Favorites: DIRECTORS

So here it is, my list of favorite directors of all time! With each director, I've listed some of my favorites from their collections of work as well as how many of their films have made it into my list of "Top 250" films of all time. I've also included the average grade I've given their films. Now, to make this process a little quicker, I only used directors of whom I had seen three or more of their films. However, if a certain individual directed more than one film in a particular franchise, then I only counted the entire franchise as one film (i.e., Peter Jackson directing the Lord of the Rings trilogy counts as one "film," not three). That being said, here's my list of favorite directors!


25. Ron Howard
My Fave Films: APOLLO 13 | BACKDRAFT | A BEAUTIFUL MIND | FROST/NIXON
My Average Grade: B
Films in My Top 250: 2Despite the fact that I'll always smirk a little bit whenever I see Ron Howard - just the look of him takes me back to watching reruns of "Happy Days" as a child - I'll have to admit that he's given us quite the resumé throughout his directing career. Although some of his work may not pop out like the collections from other directors, Howard has proven himself to be a solid and steady force on the Hollywood scene, epitomized by his Academy Award win for 2001's A Beautiful Mind.
Next Project: THE DARK TOWER (2013)

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24. Guy Ritchie
My Fave Films: LOCK, STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS | ROCKNROLLA | SHERLOCK HOLMES | SNATCH.
My Average Grade: B+
Films in My Top 250: 1
Sure, this Brit's biggest claim to fame here in the States might be the fact that he was married to Madonna, but that doesn't take away the fact that he's brought a slew of great films to our theaters over here. He finally garnered some big-name success with the release of 2009's Sherlock Holmes, and the upcoming sequel should once again thrust him name into the fray. However, his earlier work (namely, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.) prove to be his most effective films, in my opinion. As good as he's been since, he hasn't quite been able to match those two, but hopefully he will someday.
Next Project: SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (2011)

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23. Francis Ford Coppola
My Fave Films: APOCALYPSE NOW | THE GODFATHER | THE GODFATHER PART II | JACK
My Average Grade: A-
Films in My Top 250: 2
Although I know that Francis Ford Coppola had established himself as a directing force before he met George Lucas, I think I'll always see him as the mentor to the Star Wars creator before anything else. That being said, Coppola does have the Godfather franchise on his side, so that alone should put him in the discussion of one of the greatest directors of all time. I haven't seen a ton of his work - I think the four listed above round out what I've seen - but I have greatly enjoyed every once of his films that I've had the pleasure and opportunity to view.
Next Project: TWIXT NOW AND SUNRISE (2011)

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22. Ridley Scott
My Fave Films: ALIEN | AMERICAN GANGSTER | BLACK HAWK DOWN | GLADIATOR
My Average Grade: B
Films in My Top 250: 3
Ridley Scott has been a little bit hit-or-miss for me in the past ten years or so, with the releases of films like 2010's Robin Hood and 2003's Matchstick Men throwing me a little off. However, this is the man who brought us the original Alien film - one of the only movies that has ever caused me to scream - and effectively made Russell Crowe a legitimate force in the acting world with 2000's Gladiator. Scott directs with a strong hand and has an eye for realism and a visceral nature. As much as I've scratched my head over his latest choices in film, I'd have to say that I would still head to a theater to see a movie with his name on it.
Next Project: PROMETHEUS (2012)

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21. Rob Reiner
My Fave Films: FLIPPED | THE PRINCESS BRIDE | WHEN HARRY MET SALLY...
My Average Grade: A-
Films in My Top 250: 3
Had you asked me a year ago whether I would've placed Reiner on this list, I probably would've responded with a resounding "no." To be fair, I had only seen The Princess Bride by that point, but I personally thought it had been a one-hit wonder for him (at least in terms of my viewing pleasure). All that changed when I saw 2010's Flipped and 1989's When Harry Met Sally... a few weeks ago. Reiner has a deft hand at crafting romance, but the romance is a little bit different than the standard bits we get in other comedies today. They're more realistic, and the fact that that realism has conveyed through a number of his films has to be chalked up to his direction.
Next Project: THE THIRD ACT (2012)

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20. James Cameron
My Fave Films: ALIENS | THE TERMINATOR | TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY | TITANIC
My Average Grade: B+
Films in My Top 250: 2
It took a lot for me to put James Cameron onto this list because I'm definitely not a fan of him as a person. I'm sure he was a tolerable individual pre-Titanic, but massive amounts of success can do wonders for a person's personality (read: sarcasm). However, when I took a step back, I realized that he has brought a number of fantastic films to the world, and no, I'm not including Avatar in that conversation. The simple fact that he crafted the Terminator franchise would be enough for a mention on this post, but his continuation of the Alien franchise and the sappy romance Titanic are also some of my personal favorites. Will I see Avatar 2 and 3 when they're released? Probably, if only because I know Cameron's direction will be stellar.
Next Project: AVATAR 2 (2014)

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19. Clint Eastwood
My Fave Films: CHANGELING | INVICTUS | LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA | MYSTIC RIVER | UNFORGIVEN
My Average Grade: B
Films in My Top 250: 3
I know what you're thinking: Why is the fantastic Clint Eastwood so low on this list? Well in all this confusion, I've found an answer myself. While Clint has directed some of the better of the last twenty years (see: 1992's Unforgiven and 2003's Mystic River), he's also served some dishes I wish I could've sent back. For example, 2010's Hereafter proved to be rather lackluster, and I personally didn't find 2008's Gran Torino to be all that great (although I realize I'm the minority there). Despite his recent speedbumps, I'd have to say that Eastwood is one of the premiere filmmakers in Hollywood today, and whenever I see his name attached to a film, I get a little giddy with excitement. Do you (punk)?
Next Project: J. EDGAR (2011)

