My Favorite Movies

A classic screwball comedy from the 1930s, this one star William Powell and Carole Lombard. At the height of the Depression, this film became as much a social commentary picture about the division of classes in America as it did a divine comedy about the division of classes in America; and how it ultimately doesn't matter how much money you've got in your pocket in order for love to flourish.

Wes Anderson is at his best here with a pitch-perfect ensemble cast and an awesomely funny script. The quirky Tenenbaum family is relatable to everybody and the dynamic between the cast and director is evident as the quality of the acting and art direction prove that. A must-see!

Gloria Swanson is magnificent as the silent-era film star who can't let go of her glorious past. It's a great piece of classic Hollywood drama that highlights Hollywood itself and its damaging effects on the psyche of those who are a part of it.

The not-too-distant future is creepy, yet elegant and refined. The concept is great and the art direction is classic. It sticks with your for a long time because it's the classic Hollywood look with a modern-day twist.

This movie is so haunting and eerie from the moment it starts. David Fincher brings his signature noir directorial stylings as he did in Se7en and Panic Room; and he creates a period thriller of the best kind: one based on a true story.

The mood and pacing of this film is great if you're into being intrigued by a captivating script and understated, but brilliant acting. The musical score adds a bone-chilling resonance to the events that transpired in the late 60s through 70s. It's spurts of piano that sounds a bit off-key makes for spine-tingling moments when the tension has mounted enough to make you feel like you're watching a horror film.

Of course, I'm just a sissy and really get scared when it comes to psychological thrillers. These are the films that creep me out the most and really haunt me after seeing them.

The quality of the film is great from start to finish. The acting, the direction and music are the best parts. But the fact that this story is real makes it that much more terrifying.

It may run a bit long for some peoples' taste, but the pacing is just right and if you let yourself become engrossed, the time goes by rather quickly. Plus, they're covering 20+ years...so they have to do it justice. Great view!

Audrey Hepburn is awesome as the heroine (no pun intended). The mystery and suspense build to a riveting climax that (tame by today's standards) is still filled with extraordinary amounts of drama and tension. I was in this play in high school and have loved the movie ever since.

Sofia Coppola's third effort behind the camera solidifies her status as the poster girl for lonely girl movies. She likes to tell the story of tortured female souls stuck in a time or place where they don't belong. She did so in The Virgin Suicides with suburban life as setting; expounded upon that theme with Lost in Translation. This time, she sets the royal court of France and the Versailles palace as her locale for despair in a young woman's heart .

Although some choices by Coppola (the music, the intentional anachronisms and even modern-day slang) may seem unorthodox to the average viewer, the movie works. Coppola implements these techniques to delve deeper into the psyche of a frivolous, young ruler who ruled in frivolous, old times. The point is that it doesn't matter what space in time these characters occupy; they would always act the same way.

Overall, the movie gleams copiously with lavish sets, costumes and decor. The film shimmers with the delightfully spry performance given by the great Kirsten Dunst. Her acting is both subtle and full of angst and brims with nuance. She handles herself very well in front of the camera; just as Coppola does so behind it. The script is enjoyable and appropriate for a "post-modern" period-piece.

A departure for Steven Spielberg. That's actually a good thing. This movie is actually quite light in tone and you'll enjoy it very much if you like DiCaprio and Hanks. They both deliver really solid performances in this flick and the art direction is brilliant as Spielberg attempts to capture the essence of the 1960s/1970s. It's all hightened really, what with the glossy look of the film, but it's a very entertaining caper. A true game of cat-and-mouse. Oh yeah-- this one's based on a true story too!

David Lynch does it again with this twisted tale of Hollywood dreaming and idealism gone wrong. You have to be a Lynch fan to appreciate the movie. If you're not, you have to watch with an open mind and be ready to be made to think. A fantastic job on Naomi Watts' part, too.

This film is based on one of my favorite pieces of art by my favorite painter, Vermeer. There is so much detail placed in this fictional account of what could have inspired the classic 17th century painting. It's all completely plausible and it makes for a beautiful drama and an intimate, breezy and enjoyably period piece. Scarlett Johansson's performance is beautifully understated, but incredibly effective and is her best performance to date. See it now.

