The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Wow! I am eager to see this. I'll wait until Monday so the crowd is smaller.

Can't wait to hear what you think, Squid. Thanks for reading my long review.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Its been a while fellas just got back from a 2 month deployment so while im here MOVIE TIME. Gotta 9 month coming up here in july.

While i was gone i've finally seen some movies that i neglected because of ignorance haha.

Shindler's List 10/10 nuff said this movie blew my mind, also showed y Speilberg is so successful.

Welcome back.

I revisited "Schindler's List" recently too and found it smashing.

[Foggy]

Film watching time will dramaticly decrease for me, Duke Nukem Forever...

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

Super 8 Review

[Show spoiler]I won't beat around the bush about this: I LOVED Super 8. From the opening moments of seeing the Amblin logo back on the screen, the music, the atmosphere, and the characters I couldn't help but have a big grin on my face while watching the movie. These are the kind of movies I grew up on. The Spielberg produced and directed films of the 80's which had amazing casts, great stories, and incredible special effects for good measure. If you put ET, The Goonies, and Close Encounters in a blender, Super 8 would be the outcome. Hollywood doesn't make movies like this anymore, and this was a big gamble for Paramount and those involved, and I'm glad to say that they hit this one out of the park. This is a very special little movie, and the must see of the summer.



When a group of kids sneak out in the middle of the night to film a scene for their zombie movie, they never could have expected what would happen next. While out at a train stop, they see a train coming down the tracks. Down on the opposite side, a truck turns on and goes head on for the train, knocking it off the tracks while the kids watch. Stuck in the middle of the destruction, the kids try to hide what they've seen from their parents and the town. But when military forces start showing up and all the dogs in the town go missing, the kids start investigating the situation on their own. But what they discover is much scarier then any of them could imagine, and the fate of their town lies in their hands.

I have to say, ever since the teaser appeared last year in front of Iron Man 2, I couldn't wait to see this. I was so intrigued by the idea of of Spielberg and Abrams working together that my thoughts were just reeling at the possibilities of what was they could do. Spielberg is arguably my favorite filmmaker of all time, working with Abrams who to me is one of the golden children of Hollywood now. He is always thinking outside the box and creating things that are different. What the two have created here is a wonderful nostalgic love letter to Spielberg's films of the 80's, and a gateway for a younger generation to discover the classics. Super 8 is two very different movies put together. What it appears to be is an alien attack on the small town, and while that is a part of the film, the heart and soul of this film is a childhood adventure, the love for making movies, and searching for family and closure.

Let me begin with the cast, wow. I love the fact that Abrams and Spielberg got a cast of relatively unknown's for the main group of kids. And what's more than that, they can all act. And well. Especially the two main kids played by Joel Courtney as Joe Lamb, and Elle Fanning as Alice Dainard, respectively. This movie hinges on loving these characters, and wanting to see them succeed in their goal to finish their movie, but also coming closer together. And I can't say Joel and Elle deliver in anything less than spades. I couldn't help but fall in love with these two characters. Joel comes from a broken home where he and his father (played by the always incredible Kyle Chandler) barely know each other and are just seeming to get by after an accident months earlier. Oh, and on top of this, his father is also the town deputy. Elle comes from a home where her single alcoholic father is nothing but an angry and emotionally abusive person who has lost everything that it means to live. When Joel and Elle first meet, their is definitely a something off between the two. Elle isn't trusting of him because he is the son of the town deputy, but after the accident, the two begin coming closer together. It is very real friendship, and really shows what your first summer teenage crush was like. They share what is arguable one of the best scenes in the movie together when Elle sneaks into Joe's room in the middle of the night. They stay up late talking and really open up to each other, and the emotions are real and deep. You couldn't help but feel for them. Both of them are actors to watch, and I for one hope they have long careers after this.