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18. Robert Zemeckis
My Fave Films: BACK TO THE FUTURE | CAST AWAY | FORREST GUMP | WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT
My Average Grade: B+
Films in My Top 250: 3
Like Eastwood, Zemeckis has had a little bit of trouble as of late in his career, bringing forth some films that don't quite match his earlier work. However, his earlier work is stellar enough to make me keep watching them over and over, so a lot has to be said about his overall level of direction. This is the guy who brought one of the most beloved films of the '80s to the screen in Back to the Future, then less than a decade later crafts the beloved - and highly quotable - Forrest Gump. I'd say that's enough to get him a spot on this list, don't you?
Next Project: YELLOW SUBMARINE (2012)

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17. Oliver Stone
My Fave Films: THE DOORS | NATURAL BORN KILLERS | PLATOON | WALL STREET
My Average Grade: B-
Films in My Top 250: 2
You can say what you want about Oliver Stone. I realize he's a little bit of a polarizing figure who makes movies that are a little bit edgier than most. That's put him on the bad side of many an individual, and I myself have shaken my head at some of his endeavors (here's looking at you, Alexander). But when Stone is on his game, then he's one of the best directors out there. My personal favorites are the ultra-violent Natural Born Killers - a trippy look into the life of a pair of serial killers - and the Academy Award-winning Platoon which chronicles an outfit in the Vietnam War. They're both stellar films, in my opinion, and they've helped Stone leave his mark on film history.
Next Project: SAVAGES (2012)

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16. Quentin Tarantino
My Fave Films: DEATH PROOF | INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS | PULP FICTION | RESERVOIR DOGS
My Average Grade: C+
Films in My Top 250: 1
For the longest time, I wasn't much of a fan of Mr. Tarantino. The Kill Bill movies came out while I was in high school, and it seemed like everyone absolutely loved them, so I had to go against the grain and dislike them for the sake of my own individuality. As a result, I forced myself to be turned off by any Tarantino fare, until 2009's Inglourious Basterds came around. It's utter brilliance led it to six wins in my personal films awards, but more importantly, it opened my eyes to how good Tarantino actually is. I'm still going back through his filmography, but with every movie I watch (or re-watch), I'm more and more impressed by his work.
Next Project: DJANGO UNCHAINED (2012)

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15. Baz Luhrmann
My Fave Films: AUSTRALIA | MOULIN ROUGE! | ROMEO + JULIET
My Average Grade: A
Films in My Top 250: 2
Now, I've only seen three of Luhrmann's films (to be fair, his list of directorial features is small), but I've loved every single one of them. He brings a certain flare to his films that I can only see him bringing, and it gives each of his movies a certain degree of originality that's not often seen in today's cinematic world. My first introduction to a Luhrmann film was his contemporary telling of the age-old tale of Romeo and Juliet, and the freshness of the screenplay automatically drew me into the story. But the real seller of Luhrmann's effectiveness was his 2001 film Moulin Rouge! which mixed an older tale with contemporary music to create a magical story of love. Simply brilliant work, I must say.
Next Project: THE GREAT GATSBY (2012)

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14. Darren Aronofsky
My Fave Films: BLACK SWAN | REQUIEM FOR A DREAM | THE WRESTLER
My Average Grade: A
Films in My Top 250: 3
If you would've asked me six months ago, I'm not sure whether Darren Aronofsky would have made this list. I had enjoyed his films in the past, but I still felt like he was teetering between being good and being great. With the release of Black Swan, however, my entire perspective on his body of work changed. Because my most recent memory of Aronofsky fare was The Wrestler - a film that went away from his normal type - I had almost forgotten about his deft dealing into the trippy and insane. Black Swan reminded me of Aronofsky's skill behind the camera, and it ultimately pushed him to this point on the list.
Next Project: MACHINE MAN (2012)

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13. Wes Anderson
My Fave Films: BOTTLE ROCKET | FANTASTIC MR. FOX | THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
My Average Grade: B+
Films in My Top 250: 1
I'm not sure whether I've found any director to have a quirkier sense of humor than Anderson, and I think that's what I love about him. He brings an alternative style of comedy to the screen, and the fact that he has found a group of actors who can fit into that vein of comedy has served him incredibly well throughout his career. That offbeat humor has set him apart in Hollywood, and he has consistently made successful films simply because he doesn't go down the already beaten path. Kudos, Mr. Anderson, and keep up the good work.
Next Project: MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)

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12. Sam Mendes
My Fave Films: AMERICAN BEAUTY | AWAY WE GO | ROAD TO PERDITION
My Average Grade: B+
Films in My Top 250: 3
Like Guy Ritchie, I feel like Mendes was partially well-known because of his marriage to Oscar-winner Kate Winslet. I realize he had his own success, but while they were together, I feel like that was the only time I ever heard his name. That shouldn't take away from his own personal stamp on Hollywood, however. I mean, his debut feature (American Beauty) nabbed the Academy Award for Best Picture and gave him his first - and to date, only - Oscar statuette. And Mendes has been going strong ever since. He's even been tapped to direct the next James Bond film, showing the amount of respect he has received through his career.
Next Project: BOND 23 (2012)

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11. Tim Burton
My Fave Films: BATMAN | BEETLE JUICE | BIG FISH | CORPSE BRIDE | SWEENEY TODD
My Average Grade: B+
Films in My Top 250: 2
If Wes Anderson was the king of quirky, then Tim Burton must be off-the-charts out there. When you've got a guy directing films like Beetle Juice, Edward Scissorhands and Corpse Bride, you've got to think there's something a little off. But his offbeat approach has garnered him quite the cult following, and there's a huge faction of people who would probably follow Burton to the ends of the earth. Add the fact that he's married to Oscar-nominee Helena Bonham Carter, and you've got the makings of a deeply dark but always hysterical pair that could take over Hollywood if they so desired.
Next Project: DARK SHADOWS (2012)

