My Favorite Movies

Holy Shit! What an incredibly amazing cast, what an awesome movie. If Colin Firth doesn't get an Oscar win, the Academy has no heart. Can't believe how close it was to accurately portraying the true story, and I really hope Rush wins an Oscar for his supporting part. Can't believe it took me this long to finally see this great film.

A cult classic, an interesting montage. We have an ambiguous storyline-did Leonard kill his wife after she survived that brutal rape, or is he really going on a quest for revenge, as he so eloquently believes? Of course, we realize this neo-noir, a man out for revenge, is really turned around after we begin to understand the flawed hero isn't out for revenge or justice in an unjust world; rather, he is being used by others for their own means, and his own quest, avenging the person who had raped his wife, has already occurred (in a delicious ironic twist). Leonard has changed for us as we see him become the hero to an everyman plunged into hell and constantly being manipulated. The other interesting thing about this film is the narrative structure, something that works not as a gimmick (since Leonard has ante-retrograde amnesia and we are experiencing what he is going through simultaneously). There are 22 sequences in all, that alternate between color and black-to-white. Let's assign the color sequences as letters, starting with 'V' (since they are shown in reverse), and the black-and-white as numbers (1). There is a brief overlap with the color sequences to help show the audience that the color scenes are going in reverse. So, it goes 1,V,2,U,3,T,,,etc...22,A in that order. There are so many amazing things I could dive into this film, probably the most memorable is realizing at the "end" of the film how even Leonard manipulates himself into continuing his "quest" for revenge. This movie is the epitome of a Nolan film. The femme fatale (Natalie), the nonlinear structure of the film (and how it seems to even act at times like a Russian doll with nestled stories), the neo-noir elements that it presents itself as in the beginning, and the reliability of subjectivity. Wonderful acting all around, especially by Guy Pearce who played the role of his life.

There's a great scene early on where the Joker says, "Whatever doesn't kill you, simply makes you...stranger" In other words, when a group of people (i.e., the citizens of Gotham) are threatened to be killed or have such incredible chaos unleashed upon them, they will make irrational, stupid choices. Or, they will be stuck in a moral dilemna. Is it ok to become a vigilante as a citizen, step outside the law, and murder one man to ensure that no hospital will be blown up? Consider the Stanley Milgram experiment famously used post WWII. This is a microcosm of the film. We see a great play on words throughout the film, from little things like a firefighter truck being set on fire, to the 'prisoner's dilmemna', where two boats, one full of prisoners, the other full of "good" citizens, must make a moral choice deciding their fates. The best pun was the dark knight himself, who could've been either Harvey Dent or Batman. Heath Ledger has been praised enough with his Oscar winning performance, and for good reason. The work he did helped implant the idea that superhero comics aren't merely modes of entertainment; in fact, they could bridge that gap into art. Taking from "The Killing Joke", "A Clockwork Orange", "The Long Halloween", and "Arkham Asylum : A Serious House on A Serious Earth" to name a few, we get an incredible masterpiece from Nolan. People complaining about Nolan being cold should consider this film as one that has us empathizing for the heroes and seeing the transformations that occur. "The night is darkest right before the first light of dawn" as Dent says, foreshadowing what the movie will bring us. We are punished with such dark, almost hopelessly bleak scenes, crescendo upon crescendo (and I am maybe in the minority in enjoying the extended Act III) until it dissipates at long last. But not before we appreciate the characterization and fortitude Batman has against his anti-thesis. This is neo-noir, a subjective man (Batman) assuming the world operates in an objective manner (a Nolan trademark), with a femme fatale are all great consistencies Nolan has shown with his previous and future works that showcase his ouevre. The vision Nolan creates with the modern day Batman point out how moral verities are a thing of the past. The choices between good and evil are shot in a bleak environment, mirroring the terror and anxiety the people have making tough decisions despite the hopelessness and darkness surrounding them. But, as Nolan maybe hinting at, it's only a comic book movie, right? Why be so serious? Let the movie carve smiles on the audiences faces.

quite an interesting turn from other movies, very unexpected moments and genuine fun!

