My Favorite Movies

THE king of suspenseful/horror in space. No one can hear you scream!

A worthy sequal, action packed and fleshes out characters. Exciting and rousing finale! No flashy CGI! This is practical, real, and in your face. It is unyielding terror at its best

Excellent characterizations, performances by three main leads outstanding. Thoughtprovoking and bittersweet.

WOW, finally a summer blockbuster that is both critically acclaimed and a smash hit...and deservedly so.
Dark Knight journeys into the dark recesses of not only the mind of the superhero, but also the ramifications of this hero turned aniti hero by the end of the film, which I might add was a nice and refreshing twist, adding to Chris Nolan's wonderful ability to push the envelope of the corporate mass expectation in lou of achieving a stronger emotional impact. I just Love Chris Nolan, and his brother screenwriter. They know how to delve into not only what makes characters tick, but also leaves just enough open ended so that one can make up their own minds as well as leaving a little bit unknown to the character.
Bale's Batman is not as in depth as the first film, simply because it needn't be, his past has been established enough in the first film, so this allowed for the world of Gotham, it's criminal element, and it's true nature of the people and politics to really take on a life of its own, which truly adds to the atmosphere of the film, giving it a pulse that is simply beating off the screen. I just love how my nearby city of Chicago looks in this film, it simply IS Gotham!! Chitown you are the BEST!

Finally, Heath Ledge...WHOA!! Oscar shall smile upon you up there in the heavenly clouds above. You truly made a Joker that is menacing to the point of Hannibal Lectar! His portrayal is as disturbing as "some fava beans and a nive chianti". His mannerisms, with that twitchy searing gaze of his black rimmed eyes, his ever so slightlty slouched and shuffling walk, and that nervously licking serpent tongue, is just pitch perfect. One truly fears this madman, yet there is method in the madness, he brings chaos to order and simply wishes to exploit the bad in people, enjoying the mayhem it creates, like a child innocently burning an insect with a magnifying glass. He has fun watching, takes pleasure in his deeds, and relishes the game in doing so. Whats more is that at one moment he may fly off the hinge and do something so brutal or cruel yet you can't help but be enomored with his performance...every carefully uttered word, everything about him is a just a force to be reckoned with. He is the id in us all, manifested in this damaged young man ,whose past is cunningly shrouded in mystery (I love how it's alluded to in the movie yet never explained, it makes it all the more horrifying)
I could go on about this film, but bottom line, it is one of the best films I've ever seen and it takes you for a ride you'll never forget.

I fell in love with Johnny Depp in this film. Tender, sweet, and melancholy. A fairy tale love story in a fantastically skewed Burtonesque world.

One of the most faithful representations of the comic book world. Gritty and real, yet surreal at the same time. Pure Burton!

Classic action film, but this one has a great hero with an equally menacing villain. A wonderful mix of drama, action, and humor.

An utter masterpiece of glorious gothic tragedy proportions. The set production is dingy and dank, totally emersing you in the poverty of the period in London. The attention to detail in sets merges so harmoniously with the period costumes that you feel you are beneath the forever overcast gloomy streets of a nightmarish Dickensonian London. The characteristic pale, gaunt touch of make-up that is so signature Burton, makes the metaphoric transformation, his vengeful soul overtaking the happy man he once was, even more disturbing. Him and Helena are the most beautifully disturbing in this makeup, but they are the shattered shells of a human and the cavernous eyes, helped magically by black eyeliner, is all too full of desparing and loss. Johnny's eyes are pleading at one moment, only to become black orbs of fury in his moment of rage. However, he is not just a madmen, he has a torment and he makes one feel for Ben Barker (Sweeeney Todd). One could write an essay on this. The symbolic use of the sets, juxtaposition of framing is a perfect synthesis of theatricality, musical, film, and greek play. It's a heightened world, a Burton world, yes, but his characters are lushly more complex, slinking about as if somnambulists in a german expresisonism painting. The singing is surprisingly wonderful, perhaps making the horror even more disturbing because it's so out of place and rare to have singing on such a graphic subject. But this world bathed in desaturated steely blues, and glorious shades of grays and blacks, is the perfect world for our characters, the only world. The film's themes are throughtprovoking and the performances and music make it even more so. THe final 15 min are quite a whirlwind, a tempest of rage, secrets, madness, and loss. The final scene is one of Burton's best, if that isn't gothic tragedy, I don't know what is! Bravo Burton amd bravo Johnny, you two are truly each other's doppelganger!

"Tomorrow is another day" Lavish, perfect casting, wonderful production, and one of the most unforgettable romances of all time.

Gerard Butler is the Phantom to me. Spectacular music and sumptuous sets. Tragic love story, unparalled (except Beauty and the Beast)

A truly heartwrenching portrayal by Oldman. This man is a true artist (both him and the genius he plays). He is devastatingly intense, but his quiet moments are just as powerful as the quieter. A true gem

The modern equivalent to film-noir of yesteryear. An outstanding ensemble and a script to match. Characters are flawed yet have their redeemable qualities. Very real and gritty. The world truly comes alive...I can hear the flashbulbs and the big band music already.

Undeniable classic! Not showing the shark till the opportune moment was genius. The uss indianapolis is one of my fav scenes.

One of the best silent films of all time. The lovable tramp and the blind flower girl, oh so sweet!

A clever thriller, and disturbing perfomance by Hopkins. Foster is an equal rival to the cannibal King! Though only on screen for about 18 minutes, his prescene is felt throughout, his eyes burning into your soul, his voice, a smooth echo in your mind...truly a chilling classic!

