My Favorite Movies

Will "Slumdog Millionaire" win best picture?

D. It is written.

That's my final answer.

The greatest silent film I have ever seen. At times, I was so enveloped in the characters that I nearly forgot that colors even exist in the world.

No other movie can evoke the same emotional response from me. Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia" gets my eyes tearing up right from the opening credits of the movie and Neil Young's beautiful "Philadelphia" at the end of the film is a powerfully soft and gentle reminder of the fragility of human existence and the strength of friendship and brotherhood. I physically laugh, cry, cringe, and smile all throughout this honest and courageous film. Denzel's hauntingly realistic portrayal of the male homophobe sadly continues to ring true to this day, while the riveting performances from Tom Hanks, Antonio Banderas, Joanne Woodward, and Jason Robards remind us that love can overcome all... even a disease that affects one's physical life as well as their social life.

A perfect reinterpretation of Joseph Conrad's novel "The Heart of Darkness." The greatest war film ever created. Martin Sheen's portrayal of a man's descent through the jungle and into the mind of a madman, encountering all varieties of madness along the way.

Never in history has a film been so pertinent to current events as this. If only our leaders could actually start to LISTEN to people... then we could understand the true causes of terrorism, hunger, and all suffering across the globe in order to help begin to eradicate all of it.

Impeccable combination of fantasy elements mixed with the cold reality of a war-torn Spain make this picture intriguing... but the real highlight of the picture is the beautiful performance of Ivana Baquero as a young girl who never gives up hope that things can be better than they seem.

Political satire at its best! The unbelievably talented Peter Sellers tackles the drastically different roles in one film - and nails them all!

This unnerving black comedy, arguably Kubrick's greatest achievement, is as chilling as it is hillarious. Why? Because his portrayal of politicians, soldiers, and generals is so real that it takes quite a few scenes before one recognizes that this is not the serious political drama that was first intended when the screenplay was being written. The film was so convincing that even Ronald Reagan thought there was a "War Room" at the Pentagon when he became president!

The greatest war film ever created. I never thought it would take so long for a war movie to display the *other* side of the battle... but here it is in all its glory. My second favorite film of the year behind "Pan's Labyrinth," but undoubtedly the most important film of the 2006 right up there with "Babel."

This is not a film for the faint of heart. There is a lot of ground covered in a relatively short time span (though, 158 minutes may seem like a lot to some). The emotional journey of oil prospector Daniel Plainview is portrayed brilliantly by Daniel Day Lewis in his greatest and simultaneously most challenging role to date. The dialectical characters of Eli (a young charismatic evangelical minister that is constantly butting heads with Mr. Plainview) and his twin brother Paul (a young capitalist who is out to sell his father's land to make a profit) help encourage the audience to ponder the concept of "happiness" through the power of religion and money in the never-ending pursuit for the ever enigmatic and elusive concept of the "American dream." A brilliant film and thought-provoking tale that is more applicable today than ever before... and with an absolutely rich and terrifying score from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, films this perfect are certainly few and far between.

In my humble opinion, this is a true masterpiece of filmmaking. The exorbitantly long amount of time that Paul Thomas Anderson spent reworking Upton Sinclair's novel 'Oil!' into a screenplay was certainly well worth the time spent.

Setting the bar for giant monster films to come, King Kong was ground-breaking in numerous realms. The film showcases the brilliance of Ray Harryhausen's special effects, but also of the touching emotional content of the supposed "monster" movie. The humanization of Kong's emotions and the touching tale of "beauty and the beast" endeared this character to many, monster fans and others alike.

An engaging social, romantic, political, and religious commentary of the Reagan years... an absolutely astonishing piece of cinematic artwork.

This 6-hour long HBO mini-series has numerous endearing qualities - From unbelievably believable characters that are too honest for their own good to the portrayal of the legendary political lawyer/monster known as Roy Kohn by none other than Al Pacino in what I believe to be his most difficult and best performed role to date... and of course the beautifully haunting soundtrack from the talented Thomas Newman. This film also includes such celebrated actresses/actors as Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeffrey Wright, and an ensemble of unforgettable characters. I highly recommend Angels in America to anybody with a pulse.

