My Favorite Movies

I simply cannot do this film justice. It's perhaps the most visually and aurally amazing movie I've seen. From the classic opening sequence accompanied by Bernard Hermann's exhilirating score, the audience knows they are in for a spectacle. Roger Thornhill is a suave business man who answers the wrong page at a restaurant and is mistaken as an undercover spy. From there on out, the story unfolds with twists and turns at every corner, and Thornhill finds himself in a pursuit of answers, romance, and just trying not to get "slightly killed" as he tries to clear his name. There are classic scenes consuming almost the entire three or so hours, and between the action is a great comedic performance by Grant and witty dialogue, especially between he and his love interest (Eva Marie Saint). Another thing to love about this movie is it's whole nature of unpredictability. This leaves things open for moments of shock and an eagerness to see what happens next, and how it plays out. Hitchcock doesn't disappoint with the ending either. The last 15 minutes or so are flawless and resolves the story with a banging, satisfying conclusion. This movie is my favorite Hitchcock movie, and was ahead of it's time. It can be considered one of the first action movies, and one of the best. 6/5.

Quirky. Outrageous. Fun. GROOVY!

Better retard movie than "Forrest Gump".

It took me a fourth viewing to appreciate this movie completely. Coming in with the right mindset is key, and I was pretty much blown away.

I really urge people who are planning on seeing this, to not expect a traditional movie with everything plain and clear, because what needs to be understood is that this movie can't be understood...on the surface anyway. The way I enjoy this movie is as an experience of emotion and feeling. It's an amazing trip into the deepest, darkest realms of the human psyche, unlocking thoughts from a stream of subconsciousness and portraying them as distorted, symbolic, and almost hyperbolic images.

Nightmarish and surreal, the world of Henry is painted dark and bleak : the post-modern landscape almost gives a sense of an apocalyptic after world, and the hums of the surrounding industrial wasteland beats like a slow and steady drum. These things really add a lot to the themes of loneliness, depression, apprehension, and anxieties, which are vividly splattered within the awkwardness of Henry's life and impending parenthood - and therein lies the central story. It is the sense of an inferiority-complex that comes with something that is unknown to Henry, and even perhaps the dread of responsibilities that could lock him up for the rest of his life. He feels hopelessly drowned in his despair, and looks for anyway out, whether it be real or fantasy. That is just one interpretation anyway, and the beauty of this film is that there is so much open room for each viewer to make it make sense in their own way.

Horrifying, thought-provoking, original, and with an absolutely immersive atmosphere, this movie is a landmark in cinema.

A movie I popped in on a boring night because I had atleast heard it was pretty good...and yeah, it's pretty good alright. The chemistry between all the actors was magical. It may have taken place in basically one room, but I was so reeled in I didn't even care. On top of the entertaining clashes between the angry men, it holds a pretty good moral stance as well. All in all, unforgettable!

Joe Pesci was kind of a jerk in this one, right?

Dark and humorous tale of an inept kidnapping scam. Interesting characters and original plot with memorable scenes. The way it all unravels is superbly entertaining. Was it good? You betcha! The Coens have yet to top this, will see how "True Grit" stacks up....

RANDOM REVIEW

Combining exciting action/adventure along with textured, detailed character studies, and wrapping it all up with sparkling cinematography, this movie is a stunning achievement that satisfies thoroughly on all facets.

We are first taken into the sad, poverty stricken world of Fred C. Dobbs, as he scraps his way just to make a buck, until a "golden" opportunity presents itself when a wily old prospector tells stories of gold mining out in the Sierra Madre. Fred, alongside his partner, end up teaming up with the prospector, in what originally starts as an honest expedition. Slowly though, it winds it's way down a path of lust and greed. Moments of mistrust and paranoia encapsulates the group, as the fear of being left out to dry wiggles it's way non-too subtly into the characters' psyche.

Among the internal problems within the group, there is also resistance in the form of the brutal wilderness, a suspicious outsider, and most memorably, pesky bandits in disguise as federalis, claiming "they don't need no stinkin' badges!"

Entertaining as it all is, what ties the movie together is the morality tale, which takes a seeming level headed man and shows his descent into evil and madness, portrayed most effectively during the suspenseful climax once Fred is alone with his partner.

While I could nitpick and say that Bogart's laughs were over the top, or that it is a little slow to get going, this is about as flawless as a movie can get.

Perfect blend of comedy, romance, and drama. It spends a good time with gags but the movie slowly and effectively metamorphasizes into something larger. It sends an inspiring message to live selflessly and with purpose.

Wow, what a hard movie to rate.

The beginning of the movie sets the tone with absolutely immersive atmosphere. The death scenes are imaginative and surreal and are like abstract paintings that could actually be considered beautiful with it's use of powerful and rich colors. The middle section, however, falters quite a bit.

