My Favorite Movies

"People are gonna hate this movie... but they're also going to love it." - Martin Scorsese


Epic Gangster film depicting excessive bloodshed, drugs, and swearing. Filled with Action and Suspense, this film shows the Rise and Fall of the infamous Tony Montana in his vengeful quest for the American Dream.


"The Capitalist Dream Gone Bizarre." - Brian DePalma


First time viewers may be bored for the first half of the film, but the second half makes up for it. This is a film that grows on you, filled with many layers of plot and character.


"All he said was, John, I want you to give me the most beautiful pictures, and I'm gonna put violence inside." - John A. Alonzo


Toni Montana is a very 2-Dimensional character (as the cover suggests); he is a very dark, insensitive, angry, little "badguy," but at the same time, he has a hidden good side that only comes out when he's near those he loves most (whom, sadly, seem to be the ones who hurt him the most, inevitably fueling his darker side).


"The fuse is always lit, it's just a question of when it goes off."
- Andre Sogliuzzo


I've noticed that the Rise and Fall of Scarface stems from two key-points in his life. Amazingly, both events consist of him just having a really, really shitty day.


"We needed to find those odd things - those twists, those ironies - to give the character some intelligence." - Al Pacino


I LOVE watching this movie, EVERY time I sit down to watch it again I always find something I didn't notice before and appreciate all the "In-Between" Mannerisms and Scenes of each character featured; something not found in most Hollywood-style films (i.e., "if it doesn't serve the plot, get rid of it").


"It's like a little ghetto Cinderella story." - Aisha Tyler


"You don't have to conform to Society in order to 'make it'."
- Mekhi Phifer


"Scarface pressed a very specific button that, I don't think, any movie had ever fully captured, and it was that: "The little guy with Huge Ambitions would not be contained." - Andre Sogliuzzo

"Get outta the street ya fuckin' bum! Ya gave up on life, didn't ya!?"

This film SHOULD be my favorite movie of all time; it's fucking flawless! Words simply cannot describe my sublime admiration for this work of art. A truly collaborative piece of ardor.

"I'VE GOTTA FIND BUBBA!" - A heartwarming epic telling the story of a slow-witted but good-hearted man at pivotal events during the 20th century. The simplicity of the film allows it to be amazingly funny and intensely dramatic. A MUST SEE. - "I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is."

THEY'VE GOT THE BUILDING...
THEY'VE GOT THE ODDS...
THEY'VE GOT HIS WIFE.

NOW, HE'S GOT ONE NIGHT...
TO GET IT ALL BACK.


The Best Holiday Movie Ever Made


40 STORIES OF SHEER ADVENTURE


The film features a lone cop who must use his gun, street smarts, and bare feet to save his wife (and the remaining hostages) from a "terrorist" take over. Filled with explosions, gunfights, and blood, this Brutal, yet Smart, film will please any fan of ACTION. It is the epitome of Guy Movies.


HE'S AN EASY GUY TO LIKE
AND A HARD MAN TO KILL


Every Christmas Eve I watch this film, and I am always blown away by how much I enjoy it; not just in terms of escapism, but the sheer quality of film making present. (You literally HAVE to be looking for flaws in this film in order to dislike it.)


127 MINUTES OF BLAZING EXCITEMENT


"He came to get her back and to be her man,
But Hans and his buddies fucked up the plan."
- Guyz Nite, "Die Hard"
(Guyz Nite Means Everything)

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what The Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

Motion Picture Story-Telling at it's Best.

"Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad."

"Archaeology is the search for fact, not truth. If it's truth you're interested in, Dr. Tyree's philosophy class is right down the hall. So forget any ideas you've got about lost cities, exotic travel, and digging up the world. We do not follow maps to buried treasure and 'X' never, ever, marks the spot."

Filled with Action, Humor, and Romance, an archaeologist must use his bullwhip and book smarts to reunite with his father, find the Holy Grail, and stop the Nazis while trying to avoid snakes.

"The quest for the grail is not archeology, it's a race against evil. If it is captured by the Nazis, the armies of darkness will march all over the face of the earth."

This film has a good, fast pace and keeps you entertained all the way through; Never a dull moment. One of the few movies I can listen to in the background and still enjoy. The thing I think I enjoy most about this film is that each new location Indy travels to is like another short story that can be enoyed on it's own; but the fact that they're all strung together to create an epic adventure makes them even better.

