supporting actor in Milk. The two do not surprise me at all. Also, an obvious winner was Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The ensemble cast award went to Doubt. Duh.

The best foreign film went to Mongol. It really didn't have very much competition. Wall-E obviously won for animated feature. Was there really any competition for these two categories?
Among other awards, Dev Patel rightly won for breakthrough performance.

The ten top films of the year were Burn After Reading, Changeling, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Defiance, The Dark Knight, Frost/Nixon, Gran Torino, Milk, Wall-E, and the Wrestler.

What does this mean for the Oscars? Frost/Nixon may not see any awards, but lots of nominations. After getting good to ok reviews, Doubt may not win best picture. Australia has no shot whatsoever. Slumdog Millionaire may just get nominated. Imagine that.

Movies You Shouldn't See: Norbit (2007)

"Have you ever made a really big mistake?" reads the poster. Yes, yes, I have--by watching this movie. If you allow yourself to judge a book by its cover, you would never waste your time with this. I saw it by accident on HBO, so don't misjudge me, but Norbit is really really really bad.

This complete trash is about a man who is engaged to a woman of monstrous proportions. The man is played by Eddie Murphy, and so is the woman, and another character. This I must commend the movie for along with the makeup. Then the man, Norbit, finally meets the woman of his dreams (Thandie Newton).

The biggest problem with Norbit is that it isn't funny at all. Although some people will insist that every comedy has one funny joke, this has just broken the pattern. I'm sorry, but I didn't even laugh once during the whole movie. I was nearly bored to tears.

Norbit is the worst film to ever be nominated for an Oscar. Yes, that's right it was nominated for an Oscar. Even though I criticize this, it did deservingly get nominated for the award for makeup. It's not easy to make Eddie Murphy look completely different three times. I have to say, the makeup is excellent.

Don't see Norbit and expect to laugh. It is complete rubbish and should not be viewed by anyone's eyes. This is one of the worst movies I know of. Stay away!

Cloverfield (2008)

Cloverfield mixes a new genre with an old one. The monster movie gets mixed with shaky camera effects a la The Blair Witch Project. How smart is that? Well, J.J. Abrams is possibly one of the smartest people in Hollywood right now so leave it to him to make this.

The plot is pretty cliche, but it still works. It is about a bunch of New York yuppies saying goodbye to a friend who is leaving for Japan at a surprise party. It is not long before a major explosion happens and the Statue of Liberty's head is thrown into their street. The yuppies race to get out of New York City before an unknown threat gets to them.

The film garnered tons of intrigue when it originally came out. It was originally realeased under the name 1-18-08 to lure movie goers in. The trailer steered clear of ever showing any clue of what the monster is. The film is still intriguing. The way Abrams inserts clues into "Lost", he also does with this. Watch carefully.

The shaky camera is something clever that completely works. Although it has become so gimmicky, it really is cool. Towards the end, the viewer discovers that the tape has been recorded over so we see the current action and previous things that happened. That is pretty smart, in my opinion.

Cloverfield is an odd, genuine and then again not so genuine monster movie. It is great to see that old movies are coming back to Hollywood--not in the form of a remake. There probably won't be another film like this for a while and it sure is a modern classic.

High Tension (2003)*

Yay! My 50th post!

*This film was released in America in 2004. It is also called Haute Tension. In French, with English subtitles.

High Tension is a bloody French film that is a piece of shock cinema. It grabs the audience by the throat and doesn't let them go for the whole movie. A very cliche story quickly changes into something bold and new. Even though the ending is flawed, the story still holds up.

Alexandre Aja's masterpiece starts out with two friends going on vacation to one of the parents' house. The house is of course secluded in the French countryside. It's not to long before the father is killed brutally and one of the girls is taken. The story just gets more bloody from there.

The film has some pretty shocking parts in it. The first appearance of the killer is just strange and gross. We see him getting fellated by a girl and then the camera pans away and its only a decapitated head. Also, some cuts of the film are rated NC-17 for a reason, but not for the normal sexual reasons.

Alexandre Aja seems to quickly be gaining popularity in America and this should just bring more. The Hills Have Eyes was a good remaking, so I'm looking forward to his other films. He is a good director, but he does have one flaw-P2, but its okay--he produced it.

The Oscar Nominees!

Okay, so I decided it was probably time to tell who I thought should be nominated. Asterisks mean that I have seen the movie (I haven't seen many!). The plus sign means it has yet to be realeased as of this date.