Wow! This has Oscar written all over it-a lock in for best actress, Portman, possibly best supporting actress-Kunis, and even maybe best picture and director as well. Can't wait to see how it goes.

My friend and I finished watching this yesterday. He had never seen it before and asked me to clarify what I liked about the film. I admit, I was one of the people who over hyped it before it had even been released. It did win 4 Oscars in technical categories and being in first with "The King's Speech". I also understand people's contempt for the lack of characterization in the film. What struck me about that was a scene between Arthur and Ariadne, in which he says after trying to kiss her, something along the lines of "It was worth a shot" Nolan's way of telling the audience he gave some characterization a chance and really didn't want to invest himself in it. This film could be argued as art, but the theme is simply the reliability of subjectivity. That theme has been the same theme Nolan has propagated throughout his entire ouevre. The early scene showing Ariadne drawing a circular labyrinth that puzzled Cobb is similar to (and a metaphor for) Nolan's overall signature. The heroes are descending deeper and deeper into dreams within dreams while the movie itself is edited in a circular labyrinth of narratives. Think of these loops as something like recursion, in which a programmed function take itself as its subject, and the resulting "subject" takes itself as its next "subject", and so on until a bound is reached (i.e., limbo). To me, the movie really isn't about dreams, it's about taking a pre-sumptive mindset the audience has-that is, video games and the internet are subjective experiences similar to dreaming. Nolan's obsession with introverted introspection (remember that shot of Batman alone, on the top of a building, looking down?) gets carried a step further with the characters being isolated from themselves. To me, this film, if it could be compared to art, would be like viewing an M.C. Escher painting. There seems to be some detachment and the metaphysics of the strange loops that one can appreciate in that work. In a less extreme form, one could look at this film and see Nolan more as a post-cultural artist interested in creating derivate art sans the content and complexity. I'm still keeping this at 5 stars because this is consistent with Nolan's ouevre, he challenged me intellectually and created a few genuinely emotional moments despite criticism of his detached look at things, and it took him 10 years to get this complicated story telling into a smart and compelling film. From what I see, he saw the ending of "2001" and "Blade Runner" and asked, how could I top those films? Instead of making a film about outer space (the external), he went for something just as ambitious and avant-garde but focusing on the internal (i.e., "shared dreaming"). And bravo for him accomplishing that in a way that made it intellectually stimulating and consistent with his other works.

"Neo, no one has ever done this before." "That's why it's going to work." Well, this movie sure did work with the customer- one of the best storylines in my opinion for a movie- presented in such an awesome manner- and grossing about $461 million worldwide!

Whoa! I love Roman history- I took Latin for 4 years in high school- fell in love w/ Caesar's campaigns, the roman gods, and of course, the illiad! "There was a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile. "- marcus arelius- loved the cast, and enjoyed the fighting scenes in the colesium- russel crowe- blew me away with his performance- too good!

Seen it 3 times so far, and each time the experience is sweeter, the flying scenes make me want to get whatever those creatures are, and the animation is so far ahead of anything else, it's just a new era of cine making-hopefully we'll see more 3d movies like this one!

Every Time I see this movie, i get a new perspective. I'm always blown away by what it says to me, and what he had to go through. My heart breaks every time he gets the pens, and every time he goes up to give his speech!







What an awesome movie!!! I still cry when I see this, especially when Crowe gets the pens from fellow academia- what an incredible story- of all the hardships he endured- and how incredibly brilliant he proved to be! "Classes will dull your mind, destroy the potential for authentic creativity. "

Absolutely loved that fight scene w/ Dumbledore and Voldermort!
Dolores Umbridge: [as the centaurs are taking Umbridge away] Please, tell them I mean no harm.
Harry Potter: Sorry, Professor, but I must not tell lies.
Kingsley Shacklebolt: You may not like him, Minister, but you have to admit, Dumbledore's got style.
[from trailer]
Rubeus Hagrid: It's changing out there. There's a storm coming, Harry, just like the last time.
[from trailer]
Sirius Black: [to Harry] It's your turn now!