"Ahh, Venice."

"Yeaaa, Buoooiiiieeee!!!!" - British spoof of the Survival Horror genre. It does an amazing job of scaring you in between the many laughs. - This is just an amazingly, well-made movie. It hits all the right keys in the emotional department: Comedy, Horror, Drama, Friendship, Violence, etc. Songs by Queen only adds more to the "Fuck Yea" feeling of this movie. In essence, the film is perfect; there was obvioulsy a lot of time, devotion, energy, and love put into this project. There is a bit of a dry spell towards the middle, but that is easily forgiveable. - "FUCK-A-DOODLE-DO!"

"Batman says, philosophically: We can acknowledge an imperfect world, we can acknowledge that we have to step outside of social norms, but that doesn't make the social norms meaningless. - The Joker says: The presence of random injustice means that there is no justice. The fact that innocence can be destroyed means that there is no innocence. So your life is a joke . . . [The Joker] is threatening the premise of Batman's existence . . . Ultimately, it's a philosophical conflict."
- Benjamin R. Karney, Ph.D.
(Associate Professor of Social Psychology, UCLA)



"Do I really look like a man with a plan?... I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it. I just do things. I'm a wrench in the gears. I hate plans. Yours, theirs, everyone's. Schemers try to control their worlds. I am not a schemer. I show schemers how pathetic their attempts to control things really are."


The advertising campaign alone is better than most movies.


"I use a knife because guns are too quick. Otherwise, you can't savor all the emotions. You know who people really are in their last moments."


As most of the hype indicates, people are going to see this movie because of the Joker.


"So, this is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object."


Easily rewatchable.


"Don't make me your only hope for a normal life."

"I can't remember to forget you."

Never-Ending Anger,
Never-Ending Grief.

"I know I can't have her back... but I don't want to wake up in the morning, thinking she's still here. I lie here not knowing... how long I've been alone. So how... how can I heal?... How am I supposed to heal if I can't... feel time?"



"Memory's unreliable. No no no, really. Memory's not perfect, it's not even that good. Ask the police. Eyewitness testimony is unreliable. Cops don't catch a killer by remembering stuff. They collect facts, make notes, and they draw conclusions. Facts not memories... Look, memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted. They're just an interpretation, they're not a record, and they're irrelevant if you have the facts. . . Facts, not memories. That's how you investigate. I know, it's what I used to do."

Watching the re-edited version of this film opens a whole new drawer full of questions and plot-holes; requiring even more viewings.

"I was the only guy who disagreed with the facts and I had brain damage."



"Confusion is the state we are intended to be in." - Roger Ebert

Never-Ending Grief,
Never-Ending Anger.

"You can just feel the details. The bits and pieces you never bothered to put into words. And you can feel these extreme moments... even if you don't want to. You put these together, and you get the feel of a person. Enough to know how much you miss them... and how much you hate the person who took them away."

"I know. I know you can fight.
But it's our wits that make us men."


A Violent, yet Romantic, Drama depicting one man's quest to avenge the murder of his wife and free his country from tyranny.


"Every man dies.
Not every man really lives."


The first hour is always engrossing for me.


"Gibson hews to a style that is visually elaborate without ever being visually complicated, scraping away the traces of any irony or texturing dimension from every shot, every scene. Because he is smart enough to employ really talented cinematographers (Donald McAlpine, John Toll, and Caleb Deschanel so far), the images in his films often achieve heft and allure, even when the immediate purposes to which they are bound are dubious. Watching any given sequence is a little like reading a paragraph where every sentence is declarative and ends in an exclamation point: 'The highlands are gorgeous! They stretch far and wide! People live there! They are happy! They are dancing!'. . . He is an Enforcer, putting his audiences on lock-down because, dammit, some tales are too important to be pussy-footed around with a lot of character development, historical fidelity, or stylistic finesse. That shit is for wimps, Commies, fairies, and what have you." - Nick Davis (Nick's Flick Picks)

"I'm Winston Wolfe. I solve problems."


Don't really care for the Uma Thurman portion of the movie; usually just skip that bit.


"You feel that sting, big boy, huh? That's pride FUCKIN' with you! You gotta fight through that shit!"