The ballet scenes are pretty dull and quite cheesy, and the suspense seems to want to build, but too often it bails out on the viewer. The editing was also noticeably poor from scene to scene. The ultimate redeeming quality in this movie is the art direction and music which has some of the best in both categories of any horror movie ever. Weeks after watching it, it haunts my memory because it is so vivid and unnerving. I can appreciate this more because I keep feeling intrigued by it, even if I didn't love it while watching it the first time.

It's too bad the plot didn't stack up, or else this would have been amazing...of course plot is a very important component.

An engaging story that drips with intrigue. There are likable character that you symphathize with and there are the hateful antagonists that make it all the better once Robbins gets his redemption. Complex on different levels and the subplots intertwine to make it an eyes-glued-to-the-screen 2 and a half hours.

An astonishing feat by David Lean, and as epic and memorable as his highly regarded classic "Lawrence of Arabia". Set in a prisoner-of-war camp, British soldiers have been captured and defeated and are being held captive by tyrannical Japanese colonel Saito and are to be used to create a bridge that could help Japan's tactics in the war. Clashing differences and the rules of war held up by the Geneva Convention causes a resistance from British officer Colonel Nicholson (played magnificently by Alec Guinness) and it leads to a stand still unless the two sides come to a mutual agreement. Once the bridge's construction takes off, Colonel Nicholson oversees and becomes obsessed with the completion, but Allied forces have another plan. Distinctively split up into a few different acts, it all holds up really well, and hardly ceases to grab attention. The beginning is extraordinary in it's portrayal of Nicholson's stand against the bully of the Japanese, and the intrigue continues with escapee Commander Shears (William Holden) somewhat comical bits. It may lag some during the last half hour, but the suspenseful and gripping ending brings the film to a grand finale that won't be soon forgotten. This is truly a film that lives up to the hype: it's plot and cinematography combined with all around brilliant performances make it one of the best war movies I've ever seen.

My friend after the movie was watching the credits and was like "Robert DeNiro was in this". That's how transformed and possessed DeNiro is in this flick. It was a movie about Jake LaMotta seemingly starring the man himself.

James Stewart basically carries the movie on his back...and he's in a wheelchair. The suspense boils so well that when it reaches it's breaking point you'll hardly be able to watch the end.

The most exhilirating action/adventure this side of "Illinois Smith"

3 1/2 star average? What a joke, go back to watching "Deep Blue Sea" or "Red Water". This movie scared me so much as a kid I didn't feel safe in the bath tub.

Not really a movie you say that you "love", but it's an important one that dignifies the events in an accurate way. The ending scene with Neeson realizing he could have done more is very touching.

Perhaps the finest achievement of Chaplin's career, "Modern TImes" is a fearlessly satirical take on the hardships of the booming Industrial Age. Great mix of comedy, pathos, and social commentary makes this thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. Included are famous scenes like the assembly line nervous breakdown and the funny, yet thrilling roller skate scene, where we see a blindfolded Chaplin within inches of his own peril. Although considered his last silent film, sound is used sparingly but to great effect.

Finally saw it in it's entirety about a year ago and it's best seen that way. It's droning sense of menace builds up from the get go and once the chest bursts and the ice is broken, all bets are off. Some truly terrifying scenes like the one in the vents and the ending make this not only a sci-fi classic, but a horror one as well.

This has to be the leading candidate for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards. This grim cat and mouse tale tells of a hunter who thinks he finds himself at the right place at the right time when he discovers a bag full of cash at a rendezvous point, but things quickly get ugly. This movie features one of the scariest villains for any movie I've seen, and this is worth seeing just for that. There is plenty of tension and the Coen Brothers hardly ever let off the pedal. Although the movie could've had a more prevalent theme (it touches bases with a couple), there is such a sense of dread and unpredictability, you'll never feel that anybody is safe and it makes for a very entertaining movie.

Creepy and cool, just how I like my horror movies. The special effects are mind blowing and the sense of paranoia hovers over every scene like a London fog. One of the best of the genre.

Really intersting movie that takes you to a time when movie-making was starting to boom and young, aspiring artists were trying to make their mark. Johnny Depp portrays Ed Wood as idiotically innocent and ignorant, which seems to be an accurate assessment of the notoriously bad director. It's a really funny biopic with Martin Landau's Bela Lugosi more than often stealing the show with his crude one-liners : "Let's shoot this fucker!".

Wow! This one is a riot of epic and bloody proportion. I never knew that slaying zombies could be so fun...and creative. Any Peter Jackson fan not familiar with this one will be surprised to see what's in store.