Titanic- what can I say? Titanic romance story, titanic sales..."I'm king of the world!"- Titanic still is- #1 grossing film of all time!

Love does crazy things to a man. I'm feeling its effects right now, and I must say, it is a very powerful emotion. Why use drugs when you can have love?





Liked the cast, and enjoyed how easy the dialogue was to understand-never read a Jane Austen book yet, so can't really compare...but I'm going to-and the first one I'm reading is Pride and Prejudice!

Enjoyed Downey's performance, and to actually think we're creating technology that is close to the robot suite Downey created in the movie is quite mind-boggling!

Oh Wow! One of my all time fav's! Loved the animation, loved the T-Rex, too awesome of a movie! Now I just need to read the books! Awesome tagline- "something is alive"

Oh my goodness! Thought provoking and incredible leaps of faith! Best performance on behalf of Foster and McConaughey!

Absolutely teared up at the ending! What a story!
Charles Howard: You could be crippled for the rest of your life.
Red Pollard: I was crippled for the rest of my life. I got better. He made me better. Hell, you made me better.
George Woolf: Wanta know what I think?
Charles Howard: Of course.
George Woolf: I think it's better to break a man's leg than his heart.

Wonderful tale of romance and love

omg omg omg...it was a mixture of north by northwest, the man who knew too much, and a ton of other films-but the premise, the mystery, the acting...it certainly earned the 5 out of 5-i'm surprised that rotten tomatoes gave it a 26%-thoroughly recommend it!

I hope it wins all the Oscars it is nominated for!

never have seen the old ones, but I loved this movie a lot!

Sometimes I'm obviously not the biggest romantic fan...but I couldn't pass this one up! It's pertinent to me since I think I'm too much of a workaholic at times- instead of just enjoying life, living for the moment, and having a ton of fun! What a touching ending! I cried- it was sooo great!

Wow! What a wonderful allegorical picture C.S. Lewis created for us- of Christ as the Lion, dying for all of our sins! And what an incredible job by the young kids- and great animation of the lion!

Oh wow oh wow oh wow! One of my more favorite movies-I thoroughly enjoyed how they copied it from "And Then There Were None", and like "Identity" almost. Such a sweet movie indeed. Incredible acting on behalf of Kilmer and Slater as well as by Kathryn Morris

Sam 'Spike' Witwicky: It's a robot. You know, like a super advanced robot. It's probably Japanese.
Glen Whitmann: Don't worry, Maggie, I've seen the movies and I know how this goes down. Two o' them gonna come in, try to break us. Just don't say, don't even make eye contact, ok?
Maggie Madsen: OK.
[door opens and agents come in. Glen jumps up and points to Maggie]
Glen Whitmann: She did it, she's the one you want!
Just the coolest movie ever!

Mind Blowing Movie! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and there's too many good things for me to say about it! You just have to see it!

Loved this movie, the plot, the action, actors/actresses...what's not to love? Johnny Depp's animated hand gestures and unique personality quirks prolly sold me on this movie!
Governor Swann: So, this is the path you've chosen? After all, he is a blacksmith.
Elizabeth: No.
[pause]
Elizabeth: He's a pirate.

[last lines]

Jack Sparrow: Now... bring me that horizon.

[humming]

Jack Sparrow: "And really bad eggs." Drink up me 'earties. Yo ho.

[snaps compass shut]

"Her beauty launched 1000 ships!" Well, in this movie, Brad Pitt launched over 1000 fan girls to see him naked, but still...awesome fight scenes, and Brad just makes it soo easy and simple as usual!