"Tarantino shows penchant for the rhythm of words--the banter has the drollery of gangland Samuel Beckett--and he's also good at taking seemingly routine situations and giving them a sudden vertiginous twist, such as the farcical drug overdoze scene. . . Like the torture scene in Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino indulges in unadulterated villainy. His adolescent delight at showing physical torment and his uncertainty about female characters may derive, as John Powers noted, from the fact that his primary experience comes from old movies; he still doesn't know much about human behavior. . . What holds the movie together is its inspired playfulness and cool nihilism in stories that are pitched at a resolutely human scale. Tarantino neglects plot mechanics and linear narrative in favor of lengthy, sustained scenes presented out of sequence. " - Emanuel Levy (EmanuelLevy.com)


"I'ma get medieval on yo' ass!"

"Get busy Living or get busy Dying."


"There aren't many movies out there about male friendship that don't feature a car chase sequence." - Tim Robbins


"It's all about Time and Pressure."

"It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself. Makes you wonder what eelse you can do that you've forgotten." - I just really like this movie because I can relate to the main plot involving Kevin Spacey's character, but also to the character of Rick Fitts and his father. It's just a good movie because it symbolizes passion and life(the red roses and petals thorughout the film clearly demonstrate that); and if you don't like living, you probably won't like this movie. - "...It's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life..."

"Sometimes, there's a man, and well, he's the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that's the Dude."

A lazy, pot-smoking bum (the most ill-equipped man to deal with the confusing kidnapping of a millionaires trophy wife) teams up with his fervid, Vietnam war veteran teammate (while being threatened to have his johnson cut off by a nihilisitc, techno, porn actor) in a quest to replace a China-man soiled rug during the middle of a bowling league competition against a child-molesting, ball-licking latino named Jesus.

"Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling."

"I beat the shit out of some kids today. But it was for a purpose. It made me feel good about myself. It was like I did something constructive with my life or something, I dunno, like I accomplished something."




"You are by far the dumbest, most pathetic piece of maggot-eating shit that has ever slid from a human being's hairy ass . . . 'cause you're an emotional cripple. Your soul is dog shit. Every single fucking thing about you is UGLY."

"Do you REALLY wanna jump!?"


Undergoing an emotional breakdown, a suicidal marksman is partnered up with a tired, old police veteran who's "getting too old for this shit." Resentment builds between the two as the old timer has to deal with his new deeply depressed partner and his tormenting anguish. Throw in some Shadow Soldiers from Vietnam and a shipment of Heroin, and you've got yourself a lethal Action-Buddy Comedy/Drama.


"Put it in yo' mouth."


There are a few small dry periods throughout the film; but other than that, it's still pretty fun to watch. Despite the fact that the story takes place during Christmas, it never really does feel like a Holiday film to me.


"I don't make things difficult. That's the way they get, all by themselves."

"Ya know, the thing about a shark... he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll's eyes. When he comes at ya, doesn't seem to be living... until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white, and then... ah, then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin'. The ocean turns red, and despite all the poundin' and the hollerin', they all come in and they... rip you to pieces."

A CLASSIC. The unveiling of the shark at the end of the film is what makes this movie so iconic. You wait and you wait and you wait to see what the monster is gonna look like and you are well rewarded; the shark is fucking scary. And to top it off, you've got three pleasant actors whose characters have great chemistry together that even when they get on to the boat in the final act, the boat becomes a character of the film. Simplistic story-telling at its best.

"It's only an island if you look at it from the water."

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 'nuff said.



As much as I think the the first (fourth) Star Wars movie is over-rated (but still awesome to watch); this film always makes me forgive the series. I honestly don't know why this film is so appealing, but it just works. I love this movie.

"If you stop, you die."

My favorite movie to reference in film classes. It doesn't get much better than this in terms of guy movies: sex, violence, and drugs all engulfed in a furious quest to kill a man, save a special lady friend, and go out with style. And that's exactly what this film brings to the table: STYLE. Despite the fast paced editing, there is significant amount of detail and attention put together in the cinematography, scenery, and costumes; and that's a beautiful thing. (On a side note, the film's even more enjoyable to watch when you're angry or just have your adrenaline going; not only do you feel like your "part of the movie", but you find yourself cheering a whole lot.)