BEST PICTURE:
The Dark Knight*
Milk
Doubt+
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button+
Revolutionary Road+
Other possibilities:
WALL-E*
Australia*
The Reader+
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST ACTOR:
Sean Penn-Milk
Dev Patel-Slumdog Millionaire
Phillip Seymour Hoffman-Synecdoche, New York
Mickey Rourke-The Wrestler+
Brad Pitt-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button+
Other Possibilities:
Josh Brolin-W.*
Frank Langella-Frost/Nixon+

BEST ACTRESS:
Cate Blanchett-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button+
Meryl Streep-Doubt+
Kate Winslet-The Reader or Revolutionary Road+
Angelina Jolie-Changeling
Anne Hathaway-Rachel Getting Married
Other Possibilities:
Nicole Kidman-Australia*

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Richard Dreyfuss-W.*
Liev Schreiber-Defiance+
James Franco-Milk
John Malkovich-Burn After Reading
Heath Ledger-The Dark Knight*
Other Possibilities:
Sam Rockwell-Frost/Nixon+

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Penelope Cruz-Vicky Cristina Barcelona*
Amy Adams-Doubt+
Taraji P. Huston-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button+
Beyonce Knowles-Cadillac Records+
Frances McDormand-Burn After Reading

BEST DIRECTOR:
Christopher Nolan-The Dark Knight*
Baz Luhrmann-Australia*
Darren Aronofsky-The Wrestler+
David Fincher-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button+
Ron Howard-Frost/Nixon+
Other Possibilities-
Clint Eastwood-Gran Torino+
Fernando Mereilles-Blindness*
Sam Mendes-Revolutionary Road+
Gus Van Sant-Milk

Australia (2008)

Well, I was going to do a review of High Tension to continue yesterday's theme, but then...

There was Australia. There was that genre mixing, whirring epic that is beautiful in every single way. Leave it to Baz Luhrmann to make something boring into something new, appealing, and feeling antiquated in a good way. There haven't been movies like this one for a good 70 years.

The epic starts off as an adventure/western movie. After her husband who owns a cattle droving service in Australia asks her to come, Sarah (Nicole Kidman) leaves her rich mansion in England. Her husband dies and she takes over his industry with Drover (Hugh Jackman). Along the way, they meet a mixed Aborigine girl named Nullah and adopt her. The film changes genres every 45 minutes and eventually ends as a war movie in which the couple witnesses the effects of Pearl Harbor on Australia first hand.

Never before has a film been so beautiful. Every shot that Lurhmann makes is more beautiful than the last. Most of the film was shot on location so everything is very pleasing to the eye. Rich colors and smart shots all around, I'd say Baz Luhrmann has secured a nomination.

They don't make movies like this one anymore. Australia is based off the analogy of The Wizard of Oz which alone gives it its own flavor. Also, it reminds me a lot of The African Queen and definitely draws parallels to other classic films. Look no further than title credits' typeface to be reminded of old movies.

Australia is clever, witty, and emotional. Audiences in the theater I saw it in were clearly engaged, crying and laughing at certain scenes. I have never seen a movie in theaters that made me and the audience feel so engaged. Luhrmann needs to keep making movies. He's one of the only great directors around now.

Inside (2007)

This film is also known as A L'interieur. In French, with English subtitles.

The genre of French shock cinema has produced some of the most strange and disturbing films in it's most recent years. Inside is just another even more disturbing addition to it. Chilling and creepy, Inside manages to work it's way into your mind and never crawls out. You will surely be disturbed by it for a while.

Inside is the story of a mother named Sarah who has recently survived an accident that she was in. At the time, she was pregnant, so luckily for her, the baby survived, but her boyfriend didn't. On a lonely Christmas night that she spends at home, she is visited by an odd woman who won't leave her alone. The plot then descends from here into a gory and twisted story.

Inside is not a movie to be seen if you're at all squeamish. The film went direct to DVD in America probably due to it's violent content. There's tons of scissor violence and unrealistic gore that is all over the walls of Sarah's house by the end. These acts include stabbed testicles, eyes being gouged out, and exploding heads.

The end of the movie leaves some to be desired. Although it may be a pretty good twist, it seems like one can tell what's going to happen from the beginning. When it does happen, it's bloody and incredibly effective, but it seems to be a little expected. Also, some elements of it are open to interpretation by the viewer.

Inside is one of the few movies that actually scares me. Not only am I somewhat afraid of it, but it also manages to gross me out, which is something I don't usually care for, but I did like it in this movie. The gore just makes it even more insane and twisted. It is probably unlikely that I'll ever see another film like this one.

WARNING: This film includes extreme strong graphic violence. Many audiences may have a problem with it.

Movies You Shouldn't See: I Know Who Killed Me (2007)

I know what killed my desire to ever see movies again! Well, not actually, but it came pretty close. I Know Who Killed Me is a terrible title and an even worse movie. It is just terrible in every single way imaginable. In all honesty, I have undying hate for this movie.

So, I was hoping you wouldn't see the movie, but I'll give you a summary anyway. It's about a stupid little girl named Aubrey Fleming played by the infamous Lindsay Lohan. Aubrey is abducted and sadistically tortured and comes back missing a leg. Yet, when she comes back she thinks she is somebody else-a stripper. Go ahead. Laugh at Lindsay Lohan without a leg as a stripper.

There isn't very much to say about this film because it is absolutely terrible. I think this film probably was a bad choice for Lohan. Her acting career is already plummeting. Was this really necessary for her? I have to criticize her and everybody else's performances in this because they are just completely amateurish. No, I was not expecting anything Oscar worthy, but it would have been nice to see some decent acting.

This film is one to be avoided at all costs. It won eight razzies. Does that give you an idea of how bad it is? This is just utter trash. I name this the worst film in all of movie history. Lindsay Lohan, you've really outdone yourself.