The rest of the cast of kids are great as well. What I love is that even if they don't have a ton of screen time, they all have quirks and traits that will make you remember them. There is Charles, their director and the foul mouthed one in the group, much like Mouth in The Goonies. A fun character, and the exact opposite of Joe in every way. But they are, and always will be, best friends until the very end. Then there is Cary, Preston, and Martin, but I won't delve too much into their personality quirks. It's better to see it for yourself. For me, one of the best things about the movie is seeing one of my favorite actors, Kyle Chandler, front in center in a leading role. Usually a character actor in movies, and mostly known for the television shows Friday Night Lights and Early Edition, I've always enjoyed his work. And Chandler plays Joe's emotionally traumatized father Jackson perfectly. The two barely know each other, and have only grown farther apart after an accident months before. As the situation in the town gets more out of control, everything begins falling on him as well, stressing their relationship even more. Chandler has always been an actor I've loved watching, and he just kills here. People need to take notice of him and really give him more love in films. A scene towards the end of the movie when his character finally gets into hero mode got a cheer from the audience and really blew the movie wide open for me. I demand more movies with Kyle Chandler as the main character, Hollywood, take note!

The story of this movie is incredibly beautiful and intimate. Where many movies would be focused on the special effects and the alien, this movie was focused on the characters and their relationships. The chaos just happens to be where these relationships are developing. For me, there is nothing better than a real movie with characters, and it makes you really miss the days of 70's and 80's filmmaking where that was a primary goal. As we've moved farther down the road with CGI and special effects, movies are becoming less about characters and story and more about spectacle. That makes this movie that much more special. The fact that it captures the magic and feel of those Spielberg films where we believed an alien could make a boys bike fly, a Delorean could travel through time, and a group of kids could go on an adventure to find pirate treasure really makes me pine for more movies like this. A lot of that credit goes to Michael Giacchino, the composer of the film. He really brings the mood and atmosphere to this movie with the music in the film. And it really feels like a John Williams score of Spielberg's movies as well.

And of course, I have to talk about Abrams' direction of the film. He really has his own visual style, but he also tried to replicate the look and feel of The Goonies and E.T., but with more lens flare. I was just blown away by the man's attention to detail and how closely he made it feel like one of those movies while still keeping his own style intact. Quite frankly, it was brilliant. Not only is this movie a grand adventure, it's also incredibly touching. I mean, I'll be honest, I teared up a little at the end. These characters are so easy to relate to, it's impossible to not feel something towards the end. And between all these action packed and emotional scenes, there is humor. And I don't mean a little humor. I laughed a lot, from little things from the things that characters were saying to random background characters actions. This movie is a perfect balance of absolutely everything. Abrams to me, is the ultimate showman of his generation, much as Spielberg was in the 80's. He knows what audiences want, and delivers on his promise fully. I love the small things he added as the movie as well, from passing references to Three Mile Island before it's meltdown, to posters for Star Wars and love for all things monsters that really gives the movie more personality to the decade. I just really liked the way Abrams handled the movie. I also really liked the design of the monsters, and love that you never really see it until the end of the movie. It really added to the ominous nature of the film.

Super 8 is an incredibly magical throwback to what is arguably the greatest decade for film and one of the world's greatest filmmakers. With an amazing cast, a great story, and a great score, there is no way to not recommend this movie. This is a movie that makes me demand from Hollywood we go back to what made filmmaking special. The movies like this that really make us emotional and feel for the characters on great adventures. Abrams is a director I always loved, and he has solidified his status as one of my favorite directors of the new age of Hollywood. This is an incredible movie, and gets my highest recommendation. This is the must see movie of the summer, don't miss it!

10/10

gah! i cannot wait to see this tonight! only 9 more hours!
after i see it, then i'll read the review. i like going in knowing almost nothing but what the trailers have given me glad you loved it. hopefully will too.

Originally Posted by jvince

I also wholeheartedly approve Walt's review. A truly awesome movie, and a must-see on the big screen. Personally, right now, I'd also give it a 5. It's that much fun. I'll try to write a full review on this today.

excitement builds even more! first trip to the theater since opening night of The Dark Knight. hopefully my theater has updated its sound equipment since then. seeing Cloverfield and The Dark Knight there was alright, but the sound was AWFUL. so it better be improved!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

So do the theaters, because it's the proper and adult method.