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10. David Fincher
My Fave Films: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON | FIGHT CLUB | SE7EN | THE SOCIAL NETWORK
My Average Grade: A-
Films in My Top 250: 4
Earlier in his career, David Fincher appeared to be the man to create some go-to cult films, directing films like 1995's Se7en and 1999's Fight Club. By making a name for himself with those films, he had the opportunity to push himself even further into the limelight here in the 21st century. He strayed away from his normal fare with 2008's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but his most well-received film to date is 2010's The Social Network for which he came moments away from nabbing an Oscar for Best Director. He'll win one eventually because a man as talented as him won't let that opportunity slip past him again.
Next Project: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011)

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9. Sergio Leone
My Fave Films: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY | ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA | ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST
My Average Grade: A
Films in My Top 250: 3
Now, I haven't seen much of Leone's filmography, but of the three films I've seen, I think I have a bit of a grasp on his style of directing. As you can see, the three films I've seen (listed above) have all landed in my list of top films of all time, so that should say something about Leone's effectiveness as a director. Yes, the films are a bit on the longer side, but they never find a way to be dull in the slightest. His spaghetti westerns are superb, and his gangster flick (Once Upon a Time in America) is so in-depth and detailed that you'll stay riveted throughout.

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8. Joel & Ethan Coen
My Fave Films: BURN AFTER READING | FARGO | NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN | O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
My Average Grade: A-
Films in My Top 250: 4
In the past few months, I've been hearing more and more than the Coen brothers aren't all that great of people, in that they're a tad bit snobby and think they're better than the people who surround them. If that's true, I might not actually want to meet them as I had previously wanted, but that doesn't take away from the fact that they're fantastic filmmakers. It must be difficult to be a co-director on nearly all of your films, but because they're brothers, they must be directing in the same vein. Sure, they've had their misfires, but for the most part, their films are simply fantastic, if a tad bit confusing. You can sense the "holier-than-thou" attitude in their films, but they're still stunningly spectacular.
Next Project: Unknown

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7. Kevin Smith
My Fave Films: CLERKS. | CLERKS II | DOGMA | JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK | MALLRATS
My Average Grade: B
Films in My Top 250: 2
The king of New Jersey (no, I don't mean Snooki or the Situation) had to make an appearance on this at some point. When you've got a guy whose films are essentially interrelated, and he's been successful in doing so for nearly twenty years, then you've gotta give him a little bit of credit. Add the fact that Smith makes acting appearances in nearly all of those Jersey-centric films as Silent Bob, and you can imagine how difficult it must be to keep everything linear and in context. He splashed onto the scene with cult favorite Clerks., and he's just continued to roll ever since then. I'm ecstatic for his upcoming Red State, where he takes a break from the comedy and delves into horror. I'm curious as to see how it will go.
Next Project: RED STATE (2011)

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6. Mel Brooks
My Fave Films: BLAZING SADDLES | ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS | SPACEBALLS | YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
My Average Grade: B+
Films in My Top 250: 2
The king of spoofs also had to merit mention here. Mel Brooks has done it all: screenwriting, directing, acting - you name it, he's probably done it! While some of his earliest spoofs (i.e., Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein) are some of his best work, he still draws audiences in to see his slightly-less-marvelous films like Spaceballs and History of the World: Part I (of which I'm still waiting to see Part II...). He's the epitome of a Hollywood funnyman, crafting interesting characters and scenarios, all the while making fun and making light of past entries into the Hollywood legend.
Next Project: Unknown

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5. Christopher Nolan
My Fave Films: THE DARK KNIGHT | FOLLOWING | INCEPTION | MEMENTO | THE PRESTIGE
My Average Grade: A
Films in My Top 250: 5
I think this seems like a little bit of a trendy pick right now, but I think Christopher Nolan has done enough with his relatively short career to have already thrown his name into the mix as one of the best directors of the 21st century (I wouldn't quite say "of all time" just yet, but he could be getting close). Now, most people will be familiar with his work on the Batman franchise and his 2010 brainchild, Inception, but his brilliance actually started with his debut feature, 1999's Following. The only film I have yet to see from Nolan's filmography is 2002's Insomnia, but the rest of his films have all received a grade of "A-" or higher from me. There's very few directors who can boast such an honor. I'll be interested to see what Nolan produces after his Batman trilogy ends next year.
Next Project: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012)

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4. Martin Scorsese
My Fave Films: CASINO | THE DEPARTED | GOODFELLAS | TAXI DRIVER
My Average Grade: A-
Films in My Top 250: 6
When Three 6 Mafia won an Oscar in 2006, Jon Stewart came onto the stage and said that the official Oscar rankings now read, "Three 6 Mafia 1, Martin Scorsese 0." Now, it only took him until the following year to nab his first - and only - Oscar statuette, but he probably should've won it many times over throughout his illustrious career. The man is one of the premiere directors in all of Hollywood, and for him to have gone that long before being recognized by the Academy is nothing short of shocking. Everyone already knew how impressive a director he was, so the Oscar was just the icing on the cake. A Scorsese picture is viewed unlike any other, and his films should be treated with the utmost respect.
Next Project: HUGO (2011)

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3. Stanley Kubrick
My Fave Films: 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY | A CLOCKWORK ORANGE | DR. STRANGELOVE | FULL METAL JACKET
My Average Grade: A-
Films in My Top 250: 4
Of all the directors on this particular list, Stanley Kubrick is probably the most misunderstood, at least in terms of the films he has directed. I mean, when you've got a film like 2001 on your resumé, you're going to garner a lot of questions. Add the fact that he's directed other brilliant films like A Clockwork Orange and Dr. Strangelove, and you've got the makings of a Hollywood legend. I'm not quite sure if I should go so far as to say the man was a directorial genius, but he's about as close as they come.