"Don't pop a blood vessel, you little penis."

I think this is about the only movie I can claim to be "too cool". Everything is set up for masculine appreciation (oh, the few joys of manhood). This film, in my opinion, may very well have the best soundtrack in a movie that I've ever seen/heard (I haven't decided yet); not only do the songs sound good, they're perfect for each segment they're in.

"I'm ALIVE!!"

"Yes, Dudes and Dudettes, major league butt-kicking is back in town."



First off, the music and score for this film is AWESOME... dare I say: "Cowabunga?" Even the Turtle Power rap at the end is wicked. - Like many other people my age, this was one of my favorite films growing up. It's simple enough for children to enjoy and complex enough for adults to appreciate, and that spells FUN. (Just look at the name of the villains in this film: The Shredder and his Foot Clan) Despite the fact that their father figure is a giant, ugly rat, the portrayal of Splinter as a kind, loving, understanding mentor is just so powerful that you HAVE to love him. Even though the story focuses more on Raphael's impulsive anger and Casey Jones' involvement, I still enjoy this movie thoroughly.



"Pork Rind?"

THIS TIME... THERE ARE TWO.


This is a movie you can easily jump in to. I can't think of a single dull moment in this film.


"We're not gonna make it, are we? People, I mean."


A time-travelling cyborg riding a chopper and slinging a shotgun while wearing shades. That image alone should satisfy you.


"I know now why you cry."

Violent, Brutal, Funny, Warm, Romantic, Touching, Dramatic, Passionate, Shocking, Mesmerizing - Probably the best "True Story" Hollywood has dished out to viewers. It entertains in a fictitious manner to an insouciant degree where viewers don't care if it's a dramatic Hollywood interpretation... It's a Gangster Film! - As the film progresses, you begin to bond with the cast and want all their tragedies, sorrows, and worries to be absolved. Unfortunately, the bad guys never win.

"Megatron must be stopped!!... No matter the cost!" - One Big 80s Soundtrack filled with non-stop adventure-fun and action! It's message and plot get right to the point providing viewers with as much visual fun and excitement as possible... and it succeeds! This is a movie that I grow to love even more every time I watch it. - "One shall stand! One shall fall!"

"Shoplifter!!" - This is a good movie. You've got Macaulay performing the "Hero's Quest" as he has fun doing the things kids only dream of when their parents aren't around. And then the Wet Bandits try and steal stuff from his house! And Macaulay says it best: "This is MY house. I HAVE to defend it!" - The subplot's kool too, about the mother travelling cross country to get back to her son whom she feels both worried about and guilty about leaving him behind. Overall, this is a family movie with several good themes and lessons; while, at the same time, dishing out both childish and adult humor. There's no reason not to like this movie; unless you're lame. - "Keep the change, you Filthy Animal."

"It's not just one man, damn it! It's ZORRO!" - This movie is about justice, passion, and revenge. A fun action film for anyone to enjoy.

"Outta the way, Peck!" - Fun Fantasy-Adventure movie for both adults and younger viewers. - Abudant, beautiful landscapes can be enjoyed in this steadily fast-paced film filled with strong "family love" themes combating "pure evil" with a plethora of magical characters and a charming, lone swordsman played by Val Kilmer. - "W-w-i-l-l-o-w! You i-i-i-i-d-iot!"

"You wanna know the truth? He was an asshole before. Now he's just a blind asshole."


Lots of good one liners delivered by Pacino, he's in the amazing business, and just a wonderful film overall.


"Goodbye, Willie. I'm no fucking good... and I never was."


It's hard not to feel sympathy for Pacino in this film. Chris O'Donnell does a good job quietly stammering, and Mr. P.S. Hoffman is in the early stages of his "Twister" character. The music is soft and appropriate. And although the film drags on a few moods and scenes, there are plenty of other key moments that make up for those doldrums.


"There are two kinds of people in Life: those who stand and face the music and those who take cover. Cover is better."


(One of my favorite scenes in this flick is the tango dance and it turns out that Pacino didn't even really dance; it was all choreographed and edited really well.)

"You want a smoke? You don't smoke, do ya, right? What are ya, one of those fitness freaks, huh? Go fuck yourself."