Airplane! (1980)

"Don't call me Shirley" has become a defining line in movie history thanks to this film. Airplane! is a hilarious parody of all disaster movies. Clever scripting and some risque humor help this film achieve a place in my movie collection. Never again will a spoof be this good.

Airplane! is the hilarious story of a man who gets on a plane where everybody gets sick from eating the salmon. Amid all the other strange events happening including turbulence that makes a woman's breasts jiggle along with her jello, he meets a beautiful flight attendant, a doctor, a girl who needs an organ donor in a different state, a doctor, and an odd pilot (Leslie Nielsen). The plot is already wacky enough for a great movie.

It's little things that nobody notices in this movie that make it worthwhile. For instance, while the opening credits are running, you can hear a man and a woman arguing over which colored lane you should walk in if you have no baggage. Also, after the film is done, there's a funny little scene involving the taxi driver from the beginning. The Zuckers are clever with their humor and one can easily see that by just taking a look at this.

Its not often that you come across a movie this funny. The dialogue is witty and the humor is so strange, you just have to laugh. Although it may be rated PG, there's some pretty inappropriate jokes and they're the best ones in the film. Airplane! is a clever parody movie that is now regarded as a classic.

Funny Games (1997/2007)

Funny Games (1997) is from Austria. In German, subtitled in English. Funny Games (2007) is in English. It is also known as Funny Games U.S.

Michael Haneke made Funny Games before Jigsaw started playing games in Saw. He also remade Funny Games after Jigsaw started playing games. Haneke's comment on media violence is shocking and still very relevant. This review is for both films.

The 2007 version follows the same plot as the previous version. The two are completely identical so much that I'm not even sure what Haneke's point was in remaking it. Anyway, a happy couple (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth in 2007) and their child take a trip down to their vacation home. It's not too long before two psychotic killers (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet in 2007) show up at their doorstep in preppy sports attire. They seem nice at first, but then they break the husband's leg and begin a hostage situation.


The only difference between the two is the obvious better acting performances in the new version. I don't know. Maybe if I lived in Austria and grew up with those actors, I could have changed my mind. To me, Naomi Watts and Tim Roth give believable and upsetting performances. As far as I'm concerned, Michael Pitt might as well be psychotic.

Michael Haneke employs some pretty revolutionary camera techniques. In both version, around one hour in, there's a ten minute long shot. Haneke may not have been the first to do a really long shot, but it's pretty impressive. Also, he breaks the fourth wall and has one of the characters literally rewind the film. Where else have you seen anything like this?

As usual, Haneke makes violence the point of his movie. Just like in Cache, the violence is supposed to shock audiences and make them squirm even if most of it is off screen. Funny Games isn't funny at all. It's a shocking and suspensful cinematic masterpiece that will surely thrill audiences for years to come.

WALL-E (2008)

WALL-E is an undeniably cute Pixar movie with a surprising message. It brings a new twist to the computer animated genre by bringing film back years ago, all the way back to the silent age. It is easily one of the best of the year so far (but we'll see after Australia, Doubt, Frost/Nixon, and Revolutionary Road).

WALL-E is the very sweet story of a robot named WALL-E. He lives all by himself on Earth crushing trash into cubes. He also watches Hello Dolly! and finds new uses for laptops. One day, a robot named EVE lands on Earth looking for the last living plant there and WALL-E falls in love. The two (and the viewer) are whisked away into a world stretching across space where the only humans surviving are lazy people who no longer walk.

WALL-E includes barely any dialogue. Most of the dialogue is uttered by the two robots and the only words are "WALL-E" and "EVE". It's great, but not something that many people will enjoy. Many people can't take a silent film because they say it's boring. Hopefully, this will change that.

This movie is surprisingly an environmental message movie. It continues to amaze me that Pixar decided to make a message movie. A great idea! They should continue to do this because hopefully it will raise awareness.

WALL-E is a journey that is perfect for families. It, like all other Pixar movies, will take you into a new, beautiful world you've never seen before. This may will take quite a few awards in award season, no doubt, yet, of course, it should but won't win best picture. Too bad.

Psycho (1960)

Psycho is the Master of Suspense's best film and honestly, in my opinion, one of the best films ever. Cinematically innovative and extremely twisty, Psycho remains one of the most terrifying and jaw dropping films out there. For some reason, Gus Van Sant thought it would be a good idea to a remake. This is stupid. Nobody could make Psycho better than Alfred Hitchcock.

Psycho is the story of Marion Crane, a young woman who steals $4000 from her boss and, as a result, runs away. After she gets stuck in horrible rain shower, she pulls over to Bates Motel and spends the night there. She meets Norman Bates, the shady motel owner. That night, she is murdered in the shower in that famous and iconic sequence.

Psycho revolutionized the film industry with Hitchcock's direction. As stupid as this sounds, if it weren't for this film, you would never see a toilet on film. This doesn't really mean anything, but it just is interesting to think that films were being made for a long time and not a single toilet was shown in them. Also, Hitchcock does quite a feat in the shower sequence. Then it was risque, but now it doesn't really have any effect. The amazing part is that there is no nudity whatsoever. This is hard to do and he achieves it.