I wish there were more stars to bestow upon this film. It is truly a modern masterpiece and easily the best film of the year (that I've seen.)

Everything about this movie was engaging and enthralling. The story of a man who ages in reverse might seen like a gimmick that might grow old half-way through the movie after the novelty has worn off. But, what happens is the complete opposite.

Where most movies tend to sag (plot-wise) this film continues to extrapolate on its theme of time, loss and fresh starts.

The execution by director David Fincher is both ambitious and rewarding. Every shot in this film is exquisitely photographed and brilliantly transports you and your imagination not only to a different time--but to a different world where this allegory takes place.

Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett both give beyond-stellar performances. Though, the real stars of this film are its cinematographer and it's make-up artists. Watch the film and you'll know why.

I can definitely understand why critics labeled this movie "the one to beat" after having seen only 20 minutes of footage. Though the finished product is close to three hours long, it never dragged (at least for me) and it always kept my mind going with how joyful an experience I was having while watching it--and how I was unlikely to see anything better for a long, long time.

Most people will complain about being three LONG hours older at the end of this film--but they'll do so not because they actually hate the movie (though they might say that.) They'll say it to be clever and come up with a snappy headline that'll sell more papers or get more blog hits.

This is, by far, David Fincher and Brad Pitt's best film together--and, likely, their best individual work.

The story is epic in scale, heart-warming in its plot and dialogue; and it's mesmerizing in execution. A movie pretty damn near perfect!

The is, by far, the best film I've seen this year so far. Everything from the production design to the script, acting and costumes is nothing short of breath-taking.

But, as beautiful as the film is to watch--which it is--little Catinca Untaru will steal your heart from the moment she first appears onscreen.

Tarsem does a brilliant job--as expected-- with this film (which was shot in 18 countries.) The scenery is beautiful; art direction and cinematography are as insanely picturesque as they were in his previous major release, The Cell.

However, unlike The Cell, which suffered from a painfully dark and sinister tone; The Fall is light and flowery. It's a fantasy as seen through the eyes of a child and a storyteller. The concept is simple, yet complex. The human mind and imagination is boundless and therein lies the complexity. Tarsem does the best he can to showcase just how far-fetched things can be if you only dare to think them up.

It's also a great morality tale on the duality of reality versus fantasy. Also, it goes to show how a simple daydream can have the power to heal your broken body and your broken spirit simultaneously.

Don't be discouraged by the lulls in continuity. The visuals should fill in the gaps wherever there may be a shortfall--no pun intended. Or maybe so.

In my opinion, this movie is the best portrayal of family drama relating to World War II that came out of that era (while the war was still going on). It is a document of history as well as a great film. Greer Garson is a class-act in this one. This film definitely deserved its Best Picture Oscar.

Claudette Colbert's famous hitch-hiking (and skirt-hiking) scene is one of the most classic scenes in cinema, but this movie is better than that. The acting is great, the script is great, the direction is great. It's a giddy comedy that stays with you long after you've seen it and makes you want to watch it over and over again.

It's so clever and funny. A comedy with a brain. The more you know about Watergate, the more you'll enjoy this movie. Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams are perfect as the brainless teenages behind the greatest political scandal of modern times.

The movie that should have won Best Picture! Oh well. At least we know it deserved it over Crash. Michelle Williams will break your heart as hers breaks in the film. The film is directed with such poetry by Ang Lee and moves you to the point of feeling the anguish and relishing the idyllic setting.

This movie is a marvel to watch. Touted as being shot in one take, this film travels across hundreds of years of Russian history in the Hermitage. It's an amazing spectacle, what with carefully choreographed sequences and dazzling set and costume design. Definitely a must-see! The movie is in Russian with English subtitles.

Atonement is a rich, visually-striking, masterpiece period piece. It brings the best of films in the style of Merchant Ivory: romance, jealousy, deceit, an epic time scale and unrequited, impossible love.