Nicholson's finest performance as he tries to liberate the patients of a mental ward. Mrs. Ratchet was a great foil too as the domineering and controlling nurse.

The famous legend of King Arthur gets a great tribute here in this mesmerizing movie full of luscious visuals. Every important aspect is covered from the Knights of the Round Table, to Sir Lancelot's story, to the quest for the elusive Holy Grail, and of course, the Sword in the Stone: Excalibur. It wastes no time jumping in setting up the story, showing the somewhat tragic birth of Arthur and the obtaining of the magical Excalibur, which divine power is said to unite the land during a dark time and make he who pulls the sword from the stone, King. What then ensues is Arthur's fear of the power and acceptance by both himself and his people. With the help of Merlin the Wizard he is able to mature into a great King, and his glorious rise is well depicted, but so is the turmoil of sin and corruption that brings a downfall to his kingdom. There is all in all a lot of intrigue story-wise and aurally and visually as well. Classical music is used to great and powerful effect giving the movie a grander scale and everything is enraptured with sparkling cinematography and rich imagery that really gives it an enchanting feel, but that's not to say that the movie is just harmless eye candy. Giving a fair warning, this is quite a gritty and adult-aimed version of the classic tale, so there is some violent battles to be had here, as well as some brief nudity, but it all made it seem more real and it didn't detract from anything. As far as criticism goes, this is a very well received movie overall, but some have complained of a somewhat lack of faithfulness to the original book, but seeing how I never read it, I obviously couldn't nitpick. In fairness, Director Boorman seemed to do a nice job fitting as much as possible into a 140 minute movie. My personal gripe is a small one, but a brief backstory to start would have made things more clear for one's not entirely familiar with everything. As a whole, this stands up to it's mostly high praise, and also stands up to "The Lord of Rings" movies quite nicely too.

A harrowing and tragic look inside the souls of man. Very bleak but speaks a very powerful human language and teaches us the consequences of greed, disloyalty, and hunger for power. Also includes the best battle scene I've ever seen, one that depicts the horrific magnitude of war unlike any other film.

An absolute classic comedy in my mind. Totally crazy and spontaneous and all around unforgettable. Doesn't play by the book like today's formulaic b.s. comedies.

I don't care how old this movie is, it packs a wallop and must have pushed boundaries when it was released. It's significance was even so great that it was used in a Nazi propaganda film.

The plot isn't too complicated but it's effective in it's portrayal of a serial killer who is on the loose and wreaking havoc in the German town of Dusseldorf. Children are being kidnapped and killed right on the streets beneath the noses of their parents, but the murderer has left few if any clues behind, making it nearly impossible for the police to hunt him down.

The paranoia of the town residents reaches a crescendo and false accusations and tempers flare, causing the police force to buckle down and act at the slightest suspicion. This triggers a disturbance to the underground crime syndicates due to the thick police presence. Trying to get the police off their back in order to operate again, they feel the best solution is to hunt down the child-killer themselves.

I am surprised at how well this movie stands up, but it does so because even after all these years, it is much more original than most other crime drama/thrillers I've seen. Visually, it's masterfully shot: the way things are insinuated and shown in shadowy imagery sends off a chilling, primal fear. The raw images stick but the complex characters intrigue.

Peter Lorre as the killer isn't just a mindless guy with a knife, but instead he's a three-dimensional man who vividly describes his insatiable compulsion to kill, which is both thought-provoking and scary. It's all around an entertaining and suspenseful watch, all the way to the kangaroo court scene and the race for justice and redemption between the police and the community.

The only knock is the sound which goes blank for a couple minutes during certain scenes, but that's not to director Lang's discredit, given the technology back then. Other than that, "M" is a very well put together movie that fascinates and frightens.

A very stylish and cool movie. Does brilliant job of chronicling multiple stories that intertwine with each other and at different times, which was pretty rare for the time. Also, the dialogue is famous and often quoted.

In his first talkie, Chaplin doesn't pull any punches, daringly attacking one of the most vile men the world has ever seen in Adolf Hitler. Although films such as "To Be or Not to Be' and "The Producers" have skated thin ice as they mocked the "Fuhrer" and the Nazi regime, this beat them to the punch and is not diminished one bit in retrospect. This just might be Chaplin's funniest film, not only on the surface, but because of it's clever jabs, making Hitler (called Hynkel here) out to be a spoiled brat out to take over the world. This is obviously best represented in the globe scene. On top of that are great bits with Chaplin in WWI as a bumbling soldier, and very funny interactions of Hynkel with Napaloni (obviously representing Mussolini). To wrap it up, we have Chaplin himself bringing overwhelming humanity into the picture, as he makes one of the best movie speeches ever.