This movie is BRUTAL and SHARP. The first time you watch it, you're just as stunned as if someone slapped you in the face; after repeated viewings, however, you become numb and callous, but not in a bad way. You've got DiCaprio and Damon being very convincingly Irish with Jack Nicholson as himself; disturbingly, psychotic and vicious.

"Let's say you have no idea, zero, none. If you had an idea about what we do, we wouldn't be good at what we do now would we? We would be cunts, you callin' us cunts?"

The movie is fast-paced in editing, but I still felt like it was a long-ass movie, unlike some of Scorsese's previous work. And the movie really didn't need a female supporting character, let alone a love triangle; seriously, there was no reason for her to be in this movie (I mean, she doesn't have any significant role in this film; she would've been better off Running Scared).

"Do you like Little Miss Thing suckin' on your cock?"

After watching this several times On Demand (because there is nothing else good on to watch), I've been convinced that this is a damn good movie. I'm still bitter about the supporting actress, but that shouldn't determine the film's appeal. Beowulf as Mr. French in this movie is the shit.

"No one gives it to you, you have to take it."

"What is happiness to you?"

A gnarly, mind-fuck for first-time viewers. It's funny how the more knowledge I gain in life, the different ways I interpret this film, its narrative and its characters. Regardless of the interpretations, it's always very depressing.

"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around."

"Don't mock me my friend. It's a condition of mental divergence. I find myself on the planet Ogo, part of an intellectual elite, preparing to subjugate the barbarian hordes on Pluto. But even though this is a totally convincing reality for me in every way, nevertheless Ogo is actually a construct of my psyche. I am mentally divergent, in that I am escaping certain unnamed realities that plague my life here. When I stop going there, I will be well. Are you also divergent, friend?"


A movie that is very fun to watch the first time and easily rewatchable for different interpretations and understanding.


"Uh-huh. In the eighteenth century, no such thing, nada, nothing. No one ever imagined such a thing. No sane person, anyway. Ah! Ah! Along comes this doctor, uh, uh, uh, Semmelweis, Semmelweis. Semmelweis comes along. He's trying to convince people, well, other doctors mainly, that's there's these teeny tiny invisible bad things called germs that get into your body and make you sick. Ah? He's trying to get doctors to wash their hands. What is this guy? Crazy? Teeny, tiny, invisible? What do you call it? Uh-uh, germs? Huh? What? Now, cut to the 20th century. Last week, as a matter of fact, before I got dragged into this hellhole. I go in to order a burger in this fast food joint, and the guy drops it on the floor. Jim, he picks it up, he wipes it off, he hands it to me like it's all OK. "What about the germs?" I say. He says, "I don't believe in germs. Germs is just a plot they made up so they can sell you disinfectants and soaps." Now he's crazy, right? See? Ah! Ah! There's no right, there's no wrong, there's only popular opinion."

Most of the "future" costume/contraptions are ridiculous looking but somehow effective in this universe.

"...and if you forget one thing, I will have you shaved, sterilized, and destroyed!"

"What am I doing? I don't know what I'm doing. I'm doing the best that I can. I know that's all I can ask of myself. Is that good enough? Is my work doing any good? Is anybody paying attention? Is it hopeless to try and change things? The African guy is a sign, right? Because if he isn't than nothing in this world makes any sense to me; I'm fucked. Maybe I should quit. Don't quit. Maybe I should just fucking quit. Don't fucking quit. Just, I don't know what the fuck I'm supposed to do anymore. Fucker. Fuck. Shit."


This is a movie I only watch when some part of my life hits a speed bump or takes a new direction; it somehow manages to calm me down and allow me to focus on nothing and everything. And, besides that, it's funny! It's just really silly at times, people petting each other randomly and speaking uncensored thoughts; it's hard not to smile at the whimsical nature of the plot. And the film is not even really focused on a plot as much as it is the different archetypes of people and feelings that encompass the social environment. So, it's nice to watch something that presents a small section of society in a quizzical manner and is mildly entertaining.


"How come we only ask ourselves the really big questions when something bad happens?"


This film is an audacious mess, and it does leave some viewers "out of the loop," but for those that do catch the quirky, delusional introspections it presents, they are well rewarded. Of course, the movie (as well as the ideas it suggests) is not structured, but neither is philosophy or existentialism which are about possibilities and accepting ignorance; questioning what exists and what is known.