A film with a gloriously dense spectrum of dark shadows, quite befitting this tale into the dark side of the soul. The mystery/thriller aspect is just as haunting as the strong barriers that each cop (Pitt and Freeman) must overcome. The fight is both outside as well as within as not only the characters are pushed beyond what they know, but in the end, we as the audience question who is right. The ending is still disturbingly haunting in its truth and horror.

The original Superman by the incomparable Chris Reeve. Tender and lovable as Clark, yet, strong and heroic as Superman. Hackman is a witty Luthor.

An enigma of plot just as the prestige itself in the circle of magic. Wonderful performances and cinematography.

Gary Oldman is the best Dracula, I don't care what anyone says! Keanu's accent sux but the photography is wonderful and Oldman's portrayal is multifaceted!

Pacino and DeNiro in tour de force permances. What more can I say?

Curses, magic, rooftop fights, and love. It doesn't even matter that it's animated. The power of the story transcends all. It is animation at some of its best!

Fantastically reimagined and wonderfully photographed. Dark and brooding like it should be. Burton can be proud of this one by director Nolan, who has a keen eye for the cinematic and has a pulse on the characters.

Riggs and Murtaugh at the beginning and at their best. Tortured Riggs is especially a great performance by Gibson

Worthy sequal and even more gothic in tone. Catwoman's twisted character is especially delicious.

A sci-fi thriller that makes you think in the way of noir films past.

A sci-fi film set in the not too distant future which actually sends a strong message on governments and corruption. Portman and Weaving are wonderful!

I have loved this since I was a kid and still do. The story works on several levels and the music is beautiful.

It's so refreshing to know that there are still good old fashioned creepy thrillers out there, ones that are not overtly horror. This film treads ever so softly on the line between horror and psychological thriller, that one can't help but become swept up in the supernatural events just as Laura (our protagonist) is. There is hardly, if any, CGI ghost effects here...none of that cheesy monster creature feature stuff. No, this film is shot in a way that the camera never cheats, it is a viewer like you, a seeing eye. And, just as with all the great horror/thriller/suspense genre films, this film also suceeds in much of its chills by influence rather than shock factor. It is what you don't see, it is the allusion to fear, the imagination, that really begins to gnaw at the viewer after a while. The film has a lovely prologue, which comes into play again at a very crucial moment near the climax. This film takes its time without feeling like it does, which is the best thing a screenwriter can do. We need more stories like this, and more filmmakers that can hearken back to good old filmmaking techniques. Longer, lingering shots, carefully placed framing, and powerful performances influence a movie more than one knows. This film is not squeaky clean, there is a hardened and worn feel to it, like immediately something is off about the surroundings we are put in. Atmosphere and soundtrack are crucial here, and Bayona's vision of this darkly inhabited wonderland is frighteningly palpable. Ultimately, this film will haunt you well afterwards, leaving you with tears of sorrow as well as bittersweet ones. Bravo Bayona and Rueda (and del Toro) ! Finally a film that hearkens to the days of Poltergeist!

Visually striking film...one little girl's journey into her imagination serves as both escapism from the brutality of war around her and challenges her own sense of the world around her. A wonderfully adult take on fairy tale, while maintaining the grim aspects of the original grimm tales.

Much darker and more true to the original mood of author L.Frank Baum. Quite intense for a child in retrospect

A truly electrifying performance given by Cagney. You never know what he's gonna do, his unpredictability is just scary, and the psychoticness he added to it was truly original fot that time, and still stands today!

Cagney is truly magic in this film! I had no idea and was just astounded at his foot work! He started out in Vaudelville and it shows in this unforgettable film. Truly magical, wonderful chemistry and characters. Busby Berkeley's three numbers at the end are just some of the best musical stage work I've ever seen. I can't believe that this is 60 years ago. Every film lover MUST see this film classic!!

A modernization of the groundbreaking silent film Metropolis. Visually a treat but also full of a thoughtprovoking theme.

Truly a tragic tale of love and loss, and how a seemingly minor misinterpretation can alter the course of these doomed lover's lives. Beautifully filmed with superb editing and score to match, this film makes you think and put it all together, until the very end, when the torementable truth just wrings at your throat. Plus , look out for the seamless tracking shot that is a full 8 minutes or so WITHOUT A SINGLE CUT!!! It's truly magnificent! A modern day Titanic, it has been called, and I would say that is a fair honor for this film to share.

This truly is a film that brought memories back of my childhood, meaning some darn good storytelling! This film fell below the radar for its brand of humor, more intricate subplots, and differing of the cliched fantasy films being churned out withing the past 8 years or so. The unknown male lead was a smart turn and Claire Danes is such a sweet girl. Pfeiffer turns an especially purrfect role and the sphinx eyed viillain-ess! I didn't realize how much I missed her in films! DeNiro does a truly different and memorable turn as the pirate captain. This film is part Pirates, part Princess Bride, part, Neverending Story, part, 10th Kingdom, part Hook. I just love it!! Finally good old fashioned storytelling makes a comeback!!

I just love Wall-E! What an endearing and loveable robot!! All he wants is to feel love and hold someone's hand. The subtely of emotion and body language is a remarkable throwback to silent films, which I just love...the courtship of Eve and Wall-E is tenderly reminiscent of Chaplin's Tramp character. Yet, the message of the film is universal and the comedy and story is basic enough to thrill kids but also win over adults who can read more into the characters.