The twist is amazing and will surely amaze audiences even today. Psycho is timeless in it's plot and will never change. It is a classic that will last forever and will thrill audiences for ages to come. Those who are film fanatics owe a lot to Psycho and that is why people still regard this movie as one of the best of all time.

Movies You Shouldn't See: Date Movie (2006)

It seems that funny movies that end with "movie" are all the craze these days. Actually they're not funny at all. Stick with the Scary Movie series. This is nothing special here; it's just a big piece of crap. It's amazing that the 2 of the 6 writers can retain their dignity after this!

Date Movie is a horrible spoof of all romance movies. It spoofs a lot of them, but mostly My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It is about a man searching for the perfect woman. He finds her, but her parents don't exactly like him or any man she dates very much.

Some of the humor in this movie is just trash. In a spoof "The Bachelor", our main character disqualifies contestants, but when they are disqualified, they are shot. It doesn't get much more lowbrow than this folks. There's also some just flat out crude humor scenes that I won't even get into.

The film is not a complete trainwreck until half way in. The first half isn't terrible, but it's still mediocre. The second half, on the other hand, is just terrible. It makes it one of the worst movies I have ever seen.

Date Movie brings something new to the table-a new, terrible genre of cinema. The only funny part is in the first five minutes and it's a chuckle not a laugh. It just isn't a good movie. I couldn't be more plain and simple about it.

This Film is Not Yet Rated (2006)

It is even ironic to think that this film got rated NC-17 originally. The rating was then surrendred after they probably felt stupid for doing that. Kirby Dick's excellent expose of the MPAA is brilliant and very revealing. The most important question that the film raises is why do they value sex over violence? Well, they never do reach a consesus, but with some careful spying on them, the film does a really great job.

Although all of the views in the interviews in the film are insightful, I don't agree with all of them. One interviewee raised the point that graphic violence should be thought of as more appropriate than bloodless gun violence because when it is graphic, it is more realistic. That makes no sense at all! Are you suggesting that Sin City should be rated PG-13? It barely escapes an NC-17 in my mind.

There isn't very much to say about this film, but it is worth anybody who watches movies' time. This is a real eyeopener and one has to wonder why Americans are so hung up on some of the stuff highlighted in the movie. It's little things that cause movies to be rated NC-17, for instance gay sex versus straight sex or male masturbation versus female masturbation. It's sad that we as Americans cannot take a movie like Lust, Caution, but we can handle the Saw series. It just makes no sense.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a movie like no other. It is a science fiction movie that at times makes us laugh and it is also quite allegorical. One of Steven Spielberg's earliest films is one of his best.

Close Encounters is about Roy (Richard Dreyfuss), a line worker who experiences an encounter with a UFO. Everybody thinks he is crazy, but the truth is that it actually happened. After he starts to see ominous clues pointing to a certain location, he pursues more information and is eventually drawn to it.

This film shows some excellent direction from Spielberg. His genius use of colors is great at the end and goes great with John Willams' very simple score. Also, some pretty cool special effects came out of this movie. I'm sure that for it's time, the aliens at the end were pretty realistic. Actually, even today they are not bad.

Close Encounters is one of the best movies to come out of the 70's. It is a timless tale and is the only alien story I know that isn't scary. For weeks you'll be humming that famous score. This film has become a classic over time and is sure to remain a classic.

Some Like it Hot (1959)

Billy Wilder's outrageous and hilarious cross-dressing comedy hasn't aged a day since it came out in 1959. Apparently, I like it very hot. Some Like it Hot is better than most comedies I know of. If only Hollywood stopped coming out with trashy spoof movies and started coming out with more like this.

Some Like it Hot is looked at as one of the first gay and lesbian movies. Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are two band members on the run after witnessing a mob hit. They get jobs in an all female band so Joe becomes Josephine and Jerry becomes Daphne. They meet Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), a seductive member of the band and Joe falls madly in love. To furthermore complicate things, Jerry decides that he is going to get money and pretends to be in love with an old, rich man.

Some Like it Hot features some of the funniest lines ever to be said in movie history. The end punchline is what the film is known for and has gone into AFI's most memorable quotes list. I won't reveal since it is hilarious and will ruin the movie if I do.

This movie is one of the most fun and hilarious movies ever. Unlike many of Monroe's movies, this one isn't sissy and womanly, but can be viewed by a wider audiences. Everyone will laugh at Curtis and Lemmon's antics and will surely be pleased by their fake female voices (Curtis' voice was dubbed). This film absolutely stands the test of time and is sure to excite all audiences today!

Transsiberian (2008)

Transsiberian is easily one of the most overlooked movies of the year. Brad Anderson's successful picture is one of the best so far. It is minimalist and very well paced. Hitchcock would be very happy with it.

Transsiberian is about the Transsiberian railway that goes from Beijing to Moscow over the course of a week. The plot is hard to explain without spoiling things, but here it goes: an American couple whose marriage is currently on the rocks decides to take the train to Moscow. On the train, they meet another mysterious American couple. Some of the things about them just don't seem right. Ben Kingsley co-stars as a police detective who plays a major role in the second hour.

