Wes Huizar (phuizar1)

Cars 2 G

This is definitely not what I expected to get from Pixar. The film has multiple problems, not least of which is shifting the focus from Lightning McQueen to Mater and downplaying the racing aspects in favor of an espionage story. However, the film's biggest sin, and the one that separates it from the rest of the Pixar films, is its lack of heart. It feels like one big toy commercial from beginning to end. Suffice it to say, I hope they don't make a "Cars 3."

On the plus side, the animation is gorgeous to look at, but I wouldn't expect anything less from the folks at Pixar. The cast also does a good job, especially Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer as the spy cars.

Lawrence of Arabia PG

This is, quite literally, my favorite movie ever. Never before have I ever seen a film in which every single aspect ranks among the best ever. The most beautiful cinematography ever committed to celluloid, a pitch-perfect musical score, perfect pacing, epic storytelling, and some of the best ensemble acting ever. No other movie has done it for me like this one.

Seven Samurai (Shichinin no Samurai) Unrated

Akira Kurosawa is probably my favorite director of all-time, and this incredible film is one of the reasons why. This, along with "Rashomon", "Yojimbo", "Ran", and "Throne of Blood", are the crown jewels of Japanese cinema. And the story is as timeless as they come, having inspired films such as "The Magnificent Seven" and, more recently, "A Bug's Life". The absolute best film in an amazing body of work by one of the great masters of cinema.