Keira Knightley and James McAvoy command the screen with their performances as Cecilia and Robbie; star-crossed lovers who, despite sharing an unorthodox affection for one another, are giving in to their feelings with no regard to convention or status of class.

However, their love affair comes across an impetuous and immature snag--Cecilia's sister Bioney. The 13-year old girl with a mad crush on her sister's admirer commits a grave error in judgement and makes for a chain of events that unfold in the course of a day and change the lives of these three characters forever.

An epic journey for reunion begins without notice and love lost becomes love longed-for once again. Physical seperation and distance of the two lovers creates a rift and familial seperation between the two sisters.

World War II commences and those two torn hearts become even more distant; but their longing to find one another always exists and remains as strong as the night when Robbie was taken away--when Cecilia made him vow to "come back to her."

The dramatic and woeful circumstances that ensue leave you feeling as heartbroken as Cecilia and Robbie and as full of remorse as Bioney--as if you'd committed her crime along with her.

And in a sense, you have. The director should be commended by his stylistic approach to letting you see the events as they transpired from Bioney's confused and slanted perspective; as well as from a standard cinematic point of view. It's not rearly as repetitious as you'd imagine to see scenes repeat themselves. Since they're told from different sides, they are different scenes entirely and it makes you understand how clouded a young girl's mind can become when faced with such alien subjects.

The cinematography and art direction are absolutely lush and make you feel like a criminal every time you look away. And you won't be looking away at your watch either, because, despite its lengthy running time, the movie is so engrossing and so well-written and well-paced, that you don't even notice you've been involved in these people's lives for so long.

This movie DOES require you to make an investment of your time, your imagination and your heart so as to be able to feel what everyone on screen is feeling.

Expect this film to pick-up a slew of Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. These would include Adapted Screenplay, Score (for a magnificently-themed score that touches on the fact that this is a story that is being told through the writing--typewriting-- of a woman riddled with guilt;) and Best Picture--as well as Best Actress for Knightley and Best Director for Joe Wright.

Vanessa Redgrave also makes an impressive turn as an aged and still-remorseful Bioney. Her regret will never be quelled and her atonement is all she has to offer those whom she hurt and whose lives she changed forever.

Overrated, yes. But I'm obsessed with anything to do with Titanic and I thought the movie was excellent despite it's very unrealistic lovestory. I'm always willing to overlook unrealistic scenarios when watching FICTION onscreen.

A classic noir film. This is probably my FAVORITE film noir movie. It has a classic script (they don't write dialogue like this anymore) and Billy Wilder's directing is top-notch. The plot is cliché by today's standards, but the suspense will grip you if you just indulge yourself a bit and let yourself go for a ride.

There are two kinds of movies in this world: winners and losers. Little Miss Sunshine is a winner all the way! With shades of last year's The Squid and the Whale and a less-campy National Lampoon's Vacation plotline, this movie shines, shines, shines with vibrant performances by Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear and Steve Carrell (in a suprising performance with a dramatic sensibility). Alan Arkin also delivers another great performance as Olive's grandfather. But the true shining star of this gem is litte miss sunshine herself; Olive (played by Abigail Breslin). Her performance goes beyond the cuteness you might associate with a little child actress in a movie about a beauty pageant. But like so many movies, this film is more about the journey-- literally. The family that Olive belongs to is the definition of dysfunction, but she is the example of normalcy and spriteness that makes you feel tingly inside. I can't express how much I liked this movie. Watch it as soon as you can. It will likely pick up some Indie Spirit awards for screenplay, director and maybe even some acting nods. The screenplay is definitely Oscar-worthy!

This movie was nearly perfect. Reese Witherspoon should have been nominated for an Oscar for this performance. It was also one of those movies that came and went thanks to the brilliant marketing people at the production company.

A gem that was overlooked by most. Sigourney Weaver and Gene Hackman show off their comedic chops and Jennifer Love Hewitt is a lot better in this than she is in most of her other crap.

Mandy Moore is such a bitch in this favorite of mine. And Eva Amurri (Susan Sarandon's real-life daughter) is a riot as the Jewish "stripper" with a "hot pusau."