Originally Posted by Diesel

incorrect. you never sit all the way through credits for every movie, so thus, you would be LYING, which is grounds for suspension from thread and site for one week. while Diesel suspends himself for previous (numerous) faults, i will take over as moderator!!!

[Show spoiler]

[iam1bearcat]

Alien [1979 Theatrical Version]

114 minutes

Year: 1979
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Dan O’Bannon
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto, and Harry Dean Stanton

not much i can say about such a legendary film that hasn't already been said by someone somewhere and probably stated much better than i ever could. but either way, Alien is something that simply must be seen.

one of the best of the sci-fi and horror genres. the atmosphere and tension are almost unmatched. the execution of pacing is brilliant, the cast and characters are wonderful and wholly unique and of course, the film features of the very best characters to ever be created in the history of cinema. hell, the Alien itself may be #1 on my list (whenever i make such a list) seeing as there is nothing else as unique, mysterious, threatening, dangerous and jaw dropping as it is.

the story - for those who somehow may not know - follows the crew of The Nostromo, who awaken early from hyper sleep because their ship picks up a distress signal. and because it is protocol, they must investigate. they discover a giant, mysterious ship and a more mysterious organism inside.

the rest of the film follows the wonders and subsequent horrors of trying to save one of their crew members, with frightening, bloody good results

one of the most genius things i cannot give praise to enough for the film is the creation of the alien itself and the stages of its life it has. from a facehugger, to the chest burster to the iconic, massively sized fully grown alien, every step of the way is awesome. it's "defense mechanism" is pure genius and adds a whole new level of "well what the f$2! do we do to kill it???" to your worrisome mind. and i love how we still don't technically find out by the time the film ends

of course, the film isn't a typical horror film where we couldn't give a damn about the characters and want them to die (*cough* unlike Aliens *cough*). Alien has a great cast who seem to have real chemistry (can't wait to find out about that in the special features ) and are headlined by the hard nosed, follow the rules no matter what Ripley (Weaver). we instantly get a feel for how serious and "no funny business' she is. she's second in command, but knows what should be done.

the rest of the cast (all with pretty cool names as well) do their part and exceed more than i ever anticipated when i first saw the film years ago. everyone has a purpose and point and everyone has an opinion on something and reacts differently. feels like a real crew on a real ship.

the horror is magnified by the fact that the vessel is a mining vessel. they aren't prepared for battle with enemies, so they have to construct makeshift weapons, which adds to the fear of what's happening. they don't have a single gun to work with! genius!

for the first few viewings i went back and forth on if i liked or understood the purpose of having

[Show spoiler]Ash

be a

[Show spoiler]robot

. always thought that kind of came out of nowhere and was actually goofy for awhile, but over the years have understood it more and i don't mind it all now.

a film that starts slow and slowly builds to a grand ending. a pacing reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey but ends up entirely different. if anyone has played Dead Space, they surely got an Alien feel (especially since the script is very much the same) which means you can fully realize how influential and important the film is - over 30 years later a videogame borrows heavily from a film? outstanding

the film doesn't feel like it was made in 1979. and honestly, aside from the

[Show spoiler]alien "toy" thing smashing into the back of Ripley's escape pod

nothing in the film gives a sense of "oh wow. this is old" which is just amazing given the feel and size of the film (wherein, if the film was dialogue heavy it would be easier to hide it was 1979, but the special effects and magnitude of the film make it harder to keep up to date with effects and visuals, but Alien succeeds).

somewhere in my top 50 favorite films (i should really start that list huh? ) and easily one of my favorite horror films, and sci-fi films.

probably has been watched by all, but if someone has somehow missed this masterpiece, go watch it now duh. it's never looked better!

dozens of iconic scenes and memorable moments fill this gem

PQ: 4.5/5
AQ: 4.5/5

film: 5/5

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Love it.



Classic



Some people hated the dialogue. I though that was the best part.



Awesome movie



I need to get on this series.