The critics said it wan't goin anywhere...it only took 60 days to make...a lot of CG animation...a bunch of nobody actors...and you got a blockbuster film about a battle that occurred nearly 2,000 years ago- yet we are still fascinated by the odds- it's as one historian says (regarding the Battle of Thermopaylae)- "This is when history ruins fiction"

I'm getting out of the dark corner I'm hiding in...and adding this great romantic movie to my list. After having a talk with a friend of mine, I only felt it was fitting to show a different side of my tastes of movies-that genre, which seems to almost nearly be absent on my favourite movies, is being filled with the best romance movies ever made.

I would have to say that I hardly see movies where you can so poignantly see the protagonist change throughout in such a charming manner. I now need to read the book, I suppose.

The previews look great, and I love Carell from The Office-so I'm betting this is gonna be good!

Enjoyed the acting, and after having the play, enjoyed how the movie generally followed it...after recently attending more plays put on locally, I have begun to appreciate them more-and this is one of my favorite movies that got made from a Shakespeare play!

Such a great ending, but sooo long- it was most painful 4 me to not go 2 the restroom for the entire duration of the movie- esp when I brought in this large coke to drink,lol.

Bartender: [over the noise in the background] How's the game going?
Rusty: Longest hour of my life.
Bartender: [not hearing him] What?
Rusty: I'm running away with your wife.
Bartender: Great!
[He grins and flashes Rusty a thumbs-up]

Matt Farrell: What're you gonna do?
John McClane: I'm gonna go kill this guy and get my daughter. Or go get my daughter and kill this guy. Or kill all of 'em!
That jet fighter scene was da bomb!
[climbing into a police car]
John McClane: All you gotta do is go pick up a kid in New Jersey, and drive him down to D.C. How hard can that be, huh?

OHHHHHH WOW! What a tight movie! I love the shots from DC! DC is one of my top fav spots to go! Two-three years ago I went to DC about 5-6 times in a one year time period! It's so beautiful- and of course, the historical allusions and the great conceptual ideas- sooo wonderful- I love American history!

Too good of a movie- a man wrestling with his past he is embarassed to face again- almost w/o contact with his family and bitter at his dad- overcomes all that and more to realize he can still accomplish his dreams no matter what age!:)

Second best one of the series! Loved the plot!

Donna Newman: Will you still love me in the morning?
Michael Newman: Forever and ever, babe
Wow! After watching this movie it made me want to go out and have more fun in my life even though finals are coming up!

Jolie is so ripped for a girl in this movie- a lot of action and kicking butt- so naturally, a tight movie- and co-starring Daniel Craig and Jon Voight? Too good of a cast!

Enjoyed the movie- all the fighting scenes- especially all the guns! John: "come to daddy!" Jane: "who's ur daddy now?!"

Holy Hell! How did I miss this awesome romantic comedy? This is my favorite romance movie eva!:0

Enjoyed Richard Harris' performance- especially liked how it made it seem sooo magical- just drew me in! Great start for the movie series!

Actually liked the movie even though it was gory-pretty interesting plot.

Too hilarious! My favorite comedy- and I love Dreyfuss- I actually got to see him speak live at the UT ballroom concerning American education last semester! Looked pretty good! :)

It seems to be a paucity of films that measure or exceed the first in a sequel or trilogy or sequence, and this is one of the ones that just can't do it!

Those ents just kicked butt, didn't they?

Nazgul get owned big time! Cate Blanchett is perfect for her part!

I loved this movie- "let's make love on top of a killer whale" and "let's make love in a hot air balloon!" -Jack

I love soccer- reminded me of some of the coaches I had when I was young- they didn't go to the extreme Ferrell goes to, though. Barbara-Phil, I love you... Phil- "what does that have to do w/ anything..."

The worst movie made this year so far. Should we be surprised by the fact that Chris Columbus made this movie? He ruined the first two Potter films, and Fox decides to give him millions to make this movie. With a big budget and some big names playing in the film, Columbus finds another way to mess it up. There's too many things wrong with it to even begin, but Fox has lost another opportunity to cash in on the fantasy genre. They failed with Eragon, and now this.