This movie was very much overlooked when it was released in 2002. The cast is excellent (even Kate Hudson is better than I expected for a rare appearance in a period piece), the cinematography is amazing and it does the original film justice. In the age of the Hollywood remake, it's rare when a new version can do an old version justice. Definitely a good view if you are in the mood for a period drama involving a love triangle.

An animation classic-- at least it is in my opinion. The story of a young girl caught between two worlds is so magical and creative. The execution is excellent and the english-translation is seemless and very well-done. It definitely deserved all the attention it got and the awards it received and was nominated for.

This is another one of my favorite foreign-language films ever! Audrey is so cute in this and the music is beautiful.

A visual feast. There's not much of a plot, but there's plenty of rewarding eye-candy and beautiful music. Just enjoy it and don't get caught-up in how paper-thin the plot is. Afterall, it IS a musical. Those aren't known for their storylines.

One of the best foreign-language films I've ever seen. Also, one of the best war films I've ever seen. Definitely check this one out. Bruno Ganz's performance is spine-tinglingly good.

When I saw this movie, I knew that it had to do with people in New York exploring their sex lives. I knew that the movie was somewhat graphic in its depiction of said sex lives-- but what I saw in Shortbus was so much more than that. This movie is one of the best films of last year, despite its touchy subject matter and its graphic display of concepts and ideas by a great director (John Cameron Mitchell).

At first glance, this film may seem to be a porno disguised as a legitimate film. But that's the point it's making. What is the difference between this and something subversive? Who designates what is subversive and what is acceptable. More importantly, this film explores so much more that's brewing beneath the surface of a sexually graphic exterior. Why do people act-out through sex? Sex elicits attention. Giving something attention means giving it power. Therefore, sex equals power.

But how is this power used? Can it be misused? To abuse a partner emotionally? To neglect the needs your body is asking you to fulfill? To satisfy yourself in more than sexual ways? To make a human connection for once in your life? These are all themes that this film explores and once you've gotten over the novelty of the excessive nudity and non-simulated sex, you get to the heart of a truly touching story about people trying to get by and survive in an unforgiving city-- an unforgiving world.

Can't wait for the sequel.

Just saw this movie and it is one of Hitchcock's best (in my opinion). Watch it.

I had no idea what to expect when I saw this movie. I was expecting something funny (of course.) I was expecting something bitingly satirical (maybe.) I was expecting the funniest movie I've ever seen in my life (definitely not!) But that's exactly what I got. This movie is, by far, the funniest movie I've ever seen. Of course, I couldn't say it's the funniest ever made because I haven't seen everything out there. But it's too good to pass-up because of what you might've heard or who might've been offended.

This movie's main character, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, is an equal-opportunity offender. You'll be offended; your friend will be offended, your mother most definitely will be offended...but you'll all be laughing your asses off. If you only see one movie this entire year, it should be this one. It has so much to say if you're looking for social commentary. It has nothing to say if you're not looking for social commentary. Either way, it's a hoot and a movie that should be watched immediately.

Some parts of the movie are scripted, some are not. Some scripted parts are obvious, others are not. But that's not what this movie is all about. It's about letting yourself have a good time and going along for the ride with Borat and Azamat (his wacky and gross manager.) High five!

The first movie I remember watching.

Oh yeah! That track suit.

One of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made.

A one-of-a-kind visual trip. It's all fake-- but what isn't in Hollywood these days. At least these guys are honest about it and the movie looks amazing! Don't get caught up on the weak script! That's not what this movie is about.

Say whatever you wanna say about the ending...but this movie shocked me! I was so pleased with this film. The music, the cinematography, the somewhat awkward, yet very romantic dialogue made this movie so much more than the horror/thriller/slasher people were expecting. It's very unfortunate that a movie studio has to butcher the vision of a filmmaker by marketing the movie as something it's not. I think that's why a lot of people were utterly disappointed with this film. Granted, the ending was not as imaginative as some of Shyamalan's previous work-- but then again, nothing can or ever will be. The Sixth Sense is the movie he will always have to live up to (in terms of expectations) and he's never going to be at that level again. Plus, I don't think he would want to be. I think from now on, people just have to take each of his movies for what they are and not compare to anything else. I found enough redeeming qualities within the film to make it a great experience for me. If you go into this movie looking for more than just thrills and a kick-ass twist ending, you might enjoy it more than you think-- in my opinion.