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2. Alfred Hitchcock
My Fave Films: THE BIRDS | NORTH BY NORTHWEST | PSYCHO | VERTIGO
My Average Grade: A-
Films in My Top 250: 3
How could the Master of Suspense ever be left off a list like this? In fact, how could the man who directed the film I consider to be the greatest of all time ever be left off this list? Hitchcock is a name synonymous with brilliant classic films, and it's for good reason. He had a knack for upping the level of suspense in his films to the point where it became almost unbearable. Sure, by today's "standards" his fare is rather tame, but at the time of their release, some of his movies shocked and horrified audiences beyond anything they had ever seen. The man was a genius in his own right, but despite having this desire to craft films of a macabre nature, he had a rather jovial personality and a wonderful sense of humor. If I could travel back in time and meet anyone I wanted, Hitchcock would definitely be near the top of the list.

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1. Steven Spielberg
My Fave Films: JAWS | JURASSIC PARK | RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK | SAVING PRIVATE RYAN | SCHINDLER'S LIST
My Average Grade: B+
Films in My Top 250: 9
Who else could have topped this list? Well actually, I'm sure there were many other directors who could've topped this list, but none has had more of a lasting effect on my life than Steven Spielberg. The man has given life to some of favorite films of all time, and for that reason alone, he deserves the top spot here. However, I think it's his range and ability to move between genres that makes him a truly great director. He started with a summer-time action thriller with Jaws then moved to a dramatic sci-fi adventure with Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In 1993, he made another thriller in Jurassic Park as well as a wartime drama in Schindler's List. He's taken on D-Day and Martian invasions, and this year, he'll be adding an animated film to the mix. I don't know of many other directors who have so many different styles under there belt and remain successful through them all. Because Spielberg has done so, I crown him my favorite director of all time.
Next Project: THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (2011)

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Movie Review: RUBBER

RUBBER

2011
R

Rubber is a 2011 horror comedy directed by Quentin Dupieux. Because I'm having a little bit of trouble finding the words to describe the film's synopsis, I'm going to use the synopsis that the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has given: "When Robert, an inanimate tire, discovers his destructive telepathic powers, he soon sets his sights on a desert town; in particular, a mysterious woman becomes his obsession." I think that sums up the basic plot of the film, but it in no way explains the sophistication of the screenplay. But more on that in a moment.

When you think about this movie, you can only imagine how terrible it could possibly be. I mean, we're essentially made to think that we can sympathize or relate to a tire that rolls around exploding anything that comes in its path. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but that's part of the appeal of the film. In 1971, Steven Spielberg directed a film called Duel that was essentially about a killer semi that chased on commuter all over the highway. That was also far-fetched, but Spielberg's direction was so good that he made the situation completely believable. In the case of Rubber, Dupieux does the same with his tire. Yes, it's a little out there, but you soon find yourself suspending your belief and falling into the vein of the film. So far, so good for the French filmmaker.

However, there's another layer - I guess you could call it a side story? - to this film. On the one side, we have a story of a killer tire that goes around offing everything and everyone it comes into contact with, but we also have a bit of a social tale about watching movies. In a way, Rubber can be called intensely metatheatrical. The side story involves a group of seemingly misplaced individuals stranded in the middle of the desert equipped only with a personal pair of binoculars. Apparently they have all congregated to watch the events of the tire from afar, as though they were watching a film. These characters even have back-and-forth dialogue like one would hear inside a movie theater, complete with arguments over being quiet during the show.

At the same time, the characters who are actually part of the story are privy to the fact that they're putting on a show. At one point during the film, it seems as though their audience has left them, and the characters stop acting and intend to call it quits. It's only when they receive news that a select member of the audience is still watching that they resume their character and the narrative continues. It's theater about theater, and in that regard, I was entirely impressed.

There's another aspect of the film that resonates from the beginning. In the opening shot, we see Lieutenant Chad (Stephen Spinella) exit a police cruiser and break the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience. He explains that in every great film, there's a varying degree of "no reason" that is required for a film to function. For example, he cites the reasoning behind why the alien in E.T. was brown, saying that there probably was no reason. He gives a slew of examples, and it sets the stage for the rest of the film, which seems to posit no apparent reason to anything that happens. This idea comes full circle when the remaining member of our "on-screen audience" breaks into the narrative and explains that he doesn't understand the characters' thought process. I personally took the scene as an indictment of modern-day audiences and their need for an explanation to everything in a film. We can go back and forth about our own interpretations of any given film, but the filmmaker ultimately holds the key to that information and will continue to go with that thought process until its logical conclusion, even if the logic only makes sense to them. So within the context of a killing spree, we're basically being told to stop overthinking films. Rather brilliant, if I do say so myself.

I know I'm not really explaining this clearly, and I'm sorry if this review seems a little muddled. Unfortunately for Rubber, it does get a little muddied itself and delves into a little bit of delusion of grandeur. I plan on giving this one another go at some point to see if I can make a little more sense of out it, but until then, it's only bordering on brilliance. However, Rubber could be one of those gems that no one will ever see. At the end of the day, it's not a film for anyone, but those of us film aficionados are probably the target audience. It's a French art film, first and foremost, and should be viewed as one.