The film is, as I've already said, well paced, but many audiences will lose patience after the first hour. Honestly, even though it held my attention, the first half is pretty much plotless. It revolves around barely anything. On the other hand, the second half comes at you really fast and won't let your eyes leave the screen.

Brad Anderson's direction finds beauty in Russia, which is something that isn't easy to do. The many shots of the snowcapped mountains are easy on the eyes and fun to watch. In one clever shot, a horse is running in a circle next to a broken shack. All of a sudden, the train rushes by. The shot is unusual and the composition is perfect.

Despite it's many plot flaws towards the end, Transsiberian is one hell of a thriller. Even though the first hour is slow, the rest is action at full throttle. Combine a minimalist story and good direction and you've got yourself a great Brad Anderson film.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

This is no dream--it's a two hour long nightmare. Requiem for a Dream is a believable, well-acted drug movie and one of the few effective ones. This will surely resonate with you for maybe even the rest of your life.

Requiem for a Dream is four stories of drug addiction. Jared Leto plays a cocaine addicted Harry Goldfarb and commonly uses with his friend, played by Marlon Wayans in a good non-comedy performance, and his girlfriend played by Jenifer Connelly. The best of the four is of Sara Goldfarb, Harry's mother, who gets addicted to dieting pills. Ellen Burstyn was nominated, but should have won, for an Academy award for her performance.

Darren Aronofsky's direction is cinematic perfection. The movie, which includes 2,000 cuts (a normal movie includes 600-700), is trippy and scary and he manages to achieve these feelings well. Aronofsky makes a good use of the split-screen, which often comes off as a bad 70's movie. His surreal imagery and strong directorial command give this film even more abberance and disturbing material.

You won't do drugs after this movie. I'm sure. Why would you ever touch drugs after the harrowing finale? The infamous "ass to ass" scene, which may only be available in the NC-17 cut but I'm not sure, is disgusting and gross and all the other images as well. It is a swirl of images that nobody wants to see. This film should be shown in Health classes all around the world. I'm convinced there would be less drug use.

Just a few little side notes--Lux Aeterna is possibly one of the best scores in a movie ever. Isn't strange how they don't say anything about pot?

Movies You Shouldn't See: P2 (2007)

P2 is just another cliche ridden, Hollywood manufactured piece of crap. It's the type of movie that screams "Gimme money!", but it's not earning any. Why does Hollywood continue to manufacture these little turds? It's still a mystery.

The plot of P2 could never be more simple. A woman (Rachel Nicholson), who is possibly the least likeable character ever, gets stuck at her job on Christmas Eve when a parking attendant (Wes Bentley who has quite honestly seen better days) kidnaps her and keeps her in the security office. The characters and story is very black and white; it's way too simple for any audience.

P2 is the kind of movie that didn't need to be gory, but is anyway. Although Alexandre Aja produced the film possibly contributing to the level of blood, it still was unecessary. Aja clearly demonstrated in High Tension that he could use blood to his advantage, but here, not so much. A guy gets hit by a car so hard that his guts completely spill out of him. Gross and not plot essential at all. Our main character reaches for her cellphone and loses her nail in the process. Idiotic and senseless.

The movie moves and an extremely slow pace. This is a mainstream horror film so you would think it would be very fast because the audience can't handle a slow pace. Well, it isn't that way. Nothing happens for a long half hour and the movie is only an hour and half. What gives?

P2 is one of those movies you see once and vow never to see again. I came, I saw, I slept, I laughed. The poster may claim to reach "a new level of fear", but I think I just discovered a new level of boredom.

Fargo (1996)

Oh ya, this flick is a good one. The Coen Brothers directed and produced this down right strange thriller/comedy and it came out to be a masterpiece. They lend their own odd sense of humor to a seemingly average crime movie.

The strange plot starts with Jerry (William H. Macy), a car salesman who plans to kidnap his own wife with two men played by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare. When the plan falls apart and the police are lead onto it, Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief played by Frances McDormand in an Oscar nominated performance, is set out to find the kidnappers.

The Coen Brothers never do fail to amaze me. This film is witty, clever, and exciting-a combination that many films cannot put together days. Actually, I never have seen another movie quite like this one. The two have won four Oscars and it looks like a fifth is coming their way for Burn After Reading.

Fargo is hilarious and at times thrilling. Every minute is smart and the film doesn't really have a down moment. The gross climax of the film is good and strangely dark and comical. It isn't too often you see these two come together.

In Bruges (2008)

Maybe Bruges isn't so "fairy tale like" at all. A seemingly very scenic town changes quickly for Ray (Colin Farrell), a hit man who is forced to move with Ken (Brendan Gleeson) to Bruges, Belgium after he kills a little boy by accident. While Ken is having a great time sightseeing, Ray is bored until he meets a woman on a movie set that he falls in love with. Unfortunately, she has vengeful boyfriend. More unfortunately, their boss (Ralph Fiennes) is still giving them jobs.

In Bruges' oddball comedy and slick action is what makes the film work. The film can be seen either way and it's still a masterpiece. The humor isn't for everyone, but neither is the whole movie. It is rather slow until an hour into it.

Martin McDonagh gives some great direction. You have to honor this man for being able to do such a great job on his first time directing. He really is able to bring out the beauty of Bruges and that is what a good director should be able to do.