A dark and sinister social analysis of humanity in disguise as a comic book film - while those in search of action and explosions will certainly leave the theatre filled to the brim, it is those in search of understanding humanity who might uncover a deeper meaning to this dark film. Christian Bale and Heath Ledger perform flawlessly as the "unstoppable force" and "immovable objects" that they are, while Aaron Eckhart gives the performance of a lifetime. With Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman as a supporting cast, this film is obviously much more than just a simple action flick. Christopher Nolan has created yet another film that I am glad to put on my list of favorites.

The only "futuristic" film that I truly felt immersed within to the point where I began to believe this was really something that really could happen... phenomenal acting, especially from Clive Owen himself. Wonderful story, special effects, and cinematography.

By far the greatest monster film ever created. This film does homage to the horror of the hydrogen bomb by artfully suggesting worldwide non-proliferation as the answer.

The best war movie I have ever seen. Alan Arkin is absolutely incredible in his role as the only sane man in an insane scenario.

I hear that this is nothing like the book, and I'm glad - because the only movie I have seen that truly followed a novel practically verbatim was Michael Crichton's "Sphere" which did not translate well to screen at all. One must appreciate the difference in medium... especially in regard to the fact that books allow the reader into the mind and subconscious of its characters while a movie relies purely on physical and verbal expressions to relay messages and feelings to the viewer.

I thought this film was absolutely flawless and did a phenomenal job of pointing out how stupid and selfish the concept of war itself really is... fighting for peace is the ultimate "Catch-22."

Hillarious at times, heartbreaking at others, but ultimately culminating in an ending that (though perhaps not a joyous ending) leaves the viewer feeling satisfied and content... this film covers the wide range of the human emotional spectrum as we travel across the country with a very disfunctional family as they do their best to support little Olive as she reaches for her dreams to become Little Miss Sunshine.

Peter Sellers in his best (as well as his personal favorite) role ever. A brilliantly dark comedy and satire of society and what it means to really shape and influence the world around you.

The Russian equivalent to New Zealand's "Lord of the Rings." The first film comes off as a bit awkward, but seems to make more sense as the films progress... I am certain that a LOT is lost in translation, but that's to be expected. I am always pleased to find underground blockbusters that aren't part of the Hollywood machine. A breath of fresh cinematic air as this powerful question of philosophy is addressed in an action-packed yet artistic manner.

Edward R. Murrow was portrayed impeccably by David Strathairn... and to add such an all-star cast to the project just makes it that much greater.

The fact that the film is in black and white brilliantly mirrors the content of the film and the narrow-mindedness of senator McCarthy and his followers.

Unfortunately, Murrow was absolutely correct with his perspective on where television was heading... as another reviewer stated, we certainly have paid a very steep price to be entertained.

What do you get when you throw a samurai flick, a spaghetti western, and a kickass soundtrack (from Chingon, Robert Rodriguez's amazing band) all in a blender? Well, you wouldn't get anything without Tarantino to rearrange the mess into something beautiful... but, here he does it yet again. This is where the true story comes through in the "Kill Bill" saga.

Not nearly as good as the novella "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" by the legendary Stephen King...

...but, arguably one of the greatest story-to-film adaptations of all time.

Such great fun at the theatre... I loved it.

You just have to understand what a "Grindhouse" really is before you go...

It really bothers me when I hear people talk about Crash and limit their discussions to "racism." Maybe you saw a different film than I did, but there were countless other messages in this. I believe the fact that people only notice the racism sends a message in and of itself.