Movie Review Summary:

Grade: B+
1 Thumb Up
Addition to Rankings
Best Horror/Thriller - #45

Movie Review: THE HANGOVER PART II

THE HANGOVER PART II

2011
R

The Hangover Part II is a 2011 comedy film directed by Todd Phillips that serves as a sequel to the 2009 smash-hit, The Hangover. This time around, we're heading off to Thailand as Stu (Ed Helms) prepares to marry Lauren (Jamie Chung). As one can imagine, his best friends Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Doug (Justin Bartha) are headed there as well, and a late addition sees the slightly-troubled Alan (Zach Galifianakis) also attending the wedding. Much to Stu's reluctance, he's talked into having a beer after a pre-wedding party, and fans of the original film will know exactly where the film is going. The following morning, Stu, Phil and Alan awaken in a seedy motel in Bangkok without any memory of the night before. The key difference, however, is that they haven't lost Doug; instead, they've managed to lose Lauren's sixteen-year-old brother Teddy (Mason Lee). As they try to piece together the events of the previous night in order to find their lost friend, they utilize the help of a familiar face in Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong), whose status as an international criminal only muddies their plans.

After The Hangover raked in nearly $280 million in the United States and garnered a Golden Globe win for Best Musical or Comedy, anyone could've guessed that a sequel loomed somewhere on the horizon. Rather than take us back to Las Vegas, the screenwriters chose to take us somewhere a little more exotic. I personally think that Thailand proved to be a perfect choice, considering a lot of the stereotypes that we Westerners have concerning the seedy areas there. So as one can imagine, I had high hopes going into this flick.

Unfortunately, Part II didn't really reach those expectations, at least for me. Everyone in my theater was rolling with laughter, and while I did laugh quite a bit, I couldn't quite see how any of it was different than the previous film. Aside from the locale, Part II seemed more like a remake than a sequel. A lot of the jokes seemed forced, and the best ones were the ones that directly referenced the events of the original film. Yes, some of the jokes are grand, but for the most part, it all felt a little bit stale to me.

Even the level of acting was a little below where it was in the original film. Our lead trio (Helms, Cooper and Galifianakis) should have been the most consistent, but only Galifianakis brings anything close to an A-game. Cooper and Helms are essentially carbon-copies of their previous personas, and while Galifianakis doesn't offer anything drastically different, his character still seems a little bit fresh. Ken Jeong is easily the best part of the film, bringing a much-needed manic energy that the rest of the actors somehow forgot to bring. I was completely glued to the screen whenever Jeong happened to grace it, and I only wish we could've gotten a little bit more. Oh, and Paul Giamatti makes a bit of an extended cameo, but I'm still debating whether it was entirely necessary.

(On a side note, those of you who read my breakdown of the film's original teaser trailer know that I said Liam Neeson would be making a cameo appearance in lieu of the preferred Mel Gibson. I can sadly report that neither of them appears in the film, so don't get your hopes up.)

Ultimately, The Hangover Part II just seemed a little bit off throughout its entire run-time. I think my sister put it best when she said that the original film offered a shock value that no one was really expecting. Because the first film had pushed the limits so far, we came to expect that the sequel would try to do the same. Yes, there's still quite a bit of shock value in Part II, but I think that the audience - and especially myself - was a little more braced for what we were about to see. And I think that works against the film even if it shouldn't. It's terribly difficult to make a sequel that outdoes the original, and Part II doesn't quite reach the level of the original. That's not to say it's not entertaining. I'll be the first to admit that I laughed quite a bit, but that pang of originality that surrounded the original film simply didn't translate to this one.

Movie Review Summary:

Grade: B-
1 Thumb Up

Trailer Breakdown: SHARK NIGHT 3D

For those of you who may have seen my preview of my most anticipated movies of the 2011 summer season, you'll have seen a little movie called Shark Night 3D that has been slated for a September 2nd release. Now, there aren't many people who would be interested in a movie like this, but my friend Caitlin and I have been excited for it since the moment we first heard about it. I hadn't heard that a trailer had been released, but she informed me only moments ago, and after watching it, I felt immediately driven to create this post to share it with all of you. As is the norm with these trailer breakdowns, I've crafted a list of questions and observations that you'll see below the video:

And now, for my questions and observations:

1. Is it just me, or does every movie involving a group of college co-eds going on vacation tend to take a turn towards disaster?
When a movie starts with some twenty-somethings heading out to a place in the middle of nowhere, you're going to get one of two types of movies: a porn or a horror (although often times, the two are mixed a little bit - that's the vein of horror movies nowadays). Seeing as this film is entitled Shark Night 3D, I think it's safe to assume we're in for a little bit of horror and, hopefully, a lotta bit of gore. I'd say that's enough to consider it a bit of a "disaster" for all those involved.

2. Wait, there's sharks in a lake? Does that even make sense?
Strangely enough, it does despite the college co-eds' initial confusion about the subject. I've watched enough Shark Week to know that there are some sharks that travel into freshwater basins, so the idea of a man-eating shark in a lake or a river isn't all that far-fetched. Is it going to serve this film well? We'll have to wait and see. However, an early tidbit of believability has slightly been presented. It looks as though one of the sharks (pictured at right) appears to be a bull shark, one species that does find its way to freshwater. So there's some real-life continuity with that particular choice. However, I'm pretty sure that I saw a great white somewhere in the trailer, and that's not something that's ever been observed. Let the ridiculousness resume.

3. Will this film achieve the same amount of success as 2010's Piranha 3D?
It's hard for me to imagine that creation of Shark Night 3D isn't a direct response to the success of last year's Piranha remake. While that film only grossed a $1 million dollar profit (it cost $24 million to make but made $25 million), it garnered very strong critical reviews. Online review aggregate Rottentomatoes.com says that Piranha 3D plays "exactly to expectations for a movie about killer fish run amok...dishing out gore, guffaws and gratuitous nudity with equal glee." Can Shark Night 3D pull in the same type of feel? My early guess is "no." The reason for this thought is this: Piranha was marketed as a horror-comedy while Shark Night is only being marketed as a horror. The reason Piranha was so good was because the audience was supposed to laugh at it. By posing as strictly a horror film, Shark Night leaves itself open to be laughed at rather than laughed with.