Pretty darn hilarious. The Coen brothers know how to tickle the funny bone with their off-beat humor, this time about the ineptitude of a couple small town rubes and their attempt at parenthood. Memorable characters and scenes make this a winner.

Hilarious satire of everything in rock and roll from album covers to concert theatrics. It plays out like a caricature, with everything exaggerated, but that's why it's so funny. Each scene is like a classic skit, but it still maintains it's unity. My favorite scene was probably the whole "Stone Henge" concert and the reaction of the band afterwards. Every rock fan/musician should see it!

Awesome gross-out horror movie with old school special effects that is sorely missing in todays CGI laden flicks. It also delivers with an interesting love story that turns more and more tragic with the slow transformation of Jeff Goldblum's character into "The Fly". 3 star average? Pooey!

Freaking funny movie that inspires me to drive everyone around me crazy. Bill Murray is so lovably insane in this movie and it's the perfect vehicle for his style. Plenty of funny scenes including the one where Richard Dreyfuss just can't seem to wake up Bob.

Who doesn't like this movie? It's one of those movies you can watch a million times. All the characters are likable (even the butt-headed Biff) and the plot is great too. Plus it's got Crispin Glover - "Hey you, get your damn hands off her!"

Hilarious tale of a desperate businessman just trying to make it home for Thanksgiving but instead gets paired up with a bumbling buffoon. Throughout all the comic gags and jokes though lies a good heart of friendship and kindness.

Great story of both redemption and glory through faith during tough times. Epic in every sense of the word, this story shows the tragic demise and rise of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew who has turned his back against his old friend Messala after refusing to betray his people. Cinematography is a stand out here, especially during the famous chariot race, which also deserves credit for keeping suspenseful even when the end result isn't much in doubt. Also, the music is well done giving this saga an even grander and emotional scope. I guess a lot of positive can be said for a movie that took home 11 Oscars. It's hard to keep attention for almost four hours, but "Ben-Hur' really did hold up nicely. Although there was some sense of anti-climax after the race, it was able to pick back up and recover nicely. An easy movie to hold off, but it's definitely worth the time.

Mesmerizing horror story that was hard to watch when I first saw it. There are moments of tension, moments of shock, and moments that'll just stick with you forever, although the scariest thing in the movie might be Shelley Duvall lol. Don't be swayed by the somewhat long running time because the pacing and the momumental build up to the crescendo of insanity is what makes this an all-time horror classic. Much scarier and less cheesier than the made for television version.

Simplistic story of a mass murder, but it's done in a such a gritty and geniunely raw way that it makes up for the lack of much plot. It's pretty much an hour and a half of pure terror. Much better than the bone-headed remake.

The Graduate is a movie that shows how vulnerable one can be at the crossroads of their life. It's a good movie about self-discovery and knowing what you really want.

Pretty much a 180 for the wild and crazy Jim Carrey. He is settled down and is surprisingly great in a dramatic role. The storyline is very original despite the outburst of reality tv that took place after this movie (did it inspire reality tv?). No way it should have less than 4 star average.

Not incredibly scary, but the whole element of survival in such a helpless situation had me glued to the seat. It's almost one of those "what would I do?" type of movies.

The most meticulous and thorough prison escape movie I've seen. Not a dull moment!

A movie about desperate survival during the Holocaust. Really touching and moving picture. Shows the ugly wickedness of the Nazis but also such great beauty from Spilzman, especially during the memorable ending.

One of those movies that everyone should love. It was played at the Film Festival in town last year for that very reason. The plot is underrated because it is a plausible one that makes me think could occur one day. But who cares about the plot when the dinos are running rampant on-screen?

Takes a rather blase topic of school election and turns it into a hilarious farce. A bit unnecessarily vulgar at times, but it doesn't really rely on that as it has good dialogue and humorous narrations of each characters thoughts. Best part : When Matthew Broderick gets stung in the eye by a bee LMAO!

The things that really have always frightened me weren't really the monsters in the closet or the psychos with the knives...but it's the things that can't be controlled and is of a force greater than mere humans. This movie shows that screwing around with the supernatural and inviting spirits can bring bad results...

A totally different type of war movie...one that makes you sympathize with the enemies. It does an amazing job of humanizing and de-glorifying war.

The start of the cinematic phenomenon is the best of the trilogy. Good ensemble cast take us on an unforgettable adventure with great battle scenes.

Definitely one of the better action movies made. Absolutely great special effects (especially for the time) and just some thrilling action sequences, including the eerie apocalypse vision.

Not quite as scary as the original but it's one heckuva rollercoaster ride. The battle with the Queen Alien is a great scene.

I just can't imagine this movie with someone other than George C. Scott donning the medals and ribbons as General Patton. The opening speech is almost powerful enough to make me wanna go to Iraq and do this country a proud service.