Perhaps I'm simply a different breed of moviegoer, being that I am a sociologist... but as far as this movie is concerned, there were definitely far more themes involved than people want to give it credit for. Wealth/Poverty? Power/Submission? Were these themes not noticed by anyone else? Perhaps the most profound theme of all was that of hope and progress. Even Roger Ebert agrees:

"You may have to look hard to see it, but "Crash" is a film about progress."

Perhaps we need to look a little bit harder... at this film... at our own lives...

This film beautifully portrays the awkwardness that is life... there are no "good guys" and there are no "bad guys." There are just people and the relationships (albeit, some pretty twisted and skewed relationships) between one another. Hillarious at times, disturbing at others, but always thought provoking and touching.

Just bizarre enough to be my kind of film...

The greatest Pixar movie ever created. Wall-E is so visually expressive that his lack of an extensive vocabulary actually adds to his character instead of detracting from it and Eve's sleek look kept reminding me of my iMac at home.

Wonderful time machine for the baby boomer generation and a quick history lesson for their children... Tom Hanks performs beautifully in this heartwarming tale of overcoming adversity in the land of opportunities.

Best movie of the year? Not by far... but, with this stellar cast, how could you *NOT* deliver a great film. Leo, Jack, Marky Mark, Matt, and Martin all add unique and realistic personalities to this mob-flick that leaves just as many questions as it does answers... and it leaves you begging for more.

When I first saw this in the theatre, I had to pee about 5 minutes into the film. I couldn't bear to leave, so I held it the whole three hours. It's THAT good.

The Fellowship is divided. Frodo and Sam are approaching the dark and tumultuous clouds of Mordor... along with an unexpected visitor. Meanwhile, the rest of the Fellowship journeys to save Merry and Pippin, who have been captured by orcs in a heroic display of loyalty and love for Frodo and his quest. This film picks up in the middle of the epic journey across Middle-Earth and continues across new territories and interesting, dynamic characters. This is a series you simply cannot miss.

Miscommunication. That is the bottom line of the movie and the ultimate root of the evil that pervades modern society. A tale of morals told in a broken yet interconnected manner that pays homage to "Crash," this horrible tale throws the viewer behind the eyes of several memorable characters and their struggles to be understood in a world full of apathy. Adriana Barraza, Rinko Kikuchi, and Brad Pitt give the performances of their careers in this motion picture that I encourage everybody to see... if not for its inherent value as a motion picture, at least for its vital message to mankind that empathy and understanding are needed to bridge the chasms that cultural misunderstandings have created.

Very few movies leave me feeling uplifted after I leave the theatre... When I stepped outside into the parking lot, I felt as though my eyes were gazing on the same world I had always seen, but in a completely new frame of reference. No other movie has quite achieved this effect with me. I can't quite put my finger on what made me feel this way, but I will say that this film impacted me emotionally in ways others have been unable to. Perhaps it's simply the child in me that doesn't want to grow up...

As far as the acting, plot, music, etc. Well, people all have their own opinions of what a "perfect" movie is. For the specific genre of film that this is, I believed the over-acting to be quite believable, the simple plot to be necessary, and the mythical music to be the hinge from which the rest of the film pivoted upon... Why? Well, because that's how I see things. I do suggest you watch the movie yourself to formulate your own opinions... this seems to be a "hit or miss" with most movie goers.

Just keep an open mind...

Like a child's.

This film, as he states at the beginning, is not about those without health care, but those who DO have it... and STILL are forced to suffer and die because of Nixon's brilliant money-making scheme of privatized health care. Comparing cross-cultural accounts with individuals around the world provides a global perspective to a country that easily forgets that we are not alone in this world. As Moore emphasizes, we as Americans must learn to put "we" before "me."

I believe this to be one of the most brilliantly made horror films of all time. You are actually put in the same situation as the main protagonists where you learn the reasons for the current situation piece-by-pieace... while also uncovering the truth about the other person in the room. I will not ruin the story for you, but this is the only horror film that I give FIVE stars.