In Bruges is, as I said, not a film for everyone. Colin Farrell and the script are enjoyable, but some will not be able to appreciate the pace of the film which speeds up a lot in its final half hour. The bloody finale will stun audiences and the weird comedy should bring quite a few laughs. As of November, In Bruges is an easy Oscar contender.

Mulholland Dr. (2001)

David Lynch's Mulholland Dr. is not at all surprisingly odd nor is it surprisingly great. This twisty-turny feature is one to awe and mistify audiences. In fact, I am sure you won't get the whole movie on your first time or even fifth.

I'll do my best to explain the extremely complex and at times absolutely head scratching plot. A woman (Laura Elena Harring) gets into a car accident on Mulholland Drive and wakes up the next day. She walks down to the house of a Hollywood hopeful (Naomi Watts) and takes residence there. The two search for reason as to what might have caused this to happen since she has no memory from the accident.

The film will make no sense at all at first. Although the film may run close to two hours and a half, be patient and let the nonlinear timed plot roll itself out in front of you. To aide you in your discoveries, Lynch has provided some clues in the DVD case. I'm not sure how much this will help you because I still can't decipher them.

Lynch's direction is superb as usual. His old techniques from as early as Eraserhead come back in this film. Also, its easy to see it was directed by him simply from looking at his cast. First of all, he loves Laura Elena Harring. Number two, he loves her body (and Watts') since we see it quite a few times in the course of the film.

This odd, frenetic thriller is sure to leave you flabbergasted by the end. It is extremely complex and if you understand it by the end, you should feel proud. The final twist is genuine and great. Worth two viewings or even six.

Grindhouse (2007)

Grindhouse is available in two versions. It has been split into the two segments, Death Proof and Planet Terror, for DVD. They are available in their uncut, European versions. The 191 minute original is not available on DVD.

Grindhouse is the type of movie you won't find anymore: a homage to other movies. First, I should probably explain what a grindhouse is. A grindhouse is a double feature that was around for the 70's and lasted into the early 80's. The movies were always very pulpy and bad.

This movie is in three parts. The first part is Planet Terror starring Rose McGowan as Cherry, a go-go dancer who loses her leg to zombies. Soon enough, the world is overrun by these zombies and the remaining people must fight for their lives. The second part is three fake trailers which are absolutely perfect. The third part is Death Proof starring Kurt Russell as a slimey ex-stunt man who takes girls in a ride in his stunt car on one condition they don't know about: their lives are taken in the car.

Grindhouse is great for it's clever script. It is so bad it's great! In Planet Terror, when Cherry is crying as she leaves her stage, the manager says "Cherry, it's go-go, not cry-cry." It is such a bad line that it is great. Among the script, the acting and stories are so bad that the movie is good. Both films include a missing reel, but the Death Proof one is restored for DVD. In the reel, a character gives Russell a lap dance. It's so stereotypical Tarantino and so fitting for the grindhouse genre.

The direction for everything is superb. Everything is aged, but in a way that it is not too much. When an event is about to happen, you can tell by the way that Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino age the film more. Well, they don't age it; it was aged digitally. Also, Eli Roth's trailer "Thanksgiving" is my favorite part of the film because of his good direction.

Although my review probably makes Grindhouse sound bad, it's very enjoyable. A few laughs and some good scares makes for a pretty awesome movie. Tarantino and Rodriguez have made something right up their alley and should keep making movies like this. It's too bad this one flopped at the box office.

Les Diaboliques (1955)

This movie is also known as Diabolique. In French, with English subtitles.

Les Diaboliques is the movie that started the twist ending before Psycho could revolutionize it. Henri-Georges Clouzot's spectacular, black-and-white French film is a classic that is timeless and still surprising. Much better than most of Hitchcock's films, this is one to see.

Les Diaboliques is based on a book by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac of the same name. The clever story is about the wife of headmaster at a school and teacher who works there who are mad at the headmeaster. Their sinister talks about him lead to them plotting to kill him. They go through with the plan, but after the murder happens, the body mysteriously disappears. Strange happenings begin at the school all leading to the jaw dropping ending.

Clouzot's best film constructs suspense in such an amazing manner. In the scene in which the take the water and leaves out of a pool (this is where the women have deposited the body), we're sure their going to be found out. As the water clears lower and lower, the suspense mounts. Finally, the water clears and we're given a look at the pool. There is no body! His eery scenes are really what makes the film so special.

The tagline on the poster advised audiences to "See it, be amazed at it, but...BE QUIET ABOUT IT!" This is exactly what one who sees this should do. A major twist makes the film famous so don't spoil it. A great movie that Hitchcock actually tried to get the rights to a half hour after they were sold to Clouzot, it could not have been done better. It couldn't have even been done better by the Master of Suspense.

Safety Last! (1923)

The iconic image of Harold Lloyd hanging from a clock's hand is timeless and still very funny. Safety Last! has not aged at all either. The entire movie is a fun romp in slapstick humor.

The classic silent stars Lloyd as a young man desperate for money. He barely has enough money to buy things for himself to eat. Finally, he finds a solution to his problem when a man across the street from the place he works at is holding a contest that has a prize of money if anybody can climb to the top of the building.