"All right, now, we need to learn... how to see the blanket truth all the time."


It's not easy to question validity in ourselves or appreciate ideas that suggest otherwise.


"How am I not Myself?"

Now here's a simple movie that works. The cast, the special facts, the eerie mood of enclosure and paranoia; even John Carpenter's two note, steady heart-beat score makes your body tense up. - This is the kind of horror movie I like. There are no "shock" gimmicks or cheap scares, it's all suspicion, investigation, and tension which builds up to one or two scares. I also tend to like science fiction movies in general, and usually science fiction/horror movies work for me. - The other great thing about this film is that you're really not introduced to any of the characters (except one scene with MacReady), so there is no "safety" in trusting any of the characters you watch, which adds even more tension and paranoia; and that's a good thing.

I also own the game, which is very fun to play. Although, it's not really a survival horror game, it pays a nice tribute to the movie and I thoroughly enjoy it. I would recommend it to any fan of the movie.

"It's a game. If he gets the money he wins, if the bus blows up he wins." - Like most great movies, the thing that makes this movie epic is the score theme. Sure, the directing and writing are very well done, but it's the music that puts you in a seat on that bus; I can't stress enough how much the music captures the essence of this film. - Keanu Reeves delivers another decent performance; not too bad, but also not too good. He's a very good actor, but the way he delivers some of his lines are terrible. It can be easily forgiven, however, because he always seems to pick great movies to be in (and that's what I look for in actors: taste). Dennis Hopper being himself is always good. And then you have Sandra Bullock before she became Miss Congeniality, before she became annoying (she looks better with short hair). - Overall, this is a good action-thrill ride with a nice pace for the most part; there are some parts in the movie that drag on and get kind of boring, but that may just be because the film throws so much at you that the "ordinary" scenes stand out more. - "The whim of a mad man?... I like that."

"Weeeeeelllllll... ... WHAT a Pre-DIC-a-MENT."

It's alwasy so hard for me to describe this movie; not just on Flixster, but when recommending it to friends/strangers. Especially since I'm one of those people who likes to give the one sentence pitch to people (e.g., "It'll change your life."). I always struggle to find the right words and usually say something as vague as: "It's a really cool, action movie." or "Best John Woo movie I've seen." So, on top of that, I'll just add that it's a very well executed film. The right actors with the right story and the right director help create a wonderful visual narrative backed up by some pretty damn good scoring. It can also be fairly humorous at times due to the overwhelming amount of action and drama, but that only adds to the emotional adrenaline.

"It's like looking in a mirror. Only... not."

This movie is amazing. Sean Connery and Nic Cage have great chemistry, the pace of the movie keeps you involved and excited, and Hans Zimmer serves up an explosive, kick-ass musical score. The fact that it's on TV all the time is the only thing that degrades its quality.

"Sand is overrated."


"Neither wholly cynical nor wholly romantic, Kaufman's story is a balance of smarts and sentiment." - Michael O'Sullivan (Washington Post)


"Are we the dining dead?"



"We love who we love and we can't help ourselves." - Jim Carey (A Look Inside Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)


THIS SPRING.
CLEAR YOUR MIND.


"May be the first movie I've seen that bends your brain and breaks your heart at the same time." - Owen Gleiberman (Entertainment Weekly)

"Respect the Cock."

First off, if you plan on watching this, you have to have 3 hours to spare with NO interuptions or breaks during the film, otherwise you'll ruin the experience. (Despite the length of the film, it actually flies by quite quickly and leaves you wanting more.)

"We may be through with the past, but the past is not through with us."

The film alternates between various characters throughout an entire day to show the similarities of the tragedies that befall them and the overall themes of emotions each of them share: childhood abuse, love starvation, unfulfilled ambitions, resentment, sorrow, guilt, grief, regret, etc. The characters go through several scenes of open monologue discussions with one another, sharing their darkest secrets and most hidden inner feelings as the movie blossoms and overwhelms you with their lack of dishonesty and self-disclosure. However, after you see the film once, you will never have the same impact of emotions as you did upon your first viewing.

"I'm quietly judging you."

Other than Supertramp, I'm not too particularly fond of the music used in the film, especially those songs performed by Aimee Mann; her voice just gets annoying after a while. But there were splendid performances by all, especially by Jim Kurring as the straight, noble cop that appeals to everyone. Also, the film gives me a legitimate reason to hate Julianne Moore; she's a crazy bitch in this movie.