Incredible film about Hollywood and the effects of fleeting youth and stardom... groundbreaking idea for narration - but I wish they would have used the original opening idea mentioned on the DVD, but I think the film is remarkable as it is - revealing the oft forgotten dark underworld of forgotten film lore from times past. You cannot miss this one.

A phenomenal movie from Robert Altman about one of my favorite radio/theatrical shows that can still be found on NPR every Saturday... with phenomenal acting and musical performances from everyone involved, this film is a tribute to Garrison Keillor's remarkable talent and down-to-earth nature that makes him so endearing to audiences. The story addresses such complicated issues as death, loss, and yearning for something more while also diving headfirst into relationship struggles and family dynamics all within less than 2 hours. Altman is at the top of his game here and made his final feature film also quite possibly his greatest.

Haunting and romantic... a frightening film, yet one that leaves you with an ending that will not disappoint.

Way more than the light comedy I was expecting, this film offers characters with real personalities. Perfectly casted all the way from Ellen Page's riveting performance of a young pregnant teenager to the dorky and sarcastic shopkeeper portrayed by the uncanny Rainn Wilson straight from NBC's "The Office." Along with Jason Bateman and Michael Cera from "Arrested Development" and Jennifer Garner from "Alias," this is one independent film you will not want to miss.

This is the greatest love story I have ever seen on film.

Amazing performances from the entire cast and a wonderfully twisted and convoluted story arc that ends more perfectly than any other love story created.

A realistic portrayal of the future (and, arguably, a social commentary on many current issues), Blade Runner excels at displaying the dark and seedy underbelly of futuristic Los Angeles and creating a universe wholly its own while also bringing the focus internally to question ourselves on what it is that truly makes us human.

Heart-wrenching performances by Rutger Hauer and Sean Young. Much of the story allows Harrison Ford to display his usual rugged demeanor until his dynamic paradigm shift in the final moments of the film. Blade Runner is quite possibly the greatest science fiction epic ever created.

Throwing preachy and slanderous politics out the window, this film offers up a new look and personal application for how to dramatically change our nation and, ultimately, the world. While not a new concept, this film sheds light on ideas made popular by John F. Kennedy, looking internally instead of externally and honestly asking ourselves what we can do for our fellow human being.

Lacking the pretense and bias I was originally expecting before stepping into the theater, this film sincerely captivated me and, despite its depressing topics, filled me with a sense of hope and determination. The characters were astonishing and dynamic - even the ones we would have originally expected not to change. I suspect that this film is a result of a "Mid-Life Crisis" of Redford, which is why he cast himself as the wise and experienced professor - sifting through his thoughts and passing down his advice to a younger generation. The professor, whose general political beliefs seem to similarly mirror Redford's own, reminds the viewer that each of us is ultimately solely responsible for the choices we each make - and, thus, Redford encourages us each to OWN OUR DECISIONS.

Though this film may not the greatest film of this year, "Lions for Lambs" is at the very least the most important film I have seen all year. If you see only one film on the silver screen, I beg that you let this be the one.

Amazing film about the impact of our childhood friends on the decisions we make today... breathtaking landscapes and a minimal amount of time allocated to speech make this film one that evokes senses other than sight... as well as a masterpiece.

Brilliant cinematography in this well-crafted adaptation of the novel of the same name... Frank Sinatra may be the "big name" attached to this project, but Laurence Harvey and Angela Lansbury steal the show. A "must-see" for any movie fan.

The best musical in years! Amazing music, colorful characters, and it is all presented in a manner that clashes against popular culture... it's all the things that no film should be all rolled into one big exciting film. Some examples of what most current filmmakers would NEVER do include rewriting Beatles songs, involving intense political subjects (such as the anti-war and civil rights movements), and using such creative means for getting messages across that many viewers will interpret the messages in their own unique way. Instead of telling the viewer how to feel, in many instances the filmmakers use vague symbols, ranging from pallid and expressionless to excessively vibrant... thus allowing the creative license of interpretation which so many directors refuse to allow their audience the freedom to do.