4. Will this film tribute Jaws or rip it off?
Let's face it - any movie involving a killer shark is automatically going to garner comparison to the bar that Jaws set thirty-six years ago. We've seen a slew of bad shark movies in the past, including the sequels to that original 1975 film - at the end of the day, it'd take an act of sheer brilliance even to match the staying power of Jaws. Piranha 3D actually came the closest to doing just that (it was still a long way off, but it was closer than any other film I've ever seen) in that it served as a bit of a homage to Jaws without ever feeling like it was stealing from it. However, those were piranha. Shark Night is actually about a shark (or sharks), making the comparison direct. Even in the trailer, I've already seen one scene that looks like it's taken directly from Jaws (it's the scene where the shark rips a piece of the dock into the water - I have it pictured to the left). Shark Night is going to have to tread a very fine line if it wants to peek its head out of the shadow that Jaws already has over it.

5. Can a 21st-century horror film make it through its run-time without involving torture?
There's a scene in the trailer that looks like a redneck sheriff is lowering one of the co-eds into the water on some kind of crank and pulley system (pictured at right). Can you say a sick and twisted bit of torture? I realize that the face of the horror genre was drastically changed by the creation of the Saw franchise, but that doesn't mean that every single horror movie has to involve torture. It's getting kinda old, and I don't think it has any place in a movie about shark attacks. Let the sharks do the torturing - we don't need Leatherface's cousin taking care of it for us.

6. The black dude dies first.
The trailer already proved this. I really don't have anything to say about it. I guess it just fits the mold of your standard horror flick. At least they're sticking with the necessary conventions. (If you're reading this and thinking I'm racist, then you're obviously not fluent in sarcasm.)


That being said, I cannot wait for this film to hit theaters over Labor Day weekend. I know I'll be seeing it on opening day, and I'm already ecstatic about the prospects for its terrible-ness. However, we shall have to wait and see.

Movie Awards: BEST OF 1999

Another throwback. We're taking it back before Y2K, so maybe there'll be a bit of a nostalgia factor for some of you. Enjoy!


Best Visual Effects
Nominees:
BICENTENNIAL MAN
GALAXY QUEST
THE MATRIX
THE MUMMY
STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE

Winner: THE MUMMY

----------

Best Original Song
Nominees:
"La Resistance Medley," by the Ensemble from SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT
"Still," by Alanis Morissette from DOGMA
"When She Loved Me," by Sarah McLachlan from TOY STORY 2
"Wild Wild West," by Will Smith from WILD WILD WEST
"You'll Be in My Heart," by Glenn Close & Phil Collins from TARZAN

Winner: "LA RESISTANCE MEDLEY"

----------

Best Original Score
Nominees:
James Newton Howard for THE SIXTH SENSE
Jerry Goldsmith for THE MUMMY
Michael Kamen for THE IRON GIANT
Mychael Danna for GIRL, INTERRUPTED
Phil Collins for TARZAN

Winner: JAMES NEWTON HOWARD

----------

Best Cameo or Brief Appearance
Nominees:
Dane Cook in MYSTERY MEN
Donnie Wahlberg in THE SIXTH SENSE
George Carlin in DOGMA
Philip Seymour Hoffman in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
Ron Jeremy in THE BOONDOCK SAINTS

Winner: DONNIE WAHLBERG

----------

Best Young Star
Nominees:
Alicia Morton in ANNIE
Haley Joel Osment in THE SIXTH SENSE
Jake Lloyd in STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE
Michelle Trachtenberg in INSPECTOR GADGET
Thora Birch in AMERICAN BEAUTY

Winner: HALEY JOEL OSMENT

----------

Best Couple
Nominees:
Brendan Fraser & Rachel Weisz in THE MUMMY
Chloë Sevigny & Hilary Swank in BOYS DON'T CRY
Chris Klein & Mena Suvari in AMERICAN PIE
Sigourney Weaver & Tim Allen in GALAXY QUEST
Thora Birch & Wes Bentley in AMERICAN BEAUTY

Winner: CHLOE SEVIGNY & HILARY SWANK

----------

Best Villain
Nominees:
Alex Haw in FOLLOWING
Arnold Vosloo in THE MUMMY
Brad Pitt in FIGHT CLUB
Geoffrey Rush in MYSTERY MEN
Peter Sarsgaard in BOYS DON'T CRY

Winner: BRAD PITT

----------

Best Hero
Nominees:
Brendan Fraser in THE MUMMY
Liam Neeson in STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE
Norman Reedus & Sean Patrick Flanery in THE BOONDOCK SAINTS
Tim Allen in GALAXY QUEST
William H. Macy in MYSTERY MEN

Winner: NORMAN REEDUS & SEAN PATRICK FLANERY

----------

Best Voice Acting
Nominees:
Ahmed Best (as Jar Jar Binks) in STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE
George Clooney (as Dr. Gouache in SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT
Harry Connick Jr. (as Dean McCoppin) in THE IRON GIANT
Joan Cusack (as Jessie) in TOY STORY 2
Wayne Knight (as Tantor) in TARZAN

Winner: GEORGE CLOONEY

----------

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Catherine Keener in BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
Claire Forlani in MYSTERY MEN
Jennifer Aniston in OFFICE SPACE
Mena Suvari in AMERICAN PIE
Salma Hayek in DOGMA