One of Ang Lee's best films. Sigourney Weaver and Joan Allen are two of my favorite actresses and they both deliver stellar performances in this family drama set in the 70s.

This movie was terribly overlooked. It is one of Tom Hanks' better movies and it's an awesome caper/thriller!

This movie is so funny and has an important message. One of my favorite movies to watch over and over again. Great ensemble cast!

A classic adaptation of the beloved Shakespeare play. This one is one of my faves of all time-- not quite top 10 material though.

In a perfect world, Salma Hayek should've gotten an Academy Award for her performance as the Mexican painter. But, living in a flawed world, you will still appreciate the courage it took to play such a strong woman and the art direction is simply exquisite.

Such a funny little movie. It's so kitschy, corny and irreverently sweet that you'll love the toothache it causes you. You have to be in a silly mood to watch this...otherwise you'll hate it.

Another great Julianne Moore performance in a another film that sort of came-and-went! As a contest-enterer and occasional prizewinner myself, I can identify completely with Moore's character in this film. It also touches on lots of family themes: responsibility, hope for a better future and being able to provide for a large family despite being a housewife and having a bi-polar husband. This movie will really inspire some and even make you shed a tear or two. Oh yeah-- and it's all based on a true story!

An exhilerating thriller/drama with a knock-out performance by Joan Allen. This movie touches on many important societal issues, including the corruption that comes with power and the double-standards in society regarding gender. This is one of my favorite political thrillers ever because it has a message and is executed very well-- and delivers all the goods. Definitely a must-see!

A truly touching movie with brilliant acting by some of the most talented young actors I've ever seen. At the time this French film was produced, its protagonist was played by a 4-year old actress who carries this film on her small shoulders and carries it extremely well and better than most adult actors can only dream of carrying a film. The story is of an extremely sad nature and is very telling of how amazing these tiny thespians really are. To be able to act in a drama that deals with loss and tragedy and demands them to express a great amount of emotion not only showcases talent, but sucks you into the lives of these characters and makes you feel what they feel. By empathizing with a little thing like Ponette, you really feel for her and root for her until the very end. NOTE: French with English subtitles.

This movie is a multi-format masterpiece. It is a great animated film; it's a wonderful musical; it is a beautiful love story and is an amazing technical achievement. The Christmas/Halloween theme really does not make it a Christmas or Halloween movie. It's just a beautiful film that you can watch over and over again throughout the year. Christmas in July, anyone? Danny Elfman composes some of his best music for this film and the voice performances are inspired and magical. One of my favorites of all time-- I highly recommend this movie. NOTE: This film is actually not directed by Tim Burton, but his style and creative force is so obviously behind it. Selick (the director) does an amazing job at creating what Burton has in mind and bringing it magically to life.

An effective civil-war drama with Renee Zellweger's best performance to date. She deserved that Oscar and seeing play Ruby only reaffirms that she's more than just a pretty face. Well, maybe pretty isn't the right word.

Can you say CAMP?!?!? This movie is the definition of 1980s camp horror/comedy. It's Elvira, come on! That said, it was one of my favorite films growing up. It was so pathetically idiotic that it was actually good. Elvira gets herself into situations that are classic and her cheesy one-liners are things only Elvira would say and things only a moron would laugh at! So, be a moron for 90 minutes and let go! As you follow Elvira exploits in a small, quaint town (where she is so out-of-place) you find yourself laughing (or at least chuckling) at her (not with her) and rooting for her and goofball, horny teenager followers. The mystical theme to this movie and the whole curse element is inconsequential, but adds to the preposterous plot. A classic!

Pure magic. This movie is so damn cute-- no matter how old you are!