And, for those reasons (as well as countless more)... I absolutely love it. =)

Kubrick succeeds yet again. This film evades being categorized as pro-war or anti-war, but simply portrays war in Vietnam as it was - hot, dirty, and scary as hell.

The most brilliant horror film to ever be released. End of story.

We all know that good people can do bad things... but can bad people do good things? That seems to be Quentin's main thesis throughout his film career, and I was well convinced after this amazing picture. Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, and Steve Buscemi steal the show in this "shoot 'em up" flick that keeps the audience wanting more all the way up to one of the most amazing endings in film history...

Beautiful and frightening, while also filled with moments of pure comedic brilliance... American Beauty covers the emotional spectrum and then drops the viewer in a cold, dark cell where we discover that dreams and reality are never one in the same...

There are no words... this is simply a film that anyone who professes to be a "film enthusiast" is required to see. Psychological thrillers have never been so beautifully elegant... yet so grotesquely twisted!

This film is an amazing introspective view of a man who cannot be still long enough to fully chew a pretzel, let alone closely examine his life... and it succeeds where I thought it may fail. I was able to truly connect with a man I once sincerely loathed.

Full of remarkable acting, especially from Josh Brolin as the consistently underachieving son of an unsympathetic father. Arguably, the best performance came from Jeffrey Wright's portrayal of Colin Powell, the only sane man in an insane scenario...

I must say that I will never look at our President the same way again. I now find myself feeling extreme sympathy for "Dubya" while continuing to hold tightly to my extreme disdain for those around him who claim to "advise" him, especially the exceptionally creepy Cheney, who was perfectly recreated by the great Richard Dreyfuss.

My favorite character throughout all of this was Barbara, who was wonderfully embodied by the ever incredible Ellen Burstyn, who managed to steal the show in the few scenes she had.

Brilliant social critique of American culture! Absolutely nothing like what I expected! This film reminded me that America can be just as "backward" as the nations we invade and bomb into oblivion...

Phenomenal film... great story, great acting, and a wonderful soundtrack that helps the viewer to suspend their disbelief even further into the depths of madness. Brilliant critique of America's "Dog-Eat-Dog" culture in a way that leaves the viewer only begging for seconds...

Javier Bardem steals the show, hands down. "No Country for Old Men" is a brilliantly executed tale about misunderstanding across cultural and age differences... and with a delusional sociopath following close behind and armed with an air gun, things get very interesting to say the least. A lot of dark humor and just plain darkness in this intimate film that simultaneously scared the living daylights out of me and made me contemplate life.

Gorgeous scenery... the shallow main characters are gradually filled past capacity with more spirituality than their limited views can handle on this spiritual voyage that takes the viewer into unexpected territories. The Darjeeling Limited is undoubtedly Anderson's best film to date.

A remarkable cast in this tragically (and very beautifully) slow-paced film about self-realization and coming to terms with death. A western that takes a step back and laughs at its own genre while also making us laugh at ourselves... quite possibly the best dark comedy I've seen since "Dr. Strangelove." Particularly tactful in its language that pays homage to the William Blake that our main character is mistaken for. Beautifully symbolic and haunting - but I believe many will find great fault in the relatively lax pace at which this film travels when compared to Depp's latest blockbuster trash.

An honest and somewhat frightening portrayal of the largest growing religious population in the United States and how ideaology, politics, family relations, and religion all come together. The characters are all beautifully honest - there are no "good" or "bad" guys in this film. While taking the stance that parental "mind control" is a bad thing, this film succeeds on stepping on as little toes as possible while still getting this ever important message out to those who need to hear it most...

Deep and philosophical, but full of the action that Batman is known for... this is undoubtedly the best Batman film ever made.

Great film. Pales in comparison to the novel, but a BRILLIANT interpretation by Burton and a PHENOMENAL performance by McGregor.