The long, final sequence in which Lloyd actually climbs a very tall building (remember, there were no special effects or green screen in the 20's) is both suspensful and very humorous. The movie itself is very short and the final scene takes up a good deal of it, but the audience is hooked right in. One can't tear their eyes away from this lengthy scene which ends up not feeling lenghty at all.

Safety Last! is a timeless classic that is one of my favorites. Because it is silent, many people won't watch, but it is definitely worth at least two viewings in my opinion. Slapstick comedy and Lloyd antics abound, Safety Last! is one to watch.

Knocked Up (2007)

Judd Apatow is truly the director of this generation. Knocked Up is the funniest movie to come out of last year. Apatow has a monopoly on the comedy part of Hollywood and this film is the reason why.

The subject matter is usual for a Seth Rogen film. To celebrate a woman's (Katherine Heigl), she decides to go out to a club with a friend. Of course, she gets completely smashed. Anyway, so she meets this seemingly attractive guy (Seth Rogen) and has sex with him. Looks like she forgot a condom. She ends up getting pregnant.

This film is very smart unlike Apatow's other films. Although his films are considered high class comedy, this one actually requires some knowledge to watch and understand it. Firstly, the film gives a surprisingly good message. Number two, some of the jokes do need some brain power to comprehend them.

The film may be very entertaining, but it doesn't manage to fill all 130 minutes of it (can you believe there's an unrated version!). Come on, it's long for any comedy! This is the problem with all Apatow movies. The same complaint was made by many reviewers over Pineapple Express, which I have yet to see.

Knocked Up is an intelligent, fine comedy that is sure to please all audiences. Unlike his other films, it is smart and great. Judd Apatow, you are forgiven for the lengthy, graphic, and realistic birth sequence towards the end.

Movies You Shouldn't See: W. (2008)

I guess W. didn't exactly win my vote. This is it. Oliver Stone has finally made a less than stellar movie. W. is not a terrible movie, but it sure is not good enough to fill out all two hours and ten minutes that it takes up.

W. is the story of George W. Bush, played beautifull by Josh Brolin in what should be an Oscar nominated (but not winning) performance. His friends and his political exploits are explored by Oliver Stone. Laura Bush is played by Elizabeth Banks in a stale, but passable performance. Ellen Burstyn plays Bush's mother well, Thandie Newton does an excellent job as Condeleeza Rice, and Richard Dreyfuss is spectacular as Dick Cheney. The other performances, not so much.

To start off, the film is rated PG-13. What kind of Oliver Stone movie is rated PG-13? What contributed to this was a lot of appropriate language where f-words could have been substituted and the forgotten tale of Bush's cocaine addiction.

Also contributing to the film's rating is Stone's lack of risk. For example, one of the few great scenes in the film is Bush fighting his father in the Oval Office in a nightmare. The scene may be edgy and brilliant, but the rest of the movie is far from it. Stone has clearly toned down the subject matter in his worst attempt at satire ever.

W. reads like a long, boring Saturday Night Live skit. It can't hold my attention for the full movie, but the trailer is worth watching. Some good acting and direction, but the film is not edgy enough for the man in the director's chair.

Irreversible (2002)

Gaspar Noe's torturous movie Irreversible is cinematic and also groundbreaking. The film is Memento-esque in the way that it plays backwards as the tragic events unfold in Paris. Marcus (Vincent Cassel) and Pierre are looking for Le Tenia for the reason, which is later revealed, that Alex (Monica Belucci) has been brutally raped and murdered.

Noe's direction and Monica Belucci really shine in this movie. Although it would be hard to say that the direction is beautiful, it is for sure that of an expert. Monica Belucci is great in the role of Alex. In the sick and perverted ten minute rape scene (I'm not even exaggerating), she gives a very believable performance.

Although Irreversible may be hard to watch at times, it does require one's full attention. As confusing enough as it is, things can easily be missed. It is sick and twisted, but worth more than one viewing.

Irreversible falls under what would be called shock cinema and it truly is shocking. The tragic story of rape, murder, and fate is the most disturbing film ever. Many people left the theater originally because it is just too much. Try to watch this movie because it actually is very good.

Warning: This movie includes graphic, extended scenes of rape, violence, and nudity. You've been warned.

Run Lola Run (1998)

Also known as Lola rennt. In German, with English subtitles.

Tom Tykwer's visually stunning, ecstatic film Run Lola Run is adrenaline pumping and worth more than one viewing. The film is about Lola (Franka Potente) whose boyfriend needs 100,000 dollars in twenty minutes to pay a gangster his debt. When Lola's moped gets stolen, she is forced to run and go to extremes to save him. The story is told three times, each one having a different ending because of something different that happens.

Tykwer gives some pretty amazing shots of Germany. He picks up on some interesting designs in places where you would not ever look. For example, there is a shot of Lola running across a big square. The camera quickly pans up to show a lot of squares that she is running over.

Run Lola Run hits the ground running and does not ever stop. The colors pop like a whore's lip gloss and the acting could not be more energetic. The first story is by far the best, but each one is really good. Never has an action movie been so fun.