Revolutionary movie for the time (1995). It's got a sweet story and great special effects. All the characters will pretty much bolster the legacy of Disney.

Pixar ups the ante with this highly imaginative and original fish-out-of-water story about an aspiring chef...that happens to be a rat. This was fairly long for an animated movie, but I was impressed at how no minute was wasted here. It could have been tedious, but there was a surprising amount of complexity in this, touching bases with different themes such as friendship, family, deception, superiority, and even a little romance. The CGI was great and so were the gags. The only complaint, really, is that some of the plot might be a bit over the heads of some youngin's.

Boys of summer movie done right. Great job of showing what it's like to be a kid and how curious and adventurous they are.

Original horror/suspense film showcases Argento's masterful technique, especially during his ambitious and creative murder sequences. This could be considered an influence to later slasher movies, but is much more complex and less mindless than some of that genre.

Things don't take long to get going when a psychic is killed after receiving a vision, as an unknown murderer tries to cover up his/her grisly secret. The main narrative then takes off when a pianist, an eye-witness of the murder, is determined to solve the mystery with help from a reporter and detective.

What makes this stand out is some of the horrific imagery throughout, with the doll scene in particular, sending chills. I also liked the subtle cleverness of the movie as well, but there were some faults that dragged it down. The half-dubbed in English dialogue drove me crazy, and I feel I missed important clues, so I may have slightly underrated it. Other things that could have been better was the score, which was a little off mood, and the often meandering plotline.

The positives defnitely out-weigh the negatives though, and this is a memorable movie.

*EDIT* The score/music is great, just a bit abrupt and out of place at times. Also, there is an all English-dub version available to correct that weakness. Unfortunately, some of it comes off a little cheesy and I believe that version was cut down in length a tad.

Worth seeing for the opening act, which is mind-blowing film making. Watching Sergeant Hartman pick away at the weak Private Pyle is disturbing yet funny in an uneasy way. This, along with Platoon, are my favorite Vietnam War movies.

A very long film that inspired "Magnificent Seven" covers a lot of ground during it's 3 and a half hours. The plot takes off from the get go and deals with a village, who's pending doom from wicked bandits, sets off a search for seven worthy Samurais, who will risk thier lives to save them. There are two halves in the movie, split with an intermission: The first half was amazing and the second half was merely good, but as a whole I feel it's essential. The most intriguing part to me was seeing this desperate culture overwhelmed and hopelessly looking for salvation. The whole recruiting part was really well done, giving us a diverse look at Samurais who each had distinct personalities and skill sets. I also commend the way it was handled by director Kurosawa , avoiding trite and formulaic execution. The way of the Samurai is well displayed throughout the movie, from their codes of honor and duty, to the nuances of their rare breed like interactions with the peasants. On top of the characterization was some unforgettable cinematography and camera work, always giving us a geat shot that will sure to stick with the viewer days after the movie ends. It's hard to find fault in this, but the long running time got to me a little by the end. It's hard for me to be reeled in for so long, and is like "Lawrence of Arabia" in that regard. I'm also not as big into clustered battle scenes, even thought it was obviously well done. For those looking for a historic piece of movie-making be sure to check this out. 8.5/10

David Lynch is one twisted dude, and this movie pretty much affirms that. While startling with it's disturbing portrait of a seemingly pristine suburbia gone bad, the story telling is actually pretty reeled in and less bizarre than some of his other films. The movie opens up with a look at a picture perfect neighborhood, but we know quickly that there is steep darkness beneath the surface when Jeffrey (MacLachlan) comes across a severed ear in a field nearby. Having a insatiable curiosity to this mystery, Jeffrey wants to find out more, whether he can handle the truth or not. With a police detective's daughter (Dern) unveiling a few details of the case, Jeffrey and her go out to unlock the dirty secrets. Eventually Jeffrey gets himself dangerously close to the source, as he gets involved with one of the most psychopathic weirdos in film history, and has to untangle himself and an abused lounge singer from harm's way. The perspective of the story-telling is what really makes things click here. We are seemingly put into Jeffrey's position and are suffocated by the bizarre mystery. There is a sense of wanting to know but maybe not too much, and this shares some qualities of voyeurism with Alfred Hitchcock's classic "Rear Window"...but Lynch really pours on his trademark creepiness. Although pretty vulgar at times, there is a definite shock value that brings a lot of intensity and startles the viewer, and makes this movie standout. Lynch also brings forth certain ideas of love and humiliation and even beauty and how they can twistedly intertwine with each other. Anyone looking for something out of the ordinary should give this a look, but beware Dennis Hopper and his oxygen mask!