Absolutely brilliant. Very few fantasy films create entirely new types of characters (the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, etc) but this depiction of L. Frank Baum's classic story pulls it off so well that these characters have achieved the status of pop-culture icons. The use of black and white Kansas to contrast the new and amazing "Technicolor" world of Oz helps the viewer to empathize with the wonderful and exciting journey of Dorothy into the unknown...

Disjointed, fast-paced, and just plain awesome.

As a care provider at a psychiatric hospital, I found a great deal of interest in Douglas' portrayal of a delusional man searching for something greater than himself. At the same time, I found that I could easily relate to his daughter's skepticism, which mirrors that of most mental health workers in the field when patients make such grandiose claims. All in all, a fantastical journey of the soul and a beautiful portrayal of the relationship of a father and daughter who cast off the shackles of social expectations and learn to love each other for who they truly are.

Amazing satire... and to combine it with the ultimate theme of the "banality of evil?" Echart, Duvall, and Macy truly deliver in this underrated comedy that reminds us that not all "bad" people are truly bad.

Absolutely hillarious and heartwarming! This is Bill Murray at the top of his game.

Getting back to what originally made Bond so popular... the intelligent dialog, deep characters - and, of course, an attractive and alluring new Bond.

The greatest Terry Gilliam film ever.

Poignant social criticism mixed with dark humor and a brilliant imagination equals this phenomenally under-appreciated film.

...just don't see the awful American cut. =S

Anderson succeeds in his best film to date (personally, the jury is still out on "Darjeeling" until several more viewings). By illuminating the positive and negative traits of the family members at various times throughout the film, we are led to ultimately discover the truth we all know but fail to recognize - we are each a failure and we are each a success, every last one of us.

"Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows." -John Boyne

A delicate look at the holocaust through the eyes of youth that cannot help but change the way we perceive violence in general... a truly unforgettable film.

A phenomenal film about a phenomenal man. This film drops the viewer right into 70s San Francisco, but the story quickly transcends time and space, becoming a journey into the human heart...

I found myself on the verge of crying at several points throughout the movie, but never quite so close to actually crying as when Harvey Milk, in an exquisitely emotive performance from Penn, boldly faces accusations that homosexuality is a choice or an illness... and he calmly dismisses them simply with his great wit and oodles of charm.

A must see for 2008. Incredible supporting performances from James Franco, Emile Hirsch, and Josh Brolin.

Trippy... Hillarious... but, most of all, absolutely terrifying. As Depp's character (representing, of course, the late, great Hunter S. Thompson) states in the film, "We are all wired into a survival trip now. No more of the speed that fueled that 60's. That was the fatal flaw in Tim Leary's trip. He crashed around America selling "consciousness expansion" without ever giving a thought to the grim meat-hook realities that were lying in wait for all the people who took him seriously... All those pathetically eager acid freaks who thought they could buy Peace and Understanding for three bucks a hit. But their loss and failure is ours too. What Leary took down with him was the central illusion of a whole life-style that he helped create... a generation of permanent cripples, failed seekers, who never understood the essential old-mystic fallacy of the Acid Culture: the desperate assumption that somebody... or at least some force - is tending the light at the end of the tunnel." This film signals a loss of hope, the journey of two men who have turned their backs on a reality that long gave up on them.

I found this film to be much more nuanced and character driven than "Silence of the Lambs," which drew its success from agent Starling's deep dive into the psyche of two mass murderers. "Hannibal," on the other hand, gives us the man - Dr. Hannibal Lecter - at his very best. This is not a man struggling from the confines of a basement cell, but a man thriving in beautiful Florence, giving guest lectures about art and history and composing beautiful music on the piano. This is the Hannibal that was lost from the first film - the creator. We see that Hannibal can take away, but we do not understand why. Here, his true motives are finally revealed at last, and are much more frightening than anyone could have possibly imagined... throw a dark, twisted love story in the mix, as well as simultaneous tales of revenge and deception and you get this intricate masterpiece that succeeds on innumerable levels.