Pretty sure you would love the Three Colors trilogy.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Alien [1979 Theatrical Version]

[SIZE="2"]114 minutes


the film doesn't feel like it was made in 1979. and honestly, aside from the

[Show spoiler]alien "toy" thing smashing into the back of Ripley's escape pod

nothing in the film gives a sense of "oh wow. this is old" which is just amazing given the feel and size of the film (wherein, if the film was dialogue heavy it would be easier to hide it was 1979, but the special effects and magnitude of the film make it harder to keep up to date with effects and visuals, but Alien succeeds).


PQ: 4.5/5
AQ: 4.5/5

film: 5/5

The computers look dated

You're right though. It has aged well and it's a very good film. The first hour is the best for me, when they first discover the ship and it's cargo.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Steve46

The computers look dated

damn! you're right

You're right though. It has aged well and it's a very good film. The first hour is the best for me, when they first discover the ship and it's cargo.

yep. probably my favorite part too and like i said in the review, i LOVE how there are stages to the aliens life, just like ours. too many creatures we just see as is, with no generation or growth to them. i love that the creators (maybe Scott too perhaps had a say in it? ) took the time for all of that. first time i saw this my jaw was on the ground the entire time and i was freaking out.

loved it then and love it now
i wish Aliens had the same magic still a good film, but not nearly as good as Alien.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

incorrect. you never sit all the way through credits for every movie, so thus, you would be LYING, which is grounds for suspension from thread and site for one week. while Diesel suspends himself for previous (numerous) faults, i will take over as moderator!!!

[Show spoiler]

I could walk out after the first twenty minutes. Does that make the running time twenty minutes? Do you subtract the opening credits? No. The entire body of work counts. Why am I not surprised that you are having difficulty understanding such a simple concept?

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

incorrect. you never sit all the way through credits for every movie, so thus, you would be LYING, which is grounds for suspension from thread and site for one week. while Diesel suspends himself for previous (numerous) faults, i will take over as moderator!!!

[Show spoiler]

It should be so, OR thus. Using both is redundant. Is everyone in your generation this slow?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Alien [1979 Theatrical Version]

[Show spoiler]114 minutes

Year: 1979
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Dan O’Bannon
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto, and Harry Dean Stanton

not much i can say about such a legendary film that hasn't already been said by someone somewhere and probably stated much better than i ever could. but either way, Alien is something that simply must be seen.

one of the best of the sci-fi and horror genres. the atmosphere and tension are almost unmatched. the execution of pacing is brilliant, the cast and characters are wonderful and wholly unique and of course, the film features of the very best characters to ever be created in the history of cinema. hell, the Alien itself may be #1 on my list (whenever i make such a list) seeing as there is nothing else as unique, mysterious, threatening, dangerous and jaw dropping as it is.

the story - for those who somehow may not know - follows the crew of The Nostromo, who awaken early from hyper sleep because their ship picks up a distress signal. and because it is protocol, they must investigate. they discover a giant, mysterious ship and a more mysterious organism inside.

the rest of the film follows the wonders and subsequent horrors of trying to save one of their crew members, with frightening, bloody good results

one of the most genius things i cannot give praise to enough for the film is the creation of the alien itself and the stages of its life it has. from a facehugger, to the chest burster to the iconic, massively sized fully grown alien, every step of the way is awesome. it's "defense mechanism" is pure genius and adds a whole new level of "well what the f$2! do we do to kill it???" to your worrisome mind. and i love how we still don't technically find out by the time the film ends

of course, the film isn't a typical horror film where we couldn't give a damn about the characters and want them to die (*cough* unlike Aliens *cough*). Alien has a great cast who seem to have real chemistry (can't wait to find out about that in the special features ) and are headlined by the hard nosed, follow the rules no matter what Ripley (Weaver). we instantly get a feel for how serious and "no funny business' she is. she's second in command, but knows what should be done.

the rest of the cast (all with pretty cool names as well) do their part and exceed more than i ever anticipated when i first saw the film years ago. everyone has a purpose and point and everyone has an opinion on something and reacts differently. feels like a real crew on a real ship.

the horror is magnified by the fact that the vessel is a mining vessel. they aren't prepared for battle with enemies, so they have to construct makeshift weapons, which adds to the fear of what's happening. they don't have a single gun to work with! genius!