Love or hate him, Stanley Kubrick was a very talented director. He has covered and conquered a wide range of genres from political satire, to artsy sci-fi, to flat out horror, but it was a war movie that really got him noticed when he made the devastating "Paths of Glory". Not an epic like some of his others, but instead, Kubrick elects to go straight for the jugular with a powerful anti-war message. Based on a novel, the movie takes us to World War I as French Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) is ordered to send his troops on an attack to capture a key enemy stronghold. Even though it is practically a suicide mission, Dax follows the orders from his higher ranking officers, which is one example here of the struggle between chain of command and personal ethics. The attempt is short-lived as many soldiers are barraged by enemy fire, and it forces the others to hastily retreat, but this is not taken lightly by General Mireau, as it prompts him to court martial three soldiers for cowardice. What ensues is a compelling court drama that examines the difference between bravery and sensibility. This is a somewhat similar movie to Clint Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima", in it's promotion for human dignity, and while it isn't as personal or descriptive, it is very moving in it's stance that men should not be simply disposable. To add depth, there is also an underlying story of callousness and personal triumph by the French generals, who pose well as unsympathetic antagonists. From a technical stand point, it is well shot, especially during the trench scenes, and although the battle scene wasn't anything spectacular, Kubrick makes up for it with his visual capturing of emotion, particularly towards the end. With the help of a great dramatic performance by Douglas and a timeless anti-war study, this has been ranked as one of the best war movies ever, and is definitely worth seeing.

An odd movie from the 30's about circus freaks exacting revenge on a temptress who marries a midget for his inheritance. The build up is great with quite a few memorable scenes, especially given the mere 62 minute running time. Also, considering that the cast were actual "freaks", it made this movie more realistic, even if it meant sacrificing some of the overall acting. I would have liked to give it a little higher rating, but the climax was pretty weak and disappointing in my opinion because it was cut too soon and it was getting really good. Overall, it was a unique experience, and it stands the test of time nicely.

This was an almost psychadelic look at a man with writer's block. It's a very odd tale that swirls around in a whimsical manner. It also has John Goodman acting like a maniac, which has a good contrast to the mellowed-out Turturro.

A wonderfully crafted suspense/thriller by Polanski. I was surprised that it wasn't an all out freak fest, there are definitely scary moments (the dream sequence for instance), but the mystery card is really pushed here. One of the things that makes the movie so great is that the audience feels like Mia Farrow's character, in that they are encapsulated in a bizarre string of events until the evil truth is eventually revealed to them.

I've always been intrigued by some of the darker moments from animated films of yesteryear. Older Disney movies and some Don Bluth movies may have been for kids, but they weren't always harmless. This is the kind of animated movie that just isn't made anymore, because it is irreverent to the standards of current times. It isn't a cutesy film for kids, that's full of fun and games, but rather a mature and artistic movie more aimed at adults.

A rather grim opening sequence tells of a god that has wreaked vengeance against the rabbits who have become out of control, and has turned nature against them, making life a difficult struggle to survive. This opening segment I feel is an almost biblical reference of disobeying and the consequence of hardship.

The main characters Hazel and Fiver are then introduced, as they seek refuge from impending doom. Gathering other rabbits from the colony, they then embark on an adventure to find a safe Utopia to set up a new warren. On the way however, lurks danger from other animals like rats, badgers, and dogs, and this gives the movie a significant aspect of mortality and shows a bleak, but genuine, look at the pains of life.

As they reach their destination, they end up clashing with a rival group led by an evil General, in an attempt to rescue enslaved rabbits, and it all leads to a great climax.

There is quite a bit to like in this altogether: themes of spirituality, dominance, and survival are all very prevalent, and their behaviors are done in a way that mirrors that of humans. The animation might be somewhat hit and miss but there are some psychologically frightening and violent images that stick. The second half isn't as cohesive and the bird character is somewhere between amusing and annoying, but this movie is an impressive feat as a whole...just don't go in expecting to see "Thumper" from "Bambi".

Also, for those who like this film, I highly recommend "Plague Dogs" which is pretty much a companion piece featuring most of the same production team.

One of the strangest movies I've ever seen, is not for everyone, but there was a good payoff by the end. A sleazy cable tv producer (James Woods) receives an odd signal displaying torture and brutality that he feels could be the new wave of television, but he ends up unraveling a mind bending conspiracy instead when he delves into the origins. The whole premise behind this thought provoking film is that people are being brainwashed by the media, and in this case, a new program called "Videodrome", that transmits frequencies into the mind of it's viewer and causes a brain tumor that sets off hallucinatory visions that blur fantasy and reality. I really liked how challenging this movie was, and there is plenty of surrealistic symbolism that can be interpreted as figurative language of how people are consumed. This satirical bite really gives it an added value. Also standing out in this was the special effects, which were a little silly but cool more often than not. I really didn't care for the beginning but it picked up a good head of steam and I know now not to doubt Mr. Cronenberg. While parts often come through with fuzzy reception, the movie as a whole comes in clear.