"I will not apologize for what I am. I will not apologize for what I want."

"You make this decision now... to be afraid... and you will never turn back. Your whole life, you will always be afraid."



"This morning was the first morning that I could remember where I didn't open my eyes and feel... sadness."

"Your national security advisor has just been executed. He's a very good negotiator. He bought you another half hour." - Cheezy? Yes. Explosive? Yes. If you've got a problem with this combination, then go read a book. In the days before we had a trigger-happy Texan ridding the free world of "evil-doers", there was this movie. A film about a president who was tired of negotiating with terrorists; however, the terrorists do the one thing you'd least expect... fight back! So, essentially, this a just a movie showing Harrison Ford kicking terrorist ass aboard a hijacked, fuel-leaking plane that is pretty much being shot at throughout half the film; and that just spells: ENTERTAINMENT IGNITED. And, on the plus side, there are several other great appearances in this movie that just make the film that much better. Musical score is thrillingly patriotic and the special effects aren't noticeably bad. So, unless you've already started reading that book, preboard Air Force One and enjoy the flight. - "GET OFF MY PLANE!!"

Awesome Score that backs up the passion and spirit of this film. - Dramatically Funny with Stunning Visual displays of Kung Fu/Soccer.

You either Love this movie or you Hate it.


"I see you're drinking 1%. Is that because you think you're fat? Because you're not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to."


Ok, before going on my tirade about the polarity of this film, I really just wanna say how much I love the cinematography in this movie. All the colors, lighting, set design, outfits, and scenery all complement each other so wonderfully. Say what you will about the story structure or character development, but this is a beautiful picture. (Which may also be another aesthetic of this film that some people don't like.)


"After one week with me in my dojo, you'll be prepared to defend yourself with the STRENGTH of a GRIZZLY, the REFLEXES of a PUMA, and the Wisdom of a Man."


It was hard for me trying to find a critique online that I could sympathize with in regards to this film because many of the critics out there put so much aggression in their words against this film that it didn't seem like they were writing a review about the movie as much as they were describing their inability to relate to this film; and that's a shame.

Roger Ebert writes in his review on this film: "We can laugh at comedies like this for two reasons: Because we feel superior to the characters, or because we pity or like them." - This statement reminds me of exercises I took in both Critical Thinking and Philosophy classes when I first started college. The exercises usually consisted of Yes or No/True or False questions that were supposed to determine your personality or character traits; when, in reality, they were meant to demonstrate that the truth, or correct answer, is not always found in the choices you are provided. - Since when are emotions (in this case, comedy) so egotistical that they're limited to such few elicited responses? (Furthermore, there are plenty of other sources of actual Schadenfreude, such as FailBlog.org or peopleofWalMart.com, that people aren't so sensitive about.)

In the end, I think what aggravates most critics about this film is the same thing that most fans find really intriguing about it: It is a blatantly unformulated and queer movie. - For example, there are plenty of skits on MAD TV that use similar characters in their repetitive skits (Steward, The UBS Guy, Miss Bunny Swan, etc.), but all the skits have the same structure in relation to the character. With Napoleon Dynamite, it's a series of dragging an action figure with fishing line from behind a bus, feeding and yelling at a llama, throwing ham at someone riding a bike, eating tater tots out of your pants, childishly lying about everything, etc. - Concurrently, very dry, subtle humor revolves around the characters trying to be "cool" (which almost everyone seems to fail miserably at) by saying or doing weird, random things; and that's what makes this movie funny to some people.


"Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills."


Amy Biancolli (Houston Chronicle) writes: "Napoleon Dynamite may wear its eccentricity like a fright wig, but in the end it doesn't want to scare us. It wants us feeling warm and fuzzy. As Napoleon tells Pedro, 'Just listen to your heart -- that's what I do'."

"It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day."

In an interview, Leslie Nielsen describes the six episodes of Police Squad! (as well as the Naked Gun trilogy) as being: "not mean-spirited." - Using the example of Frank Drebin looking through a one-eyed microscope with his closed eye and Ed Hocken suggesting that he use his open eye (in a sincere, helpful way). - I would say that is why I enjoy this type of humor so much: all of the ignorance is unintentional and innocent. (There are plenty other forms of comedy exploiting the ignorance of others.)