for the first few viewings i went back and forth on if i liked or understood the purpose of having

[Show spoiler]Ash

be a

[Show spoiler]robot

. always thought that kind of came out of nowhere and was actually goofy for awhile, but over the years have understood it more and i don't mind it all now.

a film that starts slow and slowly builds to a grand ending. a pacing reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey but ends up entirely different. if anyone has played Dead Space, they surely got an Alien feel (especially since the script is very much the same) which means you can fully realize how influential and important the film is - over 30 years later a videogame borrows heavily from a film? outstanding

the film doesn't feel like it was made in 1979. and honestly, aside from the

[Show spoiler]alien "toy" thing smashing into the back of Ripley's escape pod

nothing in the film gives a sense of "oh wow. this is old" which is just amazing given the feel and size of the film (wherein, if the film was dialogue heavy it would be easier to hide it was 1979, but the special effects and magnitude of the film make it harder to keep up to date with effects and visuals, but Alien succeeds).

somewhere in my top 50 favorite films (i should really start that list huh? ) and easily one of my favorite horror films, and sci-fi films.

probably has been watched by all, but if someone has somehow missed this masterpiece, go watch it now duh. it's never looked better!

dozens of iconic scenes and memorable moments fill this gem

PQ: 4.5/5
AQ: 4.5/5

film: 5/5

[Show spoiler]117 minutes DAMNIT!!

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I could walk out after the first twenty minutes. Does that make the running time twenty minutes? Do you subtract the opening credits? No. The entire body of work counts. Why am I not surprised that you are having difficulty understanding such a simple concept?

most films have things going during opening credits. not just a black screen with names. not ALL, but some. so they count. and if you walk out after twenty minutes, you shouldn't be writing anything for it because you didn't see it, THUS that example is nullified by common sense. you wacky old timers

It should be so, OR thus. Using both is redundant. Is everyone in your generation this slow?

quoting me twice for the same statement is redundant my friend!
and no, not everyone, in my generation, is this, GIFTED, which is, what i know, you meant to say.

are you, digging, the commas, yet?

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]117 minutes DAMNIT!!

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

keep it up Squiddy and you'll never see season 3 of Breaking Bad!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

most films have things going during opening credits. not just a black screen with names. not ALL, but some. so they count. and if you walk out after twenty minutes, you shouldn't be writing anything for it because you didn't see it, THUS that example is nullified by common sense. you wacky old timers

Some movies have things DURING and AFTER the end credits...so by your established logic...they count and you lose


And you think you could be a moderator, you can't even follow your own primitive logic

[Steve46]

Here's my Top 5 dramas:

5. American Beauty
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening and Thora Birch

American Beauty is the story of how Lester Burnham (Spacey) rebels against his boring lifestyle and acts to change it. He’s unhappy with his wife, Carolyn (Bening), while his daughter, Jane (Birch), barely acknowledges his existence. Mendes explores the difference between the image we present to other people and what actually goes on behind the scenes. There’s plenty of dark humor and this might just be Spacey’s best role. All three people make big changes and develop as characters throughout the film. It expresses feelings that a lot of people feel, but never do anything about.
My full review can be found here.

4. The Green Mile
Directed by Frank Darabont
Starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan and David Morse
The best Stephen King adaptations are directed by Frank Darabont. The Green Mile is set in a prison in the 1930s and all of the inmates are waiting to be executed in the electric chair. It’s not a traditional prison story as all of the prisoners have their own cell and don’t come into contact with each other. The warders, led by Paul Edgcombe, have their world turned upside down when John Coffey (Duncan) arrives on the scene. Edgcombe, now an old man, narrates the story and everything we see happened when he was a young man. Coffey is a giant of a man, but exceptional quiet and gentle. I won’t reveal how he shakes things up because it would ruin the surprise. It’s a wonderful drama and Darabont takes his time telling the story. Don’t be put off by the 189-minute running time because you’ll probably be sorry that it’s over when it ends. It also has the best performance by a mouse in the history of motion pictures.