1932? Hasn't dated one iota.

A twisted look at a mid-life crisis in a seemingly utopian suburban neighborhood. Watching people's lives unwind and self-destruct isn't supposed to be this entertaining is it?

Shows how one man with strong morals can change the corruption of greedy politicians. Great acting by Stewart as he changes from a humble and somewhat naive man into a strong and enduring one.

A little overblown and drawn-out but there is more than enough intrigue to finish up this classic trilogy. It cleaned up the Oscars for a reason, so for all two of you who haven't seen this...go check it out.

I haven't felt so bad for a movie character like this before. The feeling of such helplessness is borderline claustrophobic. I liked how the film just jumped right into the plot too, no beating around the bush. Not too much to complain about here, a well done thriller that had it's fair share of tense moments thanks to that bi-polar bitch!

Stylish action movie with a dark edge. In the not so distant future in Detroit, a cop is brutally (I mean BRUTALLY) wasted by a batch of real bad asses, and is left for dead. With a race between a couple of corporate businessman fighting for their technology to be featured as the premiere police defense system, Robocop is built to protect and serve. A biting satirical edge along with big-time action propels this must see action movie.

Although the premise here is a somewhat familiar one of a young man going through the confused, angst filled high school years, this has been singled out as one of the most descriptive films on the subject.

We are quickly thrusted into social outcast Jim's (James Dean in his most iconic role) messed up world, as he is introduced in a jailhouse as a rebellious teen caught for public drunkenness. The scene is pretty drawn out but it illustrates just what kind of misshapen life Jim has, with his disobedience to authority and his parent's incessant bickering that seems to push him even further away. After his hysterics are put to rest, Jim then concedes to better behave himself, and vows to stay out of trouble with a fresh start at a new school.

It doesn't take long for trouble to brew, however, as he is unkindly accepted by a local gang and their leader Buzz after causing a stir at a school field trip to the planetarium. After a scuffle between the two, Jim and his new, equally outcast friend Plato, agree to meet up later for a game of chicken with Buzz and his gang. This gives Jim a chance to prove himself and to gain some respect in order to fit in, but things unfortunately get worse, and he finds himself in more trouble than ever. While dodging his parents and his newly acquired rivals, Jim tries to sort out his inner problems, and along the way meets a love interest in Judy, who seems to have her own skeletons in the closet.

On the surface this is just a movie about teenagers having trouble fitting in, but it digs under deeply and examines the causes for this. The main core of characters are Jim, Judy, and Plato, and what seems to link all three is their unstable home life. Their shaky upbringing has sabotaged and further confused all of them, in an already awkward time. Together they try to lean on each other for genuine solace, but by the end, it's shown how the damage already done can lead to disaster.

As a whole, there is a mix of elements consisting of tragedy and coming-of-age, but it doesn't merit being labeled as just one. The message could have hit harder, but I best view this as a mosaic of trouble teenage life, so it has an artistic value, which is nice to have to go along with a pretty entertaining screenplay.

The most glaring weaknesses are the often unrealistic emotion after traumatic events, and a conclusion which seems to suddenly turn it's focus away from the main character Jim. These are pretty noticeable problems for me, so I can't rate it 5 stars, but that doesn't mean it's not a very good movie overall.

Pure entertainment. Not the most complicated of stories but it doesn't need to be when the camera is rolling and the sparks are flying between Tom Hanks and Wilson.

I didn't even know this film existed until I the night I saw it, and it was a pleasant surprise. The story tells of friends from a small town who happen across a sack of millions of dollars, and plan on keeping their discovery a secret. Things then start to get ugly when a tug-of-war between the friends spin things out of control. It's a great story that plays out like a game of Scruples.

I liked this movie because of the cultural interface that takes place. It really draws you in and shows that people, no matter the history, can live together in harmony. The one thing I didn't like was the overly harsh portrayal of the Americans.

I don't think many people know of this comedy, but it's probably my favorite Ben Stiller film. It got great critical reception and has a hilarious plot of a 30 something year old man out on a quest to find his biological parents. The movie was just overall funny. I highly recommend this for someone looking for fun, light-hearted entertainment on a boring night.

Both heart-breaking and uplifting at the same time, this movie takes us to a bleak time in U.S. history : The Great Depression. The story tells of a persistent family out to fulfill their dream of living a good life, as they head westward to California, after a drought drives them out of Okalhoma. There are so many encounters of hardship in this movie that it makes you grateful for what you have. There is also a very real, and human element throughout the entire film that has you sympathize with the characters, and shows us that we all deserve to be treated with decency and respect.