Vertigo (1958)

Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece has not aged a bit since the day it came out. Vertigo is a visually stunning, twisty trip into a mystery in San Francisco. As expected, Hitchcock has produced another piece of celluloid gold.

Vertigo is the dizzying story of John Scottie (Jimmy Stewart), a detective who has a bad case of severe case of vertigo. When he is hired by friend to watch his wife (Kim Novak), a blond bombshell who has odd habits. John begins to become obsessed with her leading to unfortunate events.

Bernard Herrman has a fantastic soundtrack in this film. His sweeping music fits perfectly with Hitchcock's many shots of San Francisco and the subjective vertigo shots. As usual, the music is very memorable, as is the picture.

By the end, Hitchcock has created an unbelievably creative movie with a major twist at the end and some amazing shots of San Francisco. One can only wonder where one man can get so much talent. Personally, I value this over Psycho.

For a clever parody of this, watch Mel Brooks' High Anxiety.

The Descent (2005)

"Scream your last breath" reads the tagline for The Descent. There sure is a lot of screaming to be done over this movie because it is the scariest movie I know of! A group of women decide to go spelunking in a cave on the Appalachian Trail and get caved in by a bunch of falling rocks. Bummer. Well, it gets even worse when it turns out that the women are trapped with murderous creatures as well. Double bummer.

The Descent is one of a kind scare because it is multilayered. Eventually, multiple stories cross at the end. Also, it is able to deliver quite a few scares. What starts out as generic yarn with a high number of jump scenes quickly morphs into a claustrophobic creepshow with a high intensity level. For some reason, the jump scenes in this film actually are scary.

This British import from Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers) is one not be missed. Any horror fan needs to watch this because it is so essential. The story is no more special than any other horror movie, but the way it is delivered is stunning.

A sequel is currently being made.

Note: The Descent is available in two cuts, the theatrical version (the U.S. R-rated version) and the British theatrical version (the Unrated version which includes an alternate ending which was cut for being to grim for American audiences). The Unrated version is highly recommended.

Saw (2004)

You're probably asking yourself why I'm recommending a "torture porn" movie. Read before you decide because Saw is actually quite good. It's extremely graphic and gross violence is not effective, but the story sure is.

Saw is the story of a man who wakes up in decrepit, old room with another man who is chained to a wall along with him. They have six hours to get out otherwise a deadly toxin already in their blood that will kill them eventually. Interspersed in this story is the police investigating the case of a killer named Jigsaw, who builds elaborate traps to teach his prisoners the meaning of life.

Even though this is not many people's movie type, this is the movie that started the word "torture porn". Torture porn is a movie that is very violent and usually sadistic. Saw is both and, unlike the others in this genre, very original. Originally independent, the film garnered press after it was going to be rated NC-17, but then was cut by 10 seconds (which were put back for the DVD) to get an R rating. The film went on to be a blockbuster and get five sequels, the fifth currently in the making.

Heads will roll and so will arms, guts, and other body parts. Saw is genuine and has a great twist at the end that is among the best in cinema history. It is superior to its five sequels (and probably more to come) for the main reason that it does not try to focus on being violent whereas the sequels differ.

Audition (1999)

This film also goes under the title Odishon. In Japanese, with English subtitles.

Nothing is ever what it seems in Takashi Miike's films and the same can be said about Audition. It is a gruesome and disturbing film, but the beginning can be misleading. The film starts out with a man whose wife has recently died. He takes an offer to audition girls who do not know that they are auditioning to be his wife. He picks Asami, yet she is not quite who she seems to be when it turns out that she is a psychopathic murderess.

The scene that everybody remembers so fondly is the final one. Just a warning: it is powerful and yet, it contains not a single shot of what violence is being done under the camera. People mistake the film for being gory, but Miike is a smart man. He chooses not to show a single shot of blood.

Audition is a great piece of horror, but the beginning is not quite what the rest of the movie is. It does not truly get moving until about an hour in. Give this film patience. Also, prepare for torture and some strong graphic scenes. I just want you to know what you're getting into.

Movies You Shouldn't See: Hostel (2005)

Look at the poster. It doesn't get more generic than this. Hostel is a crapshoot, cliche horror movie that does not actually include a single moment of horror. It is the story of two stupid men who let their body below their waist control them when they go to Amsterdam. Things go awry when a seemingly perfect hostel (with topless women) is actually a trap for tourists to kill other tourists. This is why you don't stay in shady places in Europe!

Hostel is among the worst movies I have ever seen for this reason: each scene is either sexual of graphically violent. The first half of the movie is sex scenes compiled in an order to loosely have a plot, but then it fades into violence. Viewers will sure be grossed out by the numerous limbs or other appendages cut off in this film.

The poster boasts Quentin Tarantino as a director, yet Eli Roth actually directed it. They are using Tarantino's name as a poor reason to justify it's violence. Doesn't it disturb you at all that the violence comes dangerously close to a NC-17 rating (but isn't) and Requiem for a Dream actually is? Weird.

To call the Hostel the "scariest American movie in a decade" is a cinematic crime. Nuff said. By the way, it has a sequel. Only another two hours of violence, but this time there's a castration scene.