Winner: CATHERINE KEENER

----------

Best Supporting Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Angelina Jolie in GIRL, INTERRUPTED
Cate Blanchett in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
Chloë Sevigny in BOYS DON'T CRY
Helena Bonham Carter in FIGHT CLUB
Thora Birch in AMERICAN BEAUTY

Winner: ANGELINA JOLIE

----------

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
David Della Rocco in THE BOONDOCK SAINTS
Greg Kinnear in MYSTERY MEN
John Malkovich in BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
Sam Rockwell in GALAXY QUEST
Seann William Scott in AMERICAN PIE

Winner: JOHN MALKOVICH

----------

Best Supporting Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Alex Haw in FOLLOWING
Brad Pitt in FIGHT CLUB
Jude Law in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
Peter Sarsgaard in BOYS DON'T CRY
Willem Dafoe in THE BOONDOCK SAINTS

Winner: BRAD PITT

----------

Best Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Alicia Silverstone in BLAST FROM THE PAST
Cameron Diaz in BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
Heather Graham in BOWFINGER
Molly Shannon in SUPERSTAR
Rachel Weisz in THE MUMMY

Winner: CAMERON DIAZ

----------

Best Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Annette Bening in AMERICAN BEAUTY
Charlize Theron in THE CIDER HOUSE RULES
Gwyneth Paltrow in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
Hilary Swank in BOYS DON'T CRY
Winona Ryder in GIRL, INTERRUPTED

Winner: HILARY SWANK

----------

Best Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Brendan Fraser in THE MUMMY
John Cusack in BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
Ron Livingston in OFFICE SPACE
Steve Martin in BOWFINGER
Tim Allen in GALAXY QUEST

Winner: STEVE MARTIN

----------

Best Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Bruce Willis in THE SIXTH SENSE
Edward Norton in FIGHT CLUB
Kevin Spacey in AMERICAN BEAUTY
Matt Damon in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
Russell Crowe in THE INSIDER

Winner: KEVIN SPACEY

----------

Best Screenplay, Comedy
Nominees:
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
BOWFINGER
DOGMA
THE IRON GIANT
SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT

Winner: SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT

----------

Best Screenplay, Drama
Nominees:
AMERICAN BEAUTY
FIGHT CLUB
FOLLOWING
GIRL, INTERRUPTED
THE SIXTH SENSE

Winner: FIGHT CLUB

----------

Best Cast, Comedy
Nominees:
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
BOWFINGER
DOGMA
THE MUMMY
MYSTERY MEN

Winner: THE MUMMY

----------

Best Cast, Drama
Nominees:
AMERICAN BEAUTY
FIGHT CLUB
FOLLOWING
GIRL, INTERRUPTED
THE SIXTH SENSE

Winner: FIGHT CLUB

----------

Best Sequel or Prequel
Nominees:
AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME
STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE
TOY STORY 2

Winner: TOY STORY 2

----------

Best Animated Film
Nominees:
THE IRON GIANT
SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT
TARZAN
TOY STORY 2

Winner: SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT

----------

Best Horror/Thriller
Nominees:
THE SIXTH SENSE
SLEEPY HOLLOW
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY

Winner: THE SIXTH SENSE

----------

Best Action/Adventure
Nominees:
THE BOONDOCK SAINTS
GALAXY QUEST
THE MUMMY
MYSTERY MEN
STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE

Winner: THE MUMMY

----------

Best Comedy
Nominees:
AMERICAN PIE
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
BOWFINGER
DOGMA
GALAXY QUEST

Winner: DOGMA

----------

Best Drama
Nominees:
AMERICAN BEAUTY
FIGHT CLUB
FOLLOWING
GIRL, INTERRUPTED
THE INSIDER

Winner: FIGHT CLUB

----------

Best Picture of the Year
Nominees:
AMERICAN BEAUTY
FIGHT CLUB
FOLLOWING
GIRL, INTERRUPTED
SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT

Winner: FIGHT CLUB

----------
Final Tallies:
Most Nominations: 9 (American Beauty; The Mummy)
Most Wins: 6 (Fight Club)

----------
Other Awards:
2010 (Best) | 2010 (Worst) | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Movie Review: MEGA PYTHON VS. GATOROID

fMEGA PYTHON VS. GATOROID

2011

Mega Python vs. Gatoroid is another film brought to us by the Asylum via director Mary Lambert. The film opens with environmentalist Dr. Nikki Riley (Debbie Gibson) releasing a number of snakes and pythons that she "rescued" back into the wild of the Florida Everglades. Soon, the snakes grow much larger than they should, causing quite a bit of problems - including loss of life - in the community around the swamps. After her fiancé is killed by a snake, local sheriff Terry O'Hara (Tiffany) sets a personal vendetta against the creatures. Her plan to kill said pythons? Feeding anabolic steroids to the local alligator population. As one can imagine, the gators grow to massive size, and through their battles with the pythons, the snakes also continue to grow. Fast forward six months, and things seem to be moving along well for the Everglades community until giant pythons and alligators once again begin to attack. Nikki and Terry reluctantly have to join forces, and with the help of an herbatologist (A Martinez), the group sets out to stop the creatures before they can destroy the entire community.

Considering this is another film brought to us by the Asylum and the Syfy channel, it's probably not fair to go into too much detail describing just how incredibly bad it is. Looking back, I might've judged Mega Piranha a tad too harshly, but I'll stand by my review as it currently reads. Still, I'd like to say now that I won't be delving into the specifics of why Mega Python vs. Gatoroid was bad; rather, I'll be pointing on the moments that should make it a worthwhile venture for you to sit and watch.