Quite an impressive feature about a seemingly perfect murder plot that slowly unravels thread by thread.

Insurance salesman Walter doesn't know what he's getting himself into when he walks into dame Phyllis' house as he goes about his door to door business. Sparks fly at first sight between the two, and they fall for each other...the only problem is Phyllis' abusive and domineering husband. So sets forth a most vile but clever plan - sell an insurance plan to the husband that includes a clause of inheritance to the family if he is accidentally killed, which would allow Phyllis $50,000 and a chance to be with Walter. With his knowledge of the ins and outs of the system, Walter fabricates a most well thought out scheme, one that includes "double indemnity" (which will give Phyllis twice as much inheritance as normal), as he plots a murder in disguise as a freak train accident. The two go through with it confident of their cover up, but suspicious insurance investigator Barton smells something fishy and is determined to sniff out the case.

Although slow going out of the gate, and featuring a love story that develops unusually quick, "Double Indemnity" has a lot going for it. The narration, for example, seems like standard noir, but reveals itself to be rather innovative (for the time at least) as Walter tells his story in flashback which eventually leads up to the present time where we discover his outcome. Also of interest is the compelling detective portion that plays out after the murder, which sees Walter and Phyllis backed into a corner, as their confidence slowly decays. Keeping the story flowing is some great dialogue which could have easily been rolled off the tongue of Humphrey Bogart, but is well delivered by Fred MacMurray as Walter. While the climax seems a little illogical, it leaves an impression and wraps up this movie nicely.

Overall this is an engaging movie about two people who may have not been evil but found it easy getting lost in evil thoughts.

One that can only be seen through the fingers at times, but it's crucial that we all know just how much Jesus went through so that we could have the gift of eternal life.

In my opinion, this movie is overlooked as a tragic story of a man haunted by his past. It paints a picture of how men were molded into killing machines and will act on those instincts if provoked. Gripping and heart-stopping entertainment.

This movie reminds me of myself...it's impossible not to like :) It's got a great feel and charm to the movie thanks to the direction of Columbus, the music of John Williams, and of course, Macaulay Culkin who was woefully replaced in the last two of the series. The booby traps may seem a bit over the top with the violence to some people, but I'm not some people...in fact, let's fast forward to the end!

Downtrodden and guilt-ridden, Marlon Brando puts in a stellar performance as Terry, an overrun union worker who finds himself torn between loyalty and morality. Things take a little while to shape up, as we are bluntly shown the mean streets of which Terry resides, post-mortem of his boxing career, but it becomes quite the involving affair. There are definitely some firey and passionate scenes in this one, that shows off the change endured by Brando, who finally cracks after being tugged by everyone from the priest, his brother, his mob boss, and his new love interest. This ultimately shows how one man can redeem himself, and "become somebody". Not the most entertaining movie, but definitely significant.

Long, sweeping, and ambitious. Probably the blueprint for epic adventure movies. Peter O'Toole puts in an amazing performance as the almost messaic T.E. Lawrence, who become ingrained into the desert-life of the Arab tribes he fights for. Worh a viewing, even if broken into two seperate sittings.

The 1962 "Cape Fear" proves once again that the original is better than the remake, but not by much. While the remake relied more on an active, violent plot, I liked how this one was more suspenseful and meticulous. On top of that, the casting was perfect for the main leads. Gregory Peck is probably one of the best at playing the straight-faced common man, and Mitchum, like in "Night of the Hunter" proves to be a menacing figure while on screen. With that said, it's hard to knock DeNiro's performance in the 1991 version. This was an altogether surprisingly tension filled thriller (for the time) with the always wonderful Bernard Hermann spicing things up with a great score.

Haven't seen it in it's entirety in awhile, but there are definitely some moments of shock that stuck with me. It certainly shouldn't be reduced to a movie about shock value though, because it's too smart of a story and Hitchcock employs his magic with haunting atmospheres and suspense. It must have been hard for audiences to handle this back in 1960!

A little hokey at times, but it's hard not to like. Is probably the best eye-opener movie out there, and shows how valuable you are and what things would be without you. Stewart's revelation is classic stuff.

Superhero movie done right. Bad ass hero and villain. Nothing soft about Michael Keaton's version of the Dark Knight, but it's just too bad for his sake that Nicholson's Joker steals the show wtih his creepy smile and sadistic sense of humor.

I'm not gonna be one of those condescending snobs and say that the book was much better...only because I slept through 9th grade English class and can't remember the book well enough. I do know that this was a darn good movie, faithful or not. Sinise was an obvious choice as the protective and brash George, while Malkovich seemed like a possible miscast as Lenny...but boy he pulled out a great performance. Touching story of a lost dream: something that was probably common-theme during the great depression.