3. Pulp Fiction
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis
Reservoir Dogs was a promising debut and Pulp Fiction sees Tarantino take a step forward. His screenplay deservedly won the Oscar and it’s full of the realistic dialogue that’s found in all of his films. Vincent Vega (Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Jackson) play two killers. The most interesting thing about them is their conversations and outlook on life. Bruce Willis is also in the mix, playing a boxer who is paid to fix a fight and goes on the run after failing to keep his promise. The film is full of interesting characters. Christopher Walken appears in just one scene, but you’ll never forget it. Uma Thurman hinted at the potential she would eventually realize in the Kill Bill movies. The non-linear plot is a sequence of bizarre events rather than a coherent story, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s hard to pick a favourite Tarantino movie, but this currently has the edge.

2. The Shawshank Redemption
Directed by Frank Darabont
Starring Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins and Bob Gunton

Shawshank is another Stephen King story adapted by Frank Darabont and it’s also set in a prison. Andy Dufresne (Robbins) plays a man convicted of murdering his wife. Red (Freeman) befriends him and helps him adjust to prison life. The film has been criticized by some for manipulating our feelings, but don’t all movies aim do that? The pacing is slow, allowing us to feel the passage of time as Dufresne serves his long sentence. My favourite scene happens while several inmates are tarring a roof, but the film is full of memorable scenes. I doubt that Robbins or Freeman have ever delivered better performances. As with most Stephen King stories, there’s a real sense of justice by the conclusion. I’m not sure how many times I have seen Shawshank, but I know I’ll keep watching it on a regular basis.

1. Mulholland Dr.
Directed by David Lynch
Starring Naomi Watts. Laura Harring and Justin Theroux
David Lynch isn’t the easiest filmmaker to like. He doesn’t like explaining the meaning of anything and insists that you draw your own conclusions. Mulholland Dr. is particularly baffling on the first viewing. It’s unclear what’s happening and the whole film is turned on its head in the last 45 minutes. It makes the viewer question the validity of everything that has happened up to that point. Betty (Watts) plays a bright-eyed aspiring actress who befriends Rita (Harring); a woman suffering from amnesia following a car accident. Part of the story plays like a Nancy Drew mystery as the two try to find Rita’s true identity. In fact, the whole film is about identity. There’s an air of mystery throughout and numerous scenes filled with dark humor. It’s also actually quite frightening in places if you allow yourself to be drawn in. If it works for you, you’ll find yourself reading about the film and watching it again within a couple of days. If it fails, you’ll regret ever seeing it. I watched it two days running and have seen it many times since. This is the film that changed the way I think about cinema.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Some movies have things DURING and AFTER the end credits...so by your established logic...they count and you lose


And you think you could be a moderator, you can't even follow your own primitive logic

those at the end are not generally part of the actual film, they are an extension, but not something that relates to the film you just saw. like, in A Bug's Life for the outtakes. yes, something is happening, but it doesn't affect what we just saw in the film. and most of the hidden scenes at the end of films while being connected, don't logically belong or don't really have an impact on the film you just watched.

POtC 3: yes, because it dealt with these characters.
Iron Man 2: not really because while same "universe" (get it? ), completely different character.

so PotC 3 could have an additional minute added on. Iron Man 2, no.

i get it. you and Squid are far too NSE to follow basic logic. it's okay. you're still welcome here with your clubs and bludgeoning of your meals and eating with your hands. and the whole not showering thing.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Here's my Top 5 dramas:

5. American Beauty
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening and Thora Birch

[Show spoiler]American Beauty is the story of how Lester Burnham (Spacey) rebels against his boring lifestyle and acts to change it. He’s unhappy with his wife, Carolyn (Bening), while his daughter, Jane (Birch), barely acknowledges his existence. Mendes explores the difference between the image we present to other people and what actually goes on behind the scenes. There’s plenty of dark humor and this might just be Spacey’s best role. All three people make big changes and develop as characters throughout the film. It expresses feelings that a lot of people feel, but never do anything about.
My full review can be found here.