While the acting is especially dreadful, there are quite a few performances that are so over-the-top that you'll find yourself rolling with laughter as the actors dish out their lines. None are more extreme than our two lead females, both of whom were 1980s pop sensations on the musical charts. By themselves, they're pretty horrendous actresses who definitely know how to make the worst of a line or a scene; however, when you put them in the presence of one another... let's just say we might have found cosmically-bad acting gold. Now to be fair, a lot of their laughable interplay works as a result of the film's "screenplay" - for example, there's one scene where they have a prolonged catfight that seems to drag on and on, and the only reason I could find to have it was for the comic relief it provided. They play characters on two completely opposite ends of the spectrum, and it's rather hilarious to watch them interact with one another.

And the film constantly refers to where these two got their start. For instance, the film's soundtrack includes Gibson's "Snake Charmer" and Tiffany's "Serpentine," and there's even a moment in the film where one of them says, "I think we're alone now," to which the other immediately responds, "There doesn't seem to be anyone around." Yes, it's ridiculously cheesy, but I couldn't help but chuckle at the in-jokes that surfaced here and there.

I already feel like I've talked a tad too long about this flick, but I'll try to give it just a little bit more. In the end, anyone watching Mega Python vs. Gatoroid obviously knows what type of film they're getting ready to see. If they actually expected something brilliant, then it wouldn't have crossed their mind in the first place. However, the people who want to watch this film are the ones who know what it hopes to deliver, and in that regard, I can say that Mega Python vs. Gatoroid is a success. Just remember: even a bad movie can be enjoyable. You just have to know what to look for.

Movie Review Summary:

Grade: F
1.5 Thumbs Up

Addition to Rankings
Worst All-Time - #44

Movie Review: RIO

RIO

2011
G

Rio is a 2011 animated film directed by Carlos Saldanha that focuses on the last two blue macaws left on the planet. After Blu (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) is taken from his jungle home, he finds himself in the ownership of a young Minnesota woman named Linda (voiced by Leslie Mann). The two live a carefree existence as companions until a Brazilian ornithologist named Tulio (voiced by Rodrigo Santoro) finds them and tells them that Blu is the last male of his species. After some convincing, Linda agrees to take Blu to Rio de Janeiro where Tulio's office is located. Once there, he attempts to get Blu to mate with his female blue macaw, Jewel (voiced by Anne Hathaway). Before they can do so, however, the two macaws are stolen by smugglers. While the humans desperately try to find them, Blu and Jewel attempt to escape from their captors, including a cockatoo named Nigel (voiced by Jemaine Clement). Once they're free, they must continue to elude re-capture and do so with the help of a toucan named Rafael (voiced by George Lopez) and two smaller birds named Pedro (voiced by Will i Am) and Nico (voiced by Jamie Foxx).

For the most part, we're given a pretty standard and predictable story. As soon as everything is set into motion, it's hard not to guess how the film will ultimately end. I mean, it's a kid's movie - it's not like the birds are going to get offed halfway through, leaving room for a political statement about how we should all respect the environment and the creatures living within it (although the "respect the environment" bit worked extremely well in a little movie called WALL-E). No, there's no over-arching and heavy-handed work here. We just have your basic story of "boy meets girl, girl hates boy, girl learns to love boy," etc., etc., etc. So there's really not much there to surprise you.

As a certain Captain Jack Sparrow said only a few days ago in his newest film, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, "it's not the destination so much as the journey." With a lot of kid's movies nowadays, it's very easy to figure out where we're going to end - the reason the good ones stand apart is because they offer something new and fresh in the time it takes us to reach that logical conclusion. While the storyline is pretty standard, the "freshness" of Rio comes from some of the film's aspects - namely, the voice acting and the musical composition.

Let's start with the actors. Eisenberg and Hathaway are decent as our leads, although I personally had a little bit of trouble listening to Eisenberg without thinking of any of his live-action performances. All I could see was Mark Zuckerberg trapped inside a bird's body, and it was a tad bit off-putting for the first half hour or so. However, the great vocal performances come from the supporting crew. Will i Am and Jamie Foxx steal the show with their mix of spoken word and singing pieces. Their comedy exceeds anything else in the film, going from the dorky to the socially relevant. They appeal to the broadest range, offering some scenes for the kids and some for the teens and adults who may be watching the film as well. I know that on-screen "chemistry" is a term usually left for romantic interludes, but there's a definite chemistry between these two in the film, and it works to their advantage. George Lopez is George Lopez, but it's still nice to hear his familiar voice now and again. I also thought that Clement did a fantastic job as the film's semi-principal villain, providing a maniacal and crazed bird to contrast the rest of the animals on the screen.

The music also works exceptionally well, truly adding a sense of realism to the film as a whole. Brazil is a country known for its music and its celebrations, so for any film set there had to convey as such. In this regard, Rio does not disappoint. The orchestral score from John Powell - who has also scored such animated films as Shrek, Happy Feet and Kung Fu Panda - does well conveying his part of the soundtrack. However, the real credit has to go to the original songs written for the film. My personal favorite songs in the film include the ensemble piece "Real In Rio," Will i Am and Jamie Foxx's "Hot Wings (I Wanna Party)," and Foxx's solo, "Fly Love." The rest of the songs are just as good, but those are easily the ones I enjoyed the most. Clement even gets a song of his own. All in all, I found the film's soundtrack to be superb.

Overall, Rio is a step ahead of being a good but forgettable film. There are a few pieces - namely the presence of Will i Am and Jamie Foxx - that make this movie a little more lasting than it probably deserves to be. Don't expect to be blown away by the storyline because you'll know exactly where it's going. Just take it for what it is, sit back and enjoy the ride, and I'm sure you'll have a blast.

Movie Review Summary:

Grade: B
1.5 Thumbs Up