"Jane, if you don't love me, you might as well pull that trigger, because without you, l wouldn't want to live anyway. l've finally found someone l can love - a good, clean love... without utensils... lt's a topsy-turvy world, Jane, and maybe the problems of two people don't amount to a hill of beans, but this is our hill... and these are our beans!"

"Tracy, Tracy, Tracy, Tracy! Everywhere I turn? It?s Tracy, Tracy, Tracy!" - Haven't seeing this movie in a long time, I wasn't as spellbound by it as I was when I was younger. But that doesn't make it any less of a kick-ass movie. This movie is quick-paced and fun; which is all a kid movie needs to be. - Good songs, good scoring, good performances, good set/art design. This is simply a kick-ass movie. There's no reason not to see it. - "You dumb dick!"

"You diseased maniac!"

This is another movie I watched as a child; many of my favorite Superman moments are in this film. - The Superman Theme is what makes this movie so wonderfully epic and awesome; it's the very essence of TRIUMPH. Without it, this film would be dry, dull, and not as groundbreaking as it is. - The one thing that I like about Superman is that he isn't "driven" to be a superhero. He's just a really, really "nice guy." It's this midwestern American philosophy of generosity and modesty that makes Superman so appealing to many people; doing Good unto others for the sake of Goodness. If he weren't an alien, he might be the ultimate American/Christian superhero (next to Bibleman).

"Adapting's almost shameful... it's like running away."

"There are too many ideas and things and people. Too many directions to go. I was starting to believe the reason it matters to care passionately about something is that it whittles the world down to a more manageable size."

"Adaptation's a profound process. It means you figure out how to thrive in the world."

"By simply doing what they're designed to do, something large and magnificent happens. In this sense they show us how to live - how the only barometer you have is your heart. How, when you spot your flower, you can't let anything get in your way."

"What's enough Love?..."

"...A Beautifully Purposeless Process of Society Suicide."

"That That Is Is That That Is Not Is Not Is That It It Is"

"Always a little more than anyone ever gets."

"...True Love is letting go."

This movie doesn't deserve more than 3 stars (based on my rating system), but I substantially enjoy Robert Redford's 'poker face' tension scenarios throughout the film (all of the backstory on Pitt doesn't interest me that much). In fact, I really wish that's all the movie was; "Die Hard" with CIA bureaucracy.

"Those flashbacks tend to dissipate tension and interest rather than increase it, making Spy Game play more like a haphazard short-story collection than an involving and cohesive novel." - Kenneth Turan (Los Angeles Times)

It's not an exciting or heart pounding movie where you're wondering what's gonna happen next as much as it is character motive(s) tension and flashback exposition; there's no need for character development (CIA operatives have no personality).

Just as ridiculous and/or entertaining as any conspiracy theory out there. - Nice scoring too.

"My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die." - This is just a beautiful movie; everything seems to work perfectly. The best thing about this film is that it's perfect for almost any scenario; whether you're with your significant other, your family, your friends, alone, etc. It's just a wonderfully, simple movie. Kudos to all that participated in this film, kudos. - "As you wish."

"Blade Runner is a stunningly visual achievement but a failure as a story." - Roger Ebert

In the BBC documentary "Arena," Philip K. Dick's friends admit that he was amazed at the literal translation of the dystopian universe from his novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" into a perfect 'replicant' on screen; however, he was not pleased with how 'Hollywood-ized' the story and characters were presented. Even Ridley Scott admits that he put more effort and detail into the 'character' of his "landscapes" (sets) than he did (does) the actual characters. After reading the novel, I now have a more complete grasp of the discontent I feel when watching this movie. The film is perpetually bleak and dreary; mainly because that's the intentional mood of the film, but also because there isn't much going on between the characters (or within the characters themselves). All of the themes that are present in the film, that accompany the dismal atmosphere of the scenery, are derived from "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" but remain incomplete without all the others themes and character introspections present in Dick's novel. It's really hard to watch a movie that looks so damn good and not connect with the experience.

"The threadbare storyline has been augmented with characters that are scarcely developed beyond their most superficial attributes, and it becomes exceedingly difficult to care about any of their exploits..." - David Nusair (Reel Film Reviews)