4. The Green Mile
Directed by Frank Darabont
Starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan and David Morse

[Show spoiler]The best Stephen King adaptations are directed by Frank Darabont. The Green Mile is set in a prison in the 1930s and all of the inmates are waiting to be executed in the electric chair. It’s not a traditional prison story as all of the prisoners have their own cell and don’t come into contact with each other. The warders, led by Paul Edgcombe, have their world turned upside down when John Coffey (Duncan) arrives on the scene. Edgcombe, now an old man, narrates the story and everything we see happened when he was a young man. Coffey is a giant of a man, but exceptional quiet and gentle. I won’t reveal how he shakes things up because it would ruin the surprise. It’s a wonderful drama and Darabont takes his time telling the story. Don’t be put off by the 189-minute running time because you’ll probably be sorry that it’s over when it ends. It also has the best performance by a mouse in the history of motion pictures.

3. Pulp Fiction
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis

[Show spoiler]Reservoir Dogs was a promising debut and Pulp Fiction sees Tarantino take a step forward. His screenplay deservedly won the Oscar and it’s full of the realistic dialogue that’s found in all of his films. Vincent Vega (Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Jackson) play two killers. The most interesting thing about them is their conversations and outlook on life. Bruce Willis is also in the mix, playing a boxer who is paid to fix a fight and goes on the run after failing to keep his promise. The film is full of interesting characters. Christopher Walken appears in just one scene, but you’ll never forget it. Uma Thurman hinted at the potential she would eventually realize in the Kill Bill movies. The non-linear plot is a sequence of bizarre events rather than a coherent story, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s hard to pick a favourite Tarantino movie, but this currently has the edge.

2. The Shawshank Redemption
Directed by Frank Darabont
Starring Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins and Bob Gunton

[Show spoiler]Shawshank is another Stephen King story adapted by Frank Darabont and it’s also set in a prison. Andy Dufresne (Robbins) plays a man convicted of murdering his wife. Red (Freeman) befriends him and helps him adjust to prison life. The film has been criticized by some for manipulating our feelings, but don’t all movies aim do that? The pacing is slow, allowing us to feel the passage of time as Dufresne serves his long sentence. My favourite scene happens while several inmates are tarring a roof, but the film is full of memorable scenes. I doubt that Robbins or Freeman have ever delivered better performances. As with most Stephen King stories, there’s a real sense of justice by the conclusion. I’m not sure how many times I have seen Shawshank, but I know I’ll keep watching it on a regular basis.

1. Mulholland Dr.
Directed by David Lynch

[Show spoiler]Starring Naomi Watts. Laura Harring and Justin Theroux
David Lynch isn’t the easiest filmmaker to like. He doesn’t like explaining the meaning of anything and insists that you draw your own conclusions. Mulholland Dr. is particularly baffling on the first viewing. It’s unclear what’s happening and the whole film is turned on its head in the last 45 minutes. It makes the viewer question the validity of everything that has happened up to that point. Betty (Watts) plays a bright-eyed aspiring actress who befriends Rita (Harring); a woman suffering from amnesia following a car accident. Part of the story plays like a Nancy Drew mystery as the two try to find Rita’s true identity. In fact, the whole film is about identity. There’s an air of mystery throughout and numerous scenes filled with dark humor. It’s also actually quite frightening in places if you allow yourself to be drawn in. If it works for you, you’ll find yourself reading about the film and watching it again within a couple of days. If it fails, you’ll regret ever seeing it. I watched it two days running and have seen it many times since. This is the film that changed the way I think about cinema.

all right! some of my predictions were very correct!
great list btw Steve

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

all right! some of my predictions were very correct!
great list btw Steve

Yeah, you were 6 for 6 in your predictions for the Top 10.

I guess I'm becoming predictable.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Yeah, you were 6 for 6 in your predictions for the Top 10.

I guess I'm becoming predictable.

i wouldn't say that. we've discussed favorite films before and i was able to remember some of them so i imagined your list wouldn't have changed that much in the last few months

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

:
quoting me twice for the same statement is redundant my friend!

No, it is not. I separated them to address two separate points.

Actually, I separated them so you wouldnt become confused. I was afraid you would be overewhelmed by the complexity of dealing with two things at once.